I have completed my Master's program and completed my "internship" as a high school science teacher and am now on summer break! My break officially started June 5th, and from then until now I have finished 4 books. I was starved for literature! I had replaced novels with lesson plans and I am happy to be back in the world of the written word (although I miss my Bio babes desperately).
This book was recommended to me, with high praise, from my boyfriend's father. He mentioned that it was long, but I really was not ready for how long (816 pages that felt like over a thousand). But my idle hands found my Kindle and I completed it.
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Genre: Historical fiction
Publication Date: 1989
Setting: 1100s England
This work details the building of a cathedral at Kingsbridge. Seems simple enough, but there are several characters at play - Tom the Builder and his family, Philip the Prior, the wicked Hamleighs, a damsel removed from her birthright, and a manipulative bishop. Each character has their own agenda and does their best to achieve their goals. Tom wants to build a cathedral so that he can be employed and support his family. Philip wants to reform Kingsbridge priory to make it prosperous and divine. William Hamleigh (and his parents) wants to become Earl of Shiring so he can take what he wishes (including Aliena, whom he imagines taking by force). Aliena wants her father's earldom returned to her brother. An Bishop Waleran wants to be Pope (or gain as much power in the Catholic Church as he can).
The book is set in 12th century England so it is a bit medieval. It's easy to compare the book to Game of Thrones - there are clear good guys and bad guys, there are castles, there are kingdoms (but there are no dragons or other fantasy elements). From a GoT aspect - William Hamleigh is Ramsay Bolton, wicked and twisted and does detestable acts for amusement. Aliena is Sansa, who is the object of the evil man's eye and whose family is ousted from their castle. Prior Philip is John Snow, someone people overlook, who is bound to duty (and celibacy), and who is clever, but most importantly, good.
Apparently this book is mostly historically accurate, although I wouldn't have a clue because I never paid attention to history outside of America. But it was interesting to read the medieval times and from different characters perspectives/POVs (also like Game of Thrones).
Finished reading: Friday, June 5, 2015
DD's reading: C
It was very average. The writing was alright, although I skimmed a lot of it because it felt so long. I honestly don't care for that time period, architecture, or kingdom/religious politics (I say this but I felt very differently about Killing Jesus). I'd rather finish Dance with Dragons, even with its never-ending character list.
Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
The Book Thief
I downloaded this book over a year ago after being gifted Amazon credit for Christmas. I think I tried to read it but I skipped the Prologue (a big 90-page mistake on my part). I decided to give the book another chance as I didn't have any available library books. Fortunately for me, a snowstorm hit eastern Pennsylvania and the rest of the Northeast which canceled two days of class and kept me indoors with my Kindle for warmth (pun intended).
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Genre: Historical fiction, WWII fiction
Publication date: March 2006
Setting: A fictional town outside of Munich, Nazi Germany; 1939-1943
Before I dive into the characters and plot, the writing style of this novel is off the charts. The book is narrated by Death, which sounds macabre, but Death is actually pretty likable. He presents himself as a man who is just doing his job in a time of turmoil. He dislikes the war because it means more work for him, an interesting way to view war. But through his "work" he is able to meet Liesel, the book thief and the protagonist of this story.
Liesel is a pre-teen girl who is adopted by Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Papa and Mama respectively. Rosa is loud and her favorite past-times are to complain and refer to Liesel as "saumench" (meaning filthy pig). That's not to say that she doesn't love her adopted daughter, she just has an off-way of showing it. On the other end, Hans is a very kind Papa, who helps Liesel learn to read and enjoys playing the accordion. Hans and Rosa are poor and have a difficult time finding work for two reasons: 1) the struggling wartime economy and 2) Hans's reputation of befriending the victimized.
Then there is Rudy Steiner, the Ron Weasley of the story. Rudy is Liesel's best friend and neighbor, he is one of six children, and his family is poorer than Liesel's. Rudy also has a rebellious attitude and idolizes Jesse Owens. Rudy and Liesel's relationship is almost strictly platonic, I say almost because almost every day he asks her for a kiss. But they go on many adventures together and stand up for one another.
Last, there's Max Vanderburg, the artist, the writer, the fighter, the Jew. That's all I will say about him... I don't want to spoil anything.
I liked how this book wasn't from the discriminated Jewish perspective (like Anne Frank or Night), but detailed life of the regular people lived and worked in Nazi Germany. How the kids reacted to and participated (or not) in Nazi Youth. How war and a dictatorship effected even children's lives. How these people, adults and children, perceived the Fuhrer. What actions these people took in opposition, support, or neutrality. The book also considers the German soldiers who went to war out of obligation and did not support Hitler. These points of view interest me because my grandmother was one of these people (she was a toddler when the war started). How do normal people live their life amidst so much chaos?
The story follows Liesel's obsession with books and with words. She steals a book without knowing how to read, but realizes the significance of the artifact, and eventually, the importance of language. All of this occurs during a time when one man's words were able to change the world... Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can start a war.
Finished reading Tuesday, January 27th
DD's rating: A+
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading (it's about books). This is a must read for anyone with an interest in World War II or the Holocaust. This is a must read, period.
Next read: The Martian by Andy Weir
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Genre: Historical fiction, WWII fiction
Publication date: March 2006
Setting: A fictional town outside of Munich, Nazi Germany; 1939-1943
Before I dive into the characters and plot, the writing style of this novel is off the charts. The book is narrated by Death, which sounds macabre, but Death is actually pretty likable. He presents himself as a man who is just doing his job in a time of turmoil. He dislikes the war because it means more work for him, an interesting way to view war. But through his "work" he is able to meet Liesel, the book thief and the protagonist of this story.
Liesel is a pre-teen girl who is adopted by Hans and Rosa Hubermann, Papa and Mama respectively. Rosa is loud and her favorite past-times are to complain and refer to Liesel as "saumench" (meaning filthy pig). That's not to say that she doesn't love her adopted daughter, she just has an off-way of showing it. On the other end, Hans is a very kind Papa, who helps Liesel learn to read and enjoys playing the accordion. Hans and Rosa are poor and have a difficult time finding work for two reasons: 1) the struggling wartime economy and 2) Hans's reputation of befriending the victimized.
Then there is Rudy Steiner, the Ron Weasley of the story. Rudy is Liesel's best friend and neighbor, he is one of six children, and his family is poorer than Liesel's. Rudy also has a rebellious attitude and idolizes Jesse Owens. Rudy and Liesel's relationship is almost strictly platonic, I say almost because almost every day he asks her for a kiss. But they go on many adventures together and stand up for one another.
Last, there's Max Vanderburg, the artist, the writer, the fighter, the Jew. That's all I will say about him... I don't want to spoil anything.
I liked how this book wasn't from the discriminated Jewish perspective (like Anne Frank or Night), but detailed life of the regular people lived and worked in Nazi Germany. How the kids reacted to and participated (or not) in Nazi Youth. How war and a dictatorship effected even children's lives. How these people, adults and children, perceived the Fuhrer. What actions these people took in opposition, support, or neutrality. The book also considers the German soldiers who went to war out of obligation and did not support Hitler. These points of view interest me because my grandmother was one of these people (she was a toddler when the war started). How do normal people live their life amidst so much chaos?
The story follows Liesel's obsession with books and with words. She steals a book without knowing how to read, but realizes the significance of the artifact, and eventually, the importance of language. All of this occurs during a time when one man's words were able to change the world... Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can start a war.
Finished reading Tuesday, January 27th
DD's rating: A+
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys reading (it's about books). This is a must read for anyone with an interest in World War II or the Holocaust. This is a must read, period.
Next read: The Martian by Andy Weir
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