Book Review - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

4/5 stars

I just picked this book up on a whim because one of my favorite bookstagrammer recommended it. I hadn't read any book by Edith Wharton. I didn't even have the book. I placed an order for the book so I could read it. Yes, her recommendation was that convincing. And boy, the magic that Edith Wharton brought to the plate, was worth it.

"He sat for a long time on the bench in the thickening dusk, his eyes never turning from the balcony. At length a light shone through the windows, and a moment later a man-servant came out on the balcony, drew up the awnings, and closed the shutters.

At that, as if it had been the signal he waited for, Newland Archer got up slowly and walked back alone to his hotel."

These were the closing lines of the story. I can't explain what weight these ending lines had on me. And, to the story, these lines made all the more impact. It was what bound the story together. It was what made all the difference. It hit me emotionally. It was so clever of the author.

I've never been fond of reading about love triangles. I don't jam well to it. But, this one, Edith Wharton totally tilted my perspective. She casts an eye on society, both sarcastically and affectionately. Now, let us not get carried away by the fact that the main plot of the story revolves around the theme of a love triangle. Nope, it has much more to offer. The depth that this little book has is incomprehensible. This is the story of a man called Newland Archer who is pushed beyond his comfort zone to choose between his Desire and Duty. If you're going to read The Age of Innocence, hold yourself tightly. This isn't an easy romance novel to finish with. It is a tragedy.

"Women ought to be free - as free as we are."

The story was divided into two parts - Book 1 & Book 2. While book 1 was boring, making me think why did I think of reading this book, book 2 was really where Edith Wharton woke me up and grabbed all my attention. The Age of Innocence will continue to be 'An Impossible Love Story' that will resonate with me for a long time.

I didn't the Newland Archer from the very start of the story. His cowardice bothered me, honestly. And then comes the ending. The one I began with. It was one of the most beautiful endings I've ever read.

How ironic is the title of the story! The Age of Innocence was published when Edith Wharton was 60 years old, the age when she had passed all her signs of innocence. Oh, Edith Wharton. If she could know that her story would still ring true almost after hundred years later.

Review Posted: 10 October 2022.

Book Review - The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

5/5 stars

"...my wants are few, and at any rate I had peace and quietness and wasn't always asked to come along and do something. And I've got such an active mind-always occupied, I assure you!"

When you're reading a big book that is consuming most of your time, you must be in want of short books to squeeze in between to keep yourself motivated. Well, The Reluctant Dragon did the same for me. A book to bring a smile to your face. Sometimes you can't ask for anything more.

If you want a great book for children, this is the one for you. It will best be a bedtime story. It tells a charming tale of friendship between a human and an animal. Not to forget, a short read.

This is a tale of a dragon who is sweet, simple, and human friendly. He doesn't want to fight. Yes, he is that good, unlike other folks of his type. Also, he is not afraid of his human mates who are supposed to pose danger to his life. He wants to coexist with them. He likes the place and the people. The question is, will his nature win the confidence of these people who are afraid of him and are planning a way to get rid of him?

Go and read the book and it will bring a positive impact on you and a smile when you close the book. One piece of advice, if you're listening to the audiobook version of The Reluctant Dragon, Anton Lesser is the perfect narrator in my belief. I had such a fun time listening to this book.

Book Review - Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan

3.5/5 stars

"I started my new life in an atmosphere of protest against authority. I reminded myself that a week ago I had been finding the world dull."

I had never heard about this book or the author before. Though a book fair, this book managed to get itself a new home - my bookshelf, on which it has been sitting for the past year and a half. This year I've really developed this newfound love for classics. That made me scan through all the classics on my shelf and I came across this one. Then, I did a little googling about the book and the author and came to know that it made its way to the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Of course, I immediately started reading.
Once I started reading I got engrossed in Richard Hannay's story. Richard Hannay, a mining Engineer is bored and fed up with his life. One day he makes himself a vow to give the Old Country a day to make him fit into it else he'll leave the country for good. The next day he meets with an adventure for himself. However, this adventure looks like bringing danger to his life.

"The secret of playing a part was to think yourself into it. You could never keep it up, he said, unless you could manage to convince yourself that you were it."

Yes, you got it right. Thriller. Mystery. If you're on the hunt for a great thriller mystery to read, Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan should not escape your sight. Also, it's a pretty short book to read in a sitting.

What I didn't know was that Thirty-Nine Steps is a part of a series. It has 5 more installments to complete the series and these are not short reads like Thirty-Nine Steps. In the future, if I get my hands on the other copies, I might read and finish the series. Just to see what the other installments have in the package for me because Thirty-Nine Steps, in my belief, can be read as a standalone.

The story reminded me of other thriller stories I'd read so far or the suspense movies I've watched so far. What makes Thirty-Nine Steps different from the rest is that it introduced the world to the Spy genre. This has resulted in many attempted imitations over the years that followed.

The reason why it is getting 3.5 stars is that I read the book this late whereas read and watched its imitations earlier. It didn't feel like I'm reading something new. It's not the author's fault. Had I read the book earlier, I'd have given the book 5 stars. The impact that Thirty-Nine Steps is creating now in my mind is -not new. That's all.

 

Book Review - Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

With this, completing 11 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

2/5 stars

"No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot."

This is the only book among the eleven books I've read that disappointed me the most. The first few chapters came with a bang, especially the first chapter and set my hopes really high not to mention the fact that I must be in for something good because I was reading a book by Dickens. Wasn't I? It really didn't feel like. Alright, I've to give it to Dickens for the first few chapters, but rest of book was trash. Let's just say I'm glad I'm done with the book so that I can now tick it off my tbr list and move on to the next one.

I've read only three books by him including Our Mutual Friend. I loved reading A Christmas Carol as well as Great Expectations and you know about Our Mutual Friend. Although, I'm not giving up on Dickens. Actually, I've plans of reading all of his works. I know, some will be good, some will be bad but you have to read Dickens, don't you think? After all, he has given so much to the field of literature. Also, are you even a reader if you haven't read a book by Dickens?


I opened the book to this beautiful illustrated first page of my copy of Our Mutual Friend, the last complete novels by Charles Dickens. Reading the first chapter, I knew I was in for another five star read. But, everything ended up going in the opposite direction.

"In these times of ours, though concerning the exact year there is no need to be precise, a boat of dirty and disreputable appearance, with two figures in it, floated on the Thames, between Southwark Bridge which is of iron, and London Bridge which is of stone, as an autumn evening was closing in."

Had you opened a book to these opening lines, would you not feel : Wow! I'm going to have a great time with the book? The first chapter was one of the best opening chapters I've read so far. It was simply PERFECT.

A man and his daughter rowing a boat and discussing about something that was making me feel uncomfortable. I was like, I want to know them. I want to know what happened to them. Why that happened to them and how is that going to change things for them. The next few chapters were introduction to new characters that made me feel it will be interesting untangling the knots. As the chapters kept moving, I realized it was going into depth of these new side characters which, frankly speaking, I wasn't paying much head into. I wanted to know about Lizzie. I wanted to learn more about her. Alas, that didn't happen. Then, I made peace with it expecting at least a satisfying ending. But, No. Why Charles Dickens?

It wasn't only the huge number of unnecessary side characters that destroyed the story for me, it was also the numerous irrelevant subplots that made my reading experience pathetic. Those were my two main problems reading the novel. Overall, the experience was confusing, difficult to follow and majorly boring. I could have held with the bad experience had the ending been worth the pain. The ending was so disappointing. The way the story ended, from my point of view, it was impossible to feel satisfied, especially after reading 820 pages. The only reason I read Our Mutual Friend is because of Dickens and I will still continue to read his other novels.

I might also count Our Mutual Friend among my worst reads of 2022. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the day when I can say - 'This is why I read Dickens'. Till then, happy reading y'all.

Review Posted: 01 September 2022. 

Book Review - Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

With this, completing 10 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

4.5/5 stars

Yet another book from the rory gilmore reading list that I enjoyed reading. The show didn't disappoint me, neither did its reading list. I'd a fantastic time reading Vanity Fair.

"Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?"

Would you be convinced to read Vanity Fair if I told you that this is a novel without heroes. No? Okay. Would you be convinced enough to read it if I told you that Vanity Fair was an inspiration for Tolstoy's War and Peace? Yes? Thought so.

At first, I was intimidated by the size of the book, but once I started reading the first chapter, there was not stopping it. I just could not put the book down. Thackeray created a classic that stood the test of time and that can still keep us on our toes. Throughout the novel I felt like I was reading a drama series. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Becky Sharp is one who is a master in manipulation. You might hate her but you can't pretend that you don't admire her cleverness and practical attitude. Amelia, on the other hand is the purest soul you can find on Earth. If I've to describe both, Becky is the brain whereas, Amelia is the heart. 

I'd read Gone with the Wind just before Vanity Fair and I somehow found analogy between two of the characters of Vanity Fair to that of Gone with the Wind. Becky's character was somewhat similar to Scarlett O'Hara's and Amelia's character was similar to that of Melanie's. Having said that I want to state this too that Scarlett O'Hara was cleverer. Scarlett was written by a woman after all.

"A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dullness may not red lips are sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool. O ladies, ladies! there are some of you who are neither handsome nor wise."

Vanity Fair has brilliance and we can't deny it. I'm glad I read it and experienced Thackeray's satire. His writing style was so on point. It was infuriating. It revealed awful truths about the world we live in. Thackeray didn't care if his readers were having a great time with the novel. He wanted to make a statement. He wanted to disturb us from our comfortable seats and boy do I love him for that.

I would like to end my review with a question that I'm leaving for you. Should we be like Rebecca, smart, intelligent and practical who knows how to extract the best out of a situation and transform according to the situation's demand? Or should we continue to live by our qualities and virtues and never change just to gain worldly belongings?

Review Posted: 19 August 2022.

Book Review - All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury

5/5 stars

This is my introduction to Ray Bradbury's works, and I'm impressed. Yesterday I was scrolling through my GR feed and caught an eye on one of the reviews from Kenny. He writes outstanding reviews. You all should go read his reviews. Thanks, Kenny for bringing this book to my notice.

I'd never before read such a short novel that'd such a big impact. Can you believe, All Summer in a Day is a 4 page short story? Okay, now you must be thinking what can an author write in just 4 pages. It takes 50 pages on an average for a story plot to develop. One might wonder, how can you start and conclude a story in 4 pages.



I read All Summer in a Day yesterday evening when it had been raining since the previous night. Heavily. The book was all about heavy rain. I could very well understand and feel what the nine year old children were feeling in the story.

"I think the sun is a flower,
That blooms for just one hour."

This story takes us to the schoolroom of the planet Venus filled with children of rocket men and women who'd come to Venus to set up a civilization. They'd been living there since. What's a strange fact about this is that here, it rains day in and day out, endlessly for the entirety of seven years. On the completion of these seven years the sun comes out but, only for AN HOUR.



I can't even imagine to be in their position. Just imagine, endless rain, and no sun - for seven long years. But, these are children, and they tend to find joy, excitement, and happiness in everything. All of these children are nine years old. So, naturally, they couldn't recall how the sun looked like when it came out for an hour and showed its face.

However, Margot was separate from the rest. She had come to this planet from Earth five years ago. So, her memories are fresh, and she remembers the sun when she was in Ohio. She knew she was different. Therefore, she kept herself away from the other mates. This was the reason why nobody liked her. They all locked her up in the closet. And, when the sun came out, they all ran out to enjoy. Forgetting about Margot.

Just as they all paused for a while, to reflect on how wonderful and joyful the experience had been, we see morality, sense of empathy, and guilt.

"They could not meet each other’s glances. Their faces were solemn and pale. They looked at their hands and feet, their faces down."

Some think the story is too short, ends on a cliffhanger, and leaves without a clue. This isn't just a story about bullying. It tells more than that. If you take a few moments after reading the last line of this story, you'll see a stillness. We need it to comprehend and bring out possibilities. Its about the mysteries of human nature. You see, that's why it ended the way it had too.

Review Posted: 12 August 2022.

Book Review - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

With this, completing 9 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

5/5 stars

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Thereby beginning my review with one of my favorite opening lines I've read till now. If you're a classic romance lover, this is the one you should be picking first. Well, let's just say, you should read Pride and Prejudice at least once in your life.

I remember the time when I'd decided to read Pride and Prejudice, and soon my off campus interviews were about to begin. In an interview with the HR, when I said reading books as my hobby, the interviewer asked me what I was currently reading, and what was my feeling about it so far. As I was only halfway through with the novel, I explained to her my feeling about the story at that time. After that I got busy with my job and everything. Let's just say, life. I put down Pride and Prejudice which never got picked up until this time.

I'm so mesmerized by Jane Austen that I feel myself unqualified to write a review of this book. I won't attempt. I can't even. So, I'll just talk about my feelings, more like rambling about it. I don't read a lot of romance. I watch a lot of them, I love to watch them, just not read if that makes sense. That's just me. Also, Pride and Prejudice is the only romance that I loved reading as well as watching equally. Having said that, I also want to state that I'll reread Pride and Prejudice n number of times. It has become a favorite, and I LOVE this book.

Also, this review will have repetitive reread updates in here, in future.

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

“We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.”

“Till this moment I never knew myself.”

“My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”

It's so beautifully and delicately written. Now I know why Jane Austen is being worshipped in the field of literature. My god! I'm going to read all of her novels. I will. I have to. I must. We are so lucky to be blessed with her novels.

I can see everyone today being obsessed with the 'Enemies to Lovers' trope. Now that I've read Pride and Prejudice, I can say that for certain that Elizabeth and Darcy invented this trope.

If you're looking to get your toes dipped into the works of Jane Austen, or classics for that matter in general, I believe Pride and Prejudice is the place to start. It's soft, subtle, and gentle. Those 407 pages are everything you need. Trust me.

Review Posted: 05 August 2022.