So, I forgot to mention another element of the novel that I loved ((right? I'm finding more good things to say about it!)), and that is this: Florentino Ariza is not your average hero; he's the antihero.
Predominantly, the male hero is absurdly attractive and absurdly confident. If he is not absurdly rich by birth, then he became absurdly rich due to his absurd talent. He never loses composure. All the ladies want him. In short, he's quite a catch.
Floretino definitely falls short in most - if not all - of the above characteristics.
He's not attractive ((hence the reason not even his awesome love letter writing skills could keep his obsession)). He wears thick glasses for his myopia. He dresses like an old man; he dresses like an older man when he is an old man. He loses his hair at a youngish age and resorts to the high school prinicpal-meets-Don Trump combover. But the best of all is the fact that he suffers from severe IBS. I freakin' love it. Twice Fermina had his guts twisted up with nerves that he almost soiled himself in front of her. That's spectacular.
Yet, despite all of that - all the ladies still wanted him.
I don't get it. The explanation was that he was a man in need of love. So, I guess all those poor, misguided women wanted to be the ones to love him, to fix him.
Good fail, ladies.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Love in the Time of *Snore*
Right, so reading this book took longer than I had originally anticipated. The last fifty pages were especially difficult to get through, simply because it was boring and I knew I was almost done. Knowing that I was fifty pages away from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies just made it harder to muddle through it.
But I did it. Thank you, God.
People try to categorize this book as a love story. Maybe I'm as deep as a mud puddle because I would have to whole heartedly disagree. I had some serious problems with the characters. For one, I found Fermina a snobbish, annoying bitch. She "fell in love" with Florentino because he knows how to write a love letter. When she catches her first look at him -- up close, not just a glimpse -- he's suddenly not good enough for her. Although, I would be a little turned off too if his eyes were alight with petrified love - or something like that. I don't think the word petrified should not be a modifier for love, thanks.
As for Florentino, he's just nuts. Seriously. Coo-COO for Co-Co Puffs. He wasn't so much in love with her as he was obsessed with her. And don't give me that crap about having 622 affairs in order to slake his lust - but his heart remained Fermina's. Bull. Shit. In truth, he fell in love with several women after Fermina -- and two of them died because of him.
In my opinion, the only victim in this novel (and that's a loosely used term) is Juvenal. One, because he has a name like Juvenal. Two, he married Fermina in hopes of falling in love with her. He obviously invested more into the relationship than she did. He did have asshole tendancies, though (ie: his single affair in fifty years of marriage), but some things can be excused since he married a twit like Fermina (not the affair, though, that's inexcusable).
Ok, ok, so maybe Leona is victim-esque in the novel, as well. She was one of the many women in love with Florentino, but the only one who he didn't get to sleep with - and not because he didn't try. She refused his ass for reasons that I'm not certain about, but whatever, because I'm proud of her.
By the way, I'm pretty sure Florentino was a pedophile. If you use the phrase "dickey-bird" whilst trying to seduce a 14-year-old (and you're 80), then I'd say you need some serious counselling. I guess that didn't really have that back then.
The ending was really good, though. I did appreciate it because it was an allusion to something Fermina had said a little earlier in the novel. Disregarding my dislike for the characters, the style it was written in, and the epic run-ons, this novel had some really amazing pieces of awesome that I bracketed in pen throughout. Mostly it's just the way Marquez described something, an analogy he used, or just something I read that made me think: I wish I could write like that.
At any rate, I really am glad I read it despite all the bad things I said about it. I don't think, however, I'll be reading anything else by Mr. Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
But I did it. Thank you, God.
People try to categorize this book as a love story. Maybe I'm as deep as a mud puddle because I would have to whole heartedly disagree. I had some serious problems with the characters. For one, I found Fermina a snobbish, annoying bitch. She "fell in love" with Florentino because he knows how to write a love letter. When she catches her first look at him -- up close, not just a glimpse -- he's suddenly not good enough for her. Although, I would be a little turned off too if his eyes were alight with petrified love - or something like that. I don't think the word petrified should not be a modifier for love, thanks.
As for Florentino, he's just nuts. Seriously. Coo-COO for Co-Co Puffs. He wasn't so much in love with her as he was obsessed with her. And don't give me that crap about having 622 affairs in order to slake his lust - but his heart remained Fermina's. Bull. Shit. In truth, he fell in love with several women after Fermina -- and two of them died because of him.
In my opinion, the only victim in this novel (and that's a loosely used term) is Juvenal. One, because he has a name like Juvenal. Two, he married Fermina in hopes of falling in love with her. He obviously invested more into the relationship than she did. He did have asshole tendancies, though (ie: his single affair in fifty years of marriage), but some things can be excused since he married a twit like Fermina (not the affair, though, that's inexcusable).
Ok, ok, so maybe Leona is victim-esque in the novel, as well. She was one of the many women in love with Florentino, but the only one who he didn't get to sleep with - and not because he didn't try. She refused his ass for reasons that I'm not certain about, but whatever, because I'm proud of her.
By the way, I'm pretty sure Florentino was a pedophile. If you use the phrase "dickey-bird" whilst trying to seduce a 14-year-old (and you're 80), then I'd say you need some serious counselling. I guess that didn't really have that back then.
The ending was really good, though. I did appreciate it because it was an allusion to something Fermina had said a little earlier in the novel. Disregarding my dislike for the characters, the style it was written in, and the epic run-ons, this novel had some really amazing pieces of awesome that I bracketed in pen throughout. Mostly it's just the way Marquez described something, an analogy he used, or just something I read that made me think: I wish I could write like that.
At any rate, I really am glad I read it despite all the bad things I said about it. I don't think, however, I'll be reading anything else by Mr. Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Love in the Time of Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies
So, Love in the Time of Cholera ... definitely not my favorite. It's not horrible, but it doesn't make me want to curl up in bed and just read for hours either. Again, it has a lot to do with the fact that I just can't get into the style of it. Marquez doesn't number his chapters, and that just annoys the hell out of me, lol. I know that's totally weird, but I like to know my progress, thanks. And every "chapter" is a-little-more-a-little-less 50 pages. I don't know why but that annoys me, too.
Oh, and he's forever using the characters first and last names: Floretino Ariza, Fermina Daza, Dr. Juvenal Urbino, over and over and over again. Why can't you just say: So, then Florentino said, "I eat orchid petals because I want to know what your scent tastes like." Fermina replies, aghast, "you're crazy!" Dr. Urbino nods gravely: "As a doctor, I am qualified in such matters. You're a loon, son."
Whatever, though. It's gonna take me a little longer to read this book ((it's only 350 pages)), I'm thinking probably another week, but I'm determined. It's really not all that bad. Sometimes I do get really into it; he is a captivating writer, but sometimes it's the little things that bother me.
Character wise, Florentino is totally a nut job. I mean, if you eat flower petals and chug perfume just to know what a chick tastes like...that's weird, dude. And Fermina is a snob ((her rejection of Florentino does make me feel sorry for the chump, but he's still nuts)). The only character I enjoying - thus far - is Urbino. He has captured most of my sympathy, and he seems...the most sane.
Anyway, so, today is Mother's Day. While I was out picking up gifts, and flowers, and cake for Mama Bear, I picked up I'll Sceam Later by Marlee Matlin ((totally stoked)) while at Target. Then my sister and I meandered over to Borders, and I found the book I have to read next. No doubt about it, once I've finished Love in the Time of Cholera, then I must read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's exactly as the title states: it is Pride and Prejudice with a few zombies thrown in.
I'm pretty sure it's going to kick ass. I read the author bios on the back, and I about snorted ((okay, I did snort, a lot)):
So stoked. I'm not crazy obsessed with zombies or ninjas ((yeah, ninjas are in this book, too)) or anything, but c'mon. You have to admit that this is going to rock. I do love the Resident Evil Trilogy, but I don't own the Zombies Survival Guide or whatever ((my brother does)).
I'm sure I'll write extensively on this book's sheer awesomenss.
Good Day.
Oh, and he's forever using the characters first and last names: Floretino Ariza, Fermina Daza, Dr. Juvenal Urbino, over and over and over again. Why can't you just say: So, then Florentino said, "I eat orchid petals because I want to know what your scent tastes like." Fermina replies, aghast, "you're crazy!" Dr. Urbino nods gravely: "As a doctor, I am qualified in such matters. You're a loon, son."
Whatever, though. It's gonna take me a little longer to read this book ((it's only 350 pages)), I'm thinking probably another week, but I'm determined. It's really not all that bad. Sometimes I do get really into it; he is a captivating writer, but sometimes it's the little things that bother me.
Character wise, Florentino is totally a nut job. I mean, if you eat flower petals and chug perfume just to know what a chick tastes like...that's weird, dude. And Fermina is a snob ((her rejection of Florentino does make me feel sorry for the chump, but he's still nuts)). The only character I enjoying - thus far - is Urbino. He has captured most of my sympathy, and he seems...the most sane.
Anyway, so, today is Mother's Day. While I was out picking up gifts, and flowers, and cake for Mama Bear, I picked up I'll Sceam Later by Marlee Matlin ((totally stoked)) while at Target. Then my sister and I meandered over to Borders, and I found the book I have to read next. No doubt about it, once I've finished Love in the Time of Cholera, then I must read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's exactly as the title states: it is Pride and Prejudice with a few zombies thrown in.
I'm pretty sure it's going to kick ass. I read the author bios on the back, and I about snorted ((okay, I did snort, a lot)):
JANE AUSTEN is the author of Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and other masterpieces of English literature. SETH GRAHAME-SMITH once took a class in English literature.
So stoked. I'm not crazy obsessed with zombies or ninjas ((yeah, ninjas are in this book, too)) or anything, but c'mon. You have to admit that this is going to rock. I do love the Resident Evil Trilogy, but I don't own the Zombies Survival Guide or whatever ((my brother does)).
I'm sure I'll write extensively on this book's sheer awesomenss.
Good Day.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
*sad face*
The Time Traveler's Wife is finished. It was pretty much devestating. I loved it.
Still not ready for the classics yet. Alex recommended Love in the Time of Cholera.
Okay.
Still not ready for the classics yet. Alex recommended Love in the Time of Cholera.
Okay.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Time Traveler's Wife
I decided to continue reading The Time Traveler's Wife today. I finished the Nicholas Sparks book at work, and was able to read about twenty more pages of the next novel before I actually had to, well, work.
I forgot about my love/hate relationship with this book. It's an amazing and refreshing idea; it has a great plot, fun characters ((for the most part)), and I really do enjoy it. But I hate Niffenegger's writing style. I abhor it, really. She's way too in love with run-on sentences, fragments, and semi-colons ((though, I am trying to fall in love with semi-colons myself...but too many of them I find distracting)). The semi-colons and run-on especially grind my gears. Okay, so it's cute when Clare is twelve and is talking in run-on sentences. It's a characteristic. I get it. But when she's twenty years old, and a college graduate...it's time to stop. And yes, I know people do not think in perfect English, but you know what...that is what's so great about a novel. I don't have to sift through a person's jack rabbit-paced mind trying to comprehend.
Furthermore, "I hate it when she doesn't use tags after dialogue." "When it reads like this, it's just stupid. And wrong. I hate that." I'm all for creative license and liberties and what not, but honestly now....
Unfortunately, what I've listed are not things I can overlook. The mistakes are glaringly obvious ((just who in the hell was her editor?!)), which makes for a slow read. Not to mention, it's written in first person point of view, which I hate. Not only that, but it switches between the two characters - excessively. It's not just switching POVs as a new chapter begins ((which would be tolerable)); it's right in the middle of the chapter, or a scene, or a conversation. It's unnecassary and annoying.
This book makes me absurdly positive that it's going to be twice as hard to get a novel published than I had originally thought. Apparently, you can suck at all things structurally and grammatically correct, but you need a wicked story idea. I fall short in the second category.
But really, I do like the book...I just don't like the author...or how it's written.
Excited for the movie to come out though. Should be better.
Anyway. I feel accomplished. Yay.
I forgot about my love/hate relationship with this book. It's an amazing and refreshing idea; it has a great plot, fun characters ((for the most part)), and I really do enjoy it. But I hate Niffenegger's writing style. I abhor it, really. She's way too in love with run-on sentences, fragments, and semi-colons ((though, I am trying to fall in love with semi-colons myself...but too many of them I find distracting)). The semi-colons and run-on especially grind my gears. Okay, so it's cute when Clare is twelve and is talking in run-on sentences. It's a characteristic. I get it. But when she's twenty years old, and a college graduate...it's time to stop. And yes, I know people do not think in perfect English, but you know what...that is what's so great about a novel. I don't have to sift through a person's jack rabbit-paced mind trying to comprehend.
Furthermore, "I hate it when she doesn't use tags after dialogue." "When it reads like this, it's just stupid. And wrong. I hate that." I'm all for creative license and liberties and what not, but honestly now....
Unfortunately, what I've listed are not things I can overlook. The mistakes are glaringly obvious ((just who in the hell was her editor?!)), which makes for a slow read. Not to mention, it's written in first person point of view, which I hate. Not only that, but it switches between the two characters - excessively. It's not just switching POVs as a new chapter begins ((which would be tolerable)); it's right in the middle of the chapter, or a scene, or a conversation. It's unnecassary and annoying.
This book makes me absurdly positive that it's going to be twice as hard to get a novel published than I had originally thought. Apparently, you can suck at all things structurally and grammatically correct, but you need a wicked story idea. I fall short in the second category.
But really, I do like the book...I just don't like the author...or how it's written.
Excited for the movie to come out though. Should be better.
Anyway. I feel accomplished. Yay.
" "
I have about fifty pages left to read of Three Weeks with My Brother. I've practically devoured that book; it's so awesome. I'll definitely have it finished by tomorrow - probably while I'm at work. With that said, I need to figure out what I'm going to read next. I want something contemporary. Not quite ready to jump back into the classics yet - so Bronte, and Hawthorne, and Tolskoy are going to have to wait.
I'm thinking I should probably finish reading The Time Traveler's Wife, being as I started that ages ago - and had to stop once the semester started. I'm not quite halfway finished with it. It makes sense to start that book, but I kind of want to start something new, too. I want to give my library card a workout.
To choose from, I have:
The Time Traveler's Wife - again, this would be ideal to finish.
A Northern Light - which Sarah swears is amazing. I don't know when I'll see her again to borrow it from her, so...I guess I can get it from the library, though.
The Host - I should really save this for the summer...It looks to be an epic.
Marley & Me - totally random, and heard-tell it's a tear-jeaker, but whatthehell.
Hmm...decisions, decisions. Oh, well, I'll figure something.
...in unrelated news, I need a freakin' title.
And that is all.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Reason Number 1,029 Why I Love Nicholas Sparks
Aside from the fact that he's just amazing, he's a terrific author who just understands girls. I mean, in his novels it's glaringly apparent that he gets us. And nearly every book I've read by him, I've devoured in hours and enjoyed thoroughly.
With that said, I had no intention of reading Three Weeks with My Brother; I just don't do memoirs. But my co-worker, Sarah, said it oozed awesomeness and, truth be known, I'm was getting a little tired of the classics and period pieces. I needed something a little fresher. So, I started it yesterday, and I'm almost half-way finished with it.
It's truly an amazing book. He co-wrote this with his brother ((though, I think it's obvious that it's predominantly Nicholas's work)), and it's literally about the three weeks he spent with his brother traveling the world, interspersed with details of their lives growing up together. They had an interesting childhood, to say the least.
I think another reason I'm just *in love* with this book is because I can relate to certain aspects of what he's writing about. Not a lot mind you. I certainly haven't dealt with the kind of tragedy he has ((and I certainly wouldn't have such a good sense of humor about life now)), but the ones that I do are just startling; the whole middle child syndrome for instance - I get that.
It's heartwarming to read about the type of relationships he had with his brother, sister and parents ((even if I maintain that they needed to be taken away from said "parents)). I don't know what it's like to grow up with your sibling as a best friend. My brother and I certainly don't share that type of relationship, nor my sister and I for that matter. And the way those two boys ((Nicholas and Micah)) treat their sister is just...awww; I mean, those boys asked their sister to the prom. How freaking sweet is that? I want my kids to grow up like that - that close ((wait, I decided today I wasn't going to have any...wild children-customers have stauched any desire for me to procreate)).
*sigh* And reading this book ((reading in general, but I've noticed moreso with this book)) makes me want to write...soooooo bad. I can sit at my computer for hours and just pound away at the keys. I really want to do that again; I don't know why I'm not.
Anyway, I'm really excited about this book. I'm pretty exhausted after today, but I want to keep reading. I need to sleep...I don't know what I'll do.
Amazing - anyone who hasn't read this book needs to. Foooor sure.
***((Also, added The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd to my books list))
With that said, I had no intention of reading Three Weeks with My Brother; I just don't do memoirs. But my co-worker, Sarah, said it oozed awesomeness and, truth be known, I'm was getting a little tired of the classics and period pieces. I needed something a little fresher. So, I started it yesterday, and I'm almost half-way finished with it.
It's truly an amazing book. He co-wrote this with his brother ((though, I think it's obvious that it's predominantly Nicholas's work)), and it's literally about the three weeks he spent with his brother traveling the world, interspersed with details of their lives growing up together. They had an interesting childhood, to say the least.
I think another reason I'm just *in love* with this book is because I can relate to certain aspects of what he's writing about. Not a lot mind you. I certainly haven't dealt with the kind of tragedy he has ((and I certainly wouldn't have such a good sense of humor about life now)), but the ones that I do are just startling; the whole middle child syndrome for instance - I get that.
It's heartwarming to read about the type of relationships he had with his brother, sister and parents ((even if I maintain that they needed to be taken away from said "parents)). I don't know what it's like to grow up with your sibling as a best friend. My brother and I certainly don't share that type of relationship, nor my sister and I for that matter. And the way those two boys ((Nicholas and Micah)) treat their sister is just...awww; I mean, those boys asked their sister to the prom. How freaking sweet is that? I want my kids to grow up like that - that close ((wait, I decided today I wasn't going to have any...wild children-customers have stauched any desire for me to procreate)).
*sigh* And reading this book ((reading in general, but I've noticed moreso with this book)) makes me want to write...soooooo bad. I can sit at my computer for hours and just pound away at the keys. I really want to do that again; I don't know why I'm not.
Anyway, I'm really excited about this book. I'm pretty exhausted after today, but I want to keep reading. I need to sleep...I don't know what I'll do.
Amazing - anyone who hasn't read this book needs to. Foooor sure.
***((Also, added The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd to my books list))
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