So, new post! I've been putting it off for a long time, but now I've finally gotten round to posting, I´ve written one that will hopefully make up for these pasts weeks when I haven't been active.
On a quick note before we start, I´d just like to say that the main reason I didn't feel like posting was that I knew I had to review this book, but I actually found it so hard to explain I kind of just left it on my To Do list and tried to ignore it. So I apologize if my feelings aren't exactly completely clear, but the books I like best are usually the hardest to review... Pride and Prejudice. Ironically, that title kept on putting me off, it sounded so grown up, but once I read it it immediately became my favourite book. It matches the plot so perfectly too, that one would think the plot was actually derived from the title, instead of it being the other way around. I loved the way this book is written; the manner in which Jane Austen presents the story to her audience, as well as her style of writing, is absolutely wonderful and a pleasure to read. At first, the formality of it can be a bit daunting, and I can relate to that, but once you get used to it, it doesn't bother you as much as you'd think. Also, the plot in itself is fantastic. Obviously, the plot is one of the main elements of a story, so if the plot is rubbish, then however well the author has written the story will not affect the fact that its a boring read. But I honestly have no complaints about this story, as it was nice and calm but still interesting and empathetic, which to me is a key point for success. Its neither fast-paced or slow and dragging, but a nice, in between point. I am currently studying Shakespeare in English class, and my teacher said something last lesson about his work which I thought I would incorporate into the review, because it can be applied to Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" too. She mentioned that the reason people still read Shakespeare was because his work was relatable, and the situations he presented in his plays were "universal truths", by which she meant that, whatever time in the history of human beings, these situations are still happening and can be applied to our current day life. Yes, the setting and manner changes slightly, but the principle is still the same as back in the 16th century, or the 18th, or even two thousand years ago. Thinking about it, that's probably the reason classics become classics, because if the story is completely irrelevant then it would almost surely not be passed on from generation to generation. Similarly to Shakespeare's plays, the situation in this story is quite relatable, or at least for me. I don't want to spoil it, but the situation where you refuse an offer and then you wish you hadn't is, I'm sure, quite common, even amongst us younger folks. The ending is nice and happy, and both unexpected and expected, a feeling I found was totally hilarious when I realized the fact I was experiencing two opposite feelings simultaneously. In a sense you expect it, but the situation in the book leads you to believe that it just can't be. This may sound a bit stuffy to teenagers inclined to read modern stuff and usually avoid classics, and I do understand that if classics aren't your style, then they're just not your style, but I find that those books are usually the ones who teach us valuable lessons in life- though I'm not saying modern books don't teach us things- but a lot of people tend to ignore them, and I think they're usually mistaken, because if a book is still famous many decades and even centuries ( in some cases ) after it was originally written then it must be either very important or very educational or very enjoyable. That doesn't not necessarily mean everyone will find them useful and interesting, but it does rather make them must-reads, whether they sound exciting or not. And really, this book is actually one of the best ones, because even though it may be quite formal at points the story is interesting and actually very funny in its own way. So, I was just trying to say here that, seriously, its a classic, but it's not that bad at all, so dint get too put off by that. Because it's REALLY REALLY good, and is currently my favourite book EVER, which, considering I read a lot of books (even more than are posted on this blog, so go figure) is incredibly high praise for a book to be given. So be brave, and just give it a go. If you like it? Well, that's brilliant. If you don't? Better luck next time, then. You have nothing to lose, so go ahead. Open the book. You might be surprised by what you find. The five Bennet sisters' placid and tranquil life is suddenly interrupted by the arrival in town of a rich young man, Mr Bingley, who has recently purchased an estate not far from their home. When the ladies learn he is single, they all begin vying for his attention, but his interest is soon caught up with the eldest Bennet sister, Jane. Meanwhile, his friend, the proud, arrogant and haughty Mr Darcy, who on his first day shunned everyone in town, starts to fall for the second of the sisters, Elizabeth. However, a young officer named Wickham appears at Meryton and confides to Elizabeth that Mr Darcy has always hated him and shares with her some tales of the injustice her has suffered because of him. Angered on his behalf, Elizabeth's contempt for Mr Darcy increases as she attempts to uncover the truth about him. But then she receives a startling proposal from none other than Darcy himself...
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This is a book that left me really surprised once I'd read it, for I got bored reading this. I got bored: BORED I almost can´t believe it myself. I never feel bored when I read books: depressed, angry, ashamed, guilty, excited, relieved, intrigued and just plain old happy are common feelings, but never bored. So this really was quite a new experience. I mean, I do occasionally skip a few pages if it starts to get a bit monotonous, but not often, and I soon get hooked back into the story. But not this time; from start to finish my boredom had increased tenfold. It was just so surprising, I really am a bit speechless.
But why was I bored? I pondered that question for sometime, but I didn't actually get it until I had a talk with my mum when she finished it a few days after I did. I'd told her that I hadn't liked it at all, and she just confirmed my fears: for the first time in my life, I heard her say that the movie was better than the book. I was astounded, but after watching the trailer and comparing it to the book, the book lacked some sentiment and interest that the movie (or at least the trailer) had in abundance. The way the book was presented was similar to a script but completely different, if that makes sense. I know it probably doesn't´t, but it does to me, so her with me whilst I try and explain: The book lacked description. Though there was some every time a new character or setting was introduced, there was not much else during the course of the book. I felt like the book raised a little protective wall around itself which prevented us from connecting with the characters' feelings throughout the book. There was this one point, at the end of the book, where the level of empathy went from like a low mid-point to a big fat zero. It was one of the most important parts in the plot, and yet it was told too simply. I know short sentences can be very effective at times, but I just felt this one did not have the impact it intended to have. It went a bit like this: And then _______________________ fell over and died. And it sounds like a powerful sentence here, but put into context it really doesn't. If you haven't gotten to know each of the characters properly during the story you can't be expected to feel their death keenly - or at least in my opinion. It really was a horrible sentence. And then the end was so depressing. That was the only other thing I felt as I read on. Depression. It´s just got such a negative ending, with everyone deserting the main character (Florence) and leaving her to feel guilty and ashamed of her failure. A very nice and cheerful ending to the book, don't you think? Overall, this book is a big NO NO NO! in my opinion. If you can't meet the characters properly and are then expected to feel bad for them then I'm sorry but in my opinion what you have in your hands is a waste of paper, time and money. I'm being rather harsh and brutal but it's the truth: if you haven't met them properly, then you won't possibly learn or enjoy yourself much as you read through the next 123 pages that make up the story. |
AuthorCarolina (or Carol for short), a girl who adores to read. A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The person who never reads lives only one. Categories
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April 2018
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