The Fountainhead - First Half

Wow, I dont even know where to begin. Had I been smart I would have decided to write after each few chapters because this book has given me so many thoughts. As it is, I was too enthralled to stop reading long enough to write about it.

I think that the reason I had a tough time on my first go around with The Fountainhead was that Rand packs so much punch into each sentence. Every word is important, each sentence has meaning. Its hard to feel like I've gotten everything that the book has to offer because my brain just isn't big enough to handle all of it at once, nor fast enough to analyze every thought of hers. I have never been the type of person to read a book more than once, but I can see that happening in this case and getting more from it each time.

I love Roark so much. It was so difficult for me to read about his hard times when he would not accept work because that is not something I could ever do but I admire him so much for it. Having Keating in the novel only makes it more clear that Roark is so full of integrity and passion. I am scared that I might be more like Keating but at least this novel has allowed me to recognize that and hopefully change me into someone more similar to Roark.

I could go on and on about my thoughts on The Fountainhead but it seems like that would be very Keating of me. Instead I will enjoy the remainder of the pages in quiet amusement much like Roark would.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Ok, here goes the second attempt.

I am choosing to read this one now because a man that I really admire has told me that this is his favorite book of all times. In an effort to secure his admiration I am going to power through. This time I'm going to start with research on the author and the plot line so that I can read with a better sense of understanding. I am hoping to realize that I was just being lazy before and that this is actually a book that I will someday be able to call one of my favorites as well.

A Clockwork Orange - Finished!

I was looking back at my first entry about this book, particularly the last sentence: I hope that the rest of the book is dedicated to his torture. Turns out it was, just not the way I had imagined at the time. To be unable to carry out your basic instincts or to enjoy what you are passionate about (the music) would be torturous. I don't feel bad for Alex at all, I just think its interesting that the torture came in a different form.

Alex asking for help from the man whose wife he had killed was a unique twist. Although understandable, I thought it was very hypocritical for F. Alexander to be committed to helping the poor 'victim' Alex and wanting the Government to cease reforming criminal youth until he realized that he himself was a victim of Alex. People can have a strong, steadfast opinion on a matter but once if directly affects their lives, the opinion can change drastically.

A quote that I liked was when F. Alexander said, 'A man that cannot choose ceases to be a man'. Although this was meant quite literally in that situation, it can also cross over to everyday life choices that we as people have the ability to make.
My plan was to watch the movie after I'd finished reading the book but I think the plan has changed. It was disturbing enough to read about the violence, I can only assume that the visual would be all the more awful. I loved reading this book so I will keep it at that.

A Clockwork Orange - Part 2

As disturbing as the second part of this book has been, I am becoming even more seduced by it than I was before. The method of reforming Alex is brutal and radical but it seems to be working. I guess the question is whether or not it is ethical.

The issue of choice comes into play. It is not his choice to be non-violent, so is he actually a changed man?  If it were up to him he would still act out violently but he is not capable of it anymore, his core is still evil. Although I do not sympathize with him, it must be constant torture to be physically helpless of committing the acts that he desires. I am curious to see how this pans out after he is released.

I don't really know where I stand on this issue. They are still putting a person back on the streets that wants to terrorize others. All I can say is that I am happy this is fiction.

A Clockwork Orange - Part One

I suspected freaky and I got freakier. This book has scared more than any of the others, much to my surprise, even Dracula. I will definitely be double checking on my locked doors tonight.

Much to my happiness, this book is divided into 3 parts, seven chapters each. For some reason I love when books are in equals. This first part was clearly designed to set in the minds of readers what a disturbed world it takes place in. There have been so many disgusting events of violence that my mind is spinning. To maintain my sense of security I am choosing to believe that evil such as this is only created in the mind of Anthony Burgess and is in no way a reality of the world I am living in. It is too evil for me to grasp.

The author of this book has created a language of his own that I have never encountered before. A new set of slang that is unique to this book. At first this rattled me and made me feel like this was just a book that I was merely going to endure but as I read on, I feel as though I have been successful in learning another language. The first couple of times that I understood what he was talking about (ei: rot = mouth, glazzies = eyes) I felt like I was in a world that I had never been before. I think that the way that he chose to write this is extremely intelligent and has that purpose of transforming the reader into a creepy, alter universe that they should not be in.

Despite the anger and evil that Alex, the main character, possesses, I can appreciate that he is a human like the rest of us. His taste in music suggests that he does have some intelligence, which may be his only redeeming quality. As it stands now, I hate his guts and I hope that the rest of the book is dedicated to his torture.

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

This is apparently going to be one of the freakier books on the list.  I watched the movie preview for it and almost switched to another book. However, it must be finished at some point so why not now? Plus, its one of the books that is on all three lists.

A vicious 15 year old droog is the central character of this 1963 classic. In Anthony Burgess's nightmare version of the future, where the criminals take over after dark, the story is told by the central character, Alex, who talks in a brutal invented slang that brilliantly renders his and his friends' social pathology. A Clockwork Orange is a frightening fable about good and evil, and the meaning of human freedom. And when the State undertakes to reform Alex to 'redeem' him, the novels asks, "At what cost?"

Excited!

Pride and Prejudice - Finished!

Bittersweet to me, the last page has turned. This is one of those reads where I could feel myself slowing down as the pages became fewer, not wanting it to be over, reminding me of a Farewell to Arms. However, it is over and the Bennett girls are happy and mostly married so therefore I am happy too.

The chief of my happiness goes to Lizzy, for she married the richest of men, not for his riches but for his strong character and their amazing connection. Secondly, I am happy for Jane, she got what she was destined for, a man of equal manners and heart. Thirdly, I am happy for Kitty because after being removed from Lydia's company she is on the road to becoming a well rounded, proper young lady, deserving of a husband. Fourthly, Mary always had a piece of my heart because she marches to her own overly intelligent drum. I have no doubt that she will remain unmarried and quite accomplished. Lastly, I am far from being a fan of Lydia, both before and after she disgraced her family by eloping with that scoundrel Mr. Wickham. The is greedy and lazy and I have no use for her.

I love how this book brought me back in time. I was in awe of the self control (minus Lydia) that all of the young men and women displayed. It must be such a buildup for them before they even get to kiss on the lips. Nothing like it is today, everyone falling into each other, begging to feel something. I really admire their way of conducting themselves.

A couple of words I enjoyed:
ALACRITY: Noun: Brisk and cheerful readiness
OBSTINATE: Adjective: Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so.

As much as I'd love to pick another Jane Austen for my next book, I think I will wait til I lose steam for this project because I know I can rely on her beautiful words to get me back on track!

Pride and Prejudice - Volume Two

Here's to making up for lost time! The book keeps getting better and better and possesses the magical power of keeping me home on a Saturday night and up early reading on Sunday. I am getting a little bit frustrated with Lizzy not realizing that she may be in love with Darcy and upset that Darcy doesn't try just a little harder. Also, it seems like back in the day, people had much more self control over what they shared with others and the timing of it. If this story had taken place in 2011, Lizzy would have Facebooked Jane about Darcy's meddling and the tweeted about how assholes like Darcy never come out on top. I would not have been able to wait two weeks to give over any information if I had a sister, but that could just be a sign of the times.

Words that I liked the sounds of:
AVARICE: Noun: Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
DUPLICITY: deceitfulness in speech or conduct, as by speaking or acting in two different ways to different people concerning the same matter.
I actually knew what duplicity was but have always had a hard time using it in a real life sentence.

I had some quotes marked out but accidentally pulled the sticky notes... not happy. As much as I'd like to go back and find them so that I can remember them always, I am too excited for this last volume to move backwards.

Pride and Prejudice - Volume One

Well that was a long break! I never intended to have such a long pause in this project, but things just happen. My best explanation to myself is that reading from the list began to feel more like a chore than the exciting literary adventure it had started out as. I feel like I've wasted nine months of page turners that matter but I am set on just moving forward from here. Luckily I was able to read some amazing books that are not on the list as well as finish a couple of University courses, so I suppose that saying it was time wasted is not entirely accurate.

So I reread the first of the three volumes of Pride and Prejudice and was hooked once again. I love Lizzy and aspire to be like her. As it stands, things are not looking positive for the Bennett family. So far no daughters are married and Jane looks to have lost the man she loved.

A word that caught my attention is OSTENTATIOUS meaning 'characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others'. I will make certain that I use it in the next couple of days.

Back on track!