Tag Archives: Classics

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Phantom of the Opera
Author: Gaston Leroux
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Gothic
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1909

Thoughts

This is one of those books that has been on my shelves for a long while, and that I keep meaning to get to… but then getting distracted. I definitely have to be in a certain mood to enjoy a classic. I’ve heard of The Phantom of the Opera many, many, many times. As I’m sure everyone else has. But, even with knowing that it’s a classic and a Broadway play, I really had no idea what to expect. I mean, it’s not something that any of my family and friends are overly into, so how could I? And you know what? I actually really, really, really enjoyed this! It was not even remotely what I was expecting, and I honestly couldn’t put it down.

I spent most of this story trying to figure out if Eric was the villain or the hero. And you know what? I’m still not sure. Which I kind of like, it means I’ll go back to read this again and try to figure out what my opinion is on the next read through. And the next. And the next. I can most certainly see why this is such a classic. And why people have an obsession with Eric as the tragic hero.

Aside from the wonderful story line and the morally confusing hero, I found the imagery throughout this story to be completely unforgettable. I mean, long after turning that final page, I was still thinking of the setting and the reality of this story. I’m not someone who has ever spent much time near stages of any kind, but Leroux’s writing left me thinking about the theatre as if I had been there myself. The fact that there is a lake beneath added to this incredibly eerie and gothic feeling.

I loved the pace of this writing and the style. The idea that this narrative is written half in a report style and half as a journal was intriguing. It placed you amongst the drama whilst also being apart from it. I felt submerged in the work, which helped me to enjoy it all that much more. It’s obvious why The Phantom of the Opera is such a well known and loved classic.

The thought that I was left with (and that I will end this review on) is the idea that outcasts are what we make them. Choosing to outcast someone because they are ‘ugly’ or don’t ‘fit’ with our ideas is harsh, and its this that makes Eric both the villain and the hero of this story. He might be the machination of a few horrors, but he is also such a sympathetic character in how he has been treated by others.

<- The Jungle BookThe Call of the Wild and Other Stories ->

Image source: Penguin Bookshop

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: A Tale of Two Cities
Author: Charles Dickens
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Classics
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 1859

Thoughts

I love the writing of Charles Dickens. And I’ve always loved that even though now he is considered a “classic”, at the time he was writing, it was seen as “pop culture” with all of the connotations that implies. But I digress, as with the other pieces I’ve read by Dickens, I loved the writing of this, there is something very accessible about the flow of words and the lyrically of the prose.

Having said all of that, I did struggle to get into the storyline of this a little bit. This is most definitely not my favourite Dickens story. Maybe it has something to do with the politics of the storyline, it was set in the French revolution, and almost everything about that timeline has never really interested me. Which made it hard to really be interested in this story.

As much as I wanted to love this novel, I just didn’t. For the aforementioned reasons. But it’s definitely a book that I will reread in the future. After all, it was the best of times (see what I did there).

<- Great ExpectationsThe Poetry of Emily Dickinson ->

Image source: Amazon

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Bronte
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
My Bookshelves: Classics
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 1847

Thoughts

I really, really wanted to like this. I mean, I know that it’s one of those classics that a lot of people love. But, alas, it just wasn’t meant to be. Maybe there is something about little bit too dark about the Bronte sisters for me… I’m not sure. Maybe because I keep hearing that their work is a romance. And, honestly, it’s early not.

I think one of the things that put me on the back foot was the total acceptance of the abuse that the lead character was experiencing from the very get go. I understand that that’s totally normal for the time, but it doesn’t mean that I was comfortable reading about it. And, honestly, I had to just skim through this after that became so damn obvious. There’s enough darkness in the world, I don’t want to read about it too much.

My overall conclusion after reading this is that I probably need to just stop trying with the Bronte sisters. I think Jane eyre is supposed to be the gentlest of them, and I still couldn’t stomach it…

<- The Romantic PoetsWuthering Heights ->

Image source: Abebooks

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Secret Garden
Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Young adult
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 1911

Thoughts

I did enjoy this story, but I also didn’t really find it much of a story. Most tales that I really get stuck into have a beginning, middle and end. Sometimes this isn’t so distinct, but it is still there. I didn’t really feel like there was anything other than a beginning here. Burnett manages to introduce Mary and all of her flaws beautifully. She is an incredibly dislikeable character. But, after her introduction, it’s possible to feel sympathetic to the reasons behind her characterisation. However, other than that, it was not much of a story.

Alright, the development of Mary’s character, and the friendships that she makes are definitely a good storyline and development. But I always expect more of an external trial and obstacle. In fact, I thought there would be many barriers to the children getting into the secret garden and helping it grow. Instead, they find the secret garden, find friendship and then miraculously heal all of the wounds of the past.

I did enjoy this classic, but I also don’t think I’ll quickly dig into it again. It was a bit of a story line that I felt needed a whole lot more. And one that was just too simple. Maybe a better book to read as a young child than an adult…

<- Bulfinch’s MythologyTarzan of the Apes ->

Image source: Abebooks

Gray’s Anatomy by Henry Gray

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Barnes and Noble | Grays Anatomy | Henry Gray P.R.S — Heebie Jeebies

Title: Gray’s Anatomy
Author: Henry Gray
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Medical, Non-fiction
Dates read: 18th February – 11th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Barnes and Noble Leatherbound
Year: 1858
5th sentence, 74th page: When a small quantity can be collected, it is found to resemble lymph, and like tha tfluid coagulates sponatneously; but when secreted in large quanities, as in dropsy, it is a more watery fluid, but still contains a considerable amount of proteid which is coagulated on boiling.

Synopsis

No longer need you search through second-hand bookstores for a scarce, used copy of this grandfather of all anatomy books. It is here in this unabridged facsimile of the 1901 edition — with a full 1,257 pages and 827 illustrations!

Thoughts

I started reading this because I wanted to understand a bit more about human anatomy for my Jiu Jitsu. I mean, how else can you figure out how best to bend people and make them tap if you don’t know how bodies work? It didn’t necessarily quite work that way. But it was still a supremely interesting read.

The language in this is hard going. Which is kind of expected, because it is a textbook. And it is most definitely of the sort that I will have to read again and again to even get a drop of the knowledge in this textbook. But, it’s also presented in a way that is actually quite accessible.

Human anatomy has always perplexed and confused me (for whatever reason, animal anatomy makes sense to me when human doesn’t, go figure). So I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of the writing in this went completely over my head. But, I still enjoyed it.

This is an awesome, beautiful book to have on my shelves. The fact that it is the Barnes and Noble Leatherbound edition just makes it all that much prettier and fun. Definitely a book I will flick through again and again.

<- The Complete Sherlock HolmesFairytales from Around the World ->

Image source: Heebie Jeebies

Dracula and Other Horror Stories by Bram Stoker

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for barnes and noble leatherbound dracula and other horror stories book cover

Title: Dracula and Other Horror Stories
Author: Bram Stoker
In: Dracula and Other Horror Stories (Bram Stoker)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Horror
Dates read: 14th September 2020 – 11th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Barnes and Noble Leatherbound
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I trust her feeling ill may not be from that unlucky prick of the safety-pin.

Synopsis

Dracula and Other Horror Classics collects the most memorable tales of horror by Bram Stoker. In addition to Dracula–the landmark vampire novel that set the pattern for virtually all vampire fiction written after its publication in 1897–this omnibus collects the novels The Jewel of Seven Stars and The Lair of the White Worm. In also includes a dozen of Stoker’s short tales of the macabre, including “Dracula’s Guest,” a sidebar to his famous novel.

For more than a century, Bram Stoker’s fiction has inspired countless writers of horror and fantasy fiction. This volume allows readers a unique opportunity to appreciate the full range of his dark imagination.

Dracua and Other Horror Classics is one of Barnes & Noble’s leatherbound classic editions. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world’s greatest authors, in exquisitely designed bonded-leather bindings with distinctive gilt edging and an attractive silk-ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensible cornerstone for every home library.

Thoughts

I seriously enjoyed Dracula. And I do have a bit of a penchant for reading classics late at night over a glass of wine. Bram Stoker is the perfect mood writer for such a penchant too. I mean, a collection of mystery-feeling horrors that have a super eerie feeling. Late at night, with a glass of red wine? Seriously awesome vibes there.

Although I enjoyed this collection, it took quite a while to get through – there is only so much mood writing that you can read before you have to switch to something a little simpler… And, honestly, some of this started to feel a little same-same. Still enjoyable, but just too similar to a certain point.

Towards the end of this collection, I did begin to skim read a little. However, even in skim reading, I found that I was enjoying the storylines.

This might have been a bit of a rushed read at the end, but it is most certainly a collection that I would read again. There are so many wonderful nuances to Stoker’s writing that I can’t wait to see what I pick up on next time!

<- The Dualitists; or, the Death-Doom of the Double-BornDracula ->

Image source: Amazon

Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker

Book Review, ,
Overview
Lair of the White Worm by Bram Stoker

Title: Lair of the White Worm
Author: Bram Stoker
In: Dracula and Other Horror Stories (Bram Stoker)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics
Dates read: 12th February – 11th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Barnes and Noble Leatherbound
Year: 1911
5th sentence, 74th page: I feel that I can open my heart to you about anything.

Synopsis

In a tale of ancient evil, Bram Stoker creates a world of lurking horrors and bizarre denizens: a demented mesmerist, hellbent on mentally crushing the girl he loves; a gigantic kite raised to rid the land of an unnatural infestation of birds, and which receives strange commands along its string; and all the while, the great white worm slithers below, seeking its next victim…

Bram Stoker, creator of Dracula, is one of the most enduring and masterful influences on the literature of terror.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved Dracula. I really wanted to love this story as a result. I mean, I love going down the rabbit hole with certain classics writers. Sadly, that really wasn’t the case with this book. I just… “eh”. Which seems to be a bit of a trend lately.

I still loved the style of writing in this story. And the way in which Stoker was able to retell a story from a different point of view. I love that this story is told in reflection. And I seriously enjoyed every moment of style throughout.

Sadly, I just couldn’t get into the storyline. So badly couldn’t get into the storyline that I can’t actually remember much of it when it comes down to writing this review…

<- The Jewel of Seven StarsDracula’s Guest ->

Image source: Goodreads

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Book Review,
Overview
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende - Penguin Books Australia

Title: The House of the Spirits
Author: Isabel Allende
Rating Out of 5: 1.5 (Couldn’t get past the first chapter)
My Bookshelves: Classics
Dates read: 27th April – 4th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Vintage Books
Year: 1982
5th sentence, 74th page: She was doubled over beneath the weight of a sheaf of hawthorn for the kitchen hearth, barefoot, her head bowed.

Synopsis

As a girl, Clara del Valle can read fortunes, make objects move as if they had lives of their own and predict the future. Following the mysterious death of her sister, Rosa the Beautiful, Clara is mute for nine years. When she breaks her silence, it is to announce that she will be married soon to the stern and volatile landowner Esteban Trueba.

Set in an unnamed Latin American country over three generations, The House of the Spirits is a magnificent tale of a proud and passionate family, secret loves and violent revolution.

Thoughts

I really, really, really wanted to like this… but I just couldn’t. I ended up skim reading the whole story and just feeling really “eh” about the writing. To the point I actually looked up the synopsis to see if I’d missed anything. I hadn’t. I was just “eh”.

I love the premise of this story. And I’m going to keep my copy of the book because I really want to like this. But I’m just not confident in that fact. I don’t know why though. There is nothing seriously wrong with the writing, the story, anything. I just could not get excited.

I’m going to try this book again in a few years time and see if I can get a bit more excited about this… because I really want to!

<- More Isabel AllendeMore classics ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Jewel of Seven Stars by Bram Stoker

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for barnes and noble leatherbound dracula and other horror stories book cover

Title: The Jewel of Seven Stars
Author: Bram Stoker
In: Dracula and Other Horror Classics (Bram Stoker)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Horror
Dates read: 30th – 31st October 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Barnes & Noble Leatherbound
Year: 1903
5th sentence, 74th page: The book was one which, on the very face of it, required special attention.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

An Egyptologist, attempting to raise from the dead the mummy of Tera, an ancient Egyptian queen, finds a fabulous gem and is stricken senseless by an unknown force. Amid bloody and eerie scenes, his daughter is possessed by Tera’s soul, and her fate depends upon bringing Tera’s mummified body to life.

Thoughts

I really didn’t get all that into this novel. I did enjoy it at the time of reading. But once I finished it and sat down to jot down some notes… there really wasn’t much that I could think of to write. The whole thing was just a little bit “eh”.

Although I don’t have heaps to say about this, I did really like the atmosphere that the book created. It was perfect for sitting up late at night, drinking a glass of red wine and sinking deep into a classic. It was a little bit eerie and creepy. And just generally a good experience.

This is most definitely one of those classics that I’m going to have to reread in the future… I think that it is one, that will get better the more times I read it and sink into the world that has been created.

<- DraculaLair of the White Worm ->

Image source: Amazon UK

Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Amazon.com: Moby-Dick (Word Cloud Classics) (9781626860575): Melville, Herman: Books

Title: Moby-Dick
Author: Herman Melville
Series: Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Oceans
Dates read: 5th – 22nd October 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1851
5th sentence, 74th page: When Bildad was a chief mate, to have his drab-coloured eye intently looking at you, made you feel completely nervous, till you could clutch something – a hammer or marlingspike, and go to work like mad, at something or other, never mind what.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

“Call me Ishmael” is the iconic opening line of Herman Melville’s classic American novel, Moby-Dick. Ishmael is a seaman aboard the whaling vessel, Pequod, under the vengeful captain, Ahab. Maniacally seeking retribution from the great white sperm whale called Moby-Dick–the whale responsible for the captain’s missing leg–Ahab leads the crew on a quest to kill the infamous beast. A fictional work based on actual events, Moby-Dick is a classic that has been enjoyed for generations, and it’s now available as part of the Word Cloud Classic series, making it a stylish and affordable addition to any library.

Thoughts

I can totally see why this is such a well-known classic. It was a very enjoyable and intense story. And, even though I only gave it 3 stars, I would totally read it again. I felt like throughout this I was actually missing quite a bit… so I would actually quite enjoy re-reading this and picking up on all of the bits and pieces that I missed. Actually, I think that this is one of those stories, that no matter how many times you read it… you’ll always find something new to the story that you just didn’t notice before.

There was a heck of a lot of symbolism throughout this story. More than my puny little brain seemed to be able to comprehend if I’m being honest… although, most of the symbolism that I felt I was picking up on was very homosexual in nature… I’m not sure if that was just the mood I was in though. Or the simple fact that the Whale is a sperm whale (I mean, queue the jokes here).

This isn’t a feel good, comfortable story. At all. Which is probably why I did enjoy it and am likely to reread this. I’m not necessarily big on stories which are all sunshine and lollipops every time I open a book. And at the time of reading this, I was finding that there were a few too many happy, happy stories on my TBR. This was a really good break from that – I loved the discomfort that it left you with.

This may not be my favourite classic. But it was an enjoyable one. It was pleasant and fun, and I can’t wait to pick it up again in the future and learn more about all the parts of this story that I missed…

<- The Prince and Other TalesAnne of Green Gables ->

Image source: Amazon