Thursday, January 27, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Go Down Moses

Great read so far-- really interesting relationship insights between the whites and their slaves pre and post the civil war. 

The relationships are a little complicated, but I found a great family tree illustration of the characters online that has helped me out quite a bit.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Finished Tin Drum

Well-- done with the Tin Drum and although I enjoyed it, I was left feeling a bit confused.  Trying to piece together an overall theme for this book has been tough and I don't think there is one.  Once I read more of Grass' books I may be able to get more out of it.  Don't let that disuade you though, I really enjoyed this book.  Plenty to keep one interested and engaged. 

Possible themes:

Germany and its unwillingness to 'grow up' through the main character.

The need for 'fear' in both human and nation development.  It seems that without fear, maturity cannot occur (?)...

Just some off the cuff thoughts as I just finished minutes ago.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Brothers Karamozov- Dostoyevsky

While I'm reading The Tin Drum...I am still working my way through The Brother Karamozov.  Great stuff...just a little thick.


Seeing-- Saramago

"When we are born, when we enter this world, it is as if we signed a pact for the rest of our life, but a day may come when we will ask ourselves Who signed this on my behalf?"
— Jose Saramago


 
Finished this one a couple of weeks ago.  Great book...better than Blindness, back to Saramago's style. 

The Tin Drum-- Gunter Grass

Really great book so far.  Not at all what I expected.  This book is a part of a triology, called the Danzig Trilogy.  Bought the other two books the other day...will read them eventually.