Literature page
This is where I do summary's and critique's of all the books we read in class.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street was a very interesting and wonderful book. This book takes place in a run down area of Chicago. When the main character Esperanza moves to a “little house on Mango Street”, she is very disappointed because it is a bad looking house and a bad neighborhood. Esperanza is a very independent and smart young girl. The book Is filled with very poetic-like short story’s (or stanzas) describing Esperanza’s experiences growing up. Sandra Cisneros, the author, is an accomplished poet and author. I think that this was one of her best pieces. I think she related to the story a lot because she based a lot of things off how she had to grow up. That set the theme of young girls overcoming the stereotype of girls growing up and not working, staying at home and not accomplishing anything. Overall, Esperanza’s personality and the “real world” type story’s make this a great book.
As far as critiquing this book I can’t really criticize it. Since this book was translated into English from Spanish, the grammar errors aren’t that big of a deal, although it made some things confusing. Also, the timeline of the book jumped around a lot, one moment Esperanza is ten and the next she’s sixteen. It made it a little hard to follow, but it wasn't a big problem. I liked the format and the structure of the book. And in the end the different style of writing and the raw materials of this book made it really stand out to me.
As far as critiquing this book I can’t really criticize it. Since this book was translated into English from Spanish, the grammar errors aren’t that big of a deal, although it made some things confusing. Also, the timeline of the book jumped around a lot, one moment Esperanza is ten and the next she’s sixteen. It made it a little hard to follow, but it wasn't a big problem. I liked the format and the structure of the book. And in the end the different style of writing and the raw materials of this book made it really stand out to me.
Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood, written by Benjamin Alire Saenz is a great book. The exciting twists and turns, laugh out loud moments and tearing up moments make it a real page-turner. This book is about a boy named Sammy who is in love with this girl Juliana. After a tragic turn of events, Sammy is left without Juliana and his life goes downhill from there. Throughout the book Sammy goes through hard times as his hopes to go to college and be somebody is slowly diminished. He is a true victim of poor background and racism, and those things provide a struggle for him. I feel that the author is going off his own experience, since he grew up in a similar setting, which makes the book seem even more real.
This book has no issues for me to critique except for a small amount of grammar mistakes, but since this book was translated into English from Spanish, I can’t really say it was unprofessional. The structure and format was good and every thing was smooth. Overall this book was awesome, and I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
This book has no issues for me to critique except for a small amount of grammar mistakes, but since this book was translated into English from Spanish, I can’t really say it was unprofessional. The structure and format was good and every thing was smooth. Overall this book was awesome, and I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Antigone by SOPHOCLES
In the play Antigone, Oedipus' sons, Polyneices and Eteocles, kill each other in battle because Eteocles wouldn't give up his rule as king when he is supposed to. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, declares that Eteocles will be honored by proper burial and Polyneices disgraced by being left outside Thebes to rot. Antigone and Ismene are the sisters of the dead brothers, and they are now the last children of Oedipus. Antigone wants to bury Polyneices' body, even though Creon forbids it. She tries to talk Ismene into helping her but she refuses to help her, fearing the death penalty, and she tries unsuccessfully to persuade Antigone to not do this crime. In the end Antigone gets locked up and kills herself then Haemon (Antigone's lover and Creon's son) kills himself then the queen of Thebes Eurydice kills herself. Did I mention this is a Tragedy?
This play/story is a beautiful piece of classic literature. I think that Sophocles did a fantastic job of portraying the ancient Theban myth. I found no issues with the book and I enjoyed reading it.
This play/story is a beautiful piece of classic literature. I think that Sophocles did a fantastic job of portraying the ancient Theban myth. I found no issues with the book and I enjoyed reading it.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Life of Pi , by Yann Martel is about a boy called Pi. He lived in a zoo with his family and had a strong tie to religion. After they decide to move to Canada, they board a ship with their animals. In the middle of the journey their ship sank, leaving Pi on a life boat shared by a zebra, hyena, oragutang and a tiger. The book is mostly about him trying to survive.
I really liked this book. Pi's take on religion was very interesting to me. When he was stuck on the boat I was always reading on the edge of my seat. I saw no problems with this book and I enjoyed reading it.
I really liked this book. Pi's take on religion was very interesting to me. When he was stuck on the boat I was always reading on the edge of my seat. I saw no problems with this book and I enjoyed reading it.
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, follows the maturation of Amir, a boy from Afghanistan who needs to find his way in the world, he goes through traumatic events the make him question his beliefs and culture. Set in Afghanistan and the United States, the book demonstrate a constant culture clash, that illustrates the similarities and the differences between the two countries. It is the story of both men and boys, and the time in between. It is a novel about right and wrong and the nature of innocent evil.
I enjoyed this book, the political views expressed in this book were very interesting to me. I thought the book looked and read very professionally. At times I thought one major event after the other got a little too much. I would recommend this book only to the strong readers.
I enjoyed this book, the political views expressed in this book were very interesting to me. I thought the book looked and read very professionally. At times I thought one major event after the other got a little too much. I would recommend this book only to the strong readers.
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba is a heart-felt auto biography. It is the story of his childhood and the hard times he endured. It is also displays the culture of his country, Malawi. Coming out of the famine, William starts working on a project in his spare time since dropping out of school due to not paying fees. He makes a windmill, one that changes his life. He starts out small then gets more and more ideas. From circuit breakers to light switches, he does it by himself. Eventually the outside world hears of this and people come from all around to see it. He gets help and sponsors and speaks at TED conventions. He raises enough money to go back to school. His inventions changes many peoples lives, not jus his own. He ends up a role model to all.
I liked this book a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the way he talked about his culture and magic. I thought his story inspiring. There was times when he worded things a little simply, but I don't believe it is a hindrance to the reading experience. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I liked this book a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the way he talked about his culture and magic. I thought his story inspiring. There was times when he worded things a little simply, but I don't believe it is a hindrance to the reading experience. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer
Into the wild is the true story of Chris McCandless, a young college graduate who is found dead in the Alaskan wilderness in September 1992, when he is twenty-four. McCandless is a gifted individual who has a strong passion for life. After graduating from high school McCandless spends the summer alone on a road trip across the country, he finds and unsettling secret that pushes him away from his family. He leaves unexpectedly and travels around the country for two years. The author tells us about his journey.
I enjoyed this book, I found McCandless' story very intriguing. I thought the editing was professional and I found no flaws. As its own book though, the layout was confusing. I didn't know at what time it was a biography I recommend this to any interested in Chris' story.
I enjoyed this book, I found McCandless' story very intriguing. I thought the editing was professional and I found no flaws. As its own book though, the layout was confusing. I didn't know at what time it was a biography I recommend this to any interested in Chris' story.
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye is about two girls Claudia and Frieda MacTeer and a young girl named Pecola they live in Ohio. They take two people into their home, Mr. Henry and Pecola. Pecola is a ugly young girl with a hard life, whose parents are insane. Pecola is continually being told that she is “ugly”, this fuels her wanting to be white with blue eyes. She eventually goes crazy and gets raped by her father.
Even though I didn't like this book much, it was an insight into our social justice project. It displayed many issues within the book that made it very intense. I didn't enjoy the story itself and I felt like there was a rape scene every other chapter. The actual literature was written well though, I didn't see any grammer problems. The way it was formed was weird though, I didn't know who the main character was supposed to be and I still don't know. Even so I learned from the book which I appreciate.
Even though I didn't like this book much, it was an insight into our social justice project. It displayed many issues within the book that made it very intense. I didn't enjoy the story itself and I felt like there was a rape scene every other chapter. The actual literature was written well though, I didn't see any grammer problems. The way it was formed was weird though, I didn't know who the main character was supposed to be and I still don't know. Even so I learned from the book which I appreciate.