Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion

Play It as It Lays (1970) is one of Joan Didion's best known novels and included in Time Magazine's "100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to 2005." 

Maria (Mar-eye-a) Wyeth is a 30 year old model and actress living in California. She is divorced from a film producer and has a daughter, Kate, who has been hospitalized for a long time for physical and mental issues. Maria spends her days basking in the ennui of the 1960s privileged Beverly Hills elites. She constantly cruises the highways in her car (without any destination) and has multiple relationships with abusive men. She eventually suffers a mental breakdown.

Maria is a complex character. She has no purpose in life. She is self-destructive, submitting to emotionally abusive men, not eating, doing nothing in hotel rooms for days on end, drinking and taking drugs in excess. Maria's life is hollow and lonely, but it's a life she has chosen. 

Didion's writing is chilling. She crafts each sentence honestly, realistically and hauntingly. Didion also includes many symbols and motifs in her writing. More descriptions of the Californian landscape would have enhanced the plot, but I'll play it as it lays.

Play It as It Lays is well written, and although it's not a pretty story, it's one you can't stop reading. For these reasons, Joan Didion's indictment of the 1960s West Coast elites gets five out of five stars. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Will Grayson, Will Grayson (2010) is John Green's second co-authored work, and by far the worst of his that I have read. 

There are two teens named Will Grayson in Chicago. The first (whose chapters are written by Green) is attractive, positive, and smart and has two sidekicks: Tiny, a big, openly gay guy, and Jane, a possibly gay girl. The second Will (written by David Levithan) is depressed, sensitive, and also gay but has barely any friends. The two Wills eventually meet, their lives become intertwined and they become friends. 

The idea of two teens with the same name meeting each other is certainly original. However, some of the plot details were not. Take WG#1's only friends, Tiny and Jane, who make him unpopular by association. Wow! This sounds exactly like the situation of Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) from Tina Fey's Mean Girls. In my past readings of John Green, his story details seemed much more authentic.

Besides the familiar plot, there are many other issues with the novel. To start, there is way too much detail -- weird, irrelevant anecdotes and symbolic life lessons from both authors did nothing for me or the plot. Speaking of the plot, there was so little of it that, by the end of this weak co-production, there were no distinct changes in either of the Wills. In any case, both of them were so dull that I didn't care. The worst was yet to come, though. Even though this is a novel, most of the details were realistic enough, except for the forced ending. I won't spoil it for you, but it certainly felt out of sync with the rest of the novel because it was so ridiculous.

I've read both good and bad from John Green, but this was by far his worst. I give this book one star out of five. Needless to say, it is going to be a while before I pick up another John Green to read. 

Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck

Sweet Thursday (1954) is John Steinbeck's sequel to 1945's Cannery Row (previously reviewed here).

Sweet Thursday tells what happens in Cannery Row after WWII: Doc returns from serving in the war; Fauna takes over Dora's Bear Flag Restaurant; Mack and the Boys still live in the Palace Flophouse; Lee Chong has left; and Suzy, a new character, moves in to the Row. Like Cannery Row, Sweet Thursday details the intersections of the lives of these and other characters. 

Because I throughly enjoyed Cannery Row, I had high hopes for Sweet Thursday. However, many of the elements that distinguished Cannery Row were not present here. These included the gorgeous descriptions of the coast and of the town itself. In Sweet Thursday, the evocative descriptions were fewer and less magical. Sweet Thursday's minor character plot lines were also less interesting and less developed than Cannery Row's.

I was happy that the plot still focused on Doc, because he is one of Steinbeck's most interesting characters. Doc remains honest, helpful, friendly, and, of course, likable in Sweet Thursday. I was disappointed, though, that Steinbeck left many loose ends in Doc's story. After I'm introduced to a great character,  I want to know what happens to them. 

With few exceptions (like Toy Story 2 and The Godfather Part II), the original is better than the sequel and that is also true with Cannery Row. I rate Sweet Thursday three out of five stars, because it lacks many of the elements that made Cannery Row so perfect. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943) is Betty Smith's best known work.

The story begins in 1912. Francie Nolan is an impoverished 11 year old girl living in the slums of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. She lives with her proud and hardworking mother, Katie, her ten year old brother, Neeley, and her alcoholic father, Johnny. To escape the hardships of her poverty, Francie relies on her imagination and lessons from books. The book details Francie's life from years one to 17.

Betty Smith never shies from describing poverty. Every aspect, from hunger to lack of opportunity, is grounded in detail. The extent of Smith's descriptions make the situations more genuine and nonfictional. 

My favorite character in this bildungsroman is Katie, one of the most resourceful, proud, and hopeful mothers in all of literature. When the Nolans hit rock bottom, Katie takes on more work. She creates games to distract the children from the big picture: how destitute they are. Katie makes Francie and Neeley feel rich by always having one luxury: coffee. Katie insists that her children get an education before they begin to work for the money the family so desperately needs, and Katie takes on more work (even though she is pregnant). Lastly, Katie refuses charity because she knows that, somehow, she will pull herself and her family out of hardship (and she does). So far in my reading, Katie is my favorite fictional mother.

The growing tree metaphor is powerful. There is a type of tree outside Francie's window that locals call the "Tree of Heaven." Once its seeds hit any ground (even heaps of garbage and cement), seedlings manage to sprout. The seedlings struggle for sunlight and oxygen, but they manage to grow strong and resilient. This is Francie and Neeley's lives; they fight for sustenance and eventually receive it, at first little by little and then all at once. 

I saw many parallels between Francie and Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm planning on re-reading TKAM soon anyway, so when I do, I promise an in-depth comparison and analysis of both girls.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is an absolute triumph in every sense: in its writing, in its plot, in the truth of its descriptions, and in its relatable protagonist; five out of five stars. 

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Published in 2006, Eat Pray Love is Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir of self-discovery that  was adapted into a 2010 film starring Julia Roberts.

Elizabeth Gilbert is unsatisfied in her privileged life. Her marriage has crumbled and she is depressed. After a difficult divorce, she embarks on a journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia. In Italy, she finds pleasure and happiness in eating. In India, she finds God (and herself) through prayer. Finally, in Indonesia, she finds a balance between pleasure and spirituality through love.

Gilbert is a good writer. She has a style that I cannot characterize, mainly because it changes with location, but what does not change is her cleverness and humor. 

The best parts of the story are the author's descriptions of Italy, India, Indonesia, and her friends. Gilbert never skimps on details and I actually liked her friends better than her.

The author is somewhat unlikable. She was an Upper East Sider who owned two houses and had a great job. Her marriage turned problematic and she cried a lot over it. Then she met this vibrant and young guy who she dated on and off and then she cried some more. Bottom line, she is whiny. She visited three exotic, interesting, and in some places, impoverished countries and only focused on herself. Her selfish exploration left me disappointed; there were few insights to draw on in my own life.

I didn't like the "ME ME ME" tone polluting the beauty of the places she visited; one and a half out of five stars.

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

First published in 1886, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is one of Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous works.

Gabriel Utterson is the executor of Dr Henry Jekyll's will. In his will, Jekyll has bequeathed his assets to his friend, Edward Hyde. While walking with another lawyer, Utterson hears of a despicable act carried out by Hyde. Utterson investigates further.

I didn't include spoilers in my plot summary but the ubiquitous references to it in pop culture will probably have ruined it for you anyway. If this were the Victorian Era, the ending would be shocking. Since we all know he ending, the climax is not exciting. 

I will tell you that Jekyll represents good and Hyde represents evil, making them foils. However, there are not enough good acts to establish Jekyll as good, and Hyde's crimes aren't that evil. I wish there were more support for the characters' personalities. 

The last chapter sums up the mystery in a letter written by Jekyll. The novella ends with the letter. It would make sense to have some closure and reactions after the mystery is solved. Truly, though, this doesn't bother me, because I was not invested in Stevenson's underdeveloped characters. 

Stevenson's writing is straightforward but disconnected and dry, making this an unenjoyable read. 

Overall, I liked the theme (which I can't reveal) of Jekyll and Hyde, but many elements of the work are half-baked. I rate this book two out of five stars.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why (2007) is regarded as a YA fiction jewel and is Jay Asher's first novel. 

Clay Jensen is a high schooler whose classmate, Hannah Baker, has recently killed herself. Clay mysteriously receives a package of cassette tapes in the mail that have been narrated by Hannah. He soon learns that Hannah intended for the cassettes to be listened to by the thirteen people whose actions are the "reasons" she killed herself. Hannah has insured that each person who receives the tapes will send them to the next person "implicated" in her suicide. 

Hannah's story, as told on the cassettes, appears in the book in italics, juxtaposed with Clay's reactions. Despite the font changes, it is hard to differentiate the narratives because the voices are similar. Strike one against the book.

Hannah Baker is interesting. She blames the schoolmates mentioned on her cassettes for her problems. Realistically, her problems  happen to a lot of people in high school, barely any of whom kill themselves. If there were more detail about Hannah's past, and not just the events right before her suicide, it would have been easier to understand why she did it. Without knowing the background and deeper issues, it's unrealistic for her to have killed herself over a few incidents with jerks and moving to a new school. Strike two. 

In the end, Clay's reactions to Hannah's suicide tale are not fully revealed to us; his only response is to approach and talk to a wallflower. The weak ending means we don't learn how all of the characters tie up their feelings for Hannah. The botched ending is strike three.

I understand Asher's message: that our actions affect everyone, so be careful about what you do and say. Great message, poorly executed.

I don't understand why this book has received such lofty praise. The writing is mediocre and there are plenty of better and more realistic books on teen suicide (Looking For Alaska, It's Kind of a Funny Story, The Bell Jar). One out of five stars. 

The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield

The Garden Party (1922) is one of Katherine Mansfield's most famous short stories. 

Note: Due to the short length of this story, it's impossible not to give away the plot; consider yourself warned.

The Sheridans, a wealthy New Zealand family, are hosting a garden party. During their preparations, they learn that a working-class neighbor has died that day. In wanting to call the party off, Laura Sheridan shows her sympathy for the neighbor's family. Her sisters and her mother dismiss Laura's idea and the party begins as the guests arrive. Afterwards, Laura brings a basket of leftovers to the dead man's home and sees his body. Laura ends the story with an incomplete sentence: "Isn't life..."

To write a story of 30 pages that captures many emotions, it requires genius -- that's what Katherine Mansfield had. Laura is the only one in her family who shows sympathy for the poor neighbors; this statement about class division is profound. Laura, up until the end of the story, has confronted neither death nor poverty; all she knows is luxury, good fortune, and garden parties. I am impressed with the number of themes Mansfield tackles in such a small number of pages.

I admire Mansfield's laconic writing style. The details of the story's setting are magnificently vivid. It is the perfect day for the garden party; the sunlight shining on the garden, the fragrance and abundance of the lilies, and the just right weather. Mansfield describes the scene perfectly in a few simple words. Mansfield never actually describes her characters. We sense their personalities through their dialogue.

Overall, this story hits many high notes in a few pages -- five out of five stars. 

Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell

Lesser known than other George Orwell classics like 1984 and Animal Farm, Down and Out in Paris and London was his first published book (1933). 

George Orwell is destitute and living in Paris. He sleeps at a bug-infested inn and pawns his clothes for a meager amount. Starving and alone, he reunites with his friend Boris and, luckily, they get jobs as plongeurs at a filthy Paris restaurant. 

Just when things start looking up for Orwell, he quits his job (because of the twenty hour days without breaks) and moves back to England. There, Orwell is among the poorest of the poor and spends his nights at "spikes", crowded lodging houses where poor men pay a very small amount of money for a rock-hard bed, tea, and bread. In and out of the spikes, Orwell befriends interesting characters and continues to live in poverty.

Orwell likes to rant. This may be the only time I genuinely felt that a writer's rants were important, not annoying. A memorable one was his dedication of a chapter to the evolution of curse words and his feelings about them. This is important because it keeps the history of those words alive; it was also interesting to read about who used the words and how their popularity died out. The frustrating part was that, in the modern American edition I read (Harcourt), three quarters of the curses Orwell used were censored. 

The best part of the story was Orwell's short dictionary of poor men's lingo. This included words like "clodhopper" (street dancer) and "shackles" (soup). By defining the lingo for us, Orwell greatly enhances our feel for the period.

The descriptions of poverty and filth are gut-wrenching. Orwell vividly describes the awful conditions the poor men lived under, the lack of hygiene and sanitation in the spikes and the Paris kitchen, and the feelings of ennui and hunger that he and the other men endured. Orwell never shies away from sharing the details of poverty.

This book has only one major negative: its blatant anti-Semitism. Every description of a Jew is defamatory and offensive. While Orwell's attitudes towards Jews may have changed later, it is still unpleasant to hear him wanting to "flatten the rich Jewish pawn shopkeeper's nose." For me, this lowers the quality of the man, not the work. 

Orwell's overall message is clear: the poor are human beings who should not be seen or treated as swine. This message is still relevant today because, as a society, we often treat the poor and homeless as beneath us. Five out of five stars for Down and Out. 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park is a 2013 young adult novel that has received a Michael L. Printz book honor, among many awards. 

Eleanor Douglass is a red-headed, overweight high school girl who recently moved to Omaha, Nebraska. She lives an impoverished life with her mother, her four siblings, and her abusive stepfather. Park Sheridan is an Asian-American high school boy who meets Eleanor on the bus. As time goes by, Eleanor and Park bond over music and comic books and eventually end up dating, despite their different backgrounds. 

The story is told by a third-person omniscient narrator who alternates the points of view of Eleanor and Park. I didn't care for this style of storytelling - if you're going to alternate points of view, let the characters narrate the story themselves in the first person.

I felt the writing wasn't very special - it lacked depth and description, which would have enhanced the book. The author focused more on Eleanor than Park and by the end of the book, I felt disappointed that there was less of his story told.

Eleanor and Park's relationship developed slowly and peaked in the last third of the story. I liked the way Rowell didn't rush it (as in most YA love stories) - this made it much more meaningful. 

Eleanor and Park brings out all the feelings a good love story should; sadness, hope, heartbreak, and joy. For its meaningful love 
story, I give Eleanor and Park three and a half out of five stars, despite some major flaws. 

The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett

The Grand Babylon Hotel was originally published in 1902 as a serial in The Daily Mail in London. It has since been adapted into two films of the same name.

Theodore Racksole is a New York millionaire vacationing with his daughter, Nella, in London. The Racksoles are staying at the luxurious and famous Grand Babylon Hotel. After being unable to order dinner that wasn't on the menu, Theodore impulsively purchases the hotel from the owner. Once he takes over the hotel, though, Theodore discovers a nasty conspiracy against a guest implicating members of his staff. 

I throughly enjoyed the plot of this book: there were mysteries, cliffhangers, and intriguing characters. These elements kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. That being said, I was disappointed that most of the action took place outside of the hotel. I wanted to hear more about how a hotel in the early 1900s was run.

Some of my favorite parts were the descriptions of London, and in particular, the Thames. The descriptions weren't all that imaginative, but they were nonetheless cool to read. 

The writing was also not very imaginative. In fact, none of the writing was exceptional in quality or style. It's annoying that the writing wasn't better, because it would have complemented the great plot.

This book does have a few laughs, some swashbuckling moments, and loads of plot twists, but better writing would have made this a great book. Three out of five stars.

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

Ahead of its time in 1895, The Time Machine touches on ideas like time travel and futuristic vehicles.

The novella starts with the "Time Traveller" sitting around his dinner table with guests. He discusses the idea of time being the fourth dimension, and he announces that he has built a machine that can travel to the future. After his hesitant guests leave, the Time Traveller embarks on a test journey.

I wanted to read this book because I have never read much science fiction and thought I should give it a chance. Usually, I think of science fiction books as being the kind of cheap and poorly written pocket books you'd find in the drugstore, but this was nothing of that sort.

The descriptions of the action and the future are imaginative and vivid. From the buildings that seem to appear out of nowhere to the giant murderous crabs, Wells entertains the reader with memorable images. 

What I enjoyed so much about The Time Machine was its exploration of modern ideas in a Victorian writing style. It was refreshing and interesting to have that pairing of chronological opposites and it elevated the quality of the book. 

This was a great first exposure to science fiction and I'm happy to give The Time Machine five out of five stars. 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Published in 1897, Dracula has become a staple in horror and gothic literature.

Jonathan Harker is a solicitor sent to conduct business with Count Dracula in Transylvania. Harker barely escapes Dracula's castle and returns to England where he reunites with his fiancée, Mina. At the same time, Dracula expands his vampiric operation to England. Mina's best friend, Lucy, receives three marriage proposals. An unknown illness makes Lucy deathly ill and Dr. John Seward, one of her suitors, steps forth to cure her. When he can't figure out what's wrong, Seward calls upon his former professor, Dr. Van Helsing, to help. It is determined that the cause of Lucy's illness is a vampire bite and this reveals that the Count has come to England. Jonathan, Van Helsing, Mina, Seward, and Lucy's two other suitors form a coalition against the Count, and make plans to track him down.

A unique attribute of Dracula is its interesting story-telling format. The story alternates among protagonists' diary entries, memoranda, and letters to reveal the action. I found this format refreshing and unlike anything I've ever read.

Honestly, I was disappointed that the story wasn’t scarier. Perhaps our definition of what is scary has evolved over time and that is why I didn’t find it bone chilling, where a contemporaneous reader might have. Sure, there were a few creepy and suspenseful moments but overall I thought the “fear factor” was lacking. 

Dr. Van Helsing was annoying because he always acted superior to everyone else, and even though he was only invited to help with the operation, he took it over. His cockiness could have been toned down.

One of the most fascinating elements of the story was its portrayal of women in Victorian society. At the noble end of the spectrum, there is the innocent and intelligent Mina who has a “man’s brain” and a “woman’s heart.” As the secretary of the group of vampire hunters, Mina plays a key role in tracking down Count Dracula, and she is the type of woman I would have aspired to be had I lived in the 1800s. In the middle of the spectrum lies Lucy who, like Mina, is smart. However, Lucy’s beauty is described more frequently than her intelligence, and it prompts three marriage proposals. After Dracula bites Lucy, she becomes a highly sexualized vampire. Using Lucy as an illustration, Bram Stoker shows how a woman’s reputation could quickly improve or become tarnished. At the evil end of the spectrum are Dracula’s female, vampire prisoners who try to seduce and kill any men they can. By the end of the story, Dracula’s prisoners and Lucy have been killed, and only Mina lives a full and happy life. 

Overall, Dracula's storytelling and interesting portrayal of vampires are incredible, however, it won't keep anyone up at night. Three out of five stars.

Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut

Published in 1973, Breakfast of Champions is Kurt Vonnegut’s seventh novel. The story was adapted into a 1999 film of the same name.

Kilgore Trout is an aging science fiction writer. Trout is invited by his only fan, Eliot Rosewater, to an arts festival in Midland City where Trout will read some of his stories. Dwayne Hoover is a lonely, mentally ill old man who owns a Pontiac dealership in Midland City. Trout and Hoover eventually cross paths, provoking Hoover’s illness to erupt in violence. Most of the action alternates between Trout’s journey to Midland City and Hoover’s further descent into insanity.

Vonnegut writes well. His use of technical terminology connects the reader with the topic. In addition, he uses humor to make the most boring things sound interesting. Breakfast is also peppered with whimsical drawings of everything from buttons to chickens. These little bonuses were unique and entertaining.

The satire in the book is well done; it’s funny, unique, thought provoking, and topical for the time (The Vietnam War). The plot itself was tedious and unamusing. I also didn’t like when Vonnegut inserted himself into the action in the final third of the story. I found that completely unnecessary and distracting from the two main characters. Throughout the book, Vonnegut jumps from one topic to the next, constantly ranting about the things Americans do. That’s okay, especially if it’s done cleverly, as it is here. However, I wish he had fully completed his thoughts before moving on to other rants.

Overall, I think Vonnegut’s satire on America is humorous and engaging, and I wish he were around to write one about America today. The lackluster plot and random, incomplete rants are not as praiseworthy. Two and a half out of five stars.

Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

Published in 1945, Cannery Row is about the characters and happenings in a section of the central Californian city of Monterey during the Depression. (The characters return in Sweet Thursday, written nine years later.) Driving through Cannery Row and visiting the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA, inspired me to read this book.

Doc, a local marine biologist, has always been nice to the people of Cannery Row without asking for anything in return. To thank him, Mack and “the boys” arrange a party at his house, but Doc never makes it. The party spins out of control, and the next morning Doc returns to a house turned upside down. Mack and the boys feel awful and vow to throw Doc another party for his birthday. This time, the party is a success.

Cannery Row has a simple plot and its characters don’t change much but these factors do not affect its ability to engage the reader. In fact, they enhance Steinbeck’s portrayal of the people of Cannery Row, who are essentially good despite being thrown with some of life’s toughest challenges. No one in the town is wealthy, yet everyone seems satisfied with what they have. Mack and the boys throw the party even though they cannot afford it. Even after the first party’s failure, they don’t give up on the idea of rewarding their friend. Doc, to be generous, will buy a frog from anyone for a nickel. Doc also takes in a mentally challenged boy, Frankie, and is always patient with him, even though the boy constantly makes mistakes. Almost everyone in Cannery Row owes money to Lee Chong, the owner of the local grocery. Lee never asks to be repaid. Despite economic hardships, Dora, the owner of Cannery Row’s whorehouse, always gives generously to charity. Through his illustration of these characters, Steinbeck is saying that good people can be found in the most obscure and dirty places and in the most difficult of times.

The most interesting character in the story is Doc. Doc frequently goes down to the coast to collect specimens and works in his lab doing experiments. He lets anyone help who wants to. He helps everyone with anything and is always honest. He also does some surprising things. After a hitchhiker warns Doc about having a beer while driving, Doc punches him in the face. Doc also eventually allows Frankie to go to an institution. Doc made the right decision, however, I had expected Doc to adopt Frankie.

John Steinbeck is a wonderful writer. His introduction is evocative: “Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream.” By the time you finish the story, you discover all of those qualities to be true. Steinbeck’s descriptions of the sea creatures Doc finds and of the California coast are beautiful. His writing is also humorous and entertaining.

I believe that Cannery Row has much to offer the reader; a laugh, a tear, heartbreak, and a promise. A very solid five out of five stars.

America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction by Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin, And David Javerbaum

In America (The Book), Jon Stewart satirizes American politics, American history, and other countries.

Written in the style of a history textbook, this book has many elements. The book includes study guides, class exercises, and discussion questions. There are also essays written by people who were affiliated with The Daily Show when the book was written. Reading this book was never dull - it was always interactive and engaging.

As far as the history goes, I actually learned quite a bit that I didn't know beforehand and that was refreshing.

The original 2004 edition took me a while to find. This edition is no longer being printed - only the "teacher's" edition can be purchased new. I definitely recommend the 2004 edition without the annoying history professor's corrections in red found in the "teacher's" edition. This edition also lacks the hilarious section evaluating the 2004 presidential candidates. 

Overall, the best thing America has to offer is a good laugh; it's not that substantial. For these reasons, I give America three out of five stars. 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar is Sylvia Plath's only novel. Originally published under Plath's pseudonym Victoria Lucas, the novel is a roman à clef of Plath's college years.

Esther Greenwood is a talented writer interning at a prestigious New York magazine. During her time in NYC, Esther is surprisingly unexcited by the big city or its lifestyle. Instead, she just drifts along and is even frightened by some of the events that occur. She moves back to Massachusetts with the possibility of taking a writing course in the summer. When she doesn't get this opportunity, Esther plans on writing a novel but she can't - she is unable to write, sleep, or eat. Esther's mother becomes concerned and sends her to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist's efforts don't help and Esther attempts suicide. After this event, Esther hops from one asylum to another. 

Sylvia Plath's own suicide was a genuine and tragic loss to literature because she was truly talented. In The Bell Jar, Plath compares the possibilities of Esther's life to figs on a tree. Esther is sitting in the low part of the tree starving because she can't decide which fig to pick. As time passes, the figs, representing opportunities, shrivel up and die. This is a beautiful and clever metaphor for life's possibilities. Perhaps the most poetic moment is Esther's feeling as if she is under a bell jar stewing in her own air and the bell jar follows her wherever she goes. This metaphor gives readers who have not experienced mental illness an insight into what it might actually feel like. 

As for the plot, with the exception of Esther, the characters are all unlikable. Esther's mother is in denial about Esther's all too real issues.  Esther's friends are shallow. Esther's ex-boyfriend is a hypocrite. Most of the psychiatrists and nurses seem useless. Esther, however, is funny and you feel for her because she is wildly talented. 

Overall, I think that this book has great value for its important subject matter and poetic moments; five out of five stars. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning is the first book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (the pen name of American author Daniel Handler).

The parents of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire have perished in the fire which also destroyed their home. The executor of the will, Mr. Poe, finds the orphans a new home and a guardian, Count Olaf. Count Olaf is a vicious villain after only one thing: the Baudelaire's inherited fortune.

I read this series when I was around ten years old and I thought it would be cool to revisit the first book because I enjoyed the series so much. This is a book meant for children: the writing is simple and clearly not for adults. Words like "aberrant" and "standoffish" are defined following their use. Since the characters themselves are kids, they are definitely relatable for young readers and all but two of the adults come off as mean and oppressive. I typically don't read kids' books unless they are classics, so this was out of the ordinary for me but the detour was worth it. 

The Bad Beginning has a lot of what I look for in a book: an interesting and suspenseful plot, a varied cast of characters, and a villain who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The main flaw is the book's poor writing. Even though this book is intended for children, the writing does not have to be subpar. 

Overall, The Bad Beginning has a great plot but the writing holds it back. Three out of five stars. 

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A Graphic Novel by Oscar Wilde, I.N.J Culbard, Ian Edginton

Dear readers, 
I have been extremely busy these past two weeks and I apologize for not reviewing anything last week. However, I am glad to say that I am now back. 


The Picture of Dorian Gray is a graphic adaptation of Oscar Wilde's 1891 novel of the same title. 

Dorian Gray is the gorgeous young subject of the painter Basil Hallward. On the day his portrait will be completed, Dorian has a pivotal conversation with Lord Henry Wotton. Wotton tells Dorian that the only things that matter in life are beauty and youth. Dorian knows that his beauty and youth will fade, so he sells his soul so that his portrait will age instead of him. Dorian will remain the same physically forever, but he becomes menacing and secretive towards everyone.  

The original Dorian Gray uses many images to develop the plot and this makes it a great choice for a graphic adaptation. What really stood out for me was how well Culbard illustrated the aging portrait. He draws Dorian in the first painting as youthful, in the second as semi-wrinkled, and in the third as white-haired and repulsive. These illustrations give readers a great sense of how Dorian ages in his portrait. 

As for the story, the characters are really unlikeable. Dorian is a raging narcissist and indirectly and directly kills people. Basil is simply hypnotized by and infatuated with Dorian's beauty and only thinks about Dorian. Lord Henry is rude to his wife and encourages Dorian to only pursue life-long beauty. Basil and Henry were just annoying.

Throughout the book, Dorian lives a double life. He is an upper-class socialite who goes to dinner parties and plays. At the same time, Dorian goes to a London opium den and commits crimes. Dorian's conscience eventually catches up with him. His story demonstrates that what goes around comes around. 

Overall, this book did a good job of showing how Dorian's character grew malevolent, but it could have been done in fewer pages. For the unnecessary extra detail, I give the book three out of five stars.