Fiction Literature Books

The folks at Norton Critical Editions have once again put together an excellent book, with incredibly helpful notes and interesting articles to help readers understand and appreciate the text.

If you are going to buy some version of Great Expectations, buy this one.

Why do I come here to "review" this? It isn't anyone's book club selection, no. But tonight I want to talk about this incomparably rich and wonderful book, and how as a fourteen year old kid I simply sank into it, taking it slowly week by week, glorying in its mysteries, its great grotesque portrait of Miss Havisham in her rotting bridal finery, its often painful recounting of a young boy's awakening to a seductive world beyond the blacksmith's forge to which destiny has condemned him. This book was about me. It was about wanting to learn, wanting to transcend, wanting to achieve while anything and everything seems hopelessly beyond one's dreams. Of course life changes for Pip. And the world Pip enters was a world that dazzled me and only made my adolescent ambitions burn all the more hurtfully. I think this book is about all who've ever tried for more, ever reached for the gold ring -- and it's about some, of course, who've gotten it. It's also a wondrous piece of storytelling, a wondrous example of how in the first person ("I am, etc." ) a character can tell you more about himself than he himself knows. What a feat. And a very strange thing about this book, too, was the fact that Dickens said more about Pip and Pip's dreams than Dickens knew he was doing. Dickens himself didn't quite realize, I don't think, the full humanity of the character he created. Yet the character is there -- alive, captivating, engaging us throughout with full sympathy. Go for it. If you never read anything else by Charles Dickens, read and experience this book. Afterwards, David Copperfield will be a ride in the sunshine, I assure you. And both books will stand by you forever. For whom am I writing this? For myself perhaps just because Pip meant and still means so much. For some one perhaps who's unsure about this book and needs a push to dive into a classic. Oh, is this book ever worth the effort. -. Enough. Read it, know it.

Pip,a poor orphan boy living with his sister and her husband, who is the village blacksmith, wishes for the new world to live life of a gentlemen in. As if an answer to his wishes, Pips learns from Mr. Jagger that he has been given an enormous quantity of money from a secret benefctor, this money is enough to live the life of a wealthy gentlemen in London. There he stayes with Herbert Pockt. When he sees Estella the girl of his dreams, the adopted girl of the rich, Miss Havisham. To find out who his benefactor and what happenes with Estelaa you have to read this truely great story for it is called "Great" "Expectatons."

I gave it as a gift for Christmas, but looked through it briefly. It looked pretty interesting.

Another good exercise with my 84 year old dad who is losing his memory. He reads a loud "A Mistake". We talk about when he first noticed or experienced the "Mistake" and then we try to do something fun. Example: Popcycles. After we eat popcycles and thank the guy for the "Mistake". This is a great exercise.

Make no mistake; this is a well-made piece of work. The stories flow smoothly, and the illustrations are very nice. However, the facts just haven't been checked. It claims (incorrectly) that Coca-Cola was an accident, it states (falsely) that Cinderella originally wore fur slippers instead of glass, and it actually elaborates with no real evidence on the history of the brick. For these reasons, I don't recommend it; if you really enjoy it and want to, check everything at snopes.com, where facts are checked ruthlessly.

If you have a 10-15 years old, this is a nice book for him/her. This is not a history of technology book, it's more of an easy reading.
Additionally, if you don't live in the US, the book makes little sense, since it is full of American references both historically and in terms of customs. On the other hand, if the lucky child who's going to receive it as a gift is American, this is yet another good reason to read this book.

This book is both a useful resource and an enjoyable way to past a rainy day. Ideal for all age groups - preteens will love learning about 'famous' mistakes - teens will get interested in thinking of ones left out of the book and adults we be amazed.
Overall fun book.

When my son was a small boy he loved all the Richard Scarry books. Now that he is the father of a small boy, I was delighted to find Richard Scarry's Biggest Word Book Ever published as a giant board book.My grandson found the large size a bit intimidating at first, but now it is one of his favorite books.

we gave this to our four-year-old grandson. we then spent much of the days that followed reading and laughing at its contents (and learning some things too).

understatement: it was a huge hit. even if you have other scarrys -- and the content of this one does overlap the content of some other titles -- its format makes it special.

recommended without reservation!

my baby loves her biggest book- it's strong and covered with the pictures and words she loves, and for me, I grew up with Scarry, so I feel good about what she is learning.

We've had to buy another copy of this book as the first one had to be given away when we moved overseas. Our kids begged us to buy another one so our youngest child would not grow up without it!

I give this book about twice a year to little children learning to talk! I hear from their parents that it immediately becomes one of the favorites - and I find adults enjoy creative use of the book as well (eg:telling stories about the pictures, promoting imagination and self directed play) It's a sure winner, and Amazon price absolutely the best!

I just recently finished reading "Palace of Illusions" and I have to say that I think this is my favorite (so far) of all the books that have been authored by Chitra B. Divakaruni. The style and tone of the story is completely unlike any of her previous works. I finished the book in 2 days (after having worked all day and taking care of my kids in the evenings!!)....I had circles and bags under my eyes from two sleepless nights but I could not rest until I got to the ending!

Being of Indian origin but born and raised in the U.S. [otherwise known as an "ABCD"-American Born, Confused Desi(or person with ties to India)], I have never read the Mahabharata in it's original form but knew the basics of it by reading the Indian comic series called "Amar Chitra Katha" as a child, as well as watching rented videos with my parents as a teenager of the famous television series of the same name that was produced in India. Reading the book triggered so many buried memories of the stories from the Mahabharata. This book reminded me so much of the book "Wicked," which is the story of Wizard of Oz from the witch's perspective...as well as the childrens' movie that came out a few years ago, "Hoodwinked," which is the story of Little Red Riding Hood retold from the Fox's perspective.

Reading this book has certainly made me (as well as my other ABCD friends) want to read not only the Mahabharat but also the other famous epic, Ramayana....(although, I have been reminded of the equally famous superstition - It is believed in India that women who read the Mahabharata in its original form will invite "Mahabharat" (i.e. high-stakes family politics/drama) in their own homes - I'm debating whether or not I want to challenge that superstition!).

I am curious to know how traditionalists/purists have received your story, since it is Draupadi-centric and has an underlying "forbidden love" story that is present through-out - but I LOVED it!!

I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I heard of it.After all the Mahabharatha is an epic that every indian child is familiar with and the stories of Karna's generosity,Arjun's valor,Bhima's strength,Yudhishtira's Dharma and so on form the bulk of bedtime stories for many of us.So the idea of the tale told from Draupadi's perspective was intriguing-while it is not a novel idea,having been done a few times before.. but still it was something I was looking forward to.
Chitra Divakaruni's rendering of the tale started off well enough,the unusual circumstances of Draupadi's birth,her relationship with Lord Krishna,her life in her father's house offered an interesting 50 odd pages ,it seemed like one was going to get an insight into the fascinating Panchaali and then,sadly, Draupadi who surely is one of the most complex and individualistic women in Indian mythology turned into a lovesick pining woman with very few distinct characteristics to make her anything more than a run of the mill blah character. The passion for Karna seemed forced and dragged on without meaning.There is no new perspective on the Mahabharatha from Draupadi's point of view. Draupadi seems to be nothing but a mouthpiece retelling the same old story interspersed with often unnecessary references to Karna.The triteness of the narrative sometimes sets one's teeth on edge.Panchaali never becomes a flesh and blood creature one can identify with but remains at best a caricature.
All in all a story offering no new perspective but just a bland retelling..I am disappointed. CD is usually an admirable wordsmith but even that is absent in this story.All it is in the end is an abridged version of the Mahabharata for the uninitiated. They would do better reading the story in the Amar Chitra katha comic book form- vastly more entertaining!!!

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's new book `The Palace of Illusions' may elicit a variety of responses from its readers based mainly on their background, understanding and loyalty to Indian epics rather than their standing as mere critics of a novel. As one who grew up with Hindu religious stories inculcated into me and as the legend of Mahabharatha with its heroes and villains influenced even my mental make up, this book was fascinating with its approach and narration from a totally novel perspective.

If one is willing to respect the imaginative freedom of the writer and is not offended by the blasphemic obsession of deviating from the revered way they knew these epical stories, this book provides a pleasant treat and a fresh revelation. One should wonder why no one ever bothered to view the story from the viewpoint of the most important character of the chronicle, that of Panchali.

As I felt eager to be acquainted with Panchali as a human being and grew sympathetic to her tribulations, the book steered me to identify and appreciate her role from a humanistic point of view. The characters of Karna and Dhri, Bhima and Bheeshma became more realistic than mythical. The rivalry between Kunti and Panchali, and the jealousy felt by Drowpadi against Subhadra could be associated to real relationships. The lingering infatuation of Panchali towards Karna, her cherished trip with Bheeshma, the special friendship with Krishna and the way Bhima loved her, were all new revelations to me. I did not know that Duryodhan's wife was Bhanumati, that Kunti did not believe in using spices nor Nal and Damayanti lived before Mahabharta time. I could sense and empathize with Panchali's agony of guilt being the most responsible one for the war of Kurukshetra.

I adore Divakaruni's style of writing; `too-soft carpets that sucked at my ankles', `when you share a man's pillow, his dreams seep into you', `sorrow could not touch it any more than rust could inhabit pure steel'; delightfully different and delicious!

"We rise; the shapes cluster around us in welcome, dissolving and forming and dissolving again as fireflies in a summer evening".

Excellent, enjoyable reading. The old story told from a different angle and in an exquisite style.

The Palace of Illusions. Or as the author, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, also calls it - Panchali's Mahabharat. Beautifully written, this book is the Indian epic Mahabharat written from Princess Panchali's perspective. Panchali or Draupadi, is born from fire along with her brother, Dhrishtadyumna. Panchali, strong-willed, is clear from very early in her childhood that her life has more meaning than just supporting men around her. There is a prophecy that she will be instrumental in changing the course of history.

Situations are created such that Panchali weds the five Pandava brothers. What transpires thereafter, is a journey of Panchali through the great war of Mahabharat, which would continue for a good 18 days. Panchali: How she feels when the Pandava brothers are denied the kingdom, when she is in her own palace (which she decides to call the palace of illusions), when they are in exile, how she feels when she is able to see the actual war from a distance.

Divakaruni has been able to portray the entire Mahabharat from the eyes of a woman, Panchali. The narrative is easy to read, flows nicely, and is well connected.
A good read.

Once I start reading one of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's novels, I don't want to put it down, yet when the end approaches, I slow down because I don't want it to end. The Palace of Illusions was no exception to my usual feeling. Although I have the Mahabarata at home and know a bit about it, I have never attempted to read it. Now, through Chitra's poetic and dramatic prose, the great epic poem, the Mahabarata, has come alive. By telling the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas through the powerful female character Panchaali, the reader becomes involved, suffering the sorrows and celebrating the joys, as the prophecies of Panchaali's life and those of her family and enemies are fulfilled one by one. Don't miss The Palace of Illusions, another Divakaruni novel that reveals her outstanding talent at storytelling.

I'm still going to give this book 4 stars because it is a really good book. But someone should warn you ....

I purchased this book NEW through Amazon. Not through Amazon Marketplace. I paid full retail price. New. Through Amazon. AND received a book inscribed to another family! Large writing on title page. Inscribed "To the Specht Family - May your blessings multiply!" I called Amazon and got someone in India, who read from a script. I called back and asked for a supervisor and was informed that I should call back in a couple of hours.

I'd LOVE to hear the explanation.

My daughter read this book and I asked her how it was. I knew what her answer would be before I even asked, because she always gives the same answer to questions like this: "Goodish." How was school? Goodish. How was the movie? Goodish. How was Multiplying Menace? "Really good!" If that's not a 5 star rating, I don't know what is.

When the child loves the story, and the Mom loves the math lesson, you know you've got a winner! I highly recommend this book for elementary age students learning multiplication!

I just read this for an American Lit course and I just LOVED it! This would make a great gift for a teenage girl as the main character, Charlotte is a young girl who has to deal with issues that they many girls still face today. This is a short book and would be a great to read over the weekend or when traveling.

Warning: this book will most likely make you cry!

The other reviews have already covered the synopsis, so I'll just give my opinion. I'm an avid reader of non-fiction, rarely venture into the fray of fiction novels. But this is one
that I was certainly glad to have read. The story was impassioned and emotional - the character of Charlotte Temple was quickly developed, giving me a real sense of empathy to her plight. With every downfall, I felt her pain and remorse.

The asides from Rowson to the reader were charming. While the values she extols are not the same as a modern Western reader's, one must appreciate the context in which it was written, and appreciate it further for its uniquenesss.

In sum, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy, passionate tale of tragedy. Great book.

Susanna Rowson's "Charlotte Temple" is not the first novel and certainly not the last to deal with the topic of the morally fallen woman. Poor, pitiful Charlotte finds herself in the midst of an immoral and unforgiving world where one transgression sends her on the road to permanent ruin. Rowson encases her heroine Charlotte Temple within a world of virtue and vengeance. Charlotte has no possible means of escaping her inevitable fate because the author/narrator makes it clear from the onset that she has written this story as a lesson to young woman. She has no real interest in Charlotte as a dimensional character. Charlotte simply serves as a symbol of lost virtue and symbols do not have real emotions or feelings. "Charlotte Temple" was written in 1794 and became one of the first best sellers of the newly formed America. A morally abhorrent woman who pays for her sins almost always guaranteed a best seller in the eighteenth century and now "Charlotte Temple" has been rediscovered and published in a Scholarly Press edition. Was this reclamation of Charlotte really necessary? In the past twenty years, feminist scholars have rediscovered authors and texts that have gone out of print or been totally ignored by the literati. Authors such as Anne Plumptre, Frances Burney, Aphra Behn, Sarah Fielding and Charlotte Lennox have been dusted off and given new literary lives. Feminist scholar Cathy Davidson has taken Charlotte Temple in hand and aims to join Rowson to the above list of rediscoveries. Unfortunately, Rowson does not warrant such treatment. Rowson has a flat, humorless approach to the fallen woman story. Unlike Burney's "Evelina" or "Camilla," Rowson does not imbue her narrative with needed levity. Her pedantic iron-fisted preaching smothers the modern reader in a moral morass that confounds rather than illuminates. In many of the fallen women stories, authors would use the genre as a subversive technique to criticize the patriarchal structures. Rowson does engage in such subversion within the novel. She seeks to preach to the young women who may fall victim to the unscrupulous man -- in England and America, it was not considered altogether lady-like to read a novel, so Rowson would be preaching to young women who had already transgressed. Rowson does not criticize men within the novel. She does not censure Montraville for taking Charlotte as his mistress, impregnating her and abandoning her for a wealthier woman. When he believes that Charlotte has becomes his best friend's mistress, he does not believe that she would soil her reputation even though she has ruined her life by engaging in an illicit affair with him. He aims to enact revenge upon the friend for acting "dishonorable" against her. Yet if he had not acted dishonorably towards her, she would not have been reduced to a penniless, pregnant ex-mistress scrounging the streets for food and shelter. He never takes responsibility for his role in Charlotte's downfall. Rowson had the perfect opportunity for savage criticism of the patriarchy with Montraville but she fails to take it. Instead, Rowson places the blame for Charlotte's ruin on the women within the novel. When Charlotte leaves the safe bosom of her morally upstanding family, she enters into the deviant world of the female who fail to protect her from licentious men. Madame Du Pont errs in judgment by hiring the morally loose Miss La Rue. Madame Du Pont sets Charlotte's downfall in action. Rowson does not punish the ignorant Madame Du Pont by killing her, she ends up an hysterical mess after the Montraville/Charlotte "elopement." Miss La Rue, the woman who pushes Charlotte into the arms of Montraville, must be punished for being a promiscuous woman. She ends up poor and begs for her last scrap of food. She ends up dying painfully as Rowson takes the opportunity to lecture her readers on the improper behavior of loose women. Why would modern readers want to read this? I do not think any intelligent would reader would want to subject themselves to the depressing experience of reading this novel. At 125 pages, it seemed to progress at such an excruciating pace. No character has any shadings. There are no subplots to divert the attention from the static Charlotte. Rowson does nothing to keep our interest. Unfortunately Rowson has become a heroine to feminist scholars for her feat as the first American woman to have a best-selling novel. That accomplishment is noteworthy as literary trivia, but it does not make for engaging reading.

"Charlotte Temple" is about a young British girl who runs away from her family and country because of a lieutenant named Montraville and her promiscuous French teacher, Miss La Rue. When Charlotte is fifteen, La Rue convinces her to run away to America with Montraville, La Rue and La Rue's temporary companion, Belcour. Once in America, La Rue marries a wealthy colonel and moves to the city. Montraville purchases a house for Charlotte outside the city and she becomes pregnant. She is left alone day and night with only her worries to give her company. Soon, Montraville abandons Charlotte for another woman and leaves for the Revolutionary War. He plans to send her rent money but his evil friend, Belcour, deceives him, keeps the money and leaves Charlotte to ruin. Charlotte is desperately poor and far along in her pregnancy and wishes to return home to her loving parents. She sends them a letter but must wait a long time for their reply. When Charlotte is eventually evicted for failing to pay rent, she goes out in a terrible storm to the city in search of La Rue, only to find that La Rue has disowned her. She is alone but La Rue's servant takes her in as she is going into labor. Although the novel was written in the late 1700s, the theme is applicable today. Charlotte suffers an illigitimate teenage pregnancy, her boyfriend abandons her, she is unable to contact her parents and feels they no longer care about her, and she falls into poverty and ultimate destruction. Rowson's novel is a must read for all young women, because it functions as a guide of what not to do with one's life.

"Charlotte Temple" is a sentimental, moralistic 18th century novel by Susanna Rowson, an English-born author who lived much of her life in the United States. According to Cathy N. Davidson (who wrote the introduction to the Oxford edition), "Charlotte" was "America's first best-selling novel in the early years of the Republic." According to the book's bibliographic notes, it was first published in 1791, with the first American edition appearing in 1794.

The book tells the story of an innocent young English schoolgirl who becomes involved in romantic intrigue. She eventually winds up in the vicinity of New York City; thus, the novel has an interesting theme of a foreigner coming to America. The book's plot reminds me of a contemporary soap opera, but with a much more judgmental and religious tone. The characters are, on the whole, cardboard stereotypes. The book is full of female hysterics, male villainy, cruelty, dangerous passion, and heartbreak.

Rowson fills her book with asides to the reader, and, ironically, I found this ongoing conversation to be more interesting than the melodramatic plot. Many of the asides are preachy, such as this example: "Oh my dear girls [...] listen not to the voice of love, unless sanctioned by parental approbriation" (chapter VI). But as the book goes on, Rowson begins to anticipate objections from possible readers, and some of her asides are witty and quite entertaining.

Ultimately, "Charlotte" is not a great piece of literature as a novel, but as a sort of metafictional exercise, it's quite intriguing. It's especially interesting when read in comparison with such self-referent 20th century novels as Ernest Hemingway's "The Torrents of Spring" or Kurt Vonnegut's "Breakfast of Champions." Also, the book's presentation of 18th century femininity and sexuality is an interesting precursor to 19th century books like Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "Charlotte" may try the patience of contemporary readers on certain levels, but I believe it to be a literary milestone that is still oddly relevant.

The book is in great condition. It got here quickly also. I am very satisfied with the service that I got. Thanks

This was an execellent learning tool to introduce my 9th grade homeschooler to great works in literature. After reading this book he started reading more of the classic novels.

I can't believe I was never assigned this book in my school years, because it is amazing alone and as an allegory. If you are a Christian you will recognize people in the book, if you are not, the Gospel will be spelled out to you in a really beautiful, clear way. This is one of those books whose reputation precedes it, but upon completing the first chapter, you'll forget everything you thought it was going to be, and you'll want to delve right into it. Definitely a book to read through once, and then go through once more, slowly, with a pen, paper and highlighter.
Should be required reading for everyone, certainly the Christ-follower.
It being so well-known and praised, I think I was expecting something that I would struggle to understand, but it couldn't be more simple! Simple with incredible depth, one that you'll refer back to and glean more and more from each time.

We were so impressed with this updated version of The Pilgrim's Progress, that we purchased two more copies from Amazon for graduation presents this past year. While clarifying the old English verbiage, we have seen no evidence of a watering down of the original message or theology in that process. We would wish the same for all modern translations of the Bible, something that most in circulation cannot claim due to their reliance first and foremost on the faulty, little used, hence, older (sic) Alexandrian texts for the New Testament at least. Fortunately, with Bunyan, there is no such controversy about which text(s) to use that we are aware of. While still not easy reading in the sense of depth of the content and the allegories used (think the best modern translation of Les Miserables, great book, but still not "easy" reading), this update takes away 16th Century English as the primary reason to not tackle this inspirational classic.

"Pilgrim's Progress in Modern English" is badly done. It simplifies the words, even perfectly modern words like "den" and "clothed," and proper names, but it can't make Bunyan's allegory or theology more transparent. The vocabulary is decreased, the older prose and newer dialog jar, and some of Bunyan's beautiful images are lost, without making the whole easier.

Changing "Slough of Despond" to "Swamp of Despondence," "What shall I do to be saved?" to "What must I do to be saved?" and removing "The Son of the Blessed is very pitiful" altogether are deal-breakers for me. They're just a sample of beautiful bits that you'll miss out on in this not-that-much-easier version. "Reigns" for "reins upon the neck" in the House of the Interpreter-totally different meaning.

Bunyan is readable without modernification; children have been reading it for centuries now. It's much easier than Shakespeare or the King James Bible, even a good stepping stone to them. The memorable imagery is weakened by the smaller vocabulary. If you do need a modernized version, I suggest you choose it carefully--get a side-by-side edition if possible.

I expected the same book as the soft cover edition in modern English.
A good story but hard to understand in old English.

I ordered The Pilgrims Progress in Modern English hardcover for my close friends and relatives for Christmas and was very dissapointed to see that the text was tiny, not crisp, and the white space was sparce. A book written for readability was typeset to turn people away. My copy of Pilgrims Progress by a different publisher is far superior. It has a nice updated English text, is well layed out and has handy footnotes for the hundreds of references and explanations. As importantly, the third part of the book includes the Author John Bunyan's spiritual autobiography "Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners" which is excellent to read in stride with Pilgrims Progress.

The Pilgrim's Progress and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

It seems like the majority of Deathly Hallows critique and analysis has focused on what Rowling got wrong -- the opportunities she missed, the issues left unresolved, etc. Mr. Granger's book of essays/lectures points out what Rowling got right and makes a very persuasive argument that Deathly Hallows is the artistic capstone of the series, and not just a cop-out. Mr. Granger's arguments are written in a clear and entertaining way that makes them accessible to casual readers. But there is also a lot of meat to his ideas -- enough to intrigue even jaded lit majors such as myself. Mr. Granger makes a wonderful analogy between the game of Quidditch and literary analysis and invites us to become seekers. His book is a demonstration of the riches that await someone willing to delve deeper beyond the storyline into the symbols and structures that underly the story and that give the story its emotional and moral impact. Mr. Granger's book is also helpful for anyone wishing to cut through the kerfuffle regarding Christianity and occultism in Harry Potter and the debate as to whether Harry Potter has literary merit. His discussions of these issues are thoughtful and balanced. I definitely have a greater appreciation of Deathly Hallows having read Mr. Granger's book and I am newly inspired to keep seeking to find new treasures in Mr. Rowling's work. Thanks to Mr. Granger, Dante on my short list of works to re-read.