The Classics... Oh, how I've missed you!

The Wind in the Willows

By: Kenneth Grahame

 

When Mole decides he has had enough tiresome spring-cleaning for one day, the scrappy nonesuch throws down his broom and bolts out of his house looking for fun and adventure. He quickly finds it in the form of the Water Rat, who takes the wide-eyed Mole boating and introduces him to the mysteries of life on the river and in the Wild Wood. Mole also meets Ratty’s good friends: the kindly, solid Badger and the irrepressible Toad. Soon, the quartet’s escapades—including car crashes, a sojourn in jail, and a battle with the weasels who try to take over Toad Hall—become the talk of the animal kingdom. --bn.com

 

I'm going on an adventure! I'm hitting the open river with a mole, a river rat, and various other animals. I have no idea what lies ahead, but I have a feeling The Wind in the Willows is going to take me on an adventure like no other I've gone on before.

 

After a rather extended break from reading the classics, the old itch has begun in earnest. I've missed reading the books of legend and days gone by. I miss the world they take you to and the characters you miss. So my Journey Through The Classics picks up again with this famous critter tale. I'm hitching a ride on a river rat's boat and I'd love for you to join me!

Journey Through The Classics- Gone With The Wind

Gone With The Wind

By: Margaret Mitchell

I should start by saying I had no intention of reading this book. Nope, I was seriously thinking of reading the sequel, Scarlett. I didn't think I needed to read it. I saw the movie in junior high and thought I knew the story from that. I stress the words: I thought. It was a last minute change of mind made in a used bookstore when I found a copy of Gone With The Wind for $1.00. I'll be honest in saying the book's length also was deterring factor. Over 1,000 pages is a long book and it would take me forever to read it. I am so glad I changed my mind because every page was well worth it.

It has taken me a few days to write this commentary. How do you describe this book? I've heard it referred to the greatest love story of all time. I've heard it called a walk down the Civil War lane. Truthfully, I'm having a hard time pinning down a quick way of describing this book. It was everything I had ever heard it described as, plus more. I'll think I'll let the author of this masterpiece speak for herself when she said she wrote about survival being the theme to the book.

Scarlett O'Hara is a spoiled, snobby, arrogant Southern Belle. The only thing she concerns herself with are boys- and if they happen to be courting someone else at the time she decides she wants them, oh well. However, the one boy she loves most, Ashley Wilkes, is the one she can't have. When his engagement to Melanie is announced at a BBQ, a rejected and bitter Scarlett does what any sound woman would do: she marries another boy before he's shipped off to war out of spite. The Civil War begins, her new husband dies, and she becomes a widow and expectant mother.

As the War unleashes it's worst, Scarlett transforms from the pampered girl to a gutsy woman who does whatever needs to be done to survive. From a daring, life-threatening escape out of Atlanta with her son and seriously ill/pregnant Melanie to murdering a Yankee. From losing her beloved Mother to marrying her sister's beau to prevent losing Tara, there becomes no end to what Scarlett won't do and the journey is an incredible read that keeps you going back to see what else will she conquer over.

Life does not slow down or get easier once the War ends. Scarlett is front and center for the Reconstruction. Post Civil War life finds her a mother and widow, both for the second time. She bucks tradition and goes into business for herself. A hasty marriage to the scoundrel, Rhett, doesn't improve things for her. But she makes no apologies for her behavior or decisions and never looks back. Scarlett is driven by the fear of everything she has now being taken from her again. She fears being hungry and does what she needs to in order to prevent it from happening.

Through her journey she has the kind hearted Melanie in her corner always defending her and coming to her defense. Her object of desire, Ashley, struggles to adjust to his new life. Rhett is always in the background helping her in many endeavors. From their first meeting you love the interaction between these two characters. When Scarlett tells him he is no gentleman, he doesn't miss a beat in responding with "... and you are no lady." It was perfect! It was great. They match each other perfectly and it's heartbreaking to see what they do to each other once they finally do get together.

It may have taken me a month to read the book, but it was well worth it. Margaret Mitchell made me feel like I was there with Scarlett and company through it all. I got an education in the Civil War that no history class gave. I would whole heatedly recommend Gone With The Wind to any historical fiction fan. The author does an incredible job of combining history and engrossing storyline. I was swept up from the first page to the last. As I read this epic story I knew I was reading an amazing, timeless book that would stay with me forever.

The Haunted Bookshop

The Haunted Bookshop

By: Christopher Morley

I couldn't wait to read this book. I found it on the Barnes & Noble website and downloaded it onto my Nook. Turns out, I shouldn't have. It was another example of a book taking too long to get the plot going and not being able to keep me interested while I waited. I was so bummed that it wasn't a good read! The title was great! The potential for a phenomenal story is there!

Instead of just throwing in the towel, I decided to take a break. I was going to read another book and come back to The Haunted Bookshop. However, I have officially thrown the towel in. There are just too many other books- too many classics- out there to read and enjoy. Maybe one day I'll pick it up and have better luck, but I don't see it happening in the near future.

Dracula

Dracula

By: Bram Stoker

I loved this book! And, believe me, no one is more surprised by that than I am. I've never been into the whole vampire genre, so I went into this read thinking I wasn't going to like it. I was positive I wouldn't even finish the book at all. Man, was I wrong! I loved that the story was told without bloody, gory, and scary descriptions. To me, the story was so much better because of that. From page 1 to the very last page I was engrossed with this book. The group of friends intend to rid the world of the Vampire come hell or high water, but he doesn't play fair. Can they kill him before he takes one of their own first?

Jonathan is sent to Dracula's castle on business. What he encounters once there is one bizarre tale after another. He manages to escape, but that's only the beginning of his encounters with the Vampire. Jonathan's wife is good friends with Lucy who is suffering from an unknown illness. As her loved ones watch her get better only to get worse the doctor Van Helsing has an explanation: she's been bitten by a vampire. Sadly, they aren't able to save her and a mission is born.

The story unfolds in numerous journal entries from the characters and I enjoyed it unfolding that way. It was like I was there experiencing it all with them. The story is a constantly moving story, so I didn't get bored. I tell you, I read this book while I was making dinner, riding in the car, waiting in line somewhere. Any chance I had to even read a line or two, I jumped on.

I can totally see myself reading this book again down the road. It was an amazing adventure to go on and read about. I'm so glad I eventually added it to my classics list. If you have thought about reading Dracula, I think you should. It was so good. I don't think I do justice to the plot and just how good it was.

She Stoops To Conquer (Journey Through The Classics)

She Stoops To Conquer

By: Oliver Goldsmith

This book isn't on the Barnes & Noble Classics list I've been reading from. This was one of the classics that came with the eReader my hubby downloaded onto my phone. I had never heard of it before and, upon reading the brief summary, I wanted to read it. Now that I have, I can say there's a reason it isn't a classic you heard a lot of.

I'd love to tell you the plot of the play, but I'm not quite sure what is was. All I can tell you is that it was a confusing read. I know that a father wanted to arrange a marriage for his daughter, but neither the bride or the groom were interested. I got lost in the numerous characters and the conversations they had that, truthfully, had me forgetting what was supposed to be going on.

I was really looking forward to reading the play and was disappointed it didn't turn out well. Who knows, maybe I'll give it another try eventually. As for now, I have cut my losses and hope to have better luck with the next classic.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Journey Through The Classics)

The Picture of Dorian Gray
By: Oscar Wilde

Once I finished the book, the first word out of my mouth was, "Wow". I can't remember the last time a book had me on such a roller coaster ride. The first half of the book in no way prepared me for the second half. I just didn't see the turn of events in the story coming. I went from think the book was odd to thinking the book was incredible.

When Dorian Gray sits for his picture to be painted he has no idea how his life will change. While the painting is being done he becomes friends with the painter, Basil, and a man named Lord Henry. During their conversation Dorian makes a comment about hoping to stay young looking forever and let the picture age instead. Well, it happens and unleashes more than Dorian bargained for.

Dorian becomes a heartless man. He falls for an actress and propses marriage to her. When he brings his 2 friends to her play in order to see her, her acting is horrible. After the play ends he promptly dumps her. The next morning Dorian learns she killed herself. The painting slightly changes, but noticeably so. From then on, as Dorian ruins one life after another, in one form or another, the painting continues to alter. Dorian turns to blackmail and murder- all of which show in the painting. When Dorian finally decides to destroy the painting that haunts him, he is the one found dead on the floor looking old and wrinkled while the painting shows the youthful man who posed for it.

While reading this book I went from not understanding why The Picture of Dorian Gray was considered a classic, to thinking the story was strangely entrancing. By the time I was reading the second half I couldn't wait to find out what else happened. So many things occured that I didn't see coming. All I can say it, "Wow". I have a hard time doing justice to the book, or my reaction to it. It was a great read.

Northanger Abbey (Journey Through The Classics)

Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Apparently I have attempted to read this book before. Whether I finished it, I have no clue because I don't remember ever reading it. Go figure. However, this time I didn't finish it. I got more than half way through before throwing in the towel. I couldn't take the slow moving plot or the annoying cast of secondary characters any longer.

I wanted to like this book, but couldn't. The story is about Catherine falling for Henry Tilney and going to his house where things are odd. Half way through the book there was no sign of the house visit in sight. Catherine's friend, Isabella, was an annoying twit. Isabella's brother, John, was an arrogant and manipulative jerk. Even Catherine's love interest, Henry, drove me nuts. The only character I did like was Catherine.

For those who have read Northanger Abbey and liked it, I am glad you did. Sadly, I am not among those who did.

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow (Journey Through The Classics)

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

By: Washington Irving

Before I even started this book I had a feeling I was going to like it and I was right!

My brother-in-law described this story to me as the classic jock vs nerd fighting for the affections of the same woman. I kind of agree with that, since that is part of the story. Though I think it's more a tale of using one's fears against him.

Sleepy Hollow is a little town in New York. Among it's residents are: Ichabod, the town teacher; Brom, the town jerk; Katrina, the woman both men want to marry; and various spirits. You have the Galloping Hessain and The Headless Horseman being the most notable two. When Brom notices Ichabod's feelings for Katrina, he decides to play tricks on the teacher. His last trick is the meanest of all. Playing on Ichabod's fears of the ghost stories told of what happens in the town at night, Brom dresses up as the Headless Horseman and proceeds to chase Ichabod. The next morning, the only thing left to find of Ichabod is his hat.

A fun little story that I could see myself reading every year around Halloween. However, I will always be frustrated that Brom won the woman's heart in the end when he deserved a big kick in the ass instead. However, knowing that Ichabod finds success in another town is a small consolation.

Frankenstein (Journey Through The Classics)

Frankenstein

By: Mary Shelley

Frankenstein was one of those books you knew of long before you ever read it- if you chose to. It has it's own following. It plays a big part of pop culture today- especially come Halloween time. And it has been my experience through hearing other peoples' thoughts on it that you will either love it or hate it. I, however, fall into neither of those categories. I did not love the book, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I hated it since I did finish it. I can say this: I didn't like it very much. I will probably never read it again, and couldn't wait for it to be done.

Victor Frankenstein is a lover of science- mainly Natural Science. His desire to make a name for himself in this field leads him to build a living, breathing creature. Once his creation is complete and comes to life the reality of it scares Frankenstein enough to flee his apartment. When he finally returns, the creation is nowhere to be found. (Eventually you read the creation's story on how he passes this time. When the two do come face to face again the creation asks Frankenstein to make him a companion. He agrees, but destroys his work half way through. The failure to live up to his end of the agreement send the creation into a murderous revenge. He proceeds to kill everyone Frankenstein loves.From that point on the two become locked in a bitter battle.

I'm not a fan of overly descriptive and wordy authors. Mary Shelley is such a writer. I found she spent too much time describing things that held no real bearing with the actual story. She got me lost more than once while setting the scene. I have to say that it got to the point where it took away from the book's plot for me. She did have me feeling sorry for the creation. Through no choice of his own he was made and forced to spend his life wishing for loving human contact and never getting any.

For those who enjoyed this book, I am glad you did. I am glad that I read it. It's not the kind of book I normally would. I'm always happy to put myths to rest and am able to do so with one myth: Frankenstein is NOT the creation, but the creator.

Rating: Borrow From Library/ Return It If You Bought It

Journey Through The Classics Update!

The Turn of the Screw

By: Henry James

This was another re-read for me. I enjoyed it the first time and struggled with it this time. Of all the things I've forgotten about the book, I can't believe I forgot how wordy Henry James is. He got elaborately descriptive with his writing to the point that I had to read more than a few sentences and paragraphs over again. I eventually got to the point where I didn't bother reading it again if I knew nothing important was missed.

Having said that, the plot of the story was great! I love a good ghost story that isn't too scary. Henry James told a great story and at a great pace. The story is the re-telling of a governess's time taking care of 2 siblings in their Uncle's country house. She's the latest of a few people who had taken care of them, and a couple of them haven't left the children...

I may read this book again, someday, but it wouldn't be any time soon. It's not a book I recommend reading if you aren't able to invest a chunk of time, despite it being barely over 100 pages long. I also wouldn't read this book if you're reading others as well. For me, at least, I had to dedicate a lot of concentration and time to it because of the way Henry James wrote it.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

A big reason I wanted to read this book was wanting to see how close the book was to a movie made of it. In the 1990s the movie "Clueless" was made as a modern day adaptation to the beloved book. As happens with many adaptations, things tend to get lost in the translation, and I wanted to see if this pairing was going to be another example of that. It wasn't. The book and the movie were pretty darn close! More over, both were great!

Once I started reading Emma, I didn't want to stop. I remember reading it in far less time than I expected to. My husband was home from work, so I've no doubt that's why. I was just enthralled with the story. I thoroughly loved reading to see how much the book and movie had in common.

Emma was the girl who took people under her wing in the thought of knowing what was best for them. In some cases she was right. She took excellent care of her Father. Some she was off... way off. When she befriends Harriet, she decides to find her new friend a husband. In the end, the match was not made and love was almost missed out on by everyone involved.

As enchanting as Emma was, I do have to say I wasn't expecting her to treat Harriet in the way she did towards the end of the book. Other than that, I loved the book.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

**Rebecca is not on the Barnes & Noble Classics list. This is one of the several classics I'll be reading that is not on it.

Rebecca

By: Daphne Du Maurier

This is another re-read for me. While I don't remember much of it from the first reading, I do know it didn't take me as long to read as it did this time.

Overall, I liked the book. I found the first half slow going and even boring at times. I felt like it took awhile to get really going. But once it got good, it got REALLY good. The second half of the book was great! I had a hard time putting it down when I had to. Laundry was put off until I had no choice about it because I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The character Mrs. Danvers, the head house employee, was one of those characters you want to throttle! As awful as this may sound, that woman needed a good dose of reality to hit her in the face. Somewhere along the line she forgot she was an employee- a replaceable one at that- and not the owner of the house.

I was a little disappointed with the ending. I would have liked a bit more closure. All you know is that Manderley is on fire, but there's no resolution as to who did it, though you have 2 good ideas. I can't really put my finger on it, but I thought the book would end in a different way.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

Pippi Goes On Board

By: Astrid Lindgren

While not as magical as the first book in the Pippi series, Pippi Goes On Board, is still a continuation of Pippi's adventures. She takes Tommy and Annika along with her as she goes on a shopping spree in town. Lesson learned that day: if 36 pounds of candy isn't enough for all the town's children to feast on... get another 36 pounds! You just might have some for the following day. Pippi gives Tommy and Annika a little taste of what it's like to be shipwrecked. While their parents are out of town, the siblings and Pippi set sail for a nearby lake island.

There are plenty of adventures to enjoy in this book. You'll get to meet Pippi's father and find out if he really did become a cannibal king. You'll also get to see what she does when given the choice of staying at Villa Villekula or set sail with her beloved Father.

If you read Pippi Goes On Board, I hope you enjoy it! Reading Pippi is like visiting a long lost friend only to feel as if no time has gone by.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

Note: This book is not on the Barnes & Noble Classics list that I'm reading through. Some people may call into question whether this book is a classic at all. I felt it was so I included it here.

One of the great things about helping run a children's blog is getting to re-visit characters I loved as a kid. Pippi Longstocking is one of those characters I never forgot and couldn't get enough of. Turns out, I still can't!

I grew up watching her movies when they'd air on TV. It was years before I ever knew the movies were based off of the books. Well, once I knew, there was no stopping me. I HAD TO READ THE BOOKS!!

I've read this book a couple of times now and have loved it as much every time! Pippi is so much fun to visit. She's a girl who lives alone in a big house and had incredible strength. She becomes friends with the next door kids, Tommy & Annika, and the fun never ends.

Pippi has her own way of doing things. She has no problem putting bullies in their place... or hanging them from tree branches. She does household chores... like washing her floors on skate brushes. And her creative side cannot be contained to a piece of paper alone... but the school room floor might do it.

I could go on and on. There are 3 books in her series and I intend to enjoy each of them.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

Little Women

By: Louisa May Alcott

This was a re-read for me. I had read it many, many years ago so I didn't remember a lot of it beyond liking it. So, I included it on my classics to read list. Turns out, I had better success with it last time than I did this time.

The story is of 4 sisters who live with their Mother and wait for their Father to return from fighting in the war. I loved how close knit the girls were and how unselfish they were. Throughout the reading of this book I kept thinking how fun it would be to hang out with them. These sisters came into creation long before TV ever did, and the ways they found of amusing themselves were great to read about.

Beyond that I got bored with the book. The girls each have little tales in the book, but not much kept me glued. It's a book I can imagine people reading for the comfort factor.

Journey Through The Classics Update!

The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

By: L. Frank Baum

This is my 2nd time reading this book and I loved it every bit as the 1st! The story of Dorothy trying to get back to Kansas is so enchanting and fun!

The book gets the story going right away- which I always love. A cyclone picks up Dorothy's house and lands it in Munchkinland. From this moment on Dorothy is in for one adventure after another. And on her journey to the Emerald City she runs into one interesting character after another.

I have to say, it's impossible to read the book and not compare it to the movie it inspired. I'll tell you now, there are some things shared by both, but A LOT of things NOT. I LOVED seeing what was kept and what was changed. For instance, there are no ruby slippers (in the book they are silver), nor is the Wicked Witch of The West chasing after Dorothy through the whole book. In fact, she plays a small role in the book and only after Dorothy and company go looking for her.

If you love the movie, you will probably enjoy the book! It's a great read that will go by quickly! I look forward to the day when I can read it with my girls. I am sure this is another classic that I'll read many, many times in the future!

Journey Through The Classics Update!

Ok, I really wanted to like this book. The first time I read it, I didn't finish it. At the time I thought it was just a case of classics burn out, since I had been reading them non-stop for a good period of time. So, this time around I thought would go better. Turns out, the book wasn't great then for a reason and it wasn't great now for a reason.

Persuasion, in my opinion, suffers from the all too familiar illness of the story and story description not matching. The description says the book is about Anne Elliott who fell for Frederick. They were engaged to be married, but she broke it off after being influenced by those close to her that he wasn't good enough. Now, several years later, Frederick has returned and the tables have turned. Frederick is no longer poor and Anne's family now is. Will they fall in love again and get the happy ending they originally wanted?

I threw in the towel with about 100 pages left to go. I have to say, very little interaction between Anne and Frederick had happened. If I hadn't read the summary before starting the book, I would never have thought these two characters were the focal point of the book! None of the other characters, or the other story lines, were able to make up for what the book lacked.

Sadly, time had no affect on me in regards to this book. I didn't finish it then or now for the same reason. It just wasn't good. I usually enjoy Jane Austen, too. Oh well. On to the next!!

Journey Through The Classics Update!

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

By: Robert Louis Stevenson

Running on the theory that humans have good & evil sides to them, Stevenson tells the story of a doctor who experiments with this theory. Dr. Jekyll creates a formula that is able to turn him into another person, physically. This alter ego, Mr. Hyde, is full of evil and is disliked by all who see him. Dr. Jekyll's experiment gets out of hand when Hyde murders a man. From then on this experiment gets out of control.

I liked this story. Though Stevenson is wordy and elaborately descriptive in telling this tale, I still liked it. I often found myself having to re-read parts of the story so I could figure out what was going on. This is definitely a book I would read again. Chances are I'd get more out of it the second time around since it would fill in the holes from the first reading. This book will find a great home on my bookshelf.

Journey Through The Classics Update

Breakfast At Tiffany's

By: Truman Capote

When you hear the title Breakfast At Tiffany's what do you think of: the book or the movie? Chances are it's the movie- and there's a reason for that. In a nutshell, this book reminded me of swiss cheese. It's good, but the holes make you feel like it's missing something- though I don't know what. Odd...

In this book, you meet Holly Golightly. Good time party girl who, it turns out, ran away from one situation and lived to do the same thing again. At 14, Holly marries a widower with children. In time, she leaves. 5 years later her husband finally tracks her down. Nothing comes of it and he goes back home by himself. When she gets the notice that her beloved brother has died in the war, she demolishes everything in her apartment out of grief. Lastly, she gets arrested for being the go between for an incarcerated mobster and his lawyer. What does she do? What any good time gal would- she flees to Brazil.

I felt like all these things could have brought so much more to the book, but they were never explored to their fullest potential. I don't know if this was purposely done, or not. But it made me feel like the book was missing something. I would have liked a little more.

Journey Through The Classics Update

Pygmalion

By: George Bernard Shaw

Idle curiosity drew me to this story. I wanted to read the work that My Fair Lady was based on. Well, I have read it. Gotta say, while I'm glad I read it, I don't think it's something I'd read again. For starters. I had no idea it was a play and not a book. Sometimes I have a hard time connecting with plays because they don't always give you the details books do. Such is the case with Pygmalion. You got the story of her big transformation before and after it happened, but nothing of it during. Even if Mr. Shaw had done subtle things during the transformation, I think it would've been easier to embrace the story.

I found Henry Higgins to be awful in the play. He was conceited, a jerk, and unlikeable for me. I was happy to find out he and Eliza don't fall in love in the end as they did in the movie. Pickering was a far more likable character. He was more understanding to Eliza and more sensitive. He treated her with far more respect than Higgins ever did. I also loved Henry's Mother, Mrs. Higgins. She was fun to read about.