Recommendations 2
Timothy Tong
Late British Literature – Ms. Chan
Period 2
Book Recommendations
1)
a. Name: Richmon Kam
b. Year: Senior
c. Book: Catch 22
d. Author: Joseph Heller
e. Interests: Handball, hanging out with my girlfriend.
f. Questions
i. What distinguished this book from the others you’ve read?
1. It was a combination of military and political drama with humor. The book’s exploration of the concept of something as serious as war using humor made it unique. The characters were also really interesting; there was one guy named Major major major major.
ii. Did you relate to the story in any way? How?
1. No, it was a war story. But I did learn about how war affects everybody. Not only in the physical sense, but also in the emotional and mental sense as well.
iii. What theme would you say was essential to your book?
1. The fact that war can drive even the best of men insane.
iv. How influential was this book? In other words, did it inspire any life-changing revelations when you read it (or something remotely similar to that)?
1. Well, not in me. But before, I really didn’t care about wars. After reading this book though, I tried becoming more anti-war and active.
v. Which type of people does this book appeal to?
1. Probably war veterans. But I think it’s also good for the younger generations that haven’t experienced war – for educational purposes and also for enlightenment on the subject.
vi. What could’ve made this book better?
1. Some of the chapters were over-descriptive, and it kind of dragged the story down in those parts. So, I’d say cut those chapters down a bit, and the story would’ve been better.
2)
a. Name: Tracy Sit
b. Year: Junior
c. Book: Twilight
d. Author: Stephenie Meyer
e. Interests: Tennis, hanging out with friends, playing music on the keyboard and guitar, having fun wherever I am.
f. Questions
i. What distinguished this book from the others you’ve read?
1. This book talks about the love between vampires and humans. I love how this book makes it possible that the predator can love the prey and visa versa. The story is very captivating and although it is simply written (making it an easy reading), I enjoyed it thoroughly because of the love story between Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan that I so want to find for myself.
ii. Did you relate to the story in any way? How?
1. I actually don’t relate to the story since it takes place in a fictional world. But I do wish that I would find the true love that exists between Edward and Bella one day. Actually, I did relate to the story in that it takes place in a high school setting, when everyone are seniors, just like me. The same peer pressures and school issues that were in the book are also in my life.
iii. What theme would you say was essential to your book?
1. Love is the major theme in the book. If a “sick masochistic lion can love a lamb,” love can exist between any two people/countries/things.
iv. How influential was this book? In other words, did it inspire any life-changing revelations when you read it (or something remotely similar to that)?
1. This book wasn’t that influential. I just found myself daydreaming a lot about Edward Cullen and his love for Bella a lot.
v. Which type of people does this book appeal to?
1. This book appeals to teenagers. Not only because it takes place in high school, but also because it talks about love, a subject surrounded by much curiosity in the teenage world.
vi. What could’ve made this book better?
1. I don’t think this book could’ve been made better. Except for the sort of repetitive storytelling some people complained about (bogging them down). But I actually liked it – because it only reinforced the love between Edward and Bella.
3)
a. Name: Fang Fang Nan
b. Year: Senior
c. Book: Pride and Prejudice
d. Author: Jane Austen
e. Interests: Eating, cooking, shopping.
f. Questions
i. What distinguished this book from the others you’ve read?
1. The protagonist is a heroine is so different from the other (18th century?) women of her time. She’s independent and a strong individual.
ii. Did you relate to the story in any way? How?
1. I relate to Elizabeth because I consider myself an independent woman, who doesn’t need men. I admire her personal strength, in standing up for herself and rejecting men she couldn’t see herself with.
iii. So have you ever rejected men you couldn’t see yourself with?
1. (Laughs) I don’t want to answer that.
iv. What theme would you say was essential to your book?
1. I’d say standing up for yourself and going against societal norms.
v. Did this theme inspire any life-changing revelations when you read it?
1. I found this book slightly influential because I already had a feministic view on life before I read the book and after reading it, it was only strengthened.
vi. Which type of people does this book appeal to?
1. This definitely appeals to women who are oppressed. This book can help inspire them to stand up for themselves.
vii. What could’ve made this book better?
1. I think it took too long for Elizabeth to realize that Darcy was a good guy. It would’ve been better, in my opinion, if she realized Darcy’s true intentions earlier and they got their happily ever after earlier.
4)
a. Name: Shayanta Hasnat
b. Year: Senior
c. Book: The Stranger
d. Author: Albert Camus
e. Interests: Wrestling, beatboxing.
f. Questions
i. What distinguished this book from the others you’ve read?
1. Most of the stories I’ve read have built up to their main conflict in one way or another. In Camus’ The Stranger, the main character is accused of a crime without knowing what it is or why he is suspected. The absence of rationality in this book distinguishes it from other ones I’ve read.
ii. Did you relate to the story in any way? How?
1. There are times when I feel that the people who have influence over my life have no reason for doing what they do. My parents, for example, sometimes force me to eat at specific times even though I’m not hungry. At times like these, I relate to the main character of The Stranger, who was also forced into a bad situation by his superiors.
iii. What theme would you say was essential to your book?
1. Irrationality.
iv. Would like to expand on that?
1. I actually don’t remember off the top of my head. But I’ll get back to you if I do.
v. How influential was this book? In other words, did it inspire any life-changing revelations when you read it (or something remotely similar to that)?
1. This book made me realize that there is not always a happy ending to every story. The universe does not favor any one person. There is a sort of insignificance that all people share.
vi. Which type of people does this book appeal to?
1. Atheists and realists.
vii. What could’ve made this book better?
1. Skipped.
5)
a. Name: Richard Shyong
b. Year: Freshman
c. Book: Venus Plus X
d. Author: Theodore Sturgeon
e. Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, comics and movies.
f. Questions
i. What distinguished this book from the others you’ve read?
1. I liked this book because the idea of males and females becoming one and the same in the future was intriguing. This is one of the many science fiction stories that play around with crazy ideas that boggle your mind. The science behind it was actually a bit plausible too – besides the time traveling.
ii. Did you relate to the story in any way? How?
1. I couldn’t relate to the story.
iii. What theme would you say was essential to your book?
1. The gender battle between males and females will lead to a dystopia.
iv. How was this evident in the book?
1. In the end, because of all of the conflict between males and females, we find out there’s a lot going up beneath the surface of the utopia Sturgeon describes. The citizens of Ledom are actually more corrupt than they let on and everyone has their flaws.
v. How influential was this book? In other words, did it inspire any life-changing revelations when you read it (or something remotely similar to that)?
1. Not very – it was just interesting to read.
vi. What made it interesting?
1. The fact that there are so few differences between males and females. Our bodies are almost the same with the exception of our sexual organs (which the book describes in detail). But the way we think and the desires that drive our actions are very similar.
vii. Which type of people does this book appeal to?
1. Anyone who likes interesting, weird things.
viii. What could’ve made this book better?
1. Making the plot a little less convoluted. I found it confusing at times because there are a lot of names to keep track of. But I enjoyed it, overall.
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