I can't decide whether to be pleased or upset that I don't really have to rewrite the 52 lists too much. This was not a great year for me, culturally-speaking, I guess.
In poetry, I have already explored and written about Emily Dickinson, John Keats and W.H. Auden. They will be replaced by Alexander Pope, Andrew Marvell and Anne Sexton.
In books, I have already analyzed Great Expectations and Pride and Prejudice. They will be replaced by David Copperfield and Moby Dick.
For composers, I have already experienced Bach, Schumann and Copland. They will be replaced by Brahms, Dvorak and Shostakovich.
In movies, I counted the Star Trek V and Star Trek VI as separate entitites, but they are on the list as 1 line item. That's a lot of movies lumped together, but I will cope with that just fine. I am also combining Toy Story 1,2 and 3, which were separate. The Star Wars movies are already lumped together in one group. Using normal math, that leaves me with 3 movies to add. I am going to indulge myself a little and add in Casablanca, Shakespeare in Love, and 10 Things I Hate About You, old favorites I have not seen in too long. They will be my reward for slogging through some of the clusters.
I will update the lists linked on the side soon. Once again, they are not in order of reading, listening and/or watching. There has to be some choice involved, after all, or the whole thing stops being fun.
Showing posts with label these52books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label these52books. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Book 2/52 - Pride and Prejudice
Rereading "Pride and Prejudice" is like visiting with an old, dear friend you've lost track of along the way. That simile will likely not exist in another 30 years, what with Facebook and all, but for now, it holds. I remembered the story line, because of the movies, quite honestly. In 2005, Keira Knightley did a very credible job, and 1995's mini-series with Colin Firth was lovely.
To misquote Shakespeare - the book's the thing. Elizabeth Bennet is a lovable, recognizable character. Her family is as embarrassing as the cast of Jersey Shore, 19th century style. Mr. Darcy, proud, strong, silent and handsome, is all that a girl could wish for. Given the extent of Elizabeth's difficulty communicating with him (and vice versa), I am forced to wonder how happy their marriage would have been. They could likely go years without speaking to one another, over perceived slights in how dinner was enjoyed, I imagine.
This book is a lovely romp through the past, but it makes me feel pleased to be a modern sort of person. Society, as it was in those days, was a much too formal and fussy thing. Perhaps I have outgrown simple romances.
The book is a classic, in the canon of English literature, but it did not resonate any differently with me rereading it as a grown woman. The book, which made my teenaged heart swoon, did not tug on any heartstrings this time. I feel a little saddened by this. Perhaps in another decade or two I will try again.
To misquote Shakespeare - the book's the thing. Elizabeth Bennet is a lovable, recognizable character. Her family is as embarrassing as the cast of Jersey Shore, 19th century style. Mr. Darcy, proud, strong, silent and handsome, is all that a girl could wish for. Given the extent of Elizabeth's difficulty communicating with him (and vice versa), I am forced to wonder how happy their marriage would have been. They could likely go years without speaking to one another, over perceived slights in how dinner was enjoyed, I imagine.
This book is a lovely romp through the past, but it makes me feel pleased to be a modern sort of person. Society, as it was in those days, was a much too formal and fussy thing. Perhaps I have outgrown simple romances.
The book is a classic, in the canon of English literature, but it did not resonate any differently with me rereading it as a grown woman. The book, which made my teenaged heart swoon, did not tug on any heartstrings this time. I feel a little saddened by this. Perhaps in another decade or two I will try again.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Book 1/52 - Great Expectations
"A Christmas Carol" is Charles Dickens' greatest work. I have not changed my opinion on this after reading "Great Expectations".
Pip, Miss Havisham, Joe, Mrs. Joe, Estella and Biddy are a decent group of characters. Miss Havisham and Pip are still occasionally referred to. Abel Magwitch was not well-defined enough for me. He wasn't entirely a villain, but nor was he a persecuted hero either. Perhaps this was how the author wanted it- deliberate ambiguity. It was a little annoying for me though, given how inherently black and white the other characters were presented
This was a hard slog of a book for me. The slang is very much outdated and hard to follow in places. If there is humor, I think I missed most of it. The book is also long-winded, which when you consider that it was originally released as a serial in a magazine does makes sense.
I am glad that I read it, simply because it is considered to be a classic. My final verdict, with all apologies to Charles Dickens, is that the movie was probably better than the book.
Book 2/52 for this upcoming week: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I loved this book as a young girl, so I am excited to revisit it this week.
Pip, Miss Havisham, Joe, Mrs. Joe, Estella and Biddy are a decent group of characters. Miss Havisham and Pip are still occasionally referred to. Abel Magwitch was not well-defined enough for me. He wasn't entirely a villain, but nor was he a persecuted hero either. Perhaps this was how the author wanted it- deliberate ambiguity. It was a little annoying for me though, given how inherently black and white the other characters were presented
This was a hard slog of a book for me. The slang is very much outdated and hard to follow in places. If there is humor, I think I missed most of it. The book is also long-winded, which when you consider that it was originally released as a serial in a magazine does makes sense.
I am glad that I read it, simply because it is considered to be a classic. My final verdict, with all apologies to Charles Dickens, is that the movie was probably better than the book.
Book 2/52 for this upcoming week: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I loved this book as a young girl, so I am excited to revisit it this week.
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