Much has happened since my last post. A surprise party for Talena. (Pictures to come.) Upliftment from General Conference. (Favorite quotes to come.) But first, my latest book reviews/analyzations. Let's be honest, I really just like analyzing things.
The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis
I've read some of the books from The Chronicles of Narnia in the past, which caused me to be rather intrigued to read the prequel to it all, The Magician's Nephew. This book was actually written after The Chronicles of Narnia and is sometimes forgotten in this series. The story follows two children Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who are sent to different worlds through magic rings Digory's evil Uncle Andrew created using magic dust. (It may sound like a stretch, but it is a fantasy book. Keep that in mind.) In these different worlds Digory and Polly meet The White Witch, Aslan and witness the creation of Narnia.
Since this is a children's book the writing is simplistic and easy. However, I found the religious themes, which seems to be the purpose of The Chronicles of Narnia, fascinating. First, it was interesting to find out the background of The White Witch. You see more of her evil and insanity right off the bat, compared to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where she first appears mysterious. I also liked the background of the creation of Narnia. I loved the idea of a world being created through song. C.S. Lewis also ties everything together and explains where the magical wardrobe came from. My favorite part of the book was when the children meet Aslan, who as you may know represents Christ in this series. C.S. Lewis described this meeting in such a perfect way of how I would imagine that event to be. The children and the righteous in awe of his presence, but at the same time feeling comfortable to be with him. The evil not being able to handle to be near him and lacking the understanding of what is being said. I also was touched by Aslan's perfect understanding of Digory's sorrow over his deathly ill mother. So while the story is simple and sometimes comical, there were moments in the book that really struck a chord with me. Overall, I really liked the book and now want to read the rest of The Chronicles of Narnia again.
Jan's Rating:
Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
I actually read the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy a year ago and I was kind of torn. The first book, like all of The Hunger Games books, was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. But at the same time I really struggled with the whole kids killing kids aspect of the book. Actually, I think that is the reaction Collins was going for. The book is supposed to disturb you, to make you think and realize how wrong the society portrayed is. After finishing the first book, I couldn't decide if I wanted to continue the trilogy, since the first book was kind of depressing. Not being able to decide becomes a decision in itself, so I didn't touch the trilogy for a year.
Then a few weeks ago before we headed to the airport for California, I was scouring my sister's bookshelf for something to read on the plane and the second book, Catching Fire, caught my eye. I decided to give it a shot and took the book with me. (With my sister's permission, of course.) The second book actually was my favorite of the whole trilogy. Once I finished the second book, I needed to know how the whole thing ended, so I read the third one as well. I can't really give a summary of the books, because if you haven't read the trilogy, it will spoil it for you. And I'm assuming pretty much everyone knows the story of the first book, The Hunger Games, with the movie in theaters right now so I don't need to explain that. So with that being said, all I'm going to say is that the second and third book cover what happens in Panem after the hunger games occur.
I'm still trying to figure out my feelings about The Hunger Games trilogy. I don't love the books, but I respect the books. The reason I struggled with the story, it's cruelty and violence, is also one of the reasons I liked the story: it's realism. I appreciated that Collins didn't leave any hero or character unscarred from war and violence. She really goes into the depths of human psychology of what war does to you. To witness the loss of life; it isn't something that can be brushed off lightly. It is devastating even long after the violence has past. I also liked Collins outlook on war, that it is rarely about the good guys versus the bad guys. Everyone has their own agenda and while one side may be more wrong than the other, overall war is horrible no matter what side you adhere to.
My favorite character of the book was Peeta. His underlying goodness is what carries him through so many troubling and scary situations and that endeared him to me. However, I appreciate Collins creating a main female character, Katniss, whose strengths lie in her brains, her love for her family, her bravery and her skills. It is so refreshing to have main female character where her strength isn't about her looks, body shape or ability to seduce. Thank you Suzanne Collins for creating a female character who is above that.
Lastly, I view The Hunger Games trilogy more as a warning than anything else. Our society hasn't gotten to the degree of Panem, but you can't help but ask yourself how close are we? While our reality shows don't encourage death, do we get entertainment out of other people's humiliation, pain and sorrow? While we don't dye our skin bizarre colors and follow as outlandish trends as they do in the capitol, are we blinded by our hunger for expensive trends and fashions and place these shallow desires above the needs of others in our society? Do we expect others to do the work for us so we can have easy lives? Are we desensitized to violence and the lasting effects of war? Lots to think about.
Jan's Rating:
I've read some of the books from The Chronicles of Narnia in the past, which caused me to be rather intrigued to read the prequel to it all, The Magician's Nephew. This book was actually written after The Chronicles of Narnia and is sometimes forgotten in this series. The story follows two children Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who are sent to different worlds through magic rings Digory's evil Uncle Andrew created using magic dust. (It may sound like a stretch, but it is a fantasy book. Keep that in mind.) In these different worlds Digory and Polly meet The White Witch, Aslan and witness the creation of Narnia.
Since this is a children's book the writing is simplistic and easy. However, I found the religious themes, which seems to be the purpose of The Chronicles of Narnia, fascinating. First, it was interesting to find out the background of The White Witch. You see more of her evil and insanity right off the bat, compared to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where she first appears mysterious. I also liked the background of the creation of Narnia. I loved the idea of a world being created through song. C.S. Lewis also ties everything together and explains where the magical wardrobe came from. My favorite part of the book was when the children meet Aslan, who as you may know represents Christ in this series. C.S. Lewis described this meeting in such a perfect way of how I would imagine that event to be. The children and the righteous in awe of his presence, but at the same time feeling comfortable to be with him. The evil not being able to handle to be near him and lacking the understanding of what is being said. I also was touched by Aslan's perfect understanding of Digory's sorrow over his deathly ill mother. So while the story is simple and sometimes comical, there were moments in the book that really struck a chord with me. Overall, I really liked the book and now want to read the rest of The Chronicles of Narnia again.
Jan's Rating:
I actually read the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy a year ago and I was kind of torn. The first book, like all of The Hunger Games books, was a page turner. I couldn't put it down. But at the same time I really struggled with the whole kids killing kids aspect of the book. Actually, I think that is the reaction Collins was going for. The book is supposed to disturb you, to make you think and realize how wrong the society portrayed is. After finishing the first book, I couldn't decide if I wanted to continue the trilogy, since the first book was kind of depressing. Not being able to decide becomes a decision in itself, so I didn't touch the trilogy for a year.
Then a few weeks ago before we headed to the airport for California, I was scouring my sister's bookshelf for something to read on the plane and the second book, Catching Fire, caught my eye. I decided to give it a shot and took the book with me. (With my sister's permission, of course.) The second book actually was my favorite of the whole trilogy. Once I finished the second book, I needed to know how the whole thing ended, so I read the third one as well. I can't really give a summary of the books, because if you haven't read the trilogy, it will spoil it for you. And I'm assuming pretty much everyone knows the story of the first book, The Hunger Games, with the movie in theaters right now so I don't need to explain that. So with that being said, all I'm going to say is that the second and third book cover what happens in Panem after the hunger games occur.
I'm still trying to figure out my feelings about The Hunger Games trilogy. I don't love the books, but I respect the books. The reason I struggled with the story, it's cruelty and violence, is also one of the reasons I liked the story: it's realism. I appreciated that Collins didn't leave any hero or character unscarred from war and violence. She really goes into the depths of human psychology of what war does to you. To witness the loss of life; it isn't something that can be brushed off lightly. It is devastating even long after the violence has past. I also liked Collins outlook on war, that it is rarely about the good guys versus the bad guys. Everyone has their own agenda and while one side may be more wrong than the other, overall war is horrible no matter what side you adhere to.
My favorite character of the book was Peeta. His underlying goodness is what carries him through so many troubling and scary situations and that endeared him to me. However, I appreciate Collins creating a main female character, Katniss, whose strengths lie in her brains, her love for her family, her bravery and her skills. It is so refreshing to have main female character where her strength isn't about her looks, body shape or ability to seduce. Thank you Suzanne Collins for creating a female character who is above that.
Lastly, I view The Hunger Games trilogy more as a warning than anything else. Our society hasn't gotten to the degree of Panem, but you can't help but ask yourself how close are we? While our reality shows don't encourage death, do we get entertainment out of other people's humiliation, pain and sorrow? While we don't dye our skin bizarre colors and follow as outlandish trends as they do in the capitol, are we blinded by our hunger for expensive trends and fashions and place these shallow desires above the needs of others in our society? Do we expect others to do the work for us so we can have easy lives? Are we desensitized to violence and the lasting effects of war? Lots to think about.
Jan's Rating:
I recently read the Magician's Nephew to my boys. We loved it too! I really want to read all the books. Ethan and Jake got bored with The horse and his boy. So that is where we stopped. Maybe when they are a little older we'll finish the rest of them.
ReplyDeleteJannifer, I think you nailed it on your summary of The Hunger Games Triology. I too read them because I had heard so much about them. They are totally gripping and the way they are written you feel like you can't put them down. I read all 3 books in 2 1/2 days. While I admired Peeta's goodness and Katniss' devotion to her family and ability to survive, I too was very disturbed by the violence. I also think that our society is quite close to that of the Capitol City. It was sick to read about, but so many of those things are happening. I have not seen the movie yet - at first I wanted to, but now I am undecided.
ReplyDeleteJannifer, I am impressed with your book review of the Hunger Games Trilogy. You are right on!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had no desire to read The Hunger Games because violence always disturbs me and I hate to see it marketed to children, even if it is to portray its evils. I prefer to give children (and all of us really)the more virtuous aspects of life, since there is so much good and so little time, why waste our time filling our minds with evil?
ReplyDeleteI respect CS Lewis and with your recommendation think I will read The Magician's Nephew. Ever since I took a class in college and had to read a book a day I like to read a book from start to finish; that's one reason I prefer to read Children's literature.