I have been slower with my writing than I care to admit. There are so many projects taht I have to finish that i'm seriously trying to put myself on a schedule, but I've never done well on a schedule. I might make one that accomodates my sleeping habits and things of that nature.
Apparently, to become a great writer, you must write. It sounds like the most simple advice, but it can be super tricky. Technically, writing this update counts as working on writing, but it isn't really the genre that I really find myself leaning towards. I'm happy that I have some halfway decent non-fiction skills, I think they may come in handy for writing one day.
There is a long story, something of a novel, that I should really work on. It's the first piece that I've ever written that has an outline. I'm less than one quarter of the way through, and somewhat stuck because the style that I chose to write it in is quite different from what I am used to writing. It's very plush, and I try to be hyper descriptive, but it's not always the best.
There are some short stories I know I should write, some thing that could definitely be money makers. I know I can write fetish stories, and I think I need to further explore fetishes before reaching out to that market truthfully.
Editing... I haven't edited anything of my own in ten thousand years. Yes, I'm exaggerating, but it feels as if it's been that long. I have a children's story that I need to edit, but I'm not quite sure how I should go about it. There are a lot of places that need serious rewording, but I'm not sure how to reword it. I know that's one of the most important things, since editing takes multiple multiple drafts. I might start an entry on editing soon.
Reading... I finished Phantom of the Opera, I enjoyed it, but I'm trying to figure out what I should next read. I have a few hardcopy books that I should probably get to cracking, so that might be my next literary thing.
I'm not sure what else to write, so I will leave it here.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
The Phantom of the Opera Review
I was trying to figure out what I wanted to read; it seemed like there was something in all of the books I've recently had that just made me...zone...out. After a time, I downloaded The Phantom of the Opera, and from the first page I knew that I was going to have a good time with it.
The book takes place in the Paris Opera house. I expected a traditional novel, but the story is instead written as if the author is reporting on a case from thirty years in the past, a mystery that involves death, and a supposed "Opera Ghost". Most people are probably familiar with the long standing play that's been on Broadway for ten thousand years, or the movie that was based on the play. I've seen most of the movie, and I've yet to see the play, but from what I know, there are a lot of differences and things that just could not have translated on stage easily.
When I started reading it, I was expecting something with incredibly difficult language or really crazy paragraphs (ex: Hunchback), but it's a very approachable story. It's a bit archaic, but not so much that you have to do a ton of work looking up definitions. Because the book is written as an article of sorts, there are footnotes, but they're not functioning in the digital copy. Maybe in a hard copy the footnotes are actually at the foot of the page.
From the moment I read the description of Christine Daae, I was worried I was running in to another stupid female character, I was pleasantly surprised to find that she had a brain in her head. She's a bit naive, but she didn't have the best education, something that is repeated a few times. The character that I had the biggest issue with was her love interest Raoul. I can't quite remember how he was in the play, but in the book, he thinks that she is cheating, and is most worried over whether she is a victim or a two timing floozy. He bounces back and forth between loving and pitying her to thinking she's spreading her pussy around to the Angel of Music. He even directly asks her guardian at one point "if she is still a good girl" translation: "has she given that cherry to anyone but me". That pissed me off; he really wouldn't have had anything to do with her if she had somehow fucked someone, then again, the characters were young and not the most worldly.
Unlike in the play, where the Opera Ghost is known as the Phantom, and see wearing that weird Africa shaped mask over half his face, the book has someone that has to wear a full face mask. Once when I was in elementary school, I read a child's adaptation of the book; it spoke a bit about the origin of the Opera Ghost, and they gave him a less tragic life. He is an incredibly tragic character. When Christine Daae describes meeting him, and how he was, I cried. I felt such a pain in my heart for what he went through. He wasn't just a creep who could sing that lived in the walls of the opera, he was a brilliant mind that was cursed to have a hideous face. Actually, I'm not sure that hideous is the right word for how he looked; I don't know if this counts as a spoiler (sorry if it is), but the Opera Ghost apparently looked like a living corpse. The only thing attractive about him (besides his talents and brilliants) was his voice. He had an amazing voice, and he treated others kindly, as long as they treated him kindly.
Although he is clearly the antagonist of the story, he's one of the most sympathetic antagonists that I've ever come across. He's batshit, yes, but one can't help but feel for him and his plight. He only wanted love, and that makes me want to cry even whilst typing. I felt a connection to him, as I do many tortured outcast artist characters.
The copy of the book that I have is a free download for Kindle users. Apparently it's the digital version of the original copy. There are little inserts that say a drawing should be there, but the drawing isn't there, a bit of a disappointment, but I lived. There weren't too many words I didn't know, and the ones that didn't have a definition in my dictionary had a definition given to it by the author.
From a little bit of research I just did, the book isn't that popular, and has been out of print before. There are quite a few movie and stage adaptations, but one of the most faithful stars Lon Cheny Sr as the Phantom, and from what I can tell, he has a face rather similar to how the phantom is supposed to have look. The 1925 version is also considered the one that is most true to the book. It's probably available to watch on YouTube or somewhere else online.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful book. It's one that if you're a teacher, I think you could get students in to. One of the most fascinating points of the book, is that the descriptions of the Paris Opera House are accurate, and just seeing some pictures I'm flabbergasted and want to visit. I think someone with a middle school or higher reading level could have fun with this, especially if it's a digital copy where you can look up the definitions of words that you don't know. I really think a lot of people, especially those that like romance novels, tragedies, and somewhat gothic literature will have fun with it. I took me three days of easy reading to get through it, then again, I was distracted by all the stuff on my kindle. I can't give this book anything but an amazing review, it was an amazing novel.
The book takes place in the Paris Opera house. I expected a traditional novel, but the story is instead written as if the author is reporting on a case from thirty years in the past, a mystery that involves death, and a supposed "Opera Ghost". Most people are probably familiar with the long standing play that's been on Broadway for ten thousand years, or the movie that was based on the play. I've seen most of the movie, and I've yet to see the play, but from what I know, there are a lot of differences and things that just could not have translated on stage easily.
When I started reading it, I was expecting something with incredibly difficult language or really crazy paragraphs (ex: Hunchback), but it's a very approachable story. It's a bit archaic, but not so much that you have to do a ton of work looking up definitions. Because the book is written as an article of sorts, there are footnotes, but they're not functioning in the digital copy. Maybe in a hard copy the footnotes are actually at the foot of the page.
From the moment I read the description of Christine Daae, I was worried I was running in to another stupid female character, I was pleasantly surprised to find that she had a brain in her head. She's a bit naive, but she didn't have the best education, something that is repeated a few times. The character that I had the biggest issue with was her love interest Raoul. I can't quite remember how he was in the play, but in the book, he thinks that she is cheating, and is most worried over whether she is a victim or a two timing floozy. He bounces back and forth between loving and pitying her to thinking she's spreading her pussy around to the Angel of Music. He even directly asks her guardian at one point "if she is still a good girl" translation: "has she given that cherry to anyone but me". That pissed me off; he really wouldn't have had anything to do with her if she had somehow fucked someone, then again, the characters were young and not the most worldly.
Unlike in the play, where the Opera Ghost is known as the Phantom, and see wearing that weird Africa shaped mask over half his face, the book has someone that has to wear a full face mask. Once when I was in elementary school, I read a child's adaptation of the book; it spoke a bit about the origin of the Opera Ghost, and they gave him a less tragic life. He is an incredibly tragic character. When Christine Daae describes meeting him, and how he was, I cried. I felt such a pain in my heart for what he went through. He wasn't just a creep who could sing that lived in the walls of the opera, he was a brilliant mind that was cursed to have a hideous face. Actually, I'm not sure that hideous is the right word for how he looked; I don't know if this counts as a spoiler (sorry if it is), but the Opera Ghost apparently looked like a living corpse. The only thing attractive about him (besides his talents and brilliants) was his voice. He had an amazing voice, and he treated others kindly, as long as they treated him kindly.
Although he is clearly the antagonist of the story, he's one of the most sympathetic antagonists that I've ever come across. He's batshit, yes, but one can't help but feel for him and his plight. He only wanted love, and that makes me want to cry even whilst typing. I felt a connection to him, as I do many tortured outcast artist characters.
The copy of the book that I have is a free download for Kindle users. Apparently it's the digital version of the original copy. There are little inserts that say a drawing should be there, but the drawing isn't there, a bit of a disappointment, but I lived. There weren't too many words I didn't know, and the ones that didn't have a definition in my dictionary had a definition given to it by the author.
From a little bit of research I just did, the book isn't that popular, and has been out of print before. There are quite a few movie and stage adaptations, but one of the most faithful stars Lon Cheny Sr as the Phantom, and from what I can tell, he has a face rather similar to how the phantom is supposed to have look. The 1925 version is also considered the one that is most true to the book. It's probably available to watch on YouTube or somewhere else online.
All in all, I think this is a wonderful book. It's one that if you're a teacher, I think you could get students in to. One of the most fascinating points of the book, is that the descriptions of the Paris Opera House are accurate, and just seeing some pictures I'm flabbergasted and want to visit. I think someone with a middle school or higher reading level could have fun with this, especially if it's a digital copy where you can look up the definitions of words that you don't know. I really think a lot of people, especially those that like romance novels, tragedies, and somewhat gothic literature will have fun with it. I took me three days of easy reading to get through it, then again, I was distracted by all the stuff on my kindle. I can't give this book anything but an amazing review, it was an amazing novel.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
The Last Unicorn Review
I am on a roll today!
I was going through my Kindle, trying to decide what I should read next, when I came across a very good book that I read, and I hadn't written a review on. That book is The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle (his website is currently down). Now, I read this book a few months ago, but I have to say that it has a style that had influenced at least one of my stories. I didn't realize that I was being influenced until just now when I read the title, and put two and two together.
The Last Unicorn is the story about a unicorn who believes that believes she is the last of her kind, and goes on a quest to seek her others. That is the basic gist of the story, and I'm giving it generally, because I don't want to give anything away. This is a fantasy book/ children's chapter book. It is beautifully written, and so tragically sad. I'm cynical and I have a rather icy heart, but the opening page made me "aww" for the character. There are four main characters in the book, and the adventure they go on is one whose path I couldn't predict: something I always enjoy. I'm so tempted to give a summary, but I'm not going to... I refuse to go down that path!
This particular story is good for someone who has a middle school or higher reading level. It's not difficult at all, and even someone that doesn't necessarily like reading, as long as they like a good fantasy story, would enjoy this. I don't remember finding any of the vocabulary challenging, and I do remember seeing everything the characters did clearly in my mind. Beagle is very good at getting an image and idea across. It's the kind of book that you watch, not read. When I read it, I felt the story was complete, and I didn't really wonder what had happened to the characters afterwards; I knew they all had their lives to lead. I just found out there's a sequel to the book, and that the movie was screened in NYC a few weeks ago. This is exciting news, he is also getting ready to publish six short stories about the characters. I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on it.
My copy of the book is a PDF. I'm not sure where I found it, or if I just googled "The Last Unicorn PDF" (it comes up in the google search suggestions). It's rather small, because I think it was actually taken from the book, and scanned, so you either have to not mind fine print, tilt your e-reader to the side, or blow up each page and let it move around a bit (which annoys me to no end). But other than it being kind of finely written, I don't have any complaints about my copy-- no typos or anything like that. It was good money.
I'm so happy that I was going through my Kindle and I saw that I hadn't done a review for this, because this book really deserves it. It is beautiful, and endearing, and the characters are ones taht your heart goes out to, especially the unicorn. I suggest this book to anyone that really enjoys fantasy literature.
I was going through my Kindle, trying to decide what I should read next, when I came across a very good book that I read, and I hadn't written a review on. That book is The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle (his website is currently down). Now, I read this book a few months ago, but I have to say that it has a style that had influenced at least one of my stories. I didn't realize that I was being influenced until just now when I read the title, and put two and two together.
The Last Unicorn is the story about a unicorn who believes that believes she is the last of her kind, and goes on a quest to seek her others. That is the basic gist of the story, and I'm giving it generally, because I don't want to give anything away. This is a fantasy book/ children's chapter book. It is beautifully written, and so tragically sad. I'm cynical and I have a rather icy heart, but the opening page made me "aww" for the character. There are four main characters in the book, and the adventure they go on is one whose path I couldn't predict: something I always enjoy. I'm so tempted to give a summary, but I'm not going to... I refuse to go down that path!
This particular story is good for someone who has a middle school or higher reading level. It's not difficult at all, and even someone that doesn't necessarily like reading, as long as they like a good fantasy story, would enjoy this. I don't remember finding any of the vocabulary challenging, and I do remember seeing everything the characters did clearly in my mind. Beagle is very good at getting an image and idea across. It's the kind of book that you watch, not read. When I read it, I felt the story was complete, and I didn't really wonder what had happened to the characters afterwards; I knew they all had their lives to lead. I just found out there's a sequel to the book, and that the movie was screened in NYC a few weeks ago. This is exciting news, he is also getting ready to publish six short stories about the characters. I can't wait to get my grubby little paws on it.
My copy of the book is a PDF. I'm not sure where I found it, or if I just googled "The Last Unicorn PDF" (it comes up in the google search suggestions). It's rather small, because I think it was actually taken from the book, and scanned, so you either have to not mind fine print, tilt your e-reader to the side, or blow up each page and let it move around a bit (which annoys me to no end). But other than it being kind of finely written, I don't have any complaints about my copy-- no typos or anything like that. It was good money.
I'm so happy that I was going through my Kindle and I saw that I hadn't done a review for this, because this book really deserves it. It is beautiful, and endearing, and the characters are ones taht your heart goes out to, especially the unicorn. I suggest this book to anyone that really enjoys fantasy literature.
Books I Can't Complete
I don't think I've ever seen a list like this online before, so I might as well be the person that starts it. I've read... I don't know how many books in my life. Some of them are nothing more than shards by now, while others stick out in almost their entirety. Some of the books that stick out the most for me, are books that I just can't get in to. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with these books--they just don't do it for me. There are multiple reasons why a book can be on this list, but for each one, I will give the reason. They're not listed in any particular order, just as they come to me.
1. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Now... I've had this book on my Kindle since I first got my Kindle--it was one of my first downloads. It has a trifecta of things I love reading: slavery, drama, and a female writer. What more could I ask for? I could ask for a book in which the mullatto and quadroon characters aren't seen as something super amazing special magnificent. Just the Stowe describes Eliza and her son is enough for me to feel true disgust. Their exotic beauty, large ringlet curls, or the slight hint of cinnamon on the cheeks... it makes me want to puke. I just quickly scanned Wikipedia, wanting to do a bit of research so I don't misname characters, and I read a spoiler that makes me want to read the book... if only I could get past the descriptions. This is a blog about writing, not about my personal opinion of pop culture, but the idolatry (especially in the Black community) of people that are "light, bright, and damned near white" disturbs me; I'm not even going to go in to the bleaching and plastic surgery to change for a more European (or creepy as it usually turns out) features. I've gotten as far in to the book as the basic description of Uncle Tom (who isn't a sellout character, as his name has become synonymous with), but I couldn't go any further. I don't like the idea of the characters ethnicities being a primary factor to their noodle use, even if there is some awesome feminist themes, and martyrdom themes. I can't get past that initial part. If ever I do read it, and make it all the way through, I will definitely put up a post about it. But as of right now, I don't see that happening.
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Considering how many of the short stories I write tread (frantically thrash and splash) the same waters as Nabokov, I thought this book was going to be epic. I actually quite a bit, far more than Uncle Tom's Cabin. But I have a few big issues that cause altogether too much tooth sucking, sighs and rolled eyes. The first is the protagonist Humbert Humbert. He's described as a hot dude, and he likes nymphets (pubescent females that are still more girl than woman. I have an entire post idea about them planned). He falls for Lolita, and marries her mother. I should probably have more disgust at the fact that he likes young girls, but my biggest issue with him is that he is a stupid punk. He has everything necessary to make Lolita his from Jump Street, but he doesn't utilize it. He instead prefers being a creeper and pining after her from afar, and licking her eyeball, and masturbating to her. Another thing that annoys me, that I found out halfway in to reading the story, was that Nabokov was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's poem "Annabel Lee". That is one of my FAVORITE poems by Poe, and I was offended that he assumed the narrator of the poem would end up a pathetic schmuk like this bastard. The poem clearly states that the protagonist is so grief stricken that he sleeps each night in her tomb. Poe doesn't mention anything about the dude ending up a perv for younger girls. Both of those facts compounded just turned me off from the book, even though it is enjoyably written and most people would think it would be a favorite book.
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
I feel so terrible, after just reading the synopsis of this book, for putting it up here. But it is here nonetheless. I was supposed to read this book in English class in high school. Apparently it's an amazing book, and a classic of African literature in English. I just saw it as the most boringest thing on the face of Earth. This book literally put me to sleep, and I'm not being dramatic. Every time I would try to read this book, I would start yawning and get tired and start dozing. I'd never done it before, nor has it happened since. I think it was the writing style that did it for me, but I can't quite remember at this point in my life. I wish to everything I could, so that I would have a better review. Because I've just read such a good synopsis, if I get my hands on the book, I would most certainly read it, or try to read it. Maybe I just need to push myself through it, and not give in to the sleepiness. I know my teacher would be disappointed if he read this-- sorry, Michelson!
4. Behold a Pale Horse by Milton William Cooper
This is a book that came highly recommended by a friend of mine. She had just started reading it, and suggested that I read it as well, that it was a book that you had to be on the up about. It's a book about how the government is ready to start the New World Order any day now, and how people don't know what's going on around them, and that people don't know anything about the world around them, and the symbolism everywhere. If you're a person that enjoys reading about secret societies, the Illuminati, the Masons, and think that the government is out to get us, this book is right up your alley. I'm not into that stuff. Oh, there's also some alien stuff mentioned in there. I'm not into aliens either, unless it's like fantasy/science fiction. This book is mostly a bunch of government documents that Cooper does a fabulous job explaining to the common man, and him bringing up connections that conspiracy theorists would love. I made it maybe 25% through the book. It's literally just too much to chew, and he spend a lot of time going over the same facts multiple times, which gets really boring after a while. I'm not the person to want to read all of that. Granted, I need to learn more about politics and things of that nature, but I don't want to learn it with him. I'm the last person to care about Illuminati or things like that, so it was probably foolish of me to start it.
These are all the books I can think of off the top of my head. I'm not sure if there are more, but if there are, I will definitely write a part two
1. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Now... I've had this book on my Kindle since I first got my Kindle--it was one of my first downloads. It has a trifecta of things I love reading: slavery, drama, and a female writer. What more could I ask for? I could ask for a book in which the mullatto and quadroon characters aren't seen as something super amazing special magnificent. Just the Stowe describes Eliza and her son is enough for me to feel true disgust. Their exotic beauty, large ringlet curls, or the slight hint of cinnamon on the cheeks... it makes me want to puke. I just quickly scanned Wikipedia, wanting to do a bit of research so I don't misname characters, and I read a spoiler that makes me want to read the book... if only I could get past the descriptions. This is a blog about writing, not about my personal opinion of pop culture, but the idolatry (especially in the Black community) of people that are "light, bright, and damned near white" disturbs me; I'm not even going to go in to the bleaching and plastic surgery to change for a more European (or creepy as it usually turns out) features. I've gotten as far in to the book as the basic description of Uncle Tom (who isn't a sellout character, as his name has become synonymous with), but I couldn't go any further. I don't like the idea of the characters ethnicities being a primary factor to their noodle use, even if there is some awesome feminist themes, and martyrdom themes. I can't get past that initial part. If ever I do read it, and make it all the way through, I will definitely put up a post about it. But as of right now, I don't see that happening.
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Considering how many of the short stories I write tread (frantically thrash and splash) the same waters as Nabokov, I thought this book was going to be epic. I actually quite a bit, far more than Uncle Tom's Cabin. But I have a few big issues that cause altogether too much tooth sucking, sighs and rolled eyes. The first is the protagonist Humbert Humbert. He's described as a hot dude, and he likes nymphets (pubescent females that are still more girl than woman. I have an entire post idea about them planned). He falls for Lolita, and marries her mother. I should probably have more disgust at the fact that he likes young girls, but my biggest issue with him is that he is a stupid punk. He has everything necessary to make Lolita his from Jump Street, but he doesn't utilize it. He instead prefers being a creeper and pining after her from afar, and licking her eyeball, and masturbating to her. Another thing that annoys me, that I found out halfway in to reading the story, was that Nabokov was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's poem "Annabel Lee". That is one of my FAVORITE poems by Poe, and I was offended that he assumed the narrator of the poem would end up a pathetic schmuk like this bastard. The poem clearly states that the protagonist is so grief stricken that he sleeps each night in her tomb. Poe doesn't mention anything about the dude ending up a perv for younger girls. Both of those facts compounded just turned me off from the book, even though it is enjoyably written and most people would think it would be a favorite book.
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
I feel so terrible, after just reading the synopsis of this book, for putting it up here. But it is here nonetheless. I was supposed to read this book in English class in high school. Apparently it's an amazing book, and a classic of African literature in English. I just saw it as the most boringest thing on the face of Earth. This book literally put me to sleep, and I'm not being dramatic. Every time I would try to read this book, I would start yawning and get tired and start dozing. I'd never done it before, nor has it happened since. I think it was the writing style that did it for me, but I can't quite remember at this point in my life. I wish to everything I could, so that I would have a better review. Because I've just read such a good synopsis, if I get my hands on the book, I would most certainly read it, or try to read it. Maybe I just need to push myself through it, and not give in to the sleepiness. I know my teacher would be disappointed if he read this-- sorry, Michelson!
4. Behold a Pale Horse by Milton William Cooper
This is a book that came highly recommended by a friend of mine. She had just started reading it, and suggested that I read it as well, that it was a book that you had to be on the up about. It's a book about how the government is ready to start the New World Order any day now, and how people don't know what's going on around them, and that people don't know anything about the world around them, and the symbolism everywhere. If you're a person that enjoys reading about secret societies, the Illuminati, the Masons, and think that the government is out to get us, this book is right up your alley. I'm not into that stuff. Oh, there's also some alien stuff mentioned in there. I'm not into aliens either, unless it's like fantasy/science fiction. This book is mostly a bunch of government documents that Cooper does a fabulous job explaining to the common man, and him bringing up connections that conspiracy theorists would love. I made it maybe 25% through the book. It's literally just too much to chew, and he spend a lot of time going over the same facts multiple times, which gets really boring after a while. I'm not the person to want to read all of that. Granted, I need to learn more about politics and things of that nature, but I don't want to learn it with him. I'm the last person to care about Illuminati or things like that, so it was probably foolish of me to start it.
These are all the books I can think of off the top of my head. I'm not sure if there are more, but if there are, I will definitely write a part two
Black Beauty Review
I don't know if I've mentioned it in previous blog posts, but I love animals. Seriously, I take animals over humans any day of the week. That's probably the reason my review of the book is going to be biased.
Black Beauty is the only published novel by writer Anna Sewell. According to Wikipedia (whose information can only be trusted so much), she originally wrote the book for people that work with horses. It's become most famous as a book for children.
I first came in to contact with the book Black Beauty because of a typing program that was on my computer when I was younger. One of the test passages was when Beauty is describing his appearance, starting with "I was now beginning to grow handsome..." that is the only part I had really read up until downloading it. That's not to say that I didn't see it in my elementary school--I did, and I tried to read it a few times but I just never made it past the first few pages. I'm not quite sure why. Anyway, it was downloadable to my Kindle, and I finally made my way through.
The book is a biography of a finely bred horse named Black Beauty, from when he was a foal, all the way through to old age. His life starts off rather charmed, but there were years when it was very hard. He also meets other horses, and learns of their life stories. I have to tell you, this book will give you a mega dose of the feels. I cried a quite a few parts when the horses were describing some of the hardships that they had went through. There were animals, like a particular mare named Ginger, who had grown up without knowing human kindness. It hurts me to think that any animal can have such a hard life, although I know it still happens today (hello, I live in New York City--we still have carriage rides that can be taken) to a lesser extent.
Apparently when the book came out, it brought a lot of awareness to the plight that cab horses in London were going through. Not only that, it also criticized people that did things to their horses for the sake of fashion, like bearing reins. From the (minimal) research that I've done, there are situations where the rein is still used, but for shows, and not to the extreme of making the horse look "proud" and hold their head tall. Horses lean their heads forward when doing things to help disperse the weight evenly.
Black Beauty is the only published novel by writer Anna Sewell. According to Wikipedia (whose information can only be trusted so much), she originally wrote the book for people that work with horses. It's become most famous as a book for children.
I first came in to contact with the book Black Beauty because of a typing program that was on my computer when I was younger. One of the test passages was when Beauty is describing his appearance, starting with "I was now beginning to grow handsome..." that is the only part I had really read up until downloading it. That's not to say that I didn't see it in my elementary school--I did, and I tried to read it a few times but I just never made it past the first few pages. I'm not quite sure why. Anyway, it was downloadable to my Kindle, and I finally made my way through.
The book is a biography of a finely bred horse named Black Beauty, from when he was a foal, all the way through to old age. His life starts off rather charmed, but there were years when it was very hard. He also meets other horses, and learns of their life stories. I have to tell you, this book will give you a mega dose of the feels. I cried a quite a few parts when the horses were describing some of the hardships that they had went through. There were animals, like a particular mare named Ginger, who had grown up without knowing human kindness. It hurts me to think that any animal can have such a hard life, although I know it still happens today (hello, I live in New York City--we still have carriage rides that can be taken) to a lesser extent.
Apparently when the book came out, it brought a lot of awareness to the plight that cab horses in London were going through. Not only that, it also criticized people that did things to their horses for the sake of fashion, like bearing reins. From the (minimal) research that I've done, there are situations where the rein is still used, but for shows, and not to the extreme of making the horse look "proud" and hold their head tall. Horses lean their heads forward when doing things to help disperse the weight evenly.
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"Proudly" unable to move their necks |
That just looks lovely, doesn't it...? The thing that makes Beauty's story so special is that he doesn't just have cushy homes, he changes hands, and owners, experiencing the full spectrum of humanity. And above all else, he does his best to stay a sweet, kind, gentle horse. Even through the bad times, he doesn't allow it to change his disposition, always taking his mother's advice. Once again, a dose of the feels.
The copy that I had was a digital download from Kindle, for free. It doesn't have any pictures, but it is a very nice text copy, and most of the archaic or European words/phrases have a definition in my dictionary, and the ones that I couldn't look up, or needed a visual reference for, were easily found via web search. Whilst on the subject of vocabulary; this is not at all a difficult book. If you're reading it to a younger audience, you will have to define some of the words, and some picture references will be appropriate, but it should be easily digestible, although some parts will get their emotions going. If this is for a younger audience, and you're reading a paper copy, I do suggest having the internet near by, just for some pictures, especially if the young person isn't equine savvy. If they are, it might not be necessary. If you're older, you still might want to do some research, although if you're anything like me, a little research can lead to an hour of reading about diseases of horse hooves.
I suggest this book to anyone that likes animals, nice descriptions, history, and autobiographies. This is a very lovely book, and I'm happy to have read it.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
What I've Been Up To
The first thing I have to say is "Wow!" I can't believe I've actually reached 1000 views on my blog. I know that's nothing when really compared to the rest of the interweb, but for me, this is super amazing. I hate that I didn't reach it earlier; I probably would have if I was writing on here the way that I should.
It's not that I haven't been reading or writing; I've done both (more of the former than the latter if I'm to be honest), but I haven't put anything up here. But never fear-- updates are on their way. I have book reviews, maybe some fiction, and general writing updates.
I have not forgotten about here, I'm just trying to think of what to put up here. But I will be back here, doing what I should.
It's not that I haven't been reading or writing; I've done both (more of the former than the latter if I'm to be honest), but I haven't put anything up here. But never fear-- updates are on their way. I have book reviews, maybe some fiction, and general writing updates.
I have not forgotten about here, I'm just trying to think of what to put up here. But I will be back here, doing what I should.
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