It sort of felt like reading "Peyton Place" crossed with the tv show "Lost." I must admit, all of the names and repetitions of names really bogged me down.

I love this book with an irrational passion. This was the first book I read that made realize that literature could be complicated, ironic, melancholy, and devastating while at the same time espousing some of the most exciting and uplifting truths about human nature and perseverance. I've read this book many times and each time there's something new to add to my interpretation. After spending a few years at the top of my list of favorite books, it's since sunk (time will do that), but it will always have an important part in my literary history and will always be a personal favorite.

Scariest book of all seven. not kidding.

Another fun HP adventure!

Very cool book. Read it in a night...

I really enjoyed this book. From a story I thought I knew so well I was dragged into the misty foggy darkness of gothic London and found myself unable to get out.

This is so well written that even though its not quite the horror story I expected, (it turns into more of a thriller and even "whodunnit" novel), I loved every minute of it and got completely sucked in.

Obviously everyone knows the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Dr Jekyll is dissatisfied with his life and wishes he could be more adventurous without having to worry about his reputation, and so through experiments comes up with a potion which splits a person in 2, a good side who is quite content with their uneventful life and upholding said reputation and a bad side who has no conscience to worry about. This way both can be quite content in themselves, never having to worry about the other....or so it seems.

In fact Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde are one and the same person, both completely seperate personalities, both inhabiting the same, if very different looking bodies. Jekyll cannot escape the deeds of Hyde no matter how much he tries.

Name: Robert Louis Stevenson
Born: 13th November 1850
Died: 3rd December 1894
Nationality: Scottish
Most Famous Works: Treasure Island, Kidnapped, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
First Novel Published: Treasure Island

I finally got around to reading this one, and it's fairly short and light so you should too. Now I thought I knew all about this story considering how many times it's been referenced (Pinky and the Brain and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen come to mind), but I came to realize that it was far different from expectations for three reasons:

1) The protagonist is a lawyer, a friend of Jekyll's, who never actually (and thus we never either) sees a transformation
2) The fact that Jekyll and Hyde are one and the same is unknown and the book is played off as a mystery until the reveal about 3/4 in.
3) Hyde, while violent and evil as we expect, is not some hulking monster at all; in fact the book makes very clear that he is smaller than Jekyll.

Either way it was pretty good.

OH MY GOD

Enough answers; a loophole that, although justifiable, I resent; an epilogue I resent all the more. But, to appropriate that disgusting adage, I am sad because it's over but happy that it happened. Massive love.

I am currently reading Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling.

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
J.K. Rowling
Fantasy
759 pages

Begun a decade ago and encompassing six shelf-bending novels, the seventh and concluding volume of the international literary phenomenon that is the Harry Potter saga comes to a bombshell-packed -- and oh so satisfying -- conclusion in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, arguably the most wildly anticipated release in modern publishing history.
As the novel begins, Harry, Ron and Hermione are on the run from Lord Voldemort, whose minions of Death Eaters have not only taken control of the Minister of Magic but have begun to systematically -- and forcibly -- change the entire culture of the magic community: Muggle-born wizards, for example, are being rounded up and questioned, and all "blood traitors" are being imprisoned. But as Voldemort and his followers ruthlessly pursue the fugitive with the lightning bolt scar on his forehead, Potter finally uncovers the jaw-dropping truth of his existence....

Undoubtedly Rowling's crowning literary achievement, this triumphant final installment not only answers any and all questions surrounding integral characters like Albus Dumbledore, Voldemort, Severus Snape, Neville Longbottom, and Draco Malfoy but also brilliantly deals with some decidedly adult themes -- mortality, faith, duty, honor, etc. -- with a lyrical simplicity that will touch the hearts of readers of all ages. ("Do not pity the dead...pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love.") Rowling definitely saved the best for last in this saga; HP7 will exceed the expectations of even the most demanding Harry Potter fan -- a towering, transcendent end to an equally towering and transcendent series.

BLURB

Harry has been burdened with a dark, dangerous and seemingly impossible task: that of locating and destroying Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes. Never has Harry felt so alone, or faced a future so full of shadows. But Harry must somehow find within himself the strength to complete the task he has been given. He must leave the warmth, safety and companionship of The Burrow and follow without fear or hesitation the inexorable path laid out for him.

REVIEW

OH MY GOD

Enough answers; a loophole that, although justifiable, I resent; an epilogue I resent all the more. But, to appropriate that disgusting adage, I am sad because it's over but happy that it happened. Massive love.

My favorite dystopia. The personal perspective

Very interesting look at the future. Though for the most part the future pictured here is somber, there does seem to be a little hope, too.

BLURB
Brave New World is the story of a world that has come to be after the "nine years war." In this world, individuality is no longer welcomed. Humans are no longer born in the traditional sense of the world. They are grown. Mankind has been reduced down to genetic manipulation and is created on an assembly line.

Mankind comes in various ranks. There are the best of the best, golden and chiseled, and there are the worst of the worst, the fetuses who are injected with alcohol while they are growing. Whether the best or the worst, each person serves a very specific function to the new society. God has become nothing but a myth that society mocks and laugh at. God has, in fact, become replaced with the term "Ford".

What a terrifying glimpse into the future...more frigtening by the fact that when compared to its contemporaries: it's positiviely optimistic in outlook. What a bleak and yet staggaringly realistic glimpse into a world of plastic surgury and reccreational drugs. Fascinating, and more relevant now than when it was written!

Loved this book, from being quite confused at this strange world it portrays, the story develops so well that I started to forget that this is a world that I don't belong to, and even though I didn't really understand why certain things happen or what is really going on, I couldn't help but be drawn into the story.

This novel is set in the future, one where old things are despised, things like Shakespeare even the concept of love, much like George Orwells novel Nineteen-Eighty-Four. The books starts off with a tour through the decanting room, where foetuses are created and played with as if the workers are Gods, they are infused with Vaccines for various diseases which no longer exist, and they are cloned many times over.

Then it is explained how when these foetuses are created, they are given a class, Alpha's are the strongest, cleverest, most unique and will end up being the most powerful, whereas Deltas are created in batches of 70 or more, all identical and will do the menial work.

Each class is conditioned so that they accept their position in society and will never question it.

Enter Bernard Marx, who has the appearance of a lower caste, but is actually an Alpha, who feels isolated and disillusioned by his life and as with Orwell, a plot is born!!

Very enjoyable, loved especially the debate about God, religion and Shakespeare towards the end, and also the shocking and unexpected ending. Very good!

Name: Alduos Huxley
Born: 26th July 1894
Died: 22nd November 1963
Nationality: English
Most Famous Works: The Genius and the Goddess, Brave New World
First Novel Published: Come Yellow

This is a great work of dystopian fiction. Huxley presents some really pinpointed and accurate critiques of modern society all while maintaining an aura of almost perverse wonder. Plus, the ending still jars me every time I read it.

This was one of the best books I ever read. It blows my mind that this book was written in 1932 - it is so ahead of its time. It's set in the far-off future of 2540 AD, when humans are borne out of test tubes and into set societal roles to maintain peace and population. People escape anything unpleasant in life by taking hangover-free drugs and enjoying promiscuous sex, and people are conditioned from "birth" to accept the mores of a deeply controlled society. It is only until John the Savage enters this society and has people question the established order that things start to go haywire. An inadequate synopsis, but this is an AMAZING dystopian novel that everyone should read. To discover more books by Aldous Huxley - as well as books that influenced him and authors he in turn influenced - check out this page:

http://www.infloox.com/person?id=7753bdf7

Similar to 1984. It was OK, nothing especial.

This book made me cry at the end. Only one that did, incredible insight into relationships.

My only previous experience with Oscar Wilde was The Importance of Being Earnest and many of his witticisms. So, even knowing the outlines of the story of Dorian Gray, I can be excused for expecting it to be just a little bit funny. But it wasn't- it was dark, and reflective, and sad.
I can see why people assumed in court that he was gay- although using a work of fiction to convict someone is obviously reprehensible. He describes such a series of close male relationships that I can't help but believe they were sexual in nature.
A dark and strange book. I'm glad I read it, I think it says a lot about human nature, and I can understand why it's so often references in our culture.

BLURB


REVIEW
Oooooh - I found this dead creepy - and even though the subject matter has been re-run a few times since this book, I found it to be a fresh read, with fabulous little insights into the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

It is a book I have intended to read for a long time and I'm so glad that I did. I knew the basic story of this but did not realise quite how much I would enjoy getting through it.

This novel tells the story of a wealthy, handsome young gentleman named Dorian Gray who has his portrait painted by an artist of the name of Basil Hallward. On the final day of his sitting he encounters a gentleman named Harry who he has a long discussion with about youth and beauty. Harry makes him realise how handsome Dorian actually is and when the finished portrait is revealed, Dorian finds himself falling in love with his own image.
In a fit of rage Dorian makes a wish that he might never grow old, and that this portrait would grow old instead.
This wish comes true and so the story continues.....!

A classic, so worth a read, but nothing particularly stunning. Oscar Wilde is always amusing in his own over-the-top way, so definitely worth reading if you're in the need for some refined entertainment.

Very interesting. I liked it a lot.

Beautiful and sad story about the evils of wealth and greed.

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