30 DAY CHALLENGE – Day 5

Posted on October 6, 2013 by cleopatra

Day 5 – A Book That Makes You Happy

Usually my first criteria for choosing a book is not for the fact that it will make me happy. I look for a well-written book that will expand life for me, and impart some sort of wisdom or life lesson. That said, I occasionally come across books that leave a happy kind of feeling and I Capture the Castle was one of those books.

Written by Dodie Smith of 101 Dalmations fame, this book is narrated by Cassandra, a witty and whimsical teenager who lives in a castle with her father, Mortmain, a one-book-wonder author, her stepmother, Topaz, a young model and her sister, Rose, who tends to have a blighted view of life and the circumstances in which they find themselves. Cassandra’s view of her unusual life is so fresh and naive, yet is touched with such wit and vivacity, that you can’t help but be pulled into her world.
So for a “feel good” novel that imparts wisdom as well, I Capture the Castle, can’t be beat!

30 DAY CHALLENGE – Day 4

Posted on October 4, 2013 by cleopatra

Day 4 – Favourite Book of Your Favourite Series

Admittedly I have not read the complete Swallows and Amazons series yet, but to-date, my favourite of the first six is Swallows and Amazons.

John, Susan, Titty and Roger get permission to camp on an island for their summer vacation and oh, what exciting adventures they have!

A near perfect vacation adventure story for children, complete with camping, sailing, pirates, and buried treasure, but most importantly, a meeting of new friends.

A classic for children that will not disappoint!

BEOWULF – translated by Seamus Heaney

Posted on October 4, 2013 by cleopatra

The first time I read this poem was for a university class and I was not looking forward to the gore, blood and general epic hero story. In retrospect, how fortunate I was to be forced to read it because Beowulf immediately became one of my absolute favourites!

Hrothgar, king of the Danes, is being harassed and attacked by the monster, Grendel, a son of Cain, who trashes his precious hall and eats his warriors. No one is able to combat such evil until Beowulf arrives, determined to repay an old debt. He defeats the monster, and later Grendel’s mother who comes for revenge.

The story is quite riveting but it is the underlying behaviour of these pagan warriors living in a blood-feud society, which points to a different theme from the usual pagan story. Beowulf is strong and brave, and is drawn by the lure of spoils, yet he shows moments of kindness, consideration and a propensity not to accept power or prestige if it goes against what he thinks is right.

Tolkien in his essay, The Monster and the Critics, tends to think this poem shows the advent of Christianity and the beginning effects which it had on a pagan culture. I would tend to agree. There is certainly a Christian theme, yet it does not appear the religion is being forced upon the culture (or upon the reader), just a gentle and slow changing of perception and behaviour.

A few of my favourite quotes from the book:

Perhaps the goriest:

” ….. struck suddenly and started in; he grabbed and mauled a man on his bench, bit into his bone-lappings, bolted down his blood and gorged on him in lumps, leaving the body utterly lifeless, eaten up hand and foot …”

the most poignant:

” …. And so the good and grey-haired Dane, that high-born king, kissed Beowulf and embraced his neck, then broke down in sudden tears. Two forebodings disturbed him in his wisdom, but one was stronger: nevermore would they meet each other face to face. And such was his affection that he could not help being overcome: his fondness for the man was so deep-founded, it warmed his heart and wound the heartstrings tight in his breast ……”

and a good lesson for life: