Reading Recommendation Interviews (wyoung)
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.”
Book recommendations by Stuyvesant students for Stuyvesant students and readers around the world. Also known as Stuy Bookshelf/Book Box. Submissions are open—click on register below!