LITERARY REVIEWS
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is one of my most favorite literature pieces read in class. Not only did it have amazing structure and content but it also touched me at heart. One may say that Jane Eyre lacked poise, beauty, and charm, however, I believe Jane worked with what she had and made the best of what she could actually control. She was a very self-respectful person and I really loved that about her in the novel. This is a very great novel and it is very recommended.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
One thing about this book that really killed me was how Bronte chose to narrate the book using the maid, or babysitter, in the house. This killed any suspense or intimacy that might have been going on at any moment. Because of this, I really did not enjoy readng this book as I would have Jane Eyre. The love story between Heathcliff and Catherine really bugged me because of both of their morals, and it was very confusing how names were reused throughout the book. Not my favorite.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Despite the old English confusing me in this book, I really enjoyed reading it. I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I like how revenge played in most scenes of this play. Perfect tragedy. However, it seemed to me that in this, Hamlet was being portrayed as the perfect boyfriend despite his verbal abuse to Ophelia. One thing in this that made me uncomfortable was the relationship between Ophelia and Hamlet. However, I really did like the content of this book and would recommend people to read it.
King Lear by William Shakespeare
One of my favorite Shakespeare works! I loved this book, every bit of it. I could not help but feel bad for King Lear despite his tyrant behavior towards his most loving and affectionate daughter. This book really taught me how some people, even in your own family, can turn against you so quickly. I would recommend this to anyone.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
This book was very interesting to read. The betrayal, domestication, and sexuality in this book made it even the more interesting. Edna really kept things really interesting in the novel. The decisions she made throughout her life just for a man really made things really appealing. She had two beautiful children and a loving husband however she did not cherish that so well and ends up losing it all. Really interesting and great book.
1984 by George Orwell
This is probably one of the most frightening and not to mention haunting books I have ever read. 1984 was made to describe a Utopian society. I believe that everyone should read this book. It has such great and useful content with daunting messages written inside of it. The most commonly heard; War is peace, freedom is slavery, and ignorance is strength. The one that made the book more traumatizing for me was "YOU ARE THE DEAD". It blew my mind away and really surpassed my high expectations. Great book that I believe everyone should be required to read!
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
I have read this book twice, once in the summer of my freshman year and once as a senior. It is great how much I caught on now that I did not understand before. Hawthorne, as a christian, writes about how sinning is bad and unforgivable. However, while punishing those who sin in such a bad manner that was being practiced in The Scarlet Letter is considered a sin as well. This book reveals how 17th Century New England mostly were Calvinists and were die die hard pilgrims. Overall I loved reading this book and recommend it to anyone.
The Great Gastby by Scott Fitzgerald
I loved the Great Gatsby. It was such a great novel explaining the American dream and opposing it. I loved the message it came with, how money doesn't bring you friends and happiness. It made me very sad how Gatsby loved Daisy so much and strives for success to impress her and give her his all but in the end he does not even get the girl. The author used a great choice of words to go with his 1920s theme. I recommend people to read this book. It's truly inspiring.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
This book made me feel very uncomfortable overall. It's a very traumatizing and graphic way of portraying the physical and sexual abuse being taunted upon this young girl. As a whole, it has great content and a very sad message. However, for me, I do not plan on reading it again because it was very graphic and made me feel very discomforting. This book is great if you are one who likes reading about tragic lifestyles.
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffry Chaucer
I didn't really like this book. I thought it was too long. However when they were speaking of the stories in class it seemed a lot more interesting. I still did not read much. I did however enjoy talking about the questions my AP lit teacher made us do in the Socratic seminar. I do believe it is a great book now and probably be reading it this summer.