The 40 book Challenge discussion

Post your reflections here.

Capote, Truman and Larson, Eric

I can't help but compare Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Eric Larson's The Devil in the White City. Admittedly, this is partly because I am new to the true crime genre (if that is how these two books should be categorized). Also, Larson carefully studied Capote for "insights into how Capote achieved his dark and still deeply troubling account." I compare them because Capote succeeds where Larson flounders. I do know that my comparison between the two stories breaks down because Capote is literary while Larson is journalistic in scope. Also, Capote immersed himself into the crime days after it occurred, offering him access to fresh emotions and events. Larson looks a back a hundred years to a story with witness accounts.

Capote writes about the apparently motiveless murders of the peaceful Clutter family in 1959. He shows the grieving and paranoid community, the determined and resourceful detectives, and the despicable yet pitiable killers (Dick Hicock and Perry Smith). The novel is deeply empathetic to the murderers without dismissing their guilt. Capote deliberately shows what about Hicock's and Smith's character and history made them capable of killing. Capote condemns the crime, but aligns himself with the murderers's desires to be known as more than killers.

Larson tells the stories of H. H. Holmes, a serial killer in Chicago in the 1890s, and the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Both plot lines are stories of creativity, cunning, and power. However, the parallels between the two stories end with their shared historical context and characters motivated by power, making it difficult to discern the purpose behind Larson's structure. Shock and awe propel the story, leaving little room for readers to empathize and question. Larson's Holmes is demonic, completely stripped of human impulses, motivations, and emotions. Yet, Larson never questions how a human could so closely resemble the devil. Nonetheless, the stories of Holmes and the World's Fair are riveting and exciting. The writing is flawless (making it at times boring). The research is extensive. Students with interests in history and mystery will enjoy this book if they have built up stamina as a reader.

Dashner, James

The Maze Runner by James Dashner is the first in a trilogy (with two prequels) of dystopian novels that fits firmly in the line of The Hunger Games and Divergent. Dashner imagines a massive and mysterious maze in which adolescent boys inexplicably find themselves. The boys live in the middle of the maze and are tasked with finding their way out. They instate a brutal order complete with an economy, labor, laws, and capital punishment. The story follows Thomas, a new addition to the maze as he attempts to solve the mysteries of the maze and of his character.

I got Maze Runner in the library last month and it has been very popular with students. In fact, I have not spoken to a single student who disliked it. Boys and girls all describe it as a very exciting novel with an awesome cliffhanger ending. The book, however, is not particularly well-written and is well below a high school reading level. Nonetheless, I think it is a valuable as a bridge text (in particular to Golding's The Lord of the Flies). It is exciting, dramatic (and cheesy), and raises some interesting questions about authority and government.

Hosseini, Khaled

A Thousand Splendid Suns is Khaled Hosseini's second novel. It tells the tragic stories of two Afghan women married to the same abusive man. The book is exhausting because there are few reprieves from domestic violence and anger. It repeatedly made my physically nauseous. It is a compelling story of tenacity, friendship, and bravery.

Thank you for the review of Capote and Larson. Both are on my "Next 40 Book" list and have been for some time. Looks like I need to move them to the front of the line.

Kristin wrote: "
Capote, Truman and Larson, Eric

I can't help but comp..."

Kristin,

I enjoyed Devil in the White City so much that I bought In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. I think I will add that title to my list. Has anyone read it?

I read it and enjoyed it. It is amazing what a blind eye people can take to atrocities. It did go on a bit too long, but I thought it was a good book.

Eric Larson is accepting questions about his books. Go here. I have ordered his latest book, Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, which comes out on Tuesday.

What are you reading next?

Maria wrote: "What are you reading next?"

I just started Where'd You Go, Bernadette. So far (first 30 pages), I'm hooked into the characters' neurotic entitlement and the coy winks in Semple's style. It is so much fun.

Maria wrote: "Eric Larson is accepting questions about his books. Go here. I have ordered his latest book, Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, which comes out on Tuesday."

Awesome. I have so many questions.

It is on my list too. I read his earlier book about prewar Germany and was impressed. He tends to rattle a bit too long, but the story and history were very informative with the feeling that you were watching it all unfold.

I just finished Where'd You Go Bernadette and loved it. The characters are rude, neurotic, tortured, complex, and weird. This is a surprising modern take on the 19th century epistolatory novel. The book combines the structure and purpose of Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone (a series of letters and accounts collected in order to narrate and solve a mystery) with the clip of a very smart sitcom (Semple has written for Arrested Development and Ellen). I checked this book out to a student the day after I finished it and I hope that I will get several more to read it this semester.

No Easy Day is written Mark Owen, one of the SEALs on the mission to kill Bin Laden. Mark Owen (with journalist Kevin Mauer) details the incredible discipline and deep camaraderie of a SEAL team through his training and missions. While not particularly well written, No Easy Day was often informative and compelling. Students interested in the military will appreciate Owen's descriptions of guns, gear, and strategies and will be engaged by his story of danger, courage, and grit. I am trying to get boys to read this book, but have had no success yet.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. Admittedly, my expectations were as low as they have ever been for any book (I hated the movie in high school). The writing is inoffensive, the plot is sweet, the characters grow and learn good lessons, and the author doesn't try to do anything too profound. It reads like the poor-quality Easter chocolate bunnies taste-syrupy sweet and very forgettable. I will hand this to girls who like to cry over books.

When I mention John Green's name to students in the library, I usually get something like, "ugh, I love his books so much I DIE." After reading The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson, I am starting understand why kids love these books. My thoughts thus far:
1. Green's prose is sharp, snappy, and sarcastic and reflective, romantic, and campy at the same time.
2. The protagonists are outsiders in some way, not ever feeling quite at home in their family, school, or social group. They are observers and commentators.
3. Characters are on an emotional journey that manifests itself in a clear physical journey (battling cancer, searching for Margot) in which they learn who they really are and who they want to become.
4. Every feeling is validated as real and worthwhile.
5. Green captures how teens view themselves and others.

Side note: Will Grayson, Will Grayson may be the most well-written and interesting of these three (at least for the first 2/3rds until it falls into musical absurdity). However, the content makes it so that I would not recommend it to a student.

My Sunshine Away was recommended to Wes by a student (at another school) who says that this is her favorite book. While I certainly could not claim this as a personal favorite, the story caught my attention and made me think (until it resolved into sentimentality-why!?). Walsh builds a jagged line connecting an idilic suburban childhood, obsessive adolescent love, and predatory crimes. The result is reflective, deceptive, and disturbing.