1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Theresa)
2. Cry, the Beloved Country
3. Everything Is Illuminated (Fatima)
4. Reading Lolita in Tehran
5. Little Women (Anisha)
6. In Plain Truth
7. Red Storm Rising (Albert)
8. Bird's Eye View
9. Moneyball (Dan)
10. The Stand
11. About a Boy (Liz)
12. A Long Way Gone
13. Mountains Beyond Mountains (Kelsie)
14. Bel Canto
15. The Road (Laz)
16. Life of Pi
Read and enjoy! Let's keep the blog going over the summer to talk about any books we read off of this list (or any others). And a book club meeting/AP4 reunion is definitely in order before we all head off to college.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Fight Club
I like this book alot. Here are some things I have been pondering...
Fight Club seems to glorify masculinity. Men go into bar basement and beat the crap out of each other for a good time. I read an article which suggested that consumerism and the absence of external threats, such as World War II, has placed men in the roles of women. There is no evil dragon to fight, and women are pushing equality in all aspects of society. Fight Club represents a nostalgia for violence and purpose. However, the narrator/Tyler kills himself, a most unglorious ending for a hero of war. He doesn't defeat the enemy, which is consumerism. Instead, he just changes it. Whcih brings me to my next point...
Tyler is strongly anti-consumerism. He and the narrator are disgusted by the idea that chains like Denny's might claim and corrupt newly discovered planets. So, Tyler engineers Project Mayham to overthrow the system. Project Mayham, though, is set up exactly like a modern corporation. Many outgrowths of Mayham exist in cities across the country. No one "employee" knows the overall purpose of his job, but he mindlessly submits to the chain of command that ends with Tyler. Each faction has its own task that is supposed to serve the greater purpose. If Tyler hates corporate America, why does he promote corporate behavior with Mayham? His goals are ultimately barbaric, to return mankind to a caveman existance, but his methods follow the society into which he was born, the one that is organized into corporations. Even after Tyler dies, the project continues with success. What is our good friend Chuck (I wish) trying to say here?
I am also really interested by the idea that the relationship between Tyler, Marla, and the narrator is a love triangle. The narrator suggests that Tyler was created because some part of him wanted to have Marla. Clearly, this becomes more than just sex. Why does Tyler love Marla? And the narrator loves Tyler. Many suggest this is homoerotic. I think that it is more accurately interpreted as the narrator loving the ability to control his fate, to lead men, and to make history. He loves the power Tyler has and the admiration he achieves. He loves the complete lack of concern with any consequences. I don't see this love as having anything to do with physical attraction because Tyler and the narrator are the same person.
Floor's open, folks, and the year's not over just yet!
Fight Club seems to glorify masculinity. Men go into bar basement and beat the crap out of each other for a good time. I read an article which suggested that consumerism and the absence of external threats, such as World War II, has placed men in the roles of women. There is no evil dragon to fight, and women are pushing equality in all aspects of society. Fight Club represents a nostalgia for violence and purpose. However, the narrator/Tyler kills himself, a most unglorious ending for a hero of war. He doesn't defeat the enemy, which is consumerism. Instead, he just changes it. Whcih brings me to my next point...
Tyler is strongly anti-consumerism. He and the narrator are disgusted by the idea that chains like Denny's might claim and corrupt newly discovered planets. So, Tyler engineers Project Mayham to overthrow the system. Project Mayham, though, is set up exactly like a modern corporation. Many outgrowths of Mayham exist in cities across the country. No one "employee" knows the overall purpose of his job, but he mindlessly submits to the chain of command that ends with Tyler. Each faction has its own task that is supposed to serve the greater purpose. If Tyler hates corporate America, why does he promote corporate behavior with Mayham? His goals are ultimately barbaric, to return mankind to a caveman existance, but his methods follow the society into which he was born, the one that is organized into corporations. Even after Tyler dies, the project continues with success. What is our good friend Chuck (I wish) trying to say here?
I am also really interested by the idea that the relationship between Tyler, Marla, and the narrator is a love triangle. The narrator suggests that Tyler was created because some part of him wanted to have Marla. Clearly, this becomes more than just sex. Why does Tyler love Marla? And the narrator loves Tyler. Many suggest this is homoerotic. I think that it is more accurately interpreted as the narrator loving the ability to control his fate, to lead men, and to make history. He loves the power Tyler has and the admiration he achieves. He loves the complete lack of concern with any consequences. I don't see this love as having anything to do with physical attraction because Tyler and the narrator are the same person.
Floor's open, folks, and the year's not over just yet!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Interview With a Vamire
OK, so I have pasta and cupcakes. If anybody wants to bring salad/appetizer/drinks/another desert, that would be great. When you are on Main Street headed towards Centerton, you pass Stanwick on the left. On the right, you'll pass a green street sign that says East Madison Ave. My garage is the second house past that (it is brown with a red door, 444 East Main Street). You can park on the street. The house is down the hill facing sideways. If you get lost call the house phone or my cell (856-234-2688 or 856-889-5843).
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Letter-Story
Dear Mildred,
You asked me to write to you as soon as I was settled out in the "real world" again. Sorry it's taken a few weeks, but I've been trying to get used to my new life. Its been twenty-five years since I've been free and I'm happy to finally be out.
As soon as I got out, I found my old apartment building and tried to lease another apartment. They won't let me! Even though I'm on medicine now, they're convinced I'm going to kill someone again. I kept telling them : It wasn't my fault the first time. If he hadn't been trying to eat me, my brother would still be alive today. I thought self-defense was legal in this country!
I have to tell you, though, Mildred - I don't think my medication is working properly. I think I'm seeing things that aren't really there again. The other day, I walked into a library, and I saw a bunch of big, bulkie square boxes. They look kind of like televisions, except when you press buttons, magic things happen. Some lady pushed a button, and the thing actually spoke. It said something like "You've got hail". I think I'm going even crazier than I was before.
I would keep writing, but I want to go read. I found a copy of a new book in the library - something the asylum didn't have - Beowulf. I think it's in another language, but I'll figure it out soon enough.
I hope all is well. Say hello to all the not-actually-crazies for me!
Love from Rosie
You asked me to write to you as soon as I was settled out in the "real world" again. Sorry it's taken a few weeks, but I've been trying to get used to my new life. Its been twenty-five years since I've been free and I'm happy to finally be out.
As soon as I got out, I found my old apartment building and tried to lease another apartment. They won't let me! Even though I'm on medicine now, they're convinced I'm going to kill someone again. I kept telling them : It wasn't my fault the first time. If he hadn't been trying to eat me, my brother would still be alive today. I thought self-defense was legal in this country!
I have to tell you, though, Mildred - I don't think my medication is working properly. I think I'm seeing things that aren't really there again. The other day, I walked into a library, and I saw a bunch of big, bulkie square boxes. They look kind of like televisions, except when you press buttons, magic things happen. Some lady pushed a button, and the thing actually spoke. It said something like "You've got hail". I think I'm going even crazier than I was before.
I would keep writing, but I want to go read. I found a copy of a new book in the library - something the asylum didn't have - Beowulf. I think it's in another language, but I'll figure it out soon enough.
I hope all is well. Say hello to all the not-actually-crazies for me!
Love from Rosie
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
story stuff
I'm thinkin we can stick with the horror genre a little bit and base our story around the abominable snowman.
The pitch:
A team of scientists travel to the Himalayas to try and either prove the existence of or find the abominable snowman. They record their thoughts in personal journals and on online blogs that are meant to be viewed by other scientists and the general public.
Go ahead and share your ideas :)
The pitch:
A team of scientists travel to the Himalayas to try and either prove the existence of or find the abominable snowman. They record their thoughts in personal journals and on online blogs that are meant to be viewed by other scientists and the general public.
Go ahead and share your ideas :)
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