Autistic Planet by Jennifer Elder (ISBN 9781843108429)
A highly illustrated book, this is book is written for children, particularly those with autism. Through simple story-telling of the differences among people in the world, the book helps readers to gain a basic understanding of how autistic children feel they are different from others.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Being Gifted - for Kids and Teens
In the book, Frances O’ Connor addresses the issues concerning teenagers who are gifted. Written for adolescence, the author provides a guide to readers on coping with the pressures that comes with their talents, as well as encouraging them to make use of their abilities to expand their knowledge base and to make contributions to the society by taking appropriate actions under the guidance of their teachers. The book also provides explanations clearing up several myths that entail people associated with giftedness, such as ‘gifted persons loves studying and are often lonely’.
From the perspective of a reader, the book is a good source of basic information on the social and psychological interference resulted by one being segregated as a gifted person. Already adolescences have to face the emotional changes during puberty, and being labelled as gifted will only increase their anxieties. In this case, the book offers appropriate guidance to teenagers uncertain about their special talents and emotions.
Choking to death
Chuck Palahniuk's idea of 'Choke' is a fresh one which encapsulates the aspirations, problems and responsibilities of the contemporary man through the life of Victor Mancini, a sexually addicted medical school drop-out who lives by by gaining the sympathy of others by pretending to choke in upscale restaurants. Not one to be entirely hated by the audience for his manipulative acts, Victor is but one actor among us who put on good shows in order to support his ailing mother.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
I Went to College, and It Was Okay
I Went to College, and It Was Okay by Scott Dikkers (ISBN 0836218671)
I went to college, and it really was okay.
This Scott Dikkers' comic strips journal is about Jim's life at college. The expressionless face of Jim may be a tad boring, but Dikkers hit the point right at summarizing a college student's life, whether it is academic matters or hostel life, the comic strips reflect well on reality. The strip I like best is the one on "I did nothing today..."
I went to college, and it really was okay.
This Scott Dikkers' comic strips journal is about Jim's life at college. The expressionless face of Jim may be a tad boring, but Dikkers hit the point right at summarizing a college student's life, whether it is academic matters or hostel life, the comic strips reflect well on reality. The strip I like best is the one on "I did nothing today..."
Rereading Doubt
Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (ISBN 1-55936-276-6)
Set in the 1960s when allegations on sexual abuse in churches were prevalent, 'Doubt: A Parable' is a play written by John Patrick Shanley challenging audience and readers alike on the power of doubt. Without any evidence or overt action or dialogue that implores Sister Aloysius being sceptical of Father Flynn's credibility as the priest of a Catholic Church and school for she suspects that he is involved in sexual activities with the one and only Negro student at the school. The young Sister James, fresh at the school as a teacher, is roped in by Sister Aloysius to clarify her doubt. However, Father James is defensive, as well as Sister Aloysius is adamant on her suspicion. "What is truth?", the characters doubt; "What is truth?", the audience question, for Shanley writes, "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty".
Often, we ponder about the truth. When shall one believe someone or something, especially when there is no evidence to prove any of our assumptions? When one is in doubt, where do one look to? Sometimes, words cannot explain any doubt or certainty, for it may be just a feeling that only one can sense. In life, rarely do I doubt things or people around me, for I always believe that sincerity is important and it is in every person. But many a time, people fails me. However, I am more disappointed with myself at such occurrences. When things slowly reveal themselves as they are not expected to be, that is when doubt envelopes me. That is when I begin to doubt about myself and others, but things have turned tables - does it matter to have doubt and think through it at this time? Would it be better if I start doubting like Sister Aloysius ahead of time and actions?
Undeniably a good read, 'Doubt: A Parable' is still an enjoyable read even when I read it again and again, for I decided to write a paper on it as a course requirement. I wish to watch a play or film of it in near future.
Set in the 1960s when allegations on sexual abuse in churches were prevalent, 'Doubt: A Parable' is a play written by John Patrick Shanley challenging audience and readers alike on the power of doubt. Without any evidence or overt action or dialogue that implores Sister Aloysius being sceptical of Father Flynn's credibility as the priest of a Catholic Church and school for she suspects that he is involved in sexual activities with the one and only Negro student at the school. The young Sister James, fresh at the school as a teacher, is roped in by Sister Aloysius to clarify her doubt. However, Father James is defensive, as well as Sister Aloysius is adamant on her suspicion. "What is truth?", the characters doubt; "What is truth?", the audience question, for Shanley writes, "Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty".
Often, we ponder about the truth. When shall one believe someone or something, especially when there is no evidence to prove any of our assumptions? When one is in doubt, where do one look to? Sometimes, words cannot explain any doubt or certainty, for it may be just a feeling that only one can sense. In life, rarely do I doubt things or people around me, for I always believe that sincerity is important and it is in every person. But many a time, people fails me. However, I am more disappointed with myself at such occurrences. When things slowly reveal themselves as they are not expected to be, that is when doubt envelopes me. That is when I begin to doubt about myself and others, but things have turned tables - does it matter to have doubt and think through it at this time? Would it be better if I start doubting like Sister Aloysius ahead of time and actions?
Undeniably a good read, 'Doubt: A Parable' is still an enjoyable read even when I read it again and again, for I decided to write a paper on it as a course requirement. I wish to watch a play or film of it in near future.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
To be educated is to be...
Educating Rita by Willy Russell (ISBN 0413767906)
A screenplay written by Willy Russell in 1981, 'Educating Rita' summarizes the conflicts that are present in the society in terms of education. In order to fulfil her desire to be an educated person, Rita, a married hairdresser, decided to go to the Open University to study Literature under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Bryant. Rita represents the working class with her outward and direct way of expressing herself, whereas Frank is a representative of the educated class who shows aesthetic qualities and formalities in his appearance and speech.
Comedic effects are very well injected by the writer in the screenplay, with the interplay of words and famous literary works and people. As Rita becomes more 'educated' in a way that she regards literary topics as more important than her home life, Frank, on the other hand, starts to talk and curse like a working class. The clash of cultures and ambitions between Rita and Frank brings the audience to think what is an education, and what makes a person educated. For knowledge from books is important, no less of importance are the life skills that one has to learn as part of the society as a whole.
I will very much suggest the film of the same title directed by Lewis Gilbert in 1983. Though it may be old, be attentive to the dialogues between Rita and Frank as they will definitely make you laugh and think at the same time.
Talking about education and being educated, the book and film reminds me of 'An Education', the 2009 drama based on the memoir of journalist Lynn Barber in which the issue is highlighted as well. Well, until I read the memoir, so much discussion on what education is.
A screenplay written by Willy Russell in 1981, 'Educating Rita' summarizes the conflicts that are present in the society in terms of education. In order to fulfil her desire to be an educated person, Rita, a married hairdresser, decided to go to the Open University to study Literature under the tutelage of Dr. Frank Bryant. Rita represents the working class with her outward and direct way of expressing herself, whereas Frank is a representative of the educated class who shows aesthetic qualities and formalities in his appearance and speech.
Comedic effects are very well injected by the writer in the screenplay, with the interplay of words and famous literary works and people. As Rita becomes more 'educated' in a way that she regards literary topics as more important than her home life, Frank, on the other hand, starts to talk and curse like a working class. The clash of cultures and ambitions between Rita and Frank brings the audience to think what is an education, and what makes a person educated. For knowledge from books is important, no less of importance are the life skills that one has to learn as part of the society as a whole.
I will very much suggest the film of the same title directed by Lewis Gilbert in 1983. Though it may be old, be attentive to the dialogues between Rita and Frank as they will definitely make you laugh and think at the same time.
Talking about education and being educated, the book and film reminds me of 'An Education', the 2009 drama based on the memoir of journalist Lynn Barber in which the issue is highlighted as well. Well, until I read the memoir, so much discussion on what education is.
When to believe and when not to.
Not without My Sister by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring (ISBN 9780007248070)
The three sisters, Celeste, Kristina and Juliana, recalls their memories of being part of the 'Children of God' religious cult in which the practice of free sex and 'everyone is a family' are inculcated in them since they were toddlers. The Bible is interpreted in a way that love equals sex and the members of the cult were very much sexually exploited. It is utmost disturbing that the first hand accounts of the sisters' experience of being sexually abused were well shared in this biography which they details on how they become part of the cult and the difficulties they face to get out of it. The sisters undergo trials and tribulations to get accustomed with the outside society, the normal society.
A thought-provoking book, on the hows and whys of peoples' beliefs and change of beliefs in the religious and logical contexts, it serves as an informative book that warns others about the existence of the cult and other similar ones in the past and sadly, still in existence in today's world.
The three sisters, Celeste, Kristina and Juliana, recalls their memories of being part of the 'Children of God' religious cult in which the practice of free sex and 'everyone is a family' are inculcated in them since they were toddlers. The Bible is interpreted in a way that love equals sex and the members of the cult were very much sexually exploited. It is utmost disturbing that the first hand accounts of the sisters' experience of being sexually abused were well shared in this biography which they details on how they become part of the cult and the difficulties they face to get out of it. The sisters undergo trials and tribulations to get accustomed with the outside society, the normal society.
A thought-provoking book, on the hows and whys of peoples' beliefs and change of beliefs in the religious and logical contexts, it serves as an informative book that warns others about the existence of the cult and other similar ones in the past and sadly, still in existence in today's world.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Ugly and Sickened Object
Ugly by Constance Briscoe (ISBN 0340976608)
A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive
by Dave Pelzer (ISBN 1-55874-366-9) Sickened by Julie J. Gregory
Not without My Sister by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring (ISBN 9780007248070)
Question. What makes a child?
Recently, I have read several books on child abuse and they have left me with vivid imaginations of the unimaginable, cruel things that people can do to a child. Shockingly, the perpetrators in all the true stories that I read are mothers. Told by the victims of abuse themselves, the words I saw are now plastered on my mind and I can still picture the misfortunes and challenges that these unlucky people have gone through in their childhood and teenage hood. I do not remember being hit by my parents except for once and that etched a memory on my mind until now. And that was all because of my incessant and annoying (and perhaps provoking) speech. In comparison, that is nothing compared to what the children in the books have endured. The worst type of ‘abuse’ that I think one could possibly have to endure is emotional torment. I personally think that if one can suffer the psychological torment, one could survive anything. Feelings, negative or positive, in my opinion, stem from one’s own mind.
What is fear? What is shame? Innocent children would never know these unless they are taught by adults.
First come ‘Ugly’, in which Constance Briscoe recollected memories of her being the ‘ugliest’ daughter any mother could have. The emotional abuse performed by her mother was not enough, for Constance was often subjected to physical abuse as well, having to learn to fend for herself and her sister at a young age. Not knowing her real name until she turns eighteen, Constance ‘Claire’ Briscoe survived her incredible mother with her self-belief and courage which helped her to realize her dream to read Law. Now this is a story where the weak and abused triumphs over evil.
Perhaps I have shed too much of a tear reading ‘Ugly’ that I myself was flabbergasted that I was somewhat a person without feeling, reading what happened to Dave Pelzer when he was an ‘It’, abused by his (sadly, again) mother in ‘A Child Called “It”’. What Dave gone through as a very young child was hard to imagine. His mother performed inhumane acts on him, and those that are still fresh in my memory include having him sniffing ammonia in locked bathrooms and forcing him to eat his little brother’s faeces. Enough, I guess? I don’t have to say no more for if you can take what I have written here, you should be able to cope with the entire story. Reading about Dave gave me the strength to live on with whatever challenges that I am having or may be facing. I look forward to reading the next two parts of his trilogy.
Upon finishing the two books, I decided that I have to read something different. However, I was again attracted by true stories about abuse and psychology, for I cannot deny that I am interested in these subjects…
In ‘Sickened’ by Julie J. Gregory, I learned about how her mother with Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) syndrome, had Julie ‘treated’ for multiple illnesses throughout many years of her life although she has none. To fulfill her own psychological needs, Julie’s mother convinced not only herself and Julie, but also healthcare practitioners about Julie’s problems which cannot be diagnosed. Misled and being psychologically controlled by her mother, Julie often heeds her instructions and pretends to be sick at times to seek sympathy and help from doctors. Going from clinics to clinics and diagnosis to diagnosis, Julie became tired of the whatever illness that she is having, for she sees herself as being a healthy person, just like many others.
Well, if all these torments are not enough, I am reading ‘Not without My Sister’ by Celeste Jones, Kristina Jones and Juliana Buhring. No, you did not get me wrong. Now this one is also about child abuse, but just of a different kind.
“What has the world become?” I always thought to myself, but now, I realize that inhumane acts have always been around for as long as men can remember. Can we bring back the harmonious environment for the well-bring of us human beings?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Aaahhh… The Phoniness of the World.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, 252 Pages
Last term, I have to choose a recommended book to criticize on for a course on child and adolescent development. I very much wanted to write on the Brothers Grimm due to my liking to read the Grimms’ manipulation of happy fairy tales into fearsome ones, but I eventually find J. D. Salinger’s controversial ‘Catcher in the Rye’ to be more interesting as it allows me to explore the minds of adolescents and adults from different perspectives.
Last term, I have to choose a recommended book to criticize on for a course on child and adolescent development. I very much wanted to write on the Brothers Grimm due to my liking to read the Grimms’ manipulation of happy fairy tales into fearsome ones, but I eventually find J. D. Salinger’s controversial ‘Catcher in the Rye’ to be more interesting as it allows me to explore the minds of adolescents and adults from different perspectives.
The story follows the series of events that occurred to its main character, Holden Caulfield, in a matter of days that spanned from his being expelled from a good school to his going home. Throughout his journey home, Caulfield spoke about his family, school, teenage angst, girls and love. More importantly, the scaffolding of his thinking provides readers opportunities to delve into the minds of adolescents who are represented by Caulfield. Very much of the time, Caulfield criticizes the phoniness of the world – especially the world of adulthood which he thinks is pretentious. This implores that the children’s world is innocent and being an adolescent, Caulfield is caught between the two worlds. He finds that it is difficult to let go of his innocence, whereas it is also difficult for him to accept and penetrate the phony world of adults. Eventually, Caulfield came to a realization that it is inevitable that he has to grow up, but would he still choose to be his younger self or mature with time, in compliance with all the phoniness that surround him?
Written in 1951, what Salinger wrote is still very much relevant to the society today, especially in terms of the misunderstanding between adolescents and adults due to their different worlds. No, their worlds are not much of different actually. It is just the different perceptions that both groups have on the other that resulted in their inability to have a good communicative relationship. I have never thought that the story printed on the very brown papers would be of much interest to me. Whenever I look at old books, I always have this thought that they will not interest me. Ironically, I was caught up with Caulfield’s narration of the world as seen from his eyes. Although sometimes Caulfield can be an unreliable narrator due to his telling readers only what he wants to tell, and perhaps have manipulated the truth from being told, ‘The Catcher in the Rye’ was able to project me to a state in which I reflected very much on the phoniness that Caulfield described throughout my winter break. Although I cannot agree entirely with Caulfield, I somewhat cannot deny the phoniness in the people and the world that show up in my life. I do not want this to be true, but I get upset when proven wrong. True enough, I cannot agree totally with Caulfield, but I also cannot deny what Shakespeare said is wrong, that “all the world’s a stage”. Prove me wrong.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
My TBR Pile
Title
Author(s)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Rawr!
Rawr (I do mean ‘hello’)!
The Year of the Tiger marks a significant new beginning for me, for I learn to acknowledge the challenges awaiting me in the coming days…
Upon seeing my failure to sustain my many blogs, I have decided to just stick with one blog for now; one blog which I will devote to books which have touched my life in a way or another.
Occasionally, I have this overflow of feelings which I want to express so badly, but I didn’t have the time to do so, no thanks to the many distractions that overpowered my clutching of books in my hands. There is just so much to do, so much to be recorded for reminiscence, yet there is very limited time in our lives.
Why blog when I can spend my time meeting and talking to real people? I just couldn’t give up writing or blogging whatsoever. I just love writing so much that I just couldn’t stop at times.
I am making amend to myself and my blog this time, for real. I will try to read and write more, and think more. This blog is in no way serves as a platform for professional review of books, but merely as an arena for me to voice out personal opinions on books and how they relate to me and the world.
I will start writing soon. Let’s see how it goes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)