classics
Book Review: Finding God in the Hobbit
Finding God in the Hobbit by Jim Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I loved this in-depth look at the Christian themes found in the Hobbit! Tolkien is one of my top three favorite authors, so I was hanging on every word.
The author takes various characters, events, dialogue, and plot points from the Hobbit and then uses them to illustrate a Biblical truth. He really brought forth some excellent points that I had never thought of before! I loved how the author worked “around” a principle, and showed you all the facets and different sides, and then hammered it home simply and concisely. I loved the forceful writing style!
I wish that there had been more literary analysis though. It read more like a devotional book with personal stories, nuggets of wisdom, and a “thought for the day” kind of moral at the end of each chapter. I liked that, but I was hoping for more analysis of literary history, fairytale story structures, classical writing influences, Greek philosophy, etc…
In short, I wanted it to be more intellectual than it was.
But the devotional style of the book was good too! I enjoyed reading it so much, and I was even brought to tears a couple of times.
Review: Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice
Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice by Stacy King
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a fun little adaptation of P&P into manga form, but it’s a little too cutesy and “teen drama” for me. There are roses and hearts everywhere, and the character’s facial expressions and actions are too overly dramatic.
I mean, if someone is going to collapse into a chair from illness, is it really necessary for them to pitch headlong to the floor in a flurry of curly hair and roses, and with their cloak fluttering behind them? haha! They couldn’t just sit down in a chair and faint like a normal person? Continue reading
Book Review: Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Book Review: The Son of Tarzan
The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story follows Jack, the son of Tarzan, who is dissatisfied with his life in England’s public schools, and longs to be living in the jungle. When circumstances push him to Africa, young Jack rises to the adventure and goes racing around the jungle as his father did before him. But will Jack ever find his parents again or even bother to return to civilization?
This book is exciting and fun to read! The action is non-stop and there’s always some wild battle going on, or devious kidnappers threatening to hold everyone for ransom, or a group of evil cutthroats murdering and plundering, and of course there’s always the threat of lions and panthers and savage tribes. It’s never dull, that’s for certain! Continue reading
Book Review: The Box of Delights
The Box of Delights by John Masefield
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
When Kay comes home for the holidays, he meets a strange man who warns him, “The Wolves are running,” and entrusts him with a magical Box to keep safe. The evil Abner Brown is after the box with his gang of kidnappers and cutthroats, and when people begin disappearing in Kay’s town, Kay must use the Box to travel into the Past to save his friends.
I had high expectations for this book, and while I did enjoy it, I was a little disappointed. The plot has many gaping holes in it, the characters act in ways that don’t really make sense, and I never did figure out WHY exactly the villains wanted to steal the Box of Delights.
The one thing that lived up to my expectations was the Box of Delights itself. I loved the fairies, mouselings, and Herne the Hunter, and magical ladies of light, the Greeks, and pirates and Roman soldiers. All the butterflies, birds, and bees that helped Kay escape from the wolves were just beautiful written and wonderfully charming. All that magic was exactly what I wanted from this book! Continue reading
Grandma’s House TBR
Recent Reads: #Hobbalong, Shakespeare, Graphic Novel
I Love Spring Book Tag
Now that Spring is over, I wish it would come back!!
I was tagged by Booktube Couple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4dktzGb_vU
Helene Jepsen and Amanda Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shp2M…
QUESTIONS
1) How is Spring where you live?
2) Most anticipated book release this Spring?
3) Show us a book cover that makes you think of Spring.
4) Where are you going to read this Spring?
5) Find a cover with the sun on it!
6) What are your favorite Spring reads?
7) Find a book with many different colors on it.
8) Whom do you tag? Continue reading
Luminous Libro 