Adventures in Crazyland

Book 17 - A book more than 100 years old

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

I must mention that these are technically two different stories, but finding themselves contained between the same covers, I chose to continue reading rather than leave out part of Alice's life. Therefore, for the remainer of our time together today, they will be referred to as a novel rather than novels.

Living in a world where Disney exists, I had never known the true story of Alice until I read this novel. I was always under the impression that the friends Alice meets in Wonderland were a little bit odd, but reading the novel made me realize that they are actually completely crazy. As I kept reading and continued to meet more and more crazy characters, I started to wonder if Lewis had accepted a challenge wherein he was to create the craziest story ever written. Alas, it was but a dream, or was it...

I came upon many events during the course of the novel which made me put the book down and ask myself if there was any bit of sense in the paragraph I just read. Nine times out of ten, there not a bit of sense to be had. 

I tried with all my might to follow the tales told in poem form. Those were the most unsensical of the bunch!

As I came upon the end of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland I thought back. Although dear Tim Burton did a fantastic job on his version of the story, he still left out many parts of the original which could have easily been added. However, I do understand how little they add to the storyline. 

There was one chapter where I completely lost my mind. All of a sudden there was a gryphon in the story and I didn't remember meeting him before. He just kind of showed up and then spent some time with Alice and continued on his merry way. I remember coming to the end of the chapter and thinking "where did the gryphon come from? Was he there the whole time?" Evidently so, he was a large part of that chapter. I, however, was not.

We arrive at the end of the novel, unsure as to whether or not Alice has dreamt the entire adventure or if she is really just as crazy as the rest of the characters. 

The beginning of each story is made to sound like she has become part of the adventure and is entirely not dreaming, but once you arrive at the end, it is as if she has awoken from a dream and therefore, dreamt the whole affair. I suppose that is the way of dreams though. If you have ever watched the movie Inception then you will begin to see how Alice could very well have been dreaming. She doesn't remember how the dream began, and she has no idea how she got to be where she is. This is the way with dreams. They just sort of begin where they will, it is only the end which we are rather attentive for. 

I'm not sure if I am better off having read this novel or not. I don't feel like it has helped me grow in anyway. I am rather more perplexed about the whole idea than I was before I began. I might just stick with the movie versions from hereon out.

Beware the Jabberwocky, this is t-bear signing off

The 3 I's

Book 16 - A memoir

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Now, I'm sure you already know this, but I am primarily a fan of fiction. However, mere hours after picking up this novel, I realized that I could, in fact, love a novel which is not of the fictional sort.

Not to my dismay, I observed the events which happened in the novel with much respect and adornment.

One thing I have always loved to do is travel. This novel is all about Liz Gilbert finding herself through a year of travelling.

Now I realize that all of the things that Liz went through which brought her to the point in her life where she felt she needed to leave her whole life behind and find herself; are not even remotely similar to the issues which would ever drive me to leave my well-grounded home life. Alas, there is a sort of excellentness in the idea that there is more of you out there somewhere, just waiting to be found.

One day, I will travel the globe. Don't worry, I'll take you with me. Although, I feel this blog may not be the way you would wish to travel with me. We'll just have to make it work.

In other news, if you have read this book, written by my new friend, Liz; then you are well aware of the spectacular nature in which she relates her journey through storytelling. I am pleased to say that many times during the travel from front cover to back cover, I created a large amount of respect for dear Liz. She was not only searching for herself, she was finding it.

Liz starts out her story lying on a bathroom floor, wondering where it all went wrong. She then proceeds to take every ounce of strength she has and throw it at the challenge of figuring out how to fix her soul. She is not searching for who she was when things were good, she is looking for who she can be because of everything she has experienced. I quite envy Liz. Not for the pain which she wholeheartedly suffered, but for the way that she was able to calm herself down and get her life in order.

Liz finds pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and balance in Indonesian. Staying in each country for four months, making new friends in every place, and learning brand new things about her soul the entire way through it.

There were many moments during the book where I had to stop myself and remember that this is truly a memoir and not a fictional story. The way in which Liz writes one can easily believe that what is happening is a work of fiction and not a real human life. This is not a bad thing, I found the story much easier to follow with Liz's ability to laugh at her embarrassments and cry at her painfulness. She is truly a role model for lives that have strayed.

I shall definitely be keeping this novel on my shelf, just in case the day comes where I need to do some soul searching of my own.

Peace is a large part of it, this is t-bear signing off

It's getting louder...

Book 15 - A book by a female author

 

crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

 

You may be sitting around thinking to yourself, "hey, I've heard of that author before."

If you have only come across such an author through this blog; then I commend you on your ability to keep reading something that sometimes drones on and on with no end in sight even as the reader has clearly already lost their place and is looking for a way to escape the inevitable end which will most certainly be present and possibly the most horrible of endings ever discovered in the history of ever.

Just remember, you are spectacular if you chose to read every post in such a blog. I'm not sure I would ever go back and read through every single post I've ever written. The thought is rather unexciting and I'm sure I would become bored far sooner than entertained.

Back to the author. If you return to the post of January 31 a.k.a. Book 4, you will note my review of the first book in this series.

Yes, I had to reread it. It was difficult, but I persevered.

As the first book was gifted to me by my very best, and rather only friend, M, the second installment was also given by said very best, and rather only friend, M. Although, this time it was not a Christmas gift, instead a valentine's day gift. As we are both single and don't have any other friends, we were each other's valentine's.

On to the novel! As if the last novel didn't have enough angels; in this one, we are constantly visited by the main characters guardian angel and a few Nephilim, who are just up to no good. (If you really need to know what Nephilim are, you should probably sit yourself down with this novel. But read the first one first. Seriously though, it'll make a lot more sense.) On top of all this angel talk, we are constantly reminded of the presence of the archangels. Only the already-read will know of their true existence. (No spoilers here!)

The love story as shown in the first novel hovers over the entire story, but doesn't interfere nearly as much. I felt that this was helpful for us, as readers, to really get to know the main character. She is not only stubborn and a little OCD, she also likes to do the one thing that she has been told not to. This isn't referring to one specific thing, but rather any restricted area becomes an unhealthy obsession.

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. There were many "sitting on the edge of my seat" moments, which are always my favourite. It doesn't help that the ending was a very large cliff-hanger.

I would really like to get in my little Mini and drive to Chapters to purchase the next two novels in the series. Who needs to wait for shipping and handling when I can pick them off the shelf and handle them with care? Alas, we must practice what is often referred to as self-control. We don't like it, but it is necessary.

 

An at ease mind has a trip booked, this is t-bear signing off

The Rye is Catching

Book 14 - A banned book

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean a band book. Pronunciation is everything people.

As I had already decided that this was to be my banned book, I spent the entire novel trying to figure out why it has been banned in so many places. Although it is not banned everywhere, it is one of the more commonly banned novels in North America.

The novel was interesting. 

This is a way of say that I felt it was neither bad nor good. Some parts were more interesting than others. The entire novel I was stuck with the almost impossible task of figuring out why it was so banned in the first place.

If it had been banned for not being such a book novel, I would have believed the banning far better than if it had been banned for the use of inappropriate language or underage drinking. Many a time in my day have I read a novel that is of more inappropriate language or alcohol/drug abuse. I can't remember really enjoying those either.

I've just read a review as to why it would be banned. I realize that many of these bannings occurred in the mid-late 1900s, which were apparently a more fragile/innocent time period, but that makes it more confusing to be an 'okay' book today. The content in the novel is no worse than that which occurs in almost every movie rated 18A or up. Should we be concerned about the fact that books which have inappropriate content are far more likely to be banned than something that is recorded, advertised on public television and played for all the world to see? 

This novel is about 16 year old Holden Caulfield who gets kicked out of school three days before Christmas Vacation. Instead of going home he decides to spend his time and savings in New York City. After about two hundred pages of underage drinking, constant smoking and many emotional breakdowns, we find Mr. Caulfield in a bit of a pickle. Should he go home to his parents and little sister, or should he run away, get a job and build himself a cabin in a wood? This combined with the ever present struggle to deal with his brother's death makes Mr. Caulfield out to be a bit of a hassle to the readers mind.

I won't spoil the novel for you, but the ending very easily helps the reader to realize that the decisions the character makes are not okay. Many times I stopped to remind myself that Mr. Caulfield must have some sort of mental disorder which is causing him to not think entirely clearly.

I don't know that I will ever need to read this novel again. I have read and understand that the themes are not necessarily ideal. If I never come across it's words again, I will just keep right on living.

However, I feel that it could be instrumental to the lives of teenagers as they grow up and learn what is socially acceptable and what is just downright wrong. Mr. Caulfield is unfortunately a misguided soul and I think there is much to learn from his situations. 

Sunny Sunday to all, this is t-bear signing off

A Dryden Experiment

Book 13 - A graphic novel

Sky Goddesses of Dryden, Volumes 1-4 by Laura Konrad and Danielle Evert

You have probably never heard of this novel before, I would be surprised if you had. 

Not to say that it isn't a well-written or interesting novel, but it was published by a less well-known publisher and taken from the minds of two less well-known authors. (Not that any of this is bad, it just isn't Hollywood's special brand of obsessiveness.)

I am pleased to say that it was written by a dear friend of mine, or rather sister of a friend. From where I come from, all Mennonites are automatically friends of a sort.

Shortly after I saw the post on Twitter that announced the publishing of a novel, I took to amazon.ca to purchase a copy for my little collection that grew. Not only will I forever encourage the writing of those who are dear to me, I will purchase the book no matter how I take appreciation to the words.

Let's not talk about such vague appreciation for the moment though.

I have not a large collection of, specifically, graphic novels. Including this one, I have one other. It's kind of hard to resist holding a Batman comic book within your grasp. 

When I first began to read this novel I had to keep telling myself to observe the pictures as well as the words. I'm so used to just reading the words that I forgot how much of the story is told through the pictures.

As a fan of rather fictional stories, I was quite excited to see that each little story within this novel was based in a world that is not of the planet earth, but rather beyond it. With a little bit of comedy and a very present feeling of far away love, the stories easily flowed from one scene to the other. If this were an entire fictional novel, hundreds of pages and all, I could definitely see myself enjoying it. As it were, and just a graphic novel, I found immense entertainment in all the stories had to offer. 

As I was reading through I kept pausing to really examine the pictures. I must say, well done Danielle. That is some skilled craftsmanship if I do say so myself.

I would recommend this novel to any of you who are graphic novel fanatics or even those of you who don't normally read graphic novels. You may just find yourself enjoying this one. 

Happy Easter! this is t-bear signing off

Grayscale

Book 12 - A book with antonyms in the title

My Life in Black and White by Kim Izzo

This one is a little different. Before purchasing this novel I didn't know who the author was, I didn't even know the book existed.

Basically, I looked on the book challenge and noticed that one of them involved antonyms, so I Googled "novels with antonyms in the title", this is one that I found that looked interesting.

I must confess, I am rather partial to synonyms and therefor do not voluntarily spend much time in the company of antonyms; however, I do enjoy a good ole fashioned black and white film.

The novel begins in Hollywood where the main character, Clara, lives with her husband of (I think) six years. She is a screenwriter/gossip columnist, her mother and grandmother were both aspiring actresses in the Hollywood scene. Her grandmother had a main part in a film noir and then worked as a costume designer all in the 1950s.

Following a dumping and affair, both by her husband, Clara follows him to London, England where he will be producing a new television show. She brings along a suitcase full of her grandmother's clothes from the 1950s.

Not long after Clara arrives in London she is transported back to December 1, 1952. The world is viewed in black and white, the clothes could only be from 1952 and the femme fatale is the only thing on Clara's mind. She finds part of a screenplay written by her grandmother in the suitcase which she brought with her and slowly finishes it on a typewriter discovered in a bush. The story follows Clara's next actions as she tries to change the past to keep her grandmother from dying on December 8, 1952 and get even with her husband for the affair.

The novel is one of those flashback kind of things. (Moma can't stand when television episodes do that.) Clara starts in a police station and then begins to tell the officer about the events which brought her to this moment in time.

I won't say any more, you'll have to read the novel if you wish to find out what happens.

I quite enjoyed the "time travelling" which occurred. I think it would be the coolest thing to visit different ages even for just one day. That probably has something to do with my love of history.

See you in the 50s, this is t-bear signing off

BB is watching you.

Book 11 - A book with a number in the title.

 

1984 by George Orwell

 

I don't even know what to say.

If you have read this particular novel then you will possibly understand my current amount of uneasiness. An uneasiness which follows such a novel is not so easily shaken. 

I was warned by Moma before even beginning the journey back to 1984 that the book was: ew. I did not have the same feelings, but I did feel rather perturbed by many of the concepts discussed and displayed in the workings of the novel.

1984, written in 1949, I would consider a futuristic novel although we have already come and gone from the year 1984. We know that the events which took place in the novel are not real; and I must say, I am glad for that!

(Just a warning for the reader, I shall be engaging in themes that are of the *spoileralert* sense. Please be careful with the next few paragraphs.)

With ideas such as; the past doesn't exist there is only the present, every move you make Big Brother is watching you, and there is no safety in your own thoughts; we are transformed into a world which is not only a question of what the future could be like, but a scary possibility to behold.

Imagine a world where you can't even be protected from your own thoughts. If you talk in your sleep and someone hears you say something against what the Party (dictators of life) wants, you could be captured and taken to Room 101. Not only will you be tortured, but you will be forced through that torture to let go of your current thoughts and resort back to the acceptable thoughts of the Party. If you can't seem to grasp what the Party wants and they can't force you to fully believe it, you will disappear and it will become like you had never existed in the first place.

This fictional world is filled with telescreens that follow your every move. There can be no time to sit around without having something to do. In order to keep everyone in line with what the Party wishes, they must be constantly sending out new bulletins, drilling in new ideas and monitoring those who stray in order to keep the general public in line.

The main character works primarily in an area involved in keeping the past unknown. If someone dies, their name is removed from every piece of written paper that exists in the records. When Oceania was suddenly at war with Eastasia rather than Eurasia, every news article had to change to reflect that they had always been at war with Eastasia. I'm not sure I could handle such a cold regard for the history that has formed this wonderful world. I do rather love history.

What I often find with these futuristic novels which promote a utopian world, is that those worlds seem to be just as messed up or even more so than our world is today, just in different ways. It's rather ironic how we try to change this world (through fiction), only to find that it is just as good the way that it is.

In any case, make sure you are in a rather excellent mental state before embarking on this rather unpleasant journey through time. You will need to then check that you still have a large majority of that excellent mental state before operating heavy machinery. This is all just a suggestion, but I know you will take it seriously.

 

this is t-bear signing off