Archive for May, 2009
–>Dennis Chen – Senior – Hunter College 2013
1. What is my favorite book out of all four years at Stuyvesant?
– My favorite book would have to be The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
2. What was my favorite book about?
– The book starts out as a romance between a middle aged woman and a teenage boy, but it unfolds later on into something much more when 20 years pass by and they meet again in a court room where the woman is on trial and the man is a law student witnessing the trial.
3. Sounds interesting yet? It gets better.
– The boy tries to reignite the lust he had before for this woman while at the same time trying to figure out the incredible secret that she held from him. In the end he realizes something drastic that changes his life from then on.
4. Isn’t there a movie coming out about this?
– Yes I have recently heard there is a movie coming out and I am really excited about watching it, but as it is with all other movies based on books, the book is always better than the movie. Therefore I highly recommend everyone who is planning on watching the movie to read the book.
5. Are there any other books I would recommend?
– I personally loved the Twilight series. I know it is thought of as a female’s novel but a good book is a good book.
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Betty Chen – Senior – NYU Stern 2013
1. In all your years at Stuyvesant, what book do you find your favorite?
–I would have to say that my favorite book is The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus.
2. The Nanny Diaries? Can you tell me a little about the plot line?
–Well, The Nanny Diaries tells a story about a nanny (go figure), who is a fresh graduate out of college but takes a nanny job to kill time while she figures out who she really is. Throughout the story she devotes herself to this job and becomes a bit of a workaholic, which ends up tearing apart her life. The sole reason she becomes this workaholic is because she ends up loving the kid she is nannying.
3. Wow, this book seems intense, what did you like most about it?
–The reason I liked this book so much is because I can relate to having to balance my responsibilities with my feelings. Sometimes you just cant tell which is suppose to come first.
4. Do you feel that she ended up choosing the right one?
– I personally think that things turned out good for her in the end, but you will have to read the book yourself to find out how it actually ends.
5. Are there any other books that you would recommend?
– I would recommend any of the “Charlie Bone Series” which is actually named The Children of the Red King series by Jenny Nimno.
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Qi Ling Gu – Senior – St. Johns University 2013
1. As cliche as this question is getting, what is your favorite book?
– My favorite book would have to be Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
2. Can you tell me a little bit about the book?
–Island of the Blue Dolphins is about a girl who is stranded for 18 years on her own. She originally decides not to leave the island her people use to live at in order to wait for her brother but when her brother is killed by a pack of wild dogs, she is left on her own. She then must do what she has never even thought was possible, fend for herself.
3. Her brother died? How did you feel about that?
–That was the worst part of the book. He was her only companion and when he died I seemed to feel her pain. I actually cried at that part, thinking about how much it probably hurt her.
4. Wow, so this book is a book you were really into, enough for you to actually cry?
–Yes, it was very interesting because you read about her struggles to survive. From her brothers dead to her revenge on the dogs to her hunting for food, you get a sense of how hard her life is especially when you compare it to our lives.
5. Well other than this is there any other book you would recommend?
–Besides this book I would highly recommend Black Boy by Richard Wright.
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Leon Zhao – Junior – Handball Team
1. What book that you’ve recently read would you recommend to future students at Stuyvesant?
– My favorite book would have to be The Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks
2. Can you tell me a little about the book?
– Well it tells the story of a teenager going through like going down the wrong paths. He falls down the road of a criminal, drug addict who is trying to find his way to discovering himself and what is right and wrong.
3. Sounds interesting. What would you say your favorite part of the book is?
– My favorite part of the book is that Russel Banks really understands how teenagers speak. When you read the book it isnt as if someone is trying to describe a story about a teen but rather the teenager actually telling you what he went through. You can really connect to it.
4. Are you saying you can relate to a drug addict?!
– Course not -_-. I saying that this book is interesting because while reading it you dont feel like your forced to read it. It is a book that just flows and captures you with the “teenage vernacular” that some “cool” parents try to understand.
5. Are there any other books you would recommend?
- I really liked Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, it’s a really good book and I think anyone who enjoys this one will also enjoy that.
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Winnie Mei – Senior – Senior Sing Step 2009
1. What was your favorite book?
–My favorite book would have to be Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling.
2. Really? I loved that book please tell me a bit about it.
–Well in this series of the Harry Potter books, he finds a book in his potions class at Hogwarts which contains scribbles and notes from someone else. This ends up benefiting him as he continues his journey through his life.
3. What did you like so much about this book?
–The main reason I enjoyed it is because I really enjoy magic. Any book that has to do with magic and I would be satisfied.
4. Did you read all the previous books and will you read the last one?
–Yes and yes.i really enjoy the series and I think I will finish it off with the last book.
5. Are there any other books you would recommend to people?
–I would highly recommend the Kite Runner
Muwahheed Billah
Pd. 2
Ms. Chan
Interview 1
Name: M.B
About: Male Senior at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Video games, cars, and basketball.
Q. What book would you recommend to high school audiences?
A. I would definitely recommend Lord of the Flies by William Golding.
Q. What distinguishes that book from others that you have read?
A. The book is very graphic and it captures the reader’s attention head on. It appeals to mostly high school males who like violence and fighting. Also, it’s kind of similar to LOST.
Q. What would you have to say was the most memorable thing about the book.
A. I would say that the most memorable thing about the book is when the two groups of kids split up into different groups. This really shows how immoral people become when they do not have their basic necessities. I especially remembered the part when the group of hunters decapitate the sow and put its head on top of a stake. This part was very memorable and that’s why it is what’s on the cover of the book.
Q. Did you learn anything from the book which affected you later on in life?
A. I learned that food and shelter are both very important human necessities and that without them people become very desperately violent. But I’m hoping that does not affect me in my life.
Q. Do you think that these incidents can actually occur in real life?
A. Yes, I definitely think that if people, especially children, were put in that position, there would definitely be occurrences similar to that in the book. I personally seen people like this when their out to lunch privileges were voided and they had to eat the cafeteria food.
Interview 2
Name: A.H
About: Female Junior at Hillcrest High School
Interests: Shopping, jewelry, and movies
Q. Which book would you recommend for high school girls?
A. Pride and Prejudice, definitely, without any questions. I think reading that book is part of being a girl in high school.
Q. What is so special about the book that appeals to teenage girls?
A. Everything about the book is special. Trust me, if you were a girl you would understand.
Q. Can you relate to the book in any way?
A. Yes I could relate to the book, in that I have to decide whether to marry for money or not. I’m just kidding, but that is definitely something anyone else could relate to the book.
Q. Can I relate to the book?
A. Umm, if you want to. I mean the book is not only for girls as it teaches lessons about males as well. Yea, you could be the character with both pride and prejudice.
Q. Pride and Prejudice was written in the 18th century. Why do you think that it is still being taught in schools throughout the world, in 2009?
A. I think the main reason that it is still being taught is that it is a classic that set the standards for love stories throughout the world. Also there have been numerous movies and TV shows about the novel.
Interview 3
Name: O.K
About: Female at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Frisbee, bowling, and cooking
Q. What is your favorite classical book that you’ve read in your Stuyvesant career?
A. My favorite classical book would have to be Romeo and Juliet.
Q. What is so special about the book?
A. I liked how there were many euphemisms for explicit references.
Q. If you were the parent of Juliet, how would you have handled the situation?
A. Obviously more sympathetic, their rivalry led their children to their graves.
Q. Do you think that arranged or forced marriage is still an issue in the 21st century?
A. Yes, some of my South Asian friends have been married of, and they’re still in middle school.
Q. Many times critics have argued that maybe the book can have a different ending. Do you think the book would’ve been as influential if it was a happily ever after ending?
A. The twist in the end really touches upon the reader emotions; the twist is truly unique. It would definitely not have been the same book if the ending were any different.
Interview 4
Name: S.O
About: Male Senior at Stuyvesant High School
Interests: Soccer, books, and maps
Book: Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Q. Why do you like this book?
A. I am Irish myself and my father has told me countless stories of his past. So in a sense it’s similar to reading my father biography. Also I’m from Brooklyn too, and I always had a sense of Brooklyn Pride.
Q. Did he face such destitute situations?
A. Many people in Ireland at his age were impoverished. I don’t remember Ireland; I visited the place when I was young. So this serves me as a taste of Irish culture.
Q. Who would you recommend this book to?
A. Well it appeals the to Irish, obviously, but it should attract teenagers. Most of the story revolves around the life of a teenager. I would recommend to anyone from age 13-19.
Q. What’s unique about the book?
A. Though it’s not a biography, it is written as story and even though it’s a true story, it reads as fiction.
Q. How does the book compare to the movie?
A. I’d say the movie was spot on depicting the scenes, but it was also missing scenes. But the movie was one of my favorites of all time
Interview 5
Name: Anonymous
About: Female
Interests: ?
Book: Watchmen
Q. Why did you like the book?
A. It was very imaginative and the story was complex. There deeper subplots.
Q. Could it be read in classes?
A. No. I think that if it were read in class, everyone would not care as much about the book as they would if they read it themselves.
Q. Why not?
A. For one thing, vulgarity would be an issue, with all the violence and cursing. Also, students would rather watch the movie than read the actual book.
Q. How did the book compare to the recently released movie?
A. The movie was not as good as the book because they altered the ending. But it followed the script line to line.
Q. Is there anything to be learned from this book?
A. It triggers many philosophical thoughts. I hear it is very Existentialist. I do not know about Existentialism, but now I am interested in it.
The following is a series of interview in which the thoughts of readers on contemporary and classic literature are described to further provoke the literary appetite of young readers. I asked each reader five simple questions in a manner that best describes the literature, and any attitudes towards it.
1. Describe the atmosphere of the book.
2. What have you learned about the author through his/her style of writing?
3. Why did you read this book, and how does it compare with others of similar genre you have read in the past?
4. What can you learn from reading this book?
5. Are there any significant quotes that provide an insight to the attitude of the story?
Interview with Junior “J Vita” on Oscar Wilde’s, The Picture of Dorian Grey
1. This novel is set in England, roughly around the time of Sherlock Holmes. The novel has an air of mystery and suspense, and provides a shady backdrop for the dramatic events about to unfold.
2. Wilde writes in a very abstract manner, so it may take some thinking on the reader’s part to follow this novel. Some call it work. I call it an interactive read!
3. Dorian Grey was a character featured in the movie League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He was depicted as an immortal, which initially caught my interest. What keeps me reading are the perks and quirks that come with such a nature. Put simply, he is a cool character. It’s interesting to watch his story and observe how “true gentlemen” manage their lives. This is pretty much the standard genre for me, so I’ve read a lot of novels like it, but it thrills me every time.
4. The value of morals in modern society, relatively speaking (of history) of course.
5. N/A
Interview with Senior Eugene Fong on Randy Pausch’s, The Last Lecture
1. Positive. This is an inspirational book, and the reader is flooded with positive thoughts, and is forced to look at the bright side of things. Truly a cheerful book-even in the face of death.
2. Pausch’s writing style is relaxed, and informal. He is trying to reach the general audience since his message is directed at mankind. It is conversational, and easy to follow and relate to. But Pausch’s lesson is definitely something everyone can learn from.
3. I saw Pausch giving his lecture on television, and the first 10 minutes were absolutely captivating. The next time I went to the bookstore, I noticed his book, and grabbed it off the shelf. I am still reading this book, but what keeps me reading is because the kinds of experiences he went through are things that everyone goes through growing up, and it was extremely funny to read Pausch’s light-hearted approach to life and to learn his creative take on the seriousness of life-and death. I consider this book an autobiography, and I just don’t read those, but this book is definitely worth the struggle.
4. This is a difficult question but in general, this book makes an attempt at the age old question “What is the meaning of life,” and he writes with the sole intention of educating, so there is a lot to learn from this book.
5. “Yes, I’m a great optimist. But when trying to make a decision, I often think of the worst-case scenario. I call it “The Eaten by Wolves” factor. If I do something, what’s the most terrible thing that could happen? Would I be eaten by wolves?”
Interview with Freshman Francis Taylor on Ken Kesey’s, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
1. The longing to be free is an inherent human characteristic. So is distrust of authority. Author Ken Kesey weaves both of these essential human components into his masterpiece, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
2. Few books as radical as One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest can stand the passage of time with such resonance. Kesey weaves intricate symbols together with a mastery that I have seen only rarely in contemporary authors. Unless one really pays attention, it’s quite easy to get lost in the literature. Some symbols, like the McMurphy/Christ associations, are rather easy to identify whereas others will fly right over your head if you’re not careful. This intricate plot concludes in a touching ending.
3. Compared to other books I’ve read, I thought this book was much more slow moving, and specific than ever. Sometimes, it’s hard to wade your way through such thick writing, but I’ve learned to appreciate it. I had to read this book in an afterschool program, but I loved it, and more importantly, I remember it.
4. Our hero is a tragic anti-hero. He is tragic because he dies, and anti-hero because instead of good morals, he gambles, smokes, sleeps around, curses, and fights when he knows he shouldn’t. The message seems Nietzchean (Nietzsche: an influential German philosopher remembered for his concept of the superhuman and rejection of Christian values. He is considered one of the founders of existentialism). The only real people who make their own rules, supermen. The individual vs all authority. The book is well-written, and presents the story from the point of view of an inmate. It also deals with deep themes, but some answers are left flawed and lacking.
5. “Mmm…juicy fruit.”
Interview with Sophomore Brian Wilkinson on Neil Gaiman’s, American Gods
1. The atmosphere of this novel is simply dark and mysterious. It is serious, and yet, surreal. Anything else about the atmosphere is just giving away the novel.
2. Gaiman is an interesting writer. He has a lot of individual ideas about faith and mysticism, and he uses this book as a sort of commentary on the subject. Some of his ideas are very abstract and convoluted, but you don’t have to agree with him, or understand the entire novel to enjoy it. If you are interested in modern philosophy, this is a good book for you.
3. I read this book last year. Honestly, I just picked it off a library shelf. It’s a lot more thoughtful that a lot of novels I’ve read. I didn’t actually read this intending to get a philosophical new take on the world, but it was a good enough story to get me interested. I can safely say that this is my favorite novel.
4. Everyone will take something different from this book. Anything useful? Probably not.
5. “Every Ending is a new Beginning. Your lucky number is none. Your lucky color is dead.”
Interview with Junior John Chung on Paul Coelho’s, The Alchemist
1. This book is philosophical, but it is enveloped within a great story. The book is adventurous, and attempts to use the situations of a shepherd boy to comment on the meaning of life.
2. The author writes in a manner that flows, is easy-going, and easy to understand. There is drama, but the author writes in a way that makes you feel relaxed. Part of his message is that you’re never alone, and there is always someone watching over you. You get that feeling yourself after finishing the book and giving it a long hard thought. That is the beauty of Coelho’s writing.
3. I read this book because my brother convinced me to. He thought it was a great book, and there was something to learn. I read it for the story, but I see myself exploring Coelho’s idea on the world even further in my own life. I have read many similar books. I guess this is a more grown-up version of The Little Prince, but I definitely liked this one the best, and that is why I am sharing it with you today.
4. The whole point of the story was to find treasure. A shepherd boy had a dream telling him that there was treasure to be found, and so away he went. He sold everything, and made many sacrifices to find the treasure. It’s not a good idea to give the story away, but the book teaches what we are looking for in life, and how to find it.
5. “The boy and his heart had become friends, and neither was capable now of betraying the other.”
Yang Yang Wu Period 03
Interview I
Name: D.Y.
Recommends: The Sound and the Fury
By William Faulkner
Gender and Year: Female, senior.
Interests: Photography (black and white, portraits, mainly of people); Writing (non-fiction, realistic)
Clubs/Teams: Photography Club, Key Club, ARISTA, ex-Editor for Spectator
You mentioned photography twice, so I am assuming that is it highly among your interests. How does this affect your recommendation of the book?
Response: Well it doesn’t directly, but I think that just like how photography can reflect the different perspectives of something based on the person that takes it, the different voices in the book also shows how each person is thinking. Especially if there is only one voice; you may not know the “truth”. I think that it helps a lot more if you know these different views. Also, there’s a lot about details in photography, and that goes for the book too -I like focusing on “small details”.
What kind of details?
Response: Well it’s kind of difficult to explain without having read the book. But I really like how the author is so descriptive and adds so much detail to his writing.
A lot of detail? Is the book difficult to get into then?
Response: Well I like the amount of details so that’s not an issue for me. The author’s writing is kind of dense too. It’s not hard to read, just that there is often more meanings to the words.
Whom would you not recommend this book to? Is there anything controversial that may make someone uncomfortable reading it?
Response: Anyone with short attention spans. I found nothing that is offensive in the book, but that’s just me.
Speaking of things you find, how did you enjoy the book? Did reading it affect you in any way?
Response: Again, this is difficult to explain without you reading it. But it’s something like this: the book “highlights the meaningless of most events”.
I think I got that, but can you explain further?
Response: The book implies something like… things happen, but nothing really significant develops from that. Kind of like the saying, “life goes on”; even if something happened, it doesn’t really seem that important. It’s hard to explain this without spoiling the book.
The story seems a bit bleak then. Does this connect to you in any way?
Response: Well there’s the decay of the family in the book -this kind of relates to my family actually. But I would rather not go into that.
Interview II
Name: L.H.
Recommends: Brave New World
By Aldous Huxley
Gender and Year: Male, senior.
Interests: Reading fan-fiction (of anime and of the comedy genre), swimming, playing games (MMORPGs)
Clubs/Teams: None
The book title. It is some kind of science fiction book?
Response: Yep, exactly. How’d you know?
Well “New World” and you seem to like fiction stuff, the fan-fiction and RPGs, so I just assumed. Anyway, what do you most enjoy about the book?
Response: There’s a lot in the book about clones. I really like how the book portrays the effects of having hordes of clones of yourself.
What do you mean by “effects”?
Response: I mean how that you would think that having clones of yourself would make you lose your individuality, the book actually shows that they eventually develop their own personalities. I thought that was kind of a surprising turn. The books I like to read are a bit “eccentric”.
Explain more on that. I know the idea of having clones has been done, but do you mean that the book is weird?
Response: In my view, yeah. I feel that “the more strange it [the book] is, the closer I can get to the author’s imagination. Take biographies for example. It’s all hard facts, and you can’t really get into what the author is thinking. It’s just not as interesting. Brave New World isn’t about the “normal clichéd clones” you see a lot in other books but there’s the thing with the clones getting their own personalities, as I said before. It’s freaky.
How is the book’s ease of reading? With all this eccentric stuff, is it difficult or confusing to read?
Response: No not really. It’s just that you may not understand some of the descriptions. There’s the part where they [some of the characters] take “happy-pills” and that is described. Since I have never taken these, I can’t really understand for sure the descriptions -I can’t “feel” it, is what I mean.
Even so, do these characters affect the way you think at all?
Response: Yes. The world these characters live in is supposed to be made “perfect”: anything that we find bothersome in our world are removed from the world in the book. I hate this.
You wouldn’t want to live in a perfect world then?
Response: Of course not; that world “stinks”. You’re ignorant to so many things because you’re “just living in comfort everyday in a perfect world”. There’s a lot that you’re missing out on. I mean, all the experiences that make you “human and alive”, it sucks if you can’t go through them.
Huh, you obviously would not prefer the whole “ignorance is bliss” bit then?
Yeah, that “stinks”; you’d just be living through your life “like an idiot”.
Interview III
Name: P.H.
Recommends: Alanna
By Tamora Pierce
Gender and Year: Female, senior
Interests: Drawing (anime-style), reading novels (fantasy fiction), and playing games (Fantasy and RPGs)
Clubs/Teams: Bollywood Bindaas (view Indian movies in order to learn about their culture)
As you’ve found the book to be interesting, what exactly in it draws you to recommend this? Describe the main character, for instance.
Response: The main character is a rather “strong” female, both physically and also in terms of her personality.
So she’s powerful as in strength? What about the personality, do you mean that she is enduring, or something along those lines?
Response: She’s actually from a male dominated society, so all the females take a backseat role to them. She’s different though; she tries to bring about equality between the two groups and I found this really admirable. For example, she is able to become a knight, a position that was filled with males until her.
Since you are so fond of her, are you affected at all due to both of you being females in a society that’s also somewhat male-dominated in a way?
Response: Well yeah, especially in today’s society where so many women try to make themselves equal to men. I guess you can say that she can be considered kind of like a hero.
Speaking of society, when does the book take place?
Response: I would say the Middle Ages.
Oh, so what she is doing would seem especially noble, considering the time period -being a fantasy book, how do your interests of fantasy-genre games and books affect your views of this book.
Response: It made me like it more I guess, as in, it kept me more interested; I mean you wouldn’t really enjoy something if you don’t even like it.
So would you say that liking the fantasy genre is important for enjoying the book as well?
Response: Not necessarily. The book also has romance -”so you’d like it too, haha” -and it touches on militaristic stuff too.
What about the author’s style of writing? Is it engaging, dense, and so on- since it does take place in the middle ages.
Response: No it’s pretty easy to read; the vocabulary used isn’t a problem. You probably wouldn’t want to put it down once you start reading.
Interview IV
Name: K.H.
Recommends: Jane Eyre
By Charlotte Bronte
Gender and Year: Female, senior.
Interests: Cooking/Baking (mainly cookies), Watching cartoons (American and Japanese animation), Traveling (Asia)
Clubs/Teams: Building with Books
Oh, Jane Eyre. It’s about that traveling girl and her aunt right? Since you mentioned traveling, can you connect yourself to her?
Response: Well, I found it interesting of her that she is changing everywhere.
“Changing”? That sounds kind of awkward, can you clarify on that?
Response: I meant her personality and mentality, in that how she is able to experience so many things -despite good and bad- from everything she has seen. Especially the different “beings” of people, for one.
Well I do remember Jane’s searching for the one thing she truly wanted -I’m a bit fuzzy on the book, it’s been a while. I know that everyone probably can relate to this in one way or another. How about in your case?
Response: I guess I am similar with her in the way that even though her life was harsh and difficult, she was still able to “pull through”, overcoming the things that were holding her back. Her confidence issues, especially. Being lonely was also another problem for her too. Like you said, I think that most people have experienced these feelings too. Since I can say that I have, I can really commiserate with her. Having similar feelings makes you so much more interested in the book. I know it’s clichéd and all but, I really like the whole idea of “follow your heart” that the book makes.
Is there any example you can give about this, since it did affect you?
Response: There’s the whole inspiration I get as a result of reading it. Again, these are really “clichéd” and overused but it’s just so simple and true. “Don’t give up”, is another example. You can really relate this to your own life in a lot of cases. My “AP Bio”, for one. I am really hoping to go into the medical field and become a doctor, so I am trying really hard to “succeed in bio”. Similar to how Jane evolved through the book, that’s something I really want to follow too.
Interview V
Name: YYW
Recommends: Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen
Gender and Year: Male and senior
Interests: Video Games (JRPGs), reading doujinshi, watching anime (sci-fi, fantasy)
Clubs/Teams: Contributor to StuyStrive, ex-DDR club
Pride and Prejudice? Isn’t that for girls?
Response: Gender is a rather irrelevant; I think it’s moreso depending on your interests, no? There’s plenty of anime that’s aimed for males (shounen) but they effectively draw plenty -though not as many- females too.
Then why do you like it?
Response: Preferences. I suppose books of romance and angst are more of my thing. Pride and Prejudice isn’t a simple romantic novel about people making googly-eyes at one another. The entire “taboo” or negativity centered around the two Bennet sisters and their object of desires due to sociological barriers adds turmoil to an otherwise simple and plain novel about some lovebirds.
Could your interests have affected your preference in the book in any way?
Response: It’s difficult to say exactly which influences what. I suppose JRPGs could have opened me up to stories of romance since many of these games do include something of the sort. But as I have mentioned, I do not enjoy simple, lovey-dovey works, which unfortunately, is what most of these JRPGs encompasses. I suppose that’s where the doujinshis come in then, as I find these superior often. Don’t get me wrong, though. While Pride and Prejudice can be easily broken down into the usual clichéd plotline of: A meets B, A immediately dislikes B, or vice versa, then finally AB, I think it’s that special resonance that one receives from reading a story that sparks off a connection to the book (yeah, I can’t really explain this too well).
What persons would enjoy this book?
I think that since this [emotions] is something that everyone -ideally, assuming one is capable of interpreting feelings- can experience, it adds on to the possibility that the book can be enjoyed universally -especially since Pride and Prejudice is not heavy at all on the subject of romance, there are times of comedic moments as well. If this does not apply to you, there’s also the wonderful spin-off, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (collaborative work by Jane Austin and Seth Grahame-Smith). Unlike the first novel where Elizabeth is preoccupied with fighting off Mr. Darcy, she is busy dealing with the undead in this one. I have to say that since these two books are nearly at the polar ends of one another (though the romance and sociological struggle is retained), the latter can most likely sway any non-takers for the first.
Name: Anonymous
Grade: 12
Interests: Model UN, Economics, Baseball,
Ethnicity: Asian
Career Plans: Economist
Book: Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Why did you pick this book?
I really enjoyed Catch 22 because of it satirical nature, which was witty but not offensive. The language was very easy to comprehend, as Heller did not add any superfluous language. The style reminded me of Hemmingway, whose work I also enjoy immensely. Upon completion of the novel, I noticed how the paradoxical concept of Catch 22 was evident throughout the novel, not just in idea but in character descriptions as well, which I thought was very clever.
What about the character descriptions were paradoxical or interesting or simply set it self apart from those in other books?
Many of the characters were developed to be ridiculed by the reader, yet still believable. For example, the character of Nately’s Whore is a paradoxical one. She refuses to have a proper relationship with Nately, and when having sex with Nately, will appear cold and mechanical. However, when Nately finally gives her a night of sleep, she falls madly in love with Nately. Although she loves him dearly, he dies soon after.
The events surrounding Nately’s Whore is one filled with ridicule. Why would she suddenly fall in love with Nately because of a good night’s of sleep, even though she has rebuffed his efforts previously? Yet, when Nately’s love is reciprocated, he soon dies, which is again filled with irony. Catch 22 is filled with examples like this, which makes it different from the other novels.
Has this book expanded your knowledge or experience with international politics or economics?
Not really. However, it did introduce the concept of Catch 22, which is present in many places in the world. For example, in the world of international politics, there are many choices that a nation can take, but the likelihood of the nation taking the choices are often zero. For example, in the Kashmir region near India, UN peacekeepers currently reside in the are to prevent any disputes. However, India believes that the peacekeepers are no longer necessary, as they’ve been there for 37 years. While India has the right to petition for the peacekeepers to be removed, it will not do so. Because there has been no petition to remove the peacekeepers, the UN can not remove them either, creating a Catch 22.
Would there be a specific age group that you would suggest the book to?
I’ll recommend it to high school students or college students as they are of the age where they’ll understand the points that Heller is trying to make. However, it’s a fine read to anyone.
Would being well versed in a specific subject help the reader understand the point better?
Although the novel is a historical novel about World War II, there isn’t much that the reader needs to know about the actual war itself to understand the book. One of the reasons why I really enjoyed the book was because of its simplicity as the author does not try to intentionally confuse the reader with the terms. However, it would be beneficial if the reader has some knowledge of other literary canons such as the Iliad, the Bible or text, as many of the references in the novel refer to characters in those works and it would help understand the character development much more if the reader had some previous knowledge.
Anonymous
Grade 12
Interests: Writing, human behavior
Chinese
Career Choice: Obstetrician.
Book / Author: Sum of Our Days / Isabel Allende
How did you stumble across this book?
It was in the banned books section of Barnes and Noble, the one a few blocks away from school.
Oh really? Why was it banned?
… .. Good question, I have no idea. o_O’
Why do you speculate it was banned?
Probably because it supports the union of a lesbian couple.
Since you like human behavior, was this book insightful in any way?
. .. .. No. xD It was just interesting.
Why did you find it interesting?
I found it interesting because Isabel Allende is a very honest and revealing writer. She’s come across very unique experiences and she’s not afraid to get personal with her writing. You start to feel like she’s confiding in you as a friend more than narrating her life. People like that. People like to feel like they’re trustworthy.
Since you’re a female and the book promoted the union of a lesbian couple, what was your initial reaction?
I wasn’t really appalled, first off because I’m a liberal, and second, because of the way she presented the idea. The baby they were going to adopt was so sickly she would need two mothers, and so you’re forced to sympathize with the child that you don’t really mind they’re lesbian. And you feel it’s right, because they’re loving people dedicated to taking care of the child, and there’s nothing morally or ethically wrong about it.
Charles Leung
12
I enjoy swimming, basketball, tennis, badminton, chinese language, asian films, piano, music, composing, beatboxing
Career plans: I hope to be a chemical or environmental engineer within the next 5 or 6 years, and have a stable job in New York City
Asian
Book: King Lear / William Shakespeare
Did you read it on your free will or at school?
I read it on my own free will
What motivated you to read it on your own?
I was watching the japanese movie Ran, which based itself off the book so I was interested in reading it.
Why did you pick this book over others to suggest?
Because the other books I read are for school. And they kind of suck since King Lear included many themes and displayed many values that many other goody two shoes books don’t.
Well what themes and values?
Some themes were family “Blood is thicker than water” and betrayal. Betrayal was a huge theme, with multiple characters suffering the from the same problem.
Wait doesn’t King Lear show that Blood isn’t thicker than Water?
Yeah, but it’s a theme. Like say, it explores it. Is it true?
So would you say it’s a bit more realistic compared to other books?
No, but its more courageous in presenting it darkly.
Have you learned anything from King Lear then?
Well, I learned what makes a great Shakespearean tragedy. There’s not much I can learn from stories nowadays.
Diana.
Twelve.
Guard. Choir. Creative Writing. Art.
Pacific Island/Taiwanese.
Career Plans? Hm… Unsure.
Book:
I can’t think of anything else that would be very ‘good’ at the moment. Wait… Take this one if I’m allowed to add something that isn’t good for you.
Mists of Avalon’
What does “isn’t good for you” mean?
There are books that will enlighten you. Then there are books that are like candy. Candy isn’t good for you, but it’s fun anyways. Twilight isn’t candy. It’s cavities without the pretty color coating that at the very least candy has.
How did you stumble upon Mists of Avalon?
I came across this on my sixteenth no… seventeenth birthday. My friend gave it to me for a present, suggesting that I should read it.
What makes Mists of Avalon fun compared to other books?
Mists of Avalon is a retelling of the standard Arthurian mythology except from the females’ point of view. It has an very authentic point of view of the actual religion side of things and takes great care to utilize the actual history of that time and how the different politics interacted to create a semi-realistic telling that interweaves the legend with decent fact and tradition. At the same time, it does not carry a softened ending so it seems more touching. By the same token, to keep the historic feel, the ‘magic’ used is not the same as usual ‘magic’ and has a more hypnotic effect that makes it seem less like the “magic” that it is usually called and more “insight” and “manipulation.”
Actually that sounds very enlightening to be honest. Have you learned anything about creative writing through the reading of this book?
What I learned is nothing all that special. In those books, they are known to change narrators. I myself was having issues prior to this about how I was able to convey all the events in a story that needed to be known if I had to stay with one character since that can be very limiting. This author has a tendency to change back and forth to the different important characters, shuffling through several but managing to keep one main character.
I also liked the idea of interweaving a deep history into the work to make things more meaningful. Even if some of the history has no proof or backing or whether or not I’m completely supporting the story with a created history, I think it is nice to involve the rest of the world and how it interacts with the main story that I am trying to tell.
Do you feel that the fact that the story is told through a female viewpoint has affected your interest in it in anyway? If so, is it because of your own gender?
I like most Arthurian books. Even if it was told from a male perspective I’m sure I would have liked it since I’ve read the same author write different books write from both male and female perspective. I am sure that I would have liked it all the same, and I think it is the author’s style.
However, my outward of opinion rather than interest is raised because its told mostly from a female perspective. Most stories are told from Lancelot, King Aurthur, and so forth… Who hears it from Morgan Le Fay, the apparent evil most of the story, who suddenly gains sympathy through the tale? Gwen pops in from time to time. It even starts in with Morgan’s and Arthur’s biological mother and the initial Lady of the Lake.
I think the book is made that much greater because it is told from a perspective you do not hear from. It is both a female and the usual antagonist of all the stories. I will not deny that being female has not affected my opinion since it likely has. I am human with human bias especially toward things like myself. However, it is not always going to be true that I like the female side of things more than the male since I do like reading from the other perspective as well.
Grade 11
Interests Science, Education , Literature
Ethnicity Hungarian- Caucasian
Career Plans Get into college and find out what supports me as well as keeps me entertained
Book / Author : : A Lost Lady – Willa Cather
How did you come across this book and why did you suggest it?
It was a school assignment. It depicts the manner in which social climbers become the established wealthy
Aren’t there plenty of books that have this theme? What makes this one different?
No this one depicts it in an old-fashioned but uncommon manner
And what would this manner be?
It is stereotypical and not very feminist.
Not very feminist?
The lost lady is a dumb girl that buys things and lives off of her husband and the protagonist idolizes her.
So from your experience this book is rather unique?
Yes, very.
This is a satire, am I right?
Yes
What are the themes in this book?
Childhood fantasies, adultery and social mobility.
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