Robinson Crusoe

 “Evil: I am cast upon a horrible desolate Island, void of all hope of Recovery.

Good: But I am alive, and not drown’d as all my Ship’d Company was.”

A book of the old 17th century, Robinson Crusoe centers around a man who, against his family’s wishes, has his heart set on travelling across the seas. Early on in the book, he is equipped with skills and techniques relating to the process of trade, profits, and a general experience in handling the rules of the sea. He is quick to assimilate and adapt to new methods. However, all is lost when he experiences a shipwreck one day on his expedition to West Africa, and finds only himself stranded on an island. With only remaining resources from the ship to last, Crusoe must devise a way to survive… alone.

Though it might at first glance seem like an ordinary tale of adventure from a single point of view, Robinson Crusoe deals with the deepest, rawest aspect of human life. When stripped off of everything, Defoe accurately portrays man dealing with the verge of insanity, despair, will to live, and an ordeal of faith. A civilization within a solitary man. Defoe leaves the readers wondering how we take for granted the web of society we are in and how unimaginably bare and helpless the current generation would be in if thrown in the same condition as Crusoe. For me, this thought went so far as how I am the product of my ancestors who had miraculously survived through a tireless cycle of survival. It is  truly a powerful story.

Little Men

“…we’re twins, and so we love each other more than other people…”

“…a good name was more precious than gold; for once lost money could not buy it back; and faith in one another made life smooth and happy as nothing else could do.”

“It takes so little to make a child happy, that it is a pity in a world full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, and lonely little hearts.”

Browsing through the shelves in the library of what masterpiece would next fall to my eager clutches, I spotted the book which caught my eye written by the same author who so endearingly captivated my heart in the past. Even before reading, there was an air of familiarity and feeling of kinship that arose the moment it was picked. Although expectations were high, I thought that nothing could par my love for Little Women. As I began reading, someone noticed the book and gave me a knowing eye. I asked her which book she enjoyed reading more, and she replied jestingly, “Little Men, since I have a little bias for fictional male characters.” Indeed bias it was as I also found myself quickly enamored with the characters in the story. Not only did I have bias for male characters, but also the bucolic scenery, carefree environment and imaginative descriptions. Louisa May Alcott yet again proved why she tops the list of the most admirable and heartfelt authors of all time.

Portrayed as the ‘follow-up’ story in the perspective of Jo March, Little Men tells an extraordinary tale of the events in the daily life of the children in Plumfield where Mr. and Mrs Bhaer, Jo’s husband, govern together. Though they all start as blithe almost wild young girls and boys, one can gradually and almost wistfully feel the growth of each one becoming someone solidly grounded, remaining faithful to their principles and lessons taught by their caretakers. Alcott depicts the transitions and the coming of age in the most insightful and skillful way that gives lasting impact to the readers.  I cannot possibly give enough praise and adulation for it. Truly, it is one of the most remarkable, laugh and cry along books I’ve encountered. 

Little Women

 

Little Women is by far the most cake-like book I’ve ever read. To put it bluntly, I strongly recommend the readers to stow away the abridged version and settle down with the complete one. I say this because as I was reading, each chapter left a sweet and fuzzy feeling in my stomach that made me want more. I enjoyed it to a great degree not only because I may have a slight predilection for old-fasioned books which have characters who speak with decorum and (ever so) posh, but also because of the story which had depths in increments itself.

Revolving around the lives of the March family, the setting hints an idyllic ambience, which in my opinion accentuates the close knitted family’s happiness and love for each other. It is told in the perspective of four strong-willed siblings, occasionally with the augmentation of their mother, with various outlooks in life (and even love). Each of them (namely motherly Meg, pragmatic Jo, lovely Amy, and shy Beth) has their own charms, strengths, and weaknesses, but they are all very much united in the ideals and morals their apotheosis of a mother has shown to them of whom they strive to be like. When separated, their inviduality shines as they learn to mature, but when united they work in perfect concord and harmony that makes them shine even brighter.

As a woman myself, Im very glad I read this because I found myself being able to relate to each of the characters. For example, I could relate my desire to be refined with Meg’s, the down-to-earh part of Jo, the sometimes too indulgent side of Amy, and the quiet, diffident aspect of Beth. Being abe to relate allowed me to assimilate in each of their stories: the pain, the joy, and the sadness. How they acted when faced with a challenge inspired me to face my own with grace and dignity as well. This book serves to be a stronghold of coming of age, maturity, and womanhood to me even up to this day.

The Catcher In The Rye

“I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it’s crazy, but that’s the only thing I’d really like to be. I know it’s crazy.”

    This book was unlike any other book Ive read because it felt like the author was talking to you. If Holden, the main character, did not stop where he did, I would have continued reading it even if it took volumes to finish because of the way he narrated his life. As I was reading the book, I could imagine myself being a bystander of the scenes. The usage of casual slang and obscene profanities made the book feel more natural too. I was quite comfortable with it. It was very fitting in some situations which added to the humor and character building as well.

    It was such an ‘English’ book and I was confused why the title seemed so Chinese-like with the red horse background and all (according to a friend of mine) But it turns out the title Catcher in the Rye symbolizes something and holds meaning worth its name. Salinger presents a realistic view of life through the main character who was the kind of person who wondered where the ducks went during winter and who thinks talking to famous people isnt really a big deal. The story is told in the point of view of a 16 year old boy, Holden Caulfied, who is expelled from his school, Pencey. But he cannot go back home as he does not want his parents to find out he was kicked out. And so he loiters around trying to fill up his life to make it more enjoyable in the streets of New York. He doesnt  have a dream nor passion to become or do something. But he tries in every way to spice things up. Then he calls his ex girl friend, he gets in a fight with his friend, he gets in a fight with unpleasant taxi drivers, he gets robbed, he meets nuns at a restaurant, he gets drunk, he even gets into conflict for incidentally involving with a prostitute at one point. But the meaning of the title still does not reveal at this point. Towards the end as he is drunk, he sneaks into his house late at night and meets his sister, Phoebe, whom he is quite fond of. They have a touching reunion. During their conversation, Phoebe, who is young but smart, realizes that his brother became a dropout. She asks him one thing he likes the most or to be the most to which he answers(after quite a lot of contemplation)that he simply wants to be a catcher in the rye, chasing children with the company of nature and having nothing to worry about. 

This book sort of made me realize that no matter how many people you meet in this world and even in the busiest crowds you can still feel alone. And the comfort you are looking for may actually just be right in front of you, so you dont have to look that far. The part that struck me in the most throughout the whole book was when Holden was trying to have intellectual conversation with people. But even his smartest friend wasnt able to satisfy what he wanted to have. At the end I realized, in his conversation with Phoebe, that it wasnt intellectual conversation he wanted. He just wanted to be understood. And Salinger portrayed this theme very well. He could have just made Holden say ‘I wanted people to understand me’ but no, he made the readers find out through the events and in the experiences of the character. 

Some may think of it boring because it can strike as a series of random events but I think the rather arbitrary events were what made the book so special at the same time.