There's a reason classics are classics

(posted by roanne)

Jane Eyre is a classic story of love and self-discovery written by Charlotte Bronte (Emily Bronte's- author of Wuthering Heights- sister). One book critic writes that "Jane Eyre is the rare book that manages to be good by virtue of ineffable charm alone, despite not having very much going for it in terms of overall plot."

It is the story of a quaint, plain-looking  orphan girl named Jane Eyre. Of course, when a story like this is translated to Hollywood speak, it is: a quaint, beautiful-but-modestly-dressed orphan girl named Jane Eyre. Hollywood doesn't seem to grasp the concept of plain-looking too well. The recent movie, "Jane Eyre" starring Mia Wasikowska, was (understandably) dramatized to reach a less-than-patient audience of the 21st century. It did, however retain a sense of it's innocence and softness. All in all, the movie was good, with a surprisingly comprehensive structure of a could-be-all-over-the-place movie, where many flashbacks were necessary.

The book tracks Jane Eyre's life in a score masterfully written. It is both deep and intricate, but still captivating and fresh. Basically Jane is on a journey of discovering how to love and be loved while remaining true to herself. This journey takes her from Lowood, a school for girls, to working for a man named Mr Rochester ( who is described as physically unattractive as well, rather different from today's books) with whom she falls in love, involuntarily and irretrievably. Jane then encounters life and circumstances and has to choose being true to herself over her feelings.

I love that Charlottle Bronte makes that distinction between who you are and what you feel. This book is incredibly outspoken through its subtle characters and boldly states radical views on gender inequality (for the 19th century), religion and morality. There are some really cool quotes from this book. the kind of quote that would make you either: a) be confused, b) be awkward or c) think. Here's a quote from my favorite character, Helen Burns (a girl Jane meets at Lowood), "Hush, Jane! You think too much of the love of human beings."

I really like this book. Maybe you should try reading it, because maybe you'll see the work of art and skill that it is. Maybe you'll see the reason it's a classic.

Fantasy Books

(posted by Roanne)

i've always wondered why we imagine so many things like they are in reality. think about a butterfly: even in your head, where the laws of physics are as unlimiting as a blank canvas, their wings are still proportionate to their bodies and they fly pretty similarly to a normal butterfly. i guess it's because we're so used to seeing things one way- through the eyes of logic and the natural. the thing about fantasy books is that you get to dream. to imagine and to see things differently. i understand if you're saying " all i ever get from fantasy books is weird looking creatures and forests" i'll admit, forests do seem to be prominent in fantasy books (they seem to encourage magic in general.) but just push past the initial hesitance and you might find that you enjoy breaking free and letting your imagination have some running space. you're surrounded by this world where the mundane doesn't exist and fears are magnified, dreams are magnified, possibilities are magnified. it's exhilarating and breathtaking- wonderfully impossible.

aussie authors

i think i have a thing for Australian authors. some of my favourite authors throughout school, like Morris Gleitzman, Jaclyn Moriarty, and Judith Clarke, have been Australian. i don't know what it is about them, but the stories are almost always a little strange or quirky; they're not quite "normal", and i love that.

in primary school, i used to read collections of short stories by Paul Jennings (another Aussie) and they were the Weirdest Stories I've Ever Read. seriously. there was one about a boy whose lips got stuck to an ice statue he was kissing. (fo' real) they always creeped me out a little, but they were fascinating and addictive.

my favourite Aussie authors are two females, though: Jaclyn Moriarty and Judith Clarke. their stories are not quite as weird, but there's still an element of magic and fantasy in them. i think they've influenced my writing a lot. there's something dream-like about their stories, even though they are about everyday life, which is something i try to capture in my short stories (i don't know if i manage to achieve this, though :) )

so i'm grateful to Aussie authors. they've broadened my horizons a little, and taught me to think and write with imagination and creativity. and a little bit of weirdness to keep things interesting.

Recommended Aussie books:

• One Whole and Perfect Day - Judith Clarke
• Feeling Sorry For Celia - Jaclyn Moriarty
• The Spellbook of Listen Taylor - Jaclyn Moriarty
• Kalpana's Dream - Judith Clarke
• Blabber Mouth - Morris Gleitzman
• Water Wings  - Morris Gleitzman
• any collection of short stories by Paul Jennings. they usually have titles like "Unreal!" or "Uncanny!" or "Wicked!"

jack cavanaugh

(posted by Kelsey)

To be honest, I’m not a fan of history. But I’ve just read a book that weaves the history of South Africa into a beautiful fictional story. Shockingly, it’s written by an American author, Jack Cavanaugh. I know. Yet he somehow captures the essence of Africa and our lovely land so well. I learnt stuff about the wars and lives of the Boers and Xhosas and Zulus and Griquas that I was always too lazy to find out. Quest for the Promised Land – history made simple yet beautiful.

awesome austen

my sister and i have recently discovered the amazingness of Jane Austen. for those of you who haven't heard of her, Jane Austen wrote classic romance novels like Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility among others.

i will admit that before i actually tried reading Pride and Prejudice, i thought classic novels were a complete bore and went nowhere slowly. and the truth is, they are slow-paced... but there's something beautiful about that too. one gets taken to a place where people are more relaxed and less stressed about life in general; a place where people actually listen to each other and take the time to have meaningful conversations (after all, they had nothing much else to do). it's also a place where love and romance were much more simple and innocent, which i like a lot. Jane Austen's books are the ideal treat for a hopeless romantic, like me. no matter what happens, you can always be sure that true love will conquer all in the end - what more could you ask for, really?

romance novels - especially classic romance novels - are not for everyone, though. i have a friend who just loves reading stories about gruesome murders and psychopathic killers *shudder*. but, really,  i think everyone should try to read a classic. if we were all a little more open-minded, i think we could discover a whole new world of things to enjoy. because where's the fun in sticking to the tried-and-tested when there's so much more?

and if you don't like reading, there's always the movie:)