Rodanthe, Sandition, and Alexander The Great
By The Parodist | May 12, 2009
Travel back in time and imagine horse-drawn carriages and muddy roads. Get a glimpse of a miracle unfold in an otherwise ordinary life. Experience the magical encounter with someone great. Spend your nights in Rodanthe. Traipse around Sandition. Immerse yourself in the life of Alexander The Great.
There are days when I don’t feel like reading but for the past couple of months, books have been a constant companion in my bedroom, specifically right before I sleep.
My love for the Classics and Jane Austen have brought me to grab a copy of Sandition, the half-finished masterpiece of the great author now completed by respected author and Austen expert, Juliette Shapiro.
I’m certainly curious to finish reading this novel and hope to love it as much as I love the other Jane Austen books I’ve already read.
Choosing to read Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks, I have to admit was greatly due to movie trailers I’ve seen. Growing up surrounded by Contemporary Fiction, mostly romance for young adults, I’ve learned to appreciate the modern comedy no matter how shallow the plot may be. I reckon it’s easier to identify myself in characters if things are set in a familiar period. It was only when I was older did I enjoy ones that are not, hence, my love for the classics.
I haven’t seen the movie but I’m sure I’ll get around to doing that esp as soon as I finish reading the book. I wonder if this is the Sparks book that will make me cry. I’ve read A Walk to Remember and The Notebook (which my brother was sure would make me cry but he lost that bet, heh) and nothing so far. He’s the one to tug his readers’ heartstrings, huh? But I admit, his stories are good. It never felt like the writer was trying too hard.
My fascination with Historical Fiction, particularly if you talk of kings, philosophers and ancient civilizations, grew out of my affinity with stories of ancient mythology, Greek or Roman. Having consumed a number of books on the matter and watched movies like Gladiator, Troy, King Arthur, 300, and The Last Samurai, I simply haven’t had enough. It was only by chance that I saw this Steven Pressfield book, The Virtues of War. It’s a novel of Alexander The Great. Now, who wouldn’t be curious enough to read about that? Interestingly, he’s also the one behind the book (popularised by the movie), The Legend of Bagger Vance.
With these three (3) new books, I reckon I might lose sleep a little cuz instead of taking things in small doses, I just might not be able to put them down. Like what happened when I was reading the Twilight Saga.
Though come to think of it, it’s not something to complain about. I always love to read a good story. How about you folks? What sort of books to you prefer to read? Any new books on your reading list?
Photo © 2009 Sasha Manuel
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Topics: Books, Mood Notes |
May 12th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Sanditon sounds interesting. Anything Jane Austen, I like
I’m currently reading A.S. Byatt’s “Possession”.
* Connie´s last blog post.. 82 Penguins
May 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Im glad there are still a lot of people in the Philippines who love to read. Im already worried about the reading population in the country.
Anyway, I recently bought a precious collection of books by mijn favourite author Edgar Alland Poe and Kafka on the Shore by Haruku Murukami. And then another one that’s kind of a cult reading by expats here in Netherlands.
* twopenneth´s last blog post.. Selexyz Donner: Book Heaven
May 13th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Connie: Is that the one they made into a movie too?
So far, first few chapters of Sandition involves an influx of characters, seemingly like a roll call with introductions. Oddly written. I’m still waiting for familiarity to settle in.
twopenneth: Oh, I’m only one of many.
Interesting reading list!
May 13th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Yes, that’s the one! Same banana.
I hope you could post a short review after you’re done reading Sanditon.
* Connie´s last blog post.. 82 Penguins
May 14th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I actually liked that movie. I want to see it again. About the review, I’ll keep that in mind and will most certainly try!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Happy reading!
* Karmi´s last blog post.. Memories of home: and a tale of my mother’s cooking