Some of us have been reading and reviewing books by Nobel winners at Read the Nobels, and earlier in the year Aloi challenged us to read and review 5 books before the end of the year. I squeaked this one out at the last minute, with two books in December! I enjoyed all the books I chose, but probably Detective Story the least.
The objective of this challenge was to read 5 classics during the last half of 2008. Trish also had participants nominate books that we thought would be future classics, and we were to choose one of those as a bonus book to the challenge. My nominee for this was The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman, and the book I chose to read was Life of Pi.
Of the classics I read, I absolutely loved all of them except Lolita. I grant that Nabokov is a great writer, and I would definitely like to read another work by him someday, but I didn’t expect to love the book and I didn’t. I was surprised at some of the comments I got on my review. The book is controversial after all. I’m not surprised some people like it as it does show Nabokov’s brilliance as a writer. However, I’m also entitled to not like the book. Just because I didn’t like this particular book doesn’t mean I won’t read another of his at a later date. I am glad that I read it so I can now cross this one off my list and move on.
As to the other classics, wow! Loved, loved, loved them. So glad I finally read Dracula this year. That’s been on my list for a long time. And of course I loved the Anne books and will be reading at least two more of the series next year. I plan on reading the last book of Kristin soon as well.
I read Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath at this time last year. I also read the first half of the second book at that time but have just now finished it. I only put it down because I had some challenges and arcs to finish, not because I wasn’t enjoying it. Now that I needed a ‘U’ author, a classic, and a Nobel laureate for challenges, it was time to get back to it!
In this second volume, Kristin goes to Husaby with her husband to begin their new life together. She soon finds out marriage and motherhood can be exhausting, especially with her own family so far away. She has quite a few children and all the while struggles with past mistakes and new ones. Her faith is a comfort to her but she desperately misses her own family, especially her father. Finally she gets to go home when her younger sister gets married. Although elated to see Lavrans, there is also a bit of a strain put on their relationship which pains Kristin greatly.
There is a lot more to Kristin’s story that I’m not willing to spoil for you. Let’s just say I’m excited to read Volume III and complete the saga.
Sigrid Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928, primarily for this trilogy. Kristin Lavransdatter is a book I highly recommend to you if you love classics or want to know more about Norway and/or this time period (the 1300s). It is a fascinating look at a woman with a strong Christian faith but one who is far, far away from being perfect.
1921, 401 pp.
Rating: 4.5/5
I’m sort of at a loss when it comes to writing about Toni Morrison’s books. There’s always that element of genius in her work — I would say she’s a very worthy Nobel laureate. Somehow, though, her books always make me very uncomfortable. I guess they’re meant to do that. I always seem to absorb the emotions of the characters — which normally is a good thing — but oh, the depths of the emotions the characters experience! I probably did like A Mercybetter than others I’ve read so far, though perhaps Beloved will still be considered her masterpiece.
This story takes place in the 1680’s, in the wilds of a new America. Jacob is a man who disapproves of the slave trade yet makes concessions toward it. His wife Rebekka is a mail order bride from England, yet the two have a happy marriage. On their land they do have ‘help’ in the form of Lina, a Native-American, Sorrow, an orphan from the sea, and Florens, a slave girl given up by her mother whom Jacob takes as payment for a debt. Together they try to build a home for themselves, fighting against a harsh climate, disease, and inside and outside forces that seem bent on destruction.
With themes of racism, slavery, adventure, religion, and witchcraft, A Mercy is another brilliant work by a very brilliant author.
Some of us have been reading and reviewing books by Nobel winners at Read the Nobels, and earlier in the year Aloi challenged us to read and review 5 books before the end of the year. I squeaked this one out at the last minute, with two books in December! I enjoyed all the books I chose, but probably Detective Story the least.
I read 
I’m sort of at a loss when it comes to writing about Toni Morrison’s books. There’s always that element of genius in her work — I would say she’s a very worthy Nobel laureate. Somehow, though, her books always make me very uncomfortable. I guess they’re meant to do that. I always seem to absorb the emotions of the characters — which normally is a good thing — but oh, the depths of the emotions the characters experience! I probably did like A Mercy better than others I’ve read so far, though perhaps Beloved will still be considered her masterpiece.
