You are currently browsing the monthly archive for January 2007.
I don’t really know where to begin with this book. I got it from a second hand shop for one dollar and I decided to buy it because I liked the cover. Apart from the interesting cover the back of the book also stated that the San Francisco Chronicle and the Chicago Tribune voted this book the best of the year. So I assumed it would be a good read.
With all the hype about this book, I was very disappointed with the story (sorry for all the people that loved it). I found I could not get involved and therefore the plot seemed slow and dragging. It is very hard to engage with characters whose names you cannot pronounce (unfortunately I’m not fluent in Korean) and live in a completely different culture and era. The themes of this book being love, marriage and social responsibilities still did not involve me, this maybe due to the narrative being told from the point of view of a Korean Princess (something I cannot really relate to).
I became more interested in the second half of the book when the story follows Dr Babs Halliwell, who on a flight to Korea decides to read the Crown Princess memoirs (which were sent to her anonymously). I thought it would be interesting to know how these memoirs would weave themselves into her life (like the blurb says) but I felt that they did not interweave or barely even crossed paths.
Throughout this book there were some interesting facts that I have now memorised and the story was all right but nothing out of the ordinary, nothing to make me recommend to all my friends. So if you are bored with a couple of days to spare and have ever wondered what 1700’s Korea is like then read this book. If you want an interesting, culturally exploring, diverse romance novel then keep browsing the library shelf.
“Some people read because the cannot think for themselves.”
Baroness De Ghent from the movie Ever After
When I was looking in the second hand bookshop I stumbled on this book. I had heard of Margaret Atwood before but I hadn’t read any of her books at the time, I looked at the cover and it didn’t really look that interesting (different one to pictured) but it was only $2. I bought it and I thought that if I don’t read it then I have only lost $2. Well I just discovered the book in the cupboard the other day and I didn’t have any others to read so I began. I was instantly hooked, I finished the whole book in two days and could not put it down.
This book is about the constant battles between women over men. About the power some women have over men, how they take what isn’t theirs, use and then discard. I like that the main evil character was a woman, preying on men instead of the cliched opposite. This woman was one horrible man-eater. While reading this book and thinking of the evil nature of Zenia (the witch of the story) I felt like I had read a similar character some where else, then it came to me. In East of Eden Kate is a cold, unfeeling, villainous woman similar to this character. They have the same vindictive nature they both do things for the sole reason of hurting people. I also enjoyed the extreme nature of Zenia. You cannot sympathise with this woman, who uses here friends and then stabs them in the back, using their men as the blade.
The story is told so that the three women (Tony, Charis and Roz) that are betrayed by Zenia get to tell their stories. They each begin their tales form when they were growing up and continue on to that fateful day when they met the vampiress (there is a reference that says some thing similar to ‘people like Zenia must be invited into your home before she can enter’. This is the same for vampires, the vampiress is a play on the names form the book). This story also shows the gullible nature of women and their willingness to always look for the good in someone, even when it is not there.
I recommend this book to anyone but especially women who enjoy good stories, complex characters and good women overcoming the bitch. Though the ending of this book leaves you questioning, wanting answers and identity revelations but alas they never eventuate. I think Margaret Atwood is on the way to becoming one of my favourite writers.
I thought I would change my blog layout and design for the New Year. What do you think? Should I keep it or change back to the old one?
Now back to the book. My favourite section in the book store is the classics section, there are always so many interesting books that you have heard about but aren’t sure of the exact story. The other bonus is these books are generally the cheapest (I don’t understand why). So while perusing the shelves I stumbled across ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’. I was curious to read this book because Dorian Gray is a character in ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ and he is also mentioned in a James Blunt song, so who exactly is this mysterious Dorian Gray?
I found the character of Dorian Gray to be an obnoxious, spoilt brat. Throughout this book he is a self-centred person, who may have turned out to be a nice human being if it hadn’t been for Lord Henry Wotton. The story begins when Basil Hallward (a talented artist) discovers a beautiful young man to sit for a portrait. It is at this painting session that Dorian meets Lord Henry and from here his life spirals out of control. Not only does Lord Henry entice him down the wrong path, but also the cursed portrait of Dorian leads him into an evil and hideous lifestyle.
This may sounds horrible of me but I was thankful for the way the book ended. I thought Dorian got everything he deserved, maybe he got off a bit easy. I really did not like this character. I was very disappointed when James Vane was unsuccessful in his moral mission.
This is an intriguing book for character examination. It also provides an interesting perspective into early English society with their decadent and corrupt social lifestyles. If you are into classic books this should be somewhere on your list.
Here is my sentence game entry:
Now at the top level of the NRL the referee is more likely to call you by your nickname: ‘Webby! Come here!
This is actually my boyfriend book lying on the coffee table it is Warhorse; Life, Footbal and Other Battles by Shane Webcke (Australian Rugby League Legend 
)
I tag Earthpal
Well it is hard when you are put on the spot to come up with interesting bit and pieces but here goes:
1. I failed Maths B in year 12 (this is the second hardest maths, I had to do an extra course so I could study my science degree) It is humiliating to tell people this, but still got into uni and graduated.
2. I have a morbid imagination. If a car backfires or there is a strange noise, I note the time just in case something bad has happened and if the police do a doorknock I can be helpful (I know I have watched way too much of ‘The Bill’).
3. I’m addicted to Neighbours, unfortunately you cannot get Neighbours in the US so I am in a depression 
4. When nobody is watching I eat Milo out of the tin (for all the non Australians who don’t know what Milo is http://www.nestle.com.au/milo/ it is a very poor excuse for chocolate powder, I say poor because it doesn’t mix in)
5. I have a phobia of cane toads (introduced pests in Australia) this fear stems from when I was younger and my mum was petrified of them and I think I acquired it from her. Thanks Mum.
I now tag, Tricky84
My friend and I were both one-day discussing the BBC version of ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (you will see it was rated 9.4/10). We had both grown up in different areas, watched it at different times but both agreed that it was the best version we had ever seen. After watching it I refuse to watch any other adaptation, for me Colin Firth is the perfect Mr Darcy and Jennifer Ehle (with her fine eyes) plays a wonderful Eliza.
I decided to read the book after reminiscing about how I loved the series. I’m glad I did. I think it is a book every girl/woman should read. It may take some readers a while to get through but it will be worth it in the end.
There are so many stories and genres rolled into one book. It is a comedy, a romance, and a drama all during the Georgian era, where people married for money and status and love was something you only read or dreamt about. The characters in the book are also believable and seem some how known to you. Everybody knows some one like Mr Collins (the slimey, embarrassing relative) or Elizabeth (the independent, free spirit) or Mr Darcy (the misunderstood, quite guy) and the mother (don’t get me started on her “he is worth 5000 pounds”).
I love the idea of two characters having such chemistry and at the same time loathing the sight of each other. It is the romance story that most women are searching for. Although it is a romance, it gives women an independent fighting spirit (I have to say far cry from some Mills and Boone stories). It matches, men’s words, with women’s wit, combining to create a classic tale.
This is a story that is still considered funny and romantic today, and will continue to be for years to come.
