Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Just finished Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. In reading this I found that the pop culture versions of Frankenstein vary a great deal from Shelley's story. When I think of Frankenstein's monster I think of a mindless beast while in the story the monster shows great eloquence. Also the monster has much more agility than a human whereas we more often see him slowly plodding along. Also, in the book there is no mention of Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, Igor.

Lets see. What's next? Time to go to the trusty Random.org. It appears the next choice will be Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence.

Coming Up For Air by George Orwell

Finished Coming Up for Air by George Orwell. This book was not what I'd expected taken into account the two books of Orwell that I'm familiar with, Animal Farm and 1984. This book focused on a middle-aged, middle-class man who lives in the suburbs. I guess you could say that George Bowling is going through a mid-life crisis. He senses that World War II is about to begin and it gives him pause because he was wounded in World War I. He wants to get away from life to not have to worry about the impending war, his nagging wife, etc., etc, so he decides to take a trip to his childhood home after being gone 20 years. Does he find out that you can't go home again or (I hate that I'm stealing this tagline from the atrocious movie "Sweet Home Alabama") Sometimes what you're looking for is right where you left it?

Next is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I think I shall devote at least the next several selections to my library of e-books. I think I have about forty that I got free from Barnes & Noble.

50!!!!!!!!!

Just finished Vanity Fair by Thomas Makepeace Thackeray. I enjoyed this book more than I expected I would. I especially enjoyed the style of narration as the narrator presented the story as if he was describing a stage play. The story is a work of satire on the English nobility. It revolves around two women, the simple Amelia and the (kindest word I can use) parasitic Rebecca. Both women marriages cause there husbands to be renounced from their families. Most of the characters in this story are not honorable, however there is Major William Dobbin who is the very model of honor and loyalty. A few of my favorite passages from the story:

"He (George Osborne) was seen lighting his cigar with one (Amelia's love letter), to the horror of Captain Dobbin, who, it is my belief, would have given a bank-note for the document."

"It is those who injure women who get the most kindness from them--they are born timid and tyrants, and maltreat those who are humblest before them"

Isn't that the truth.

Dobbin is woefully mistreated by Amelia while Amelia is captivated by the reprobate George Osborne. By any meaningful criteria Osborne should not be able to even stand in the presence of Dobbin and yet Amelia so easily and completely disregards Dobbin. That is as true today as ever. How many times have we all seen women even women who could not be described as simple choose hollow style over substance?

Next on the docket is Coming Up For Air by George Orwell.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Just finished Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The book tells two story of the fall of an Ibo "strong man" named Okonkwo. The first is an "ancient" story which tells of Okonkwo's fall from his prestigious position within his clan while the second tells about how the influence of European missionaries plays upon Okonkwo's clan. It was really interesting this is my first experience with African fiction.

Next up is Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence

Finished Sons and Lovers by DH Lawrence. Its a semi-autobiographical story about a young man who is torn between his love for his mother and two young women. One of these women is already married. The book was highly controversial when published in 1913 due to its "graphic description of sexual relations," which by today's standards would be quite tame. More interesting to me than the story was that the real DH Lawrence ran away with the wife of one of his professors, Frieda von Richthofen. She was also the sister of Manfred von Richthofen, aka the Red Baron. During World War I, DH and Frieda were accused of being German spies.

Next up is Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

L' Abbe C by Georges Bataille

L' Abbe C by Georges Bataille involved a set of twin, Charles and Robert. Robert is a devout priest, while Charles is decidedly not. The story is through a series of first-person accounts by Charles with an unnamed editor filling in the gaps. The most narrative part of the story (don't know if that's the right way to put it or not) is Charles's attempt to help his mistress, Eponine, to seduce Robert. The blurb on the back of the book states that this exposes "the psychological intricacies of sex, faith and death in a provincial French town." It is stated by Charles that his story is not finished and that he cannot bring himself to finish the story. It absolutely felt, at least to this reader, that this book was unfinished. I realize its not a classic narrative but it just didn't feel like I got a complete story. Evidently that was what Bataille was going for. For instance the circumstances around Robert's death do not get explained. We are told that he is arrested by the Gestapo and I believe it hints that he is involved with the Resistance.

Next up will be Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence which will be read on the Nook.

The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf

Just finished The Voyage Out by Virginia Woolf. It was the story of a sheltered young woman, Rachel Vinrace, who takes a trip to South America. On this voyage she meets an eclectic group of fellow travelers. The bulk of the narrative revolves around the various characters discussing such issues as religion, class, gender, etc.

Although I wasn't exactly captivated by this story there was one character that I can somewhat relate to. That is St. John Hirst, a young academic who has a problem relating to people.

The next book from the list will be L' Abbe C by Georges Bataille. This was suppose to be the previous book but it did not arrive in time plus I wanted to try out my Nook anyway.