A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess is one of the best novels of modern literature, and it is one the best novels I have ever read.

Set in a not-so-distant future, Burgess creates a novel that exudes literary genius. With his fictional slang/language based in Russian, the novel speaks in such prose as to capture the attention of the reader, but also to set the tone and theme of the novel. Including its controversial last chapter, this version of the novel highlights the unpleasant aspects of life and extremely exaggerated, but terrifyingly real story of choice, morals, and human life.

Centering in on the actions of teenage Alex, Burgess' novel displays scenes of heinous crime and the nature of evil. He, however, also creates a character similar to Salinger's Holden Caulfield with his nonchalant, arrogant attitude, focusing on growth: adulthood versus immaturity.

Yet, A Clockwork Orange is much more powerful as is explores the themes of self in face of change, choices and what the value of life means. With the disgusting use of Ludovico's Technique, the novel compares goodness in choice versus goodness by force.

Although the novel is utterly disturbing, it is one of the best books of literature. Using strong prose and posing fascinating questions of moral, social, and human interest, A Clockwork Orange is a beautifully crafted and extremely powerful novel. In this novel I could find no fault, and for that I give it Five out of Five stars.

**Please don't print out the glossary, it will only ruin the powerful message! Try to figure the language out on your own!**

Other Reviews:

“Looks like a nasty little shocker, but is really that rare thing in English letters: a philosophical novel.”--Time

“One of the most groundbreaking and influential novels of all time—and one of the best.”--Irvine Welsh

***Warning: for mature audiences only!***

The Color Purple

Alice Walker's The Color Purple, published in 1982 and a Pulitzer Prize winner in 1983, was challenge/banned in many schools for its explicit language, sexuality, racial tensions/relations, discussions of man's relationship with God.

Written through a series of letters to God, Celie, an estranged, young, black woman in rural Georgia, who is beaten and sexually abused by her father until she is given into marriage to Mr._____, who is in love with her sister, Nettie. Following about forty years of Celie's life, The Color Purple explores social and racial themes through intense characterization created by the issues during the time, which can be traced into today's society regarding abuse and familial relations.

Also analyzing the function of God in life, Walker eludes to her own beliefs in an all encompassing Spirit as Celie and her friends and family struggle to understand their position. Further, Celie finds comfort in her sister's written letters from her missionary trip to Africa and comes to accept this version of God that Walker has so set up.

Creating a memorable cast of characters with strong personalities, Walker has created a novel that truly deserves the Pulitzer it received. Challenging many issues including religion, race, sexuality, and family, it is for more mature audiences, but nonetheless opens eyes and allows conversation to bloom. I would award this novel Four out of Five stars for its deep message and thought provoking text. There were only some parts where I was confused about the character names, but other than that The Color Purple is a must read.

Other Reviews:

"Alice Walker's choice and effective handling of the epistolary style has enabled her to tell a poignant tale of women's struggle for equality and independence. . . "—The New York Times

". . .a work to stand beside literature of any time and place." -- The San Francisco Chronicle

The 25 best things about the Star Wars Prequels

We can all agree to hating the prequel Star Wars movies at one (or many) given moment, and that we all absolutely love watching the originals--which are, of course, the best. However, people don't give credit to Lucas for this series of three movies expanding on Anakin's timeline.
As a big movie buff and Star Wars fan, I've decided to write a list of my favorite things in the prequels in lieu of the Insider's rather nondescript list (that I disagree with). Here it goes (not in order of best to worst):

1. The Music. The prequels highlight some of John Williams' best works as he takes parts of pieces from the originals and recreates them, mixing them with new and absolutely amazing pieces that really carry the movie more than many other aspects. Some of the best include:
Across the Stars (my personal favorite), Battle of the Heroes, Anakin's Betrayal, Padme's Ruminations, Duel of the Fates, and many others.

2. The Love Story. Now, we all know that Han and Leia were just meant to be, but Padme and Anakin, that is a story doomed for failure. But it is so terrible and tragic that it can't help but be loved. A secret wedding, a love pledge, and the reason for the birth of the twins that change the whole galaxy! Sad and perilous it brings tears to all eyes and makes hopeless romantics like me bawl each time I watch the end of Episode III.

3. Anakin's hair. Bad acting is made up for by the Jedi mullet displayed by Hayden Christensen (and he's just so good looking!!!)

4. Padme. Like her daughter, Padme is characterized by her strong will and ambition to right the wrongs done by her people. Smart and caring, Padme uses both emotion and logic to invigorate the galaxy. Besides, she's super pretty!

5. Hating Jar Jar Binks. Everyone in the Star Wars Universe hates the Gungans, especially one of them. Jar Jar Binks. No matter what you love/hate about the prequels, something everyone can agree on is that this super annoying Gungan should have just been run over by those battle drones. 

6. The Politics. The politics are amazing, and coming up with a way to destroy the whole galaxy and rebuild it as an Empire is not an easy feat! Props to the Emperor and the writers and George Lucas!

7. R2D2. I love R2, he's my favorite after expanded universe character Mara Jade, and he's just so much better in the prequels! I love seeing where he comes from and how he ends up with Luke! Besides, R2 is one of the only characters who they can't mess up--he's just that AWESOME! Beep boop beep!

8. Those awkward moments. Oh, there are so many you can't name them all! From: "Everything is so soft and smooth" to "You're in my soul, tormenting me" to "So love has blinded you?" When Anakin feeds her a pear to when he first sees her in Episode II. You just gotta love those awkward scenes. How many can you count? (I think I got about 13...or more)

9. The Clothes. I absolutely love the prequel clothes. Whereas the originals are plain, the extravagant costumes of the prequels are just amazing. I wish I could wear them! Natalie Portman herself said that she liked how Star Wars empowered women, but let them steal the show with their fashion. These are my three favorite outfits.

10. Obi Wan Kanobi. Now who doesn't like Obi Wan? No one! Although he only appeared in the originals for one movie as a lead, he left one of the biggest marks in the saga. The prequels only explore that even more, and giving the job to Ewan McGregor only makes Obi Wan even better.

11. "Anakin's the father, isn't he." --Obi Wan. This is the best quote from all three of the movies, because it is just so obvious! No, Anakin's not the father, he just hugs Padme whenever he sees her and she's pregnant...and you knew they loved each other...

12. Battle Scene on Mustafar. Now this is by far the most amazing thing in all of Star Wars--this battle is amazing. Just think, they did that all by themselves--no CGI, no stunt doubles, all Ewan and Hayden fighting with lightsabers! Not to mention, a lightsaber battle on a lava planet is pretty sexy!

13. Coruscant. Without Timothy Zahn we would have no Coruscant. Without Coruscant there would be no prequel movies! Coruscant is the center of the prequels, it's where all the politics happen, where the Emperor comes to power, where Anakin betrays the Jedi counsel, where the Jedi academy is! It's the whole Old Republic and it is the center of the New Republic in the expanded universe! Besides, you just have to love how pretty it looks!

14. Naboo. I love Naboo! It is so beautiful and peaceful, and it's where Padme comes from! 

15. Shaaks. Enough said.

16. Pod Races. I think the Pod Races are so cool and they really introduce the real Anakin, his characterization of taking risks and master of flying and just about everything else.

17. Ascension Guns. As my friend pointed out, they are just like grappling hook guns, except these are so much better! First of all, they're from Star Wars; second, they lift you up and you don't have to do anything! I really want one (besides, I like Padme's outfit!)

18. Lightsabers. Who knew you could have a purple light saber, or even a pink one? I didn't know until I had seen the prequels! Lightsabers are the most amazing weapon in all of Sci-fi and fantasy worlds--cauterizing wounds with just one swipe, made out of special crystals, just being the weapon of a Jedi. Everything about them is just amazing, and the prequels make sure to show that the Lightsaber characterizes a Jedi as much as their ability to use the force.

19. The Partnership. The relationship between Anakin and Obi Wan is just amazing to watch, they become so much like brothers it is just devastating when Anakin turns on him! 

20. The Battle Arena. I like the battle arena because it's a) a battle with lots of Jedi, b) the place where Padme confesses her love, c) I like the Acklay and the other alien creatures!

21. Aliens. I love all the new aliens they introduce in the prequels. Also, I like knowing that humans (and Yoda) weren't the only Jedi! What makes Star Wars great is the aliens, from Tatooine to Kashyyyk to Coruscant to Naboo, the planets and the aliens are just amazing!

22. C3P0. I love C3P0 because he's just so funny! Also, it's wonderful to know where he came from, and it's a surprise that Anakin built him and that he lived in the same house where Luke did! Mind Blown! I love his funny quotes, especially in the Geonosis battle scene!

23. General Grievous. Why does he cough? That's the question. Besides that, he's a pretty mean guy! Also, he has four arms and is evil. That's why he's so cool.

24. Count Dooku. I like Count Dooku, he's a jerk and a coward, but he needed be there to create tension and allow Anakin to commit his first act of "Vader evil"! 

25. The Rise of the Empire! This is the whole reason for the prequels and boy do they deliver! The Emperor is evil, Anakin turns into Darth Vader and A New Hope is born! 

26. Honorary (not from prequels). Mara Jade Skywalker! She's KICK BUTT! I love Mara Jade, and besides, she married Luke!

I drew this picture!

Beowulf

Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney is probably the most epic of poems in all of written history, and Heaney captures it stylistic language that only brings out the story and the characters even more.

For being a rather short book (yet a brilliantly long poem) Beowulf is the foundation of all adventure literature--with dragons and creatures created from the very blood of evil, this poem does not fall short in delivering a story to be remembered.

Following the adventures of Beowulf, a Scandinavian princeling who ventures across the sea to defend and save the Danes from and imposing beast, the spawn of Satan himself, Grendel. After his miraculous defeat of both Grendel and Grendel's mother, Beowulf becomes a hero on both sides of the sea and finally conducts his last and greatest adventure in an epic battle against a dragon.

The edition shown in the picture includes both the original Anglo-Saxon (Old English) verse and the new translation by Heaney. Over three-thousand lines long, Beowulf shows that old world monstrous problems are not too far away from the problems of the twenty-first century. We might not be battling fire breathing dragons, but in the face of politics and corruption, Beowulf can be used as a metaphor for epic battles and struggles and living on throughout the wake of their fall.

It is most certainly true that the unknown poet was a genius on the art, language, and literary elements of his time, and even today! (for more information read the introduction by Heaney). I would rate this poem Four stars for literary genius, for Heaney's own genius in recreating such a masterful piece, but it is also sometimes hard to follow, such with all the names and places. Other than that, Beowulf is a shining star in literature young and old.

Other Reviews:

“Accomplishes what before now had seemed impossible: a faithful rendering that is simultaneously an original and gripping poem in its own right.”--NY Times Book Review

This newborn translation makes accessible to everyone the first supremely great poem to be written in the English language.”--Colin Campbell, Christian Science Monitor

Tell The Wolves I'm Home

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

New York, 1986: June Elbus, a lone, young fourteen year old girl struggles with the death of her uncle, painter Finn Weiss. Shy and distant from the rest of her family and peers, Finn was her best friend, the only person who ever understood her. However, at his funeral, June notices a young man watching over the umbrellas of the mourners, and a few days later she receives her uncle's precious teapot in the mail and a note from Toby, Finn's mysterious friend. As they become friends, June finally begins to understand her uncle's mysterious death and finds that Finn didn't have to be her only friend.

In her novel Tell the Wolves I'm Home, Brunt takes an unbaised look into the impact of relationships, love, and trust. Told from the point of view of a young girl, the novel seems to be part coming-of-age, part take on social statement.
Developing characters with charm and wit, Brunt focuses on friendship and love, and understanding. This book is full of teary smiles and heartfelt laughs, but most of all it is a story about finding oneself and accepting new friendships.

Overall, Brunt's novel was a good read that introduced thematic elements about love and sacrifice, however, it failed to capture my attention as one of the best novels I have ever read. There was nothing overly excitable about this book and didn't leave much of an impression, but still spurred a couple conversations at the dinner table about love, friendship, and relationships.

I would give this book three out of five stars for its prose and characters, yet for its attention grabbing ability I had to dock points.

Other Reviews:

“Tremendously moving…Brunt strikes a difficult balance, imbuing June with the disarming candor of a child and the melancholy wisdom of a heart-scarred adult."—The Wall Street Journal

“[A] transcendent debut… Peopled by characters who will live in readers’ imaginations long after the final page is turned, Brunt’s novel is a beautifully bittersweet mix of heartbreak and hope.”—Booklist (starred review)