Howdy Friends and Neighbors. Reverend Squeaky-Eye coming at you from Vienna, Austria. Yeah, I know there is a Vienna, Virginia, as well, but I ain't there. Anyhoo, when a Brother or Sister has the time to enjoy the finer things in life, I believe that one of the finest is cracking open a good book. Of course, you can crack open the Good Book if you so desire. Lots of fine stories in there as well, but we are speaking of temporal literature.
Since I have wrested the reins of the blog from Marco, I feel the need to share some mileposts on the literary exploration, maybe offer a few tips for your summer reading. Hell, you can even read these books in the wintertime if the fancy strikes you.
First off, let's start out with a tale of two monsters. Diving into some of the classics of literature is a fine way to spend a lazy day or two. Sometimes the journey is rewarding and sometimes you might find a dead end. So it is with these two classic tales of horror, Frankenstein and Dracula.
Mary Wollstonecraft nee Shelly began writing Frankenstein in 1810 and it was published in London in 1818. The idea of the book came from a trip to Europe in the company of her soon-to-be husband, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. While in Switzerland, the travelers amused themselves by concocting ghost stories. Mary Wollstonecraft's story became the germ for the novel.
This spring I read the original unabridged version of the Frankenstein. I understand that this is the granddaddy of the Gothic horror novel, but I'm here to tell you that the thing fell flat for me. It's not the language, because the Reverend speaks fluent Gothic, nor is it the style. The fault, Dear Brutus, lies in the characters.
First off, Frankenstein is the creator of the "monster," not the monster himself. Hopefully you've seen Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" so you have some idea of the story. So, our pal Frankenstein sets off for University. He studies hard, has a brilliant mind and a solid work ethic, but also some very serious moral flaws. Intrigued with the possibility of creating life, he stitches up an eight-foot long cadaver from various bits and pieces. After a good deal of trial and error, he manages to breath life into the creature (I am going to forego the use of the word "Monster" from here on out. Hopefully you will see why). Okay, groovy, we've got the mad scientist and we have the experimental creature. This is your good old basic horror formula.
But wait. Here's the problem. Frankenstein is a whiny little bitch. Sorry, I really can't find any other way to express this. I make this claim based on his actions. So, back to the story. The creature is animated. Yay! But what does Frankenstein do? He hides in bed for about four months. That's right. He leaves the poor creature alone and animated, without a stick of guidance, and he runs off to bed and pulls the covers over his head for four months. Oh Boo-Hoo. What a sissy! If one wants to play omnipotent god-games, one had better be ready to deal with the consequences, but Frankenstein ain't up for it.
So what of our creature? The poor being leaves the laboratory (say it with me now La-Bore-Ah-Tory. Isn't that fun? Think Marty Feldman) and wanders about, being scorned, reviled and generally abused by everyone he meets. He is like a little infant in an eight-foot tall body, but without a decent parent to care for him. Eventually the creature finds a hideout behind a little cottage in the woods. Through a small peep hole he is able to see and hear the family in the cottage. In this way he learns language through observation. That ain't no small feat, folks. Watching the family interact, he learns what kindness and caring are. Pretty clever creature, what?
Things happen and our creature is forced back out into the cold world. After more mistreatment, he vows revenge on Frankenstein. I, for one, cannot blame him a whit. So he tracks the Frankenstein family down in Geneva, Switzerland, where he starts doing dastardly deeds. There is the inevitable meeting between creature and creator, Frankenstein now out of his little-boy bed and wanting revenge. At the meeting, the creature demands that Frankenstein create a companion for him, a bride. Fair enough, thinks I. The poor creature has no one and, as he logically points out to Dr. F, didn't ask to be brought into the world. The creature is emphatic that if Dr. F doesn't come through with the bride, the shinto will hit the fano. Frankenstein agrees. He almost does it, but in the end he backs out on his deal and breaks his word, making him a liar and a deal-breaker as well as a coward and a sissy.
Now the creature is pissed, righteously pissed. He throws off any shackles of restraint and commences a wholesale revenge on the entire Frankenstein family. Still, Frankenstein will not come clean to anyone. Guilty bastard. Frankenstein flees to all sorts of places with the stealthy and cagey creature hot on his trail.
The story finally winds to a close when Frankenstein figures he alone has to do something about the creature and begins pursuing him. The creature leads him a merry chase and so we end up at the tragic conclusion, which I will let you read for yourself.
From my viewpoint, the only redeeming character in the story is the "Monster." He shows logic, moral understanding and, when thwarted, a wrath and determination that is admirable. He is a not-to-be-messed-with sort of eight-foot walking vengeance machine. And, here's the thing, the vengeance that he deals out is justified! Damn straight, the "Monster" is the good guy. End of review.
Since I have wrested the reins of the blog from Marco, I feel the need to share some mileposts on the literary exploration, maybe offer a few tips for your summer reading. Hell, you can even read these books in the wintertime if the fancy strikes you.
First off, let's start out with a tale of two monsters. Diving into some of the classics of literature is a fine way to spend a lazy day or two. Sometimes the journey is rewarding and sometimes you might find a dead end. So it is with these two classic tales of horror, Frankenstein and Dracula.
Mary Wollstonecraft nee Shelly began writing Frankenstein in 1810 and it was published in London in 1818. The idea of the book came from a trip to Europe in the company of her soon-to-be husband, Percy Shelley, and Lord Byron. While in Switzerland, the travelers amused themselves by concocting ghost stories. Mary Wollstonecraft's story became the germ for the novel.
This spring I read the original unabridged version of the Frankenstein. I understand that this is the granddaddy of the Gothic horror novel, but I'm here to tell you that the thing fell flat for me. It's not the language, because the Reverend speaks fluent Gothic, nor is it the style. The fault, Dear Brutus, lies in the characters.
First off, Frankenstein is the creator of the "monster," not the monster himself. Hopefully you've seen Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" so you have some idea of the story. So, our pal Frankenstein sets off for University. He studies hard, has a brilliant mind and a solid work ethic, but also some very serious moral flaws. Intrigued with the possibility of creating life, he stitches up an eight-foot long cadaver from various bits and pieces. After a good deal of trial and error, he manages to breath life into the creature (I am going to forego the use of the word "Monster" from here on out. Hopefully you will see why). Okay, groovy, we've got the mad scientist and we have the experimental creature. This is your good old basic horror formula.
But wait. Here's the problem. Frankenstein is a whiny little bitch. Sorry, I really can't find any other way to express this. I make this claim based on his actions. So, back to the story. The creature is animated. Yay! But what does Frankenstein do? He hides in bed for about four months. That's right. He leaves the poor creature alone and animated, without a stick of guidance, and he runs off to bed and pulls the covers over his head for four months. Oh Boo-Hoo. What a sissy! If one wants to play omnipotent god-games, one had better be ready to deal with the consequences, but Frankenstein ain't up for it.
So what of our creature? The poor being leaves the laboratory (say it with me now La-Bore-Ah-Tory. Isn't that fun? Think Marty Feldman) and wanders about, being scorned, reviled and generally abused by everyone he meets. He is like a little infant in an eight-foot tall body, but without a decent parent to care for him. Eventually the creature finds a hideout behind a little cottage in the woods. Through a small peep hole he is able to see and hear the family in the cottage. In this way he learns language through observation. That ain't no small feat, folks. Watching the family interact, he learns what kindness and caring are. Pretty clever creature, what?
Things happen and our creature is forced back out into the cold world. After more mistreatment, he vows revenge on Frankenstein. I, for one, cannot blame him a whit. So he tracks the Frankenstein family down in Geneva, Switzerland, where he starts doing dastardly deeds. There is the inevitable meeting between creature and creator, Frankenstein now out of his little-boy bed and wanting revenge. At the meeting, the creature demands that Frankenstein create a companion for him, a bride. Fair enough, thinks I. The poor creature has no one and, as he logically points out to Dr. F, didn't ask to be brought into the world. The creature is emphatic that if Dr. F doesn't come through with the bride, the shinto will hit the fano. Frankenstein agrees. He almost does it, but in the end he backs out on his deal and breaks his word, making him a liar and a deal-breaker as well as a coward and a sissy.
Now the creature is pissed, righteously pissed. He throws off any shackles of restraint and commences a wholesale revenge on the entire Frankenstein family. Still, Frankenstein will not come clean to anyone. Guilty bastard. Frankenstein flees to all sorts of places with the stealthy and cagey creature hot on his trail.
The story finally winds to a close when Frankenstein figures he alone has to do something about the creature and begins pursuing him. The creature leads him a merry chase and so we end up at the tragic conclusion, which I will let you read for yourself.
From my viewpoint, the only redeeming character in the story is the "Monster." He shows logic, moral understanding and, when thwarted, a wrath and determination that is admirable. He is a not-to-be-messed-with sort of eight-foot walking vengeance machine. And, here's the thing, the vengeance that he deals out is justified! Damn straight, the "Monster" is the good guy. End of review.
Dracula, the original vampire novel, was written by an Irishman, Bram Stoker, in 1897. This, Brothers and Sisters, is a whole different kettle of fish. The bad guy in this one is Count Dracula, an undead fiend that is a serious bad-ass. And this bad-ass wants to get to London. He is sick of hanging out in the dreary castle in Transylvania. So, what does he do? He acquires, by guile, a bright young lawyer to school him up. Jonathan Harker travels to the dark realm of Transylvania, goes to the castle despite the warnings of the locals, and gets sucked into the Count's evil trap. Months later he is rescued. I'm not saying how, but he does.
Dracula does, in fact, figure out a way to get to Old Blighty and starts causing all sorts of mischief. As the tale unfolds, a hardy band of opposition forms, including a very brave woman character. The fight is on and it is engrossing, exciting and fun to read. The characters have their flaws, carefully developed by the author, but the good guys are good, the bad guy is bad, and the story is great.
I don't want to spoil this one for you. If you were of a mind to set aside time for a summer classic, use Frankenstein to prop open a door for some fresh air while you immerse yourself in Dracula.
__________
There are a few other fine books that I would throw out there for your summer enjoyment, if you were of a mind. Here are some of the memorable tomes from my reading list this year:
We are Pirates by Daniel Handler
What, the Lemony-Snicket Guy? Yes, the very same, and it ain't no kids book. This is a quirky and dark novel set in San Francisco. It can be disturbing and it is, indeed, dark. It is also rewarding and full of interesting twists. The characters are wonderful and the threads of the story interweave in delicious surprises. If you are up for quirkiness, this one is solid. By the way, credit where credit is due: A tip of the Rev Lid to Marco's genetic envelope for bringing this one to our attention. Atta Boy!
The North Waters by Ian McGuire
If one is into the darkly profane mixed with a historical thriller, here is a marvel of a book. This novel is NOT for everyone. When I say that is is dark and profane, I mean deeply so. Think of Joseph Conrad drinking absinthe in a very seedy waterfront bar on a moonless night. Dark, damn dark. The story is set aboard a whaling ship off of the coast of Greenland. It is well researched, well written, and the story is wild. The entire novel is set in the present tense, giving the reader the sensation of being right there for all of the grisly action. It is one of the most interesting page-turners I have read in the last year.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2000, this collection of short stories just jumped up on my radar. Yeah, I know, but so many books, so little time. Finely crafted stories that are centered around the interaction, or at times clash, of cultures, these gem-like vignettes are profound and moving. The plots revolve around people from the Subcontinent of India and their interactions with each other, whether in new cultures or in the old world. The author has a fine and subtle voice, and these quiet tales bear fruit.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Speaking of classics, I think every summer should have a few sprinkled into the reading schedule. I can here you saying "But Reverend, I read that in school when I was...." I know it's true, I read it in school as well. And I'm here to tell you that I just read it again, forty-some-odd years later, and it was a grand literary jaunt. Mockingbird ranks right up there in the running for greatest American novel and it is a much better novel to read as a voluntary adult than as an indentured student. Trust me on this one, you will not be disappointed.
Look Who's Back by Timur Vermes
This author has cojones cast from solid brass. There is no other explanation possible for the creation of this satirical novel. A German writer, Herr Vermes posits a modern world where Adolph Hitler wakes up from a long nap, very much alive, in the field near his old bunker in Berlin. I know, I know, Hitler ain't supposed to be funny. But this novel is very funny, bitingly so. It is also provocative. The satire is pointed, razor sharp, and painfully funny. Many, many people will have good reason to be offended by this book. I figured if a German cat has the chutzpah to write it, I could man-up and read it. I was glad that I did.
Last, and sadly maybe least:
Barkskins by Annie Proulx
I love Annie Proulx. MS Proulx is the amazing writer who created The Shipping News, a wonderfully brilliant novel. Barkskins is a sprawling epic that follows two families over three centuries. I am sorry to say that for all of the author's brilliance and skill, of which there is ample, the story itself did not work for me. Actually, it is the characters that didn't work for me. When they die, and they die in droves, there were very few that I was sad to see go. The writing is skilled and the story meticulously researched, but it left me with the feeling that I had just read one of Michener's Research-and-bake epics, albeit by a finer writer. At over 700 pages, this novel is an investment in time. I would recommend reading The Shipping News.
So, there you have it folks. If one of these literary adventure doesn't do it for you, you can always read Serial-Z, Marco's own foray into the Post-apocolyptic genre. You can find it at:
Serial-Z.blogspot.com
As always Brother and Sisters, "Ciao for Now"
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