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The Kite Runner by Khaked HosseiniI am about 100 pages into the book and I just want to say, wow.
About 50 pages in I was wondering why everyone warned be about this book, but then, I realized how bad it actually was. I love Hassan, and how loyal he is to Amir, and I think if the roles were reversed, Hassan would have stepped in in an instant to help Amit, which I think is one of the worst parts. Amir treats Hassan pretty terribly, and Hassan is nothing but loyal to him. I think the relationship with Baba has something to do with it, but it is no excuse for how Amir treated Hassan. I think the relationship between Baba and Hassan and Ali is all interesting, and Amir is just kinda there. I am not going to lie, this book is keeping me interested, and I need to know what happens between Hassan and Amir. Life of Pi by Yann MartelI cannot decide how I feel about the story within a story within a story quite yet. It makes more sense to me as I keep getting into the book though, I imagine as though I am the author and Pi is talking to me for the most part, and when you think of it from that perspective, that really helps the understanding.
I think if I was in Pi's situation while the boat was sinking, I honestly do not think I would have lasted that long. I think the hyena would have eaten me by now. I also probably would have been more afraid of the sharks swimming below me than anything else, and that is saying a lot (you know, the fact that he is stranded in the middle of the ocean with a bunch of zoo animals). I also think the way Pi acts towards religion is really weird. It makes me almost uncomfortable, and I am not even that religious. I think it is strange how he believes in one God three different ways. And I understand the whole, loving god is all I want to do, but there is a reason there are many different religions and not just one big, combined one. But that is just my opinion. I wonder how things would have been different for Pi and his journey if one of his family members had been with him... Life of Pi by Yann MartelI am not very far into the book right now, but what I have read so far, I can tell this is going to be a long journey. I do like that he knows how to swim, because that is something I can relate to with the character, although I was not named after a swimming pool. I like how Pi introduced himself on the first day of school by writing "Pi 3.14" on the board in every class, because that helps the reader see his personality. It bothers me how the book is written from an author who is listening to the story within the story.
Looking for AlaskaI finished the book this week, and I have to admit, it was better the second time around. I felt as though the second time around, I related to the characters more which I enjoyed.
One thing that really bothered me after Alaska's death was how upset Pudge was about it, and how he just would not let it go. He hardly knew the girl a year, and he really could not get over it. I guess I have never lost someone like that, and yes he may have loved her, but he was also the new kid that year, and he is not even thinking about the other kids who have been going to school with her since they started, like Colonel, who has been friends with Alaska since freshman year didn't seem to be nearly as upset at Pudge. I also got the feeling that Takumi also may have had more feelings for Alaska then he lead on, which I found interesting. Overall, I don't think Pudge should have been upset as long as he was, and as dramatic, because their were other characters that I felt were closer to Alaska than him. As I watched Alaska's character develop more and more throughout the book, I felt as though she was showing more and more signs of a MPDG. She did make Pudge fall in love with her then leave, and she was also the school prankster so she showed him almost a care free way of life, and then of course, she left him brokenhearted which is all the biggest signs towards a MPDG. I could also see the places where John Green tried to get her away from that personality, but I feel as though the MPDG was just too strong in Alaska to overcome. I do think Alaska did commit suicide, especially when the book came to an end and everything kind of settled down. I feel as though she blames herself for her mother's death, and she shouldn't. I think she was so drunk and so overwhelmed with the fact that she missed her mothers anniversary that she just said forget it and thought it would be easier to end life then and there. I do see why so many people enjoy this book. I do think it has a good story and it is an entertaining book to read, but I do not think I need to read it again. Looking for Alaska Blog #2I am about halfway done with the book now (just before the "after" part. So far I am still not a fan. I think Alaska is still annoying and playing with Pudge's feelings, and I think Pudge is just as sad as when he started going to the school, but now he has a smoking problem.
Colonel is still my favorite character and as we still read, he is showing less and less characteristics of a MPDG. I still do not think Alaska is one, I just think she's an annoying, depressed teenage girl. Pudge is kinda annoying, and I think he still hasn't matured as much as he should, but I have a feeling after the "after" happens, it'll be good for him. Looking For Alaska Blog Post Post #1I am about 1/4 of the way done with the book, so this post will be short and sweet. I read this book freshman year, and now rereading it with the thought of Alaska being a Manic Pixie Dream Girl is almost annoying to me. When I first read the book I thought of Alaska as a girl with a lot of problems and wants to die. Now all I see her as is a girl who is just trying to liven up this bored guys life, in probably the worst way possible. I think she is a terrible friend, and yet, Pudge keeps falling for her. Parts of me sees MPDG in Alaska, simply because it is in my head, and not necessarily because she actually is one.
The Colonel is my favorite character, simply because he is not afraid to speak his mind, and it a good friend to Pudge. If anyone is a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, it might just be Colonel. I really do not like Ellie now. I feel as though she is using Marcus in many different ways, the main one being a punching bag. When Ellie and Marcus go to visit Marcus' dad, it all goes downhill from there. My prediction is Ellie is going to end up killing herself at the end of the book.
I have a feeling Will and Rachel are not going to last much longer, and I still think Fiona is a bad mother. I think overall, Will has filled in that father figure which is what Marcus needed, and I do think Will and Marcus are helping each other out for the better. I wonder what the significance of the Nirvana singer killing himself is towards Marcus. I know he does not want Ellie to see that because it would make her sad, which somewhat reflects the situation Fiona put Marcus in earlier in the book. Overall, Marcus is a good kid in a bad situation. As we continue to read the book, I can see more and more how Marcus is not normal. And I think at the time this book takes place, being normal is almost wrong, and a lot of people do not understand it. It upset me how people bully Marcus, and it upsets me even more that it happens in his own home in a way. His mother is trying to do whats best for him, but does not see all of the things that are happening to him, and all the things that are wrong with him. I think it is a good thing, how Will is helping Marcus out, even if Fiona refuses to accept it. I also really do not like Ellie, and I do not appreciate the way she treats Marcus like a pet.
Overall, I am liking Marcus and Will more and more, and everyone else in the book less and less. |