Review: The Little Prince

 Description:

The Little Prince is a classic of equal appeal to children and adults. On one level it is the story of an airman's discovery in the desert of a mall boy from another planet - the Little Prince of the title - and his stories of intergalactic travel, while on the other hand it is a thought-provoking allegory of the human condition. First published in 1943, the year before the author's death in action, this new translation contains Saint-Exupery's delightful illustrations.

Rating:

9

Review:

The Little Prince has been one of my favourite stories for a long time now. Full of childhood innocence and the consequences of leaving that innocence behind, it is a lovely story of a young prince and his responsibilities -or, if you'd rather, it is a tale of a man stranded in the desert who finds himself enamoured with the innocence of a small boy. The Little Prince speaks of his journeys across the galaxy, and of his dear flower. His meetings with all the pomp and circumstance of the lonely King; the Businessman that owned it all in his numbers; and a whole slew of other characters that both intrigue and frustrate by turns.

The reason I enjoy The Little Prince so much, I think, is because it's written with such care, so as to be easily understood by its younger readers, while holding a deeper meaning for those more mature. An interesting and highly delightful piece of literature.

Quote:

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” 

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

What's on my Shelves?

Review: To Kill a Mocking Bird, Harper Lee

Description:

"'Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'

Atticus Finch gives this advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this classic novel - a black man charged with attacking a white girl. Through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Lee explores the issues of race and class in the Deep South of the 1930's with compassion and humour. She also creates one of the great heroes of literature in their father, whose lone struggle for justice pricks the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice and hypocrisy." -Vintage Classics.

Rating:

8 ½

Review:

When I was in year 10, I had one of the best English teachers I can remember. There were so few teachers that I can speak of with anything even remotely close to admiration or respect, and she was one of them. She baked for our class each week, and always kept to the theme of our readings. So, when it came time to read To Kill a Mockingbird, we were all quite intrigued as to what she would make (well, at least, I was intrigued. I have a feeling nobody else liked her, but year 10 students are actual heathen and shouldn't be relied upon to be good judges of character). She baked us corn bread and told us the history of Alabama and the rights of black slaves during the time the novel was set.

Now, you may ask what this has to do with my actual review of the novel, and I guess I should tell you.

That year was the first year I ever read To Kill a Mockingbird. The way my teacher spoke highly of the novel only made me more interested, and I blitzed through reading it, even though it meant I'd have to read it twice, I didn't care, by that point. I was in love with the story.

Recently I picked up the book again, though I had figured that over time the narrative would have lost some of its charm. I was wrong, because I still absolutely adore it, and I have an even greater understanding of both the events in the novel, and how well they can be compared to the events of today.

On to the review!

To Kill a Mockingbird is a treasure trove of moral discussion. The story of showing kindness and general human decency to fellow humans who have been persecuted, for nothing other than who they are, is one that I don't think people really interact with enough.

The novel raises important questions that are still relevant today, as to persecution of the 'other'. In asking these questions, and sharing the opinions of the characters, Lee shows great foresight in her writing, and an understanding of human nature that is apparently still missing in many a politician today. 

In her novel, Lee explored the discrimination of class within society, as well as the bigger problem of racial discrimination. She also explores the corruption of the court system, and how prejudices are sometimes more important to people than justice. She uses the perspective of a child -the most prominent example of innocence- to explore these things, with the help of wise old Atticus Finch. There is a lot that I could say about Atticus, but I'll save that for another post.

As it stands, Atticus does have quite a few important quotes that could still be considered relevant today. That in my mind is what makes To Kill a Mockingbird such a terrific novel; the fact that, even now, it still manages to portray the faults that are so prominent within society, and -I dare say- the human race.

I loved this book so much, for so many different reasons. It's heart-warming, it's humorous, and it's fairly easy to follow, as most of the important things are explained.

To finish this post, I would like to leave you with an example of the wisdom Lee has shared through her character, Atticus:

"There's nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who'll take advantage of a Negro's ignorance. Don’t fool yourselves - it's all adding up, and one of these days we're going to pay the bill for it." 

- Atticus Finch, page 241 

___________________________________________

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Next to Read...

The Princess Bride, by William Goldman 

Drafting reviews

Currently Reading:

A Room With A View, by E.M. Forster 

Top 5 Kick-ass Female Protagonists (series Edition)

When we read, we sometimes find inspiration in the characters we read about, whether they're good or bad, male or female. This post is dedicated to the female series protagonists that have inspired me the most during my reading career. These ladies are far from ordinary, and have been a source of both entertainment and exhaustion as throughout their various stories. 

            So, without further ado, I would like to introduce to my Top 5 Kickass Female Protagonists!

#5. Katniss Everdeen

Now, some of you might be thinking that the sheer idea of Katniss Everdeen being placed 5^th is absurd, and I somewhat agree with you. While I’m not disputing the fact that she is indeed quite awesome, I’ve actually only read the first of the Hunger Games series, and so can’t make any final decision on her placement as of yet.

Katniss Everdeen, leading lady in the crowd favourite dystopian series The Hunger Games, is considered quite the inspiration to many, and as a female protagonist is extremely likeable. She survives in a society that does more to hinder than to help the people, and is considered a hero in her own rights. It is not surprising that she has such an impact on the audience, as she represents many positive traits, despite her own series of shortcomings and faults.

To me, Katniss represents perseverance, strength, determination, ambition, and sacrifice. She is willing to do what she thinks has to be done for the betterment of those around her, and while she is not always stable (who would be, under those circumstances?) she is still a valuable role model.

#4. Rose Hathaway

Rose Hathaway is the main protagonist in Rochelle Mead’s stellar Vampire series, Vampire Academy, and it a seriously badass one at that. Rose is a dhampir in a school full of others just like herself, as well as the young moroi.

She is taking the 4^th place in my list of kickass ladies because, while she is really very kickass, she is also easily distracted by a certain Gaurdian (*ahem* Dimitri *ahem*). She can be a little careless, at times, and very reckless at others, but that does not make her any less of a badass. Even through her flaws, however, Rose proves to be loyal and strong-willed, often leading her to face challenges and obstacles that help her become who she was meant to be.

#3. Clarissa Fray

            In a world of magic and monsters, shadows and those that hunt them, Clarissa Fray finds out the startling truth of who she really is –or rather, what. She is curious –a trait that is one of the best and worst for a young woman to possess, especially when dealing with demons and treachery– and that curiosity leads her to discover the world of angels and demons, and all the things that go bump in the night.

            Clary, the protagonist of the Mortal Instruments series, by Cassandra Clare, takes 3^rd place due to her curiosity, her determination. She is strong-willed, like Rose, but hers is a quieter sort. She was not raised to be what she is, and she takes to it all without bravado. Rolling with the punches, as it were.

#2. Zoe Redbird

            I am personally quite fond of the odd vampire tale, here or there, but it wasn’t Twilight that solidified my love. That title goes to the House of Night series, by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast, and absolutely wonderful character, Zoe Redbird.

Zoe is thrust into a situation that turns her entire world on its head, but she takes it in her stride. To me, she represents the bonds of friendship and the importance of faith, as she and her circle of friends do what they have to in order to protect one another and serve the Goddess.

            She also represents strength of character, and an intense loyalty, both of which I consider important traits within female role models.

            While it’s been years since I’ve read the series, I can still remember exactly why I became enamoured with it. Zoe isn’t an annoying or frustrating character to follow. Sure, like every protagonist, there are some cringe-worthy moments, and even a face palm or two, but I never wanted to cry in sheer frustration at her exploits. It’s was rather refreshing, to be honest.

#1. Maximum Ride

            As one of my all-time favourite series, Maximum Ride has been one of the most influential books I’ve ever picked up. The series protagonist, Max (a.k.a. Maximum Ride), is such a good point of inspiration to look up to, despite her being a fictional character and her own situation being mildly different from that of reality.

            Max is the leader of a flock (not in a religious sense, but a flock of actual mutant bird-kids), and she does everything within her power to keep them together, and as safe as they can possibly be within their particularly troubling circumstances.

            She is loyal to a fault, and always has a plan (even when she really doesn’t). Max, despite being only a child herself, cares for her flock as best she can, despite being faced with mad scientists (sometimes literally), mutant creatures, and the forces of nature. She is an interesting character, not least of all because of her ability to FLY!

            I felt a connection to Max, being around the same age, and facing my own set of challenges, though very different to hers. In a period where I felt like giving up everything, Maximum Ride gave me a reason to keep going, and to be exactly who I was despite everything. The series is the reason I still keep relatively good reading habits, and I’m incredibly thankful for the confidence and assurance Max and her flock offered me. It was like being a part of the flock myself, and that made the biggest difference for me at the time; it still does now, even!

            There we go, ladies and gentlemen. My top 5 kickass female protagonists. Who’s your #1?

A.N.

Hey there!

So, considering my utter failure last year to keep this updated regularly, I’ve decided that, instead of making promises I probably won’t keep, I’ll instead make a reasonable attempt.

            I’m no longer going to be jumping into this head first, with hardly any idea what it is I’m actually posting (awkward). Instead, I’m going to be pacing myself, drafting a little more beforehand, and being especially mindful while editing. This, of course, means that I may not be posting on a regularly basis, or at most that I would be posting this kind of content on a regular monthly basis.

            I thank you for your patience and support, while I try to sort myself out, and I apologize that it’s taken so long for me to do so (only 20 odd years, I’m sure I’ll figure life out eventually).

            Stay posted!

            Em xx

Image Credit: Emily Henry, 2015