Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren @ Lauren’s Page Turners. To participate,
choose a random book from your TBR and show it off! Don’t forget to link
back to Lauren’s Page Turners and link up to the inlinkz so others can see what you
picked!
The Song of Achilles is one of my all-time favourtie novels and since Cicre by Madeline Miller came out I've been yearning to put my hands on the book. This is my Goodreads Monday choice for the week:
In the house of Helios,
god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But
Circe has neither the look nor the voice of divinity, and is scorned and
rejected by her kin. Increasingly isolated, she turns to mortals for
companionship, leading her to discover a power forbidden to the gods:
witchcraft.
When love drives Circe to cast a dark spell, wrathful
Zeus banishes her to the remote island of Aiaia. There she learns to
harness her occult craft, drawing strength from nature. But she will not
always be alone; many are destined to pass through Circe's place of
exile, entwining their fates with hers. The messenger god, Hermes. The
craftsman, Daedalus. A ship bearing a golden fleece. And wily Odysseus,
on his epic voyage home.
There is danger for a solitary woman in
this world, and Circe's independence draws the wrath of men and gods
alike. To protect what she holds dear, Circe must decide whether she
belongs with the deities she is born from, or the mortals she has come
to love.
Have you read The Song of Achilles? Did you like it? Would you give Circe a try?
Mark Noland can’t figure
out how he got into such a fix. How does an ex-mercenary (okay, an
almost-reformed mercenary) get himself caught, stuck in a holding cell,
on a hostile alien planet? Held captive by strange bug-like creatures
who’d just as soon eat him as look at him. How can a simple mission go
so awry? To make matters worse, Noland’s not alone. His fellow prisoner,
a certain high-ranking, elite Stella officer holds him responsible for
their failed plan. Yeah, it was supposed to be a quick in and quick out
sort of mission. But no… Officer Gavnson just can’t let it go.
It’s
not so easy trying to plan an escape when Noland keeps getting
distracted by how his mission partner so very nicely fills out his
uniform. And he suspects Gavnson is hiding something, too. As tensions
run high, secrets are revealed that will change the both of them.
There’s nothing like gunfights and running for your life to make that
special bond.
I received a free ebook copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts:
I would give the first half of this novella a higher rating than I'd give the second half. I rarely come across a situation like this but here it is. The first part deserved three stars (pineapples) in my book, the second, one. The overall result: a sad two-star rating.
Noland and Officer Gavnson are shut up in a cell together. A mission went wrong and they both got caught by the Awoknain, nasty bug-like creatures who aren't famous for their hosptality. They have to plan their escape and define a not-so-clear relationship between the two of them.
The beginning was so much fun! What I expected. I liked Noland, he had a few tricks up his sleeve and he had an entertaining personlaity. He bought time for them coming up with an insane idea, they were also able to escape the cell because of his heroism.
The way out was exciting too: first they hid, then they fought their way through the bugs; at this point the book had all the potential to turn into a very decent Firefly-esque story. However, once they reached a spaceship that was fit to escape in, this sci-fi tale started to bleed from many wounds.
It was obvious while they were at the bug-base that something was not right with Gavnson. He wanted to sacrifice himself all the time, it seemed like he was eager to die. Noland started to ask him about the war they fought on the same side and what happened since, but Gavnson didn't open up easily.
He was also very willing (almost pushy) to engage in sexual activity with Noland who kept turning him away (even though he wanted him too... the bugs told them they have to mate and Noland thought Gavnson was only willing because he didn't want to be tortured, but it was so clear it wasn't the only reason).
The second half of the novella was a huge disappointment. Stuck on a spaceship with hours to spare Noland finally prodded Gavnson into telling him about his past and why he chose to come on the mission with Noland and his group.
The story we get is confusing and incoherent. Noland's fleeting presence in it doesn't really explain Gavnson's infatuation with him since they'd never actually talked or at least it is not clear if they've talked since the war or not. I found this part a bit muddy, past happenings were too vaguely described to give us a full explanation regarding Gavnson's motivations or his behaviour.
The writing takes a turn for the worse here too. It is repetitive and preachy. The subject they talk about is important but the converation is full of clichés, not to mention a talk like this is unlikely to occur between two persons who have started to get truly close to one another only a few hours ago.
Yet another unfavorable review from me, I know. At least I liked the beginning this time...
The Sunday post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It's a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things you have received.
This week went by very fast and relatively uneventful. The snow is melting at last which gives me hope that spring is knocking at our doors. I'd really love to go for more walks but only if it's not freezing cold outside.
My left eye was inflamed yesterday but luckily it got better fast (I dabbed at it with a cotton pad soaked in camomile tea – gosh, I hate the smell of camomile...). Now I'm allowed to strain my eyes again, yay! XD
I've finished one novel and one short story this week one of which I enjoyed, and one that wasn't very much to my liking. Reviews are on the way.
Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted byTynga's Reviews
that makes it possible to share with other bookworms what books you
added to your shelves – physical or virtual – during the week.
Mark Noland can’t figure
out how he got into such a fix. How does an ex-mercenary (okay, an
almost-reformed mercenary) get himself caught, stuck in a holding cell,
on a hostile alien planet? Held captive by strange bug-like creatures
who’d just as soon eat him as look at him. How can a simple mission go
so awry? To make matters worse, Noland’s not alone. His fellow prisoner,
a certain high-ranking, elite Stella officer holds him responsible for
their failed plan. Yeah, it was supposed to be a quick in and quick out
sort of mission. But no… Officer Gavnson just can’t let it go.
It’s
not so easy trying to plan an escape when Noland keeps getting
distracted by how his mission partner so very nicely fills out his
uniform. And he suspects Gavnson is hiding something, too. As tensions
run high, secrets are revealed that will change the both of them.
There’s nothing like gunfights and running for your life to make that
special bond.
It's a very short lgbtq sci-fi novella. My review will be up soon.
I also have something else to share with you: a book-related DVD I've purchased recently:
I've seen this Onegin film adaptation ages ago and loved it a lot. It
was around the time when in high school I had an Onegin phase and
couldn't shut up about Pushkin's novel. Now that I'm gonna meet Toby
Stephens in the summer at London Film and Comic Con, I've decided to revisit some
of his older projects and this film is among them (he plays Lensky in it). Can't wait to discover if I'll still rate this movie as high as I would have done 10 years ago.
How was your week? What books did you add to your library?
Book Beginnings: Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you
are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence,
impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
The Friday 56: Grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in you eReader. Find any sentence (not spoilery) and reflect on it if you want.
Keller Baye and Rebecca
Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love
with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a
very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.
This is the
story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North
Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish
Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can
anything save them when that happens?
Book Beginning:
They died, Rebecca Brown's mum and dad.
It's not exactly a sunny start. I already wish a happy ending for Rebecca Brown in this book. It should end on a happy note if this is how the beginning looks like.
The Friday 56:
Rebecca went completely crazy. Everything to hand was used: books, a plastic alarm clock, a tiny framed fishing boat picture on her bedside table, a biro stabbing at his white shirt, a snowglobe which made its mark on his cheekbone, pillows desperately and fists finally.
Whoever the guy is that got the beating I have a feeling he deserved it.
Hiding will be my first thriller in a long time. Somehow I haven't crossed ways with this genre in the last couple of months. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Would you give this book a shot?
Please leave your Friday links below so I can go and visit your blog to comment on your post.
I first discovered the National Theatre Live experience a few years ago when I watched Mary Shelley's Frankenstein directed by Danny Boyle, starring – surprise, surprise – Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. I was so mesmerized by it, not long after I bought another ticket to watch the same play again (Benedict and Jonny exchanged roles – Frankenstein/Creature – each night and this time I watched the other version).
Back then I had to take a train and travel two and a half hours to reach the venue, but it was worth it. Guess what? I watched Hamlet in my own city! NTLive is spreading all over Europe and that's great news! (For more info about NTLive go here: http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/)
I'd been meaning to watch Hamlet with Benedict Cumberbatch (or HamletBatch as some call it) for some time but could never make it for some reason or another. One time I even had the ticket for a screening in Budapest, but the person I would have gone with cancelled and something got in the way for me too.
When I saw there would be a screening in my little town, I was determined to be there. I went with my mum who, I'm happy to report, enjoyed it too despite the fact she doesn't speak English (there were subtitles which made it possible for her to delight in the performance too).
I've been a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch since the beginning of Sherlock, before the time he became truly famous. I love and respect him because not only is he a good actor, he is also a nice human being who has to this day remained very humble about all his achievements. He was one of the main attractions for me, I won't lie.
The other reason I was eager to go was the simple fact that I'm a Shakespeare geek and Hamlet is my favourite tragedy by the Bard. I practically grew up on Shakespeare plays. Let's just say I'm the 90's kid who knew who Kenneth Branagh was before the second Harry Potter film came out.
Now you know my reasons, let's see some of my highlights about the performance:
Hamlet
by William Shakespeare Dir.: Lyndsey Turner Venue: Barbican Theatre, London
Before we saw the actual play they showed us part of an interview with Benedict in which the interviewer asked him what he usually felt after the performance was over. His reply: 'I feel tired and hungry' (See the whole of said interview here). It's a very funny response and he himself couldn't help but smile at his own answer but the thing is, it's no wonder he felt hunger after each performance.
He basically didn't stop for a moment on stage: he ran around like a madman he feigned to be the whole time, shouting sentences, he climbed on tables, ran up and down staircases, you name it. He never stopped being on the move, which made the whole role physically challanging for him. Despite this he always held his act together, the man is an energy bomb.
The first thing that took my breath away was the set.
It looks like a proper film set, doesn't it? We are inside the castle in a great hall that serves as dining room in the beginning, office to discuss military matters later, a courtyard or the Queen's chamber. It is a wonderfully designed set, beautiful to look at and well utilized too. One of my favourite parts was when Hamlet, Horatio and the two gurads used the little passage on the top of the stares as if it were the battlement of the castle to look down at the ghost who stood below them.
'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.'
Marcellus, Act I Scene IV
In the second act they added only one thing to the picture: the ground was covered in rubbles. It symbolized the destruction of life and forecasted the tragedy at the end, how both youth and future would crumble into dust. To make the second act more foreboding they also dimmed the lights; this part was much darker altogether than the beginning. I liked the contrast they created.
'Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.'
Polonius, Act II Scene II
I approved of the balance they found between modern and old in the play. Since the set with the paintings and weaponry displayed on the walls satisfied my all-time yearning for 'old Shakespeare', I didn't mind all the modern details they hid along the way. (I rarely enjoy modernized Shakespeare I'm afraid, I guess it's a matter of taste.) Here old was mixed with new and so everyone could find something to their liking in it.
Actually sometimes modern silliness was compared with old value, which perked me up. For example when Hamlet compares the portraits of his father and Claudius, the object that holds Claudius's likeness is a cheesy plate (you know those plates you can buy in souvenir shops, that have the Royal family members painted on them...), while Hamlet's father is depicted on a painting that hangs on the wall. In this case our own present society's ditasteful and garish habits were riduculed and belittled in the light of the value of the past.
Other times modernity revealed a bright side; it became the source of humour (not the object of it). Like when Hamlet put on this jacket over his David Bowie T-shirt and was ready to be called the live embodiment of pop-culture, then turned around and we saw the following:
The rest of the time however, 20th century objects were used not to make us laugh, but to represent the characters' connection to the past; most objects held memories. In the beginning of the performance the music that Hamlet plays on the recorder helps him get into a nostalgic mood. While listening to music he looks at pictures of his late father. Ophelia carries a camera on her person every time she appears and the only thing that remains after her death is a chest full of photographs. During the plate/painting comparision I mentioned before, Hamlet recalls what a great man his father was and scolds her mother for fogetting this. The Dawid Bowie tribute above speaks for itself...
This game of old and new kept me entertained.
'Give him heedful note;
For I mine eyes will rivet to his face,
And after we will both our judgements join
In censure of his seeming.'
Hamlet to Horatio, Act III Scene II
The Mousetrap Scene in which Hamlet tricks his uncle into admitting his crime against Hamlet's late father was taken to another level. The actors started to play The Murder of Gonzago on a little stage set up for the royal party and first we saw only the backs of Caludius and the Queen. We only learned how they reacted to the play through Hamlet's remarks.
However, when the most important part came, the presentation of the murder itself, the actors moved off the small stage and put themselves between the royal party and the audience. The murder came off the stage, as it was commited in the reality of the play too. It was an ingenious decision of the director, just like the next step: it was Hamlet who poured the poison in the ear of the actor-father, which means for a moment he took on Claudius's role. Throughout the play he contemplates the idea of becoming a murderer himself and this was like a rehearsal of the act that was to come. Amazing choices and great execution, I say.
Hamlet: Ay, marry, why was he sent into England?
Gravedigger:Why, because he was mad: he shall recover his wits there; or, if he do not, it's no great matter there.
Hamlet:Why?
Gravedigger: 'Twill, a not be seen in him there; there the men are as mad as he.
Act V Scene I
You think Hamlet is a sad play? No, no, not all of it, at least; there is comedy in there, plentiful. The whole cinema was laughing at parts. Like when Hamlet stood on a table talking to Polonius and did the funny Monty Python walk. Or when the gravedigger casually started throwing skulls out of the grave as if they were baseballs. Shakespeare's incredible lines were only fuel to the fire.
'The time is out of joint; O crused spite, That ever I was born to set it right!'
Hamlet, Act I Scene V
Benedict was a very sensitive and emotional Hamlet. It suited him. He has this gesture where he brings his hands to his face: it's a simple act, yet it speaks volumes of one's emotional state. He used it many times to express desperation and grief. In Hamlet (well, in any other Shakespeare play, really) the protagonist has a social existance (in dialogues) and an inner existence (in monologues). Benedict's Hamlet was energetic when he was not alone and shared his thoughts with the audience with an high-burning, yet consciously controlled passion when he had the spotlight. I was with Hamlet through all his struggles and pains.
I was half happy half not with the rest of the casting choices. Leo Bill as Horatio just didn't work for me. I didn't feel the companionship between him and Hamlet, he was more of a buddy to him than a true friend and confidant. His 'costume' (plaid shirt and an ever-present backpack – he looked like he was about to move in or out of a college dormitory) also marked him as an outsider somehow. Sian Brooke's Ophelia didn't make a strong impression on me either unfortunately. Mad Ophelia was twitchy and fidgety. Her madness was significant, yet she was insignificant in her madness. I'd have preferred a bigger show of her insanity, instead I got a withdrawn creature who was almost apologetic in her gestures for uttering words of grief.
Ciarán Hinds' Claudius was very powerful. He had a collected presence on stage. Claudius was a commandig figure, conscious in his acts, never wavering. This is how I imagine Claudius, although perhaps he could have been a bit more evil in his speech, in his gestures to make himself a bit more unlikable.
I also liked the Queen, played by Anastasia Hille. Her empathetic and repentant Gertrude was spot on. The royal couple was good in general.
The ending was a bit rushed but that's something I can forgive. There is a lot of action packed in the last scene, things happen fast in the play too. I absolutely loved how the contrast of Laertes (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith) and Hamlet's skin signalled their different sides, but at the same time their companionship in revenge. Laertes and Hamlet are each other's equal, like chess pieces on two sides of the board. I'll go further, they are virtually the same person facing the same dilemma. Their forgiving each other before dying can be interpreted as Hamlet forgiving himself for committing murder.
That's it folks. Sorry for over-analyzing but as you can see I adored this version of Hamlet.
Actually, I'm planning to turn 'Words, words, words' into a series of posts (a LOT shorter posts, haha) in which I'll write about anything and everything Shakespeare (film adaptations, theatrical performances, character types or whatever I feel like writing about in connection with Shakespeare).
If you have a favourite Shakespeare play, adaptation etc. and you'd like to read my opinion about it, let me know and I'll make sure to write a post featuring it.
Also, I kinda wanted to write about the perks of watching an NTLiveproduction but this post was too long already and I decided not to include them. I might write a separate one with that topic, if you are interested.
What do you think? Would you be happy to read other posts like this?
'Tell Me Something Tuesday' is a weekly discussion post at Rainy Day Ramblings.
The question of the week is:
What books are you excited to share with your kids or younger readers in your life?
I don't have kids yet, but I'm lucky enough to have a brother who was born when I was 18. Basically I'm like a second mum to him, I've been there since the moment he was born.
He has only recently started to become interested in reading but to this day he rather reads together with someone than alone. I sit down with him quite often to read a few pages of a book out loud, then he takes over and we take turns like this until we read our fill. We have so much fun with this method!
He is ten, so he's reached the 'ripe' age when he can be intorduced to middle grade books. So far we have read the first three instalments in the Harry Potter series and we have started the first book in the Percy Jackson series a couple of weeks ago. I'm new to the Percy Jackson stories, the plot fascinates me as much as it does him.
I remember reading many adventures featuring Winnie the Pooh, sitting in a comfy chair in my grandmother's flat but of course the original was the best. That was around the time when I got my first library card and I think the first books I borrowed from the library included Winnie the Pooh tales. I would like to intorduce this sweet bear to my kids one day and vice versa.
The one and only. I read the sequel too, devoured both books and liked to pretend I can fly with an umbrella in my hand. I'd like to believe that if I'll have a daughter she'll be as in love with this story as I was once.
This is such a funny and witty series... I remember I wished for a cat like Mia's when I was knee-deep in these books. That cute creature on the cover is so precious.
This is a lesser known children's classic that is set in Africa. I will probably not give it to my children until they are a bit older (10-12 perhaps) because I remember I started to read it twice – first I couldn't get into it, I needed to mature a bit. Later I LOVED it though. It's about a pair of children who get lost in Africa; they get abducted, then they escape and try to find their way home. They make friends with animals and African children during their journey.
What would be your picks? Leave a comment and let me know!
Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren @ Lauren’s Page Turners. To participate,
choose a random book from your TBR and show it off! Don’t forget to link
back to Lauren’s Page Turners and link up to the inlinkz so others can see what you
picked!
I've never been much of a short story reader, however lately I've started to put some short story collections on my reading list because, you know, sometimes you gotta read outside your comfort zone. Let me show you one such collection that sounds especially promising to me.
Larkin
Mills is no ordinary town. It's a place of contradictions and enigma,
of secrets and mysteries. A place with an exquisite ice cream parlour,
and an awful lot of death.
An extraordinary mystery in Larkin
Mills is beginning to take shape. First we meet the apparently healthy
Albert Dance, although he's always been called a sickly child, and he's
been booked into Larkin Mills' Hospital for Specially Ill Children. Then
there's his neighbour Ivor, who observes strange goings-on, and begins
his own investigations into why his uncle disappeared all those years
ago. Next we meet Young Olive, who is given a battered accordion by her
father, and unwittingly strikes a dreadful deal with an instrument
repair man.
Make sure you keep an eye on Mr Morricone, the town
ice-cream seller, who has queues snaking around the block for his
legendary ice cream flavours Summer Fruits Suicide and The Christmas
Massacre. And Mr Milkwell, the undertaker, who has some very dodgy
secrets locked up in his hearse. Because if you can piece together what
all these strange folks have to do with one another... well, you'll
have begun to unlock the dark secrets that keep the little world of
Larkin Mills spinning ...
I have a rather strong suspicion this book was inspired by Wallace Stevens's poem called The Emperor of Ice-Cream.
Call the roller of big cigars, The muscular one, and bid him whip In kitchen cups concupiscent curds. Let the wenches dawdle in such dress As they are used to wear, and let the boys Bring flowers in last month’s newspapers. Let be be finale of seem. The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Take from the dresser of deal, Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet On which she embroidered fantails once And spread it so as to cover her face. If her horny feet protrude, they come To show how cold she is, and dumb. Let the lamp affix its beam. The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.
Do you often read short stories? If you can recommend me some good collections, go ahead, please.
