I finished Looking for Alaska by John Green. I've been sitting here for half an hour trying to figure out where to start my book review. My conclusion... it's impossible to review this book. You just have to take my word for it, this book is absolutely amazing and you have to read it.
No book (movie or tv show) has ever pulled out my emotions and made me so vulnerable as Looking For Alaska did. It's amazing!
Go here and buy it: http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Alaska-John-Green/dp/0142402516/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322437199&sr=1-1
Or go support your local library and check out a copy!
(Original Post on November 27, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers103 )
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Great Gatsby (A True Classic)
Finally I've been given a so-called 'classic' novel that I truly enjoyed. Up until now I've believed that classics were only classics because they were great for the audience and time period they were written in, but The Great Gatsby has shown me something more.
Synopsis:
The novel is told from the point of view of Nick Carraway, a simplistic and seemingly unimportant character, and it follows the lives of seven adults: Nick, Daisy, Gatsby, Tom, Myrtle, George and Jordan. The main plot to the novel is the love story between Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby went off to war and Daisy eventually married Tom instead of him. In an effort to win Daisy's love, Gatsby invents himself around the persona of a rich and well-liked man. Gatsby moved into a giant house across the bay from Daisy's house and waited for her for 5 years. Finally, when Nick, Daisy's cousin, moved in next door to Gatsby, Gatsby had a chance to finally reunite with Daisy. When Nick invites Daisy over for Tea and Gatsby shows up the novel explodes with drama and emotion.
Why is it a True Classic?
I'm going to call The Great Gatsby a 'true classic'. Why is that, you might ask? The novel sets itself apart from all of the other 'classics' I've read for many reasons.
All throughout the novel are themes of love, materialism and greed. Fitzgerald (the author) did an excellent job capturing the image of society during the 1920s. Each character represents the different types of people found in the era: Myrtle, Tom, Daisy and Jordan represent the many personalities of rich people during the era, while Nick represents a sort of middle-class and George represents the poor. Above all, Gatsby represents a group of people who believed that nothing mattered after the war, a 'lost generation'.
Gatsby spent 5 years holding onto Daisy only to lose her, and himself. George lost his wife, Myrtle, and killed himself. Nick lost Jordan. Conversely, Tom ran away with Daisy.
The novel ends with Nick alone in the world, no family, no friends. Nick, who seemed unimportant throughout the novel, end sup being the most important character. Nick represents the true 'lost generation' of the 1920s.
Symbolism:
To further explore the concept of the 'lost generation', Fitzgerald continually refers to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg, which are on a billboard. The eyes are described as old a fading. The rest of Eckleberg's face is gone and the eyes are slowly fading with it. The billboard stands tall over the road and stares at you as you drive by. The eyes represent God. The fact that they have faded away represents the lack of faith and loss of hope in the 'lost generation'.
(Original Post on November 13, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers102 )
Synopsis:
The novel is told from the point of view of Nick Carraway, a simplistic and seemingly unimportant character, and it follows the lives of seven adults: Nick, Daisy, Gatsby, Tom, Myrtle, George and Jordan. The main plot to the novel is the love story between Gatsby and Daisy. Gatsby went off to war and Daisy eventually married Tom instead of him. In an effort to win Daisy's love, Gatsby invents himself around the persona of a rich and well-liked man. Gatsby moved into a giant house across the bay from Daisy's house and waited for her for 5 years. Finally, when Nick, Daisy's cousin, moved in next door to Gatsby, Gatsby had a chance to finally reunite with Daisy. When Nick invites Daisy over for Tea and Gatsby shows up the novel explodes with drama and emotion.
Why is it a True Classic?
I'm going to call The Great Gatsby a 'true classic'. Why is that, you might ask? The novel sets itself apart from all of the other 'classics' I've read for many reasons.
All throughout the novel are themes of love, materialism and greed. Fitzgerald (the author) did an excellent job capturing the image of society during the 1920s. Each character represents the different types of people found in the era: Myrtle, Tom, Daisy and Jordan represent the many personalities of rich people during the era, while Nick represents a sort of middle-class and George represents the poor. Above all, Gatsby represents a group of people who believed that nothing mattered after the war, a 'lost generation'.
Gatsby spent 5 years holding onto Daisy only to lose her, and himself. George lost his wife, Myrtle, and killed himself. Nick lost Jordan. Conversely, Tom ran away with Daisy.
The novel ends with Nick alone in the world, no family, no friends. Nick, who seemed unimportant throughout the novel, end sup being the most important character. Nick represents the true 'lost generation' of the 1920s.
Symbolism:
To further explore the concept of the 'lost generation', Fitzgerald continually refers to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg, which are on a billboard. The eyes are described as old a fading. The rest of Eckleberg's face is gone and the eyes are slowly fading with it. The billboard stands tall over the road and stares at you as you drive by. The eyes represent God. The fact that they have faded away represents the lack of faith and loss of hope in the 'lost generation'.
(Original Post on November 13, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers102 )
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Dreams in Literature
Dreams are used throughout literature in many different genres, but why use dreams? What purpose do they serve? How do they enhance a novel? In my opinion there are two types of dreams: realistic dreams and nonsense dreams.
Realistic Dreams:
Sometimes you can't even tell the character is dreaming until they wake up. Perhaps a new chapter started right off with a dream. To pull off a realistic dream, the dream needs to consist of events that fit into the novel. You can't have the protagonist slaying a dragon if they work at a coffee shop (although, that could make a good story). You also have to ensure that any characters in the dream are acting as they normally would. You can't have a business man start talking in slang.
Nonsense Dreams:
A nonsense dream is just what you think it is. Nonsense dreams are quite clearly dreams and make no sense at all.
Now we know the two types of dreams, but why do we use them?
Foreshadowing:
The most common use of a dream in literature is to foreshadow future events. You do need to be careful though. If your character straight out saves the world in their dream and then saves the world at the end of the novel, your reader isn't going to be very happy. I personally use dreams to foreshadow events, but I disguise my foreshadowing with riddles, usually in a nightmare. I use a series of random events and symbolism in nightmares to disguise what is going to happen later on. This leaves the reader wondering and then shocks them once they finish the novel. If you write a series, you can foreshadow the next book in your current book, but that's a bit risky because it leaves part of the novel open ended.
Wishes:
Dreams can also be used to show what a character wants. Maybe they dream about a job promotion or about a family member that passed away. Sometimes these dreams can also be used as foreshadowing.
Flashbacks:
Dreams are a very good way to reveal back story in a novel. Rather than beginning a novel with a back story that might not draw in the reader, you can begin the novel with something exciting and reveal the back story in a dream later on.
Emotions:
Lastly, a dream can be used to express strong emotions. This can be a very affective strategy if your protagonist likes to hold their emotions in. You can show the reader what they are feeling without messing with the protagonist's character.
No matter how you use your dreams, or what type you use, make sure it fits with the novel. You might not want to put a nonsense dream in a very serious novel, or you might not want to put a realistic dream in a very light-hearted novel. But, then again, you may want to do the opposite of that. Perhaps a nonsense dream works perfectly in your serious novel. Above all, make sure your dreams don't pull away from the actually purpose of the novel.
(Original Post on November 6, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers101 )
Realistic Dreams:
Sometimes you can't even tell the character is dreaming until they wake up. Perhaps a new chapter started right off with a dream. To pull off a realistic dream, the dream needs to consist of events that fit into the novel. You can't have the protagonist slaying a dragon if they work at a coffee shop (although, that could make a good story). You also have to ensure that any characters in the dream are acting as they normally would. You can't have a business man start talking in slang.
Nonsense Dreams:
A nonsense dream is just what you think it is. Nonsense dreams are quite clearly dreams and make no sense at all.
Now we know the two types of dreams, but why do we use them?
Foreshadowing:
The most common use of a dream in literature is to foreshadow future events. You do need to be careful though. If your character straight out saves the world in their dream and then saves the world at the end of the novel, your reader isn't going to be very happy. I personally use dreams to foreshadow events, but I disguise my foreshadowing with riddles, usually in a nightmare. I use a series of random events and symbolism in nightmares to disguise what is going to happen later on. This leaves the reader wondering and then shocks them once they finish the novel. If you write a series, you can foreshadow the next book in your current book, but that's a bit risky because it leaves part of the novel open ended.
Wishes:
Dreams can also be used to show what a character wants. Maybe they dream about a job promotion or about a family member that passed away. Sometimes these dreams can also be used as foreshadowing.
Flashbacks:
Dreams are a very good way to reveal back story in a novel. Rather than beginning a novel with a back story that might not draw in the reader, you can begin the novel with something exciting and reveal the back story in a dream later on.
Emotions:
Lastly, a dream can be used to express strong emotions. This can be a very affective strategy if your protagonist likes to hold their emotions in. You can show the reader what they are feeling without messing with the protagonist's character.
No matter how you use your dreams, or what type you use, make sure it fits with the novel. You might not want to put a nonsense dream in a very serious novel, or you might not want to put a realistic dream in a very light-hearted novel. But, then again, you may want to do the opposite of that. Perhaps a nonsense dream works perfectly in your serious novel. Above all, make sure your dreams don't pull away from the actually purpose of the novel.
(Original Post on November 6, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers101 )
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Shooting Stars
I wish upon the shooting stars to swoop down and tame your nightmares, make them mine, not ours. I wish upon the shooting stars to bring the snow so we can share the moment for hours. I wish upon the shooting stars bring our neighbor home from space, so I can give you Mars. I wish upon the shooting stars to make this go on forever so we can keep chasing cars. I wish upon the shooting stars to bring your heart home so your smile can intoxicate for hours. I wish upon the shooting stars that we may make snow angels in the bed that is ours. ------------------------------------------ Written on November 2, 2011 by B.S. Meyers (Original Post on November 2, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers100 )
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Snow Flowers
On that day when Hope, Faith and Sanity died, the world iced over, bitter and cold, and last snow fell upon Earth's fire, warm and steaming, taken away was Mother Nature's bliss and gone so fast. On that day when Hope, Faith and Sanity died, two hearts mourned for a time unknown, and all snow left ash behind, waiting for fires to awaken. Hearts waited for Nature's move, the end of Fall. On that day when Hope, Faith and Sanity died, Love left the heart and became a name, those snow flowers sprouted in heart and home, and shaken by fictitious loss, Hope became new life; a Rose. ------------------------------------------ Written on October 30, 2011 by B.S. Meyers (Original Post on October 30, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers99 )
Saturday, October 22, 2011
If Love Had a Name...
Sometimes I wonder what would happen if everything died. If it was all black clouds and no silver linings. If family and friends were a joke and faith had lied. Today I wonder no more and these are my findings. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if everything died. If the sun stopped shining and the world cracked open. If sanity went crazy and everyones demons cried. Today Hope went home because it couldn't keep on hopin'. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if everything died. If Earth started bleeding, when it rains it pours. If Humanity turned to dust and words were personified. Today, and all days, if love had a name it would be Yours. --------------------------------------------- Written on October 22, 2011 by B.S. Meyers (Original Post on October 22, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers98 )
Monday, October 10, 2011
Book Review: Huckleberry Finn
Huck Finn is a story of friendship, of overcoming adversity and of doing what your heart tells you, rather than what society says is the right thing to do. Huck and Jim are faced with many obstacles that they need to overcome, but some of those obstacles feel unrelated to the novel.
The entire situation with the con artists that call themselves The King and The Duke is a giant symbol of the darker parts of human nature: greed, deceit, etc. At the end of the part of the novel dealing with them, the situation does tie into the rest of the plot, but up until that point you don't quite understand why things are happening. After that point you just feel like the whole thing was a waste of time.
If diction was a genre, Mark Twain would be the father of that genre. Twain writes dialogue in so many different accents that I can't help but commend his talent. However, I believe that, while those accents are great for characterization, they take away from what the novel could be.
I believe the plot could have had much more potential if Twain spent more time with it than he did on diction. The characters are extremely believable, but some of the plot feels like rubbish. For a novel to be good it has to have both a solid plot and believable characters. I think Twain needed to find a bit of a middle-ground.
That being said, Huck Finn is one of the better classic novels that I have read.
(I'll spare you my rant about censoring literature, but if you'd like to read it go here: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers96 )
(Original Post on October 11, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers97 )
The entire situation with the con artists that call themselves The King and The Duke is a giant symbol of the darker parts of human nature: greed, deceit, etc. At the end of the part of the novel dealing with them, the situation does tie into the rest of the plot, but up until that point you don't quite understand why things are happening. After that point you just feel like the whole thing was a waste of time.
If diction was a genre, Mark Twain would be the father of that genre. Twain writes dialogue in so many different accents that I can't help but commend his talent. However, I believe that, while those accents are great for characterization, they take away from what the novel could be.
I believe the plot could have had much more potential if Twain spent more time with it than he did on diction. The characters are extremely believable, but some of the plot feels like rubbish. For a novel to be good it has to have both a solid plot and believable characters. I think Twain needed to find a bit of a middle-ground.
That being said, Huck Finn is one of the better classic novels that I have read.
(I'll spare you my rant about censoring literature, but if you'd like to read it go here: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers96 )
(Original Post on October 11, 2011 at: http://dft.ba/-BSMeyers97 )
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