| Wednesday, April 8, 2009 |
| Top Ten Books |
Another list! These are the best books I've read in the past one to two years. I know the audience of four readers is brimming with excitement.
These rankings are subject to change, as always.
10. The Green Mile-Stephen King
King's mastery of dark, miserable setting is fully exemplified in The Green Mile. The nature of sacrifice, societal pressure, and justice are all questioned and explored. It's a fascinating glimpse into the day to day life of those on death row. It details the double-sided reaction to every great person.
9. The Count of Monte Cristo (Abridged)-Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo is the definitive revenge novel. Those that enjoy watching one man destroy the lives of many, look no further. Ultimately though, Dumas proves that no man is righteous or powerful enough to control his fate--or another's, in the Count's case.
8. His Dark Materials-Philip Pullman
Ok, I cheated, this is a series. A great one, though. Pullman's stunning, parallel-universed fantasy is perhaps the most controversial work in the past two decades. Even if you disagree with Pullman's opinions (which I do, mostly), it's still a fascinating and spellbinding read.
7. The Old Man and the Sea-Ernest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea is generally regarded as the pinnacle of modern-era prose. Hemingway's concrete imagery and, as always, stellar dialogue distinguish his style from any other author's. The endless struggle for victory and the inevitablity of defeat are flawlessly compared and intertwined. A must read.
6. Of Mice and Men-John Steinbeck
Of Mice and Men is the story of two laborers' pursuit of the American dream in California. United by friendship and a common ambition, Lennie (a mentally retarded man) and George (Lennie's only friend and caretaker) work to own a farm. The ending is brilliant and sad. That's all I'll say about it.
5. A Thousand Splendid Suns-Khaled Hosseini
A nice break from American classics in the list here. Hosseni's greatly ambitious project of narrating from two Afghani women's perspective is marvelously done. He is the most emotionally manipulative author I've read. A Thousand Splendid Suns offers hope to all those estranged in the travesty that is modern-day Afghanistan.
4. The Catcher in the Rye-J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye is hilarious, depressing, and profound at the same time. Salinger's narration and authorial voice are utterly unique. It is a perfect rendition of the disillusionment and resulting all-encompassing cynicism that comes with maturation.
3. The Great Gatsby-F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby is the American novel. Aspiration, the quest for wealth and happiness, the pursuit of the American dream--it's all here. Fitzgerald's masterpiece is nearly flawless. I love it.
2. The Crucibile-Arthur Miller
The Crucible is actually a play. It is Arthur Miller's stab at a Communist witchhunting America in the 1940s. It is a mesmerizing look into redemption, self-righteousness, greed, hypocrisy, and the connotations of being a hero. The climax is my favorite of any that I've read.
1. East of Eden-John Steinbeck
East of Eden is a spectacular retelling of the first two chapters of Genesis. The battle of good vs. evil in all people, the results of rejection, and the redemptive power of love are all explored. A true thinking-man's novel. (On a side note, Steinbeck creates one of the greatest villains in literature with Kate.) |
posted by Sailing Hippos @ 8:56 PM  |
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| About The Hippos |
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Sailing Hippos
Louisville, Ky, United States
Marina-
Marina is kinda cool, it depends on if she is talking or not. She likes writing, and is really good at it, especially poetry. She sees people's auras, which is pretty awesome. However, don't piss her off, because then she can put a Bosnian curse on you. She also plays soccer, and is going pro at some point in her life.
Ben-
Ben is the runt of the Hippos. He's often picked on and abused by his "larger" siblings. He is amazing at everything he does, besides being nice, because he is an arrogant son of a hippo. He has an unquenchable thirst for water, which is good, because we live in water. He doesn't know how to put on eyeliner, but it doesn't matter...because he's a guy. We hope.
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