THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT

by John Steinbeck

 

This is the third book I’ve read written by John Steinbeck and as I expected it was a truly great story. Ethan is middle age man, working as a clerk at the grocery store.  He comes from a wealthy family, but all the family money was lost. What’s left is only pride, a good family name with high expectations from his wife and children that he will become rich again.

The Author shows Ethan’s life with no real hopes of getting back to the wealth and respect he once had.  In the beginning of the book Ethan seems to be an easy going lighthearted person, then the last 100 pages shows something completely different.  The pressure of the idea of regaining his previous status in society makes Ethan do things he never thought he would do.

I enjoyed this novel from the very first pages till the end. It was details what made this story for me. Steinbeck is a master in examination person’s deepest thoughts and secrets.  I have loved every book written by this author. This is not a book you will read in one or two evenings. It requires some time in order to really enjoy and appreciate the deepness of this novel.

The Red and The Black

by Stendhal

The story takes place in 1830 France, where Julien Sorel, a carpenter’s son, is dreaming of a better life.  Julien is studying to become a priest, but secretly he is obsessed with Napoleon’s ideas.

One day Julien was sent to work at the house of the wealthy de Renâl family as a tutor. Julien falls in love with his Mr. de Renâl’s wife. Everything gets complicated when the maid makes rumors about the affair in the small town and embarrasses M. de Renâl.  So Julien is sent away from their house to avoid the scandal. It is heartbreaking for her to do so because she loves Julien and can’t imagine being apart from him, but they don’t have any other choice.

I don’t want to spoil the story by telling anything more of it. It’s a great book and Stendhal is a very important author of 19^th century classic literature. His writings have inspired such authors as Balzac and Zola. This is definitely not an easy read. “The Red and the Black” plot is about many things like love, politics, society and it has some unexpected twists in the end. The language in this novel makes it a difficult read, but when you are ready to see the beauty of the story through complicated language and politics of 19^th century France, only then can you see the true beauty of this book.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

This is one of my favorite books of all time. Everyone has heard about this story, even if you haven’t read it. The following lines will help you to remember it.

The story is about Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy old man, who on the Christmas night is visited by 3 ghosts, who guide him through the past, present and the Christmas Yet to Come. In one night Scrooge’s life and attitude towards Christmas is changed forever.

As I mentioned before, this is the most widely known Dickens book and doesn’t need for introducing with its story anymore. This novella is loved not only by Dickens fans, but every other reader. The story is deeply moving and is very special to me; I like to read it every year at Christmas time to remind myself about the most important things in life. I have also seen the movie version of this story, but the book is so much better. I think it’s richer, deeper and funnier. It’s a wonderful Christmas tale, even if it was written in 1843, it’s timeless. It’s a book for everyone of every age; it will make you a better person.

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck


George and Lennie, two migrant workers are on their way to start a new job. George is small, dark man and Lennie is his opposite, he is a big man and you can see he is a little slow. As it comes clear later Lennie has a mental disability and George is in charge of him. George often complains about being responsible for Lennie and says it would be easier without him, but you can feel that even if George says things like that he truly loves Lennie and cares about him. Lennie likes to pet soft things, but often he accidently kills them; he doesn’t realize how strong he is.

Both men share a common dream about having their own house, a piece of land that they could take care of; they are dreaming about working for themselves and being free of worrying about another job. When they finally arrive at the farm, George is so worried that because of Lennie they could miss out on the job that he convinces Lennie to let him do all the talking. George, to avoid any questions, tells their new boss that he and Lennie are cousins travelling together. First evening talking with the other workers they find out about the boss’s son Curley, who is a newlywed and very jealous of his wife. George gets feeling that this man could cause them problems and he asks Lennie not to talk to him. Curley is in a bad mood that evening and is walking around searching for his wife so when he can’t find her, he starts a fight with Lennie. Curley gets hurt in the fight, but when he gets home he tells them that he got his arm crushed in a piece of machinery.

On the next day George confesses to Slim, another worker, that he and Lennie are just friends not cousins and that they lost a job because of Lennie’s obsession about touching soft things. He tried to touch a woman’s dress and was accused of rape. Slim, has a dog who has puppies and he agrees to give one of them to Lennie.

One evening, a man with one arm missing, named Candy, hears a conversation between George and Lennie about building a house and buying some land. So he offers them his life savings and in return asks them to make him part of their plan. Now there are three of them and it seems less like a dream and more like reality. So now they begin planning how to make their dream come true as soon as possible. That night almost all the men from the farm go to the local brothel. At the farm stays Lennie, Candy, Mr. Crook and Curley’s wife. She sees the cut on Lennie’s face and realizes that he was the one who hurt her husband and this thought amuses her. The next day Lennie accidently kills his puppy in the barn, when in walks Curley’s wife who tries to calm him down. She confesses that her life with Curley is a mistake and she wishes she would have followed her dream to become a movie star. Lennie tells her that he liked to pet soft things and she offers to let him feel her hair. He grabs her hair strongly, she screams, Lennie tries to calm her down, but he breaks her neck accidently.

The story starts out sweet when the author talks about the friendship between Lennie and George, but then it turns out really shocking. It’s a short story, but very intense. I didn’t expect so many different emotions from a book this thin. The author makes you live the whole spectrum of emotions from being touched in the beginning about George taking care of Lennie, to feeling excited about their dream almost coming true then feeling disappointed even angry about Curley’s behavior finally shocked in the end of the book. The last part was unforgettable; it was so disturbing for me that I couldn’t stop thinking about this novel for days after finishing it. It was such a weird mix between cruelty and sweetness, but it’s definitely worth reading.

The Story of the Trapp family singers (The Sound of Music)

by Maria Augusta Trapp

Maria tells a seemingly light and optimistic story about the Trapp family life in Austria before the war and their immigration to the US during the war. She describes about her family learning English, trying to be part of a new country, their ups and downs with concerts. She talks about learning to survive during tough times when they didn’t have any concerts to play and about the many new friends they found in the USA.

Even with all the bad things that happen to them she was still able to describe it optimism. When they were living in Austria and lost all their money, she even told her husband how happy she was about that. Only now after they lost it all, could they see the true character of their children. Maria’s American friends told her that she must remember that they are now poor, Maria answered: “we are not poor, we just don’t have money.” She was right; people like the Trapp family can never be poor.

This book is so sweet and the Trapp family was so loving and warm hearted with each other, almost too good to be true. It seemed more like a fairy tale than a true story to me. This is a great read for days when you feel sad or just need to be cheered up.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

by Charles Dickens

The story is about a boy, named Pip, who is raised by his evil sister and Joe her kindhearted husband. They lived in poverty. So when Miss Havisham a rich eccentric woman asks Pip to come to her house just to see him playing and offers some money for it, his family is more than willing to fulfill Miss Havisham’s wish. She is disillusioned in love; her beautiful stepdaughter, who was raised to break men’s hearts, is selfish and unable to love anyone. She is a cold-hearted master manipulator. So when Pip sees the girl for the first time he falls in love with her. He doesn’t hope that she will love him back because he is poor and uneducated, he doesn’t think he is good enough for her. About the same time there were two escaped convicts from the jail and Pip happens to meet one of them named Magwitch. Pip was frightened after such a meeting and was forced into helping Magwitch to get some food. After Pip helps him, a few days later he finds out that Magwitch is back in jail again. Years later after trying to forget this encounter, an attorney appears at his family’s house. He introduces himself as the legal representative of a wealthy person who wants to remain anonymous. That person wants to make a gentleman out of Pip, by educate him and leaving him a fortune. Everyone in Pip’s family is thankful and excited, but wondering who that person could be. The only person they can think of is Miss Havisham, but what a shock when they discover who that person is…

This is quite a thick book, so I needed some time to get the courage to start reading it. I had heard it could be long and boring, but was happy to find it enjoyable and easy to read. I know many people might disagree with me on that, but I think Dickens lovers will appreciate this great novel.

1984 (NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR)

by George Orwell
This is a frightening and depressing vision of the world with no freedom to do what you like or speak about any subject with anyone you wish, not even the freedom to think…

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

That was the slogan of the Party.

Winston Smith is a man, living in Oceania a totalitarian country. The Party has incredible power on the people living there. They are like robots that do whatever the Party and Big Brother wants them to do. No one dares to disagree with the Party. They are watched by the police day and night who control their every thought; they are betrayed by their families and loved ones. They are forced to believe, agree and obey, and love their leader - Big Brother. Winston Smith is watching all this nonsense around him. The past can be changed and no one would notice it, he feels like he is the only one person who can see the reality. He wishes he could find other like minded people to join against the Party. He meets Julia, a girl at work who hates the Party as much as he does. So both of them join a group of people, whose leader is Emmanuel Goldstein, the enemy of Big Brother. After seven years in that group, Winston and Julia are betrayed by O’Brien, the man they trusted and believed was against the Party as well. O’Brien’s men arrest them and torture them in the most horrific ways. It’s all because the Party doesn’t just kill their enemies, they change them…

I loved “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, so I couldn’t wait to read 1984. I must say this is one of the scariest and most powerful books I have ever read. There was many times I wanted to stop, it was so negative and depressing, especially all those descriptions of O’Brien torturing Winston. I couldn’t imagine there could be so much cruelty in one book… This book will stay on your mind all the time you are reading it and will change the way you think. It really makes you appreciate the world we are living in. This is not a book for everyone.

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Bronte

It is a beautiful love story of Jane, an unattractive governess, and Edward Rochester, the man who owns the house Jane is working in. Jane is an orphan, growing up in her aunt’s house, who dislikes her. Once Jane was old enough, she was sent to a school, far away from home, where she studied and later worked as a teacher. She was comfortable, but she didn’t feel like this was how she wanted to spend the rest of her life. So she found a job as a governess for a little French girl. Finally Jane was truly happy, she enjoyed every day at her new job. She loved her work and all the people in the house were so nice even Mr. Rochester loved to spend time with her. So after a while they became very good friends. Everything was so good, that Jane couldn’t imagine leaving his house any time soon. So when sometimes during the night weird things would happen in the house… One night she had heard the sound of a woman screaming with a devils voice… Another night she even saved Mr. Rochester’s life from burning alive in his own bed. Jane was more than sure that the woman who had started the fire. So Jane was very surprised when Mr. Rochester told her not to talk to anyone about her suspicions… As the time passed Jane and Edward became closer and closer. Even if there were many misunderstandings and tears, one day Edward proposed to Jane. She couldn’t imagine being any happier. So when the wedding day came Jane and Mr. Rochester were in the church when something unexpected and shocking happened…

This is one of my favorite books that I found thanks to another great book - “The Cider House rules”. In that book a boy in an orphan house was reading “Jane Eyre” and “David Copperfield” to the other children. He thought “Jane Eyre” was one of the greatest novels ever written even though he had read only two books in his life. I was curious to see if he was right and that “Jane Eyre” was really that good… so as soon as I finished “The Cider House rules” I started “Jane Eyre” and YES, it really was THAT good! There is such a wide spectrum of emotions in this book. Jane seems to be so strong and yet so fragile in the same time. Edward Rochester was an arrogant, rude almost cruel, yet so touching, sweet and loving with Jane. I think this is a book that everyone would enjoy. Anyone who appreciates the classics, love stories or simply well written books will simple love this book, it’s excellent!!!

Animal Farm

by George Orwell


One night all animals at the farm had a meeting. That night a vision about new better living is given to the animals by a pig named Major. They were being mistreated by Mr. Jones, working hard and badly fed. All the animals would be equal, not working too hard; they would have a day off and a better food. Everyone saw it like a great idea and so the animals overtook the farm. Their leaders were two pigs, Napoleon and Snowball. For some time all was well, every animal was content with the changes, but then, after a while they noticed that they were working as hard as before, food was not enough except for the pigs. So when the animals spoke up, they got the answer from the pigs that it’s all right and most likely your memory is bad. ..

I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it is funny, sad and rich with allegories, a truly brilliant fairy tale for adults. It is a short read; you can read it in a couple of hours. Classics, that everyone should read!

Stories of Anton Chekhov

I read this book in Latvian; it seems there must be a little different selection of stories in the English version. My book had 15 short stories. Here are my favorite ones:

“A Boring story”

A story of a dying professor’s self analysis. Chekhov doesn’t waist words in any of his stories, but still the characters in this book are so vivid and realistic. In this story the professor spends his days thinking about his famous name, which doesn’t help him any more now that he is slowly dying. The author shows the relationship between the professor, his family and his step-daughter Katia. The people who used to be his closest are now changed. He didn’t even notice when it happened, it’s like living with strangers. He shares a house with them, but is still lonely. A sad, but beautiful story.

“The Man in a Case”

Belikov is a teacher of Greek. He is hiding himself in heavy, thick clothes and wearing rubber galoshes even on the hottest days of summer. Everyone in the school, including his colleges, is afraid of him. He strictly follows all of the rules and in his opinion – what’s not allowed is strictly prohibited. He is hiding his thoughts behind a wall of never ending rules. He is like a shadow that everyone tries to avoid. The day of his funeral is considered a good day for all of his coworkers and students. They all feel relieved that no one is watching them anymore.

“The Lady with the little dog”

Gurov is a married man who loves to spend his time with other women. As fast as he gets excited and passionate about every new encounter he gets bored just as fast. He has never been in love. Then he meets Ann, the lady with the little dog. The story between them begins as usual for him and looks like it will end like that as well. Ann is also married, but she is shy and an old-fashion woman. She falls in love with Gurov, and so does he, though he doesn’t realize it at the time.

This is the most famous story of Anton Chekhov. A heartbreaking story about impossible love.

I enjoyed the book from the very first pages till the end. The author paints a perfect picture of 19th century Russia. Chekhov is one of my new favorite authors now and I will look forward to read more of his stories and plays. I can recommend this author to all those who enjoyed works of Dostoyevsky or Bulgakov.

The remains of the day

by Kazuo Ishiguro

The book is about Stevens a butler in Lord Darlington’s house. When Mr. Darlington dies, the house is sold to an American gentleman who spends most of his time in America. He suggests to Stevens that he should take a few days off. Stevens decides to travel around England for 6 days. During this journey he spends most of his time to remember the good old days.

As I started reading this book I thought it might be a boring one, instead it turned out to be an emotional and heartbreaking journey for me as well. You will not find a lot of action in this book. I would say it’s a sad story of what didn’t happened. What really makes this book a great read is how well detailed Steven’s personality, emotions and thoughts are described. Every sentence is simply perfect. Definitely must read for those who don’t mind a slower pace.

The Pigeon

by Patrick Suskind

Jonathan Noel is just an ordinary man living in Paris, working as a security guard at a local bank. His only goal in life is to be invisible, where nothing really happens; nothing disturbs the monotony of his life. For many long years he lived just like that… till one morning when the pigeon alters his life forever.

When I started to read “The Pigeon” I had already read “Perfume” which I found to be an exquisitely written book, so I was a little let down at first, but in the end I still enjoyed it.

Perfume: the story of a murder

by Patrick Suskind

The story takes place in 18th century France, where Jean-Baptiste Grenouille was born lacking any personal odour at all. After a difficult childhood where nobody really wanted him, he was finally traded to a perfumer, where he learned to refine his incredible gift of smell. One day while walking the streets of Paris he discovers the scent of a beautiful young girl; it was unlike anything he had ever smelled before. He became so obsessed with the smell and the idea of creating the perfect perfume, one that no one could resist. After that day Jean-Baptiste embarks on a series of horrifying murders.

“Perfume” is one of my favorite books. The scents are so detailed and vividly described I could almost smell them myself. The language in this novel is so rich and enjoyable that even if the story was less appealing it would still make a great book, one that you have to read.