Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne. Was this the inspiration for the Amazing Race? If there'd been reality tv in the 1870s, (or reality newpaper accounts), I suppose this would have been the 19th century version of BoilerHusband's favorite reality TV show. However, I never thought I'd say that reality TV has more depth than does this story.
The story was entertaining enough, and relying on my own mental map of the world to follow the story was certainly challenging. Jim Dale, not surprisingly, excellently narrated the story, keeping it moving and doing the best voices. The "twist" at the end was a bit of a cheap trick, but overall, it was worth listening to.
I couldn't however, help thinking that Verne had a very narrow view of other cultures of the world. The descriptions of the Indians and Verne's minimization of the disrepect shown by Paspartieux in entering one of their temples wouldn't pass muster today. The attack by the Native Americans on the train as Fogg crosses the U.S.--well of course, that's what you'd expect of those savages, right? Ultimately, to be taking such a fantastic trip around the world, Fogg takes in amazingly little of the culture or the sights even when time permits, according to the story. At least in the Amazing Race, the contestants are forced to partake of the culture by eating the food, engaging in local occupations, learning local dances, and participatin in other activities that make the race truly "amazing."
Maybe again, I've fallen victim to viewing a classic book through modern eyes, but while the story is good on a basic level, it's lacking on another.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Catch-up Time
Elvis, Willie, Jesus, and Me, by Bert Mongtomery. I'll admit it: I bit because of the title and because Montgomery was at the CBF General Assembly signing books. As authors go, he's fine. As ministers go, he seems sincere. Yes there were some amusing parts, but for the most part, it was incredibly light, and much like fast food, not substantive enough to stick with me. Perhaps the saving grace was Montgomery's ability to find Jesus everywhere he looked. Seek and you shall find. He sought, he found, and there's inspiration in that.
The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Can it be true that it took 48 years of living before I finally read this classic? I suppose better late than never. In an attempt to keep pace with BoilerBaby 1 who is reading the books on the Time 100 Best Books, I chose this book, which I've owned for probably 15 years.
What a family. What characters. Ma Joad, the strength, the moral compass, the backbone of the family, as women always must be in difficult times, whether it be war or famine. Pa Joad, bent to near breaking by his inability to support his family. Uncle John, so tormented by a major mistake, his sin. Jim Casy, the reverend who develops a more pragmatic, sincere idea of religion. Tom Joad, who takes on the role of an activist when it's all said and done. And what can one say about Rose of Sharon, once one gets past her name, of course. What a whiny-butt! What a way to end the book though! Wow!
Overall, the story of the Joad family reinforces my faith in labor unions and the federal minimum wage. Perhaps we have become a more socialistic state, but I can't help but think that our country is better for it. Allowing exploitation of some for the benefit of others is entirely inconsistent with the Christian nation we purport to be. Yes, the Joads are a fictional family, and yes, Steinbeck's own bias likely means that the story is not a completely accurate portrayal of the dust bowl and the Great Depression, but it should be mandatory reading for all who critical of the living wage movement and complain of government regulation. If there's one thing that's certain, it's that when men are driven by profit, without reasonable restraints, their fellow man is likely to get short shrift. Or, as the Bible says, the love of money is the root of all evil.
I understand why this book makes many a list of the "best books."
On the horizon:
Listening to, Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne. Started The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen.
The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Can it be true that it took 48 years of living before I finally read this classic? I suppose better late than never. In an attempt to keep pace with BoilerBaby 1 who is reading the books on the Time 100 Best Books, I chose this book, which I've owned for probably 15 years.
What a family. What characters. Ma Joad, the strength, the moral compass, the backbone of the family, as women always must be in difficult times, whether it be war or famine. Pa Joad, bent to near breaking by his inability to support his family. Uncle John, so tormented by a major mistake, his sin. Jim Casy, the reverend who develops a more pragmatic, sincere idea of religion. Tom Joad, who takes on the role of an activist when it's all said and done. And what can one say about Rose of Sharon, once one gets past her name, of course. What a whiny-butt! What a way to end the book though! Wow!
Overall, the story of the Joad family reinforces my faith in labor unions and the federal minimum wage. Perhaps we have become a more socialistic state, but I can't help but think that our country is better for it. Allowing exploitation of some for the benefit of others is entirely inconsistent with the Christian nation we purport to be. Yes, the Joads are a fictional family, and yes, Steinbeck's own bias likely means that the story is not a completely accurate portrayal of the dust bowl and the Great Depression, but it should be mandatory reading for all who critical of the living wage movement and complain of government regulation. If there's one thing that's certain, it's that when men are driven by profit, without reasonable restraints, their fellow man is likely to get short shrift. Or, as the Bible says, the love of money is the root of all evil.
I understand why this book makes many a list of the "best books."
On the horizon:
Listening to, Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne. Started The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Getting much grief
BoilerBaby 1 keeps giving me grief. Like any bibliophile, I continue to purchase books when I have many yet unread. She's so insistent that I look to the library more, and I suppose she's right. Either way, it has spurred me on to try to keep up on reading so that I can justify my book-Jones.
Sister Carrie, by Theodore Dreiser. When I bought this book, we still had a TCBY in town and BoilerBaby 1 was employed there. That was two or three years ago, but proof that eventually I do get around to reading my books.
Sister Carrie isn't exacly a book that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. A price for everything, and those that have, are likely to enjoy life. Those who don't, find it difficult to change their lot in life, but for luck and happenstance. And woe be unto those that have and lose what they have, as is the case with Hurstwood.
It happens often enough that I read a book and am so drawn in that I find myself hoping that the characters will make the right choice or good things will happen for them, even though their fate is already spelled out in the pages to come, and I sometimes know it doesn't end well for a character. That was my feeling at several points in the book. When Carrie first moves to Chicago, I wanted her to find a job and happiness. I wanted her to turn down the deceptively easy road of moving in with Drouet. I wanted her to reject Hurstwood. I wanted Hurstwood to persevere when the going got tough. I didn't get what I wanted. Either way, I enjoyed the book.
The story ended with Carrie's success on the stage, but despite her past experiences, I suspect that if the story were to continue, she would have once again taken the expedient course rather than the smart course. Of course, life is much different for women now than then, and perhaps I shouldn't judge 19th century conduct through 21st century eyes.
Sister Carrie, by Theodore Dreiser. When I bought this book, we still had a TCBY in town and BoilerBaby 1 was employed there. That was two or three years ago, but proof that eventually I do get around to reading my books.
Sister Carrie isn't exacly a book that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. A price for everything, and those that have, are likely to enjoy life. Those who don't, find it difficult to change their lot in life, but for luck and happenstance. And woe be unto those that have and lose what they have, as is the case with Hurstwood.
It happens often enough that I read a book and am so drawn in that I find myself hoping that the characters will make the right choice or good things will happen for them, even though their fate is already spelled out in the pages to come, and I sometimes know it doesn't end well for a character. That was my feeling at several points in the book. When Carrie first moves to Chicago, I wanted her to find a job and happiness. I wanted her to turn down the deceptively easy road of moving in with Drouet. I wanted her to reject Hurstwood. I wanted Hurstwood to persevere when the going got tough. I didn't get what I wanted. Either way, I enjoyed the book.
The story ended with Carrie's success on the stage, but despite her past experiences, I suspect that if the story were to continue, she would have once again taken the expedient course rather than the smart course. Of course, life is much different for women now than then, and perhaps I shouldn't judge 19th century conduct through 21st century eyes.
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