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theatokosI have been reading a lot lately. Only mostly for school. Much of that so far is boring overviews of the theological debates in the middle ages regarding Mary's immaculate conception. I say, lose the idea of Original Sin and you're home free. But nobody asked me...
I finally finished Dracula. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the mild melodrama, sometimes stilted but "noble" characters, and the general weakness of the women, I have a soft spot for the 19th century novel. I adored Anna Karenina and Les Miserables. Dickens is hit and miss. I did not much like The Brothers Karamazov, though it certainly wasn't a waste of my time. There's just something so delicious about the 19th century novel, I can't really put my finger on it, but I enjoy getting lost in beautiful language and moral dilemma.
In addition to this, Dracula is written in epistolary style, all letters and journal entries. I am a fan of this style. When done well it can contribute to stronger character voice and help propel suspense. (An excellent example of this is Les Liaisons Dangereuses.) The only drawback is that in Dracula one must suspend disbelief that the characters have such a detail oriented mind and can remember dialog verbatim. But I was happy to oblige Stoker in this.
One thing I will praise Stoker for above other 19th century authors is his strong female character: Mina Harker. There is of course the general gendered claptrap. The women are praised for being pure and virtuous, loyal and gentle - blah blah blah. But! Mina is also praised for being smart, resourceful and brave, and she is essential to the outcome of the plot. A triumph for a woman in this genre!
I have now turned my attentions to something a little less demanding of my time and brain: Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. Thanks to Ms. Em, who left the entire Bond series with me, I have found new mind candy. I had originally picked up Dibdin's Cabal, thinking to try something from the Vintage/Black Lizard crime genre, but the writing was so mediocre and formulaic that I couldn't get through the first chapter. Thankfully, Fleming's writing is fresh, witty and engaging! His Bond bears little resemblance to the characters I have come to love (begrudgingly), but the misogyny is still there! And the cars. Good fun.
I finally finished Dracula. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Despite the mild melodrama, sometimes stilted but "noble" characters, and the general weakness of the women, I have a soft spot for the 19th century novel. I adored Anna Karenina and Les Miserables. Dickens is hit and miss. I did not much like The Brothers Karamazov, though it certainly wasn't a waste of my time. There's just something so delicious about the 19th century novel, I can't really put my finger on it, but I enjoy getting lost in beautiful language and moral dilemma.
In addition to this, Dracula is written in epistolary style, all letters and journal entries. I am a fan of this style. When done well it can contribute to stronger character voice and help propel suspense. (An excellent example of this is Les Liaisons Dangereuses.) The only drawback is that in Dracula one must suspend disbelief that the characters have such a detail oriented mind and can remember dialog verbatim. But I was happy to oblige Stoker in this.
One thing I will praise Stoker for above other 19th century authors is his strong female character: Mina Harker. There is of course the general gendered claptrap. The women are praised for being pure and virtuous, loyal and gentle - blah blah blah. But! Mina is also praised for being smart, resourceful and brave, and she is essential to the outcome of the plot. A triumph for a woman in this genre!
I have now turned my attentions to something a little less demanding of my time and brain: Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. Thanks to Ms. Em, who left the entire Bond series with me, I have found new mind candy. I had originally picked up Dibdin's Cabal, thinking to try something from the Vintage/Black Lizard crime genre, but the writing was so mediocre and formulaic that I couldn't get through the first chapter. Thankfully, Fleming's writing is fresh, witty and engaging! His Bond bears little resemblance to the characters I have come to love (begrudgingly), but the misogyny is still there! And the cars. Good fun.