101 Books to Read Before You Die discussion

Please post your thoughts on the final section and the book as a whole.

In the section where Cassandra is contemplating riches and their effects on people, I thought this line was very poignant:

"...what I thought about most was luxury. I had never realized before that it is more than just having things; it makes the very air feel different. And I felt different, breathing that air: relaxed, lazy, still sad but with the edge taken off the sadness. Perhaps the effect wears off in time, or perhaps you don't notice it if you are born to it, but it does seem to me that the climate of richness must always be a little dulling to the senses. Perhaps it takes the edge off joy as well as off sorrow."

"Takes the edge off joy...." what an interesting way to put it! Like a complacency, I suppose. It's definitely a deep thought to ponder.

I just finished it, so I'll put my final thoughts in spoilers in case you're not that far along in it:

(view spoiler)[I have to admit, almost to the end of this section, I thought she was going to tie it all up in a neat little bow and I didn't like the direction it was going at all. All the pieces were there for perfect little couples with their perfect little love stories. The Neil/Rose thing was obvious: of course that was bound to happen. I just never could quite put Cassandra with Simon, even with as much chemistry as they had. She still needs to grow into herself a little. Smith left that relationship open for the future, though, which I liked. I could actually see that happening. I've known people who were in a relationship with one brother/sister and then there was a breakup, and later on were incredibly happy with the other brother/sister, so it's not out of the question. I like that she didn't make it obvious that it WOULD happen, though. She leaves room for life, for someone else to enter the picture down the line.

Poor Stephen! As much as I like Cassandra, frankly, I think he can do much better than her, when he finds someone that truly appreciates him. Maybe she could, when she's older and more mature, but I think she just can't feel the chemistry with him, and that's not something you can fake. I think Cassandra understands that, though, and that DOES show some maturity on her part.

As for the dad....meh. I felt he was only there as a character so that the kids wouldn't be taken by the state. He was the official figurehead of the family, but in name only. (hide spoiler)]

Does this book belong in a top 101 books to read? I don't really think so. I liked it well enough and I'm glad I read it, but it's certainly not classic literature. Doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it to others, though.

Thin, overly melodramatic & unrealistic plot populated with one dimensional characters. At best, if written today, this would be early teen fantasy fiction.

Mike wrote: "Thin, overly melodramatic & unrealistic plot populated with one dimensional characters. At best, if written today, this would be early teen fantasy fiction."

Apt description, although I'd say it's better quality than a lot of books of that description that are written today!

One thought: did we ever find out who gave her the Two-Guinea book? She assumes it's Simon, but I can't remember if we ever find out if that's actually the case?

I didnt like the way the story turned out especially Cassandra falling in love with Simon. I felt it's added just to bring a twist in the story. But the narration got better and better plus Cassandra got her thoughts muddled too much. She thought she was the only budding intellectual in the family at the beginning of the story, but in Part 3 she felt she was the dumbest one. Even Thomas was narrated as a brilliant one (hidden talent). Actually this shows how Cassandra was too self centric when her journal started and how she grew in few months.

I also got worried that the book was going to end with a happily ever after, so I was glad when it ended the way it did. I didn't find the book boring, but it didn't really seem to have much depth and I certainly wouldn't think of it as a "must read."

That's how I felt Jill! I was worried it would be wrapped up in a little bow and I was glad that wasn't the case.