I can't believe I considered this book boring in high school. Reading it as an adult is a whole different experience. I relate so much to Jane,[image]
I can't believe I considered this book boring in high school. Reading it as an adult is a whole different experience. I relate so much to Jane, as a single, introverted reader myself, who finds solace and strength in solitude, but can also be too proud and scared to seek the help or companionship that is offered.
There isn't much plot, it's more of a character study type of book, but Bronte so astutely describes the various personalities that can be found in society, from rigid piousness that doesn't take into account human sensitivities, to the atheist hedonist who ironically holds more compassion and grace for their fellow humans than the former personality. I think this book has resonated with audiences hundreds of years later because Jane is aspirational; despite being saddled with the worst circumstances, she always rises above it all and lives with dignity. The inclusion of the Gothic setting and antihero Rochester just makes it more dramatic and romantic. A definite must-read. ...more
Colossal effort and care was put into chronicling this colossus of American industry, an engaging and insightful read that reveals the man behind the Colossal effort and care was put into chronicling this colossus of American industry, an engaging and insightful read that reveals the man behind the curtain. Chernow neither villainizes nor sanitizes Rockefeller's character or ascent to supremacy in the oil business, through the author's expert guidance, we clearly see the building blocks to his success, whether it be the circumstances of his childhood that propelled him away from what he was escaping, or his natural traits and Puritan work ethic that drove him towards wanting and acquiring more and more.
Because he believed in anonymous donations, I was surprised many times by the far reach he had, the various businesses, educational and philanthropic institutions he created or greatly contributed to, Spelman College, Morehouse College, University of Chicago, MoMA, RIMR, various national parks, the list goes on. Also all the prominent people he crossed paths with, architects, artists, writers, politicians, businessmen. Men like Rockefeller are one in a million, and seem to have lived a million lifetimes more than the average person.
What Chernow did best in this biography was his expert portrait of Rockefeller as a man and how he changed throughout his life. I could read off facts of his business endeavors, all the dates and happenings and figures, but it's not as interesting as knowing why he did what he did, how his values, upbringing, and home life influenced his behavior, how he reacted to the world's reaction of him.
I found the pacing of the book to be great, even the various background characters shed light on Rockefeller, either in how he interacted or influenced, or was influenced by them. The only parts I skimmed were the chapters about his descendants or his much later retired years, they didn't add much to the book, many later pages were spent on his golfing/anecdotal stuff, it's interesting to read in a couple sentences, but not revisited in whole chapters.
Will definitely be rereading this in the future. Bravo! ...more
Over 100 years since its publication, The Age of Innocence remains timeless in its acute and elegantly writtetldr version of my review below:
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Over 100 years since its publication, The Age of Innocence remains timeless in its acute and elegantly written insights on oppression reinforced by often arbritrary, pointless social rules, the power imbalance found within gender and social class dynamics, love, and the painful sacrifices that one must make in pursuit of freedom. Is living dutifully and honorably mutually exclusive with living for oneself? Wharton takes a pessimistic view on the question, as most her novels end with the characters conforming with and defeated by social pressure.
Wharton depicts people confined in a cage of their own making, whether it be remaining complacent in one's situation or choosing "right" over "good". The last two chapters perfectly summarize the central themes and motifs of the book, a pervading sense of wistfulness and what if's, a missed connection. The most romantic parts of the book are also the saddest, a hidden gaze held across the room, restrained yet revelatory fireside conversations, and OH MY GOD the gaze across the shore, the longing!! the yearning!! the pining!! give me more!!!
Madame Olenska as a character is way ahead of her time, a feminist heroine, and I don't want to presume that Wharton was writing about herself, but she has many similarities to her main character, in that they both endured loveless marriages to finally divorce, and sought refuge in Bohemian Paris. Although this book is severely depressing, at least Mme. Olenska's freedom is the silver lining, and Wharton got a Pulitzer Prize out of it!
initial reaction/review: i am still crying writing this, just finished it. the most beautiful and devastating love story i've ever read. when my brain starts working again, i'll write a proper review. wow. just became one of my favorites of all time....more
Oh it was a privilege to read this book, just as much it is a privilege to have such forefathers who had the foresight to intelligently, fairly and suOh it was a privilege to read this book, just as much it is a privilege to have such forefathers who had the foresight to intelligently, fairly and succinctly outline our country's supreme law of the land, first of its kind, and predicting and anticipating for its exponential growth, "allow for latitude with which future generations could make their own decisions".
Ellis expertly condenses the few strenuous years immediately following 1776, in which after bravely and resolutely marching towards Independence and having achieved it, no one seemed to have a plan for what came after. Ellis breaks down point by point the current political landscape of the time, the reasoning behind it, and as is the Socratic way, necessity bred invention, and our Quartet stepped up to the challenge of creating a unifying document to bind our nation states together forever more.
I enjoyed this book for its conciseness, for a U.S. history newbie like me, it was very easy to follow, and Ellis' outlines and arguments made sense, and were methodical. I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to dive deeper into this time period, and is a definite favorite read of 2023 so far.
Joyland was so good that it makes me recalibrate my previous 5 star reviews of other books, and if I could, I've give this a 6/5 stars. Not the typicaJoyland was so good that it makes me recalibrate my previous 5 star reviews of other books, and if I could, I've give this a 6/5 stars. Not the typical horror you'd expect from Stephen King, more of a reflection on growing up, seminal first experiences and feelings, fragility of life, and connections with people, however fleeting, that completely changes your frame of mind. A tenderhearted and often humorous look back on our protagonist's formative summer working at the titular carnival, but sprinkled with some supernatural stardust (it is Stephen King, after all). Immediately shot to the top rows of my favorite books of all time....more
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