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.