I have recently finished two books and have an on-going book that I am reading in addition to my main book. Let's start with the two I have finished, 1) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and 2) Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs.
1) The hype behind this book has been prevalent for several years. We were encouraged to read it in high school. I understand that it was giving us a unique view into the lifestyle of some during the dry movement, AKA Prohibition. I understand it was showing the romantic notions of a man, while another man sat back and did not entirely understand the rationale behind these romantic notions. Truthfully, Daisy was an infuriating person. She basically was bored, married money, things happen along the way, is bored again, revisits an old flame, performs a heinous action, and runs back to the security blanket. She was a yo-yo who basically tried to take the least guilty way out of life's stressors. Gatsby was an interesting character. Basically his base characteristics helped to mold who he is but the driving force was created by the grandiose ideals surrounding a single person, who and what that person can be to him and his life; which were predicated on who that person was at a younger stage in life. Another driving force was based on the grandiose ideals presented to Gatsby by a bootlegger who saw a driven individual who could be viewed as a tool to assist in advancing his position and stature as the kingpin he intended to be. The theme I felt was present were grandiose notions (as if you couldn't tell) and ultimately lead to a farce; which was perhaps the saddest point of all. In the end, only those who seemed to appreciate who and what Gatsby was were present (i.e. the extensive book collection and the dedication it took to do so, the honest romanticism that lead to his open nature, loyalty-both family and employment related). This broke down to father, neighbor, employees, and "Owl eyes;" further solidifying the farce, and thus the sad truth, that was his life. Even the great love could not be bothered; who was being protected by this sacrifice on behalf of Gatsby and the lie Tom (Daisy's husband) needed to create to feel adequate and as though he belonged in the same "weight-class" as Gatsby.
Overall, the plot was a lie based on a lie based on a lie, in which Carraway was the only one able to remove the rose-colored glasses and see life for what it really was at that time. For such a short book it was quite intriguing.
2) I love the Mercy Thompson books and this one was no exception. Quick synopsis: Mercy Thompson-Hauptman, mate of wereworlf Alpha Adam Hauptman, is a walker and shapeshifter. Her entire pack is kidnapped, save for one, and she needs to keep her step-daughter, pack members, pack member's mates, and her own mate safe by trying to use metaphysical activities to strengthen the pack, locate the pack, find out who orchestrated the kidnapping, why, and how. She uses the help of vampire friend Stefan, which leads to her involvement with the vampire seethe that doesn't really care for her or Stefan.
The development of characters just keeps getting better and better. I really enjoyed the peek into Adam's head this time. The development of Mercy and Adam's relationship, and how that effects who they are and what abilities they have to contribute to the survival of their pack, keep escalating and surprise me each time. My only complaint is that things are usually wrapped up more nicely than this one was. There were hints to the Marrock's involvement and a greater master plan, however 3/4 of the way through the book this aspect was just dropped. And Samuel's involvement and disappearance was never touched on after the explanation that this had happened in the beginning of the book. And what about Stefan, what is happening with him? I suppose this could have been purposeful to set the base for another book. Even with the absence of a nice neat ending I still really enjoyed this book.
The book that is on-going is called The World's Greatest Love Letters compiled by Michael Kelahan. I originally picked up the book, opened it randomly, and found a love letter by Edgar Allen Poe (who happens to be a favorite of mine). I have been slowly working my way through these letters. Between this book and the Great Gatsby I have realized how large of a change the English language has made. People just don't speak like that anymore. Victor Hugo (another favorite) wrote to Adele Foucher,
"Since the soul is superior to the body, to which it is united, it would remain on earth in painful loneliness where it nor for the fact that among other human souls it may choose a companion- a partner in the trials of life and in the joys of the hereafter. When two souls, which have sought each other amid the crowd, find they have met, realize that they belong to each other, and comprehend this affinity, then it is that a union has been brought about, as pure and aspiring as themselves- a union which begun on earth will be consummated in heaven.
This union is love- genuine, complete love, such as few men can imagine. It is a love which is religion, since the object of love is regarded as a divinity, with all the devotion and affection which turn the greatest sacrifices into the sublimest joys. Such a love you inspire in me..."
F. Scott Fitzgerald quoted the following in the Great Gatsby:
"He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced--or seemed to face--the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey."
I repeat, people just don't speak like this anymore. It sort of saddens me that people have, to quote Chaucer, "lay rest the grace in my [or their when indicating society as a whole] tongue." When really trying the English language can be very beautiful, moving, and used as a great tool and/or weapon. Unfortunately, we've gotten complacent in our laziness with regards to the English language.
