http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/book/howards-end-by-em-forster - this is a link to a free audiobook version if you are interested.
Nov 28, 2011
90. Howards End
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/book/howards-end-by-em-forster - this is a link to a free audiobook version if you are interested.
Jul 31, 2011
Final Thoughts on "The Rainbow"
I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait to read the sequel. Ursula was my favorite character (not just because she was a teacher). I liked the fact that she saw the destructive cycle that her parents were in and wanted to change it. I kept thinking up until the very end that she would end up marrying Skrebensky (who I think is 10 years her senior- not sure about that). Luckily for the two of them there was no such union- it would have been a disaster. It already was.
I think you were right when you talked about how Lawrence describes the colors of everything- quite a few times I noticed his vibrant explanations and words. I'm not sure what to make of the passage about the child walking in the fire. You are probably right, some foreshadowing or possibly a biblical reference that I am unaware of.
I tell you what the book was not missing- sex. Everyone was with everybody and the like, there were no borders or boundaries to who was attracted to who. I think it is the first book on our list that included a homosexual encounter. I thought the sex was a little overdone, but unfortunately our lives are dictated by our physical attractions- so Lawrence couldn't have wrote about life without it.
All done, looking forward to the next one!
I think you were right when you talked about how Lawrence describes the colors of everything- quite a few times I noticed his vibrant explanations and words. I'm not sure what to make of the passage about the child walking in the fire. You are probably right, some foreshadowing or possibly a biblical reference that I am unaware of.
I tell you what the book was not missing- sex. Everyone was with everybody and the like, there were no borders or boundaries to who was attracted to who. I think it is the first book on our list that included a homosexual encounter. I thought the sex was a little overdone, but unfortunately our lives are dictated by our physical attractions- so Lawrence couldn't have wrote about life without it.
All done, looking forward to the next one!
Jul 24, 2011
Denise Johnson Would Like to Share a Passage with You.
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Jul 3, 2011
Over half way done now too...
I have been able to get into this book more than a few that have been on our list. Yes, it is actually the first one I am reading vs. listening to. Although I did happen to find a free audiobook version, let's just say that not everyone has the voice talent that others may have.
My favorite character has been Tom Brangwen. He seemed like such a truly likable person, genuine in his heart. When we talked about the book at the party, thank you for not revealing his tragic demise.
The hostility that Anna has towards Will's love is of the church has to be difficult for him to deal with. Right after she had given birth to Ursula, "the rainbow" was described as something she was journeying to. I didn't catch it at first but I had marked the page because of a difficult passage that I wanted to make note of. What did you make of this passage? "The child she might hold up, she might toss the child forward into the furnace, the child might walk there amid the burning coals and the incandescent roar of the heat, as the three witnesses walked with the angel in the fire." Do you think it is some kind of foreshadowing about Ursula's life?
I was very disappointed that Will was trying to seduce that woman that he met. The description of the seduction was like a game of cat and mouse. The whole thing is such a manipulation. It sadly reminded me of all of the crap that guys tried to pull back in my younger days, I guess it hit a note.
Anna is just a baby making machine! How would it be to be able to bring someone in to do the cleaning so you can just look after the children? When are they the finding time, energy and privacy to be intimate?
Did you notice in the chapter first love with Skrebrensky, that the author took the time to describe the colors of their surroundings. It was as if he were painting the picture and bringing it to life with the colors. Looking back through the book, I did notice this in other parts too. I was confused during this part however. Did they take off during the wedding and go to the barge? What did that whole thing mean? Her giving her necklace to the baby and the couple naming their baby Ursula, it was interesting but a little strange too.
Now I am not a prude in any way but I think that whole situation with her older teacher came out of nowhere, I never saw it coming until it was boom! right there. Her parents must have too many children to supervise because I am not sure I would have let my daughter go away with her teacher. Also, how much older is Skrebensky? They sure were able to find plenty of time to be alone together, as a parent of a 16 year old I think it would be wise to limit the opportunity to get into trouble, especially back when the story was written because of pregnancy since I don't think they had birth control. I know Ursula and Skrebensky were "lovers" and "intimate" but does that automatically equate to sex? It must be because I just had a baby that pregnancy prevention is one of the things that comes to mind for me.
I feel like Ursula's Uncle Tom has a feminine side and that the author is alluding to him being gay. It could be because I just finished the section dealing with the tryst with her teacher and am reading too much into it.
Looking forward to finishing! Thanks for being patient with me.
My favorite character has been Tom Brangwen. He seemed like such a truly likable person, genuine in his heart. When we talked about the book at the party, thank you for not revealing his tragic demise.
The hostility that Anna has towards Will's love is of the church has to be difficult for him to deal with. Right after she had given birth to Ursula, "the rainbow" was described as something she was journeying to. I didn't catch it at first but I had marked the page because of a difficult passage that I wanted to make note of. What did you make of this passage? "The child she might hold up, she might toss the child forward into the furnace, the child might walk there amid the burning coals and the incandescent roar of the heat, as the three witnesses walked with the angel in the fire." Do you think it is some kind of foreshadowing about Ursula's life?
I was very disappointed that Will was trying to seduce that woman that he met. The description of the seduction was like a game of cat and mouse. The whole thing is such a manipulation. It sadly reminded me of all of the crap that guys tried to pull back in my younger days, I guess it hit a note.
Anna is just a baby making machine! How would it be to be able to bring someone in to do the cleaning so you can just look after the children? When are they the finding time, energy and privacy to be intimate?
Did you notice in the chapter first love with Skrebrensky, that the author took the time to describe the colors of their surroundings. It was as if he were painting the picture and bringing it to life with the colors. Looking back through the book, I did notice this in other parts too. I was confused during this part however. Did they take off during the wedding and go to the barge? What did that whole thing mean? Her giving her necklace to the baby and the couple naming their baby Ursula, it was interesting but a little strange too.
Now I am not a prude in any way but I think that whole situation with her older teacher came out of nowhere, I never saw it coming until it was boom! right there. Her parents must have too many children to supervise because I am not sure I would have let my daughter go away with her teacher. Also, how much older is Skrebensky? They sure were able to find plenty of time to be alone together, as a parent of a 16 year old I think it would be wise to limit the opportunity to get into trouble, especially back when the story was written because of pregnancy since I don't think they had birth control. I know Ursula and Skrebensky were "lovers" and "intimate" but does that automatically equate to sex? It must be because I just had a baby that pregnancy prevention is one of the things that comes to mind for me.
I feel like Ursula's Uncle Tom has a feminine side and that the author is alluding to him being gay. It could be because I just finished the section dealing with the tryst with her teacher and am reading too much into it.
Looking forward to finishing! Thanks for being patient with me.
Jun 24, 2011
1/2 Way Through...
*Spoiler Alert*
I was a bit surprised that this book was baned for some time in England. After reading it- I understood. The sexual tension and innuendos are alive in this story! I love it. Honestly this is my favorite book so far (of the eight that we have read); I can't put it down.
There is a reality to the way marriage is portrayed, even though I don't think so deeply about how much my husband pulls me down or lifts me up- there is definitely a continuous power struggle. I like the way he includes not only the female or the male version of what is going, but both sides and what goes on in their hearts and minds when they argue or make love.
We all know how dysfunction breeds more dysfunction (a little too much sometimes), however this tale incorporates that rule perfectly. It is almost as if the children are oblivious to the fact that their parents are struggling with each other and yet they end up in the almost exact same spot with their spouse, because this is what they know subconsciously. It is sad really when you come to the moment when Ursula realizes her first love- you know what is around the corner and the battle she will have to fight. She doesn't even stand a chance, especially when her father treats her so poorly!
At one time I did like Will and felt almost sympathy for him, but he turned to a dark spot literally and doesn't see that his little girl is screaming for attention from him, when all he doles out is criticism and abuse. How could they have so many children? Neither one of them is mature enough for parenting. I do like Ursula though, she seems like a thinker and a giver.
I can't wait to find out how this story ends...
I was a bit surprised that this book was baned for some time in England. After reading it- I understood. The sexual tension and innuendos are alive in this story! I love it. Honestly this is my favorite book so far (of the eight that we have read); I can't put it down.
There is a reality to the way marriage is portrayed, even though I don't think so deeply about how much my husband pulls me down or lifts me up- there is definitely a continuous power struggle. I like the way he includes not only the female or the male version of what is going, but both sides and what goes on in their hearts and minds when they argue or make love.
We all know how dysfunction breeds more dysfunction (a little too much sometimes), however this tale incorporates that rule perfectly. It is almost as if the children are oblivious to the fact that their parents are struggling with each other and yet they end up in the almost exact same spot with their spouse, because this is what they know subconsciously. It is sad really when you come to the moment when Ursula realizes her first love- you know what is around the corner and the battle she will have to fight. She doesn't even stand a chance, especially when her father treats her so poorly!
At one time I did like Will and felt almost sympathy for him, but he turned to a dark spot literally and doesn't see that his little girl is screaming for attention from him, when all he doles out is criticism and abuse. How could they have so many children? Neither one of them is mature enough for parenting. I do like Ursula though, she seems like a thinker and a giver.
I can't wait to find out how this story ends...
Jun 15, 2011
Jun 14, 2011
Finished at last...
Once I got back into the story, the book was surprisingly interesting to follow. I still can say I am not entirely clear on some of the minor characters and what their roles were in the plot or if they were just fluff and filler. I have had to go read Sparknotes to tie some of the story back together. I took the test just for fun and got a 76%, obviously there are still holes in my understanding of the story.
I was not exactly comfortable with the idea of Esther marrying her guardian, it just seemed a little creepy to me. It was refreshing to see how generous Mr. Jaryndce was in providing Esther and Mr. Woodcourt with their own version of Bleak House. Esther had been acting as a little mother to everyone, so it seemed a proper ending for her to have her own children. That Mr. Guppy was a funny little fellow, strange little man he was. Marry me, oh wait, never mind, oh marry me again?
Poor Ada! It is unfortunate for her that Richard passed away leaving her a young widow, what a waste of his life chasing the lure of money in the lawsuit. She is lucky that Mr. Jaryndyce is willing to take her in to support her and her child.
The whole estate being eaten up in costs and the suit ending because of it seemed like a tragedy unto itself. It was not a surprise to me however because costs were mentioned quite often. I didn't expect the lawsuit would end well, but I thought that there would have been a decision made.
Mr. Skimpole did not fail to disappoint me, I never liked that he lived on everyone else's dime and when times got tough he abandoned them, a real fair-weather friend.
Caddy's situation ended mixed for me. I was happy to learn that they ended up getting their own home but it was sad to learn of her child being deaf and dumb. It didn't sound like her mother ever ended up tending to her children but found another cause to support, too bad her family was so neglected!
So glad we are done with Dickens for a while. I am looking forward to getting back on a reading schedule, I have time to read when I am feeding the baby. I read aloud to her so hopefully this will help build her vocabulary while entertaining her too.
I was not exactly comfortable with the idea of Esther marrying her guardian, it just seemed a little creepy to me. It was refreshing to see how generous Mr. Jaryndce was in providing Esther and Mr. Woodcourt with their own version of Bleak House. Esther had been acting as a little mother to everyone, so it seemed a proper ending for her to have her own children. That Mr. Guppy was a funny little fellow, strange little man he was. Marry me, oh wait, never mind, oh marry me again?
Poor Ada! It is unfortunate for her that Richard passed away leaving her a young widow, what a waste of his life chasing the lure of money in the lawsuit. She is lucky that Mr. Jaryndyce is willing to take her in to support her and her child.
The whole estate being eaten up in costs and the suit ending because of it seemed like a tragedy unto itself. It was not a surprise to me however because costs were mentioned quite often. I didn't expect the lawsuit would end well, but I thought that there would have been a decision made.
Mr. Skimpole did not fail to disappoint me, I never liked that he lived on everyone else's dime and when times got tough he abandoned them, a real fair-weather friend.
Caddy's situation ended mixed for me. I was happy to learn that they ended up getting their own home but it was sad to learn of her child being deaf and dumb. It didn't sound like her mother ever ended up tending to her children but found another cause to support, too bad her family was so neglected!
So glad we are done with Dickens for a while. I am looking forward to getting back on a reading schedule, I have time to read when I am feeding the baby. I read aloud to her so hopefully this will help build her vocabulary while entertaining her too.
Jan 7, 2011
Up to Chapter 44
Here it is, I took a huge hole out of my reading during the holiday break. I started reading and couldn't put it down- especially when I found out Lady Dedlock's little secret. Esther is such a good girl (who in their right mind would agree not to talk to their mother just for the sake of her marriage?) Am I that selfish to think that Esther deserves a lot better than some rich spoiled woman as her idol? I feel hearthache for the loss she suffered because of the smallpox. Mr. Guppy is less than desirable- I am glad she denied his advances.
Richard is gone, he is too caught up in trying to find "himself" that he lost what was really important- his family. Another sad case of work becoming a higher priority. There is something endearing, however, about how devoted Ada is to Richard even through all his trials. To me his character represents a fair amount of young men (and women) who are thrown into real life without really knowing themselves first. It is a lot harder to discover things about yourself when you are also trying to establish yourself in society.
Mr. Jarndyce is an interesting old man, I foresee some difficult choices in the near future...
Why can't I know someone who would give me their "country" house for months with servants and every amenity just to relax and recuperate? Sigh.
I like the book, but I will be happy when I am done reading it!
Richard is gone, he is too caught up in trying to find "himself" that he lost what was really important- his family. Another sad case of work becoming a higher priority. There is something endearing, however, about how devoted Ada is to Richard even through all his trials. To me his character represents a fair amount of young men (and women) who are thrown into real life without really knowing themselves first. It is a lot harder to discover things about yourself when you are also trying to establish yourself in society.
Mr. Jarndyce is an interesting old man, I foresee some difficult choices in the near future...
Why can't I know someone who would give me their "country" house for months with servants and every amenity just to relax and recuperate? Sigh.
I like the book, but I will be happy when I am done reading it!
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