In the Time of the Butterflies II
Minerva, one of the Mirabal sisters of In the Time of the Butterflies, is such a strong, admirable character.
Ever since she was a young girl, Minerva did not fear speaking her mind and standing up for herself and what the she believed in. She hadn’t been aware of the Dominican dictator’s viciousness until she went to school and met a girl whose family members had been murdered on his orders. Once, when Minerva and her friends went to perform a play for Trujillo, she courageously pointed a prop bow at his face and created a commotion. She and her friends also snuck off school campus to attend secret meetings against the dictatorship. I can’t imagine being so brave and true to myself and my people in such a risky situation, outwardly voicing my opinions in a police state filled with spies. Even when she met Trujillo, she did not put on a serious show of humility. Being a woman of intelligence, she actually requested him if she could join law school. He fancied her, and although she didn’t do much to get into trouble by displeasing him, she did not give in to his wishes.
When Trujillo called for Minerva after finding the letters Leo, a friend of Minerva’s and an enemy of the state, had been writing her, she did not outwardly show panic and handled herself well enough to avoid getting into trouble. I don’t think I would have been able to remain so composed were I in her situation; I probably would have broken down and done something stupid. Also, when she graduated law school but realized Trujillo had made sure she couldn’t practice, she maintained calmness. I would have been so broken and depressed after five years of school for nothing!
Minerva’s actions are truly honorable; it is evident that she has both dignity and compassion towards others. When Trujillo and Minerva gambled each other for their wishes (Trujillo’s desire was Minerva, while Minerva’s was going to law school) and both of them rolled sixes, Trujillo asked her to decide whether both of them should get their wishes or not. Minerva wanted to attend law school very much, but she said they shouldn’t because self-respect is of utmost importance to her. I probably would have done the same in her situation; I wouldn’t want to sacrifice myself in order to give in to his desire. When Minerva discovered that her father was involved with another woman, a relationship through which she had four half-sisters, she found it in her heart to accept them and help them out with money and education. She even made sure that the girls attended their father’s funeral. It was extremely kind of her to do all this for the illegitimate children; it does appear to have been the right thing to have done, too, because the girls were not at fault for her father’s mistake. I’m not sure if I would have been so ready to accept their existence; even if I did, I probably wouldn’t have been as eager as Minerva to help them out. Angry at my father and thoroughly distraught out of confusion, I might have just pretended I didn’t know about them and tried to move on with my life.
In the Time of the Butterflies (Rating:B)
In the Time of the Butterflies is an intriguing and original novel penned by Latin American author Julia Alvarez. The summary provided on the inside front of the book gained my interest, so I decided to give it a read (the fact that the author and I share the same first name is a complete coincidence and, contrary to what you might think, had not even a tinge of influence on my decision!). The novel is set over a time span of fifty-six years, from 1938 to 1994, and follows the story of four sisters, three of whom were eventually murdered, living in the Dominican Republic. It is a beautiful painting of the real struggles the Mirabal sisters faced during their childhood and later life, under Gen. Raphael Leonidas Trujillo’s dictatorship of their country.
Although it’s been a while since I’ve read a historic fictional novel like this one, I usually enjoy reading this particular genre, given that the historic event it recreates is an interesting one. Historic fiction is not only pleasurable, but simultaneously informative. You learn a little history through the process of entertaining yourself, facts you are far more likely to remember than those out of a textbook or encyclopedia. I didn’t really know much about the history of the Dominican Republic before I started this book; now in the process of reading through it, I’ve learnt about how important the Catholic faith was (and probably still is) to the Dominicans and have got a small glimpse of what Dominican life was like under the dictator. I’ve even been able to connect what I’ve read to our history lessons on Stalin and totalitarianism in Russia! For instance, people in the Dominican Republic were forced to keep their mouths shut and idolize the ‘President’ (every household was required to hang a picture of Trujillo on the wall!), just as the citizens of the USSR could not express any opinion that contrasted with the state’s goals and had to practically worship Stalin. Historical works like this one have to be admired; an enormous amount of research must have gone into the creation of In the Time of the Butterflies. Alvarez had to undertake the difficult task of fusing together actual historic facts and events and the principles of fictional storytelling. Nonetheless, I think that her efforts were worth it; I find the book really interesting and I can’t wait to find out how the Mirabal sisters’ lives progress!
The Art of Racing in the Rain (Rating:B)
The Art of Racing in the Rain initially caught my attention because it depicted a dog on its front cover and was featured under the section titled “New Releases” at the bookstore. I knew that the novel would be an interesting read once I read the summary and the positive reviews. It is the story of a dog, Enzo, and the important part he plays in the life of the Swift family. The book is such a great example of all a dog has to offer to the people he loves. What makes it so unique is the fact that it is told through the eyes of Enzo himself!
Enzo, who is past his prime when he relates his tale, comes across as a very intellectual canine. Throughout the several chapters I’ve read, he discusses various philosophic matters, providing fresh insight of such profoundness that not even the average human has contemplated it. What struck me first was his deep desire to be a man; he is very close to his owner – racecar driver Denny – and family, but acknowledges and deeply resents the fact that he will never completely be one of them because of he is a dog. He longs for opposable thumbs and a tongue that would allow him to speak; he feels like a human trapped in a canine body. He wishes his own death; he reasons that if he passes away, he will be reincarnated as a human (at which time he will revisit Denny), and will simultaneously rid his owner of a great burden (if Denny doesn’t have Enzo to worry about, he can focus on and strive towards his aspirations). Of course, the thought of parting from Denny, leaving a whole lifetime of recollections and experiences behind him, saddens Enzo. His reflection on death is quite powerful, especially because it is coming from such a human dog; it clearly demonstrates the attributes of loyalty and total selflessness that make canines man’s best friends.
Enzo began watching television when he was a three-month old pup, ever since Denny brought him home. It serves as his source of knowledge. One particular subject he formed an opinion on from watching television is evolution. He doesn’t understand why creationists and scientists argue over the conception of mankind, but sees the matter in a different light that actually opened my eyes. He points out that spiritualism and science is one and the same, that both spiritualism and science develop, and that humans are a wonderful mix of both spiritual and scientific aspects. He believes that it doesn’t matter where the human body came from (he highly doubts that we came from monkeys, and insists that we came from dogs!); what is of importance is the fact that it evolved enough to carry the human soul. The truth and logic behind his words appears solid to me; we would not be ourselves without both the reasoning of science and the faith of spirituality. His bright hypotheses and deep understanding make me wonder – just a little – about the hidden capabilities our canine friends have!
The Shining III (Rating:B)
Jack Torrance, the main character of Stephen King’s The Shining, is a very complex individual. I sympathize with him because he has been struggling to find himself in a life controlled by alcohol for the past three years. Drinking worsens his already short temper, allowing him to get involved in physical brawls and commit acts of violence. He feels terribly ashamed after the full realization of what he has done hits him, and he constantly tries to assure himself that he is not a bad person despite the fact that he can sense the vice emanating from within him. He tries to reason that every mistake and every hardship he faced is not entirely his fault; it was thrust onto him by the alcohol and the way it brought him out of his senses. He realizes that, like a man under a wasp attack, he was not aware of what he was doing and things just unfolded without him being able to impose his control on them.
Alcoholism has ruined the lives of millions; although merely fictional, Jack is testimony to this harsh fact of reality. He lost his teaching career, wife, dignity, and purpose because of his addiction – in short, alcohol devoured his entire life. I can’t personally relate to this, nor do I plan on ever doing so, but I have heard of distant relatives – often very bright and initially promising – succumbing to liquor and letting it devastate every aspect of their lives. However, I can connect to Jack’s serious lack of self-control when it comes to his temper; I must admit I have quite a similar problem! I let my short temper get the best of me most of the time; I’ve never gone so far as to break an arm or cause a concussion as Jack did, but there have been times when I’ve used physical force, driven by extreme rage. Like Jack, I don’t realize what I’ve done till it’s done and too late; the same feelings of shame and guilt flood through my mind and I wonder how I let myself go like that. It’s a little frightening because uncontrollable anger is, like Jack proves, a very dangerous thing.
Now that he is at the Overlook, away from the troubling memories of his past, Jack is accepting his new duty as a chance to begin afresh and get back at the world for what he has suffered. He finds comfort in the hotel’s tranquility and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape; he feels that he can discover himself here and heal his countless wounds while doing the duties that Mr. Ullman has assigned him and looking after the Overlook.
The Shining II (Rating:B)
I think that by accepting the job of winter caretaker at the Overlook, Jack has unknowingly led his family into a deathtrap. It is fascinating to think that the three of them have the entire hotel to themselves for months – the endless supplies of food and complete freedom within the walls of such a grand, historic hotel would definitely be a memorable experience. However, it would clearly also be extremely frightening. Living months on end without any human contact – with only each other for company – is not a particularly inviting thought. Wendy is justified in worrying about the safety of her son and husband; I would worry too. They would be helpless if an emergency occurred – if one of them became critically ill or injured, or if a fire started, they wouldn’t be able to get assistance, being snowbound and many miles away from the nearest city and other people. Despite the apparent lack of restrictions within the hotel, in reality, the family will actually be trapped inside, locked away from the safety and interactions of civilization. Dieing like a helpless prisoner, imprisoned by the walls of your own duty, would be horrifying.
Now I have no doubt in my mind that Jack will end up murdering his family; the author has placed one too many hints suggesting this outcome throughout the exposition of the novel. Once, Danny saw Jack holding a glinting axe, in place of the paper bag that was actually in his hands. We know that the previous caretaker ended up murdering his family in Jack’s position, driven mad by alcohol, solitude, and confinement. From the beginning, Jack’s alcohol and anger issues are apparent, making his capability for doing the unthinkable apparent as well. Danny’s supernatural friend, Tony, warns him to stay clear of the Overlook in his visions; the poor boy must be absolutely terrified to find himself brought exactly to the background of his nightmares. He sees how happy his parents seem to be because of the new job, an opportunity to start afresh, so he tries to ignore his intuitions and be content.
The Smoke Jumper II (Rating:B)
Well past the middle of Nicholas Evans’ The Smoke Jumper, I was of the opinion that it was a satisfactory read – not terrible, yet not a novel I’d enthusiastically recommend. The authors’ repetitive use of run-on sentences and the slow pace at which the story was progressing were major drawbacks to me. After finishing the novel, though, I’ve changed my mind. The plot picked up, introducing events that demanded my sentiments, and making the novel fairly good.
For me, the turning point in the story was Ed’s death. It really sucked me into the book and from then on, I began to read eagerly, anxious to uncover the fate of Ed’s loved ones – Julia, Amy, and Connor. Ed’s passing came as such a shock to me. It was distressing, especially because Ed had outwardly been such an energetic, charismatic guy – always laughing or cracking jokes – and because he had already had his fair share of misfortunes what with the diabetes, sterility, and loss of vision. His death was totally unexpected, although I should have seen it coming. First of all, he was diabetic; he was physically vulnerable, biologically destined to live a short life. Then, there were the strong feelings Julia and Connor had for one another. Their mutual love and the deep connection they had made as soon as they had set eyes on each other clearly surpassed the relationship that Ed and Julia shared. More importantly, Connor was the father of her child. Ed loved Amy dearly, but he sometimes ached to know that she wasn’t truly his. Amy’s birth sealed Julia’s and Connor’s feelings for one another in the plain, real form of blood, flesh, and life, making their connection unquestionably clear – stronger than what Julia had with Ed, who couldn’t father her child. So naturally, in typical fictional fashion, Ed had to go. Unfortunately, he was in the way of Connor’s and Julia’s happiness and the preordained link that held them together. It was such a bittersweet death; I feel for Ed because it was he, who had been the first to fall in love with Julia, who lost her because of the works of death and fate.
The Smoke Jumper (Rating:C)
The Smoke Jumper, a novel written by Nicholas Evans, is the story of two best friends, fellow Missoula smokejumpers Connor and Ed, and how their lives change when the latter gets a girlfriend named Julia. When Ed introduces her to Connor, he guiltily feels attracted towards her. Julia secretly identifies a deep personal connection between them as well. The big turning point in their lives is marked by a wild mountain fire, in which Ed permanently loses his sense of sight.
It is inspirational how Ed handled this sudden, unexpected impairment. He seems to be the same light hearted person he was before the accident, cracking casual jokes, full of laughter and smiles. He doesn’t mope around and let his handicap get in the way of his dreams and passions; he continues playing his piano, teaching music to others, and trying to compose musicals. He ensures his lost sight doesn’t hinder his relationships, including the one he shared with Julia, and tries to be as independent as possible so as not to burden his loved ones with the responsibility of caring for a blind man. I can only imagine how hard it must be to go through the physical changes of lost vision, and to will your body to adjust to them; the difficulty of enduring the mental and emotional hurdles is far beyond my experiences of suffering and is not something I can relate to in any way. However, I know that if I were Ed, I would probably not be able to resume everyday life so quickly, easily, and jovially. I would most likely be severely depressed for at least a couple months, if not more. My suffering and misery would show through to the people that surrounded me and probably affect them as well. I eventually would have to realize that life must go on, be thankful that it was only my sight that I did not have, and make use of the many gifts and time that remained in my grasps.
On the outside, Ed seems as fine and healthy as he’s ever been, with the exception of his loss of vision. Behind the inspirational façade, however, are the perfectly reasonable feelings of inadequacy, self-pity, and sorrow that are only expected of someone who encountered such a terrible ordeal. He adopts the opinion that he doesn’t have what it takes to become a recognized composer as he feels the talent and energy drain out of him, worn out by dozens of prior rejections. He is devastated and beaten to learn that he cannot father his own children. He takes care to keep it all cooped up inside him and does a pretty good job of not letting anyone else find and become affected by the pain masked behind his happy smiles and carefree jokes. Like I said, I would not have been able to do that; I’m pretty sure I would have let all the emotions pour out of me and openly soaked in my agony. My naked feelings would be visible to the entire world; it would weep along with me.
I am the Messenger (Rating:B)
I found I am the Messenger – the tale of Ed Kennedy’s transformation from a pathetic nobody to a definite somebody - an inspiring read. Ed is initially introduced as an ambitionless, underage taxi driver who lives a very stagnant life. He lives with a reeking, coffee-crazy dog, has a struggling bond with his mother, and holds within himself deep feelings for his best friend. However, the mysterious aces that find him lead him to help others and better himself in the process. The story made me realize that I should make the most of the time God has granted me and live a meaningful life. No matter how great it feels to just slack off and do nothing, remaining idle is almost like a form of sinning. A man is not living until he has reached out to others and found purpose to his being. The author, Mark Zusak, also pointed out that it is never too late to step out and meet the world; I have to agree. Anyone can change for the better and can climb out of the darkness, regardless of how far away they are from the light.
Although the book in general was very enjoyable, I didn’t really love the ending. It was a great idea for Ed to finally help his own close friends and strengthen his relationships with them. I also liked how he acknowledged his growth, realizing that he had finally morphed into a respectable man and that he was not the messenger but the actual message – showing the world how any individual can reform himself and touch countless hearts. However, even though the man behind the aces and his intention were revealed, the story would have been smoother and more believable if things were more clearly explained. To me, a man feeling guilty enough to go to such extremes in order to better the character of the nineteen year old son of a stranger he murdered is quite farfetched! If it hadn’t been so rushed, perhaps there would have been more clarifications to strengthen the character of the man and verify his objective.
Paradise Lost (Rating:B)
John Milton’s Paradise Lost, the first epic poem I individually and completely finished, was a very interesting read for me. I knew as soon as I learnt of its subject matter that I had to read it. It didn’t take long for me to get used to Milton’s use of language and ordering of words. However, the read was a challenge in the fact that it took me so long to complete; I couldn’t help but read at half my usual pace. It was worth the effort and time, though; it was fascinating to read Adam and Eve’s story through the words of a 17th century writer who successfully retold the biblical tale and all others surrounding it in such great detail. I’m glad I took up the task of reading Paradise Lost and am proud that I completed it and learnt from it.
Milton closely followed the Bible in the relating of the creation story, but incorporated his own Puritan views and filled in missing details to create an original narrative that remains true to Christian faith. I have great admiration for Milton; his writing is beautiful and captivating. He has a strong command over his words and uses imagery through creative similes, metaphors, and vivid descriptions. His writing reflects the fact that he was a very knowledgeable person; he fuses the science, geography, history, mythology, and religion of his era into the story. It was easy for me to get into the story because Milton frequently alluded to themes that we recently discussed in history class (as he was from that revolutionary time period) – Galileo and the telescope, the Ptolemaic theory, the Copernican theory, etc. My respect for Milton grew when I learnt that he was blind (he makes reference to this in the poem itself).
Although the epic poem is farfetched in the sense that Milton drags on and on trying to describe and in the unrealistic way the characters talk, it was fun to read. It gave character to God, Satan, Jesus, Adam, and Eve, giving me a look into their motives. The story opened my eyes to how things today would have been so different if our mother, Eve, had not fallen for the Serpent’s sinful words and tasted the fruit God had forbade them from. We would still be living in the eternal bliss and mutual love Adam and Eve prospered in, unaware of the darkness of evil- no violence and sin shattering society. What’s more, we would have been immortal and wouldn’t have to worry about the Day of Judgment! Paradise Lost made me realize that God has given each and every soul the choice to obey him or not, just like he gave Adam and Eve free will in Paradise. It also made me realize that he is consistent (he punished Adam and Eve like he promised he would), but also forgiving and merciful (he didn’t bring them immediate death, sent the Messiah to cleanse their descendents of sin, and has promised to reward the faithful in heaven).
Uglies (Rating:B)
Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies is the story of Tally Youngblood, a girl born to a futuristic society in which everyone undergoes an operation to become beautiful at the age of sixteen. All her other friends have already underwent surgery; she can’t wait to join them. As she approaches her sixteenth birthday, Tally befriends another “Ugly” named Shay, a girl who has second thoughts about the surgery and runs away before her birthday to avoid losing herself. Before leaving, Shay tells Tally about her destination, the Smoke, where people live ugly and never have to become pretty; she makes Tally promise to never reveal her secret. However, on the day Tally is scheduled to go under the knife, she receives the devastating news that she will be turned pretty only if she locates and brings back Shay.
It isn’t surprising to me that Tally chooses to betray Shay, deciding to go find her friend so that she can become beautiful. It’s not that Tally is a selfish character; I believe the only one to blame for her decision is the environment she grew up in. In her society, everyone is born, raised, and taught to believe that they are ugly; it is astonishing how every person readily accepts the fact that they possess no vestiges of beauty until the operation transforms them. Tally grew up looking up to “Pretties”, admiring the warmth and charisma that radiated from their perfect features, envying the party lifestyle they led. For her and all other Uglies, every day is one step closer to becoming pretty, one step closer to nonstop fun and excitement. It is as if every person is a nobody, ugly and insignificant, with no purpose to fulfill, until their operation. Tally has been counting down the days for as long as she can remember, trying to imagine how she would look with fuller lips and sleeker hair, that she finds it too hard to turn back on her dreams for Shay. Also, she wants to reunite with her old friends; she had promised Peris that she would get the operation and join him in New Pretty Town as soon as she could. She reasons that perhaps breaking one promise to maintain another made earlier to someone that she had known much longer is acceptable. Any other Ugly would probably have made the same decision as Tally. Under such circumstances and the enormous pressure to turn beautiful, I’m pretty sure that I would have done the same.
