Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1949
Genres: Novel, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Of all the Agatha Christie novels that I've read, ''Crooked House'' has one of the most unexpected, surprising endings. Not only this, ''Crooked House'' is a delightful read, from the beginning to the end. It is a suspenseful novel, with well developed characters and a wonderful narrator.
The narrator of this novel is Charles Hayward. He loves Sophia Leonides, granddaughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, Aristide Leonides, who is of Greek origin. Charles and Sophia meet after a long time. But Sophia tells Charles that they can't marry right now. Why? Because Sophia's grandfather, Aristide, has recently died, from poisoning. It is apparent that Aristide has been murdered.
Charles's father is an Assistant Commissioner of the Scotland Yard. Charles decides to figure out who actually did the crime. He visits Three Gables, residence of the Leonideses. A gigantic house with a lot of family members living peacefully.
Charles gets acquainted with the members of the family. Brenda, Aristide's second wife, who is more than fifty years younger than her late husband. Sophia's parents, Phillip (who keeps an impassive expression and keeps himself busy with his books), and Magda (an actress). Roger, Aristade's other living son, and his wife, Clemency. Edith de Havilland, an elderly spinster and the sister of Aristade's first wife. And Sophia's siblings: the moody, handsome, Eustace, and the intelligent little Josephine. There's also Laurence Brown, the children's tutor. And there is an elderly Nannie.
Every member of the family seems to suspect Brenda, Aristide's young wife. Brenda seems to be the one with the strongest motive and opportunity. But Charles finds Brenda to be a helpless, lonely woman who can never be capable of committing a murder.
Who has murdered Aristide Leonides?
This is a novel that has deep, well developed characters and a lot of suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the solution came so unexpected. It surprised me. Surely it has one of the most unpredictable endings, among the Agatha Christie novels. An excellent novel, highly recommended! It is probably, right now, one of my favorite Agatha Christie books.
4 out of 5
(On a separate note, I'll not be very active in blogging for the next few weeks, as my exams are approaching! I'll be active once again from early December, after my exams end).
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Published: 1905
Genres: Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Sara... She is probably one of the most memorable young characters that I've ever come across. ''A Little Princess'' was such a heartwarming, beautiful read that can evoke strong emotions. It is so overwhelming, inspirational charming book. It was so, so, so wonderful, so beautiful, overwhelming.
Sara Crewe was born and grew up in India. Her father, Captain Ralph Crewe, brings her to England, where she is enrolled at a boarding school.
The Headmistress of the school, Miss Minchin, apparently dislikes Sara, but treats her excellently, because of her father's wealth. Sara receives excellent behavior from Miss Minchin, she has a room and a sitting room of her own, but that does not make her arrogant... Instead, she helps the weak students (especially her classmate, Ermengarde). Life for Sara seems happy, perfect.
But tragedy strikes soon. Sara's father dies suddenly... and Miss Minchin is furious to find out that Sara is now a penniless orphan and is completely her (Miss Minchin's) responsibility. Just within a minute, the behavior of Miss Minchin towards Sara completely changes. The cordiality, affection turns into scorn, fury, and dislike. Sara is no longer allowed to stay in the luxurious bedroom, but she is sent to stay at the dark attic, in a room next to the scullery maid. The condition of the room is dreadful. Sara is reduced to the rank of a servant, compelled to run errands, she gets scorn from not only Miss Minchin, but also from the cook and the servants. Her clothes get torn, dirty and old. Her outward appearance becomes shabby and pitiable, but her strong imaginative power, her determination makes her capable to face all these challenges and difficulties. She makes herself think repeatedly that however pitiable her outward condition is, she is still a princess, a princess who is facing difficulties. Her strong imaginative power enables her to move on, face the hunger and cold winters...
And how wonderful it was to read this novel! It was just like an emotional, overpowering journey!
Sara Crewe... Princess Sara. She is a strong, a very memorable protagonist! At the beginning of the novel, Sara is a girl who has received so much affection, so much love from her father, and has always lived in luxury. But she is not spoiled. Instead, she is a kind, a very gentle, charming girl who is eager and very willing to help people. And then though she faces hardship and suffering, her spirits remain, her imagination remains, she is still Princess Sara. Even in this pitiable condition, she has the wish to help people. This character is simply unforgettable.
Miss Minchin... she was such a vicious villain! Miss Minchin's change of attitude towards Sara, within a moment... it was so shocking! She is a cruel, vicious antagonist.
''A Little Princess'' is a very inspirational, heartwarming, overwhelming, emotional novel, an enchanting, beautiful story! Sara Crewe is a very, very memorable, determined, and strong character. I absolutely loved this novel!
5 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1942
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Mrs Bantry wakes up hearing the screams of the housemaid, who says that there is a body in the library. It is the body of a dead young woman. Nobody in the house has ever seen this young woman before. Mrs Bantry calls her friend, the wonderful Miss Jane Marple, to solve the mystery. It is then revealed that the dead woman is Ruby Keene. Circumstances and investigations lead to more discoveries, and the case seems puzzling and difficult. Then... the charred remains of a girl is found from a burnt car, and it is guessed that the murders of this girl and Ruby Keene are perhaps connected...
While I cannot say that I loved this one, ''The Body in the Library'' was definitely a very enjoyable read that made me puzzled and kept me guessing. There's not much suspense in this one, but the novel was definitely very interesting! While the main investigation is done by Superintendent Harper, Inspector Slack, Colonel Melchett, and Sir Henry Clithering, Miss Marple is the one who solves the whole case, who succeeds in making everything clear. The solution to the mystery was quite clever .
I really like Miss Marple. It is my third Miss Marple novel (I previously read ''A Murder is Announced'' and ''4.50 from Paddington'') and I am looking forward to read more Miss Marple novels! She is such an interesting character. Her ''village parallels'' were really very interesting.
''The Body in the Library'' was a puzzling and enjoyable read.
3 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1939
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
And Then There Were None... ah, it was such an intense,
baffling, scary mystery!!! It was so impressive and overwhelming! It was so
very suspenseful and scary, and it is certainly the best among the Agatha Christie novels
that I've read till now. It was SO intense, so powerful and psychologically intense! I LOVED it.
And Then There Were None kept me tensed and guessing. It was so intense, suspenseful.
The plot is about an island, the Soldier Island. Eight people are invited to the Soldier Island. The eight guests are: Justice Wargrave, Vera Claythorne, Anthony Marston, General MacArthur, Phillip Lombard, Mr Blore, Dr. Armstrong, and Miss Brent. After
their arrival there, they find out that there are no other people in
the island, except themselves and two servants, Mr and Mrs Rogers. There are just these ten people in this island. Nobody else. The owner of the island is apparently a Mr. Owen, whom nobody (not even the servants) has ever seen.
Atmosphere in the house, and the island, is somewhat odd, strange. All the guests find a paper in their room, where the nursery rhyme ''Ten Little Soldiers'' is written. Everybody is startled by the atmosphere of the house, but this turns into dread and fear when the guests start dying, one by one... And within a short time, all the guests come to guess that none of them will leave the island alive... and a constant fear arises: who will be the next victim? Along with many other questions. Who is the murderer? Is he one of them?...
''And Then There Were None'' builds up an excellent atmosphere, an atmosphere that is filled with scares, intensity, suspense. The psychological impact on the characters because of the events, is portrayed very well. Some of the characters, and the situations, have so much depth. The novel kept me guessing. And the solution was so excellent.
I loved this one. ''And Then There Were None'' was extremely suspenseful, thrilling, and an absolute page turner.
5 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1954
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
''The Horse and His Boy'' is the fifth published book in ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. It is kind of a midquel, as it takes place within the events of ''The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe''. (''The Horse and His Boy'' is set during the Golden Age of Narnia, during the rule of the High King Peter and his siblings).
Shasta is a boy who lives with a fisherman, Arsheesh. One day, he comes across a horse, owned by a guest who has come to Arsheesh. To Shasta's great surprise, the horse can talk. The horse reveals that he is from Narnia, where different kinds of beasts can talk. He had been kidnapped from Narnia, when he was young. The horse wants to go back to Narnia, and it becomes apparent that Shasta is also originally from Narnia, as his complexion is much different than that of the Calormene people. Shasta decides to run away the horse (whom he calls ''Bree'') to Narnia and the North.
On their journey, they come across a mare, Hwin, who had also been kidnapped from Narnia when she was young. Hwin's companion is a girl, Aravis. Aravis is running away to Narnia because her marriage has been fixed with a person whom she doesn't wish to marry. Shasta, Bree, Aravis, and Hwin unite and start going to Narnia together. But then they come across a dangerous plan. Prince Rabadash of Calormen is furious because Queen Susan of Narnia has refused to marry him. The Prince makes a plan to capture Queen Susan. Shasta and his companions decide to prevent the plot and make the High King Peter and his siblings aware of the plan. Their journey is dangerous and difficult...
Compared to the earlier books in the series, ''The Horse and his Boy'' actually had less magic and also, less charm in it. I didn't really love it like I had loved the earlier books. While ''The Horse and his Boy'' is exciting and adventurous, I thought that the previous books had been more magical and engrossing. However, it was good to read about Susan, whom we hadn't met since ''Prince Caspian'', and Lucy and Edmund, who had last appeared in ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader''. (Peter is mentioned, but never appears in this book). Susan, Lucy and Edmund make brief appearances here.
The four lead characters, Shasta, Bree, Aravis and Hwin, were really quite interesting. The characters were quite well developed, especially Shasta and Aravis. I found Lasaraleen really amusing. Prince Rabadash is the main antagonist of this novel.
The adventures, and the goal and attempt of the lead characters to try to save Narnia and Archenland from a disastrous attack, was really interesting to read. Overall, while ''The Horse and his Boy'' was certainly a really enjoyable read, I think I liked the previous books more, much more, than this one.
3 out of 5
Author: Anne Brontë
Published: 1847
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The Bronte sisters are among my favorite authors. Emily Bronte's ''Wuthering Heights'' and Charlotte Bronte's ''Jane Eyre'' are two very special books for me. While ''Wuthering Heights'' is my favorite book of all time, ''Jane Eyre'' is one of the books that made me fall in love with books. These two books are so powerful, so intense, with so strong, powerful, memorable characters. Charlotte and Emily are thus two of my favorite authors. ''Agnes Grey'', however, is the first Anne Bronte novel that I've read.
Anne Bronte was the youngest of the Bronte sisters. She wrote only two novels: ''Agnes Grey'' and ''The Tenant of Wildfell Hall''.
''Agnes Grey'' is based on Anne's own experiences while working as a governess. The titular character of this novel, Agnes Grey, being the youngest member of the family, grew up with a lot of love and affection from her parents and elder sister. Though her father has a modest income, he does his best to keep the family happy and comfortable, but, however, circumstances make them fall into poverty.
Agnes decides to earn a living as a governess. She takes the job of a governess to the children of the Bloomfield family. The mischievous and disobedient children make life miserable for her, and she gets tired and devastated. However, after she loses her job because Mrs Bloomfield has complains about the children's learning, she is appointed as a governess to the children of the Murray family.
Miss Rosalie Murray and Miss Matilda Murray are older than Agnes's Bloomfield pupils, and in some ways, they are a little less mischievous. But though they are not very mischievous, they are immature, disobedient and spoiled, and Agnes's life in the Murrays' home also becomes difficult. But when will she find happiness and satisfaction...?
''Agnes Grey'' is mainly about the life and sufferings of the protagonist. In the Victorian era, governesses were poor, but educated young women, who used to teach the children of wealthy people. The governesses used to live in the house, and despite being well educated, they were often treated merely as upper servants. They were often victims of bad behavior. For example, in ''Agnes Grey'', we see Agnes not even being greeted by the acquaintances of the Murray girls.
''Agnes Grey'' is about the life, feelings, sufferings of Agnes Grey. She finds love... she falls in love with Mr Weston. But will she find the happiness that she longs for?
The narration is impressive. The overall story, and the storytelling, is moving. It is Agnes's day-to-day story, Agnes's retelling of her life as a governess, her pains, her suffering. Her feelings towards Mr Weston was very touching, but even in case of love, there were so many obstacles and uncertainties in front of her.
''Agnes Grey'' was a pleasant and touching novel... But when I compare it to ''Wuthering Heights'' and ''Jane Eyre'', Agnes Grey seems rather a little plain. Both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre were so powerful and intense, with characters whom I'll never forget. ''Agnes Grey'', on the other hand, was touching, but not as much that it will remain very memorable... nor were the characters that well developed. BUT ''Agnes Grey'' was also worth a read, and I'm glad that I read it.
3 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1957
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Crime, Suspense
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
The first Agatha Christie novel I read was ''A Murder is Announced''- a Miss Marple. Since then, I have read several Poirot novels, and ''4.50 from Paddington'' is my second Miss Marple.
I really enjoyed ''4.50 from Paddington''. Miss McGillicuddy is traveling to her friend, Miss Jane Marple, from Scotland. On her way, her train comes parallel to another train (the two trains are running on parallel tracks). Miss McGillicuddy witnesses something terrible. She witnesses a man strangling a woman, in the other train... She has a brief glimpse of the crime--- she couldn't see the man's face.
Miss McGillicuddy tells her friend, Miss Marple, about the crime that she had witnessed. Miss Marple is eager to find out what actually happened. But it is a really difficult task- how would she guess where the body of the murdered woman is? However, after doing some research, she guesses that the body is somewhere around a country house, Rutherford Hall.
Miss Marple decides to take the assistance of an acquaintance, Lucy Eyelesbarrow. Lucy, a highly educated young woman, works as a housekeeper. Miss Marple asks Lucy to temporarily take the job of a housekeeper at Rutherford Hall, and try to locate the body. Lucy agrees, and soon finds herself in Rutherford Hall, and works hard to find clues and locate the body.
Most of the investigation, in this novel, is done by Detective Inspector Craddock and Lucy Eyelesbarrow, while Miss Marple solves the mystery.
As the story progresses, it becomes complex and interesting. I really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed the characters. Miss Marple's warmth is very remarkable, and Lucy Eyelesbarrow- she was just amazing! I loved how she takes both her tasks so seriously: while she works hard to find clues to solve the mystery, she also works hard to take care of Rutherford Hall, and people living there. She was really a wonderful character.
It's always delightful to read Agatha Christie's novels. Her books are so pleasant. The characters, the situations, with dry humor now and then- all these are so charming. ''4.50 from Paddington'' was no exception. The novel kept me guessing, and the solution was really wonderful. The book was delightful and interesting, often suspenseful, with well developed characters, and humor.
3 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1953
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Mystery, Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Silver Chair is the fourth book (in publication order) in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Eustace Scrubb, whom we first met in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is transported, along with his classmate Jill Pole, to Narnia. They are informed that King Caspian, whom the Pevensies helped to come to the throne in ''Prince Caspian'' and with whom Eustace traveled to the end of the world in ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'', is now an old man, and he has no heir. He had a son, Prince Rilian, but ten years ago, he had disappeared. Eustace and Jill now have the duty to find the lost prince. Aslan tells Jill some signs which they should follow in order to find the lost prince.
In this book, Eustace and Jill come across a variety of adventures. They come to know how the Prince had disappeared. Their companion in their adventures in Puddleglum, a Marsh-wiggle, a creature with long arms.
''The Silver Chair'' has many new settings, and some new creatures are introduced. The readers get to know about the Underland.
Puddleglum was such an interesting character! And I obviously liked Eustace and Jill.
The Silver Chair was such an enchanting, such a magical, such an entertaining novel! I loved it. I loved all of the adventures. My favorite chapter in this book was ''The Queen of the Underland'', because it was such an intense, such a suspenseful chapter!
4 out of 5
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1817
Genre: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
With Northanger Abbey, I have completed reading all the six novels by Jane Austen. Austen has become one of my favorite authors. Her novels are so charming, witty, brilliant!
I really liked ''Northanger Abbey''. Not only is it brilliant and enjoyable, it is also one of the wittiest Austen novels. The heroine, Catherine Morland, is the most immature heroine created by Austen. Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most headstrong heroines I've ever come across. Elinor and Marianne were both sensible. Fanny Price was meek and timid (but not immature like Catherine). Anne Elliot was timid as well. Emma Woodhouse was a little immature. But Catherine, to begin with, is plain silly at the beginning of the novel.
Northanger Abbey was, in fact, the first novel that Austen completed (she completed it in the late 1790s) but it was published posthumously by her brother, in 1817, along with ''Persuasion''.
We are introduced to Catherine Morland, who has never had the qualities that a heroine should possess. She was a tomboy and took no pleasure in music or painting. But as she grew older, she began to train herself to become a heroine.
When Catherine is seventeen years old, a neighbor, Mrs Allen, invites her to go to Bath with her. Catherine immediately accepts the invitation, hoping that through this visit to Bath, she might find her hero, and a lot of adventures.
In Bath, Catherine and Mrs Allen get bored because they have no acquaintances there. But soon, at a ball, Catherine dances with the charming and handsome Henry Tilney. Gradually, Catherine gets close to Henry, his sister Eleanor, and their father, General Tilney.
Catherine also becomes very good friends with Isabella Thorpe, who is younger sister the sister of her (Catherine's) elder brother's friend. Isabella's brother, John Thorpe, tries to woo Catherine, but the latter dislikes him.
The Tilneys invite Catherine to travel with them to Northanger Abbey their residence in Gloucestershire. Catherine, who is an avid reader of Gothic novels, is thrilled after getting the invitation, and immediately accepts the invitation. She expects Northanger Abbey to be a castle full of Gothic horrors and mysteries: old, hidden passages, signs of tortures and mysteries and murders. Catherine comes to draw a parallel between Northanger Abbey and Gothic castles, and begins to think General Tilney as a Gothic villain, a cold-blooded murderer.
Throughout the novel, Catherine Morland comes across incidents that will eventually help her to find sense, maturity, and love. She is a silly, immature girl at the beginning of the novel. Her actions are really, really funny. Especially, after her arrival in Northanger Abbey, her fantasies about Northanger Abbey being a Gothic castle and General Tilney being a villain, there were so amazing and so very funny! Northanger Abbey often parodies Gothic novels. Especially, ''The Mysteries of Udolpho'' plays an important role.
''Northanger Abbey'' was definitely an amusing, entertaining and funny read. Catherine Morland is yet another excellent character, immature and funny. Most of the novel was light, though the last chapters did become a little serious. It is not my favorite Austen (Emma is my favorite Austen, followed by Pride & Prejudice), but I really enjoyed reading it.
4 out of 5
Author: Charles Dickens
Published: 1854
Genres: Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
Compared to other Charles Dickens novels, there are relatively a few characters in this novel, and no noticeable subplot. ''Hard Times'' is the shortest novel by Charles Dickens. It is also the only Charles Dickens novel not to have any scenes in London.
The story is set in an industrial town named Coketown. Here, the working class people who work in the mills, known as ''Hands'', are subject of many ''fictions''. The owner of some such mills is the ruthless and easily detestable Mr Bounderby, who is always declaring that he is a self made man and how an unprivileged childhood he had had. Mr Bounderby's friend is Thomas Gradgrind, who is so fond of facts that he has never let his children read anything, or know anything fictional. He has given strict education to his children from their childhood. His two eldest children, Louisa and Tom, play important roles in the story. After Louisa turns into a young woman, Mr Bounderby, who is at least thirty years older than her, proposes his marriage with her, which she accepts due to some reasons revealed in course of the novel.
A part of this novel deals with Louisa's married life and the difficulties she comes across, how the strict education from her childhood made her emotionless. The latter part of this novel deals with a crime for which an honest person is apparently falsely accused.
Dickens's characters play a more vital role in his novels that his stories do. The character development in this shortest novel of his is no less significant. My favorite characters in this novel are Louisa, Rachael and Sissy. These three characters have got much emphasis and depth. Stephen Blackpool is also a likeable character. Louisa can be considered the main character of this novel. I really felt sympathy for Louisa. Mr Bounderby and Mrs Sparsit were quite detestable.
''Hard Times'' was mostly a grim novel. With a relatively few characters (if compared to the other Dickens novels), the novel spends much time giving emphasis to the sad lives of Louisa, Stephen, Rachael, and also the unfortunate love of James Harthouse.
I really liked this novel. Despite being comparatively short in length, the development of the characters and incidents were really very good.
4 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1951
Genres: Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Our four protagonists, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, are waiting at the train station. They will soon be starting for their schools. One year has passed since their adventures at Narnia. Suddenly, everything around them starts to change, and they are transported to Narnia once again! Though, in their world, just a year had passed, more than a thousand years have passed in Narnia. They discover the ruins of the castle where they used to live when they had been the kings and the queens of Narnia. But why have they come back to Narnia? That's because Narnia needs their help again.
Prince Caspian is the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. In this novel, our four protagonists again have the responsibility to bring back peace and justice in Narnia. Narnia has no peace, no magic. The magical creatures are mostly destroyed- though some still survive by hiding. Cruel kings rule the land. And the four children have the responsibility to restore the throne to the rightful king of Narnia, Prince Caspian, and to bring back the magic, the enchantment, the beauty, back to Narnia.
I liked Prince Caspian more than I liked the first book in the series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I had loved the first book as well, but I think the first book was too fast paced, and didn't have too much time to develop the characters (Peter, for example, had not much depth). But Prince Caspian has much more depth and emphasis on the characters. Edmund and Lucy had been well-developed in the first book, and I loved how Susan and Peter's characters also got depth and emphasis in the second book. I also loved Prince Caspian! This book is also quite fast paced, but I think it had more depth. And it was also very engrossing and exciting, an adventure-filled page turner! I also loved the short history that Aslan describes near the end of the novel. We get more insight of Narnia and the magical worlds in the second book. I loved the overall concept and the story. And I can't wait to read the next books in the series!
5 out of 5
Author: Agatha Christie
Published: 1926
Genres: Novel, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The narrator in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is Doctor Sheppard. One evening he is invited to dinner to Fernley Park, the residence of Roger Ackroyd. Ackroyd reveals to Sheppard a hidden fact, centering the late Mrs Ferrars and her late husband. Doctor Sheppard leaves the house after conversing for some time with Ackroyd.
At his house, Doctor Sheppard gets a phone call. It is from Parker, the butler at Fernley Park. Parker informs him that Ackroyd is dead! Sheppard runs to Fernley, but Parker denies having made any such phone call. They break into Ackroyd's study, and discover that Roger Ackroyd is... dead.
The magnificent Hercule Poirot steps into the case, and taking Doctor Sheppard as an assistant, he starts investigating.
Who can have murdered Roger Ackroyd? In this case there are so many suspects. A stepson who has been missing since the death of Ackroyd. A butler with mysterious behavior. A maidservant. The housekeeper. Ackroyd's sister-in-law and niece, with whom he was never generous with money.
I was amazed with the twisted ending. Just AMAZED. I could have never even guessed it! It was so unpredictable. So unexpected. So amazing. Great twist, great ending!!!
I enjoyed reading the book. Well, Agatha Christie is always amazing. And so is Hercule Poirot. I guessed now and then throughout the book, but none of my guesses actually matched. Just as I was so amazed and delighted with the ending, it also took me some time to accept the twist. But however, the whole novel is excellent, and it brings me again and again into commenting about the ending, which was just unpredictable and excellent.
4 out of 5
Author: C. S. Lewis
Published: 1950
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was really a magical read for me. Absolutely magical. It was a quick read, but it was indeed a wonderful reading experience.
Siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent, during the World War II, to live with an elderly professor, to a huge and mysterious house. The professor himself has suspicions that this house is filled with odd and fantastical things.
One day, in a spare room, Lucy finds a wardrobe, and entering it, she finds herself in a separate world! A world with magical creatures: fauns, giants, centaurs, and many, many other magical creatures. She meets a faun, who tells her that the name of this world is Narnia. He also tells her that the world is being ruled by an evil witch, who claims herself as the Queen. It is because of the witch's magic that it is always winter in Narnia; summer and spring never arrive.
None of Lucy's siblings believe about her discovery of a world at the other side of the wardrobe, but eventually, circumstances make ALL FOUR OF THEM to get into Narnia. There they come across the fact that it had been predicted long ago that four humans will one day come to Narnia, and they will become the Kings and Queens of this world. And the witch is after them to kill them, so that they can't seize the power from, her. Moreover, Edmund gets on the witch's side because of his greed for the delicious food that the witch had given him. Will Peter, Susan and Lucy be able to save Narnia from the cruel hands of the evil witch? Will Edmund understand his mistake? Will the the witch be ever defeated?
This was a quick read and was really fascinating. Narnia's description is so wonderfully given. (The change from winter to summer as the Witch's magic was weakening- was really fascinating). The characters are so interesting. My favorite characters were Lucy and Aslan. The evil witch is well portrayed, and readers grow to hate her. I loved the overall story. It was magical and suspenseful. I loved the ending. And I eagerly look forward to read the sequels soon!
4 out of 5!
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1813
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I first read this novel a couple of years ago. To tell the truth, that time I didn't really appreciate this novel that much. Perhaps I was too young at that time to appreciate the beauty of this novel, this beautiful love story. This time I read it. And I loved it. I really, really, really loved it. Not as much as Austen's Emma though. Emma is my favorite Austen novel, and Pride and Prejudice has, undoubtedly, become my second favorite Austen novel.
Mr and Mrs Bennet have five daughters: the mild, gentle Jane, who is so timid that she cannot find fault in anyone; the beautiful but headstrong Elizabeth; the intellectual Mary; and silly and insensible Catherine (Kitty) and Lydia. Jane and Elizabeth are the only members of the family having the values to mix with the upper class, elegant society. Mrs Bennet is silly, and Mr Bennet, though sensible, is unsocial. All the family estate and wealth are to be passed to a distant male cousin after Mr Bennet's death, and Mrs Bennet is eager to get all her five daughters married to wealthy men.
Mrs Bennet gets a wonderful scope for her goal when the rich Mr Bingley comes to live in the Netherfield Hall. Mrs Bennet is eager to get Jane married to Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley arrives, and brings with him Mr Darcy, a close friend. Mr Darcy seems to be overly arrogant and haughty, and everybody takes a dislike in him. Both Elizabeth and Mr Darcy take a dislike on each other. On the other hand, Jane and Mr Bingley become close and it is evident that they are in love.
Elizabeth's dislike for Mr Darcy becomes stronger when Mr Wickham, a man belonging to the regiment that has come to the area, tells her how Mr Darcy had deceived him. Mr Bingley leaves Netherfield, and Elizabeth becomes suspicious that Mr Bingley's sisters and Mr Darcy was persuading him to break his relation with Jane, because of the low connections of the family. But the mutual dislike, between Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, must turn into love, because of the incidences, misunderstandings, and revelations that follow. Impressions will change, love will be gained, trust would be lost and gained. Impressions, this word is an important theme in this novel.
The change of impressions, and the reasons for this change, are so intensely explored in this novel. The change of Elizabeth's feeling for Darcy, from resentment to gratitude to love, is so well developed, so well described, so well explored. The progress of love is so steadily described, that it made me really care for the characters, their feelings for each other. Jane Austen was really a genius author who knew how to create so deep, so lively characters.
The two protagonists, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy, are both flawed characters. The pride and prejudice have great influences in them- influence that they will regret in future. However, the incidences that character come across in course of the novel will make them realize their mistakes, that will slowly develop the love, the romance. While Darcy and Elizabeth share pride, prejudice and headstrong character, the other pair of lovers, Jane and Bingley, also share the qualities of gentleness, calmness, timidity, and the quality of easily becoming influenced by somebody. I also admired the supporting characters. Mrs Bennet was funny. Lydia and Lady Catherine were irritating. Mr Collins was both funny and irritating. I also liked Mr and Mrs Gardner.
It is not that Mrs Bennet's intentions can always be blamed. Yes, she is irritating. But she only wants her daughters to be settled, because of their such small inheritance. If we think from this point, then it can be a little bit easier to appreciate the character. I didn't take her as an irritating character. Rather, I thought the character was humorous, I thought the character was really very funny.
Like other Austen novels, wealth and social status play an important role in this novel. The book is set in an era where social status were important for every single marriage to take place. And it affected and influenced so many loves, so many marriages. Likewise, this theme plays an important role in this book as well. I won't go into detail about how it played the role because that would be giving away too much.
There is a lot of humor. A great deal of humor. The response of Mr Bennet after Mr Collins proposes to Elizabeth. Mrs Bennet is herself so very funny. Kitty and Lydia's actions were another source of humor.
In short, I really loved this novel. Really. I loved the development of feelings, I loved the excellently-developed characters, I loved the humor, and on the whole, I loved this beautiful and touching love story.
5 out of 5!
Author: Johanna Spyri
Published: 1880
Genres: Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I hadn't read Heidi for a while (the last time I read it was in 2009 or 2010), so it was definitely a joy to read this beautiful novel again! I love Heidi. It is such a comfortable, such a nice little story!
The story is about Heidi, who is only a little orphan girl when she is sent to live with her grandfather, a man who lives all by himself in a little hut and doesn't quite mix with the society. However, Heidi begins to love her grandfather and the hut, and everything around her. She loves the mountains, the flowers, the goats. She becomes friends with Peter, a goatherd. She also becomes close to his family. Life in the beautiful place becomes extremely peaceful and happy.
But then things change as Heidi's aunt- who was her previous guardian- come and take her to Frankfurt, to be companion of Clara, a girl who cannot walk. Heidi longs for going back to home. But she also becomes close to the members of the household, particularly with Clara, a servant called Sebastian, and Clara's grandmother, who occasionally comes to Frankfurt for a long visit. But her heart longs for going back to home. And ultimately, because she experiences sleepwalking and weakness and weight loss, Clara's father sends her back to live her grandfather.
Heidi's life becomes as it had been before she had gone to Frankfurt. She talks with Grandfather, plays with the goats, visits Peter's Grannie. But however, the friendship she had made while she had been in Frankfurt will always remain intact, and in this beautiful, green place full of natural beauty, a miracle waits for Clara...
This was a simple and comfortable read. I absolutely loved it! I loved the characters. I loved Heidi. I liked Clara. I liked Grannie. I haven't much to say about WHY I loved this book. I loved this book simply because it was a simple, touching, and wonderful story! I loved it because the characters, especially Heidi and Clara, were so loveable! Overall, I'd absolutely recommend this book!
5 out of 5!
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1811
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Review
I have read several of Jane Austen's novels this year. I LOVED Emma, and it perhaps has become one of my favorite novels, and also loved Persuasion, and just liked Mansfield Park. And I really liked Sense and Sensibility. This novel has excellently developed characters, incidences, situations, and it was a very pleasant and enjoyable read.
The novel has two heroines: Elinor Dashwood, who at the beginning of the novel, is a matured young woman of nineteen, and Elinor's younger sister, Marianne, who is not as mature as her sister. The novel tells the story of the love, experiences, heartbreaks, happiness, sorrow of the two sisters. Though Elinor is the major heroine, Marianne's love, heartbreak, and most importantly, her becoming mature because of the incidences that she has to go through, is also given equal emphasis.
At the beginning of the novel, Mr Dashwood dies, leaving a widow (who was his second wife) and her three daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, and a son from his first marriage, John Dashwood, and John's wife Fanny Dashwood. John inherits Norland Park, the residence of Mrs Dashwood and her three sisters, and they moved to Norland. Mrs Dashwood is soon disgusted by the attitude of the selfish John and his even more selfish wife, Fanny. Meanwhile, Elinor becomes close to Fanny's brother Edward Ferrars, and it seems apparent that they are in love. Mrs Dashwood heartily appreciates the relation between Elinor and Edward. Soon, Mrs Dashwood and her three daughters moved to Barton, settling at a small cottage belonging to Sir John Middleton, a distant relative.
At Barton, Marianne becomes close to Mr Willoughby, a charming and handsome young man. It seems that they are certainly they are in love. Readers also meet Colonel Brandon, an unmarried friend of Sir John. It is apparent that Colonel Brandon loves Marianne, and it is also apparent that Marianne dislikes the Colonel. For some unclear reasons, Willoughby is forced to go to London, leaving Marianne sad and lonely.
Soon, Marianne and Elinor go to London with Mrs Jennings, Sir John's mother-in-law. There both the sisters come across painful incidences and revelations regarding the men whom they love, bringing sorrow, disappointment and heartbreak to both of them. In the end, will the broken hearts be mended? Will the misunderstandings be cleared? Will everyone be happy?
I really enjoyed reading Sense and Sensibility. I liked the characters. Elinor, another matured Jane Austen heroine, is very likeable. I found Marianne likeable at times and quite irritating at others. For example, when Marianne and Willoughby criticize the modest and decent Colonel Brandon in such a harsh way, it was really very sad and irritating! I also liked Edward Ferrars, though he did not have that much depth that the other Austen heroes have. Like the characters of the novel, I also disliked Willoughby, but I have to admit that his confession near the end of the novel was really pitiable. I also liked Mrs Jennings. She was quite a funny character! Her misunderstanding, misconceptions, and quick decision on who is going to marry whom, was indeed very funny!
The novel deals with the two heroines' love, hope, fear, hopelessness, disappointment. Marianne Dashwood's becoming more matured through the course of the novel is also quite remarkable! The romance has, however, little depth. The romance is mostly expressed through the sorrow of the heroines after losing, or facing the possibility of losing, the person they love. It was really touching at times.
On the whole, I didn't exactly love Sense and Sensibility, nor will it be one of my favorite Jane Austen novel, but it was certainly quite a delight to read this book! It was pleasurable, enjoyable, and at times, an emotional read!
4 out of 5
Author: William Golding
Published: 1954
Genres: Novel, Adventure, Horror
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Lord of the Flies centers around a group of children- whose ages are between six and twelve- who are trapped alone in an island after a plane crash. Having no adults with them, they have to look after themselves, take care of themselves, and find ways to be rescued. One of the boys (and the novel's protagonist), Ralph, decides to take the responsibilities of the leader. And everybody agrees to him. Everybody decides to obey him and lead a disciplined life in the island until they are rescued.
But things don't go according to their plans. Very soon, the discipline and peace between the boys are shattered. Rivalry and argument arises. Jack, another boy with very significant leadership qualities, strongly starts scheming against Ralph. Also, the peace and stability is further destroyed when some of the boys start saying that there is a terrifying beast somewhere in the island.
I enjoyed reading Lord of the Flies, but I didn't love it. At times, I was quite terrified by the mention of the beast. The flow of words and the writing style are both extremely impressive.
I appreciated the well-developed characters as well. I liked Ralph, our protagonist. Piggy, the first boy Ralph meets on the island, was irritating at first and later I started liking him as well. Jack was a strange character. At first I liked him and his friendship and co-operation with Ralph, but later I started disliking him when he schemes so horribly against Ralph and the others.
The life in the island, the deterioration of discipline and friendship, terror- all these are very well described. The ending is intense and quite suspenseful as well. Overall, I enjoyed and liked this one.
3 out of 5!
Author: Jane Austen
Published: 1814
Genres: Novel, Romance
Rating: 3 out of 5
Review
Previously this year, I read two Austen novels: Persuasion and Emma, and absolutely loved both of them. But I cannot say so in case of Mansfield Park. Though I appreciated the story and enjoyed it, Mansfield Park seemed a little lifeless to me. Every Austen novel has a life and energy in it. But sadly, I thought Mansfield Park lacked the energy, the flow. I liked this novel, but felt it was relatively dull.
Sir Thomas Bertram and Lady Bertram live in the spacious Mansfield Park with their four children, Tom, Edmund, Maria, and Julia. Lady Bertram's sister married Mr Price, a man with a low income, and is now burdened with several children and is suffering from financial difficulty. Lady Bertram's other sister, Mrs Norris, proposes that they should shelter one of Mrs Price's children, and thus, lighten at least some of Mrs Price's duty. Therefore, they plan to shelter the Prices's eldest daughter, Fanny. As said, the timid and shy 10-year-old Fanny arrives at Mansfield Park. At first she is very meek and afraid of everybody, but her cousin, Edmund shows kindness to her and they become very good friends.
Years pass, and when Fanny is eighteen years old, Sir Thomas goes to Antigua for business purposes. The house becomes rather light and carefree, because Sir Thomas had ruled the house very strictly. Two new characters join the story: Henry Crawford and Mary Crawford, siblings of the neighbor Mrs Grant. Fanny takes a distaste in both the brother and the sister, thinking that they are badly influenced by the city where they had grown up. However, the Betram siblings admire the Crawfords, and Henry Crawford flirts with both Maria and Julia, despite the fact that Maria is already engaged to Mr Rushworth. Edmund apparently falls in love with Mary, who is rather ill mannered because of the influence of ill-mannered friends. Fanny dislikes the growing fondness between Edmund and Mary because of two reasons: firstly, because of Mary's manners. Secondly, Fanny herself has some feelings for Edmund. And then with a sudden surprise, Henry Crawford proposes to Fanny, expressing his deep love for her! But Fanny is strictly against this proposal. How can she accept such a man whom she saw flirting with both of her cousins at the same time, and whom she can never love, and who is very dissimilar to her tastes and ideas?
At the very beginning of the novel, I began to think it overly lifeless and even decided to abandon it, but soon it began to have a depth and flow that I began to like and enjoy this novel. But still, it was not enough. The novel lacked the humor, the life, the energy that is present in the other Austen novels I have read. The middle part is really good, with such depth, but the beginning and the ending seemed rather dull to me.
The characters were rather well developed. Fanny, Edmund, Miss Crawford and Mrs Norris had the most depths. Fanny's steady transformation from a timid and shy girl to a sensible and mature woman who knows herself- is pretty remarkable. Mrs Norris is the ''wicked lady''. At the very beginning of the novel, Mrs Norris offered to her sister and brother-in-law that she would be glad to take care of Fanny. But when Fanny was brought to Mansfield Park, where was all of Mrs Norris's ''kindness''? Mrs Norris repeatedly reminds Fanny that she is nothing but a sheltered girl from a poor family. One of the most shocking scenes was when, when the Betrams and the Crawfords are preparing to perform a play, and ask Fanny to play a role, and Fanny refuses, Mrs Norris says that Fanny has forgotten who she is, referring to her family status. It was one of the scenes where I hated Mrs Norris so very much.
The flow and depth in the middle part of the novel was rather remarkable, the depth of the characters and the situations was good, but overall, I cannot say that I loved Mansfield Park. I enjoyed reading it, but I thought it was rather dull and lifeless, if compared to the other Austen novels.
3 out of 5
