Door Stop: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Happy New Year! And welcome to a review of the first (and possibly only) door stop of 2026. My copy of Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is actually just shy of 500 pages, but I placed it under the 'door stop' category anyway because certain editions do go a bit over that limit. As the lesser known Bronte sister, Anne offers up a story of a mysterious woman moving to a new town, where the inhabitants can only guess at her background, until she offers up her story to someone she hopes she can trust.

The Situation: In a letter to a friend, Gilbert Markham tells the story of a time when a mysterious woman moved into his hometown, bringing with her a young boy and one servant. Helen Graham moved into the long neglected Wildfell Hall, managing to have just enough of the residence fixed up to make it inhabitable. Gilbert's friends and family immediately begin to make guesses as to the woman's story and where her husband may be. Many attempt to visit the woman, only to come back with a strong and strange sense that she wants to be left alone, and will not let the young boy out of her sight. It is not long before Gilbert becomes infatuated with her and her situation, which causes his irritation to grow towards those that would speak ill of her.

The Problem: Despite Gilbert's best efforts, Helen remains reserved and releases few details about her life before her move to Wildfell Hall, until she decides to let the young man read her diary. In it, Gilbert learns of her life growing up with her uncle and aunt, and the disastrous marriage to the man that the latter had attempted to warn her about. He is the reason Helen has retreated to Wildfell Hall, and Gilbert reads all about what caused the young wife to abandon her husband. Gilbert is happy to be trusted with this information, but distressed to know what Helen has had to deal with, and now wishes he may be trusted to remedy every situation for her to protect her and her son's future.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction set primarily in the late 1820s, early 1830s, when Helen's story takes place. Truly, the book is a story within a story as Helen's diary is read by Gilbert, who is a writing a letter to a friend. The bulk of Helen's story involves her troubled marriage to a Mr. Huntingdon, whose proposal she accepted over much older, though well-established and possibly better-behaved men. Though there is gambling, drinking, abandonment, and even infidelity, it is ultimately for the benefit of her son that Helen wishes to be done with her husband, but as a woman in the early 19th century, her options are limited. 

My Verdict: While this is a thoroughly entertaining read, I can understand why it is not as popular as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. Sure, there is a strong and willful heroine, plenty of conflict, and societal pressures that make it difficult for several of the characters to either act as they please, or even simply in their own best interest. But the story itself is oddly paced, and the characters are more than a little tiresome, Helen and Gilbert included. And for me, I had to allow for more than a little suspension of disbelief when it comes to the issue of a grown woman allowing a man she does not know all that well to read her private diary, even if it does help explain her situation. 

Favorite Moment: Helen is nothing if not resolved, and there are a couple of moments where she must dismiss the supposed assistance of the most seemingly well-intentioned people. 

Favorite Character: The character of Mr. Lawrence does not truly come into focus until the story is nearly at its end, but he proves to be both helpful and honest.

Recommended Reading: This is a recommendation I know few will take, if only because this book is so incredibly long, but I adore Charles Dickens' Bleak House. 

Door Stop: Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

The time has come to tackle another door stop. On this blog, a 'door stop' is essentially any book that is 500 pages or more, and this week, it is Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. In this tale, Dickens tackles poverty, debtors' prisons, and bureaucracy and red tape in 19th century England.

The Situation: Life inside of the Marshalsea debtors' prison is the only life Amy Dorrit, or Little Dorrit, has ever known. She was born in the prison, and after her mother died when she was very young, she has spent her life being of service to her father, older brother and sister, and their uncle. William Dorrit entered the prison over 30 years before, and has become known as the "Father of the Marshalsea," while trying to hold onto the class and status in which he was raised. Though it would anger her father if he knew, Little Dorrit works as a seamstress for various individuals, one of which is the stern and harsh mother of Arthur Clennam. Arthur suspects that his family may have something to do with William Dorrit being in the debtors' prison, and resolves to find out and right any potential wrong.

The Problem: It is clear that Arthur's mother is holding back on some vital piece of information regarding Arthur's deceased father, so he must make his own investigation, while also entering into a business partnership with a local inventor. Meanwhile, the kind and good-natured Mr. and Mrs. Meagles worry over their spoiled daughter's potential attachment to a young artist who does not make much money, and who is also friends with a mysterious and potentially dangerous man known only as Blandois. Throughout the story, Little Dorrit remains sweet, and good, and hard-working, and while it is clear some take advantage of her goodness, including her own father, she would never hear of going against any of them, and remains a true and faithful servant.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a story of fiction written by Dickens and was published in 19 monthly installments, beginning in December of 1855. Little Dorrit may be the title character, but there are large chunks of the novel when the character disappears completely, while the story focuses not only on Arthur, but also the Meagles, Blandois, and a few other key characters. One major theme is that of imprisonment, as several characters end up bound to their locations for various reasons. Another heavily explored subject is that of government bureaucracy, as the narrator talks at length about the Circumlocution Office and their specialty of not getting anything done. And then there are several characters who experience sudden and severe turns of fortune.

My Verdict: This book is long...like Bleak House long. If there was ever a reason to be thankful for jury duty (and in my mind, there are few), it is because of the long stretches of time in which it allowed me to make headway with this book. The character of Little Dorrit is indeed incredibly good, and sweet, and pitiable, but she is also frustratingly naive, and good to the point of not wanting to cause anyone trouble, including those who do her wrong. Those familiar with Dickens will recognize the style of writing, the fun character names, and the dialogue that often feels to be going in circles (and sometimes it is). If I had to give it a ranking among the other Dickens books I have read, I would have to put it somewhere between Bleak House and David Copperfield, with A Tale of Two Cities still being my favorite.

Favorite Moment: Little Dorrit's older sister Fanny takes advantage of her younger sister's good nature, much like her brother and father. But even with all of her bluster and boasting, there is a moment when even she seems to admit that her situation is not ideal, though she does not do so with words.

Favorite Character: Mr. Pancks is a rent collector who, naturally, is viewed as a villain by those he has to collect rent from, but also enjoys a sort of side hustle as someone who restores people's lost inheritances, therefore helping to reverse the fortunes of a few characters. 

Recommended Reading: Middlemarch by George Eliot is even longer, but also follows a variety of characters in 19th century England. 

Classic Fiction: The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells

Full disclosure: I never had any interest in reading The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells until I saw that an upcoming offering by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic, Velvet Was the Night) was a reimagining of the classic tale. Add to this that Wells' story is incredibly short (less than 150 pages), and I figured it was as good a time as any to pick up the fairly well-known story.

The Situation: On January 5, 1888, Edward Prendick was found in a small open boat out at sea. Having been missing for nearly a year, he was assumed to have drowned after the boat he was on, the Lady Vain, was lost after a collision. Though he claimed that his mind was blank as to what happened during the time he was missing, his nephew and heir would find a long narrative where Edward details his time on a strange island, accounting for the months he was gone. The narrative tells of the strange and enigmatic Dr. Moreau, who inhabits the island with his assistant Montgomery. As soon as Edward arrives (and even before, when he is still on the boat that rescued him), he knows there is something odd about the other 'men' assisting Montgomery, and he knows he has heard Moreau's name from somewhere.

The Problem: It does not take long for Edward to realize what it is that unsettles him about Dr. Moreau, and the island itself. It seems the doctor made the decision to escape civilized life and society in order to conduct his experiments. Edward is horrified to realize where he is, and the sounds that come from Moreau's laboratory do not help ease his fears and anguish. Even after Dr. Moreau's clarifies a few things, Edward can only hate his time on the island. The animals that have been experimented on and turned into psuedo human versions of themselves - while others have had other animal qualities added - are sources of revulsion to Edward. Even Dr. Moreau admits to the dangers of living and cultivating such a place, though he cannot see the oncoming tragedy through his own aspirations.

Genre, Themes, History: Originally published in 1896, today The Island of Doctor Moreau is largely considered a science fiction classic. The introduction establishes that the story that follows is a narrative written by Edward Prendick, explaining the nearly year-long amount of time he was missing at sea. From February 1, 1887 to January 5, 1888, Edward was unaccounted for, and according to him, he spent his time with Dr. Moreau, Montgomery, and the assortment of strange beasts that the doctor had experimented on via vivisection. Told entirely from Edward's point of view, the story takes a look at what it means to be human, and what it is that separates us from animals. 

My Verdict: With the kind of horror stories, movies, and TV shows that we have access to today, many will consider this one to be fairly tame. Even so, it is easy to see why readers were initially horrified upon its original publication in the late 1800s. First, there is the idea of vivisection: Dr. Moreau insists on performing his experiments on still living animals. Then there is the unsettling fact that he is attempting to turn animals away from their beastly nature by making them more human, but the results are by turns both creepy and terrifying. While the bloodier scenes are not described in too much detail, and the vivisections remain behind closed doors, the actions of Dr. Moreau may still be too much for some readers. Again, this book is short, but proceed with caution. 

Favorite Moment: *MAJOR SPOILER ALERT* When Dr. Moreau is killed by one of his own experiments...because of course he would be. 

Favorite Character: This is a tough choice because even Edward can be tiresome, but he is the reader's only narrator (though an incredibly unreliable one), and seems to be the one of the three humans on the island that best understands the horrors of what is happening. 

Recommended Reading: With books like these, I always recommend Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. And I will also recommend another one of Moreno-Garcia's books, Mexican Gothic.  

Door Stop: Villette by Charlotte Bronte

There are various book lists all over the internet for all kinds of categories, and I have a love/hate relationship with them. The thing is, a topic like "The 50 Best Books About Dogs" is subjective, and it is inevitable that your favorite dog book(s) will either not be, in your opinion, ranked high enough, or, horror of horrors, not listed at all. Still, I found myself consulting a list titled "50 Books that are 500 Pages or Longer that Readers Have Forgotten About," or something like that, and I was indeed reminded of today's selection, Villette by Charlotte Bronte.

The Situation: While staying with her godmother, Lucy Snowe is introduced to the young son of the house, Graham, as well as a little girl named Polly. Lucy observes how Polly adores Graham, who does shower her with affection, but everything is brought to a halt when Polly is retrieved by her father and they move abroad. Years later, Lucy is in her early 20s and with no family, connections, or means of taking care of herself, so she becomes a teacher in Villette at a boarding school for girls. Despite not knowing the language, as well as often being by herself, Lucy does well. She faces down haughty students, obstinate fellow teachers, and even an employer who insists on going through her things at every opportunity.

The Problem: While Lucy prefers to keep to herself and not draw much attention, people still manage to come to her, though this often results in opportunities to advance her place at the school, as well as widen her social circle. And when a handsome young doctor is summoned to the school to take care of a sick student, Lucy is surprised to find both a new friend and an old acquaintance. She insists on remaining emotionally reserved, but she cares greatly for the doctor, and wonders if he reciprocates her feelings. Her reserved nature also does not escape the notice of a fellow teacher, who takes every opportunity to critique her harshly and insist the only way for things to be done is his way. During her time at the school, the reserved and solitary Lucy will grow as a teacher and a person, and use her skills in observation to triumph over trials and other people.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction book originally published in 1853, and was published after the more well known Jane Eyre. It is often said that Villette is Bronte's most autobiographical work, with certain characters directly representing people in her life. The character of Lucy Snowe is smart, hard-working, reserved, and a bit shy. Because she is also plain, with no physical characteristics to recommend her, she is often overlooked, something that does not escape her notice. The family tragedy that causes her to leave England is never specified, and Villette is a fictional town, set in Belgium, and modeled after Brussels. If there is one main theme, it would be Lucy's growth as a person and her ability to rely on no one but herself.

My Verdict: On the whole, there are large portions of this book where not a lot is happening. Lucy is a competent enough teacher, enjoying a quiet and somewhat lonely existence in a foreign city. There are moments when a character is introduced (or reintroduced), or some event takes place, or there is the occasional plot twist. It is only after getting over halfway through the book that things begin to come together, and that all of the details provided in the first half begin to lead to anything that can be referred to as adventure or drama. Basically, it's slog, but most lovers of Bronte will be ready for that, and some will even welcome the journey. I have mixed feelings about it, and the ending did not leave me feeling justified with how much time and effort the book required to get there. 

Favorite Moment: Lucy's uppity friend Ginevra is vain, shallow, and only happy if all male attention is on her. On one particular evening, a new arrival takes some of that attention, much to Lucy's pleasure.

Favorite Character: Mrs. Bretton is Lucy's godmother and Graham's mother. She has been widowed for quite some time, but remains resolute, healthy, and stalwart throughout the entire novel. She is one of the few people in the book who is willing to be harsh with her son.

Recommended Reading: I have yet to cover Jane Eyre on this blog, but it is the more well-known Charlotte Bronte novel for a reason. 

Door Stop: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

Like many readers, my 'to read' list is all over the place, and of course includes books that I either bought, or were given to me an incredibly long time ago, and I have yet to actually read. The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is one such book, and has been for close to 20 years. So I figured there was no better time than a pandemic to finally pick it up and finish it.

Genre, Themes, History: The Essential Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is a collection put together by Barnes & Noble of the most noteworthy works of the early 19th century writer. The well-known and well-loved poem "The Raven" is present, as are short stories such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Cask of Amontillado." Following the poems and short stories, and ending the collection is Poe's novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket, which chronicles the harrowing adventure of Arthur Pym as he describes the many disasters the befall him on a trip out to sea. Most associate the work of Poe with dark imagery, despairing characters, and plotlines that deal with premature burial (both intentional and unintentional), as well as death and madness. What is often forgotten is that Poe also wrote satires and humorous stories with characters that are clearly unhinged, but resolute in their focus on an absurd task. Reading all of the works together will definitely reveal a certain continuation in theme and style for anyone willing to look for it.

My Verdict: I have said it many times that poetry is not really my thing, and that remains true, as "The Raven" is still the only one of Poe's poems that I enjoy. However, I did discover quite a few short stories that I had never read before, such as "How to Write  a Blackwood Article" and "A Predicament." Both stories contain ridiculous advice for writing articles, with "A Predicament" ultimately ending with *spoiler alert* the author allegedly having her head head cut off by the hands of a giant clock in an attempt to get the perfect story. But one story I always knew about but had never read was "The Pit and the Pendulum," which has now replaced "The Cask of Amontillado" as my new favorite short story written by Poe. It is terrifying in the best way (for those who enjoy horror stories), and would be a great way to introduce Poe's work to anyone who is unfamiliar. Of course, not every story or poem is as engaging as the ones mentioned - at least not for me - but I recommend this collection to anyone looking for a crash course in the gothic writer's work.

Favorite Story: I already mentioned how much I enjoyed "The Pit and the Pendulum." A man finds himself trapped in a dark room during the Spanish Inquisition, and must figure out how to survive, not realizing the many different types of traps and tortures that await him.

Favorite Poem: I recommend that everyone read "The Raven" at least once in their lives. And then follow it up with the clip from The Simpsons' original "Treehouse of Horror" episode, narrated by James Earl Jones.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Bram Stoker's Dracula if you wish to continue with the classic horror theme. 

Door Stop: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

It has once again come time for me to tackle a door stop, and any book that is longer than 500 pages qualifies for that category. When I make a point of seeking one of these monsters out, I usually gravitate towards the classics, though there are many modern novels of this length that are worthy of our attention (1Q84, I am looking in your direction). Today's focus will be on The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, a tale of revenge and adventure in 19th century France.

The Situation: Young Edmond Dantes is in the prime of his life. Not only is he close to being promoted to the position of Captain on a merchant ship, despite his young age, but he will also soon be marrying Mercedes, the love of his life. Fortune has certainly smiled upon young Edmond, and those around him have noticed, especially the envious and spiteful. There is Fernand, the cousin of Mercedes who is miserable knowing she is about to marry Edmond, and then there is Danglers, a shipmate of Edmond's who is incredibly envious of his success. It is not long before a plot is hatched, and Edmond's life is turned upside down. In a matter of hours, everything is lost, and he finds himself thrown in jail, where he will languish for 14 long years on a made up charge. It is only thanks to the acquaintance of a fellow inmate that Edmond manages to hold onto hope, and later obtain his freedom. 

The Problem: Edmond may have done the impossible and escaped from prison, but his adventure (and second life) is truly just beginning. After styling himself as the wealthy and eccentric Count of Monte Cristo, he begins the long and careful process of avenging himself. But the revenge will not be swift, and involves many moving pieces. The people who have wronged him are now living off their achievements and schemes of the past 14 years. If the Count is to play the long game, and thoroughly ruin lives while maintaining his real identity, then patience is in order, and emotions must be contained, especially in the presence of the now married Mercedes. A singular focus on revenge calls for a lack of mercy, and when it comes to those who were not involved in the events of the past, their lives may also be in peril, if only because of who their parents are. Edmond must decide how far he is willing to take his plans, and if he will allow his pursuit of justice to turn him into a villain. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic tale of high adventure, focusing for the most part on Edmond Dantes, who will later call himself the Count of Monte Cristo. Following Edmond's imprisonment and escape is one of the longest and most intricate plots of revenge in all of literature. The lengths to which the Count will go to see those who wronged him fall is nothing short of incredible. Largely due to the incredible riches that come into the Count's possession, he is able to achieve any aim, and is seemingly unstoppable. And by hiding his identity, his enemies never see him coming. It also does not hurt that many of his enemies do not do themselves any favors and often end up in situations of their own making. As for the historical context, it is during Edmond's imprisonment that Napoleon makes his return to France, and the conflicting feelings towards the Emperor certainly play a part throughout the story. 

My Verdict: This book is long, like War and Peace long. And it is involved. It is one of those books for which I was tempted to create one of those intricate and detailed charts that shows all of the characters and how they relate to each other. There are the obvious people whom the Count is seeking revenge against, but then there are countless others who become involved, some of which are villains in their own right. What is quite possibly the most remarkable thing about the story is that it almost never boring. Sure there are parts that seem unnecessary, but even those are engaging and at least end up leading to some bigger event that the reader may not have seen coming. I mean, there are revenge fantasies, and then there is what the Count manages to accomplish in this book.  

Favorite Moment: When Albert, Mercedes' son, and the Count are able to resolve a heated dispute without causing anyone any injury.  

Favorite Character: An older gentleman by the name of Noirtier is the grandfather and protector of a young woman named Valentine. By the time Edmond has escaped prison and become the Count, Noirtier has become paralyzed and wheelchair-bound, only able to communicate with his still expressive eyes. Even so, he maintains enough of his mental capabilities to carry out his own intricate plans against those who would dare put Valentine in danger. 

Recommended Reading: Years ago I read The Three Musketeers, which is also long, but less than 1000 pages. It is just as engaging and fast-moving as this one, with possibly even more adventure and heartbreak squeezed into fewer pages.    

Door Stop: Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

It has once again come time for me to tackle one of those classic door stops that I have come to love mostly through the influence of my mother. It is her love of reading the classics that first introduced me to the works of Jane Austen, and then George Eliot, and then Charles Dickens, and then...well, you get the idea. Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray is one that I have somehow managed to miss all these years, so it is time to remedy that.

The Situation: It is early 19th century London, and Amelia Sedley has left school with her good friend Rebecca "Becky" Sharp. The two young women are to stay with Amelia's family until it is time for Becky to move on to her new job as a governess. Though the two girls are close, they could not be more different when it comes to attitude and temperament. While Amelia is sweet, good-natured, more than a little naive, and somewhat two-dimensional, Beck is manipulative, sharp-tongued, too smart for her own good, and always up to something, mostly in the interest in bettering her own situation, and if she can lowering everyone else's in the process, all the better. And while Amelia was born into a well-off family and has every prospect of happiness before her, it seems Becky's fate is to be a governess, unless she can somehow marry well. The story will follow the two girls and the different paths they take over the course of their adult lives.

The Problem: Amelia may be the sweetest creature on Earth, but her naivete and willingness to believe in the good of those close to her end up being the cause of much of her suffering. And as she remains devoted to a man who is not equally devoted to her, she ignores the attentions of someone much more worthy. Meanwhile, Becky is managing to forge her own way into society, though at the cost of nearly everyone she comes into contact with. She is able to win over men quite easily, but has less success with women. Moving from one deceit to the next, Becky climbs the social ladder, dragging her husband along with her. And as her status goes up, poor Amelia's goes down, and the two women are once again found to be opposites. With an always rotating cast of surrounding characters, and a few that remain more or less near the center of the action throughout the story, the two women navigate English society, as well as young adulthood, marriage, war, and motherhood, deciding along the way what kind of women they want to be.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in 19th century England, beginning as early as 1814. At the beginning, Amelia and Becky are young girls just leaving school, and by the end, they both have young boys that are approaching their teens. From the outset, the unreliable narrator frames the story as one that does not have a hero. And throughout the story, it becomes clear that not one of the characters is without their flaws, the sweet Amelia included. It would be incredibly easy to paint Becky as the book's primary villain, but even she has her (rare) moments when she decides to do what is best, as opposed to what is best only for her. Though for the most part, it appears Becky has an inability to think of anyone but herself. Even considering the interests of her own son, or her husband, appears to be beyond her ability. But while Becky's selfishness is much easier to identify, the novel does not dismiss Amelia's inability to see the flaws of those she remains devoted to, or her brother's self-importance and cowardice, or Captain Dobbin's vanity. No one is blameless. It seems Thackeray was interested in portraying humanity as he saw it, which is incredibly flawed.

My Verdict: The objection I hear the most to reading classics is that they are too long and boring. I get it. The language is weird; the narrators tend to ramble; and they are often full of historical information that readers today either do not care about, or cannot bring themselves to understand. When it comes to Vanity Fair (which does come close to the 700 page mark), if a reader can get past the language, and past the meandering narrator that seems to follow a million rabbit trails right when something important or meaningful is about to happen, then they will enjoy this book a great deal. Becky is certainly something else, but so are a lot of the characters in this book. There is always someone plotting, or making some sort of plan, or working on some scheme, Becky just happens to be the one who is the most cunning, and the most ruthless. Thackeray did not hold back on his assessment of humanity, pointing out the flaws of young and old, rich and poor, noble and common. This book is certainly not boring, but it does require a certain amount of patience.

Favorite Moment: When Amelia stands up for herself, effectively sending Becky away from her for a number of years. 

Favorite Character: It is true that not one of the characters in this book is without some flaw that is hard to reconcile, but I found Captain William Dobbin to be one of the least frustrating of the lot. While I sympathized with Amelia and wanted her to have a happy ending almost above all of the others, her naivete was beyond annoying. So I choose Captain Dobbin, who can at least see people for what they are, most of the time.

Recommended Reading: Thackeray's writing is often compared to that of Henry Fielding, but I absolutely refuse to recommend Tom Jones to anyone. It is not the worst book, but it is incredibly long, and when recommending long classic books, I prefer to steer people more towards something like David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, or The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.            

Door Stop: Daniel Deronda by George Eliot

Today's selection has been sitting in my 'to read' pile for quite some time now, mostly due to its length. Daniel Deronda is not the longest book I have read by George Eliot, as Middlemarch will always hold that title. Even so, I knew it would take some time, and more than a little perseverance.

The Situation: It is mid-1860s England, and Gwendolen Harleth can only think of herself. She is young, beautiful, self-centered, somewhat manipulative, and cannot understand why there should ever be any obstacle standing in the way of what she wants. She has four younger half-sisters, but completely dominates her mother's time and is always able to sway her to her will. But it is while she is away in Germany that she crosses paths with Daniel Deronda, and the two begin a friendship that will carry them through the remainder of the novel. As the ward of the wealthy Sir Hugo Mallinger, Deronda does not know who his real parents are, and has simply been raised to be an English gentleman, while occasionally entertaining the possibility that he is actually Sir Hugo's son. Always one to help others, even at great cost to himself, Deronda rescues a young Jewish woman who is moments away from killing herself, and makes it his mission to make sure she is cared and provided for.  

The Problem: Gwendolen has no interest in being a wife, or a working woman, or basically anything she does not want to be. Unfortunately, her family is in a financial situation that forces her to choose, leading her to become the wife of the awful Henleigh Mallinger Grandcourt, which allows for financial stability for both herself and her mother. Despite this union, she and Deronda remain close, even while Deronda becomes closer to Mirah and her family. This friendship allows for Deronda to learn more about the Jewish people, a subject in which he becomes increasingly interested, much to the annoyance of some of his close friends. As Gwendolen suffers in her unhappy marriage, Deronda struggles with what he learns, which soon includes the truth about his own birth. The time soon comes when he must decide what path he will take, and who he will become.

Genre, Themes, History: The is a fiction novel that first opens upon a scene in Germany in 1865, where Gwendolen is at a roulette table and finds Deronda looking at her. The story then goes back to England in 1864, and explains how both the hero and heroine will find themselves together in that room less than a year later. The first half of the book focuses greatly on Gwendolen, only occasionally mentioning Deronda, and a lot of the time it is only in relation to his interactions with her. The mystery of his parentage is brought up, and his rescue of Mirah is presented, but the novel remains primarily focused on Gwendolen, right up to her marriage to Grandcourt. Once she is clearly established as unhappily married, the real focus on Deronda begins, as well as his new Jewish friends, their history, and their surroundings. More than a few critics have argued that the book's focus should have remained on Gwendolen, as she is considered to be one of Eliot's best characters. Of course, some of these critics would also have liked for the book to be rid of the Jewish section completely, finding it unnecessary. Even so, the book focuses heavily, especially near the end, on the Jewish people, and the general feelings of discrimination against them in mid-19th century England.

My Verdict: It is always a bit confusing when a book is named after one character, but focuses more so on another character, especially right at the beginning. In the case of Daniel Deronda, it was not only confusing, but also frustrating, as Gwendolen Harleth is not a good person. I was eager for her downfall, or at least for her realization that she is not the center of the every one's universe. It was a relief as the book began to focus more and more on Daniel, but it still left things to feel a little off-balance. And as long as the book is, I cannot say that all that much happens in 700+ pages that could not have happened in half that amount. It is not a bad book, just so much of it seemed unnecessary, and I am not joining the critics who believe that the Jewish sections should be cut. That part was interesting, and if anything, could have used more exploration.

Favorite Moment: When Gwendolen is faced with the reality that she can either get married to a wealthy suitor, or become a governess. 

Favorite Character: Ezra Mordecai Cohen is *spoiler alert* revealed to be Mirah's brother. From the beginning, he is supportive and sympathetic, while also being more than a little curious (and suspicious) concerning Deronda's true heritage.

Recommended Reading: Eliot's Middlemarch is another one that requires patience, but is a bit more complex, story wise.

Classic Fiction: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

I was somehow never forced to read Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. So here I am, nearly 20 years out of high school, and I am finally reading what was for many their first Dickens novel. It is one of those classic works that nearly everyone has heard of, and most know the often quoted line "Please, sir, I want some more." But for many, the knowledge stops there.

The Situation: From his birth, it seems that Oliver Twist is going to have a difficult life. Born in a workhouse, with no knowledge of his parents or any family relation, Oliver is a mild-tempered child with weak health and a desire to do good. Unfortunately, in his early life, this natural disposition does not aid him in avoiding the cruelty and greed of those who delight in taking advantage of others. Though he manages to escape the workhouse, he finds himself forced into service with a group of thieves. Even when he manages to gain a better situation for himself, the slightest of errors will find him back among the nastiest men who only mean him harm. Given his age and his lack of strength, Oliver is at the mercy of anyone who deigns to take him in, so he must rely on those who take pity on him, and hope they have his best interest in mind.

The Problem: It becomes clear that there are greater forces working against Oliver, forces that he would know nothing about. While his main objective is to simply stay alive and be of the most help and service to whichever good family decides to take him in as their own, others are looking for the best way to take advantage of everyone else. Having finally found a decent home to reside in, Oliver must still be on the look out for the band of thieves that attempted to conscript him into service, particularly the awful and mean Mr. Sikes. It seems that nearly everyone knows more about Oliver than the boy himself, and it is especially in the best interest of the thieves that he is found and contained. But even they are not the only plotters, or the biggest threat. Oliver may be at the center of the story, but there are so many moving pieces and interested parties that it is hard to see how this small, gentle boy will survive a situation with so many working against him.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction novel that was first published as a series, beginning in February 1837, and concluding in April of 1839. One of the novel's traits that almost always signifies a Dickens story is the often humorous names of the characters. Dickens is known for giving names to his characters that more or less describe the person they have been assigned to. The Sowerberries are in fact "sour berries," due to Mrs. Sowerberry's constant scowling, and the fact that her husband is an undertaker. One of my favorite characters, Mr. Grimwig, is named as such due to his cranky and pessimistic nature. Even Oliver Twist, whose name is given to him at the workhouse and does not mean much to those who are in charge of him, is a play on the phrase "all of a twist." Something else that signifies this as a true Dickens story is the theme of social justice and social inequality. The orphans in the workhouse are given as little food as possible so that the people in charge can keep the money they save on food as profit; poverty seems to be everywhere, and not just in concern to Oliver and is journey; and the men who punish Oliver for daring to ask for more food are all overweight. Dickens once again shines light on the misery of the lower class in Victorian London. Also, antisemitism alert, as Fagin "the Jew" is one of the most despicable people in the book, and is often described in terms that link him with animals and beasts.

My Verdict: Possibly the most perplexing thing about Oliver Twist is that the character the book is named for kind of disappears a little over halfway into the novel. There is so much going on and so many key players in the orphan's story, that he ceases to be the primary focus of it for nearly 200 pages. And possibly the most frustrating thing about the book is how susceptible he is to misfortune when he is the focus. The smallest actions see him either getting hurt, becoming ill, or being taken where he does not want to go. When the story does not focus on him, it is almost a relief since it means he cannot get hurt if he is not around. With that said, the plot is well done despite Oliver's lack of involvement in it, and everything does manage to come together for a satisfying conclusion.

Favorite Moment: When Sikes' dog, Bull's Eye, runs off before Sikes can drown him due to his own guilt.

Favorite Character: In true Dickens form, most of these characters are either exasperating, or just plain terrible. The few exceptions are the beautiful and kind Rose, the generous Mr. Brownlow, the patient and loving Mrs. Bedwin, the eager Mr. Losberne, and my favorite, the cranky but ultimately quite sweet Mr. Grimwig.

Recommended Reading: David Copperfield is worth checking out, as is Bleak House. But be warned, those are both well over 500 pages. A Tale of Two Cities remains my favorite Dickens novel, and while it clocks in at "only" 409 pages, it is often said to be one of the hardest ones to get into. 

   

Door Stop: The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope

It has been awhile since I ventured into pre-1900 English fiction. It has also been awhile since I chose a book specifically because of its size. Picking Anthony Trollope's The Way We Live Now was an easy decision as I had been wanting to read a Trollope book for years, but as you can imagine, finding the time to fit an 800 page classic novel in between the many shorter modern ones I also want to read can be quite difficult. In any case, here we are, and I am ready to talk about this scathing look at 1870s England.

The Situation: There are several characters throughout the novel that take their turn in the spotlight, but the main focus of everyone's attention seems to Augustus Melmotte. Though nearly everyone seems to agree that Melmotte has not exactly come about his money honestly, and they are also almost unanimous in that the man is a brute and uncouth, these same people still seem to desire his company as well as his business. Men are eager to be appointed to Melmotte's board for a railway that is to be built in America; everyone is clamoring for an invitation to a dinner he will be putting on for foreign royalty; and several eligible men are looking for ways to attain his daughter's hand in marriage. Melmotte's character may push people away, but his money - or rather the rumors about his money - keeps drawing them in.

The Problem: If Melmotte has earned his money by doing anything false, and evidence is brought against him, there are several people who, though they may not be ruined, will definitely suffer significant losses when it comes to money and reputation. Even so, while such a thing would prove terrible for some, many still hope to see the pompous and rude man fall. Beyond Melmotte, there is Lady Carbury, whose life's mission is to make sure her son Felix is settled comfortably, and her daughter is married. Unfortunately for her, Felix cares little for anyone else's comfort other than his own, and her daughter is insistent on not marrying the man her mother wants for her, a man with romantic troubles of his own. Melmotte's own daughter also desires to marry against her father's wishes, and only manages to secure the affection of Felix on the basis that she is to receive a large inheritance. Add in a few more romantic entanglements, some instances of fraud, and a beating or two, and you have a complicated tale of late 19th century England.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in and around London, England in the late 1800s. It has been labeled as a satire, with adjectives such as "scathing," "relentless," "unflinching," and "brutal" often attached to it. Trollope does not pull any punches when talking about the pervasive greed and hypocrisy of the "important people" in English high society. But it is not only the people that come under scrutiny, but also many of the laws, customs, and manners of the time. The matter of daughters having little agency of their own and often being subject to whatever their parents desire is a constant issue throughout the story. And Trollope manages to paint several of the single young men as idle gamblers with little more to recommend them than the salary they will make. Felix serves as the primary example of this as his only talent seems to be that of taking money from his mother and quickly losing it playing cards at the club. The author even goes so far as to have the main villain of Melmotte be elected to an important position in the English government, which can only come off as an indictment against that office. However, despite his rough representation of his own country, he does give most of the characters surprisingly satisfactory endings.

My Verdict: Yes, this book is long. Like Bleak House long. But also like Bleak House, it is worth it. The issue with many door stops is that there tends to be long moments of drawn out description (Les Miserables, I am looking in your direction), or equally long moments of contemplation or reflection (anything by Fyodor Dostoevsky would fit for this description). While The Way We Live Now is surprisingly light on the former, there is a good amount of the latter, especially near the end of the book. Overall, the action and general flow of the novel was effective in holding my interest, while leaving me thoroughly entertained as well as concerned as to what happens to several of the characters. And the characters he has created are not just greedy, or just selfish, or just hypocritical. Almost all of them have complex personalities and issues that make them fun to follow. If I had one bone to pick with the story, it is that some of the endings feel forced or generally not believable. I mean, if you've already gone on for 800 pages, why not spend a few more giving a little more attention to the ending?

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Felix has his butt handed to him by the fiancee of the woman he has been running around with.

Favorite Character: Roger Carbury is the cousin of Sir Lady Carbury's. He may be rigid and unyielding in many ways, but most of them are noble, and he is often the voice of reason when it comes to Lady Carbury's affairs. 

Recommended Reading: If you are ever in the mood for a long classic novel that may take you months to read, my favorite always will be Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. But if you want to stick with English literature, then I suggest Bleak House by Charles Dickens.        

Door Stop: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas

It has been awhile since I have used the actual heading of "Door Stop" for a post, so I decided to go with a book that I read a long time ago. The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is one of those stories that many know about, and understand the general gist of, but few have actually read, mostly because it is over 600 pages long. So I thought I would take the time to write about it here and go over the grand adventures in the novel in some detail.

The Situation: It is France in 1625, and D'Artagnan, a poor nobleman, has left his home and intends to join the Musketeers of the Guard. On the way, he is insulted by an older man, beaten unconscious, and ends up losing the letter of introduction meant to be given to the commander of the Musketeers. Without it, he will not be able to join the ranks of the Musketeers, and now he is also bent on revenge against the man who insulted him and had him beaten. If that were not enough, he eventually ends up scheduling duels with each of the current Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. It is only when the Cardinal Richelieu, whose agent it was that first insulted D'Artagnan, shows up to arrest them all that the four gentlemen band together and end up fighting as one.

The Problem: It would seem that D'Artagnan has already had plenty of adventure before the real plot of the novel begins and the more epic adventures start to take place. But befriending the Musketeers is only the beginning, as D'Artagnan will end up being repeatedly attacked by the Cardinal, and having affairs with both his landlord's wife, and the beautiful but dangerous Milady, with the latter affair nearly costing him his life. Meanwhile the three Musketeers have their own separate problems, but the primary focus of the entire story is always on D'Artagnan as he pursues his ultimate goal of being a Musketeer, while avoiding the schemes of those who both wish him dead and plot against the throne.

Genre, Themes, History: The Three Musketeers is an historical adventure novel written in the 1800s, but set in the 1600s. The story is full of sword fighting, adventures, plotting, scheming, manipulative people, power hungry nobles and clergyman, seductive women, and a fair amount of witty banter. The novel is also somewhat political as the dangerous but smart Cardinal Richelieu attempts to advance his own power, while undermining the throne the entire time. The serialization of the novel took place four years before the French Revolution, when France's Second Republic was firmly established. Dumas would be no stranger to political tension and managed to insert it into the story, while still maintaining the sense of grand adventure that came with scenes of sword play and romantic distractions. And something else Dumas includes is the power of a beautiful face, as the villainous Milady is able to get away with most anything simply because of her beauty and charm. It is a beauty that would make her even more dangerous and manipulative than the Cardinal. In short, this story has everything that could be desired in an historical adventure.

My Verdict: Despite having been written in the 1800s and being a door stop, The Three Musketeers is worth picking up, even with all of the movie adaptations available as an alternative to working your way through a 600 page book. The story is rarely boring, and the villainous Milady was enough to keep me involved through to the end, wondering if she would get away with all she had done, and if the Musketeers would end up the triumphant heroes in the end. And while many of the longer classics tend to be confusing due to the massive amount of characters that are often introduced, the only confusion I sometimes experienced was in telling Athos, Porthos, and Aramis apart, but even that becomes clear early in the novel. Dumas' story can still holds its own against the many adventures we have available to us today, and there is a reason many attempt to make their own adaptations of it, despite there being plenty already in existence.

Favorite Moment: When D'Artagnan finally realizes who and what Milady is, and manages to escape her grasp and her charm.

Favorite Character: I assume everyone has their personal favorite Musketeer, so I pick Aramis. I don't have any real reason really, I just enjoyed reading about his personal struggle between wanting to someday enter a monastery, and his love of the ladies. 

Recommended Reading: Had I read any of Dumas' other works I would most certainly recommend one here, but unfortunately I have not had to opportunity to do so. Therefore I recommend Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. It is certainly a different kind of adventure story, entertaining in a different way and with a hero that only imagines that he is on a noble errand. 

Classic Fiction: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

I figured it was time to cover another classic, so I more or less just searched through my bookshelves for a classic written no later than the 18th century that I haven't already covered. Clearly, I landed on Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights and will discuss this gothic novel here.

The Situation: Mr. Lockwood, a renter at Thrushcross Grange, visits the landlord of Wuthering Heights, and is forced to stay the night at his farmhouse after becoming snowed in. After having a bad dream in which the dead Catherine Earnshaw tries to enter the room through the window, Heathcliff, the landlord, escorts Lockwood to a different room and keeps watch at the window. In the morning, once he is escorted back to Thrushcross Grange by Heathcliff, Lockwood asks the housekeeper, Nelly Dean, about the people of Wuthering Heights. What Lockwood gets is an intricate and complicated story involving bitter, broken, and often hateful people. Some would call it a love story; some would refer to it as a case study in the inherent messiness of relationships; and still others would say it is the story of selfish and insecure people inflicting their own misery upon others.

The Problem: Heathcliff's adoption by the elder Mr. Earnshaw thirty years earlier makes his son, Hindley, incredibly jealous. It also doesn't help that Hindley's sister Catherine is also quite fond of Heathcliff and the two become close. After the death of his father, Hindley becomes master of Wuthering Heights and allows Heathcliff to stay on only as a servant. While Catherine and Heathcliff are still close friends, she becomes influenced by the good manners and superior appearance of the Linton family, who are the current tenants of Thrushcross Grange, and eventually becomes engaged to the son, Edgar. It is Catherine's confession to Nelly about her engagement, one that is only half-heard by Heathcliff, that causes him to run away and disappear. And although he would eventually return, his relationship with Catherine is never the same, and the rest of the family suffers due to their spiteful and vengeful behavior. Lockwood eventually gets the strange family's entire history from Nelly, catching him up on the events still going on in the present day.

Genre, Themes, History: Wuthering Heights is a British gothic novel set in the late 1700s and early 1800s. As I mentioned before, it could be considered a love story, albeit a tragic one.  And not quite the Romeo and Juliet type of tragic either, even though the body count is actually higher. Catherine and Heathcliff care for each other. But Catherine is essentially a snob and believes Heathcliff isn't good enough for her. Of course that doesn't stop her from becoming incredibly hurt when he runs off to get married. And while Catherine is used to pretty much getting everything she wants, and manipulating and pouting whenever she doesn't, Heathcliff is predisposed to hating everyone and vowing revenge for how he is treated. In short, these two people are making themselves and each other miserable, while everyone around them becomes miserable by proxy. Initial reviews for the book were deeply split, with some believing that the cruelty depicted was unusually severe for the time. And of course, there has been much comparison between this book and Charlotte Bronte's book, Jane Eyre, as the two authors were sisters, and both books were published within the same year. Jane Eyre is longer, but easier to swallow, while Wuthering Heights is often seen as more entertaining.

My Verdict: Writing books where pretty much every character is a terrible person is not a recent trend (The Girl on the Train, I am looking in your direction), and Wuthering Heights is a good example. People are awful, and apparently have been at least since the late 18th century. With that being said, I actually really like this book, even though every other page had me wishing for Catherine's death. The woman is exhausting.  And Heathcliff isn't much better, although for me, he elicits much more sympathy. I can see why reviewers and critics of the time thought the novel's tone was harsh and somewhat shocking. I would say even by today's standards, it still kind of is, especially when it comes to how Heathcliff is treated, and in turn, treats others. If you are looking for a classic with some grit to it, Wuthering Heights is most certainly for you.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Catherine dies. Yeah, I said it.

Favorite Character: Nelly Dean, the housekeeper and narrator for most of the novel, seems to be a completely unbiased bystander, and is able to tell the story just as it happens. Of course, that would mean that the people are just as awful as her story shows them to be. 

Recommended Reading: It's easy to recommend Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre as a companion novel, seeing as the two authors come from the same family. But I will go ahead and also recommend The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, another classic novel that shows the darker side of human beings who are allowed to get away with treating people however they want.

Classic Fiction: Dracula by Bram Stoker

As we close in on Halloween I thought I would cover a classic that many people know about but few have actually read, Bram Stoker's Dracula. These days it would seem that there aren't enough books and movies out there about vampires (and zombies) to keep the public adequately entertained. Every story leaves people crying out for more, and there are many authors and movie producers out there who are more than willing to oblige. Even in 1897, when Dracula was published, vampires proved to be quite popular, and have remained so ever since.

The Situation: Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, is meeting up with a Count Dracula in order to provide legal support for a real estate transaction. The meeting is to take place on the Transylvania border in the Count's castle. Despite Dracula's knowledge and charm, Harker eventually realizes things aren't quite right, and finds himself as a prisoner in the castle. The Count himself leaves for a trip to England, but that doesn't mean he has left Harker in the castle by himself. Before Dracula left, Harker had already encountered "the sisters," three women who live with Dracula in Transylvania and are vampires themselves. Now the sisters have Harker all to themselves, and would have begun to feed on him if he hadn't barely escaped with his life. This one ordeal is horrifying enough, and Harker is indeed lucky to be alive, but it is only the beginning of the terror Dracula will inflict on Harker's life.

The Problem: Count Dracula leaves Harker in his castle in Transylvania only to begin tracking his fiance, Mina Murray, along with her lovely but naive friend, Lucy Westenra. Lucy's three suitors, Dr. John Seward, Quincey Morris, and Arthur Holmwood, are also drawn into the drama, along with one of Dr. Seward's patients, Renfield. Renfield is helpful in that he is able to sense Dracula's presence and provide help in that way, but he also believes he can consume insects, spiders, birds, and rats in an attempt to absorb their life force, much like Dracula does with human beings. When Lucy falls suspiciously ill and begins to waste away, Dr. Seward calls for a former teacher, Abraham Van Helsing, to help in find out what is going on. Van Helsing knows what has happened, and fears that there is only one way to "cure" Lucy, especially after it appears she has been stalking small children at night. And when Harker returns from his escape, all currently unaffected members of the group must band together to take down the powerful Count Dracula before he claims anymore lives. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic horror novel set in late 19th century Europe. Many people are familiar with the idea of vampires, and with the story of Dracula, but what many probably don't realize, unless they have read the book, is that it is written in epistolary format. That's right, the entire story is told through letters, journal entries, ship's log entries, etc. So instead of reading the story from the point of view of a third person omniscient narrator, or even just one person, there end up being many storytellers and many different voices and opinions, with Van Helsing's probably being the most verbose and rambling. Naturally, the one person the reader would probably most likely want to hear from the most is Dracula, but that option is never presented, which adds to his overall mystery. It is clear that the Count has some sort of great power, and uses the life force of other humans to sustain himself. What is also clear is that he is far too powerful for one person to fight on their own and must be stopped. When the story was initially published in 1897, it was incredibly popular, and controversial. Within the same year of its publication the story would be performed onstage. And of course, the story still remains popular today. And while many modern vampire stories have nothing to do with Count Dracula himself, it is clear that the influence is still present. 

My Verdict: Reading a book will never be as easy as watching a movie, especially when that book is over 100 years old and written in a style that many modern readers just aren't used to. But with that being said, lovers of horror should read Dracula at least once in their lives. I think the main challenge would be getting past the epistolary format and switching voices. Once that is accomplished, the character of Dracula is just as uncomfortably charming and horrifying as he is portrayed onscreen. And what is constantly present is the sense of foreboding and dread that comes from knowing some sort of powerful being is close by and potentially watching you at any moment, looking for the right moment to strike you or someone you love, and there is little you can do about it. Even for an old horror story, it is still incredibly scary.

Favorite Moment: When Renfield attempts to warn Mina of Dracula's intentions, despite being under the powerful vampire's control. 

Favorite Character: Although his diary entries can sometimes be a little much, my absolute favorite character in the story is Abraham Van Helsing. He is the one who comes in and knows what must be done in order to be rid of this threat, while acknowledging how difficult and dangerous it will be to do it. He makes very little pretense as to what is truly going on. 

Recommended Reading: If you wish to explore more classic novels that are more horror than they they are romantic, I recommend Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. But be warned, this is one of those books that actually isn't that long, but for some reason takes forever to read. Oh yeah, and it also written through letters. 

Classic Fiction: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary is one of those books that I bought forever ago, and like the good literature major that I am I've had every intention of reading it as it is considered a classic, although it took me six years to finally do so. I think I put it off for so long because I have already read other books like it with similar story lines, and I knew there was a great chance that I would grow tired of it really quickly and drag my feet in finishing it, and there was an almost non-existent chance I would actually find it compelling and want to recommend it to people. One thing that was a guarantee (after reading the first page) was that I would most certainly find it to be extremely tedious.

The Situation: Emma has married the widow Charles Bovary and has left her life on her father's farm. While she is pleased to finally be a wife and have her own home to run, she finds herself increasingly bored by her simple and repetitive everyday existence. Her life with Charles does not give her the joy and passion and excitement that she dreamed it would. It's the kind of life she read about in books and is disappointed to find that her actual existence looks nothing like what she found on the page. So like many people who feel bored and unfulfilled, Emma begins buying things she does not need and cannot afford. And when she begins to display the symptoms of a serious illness, Charles goes so far as to have them moved to another town where he can still be a doctor and earn a living. Eventually the change in scenery and the material things leave Emma feeling unsatisfied again, so she begins having affairs.

The Problem: Quite naturally, there are many risks that come with having an affair and trying to keep it not only from your husband, but also your entire household of servants, your neighbors, friends, family, and anyone else who might know you socially. And since this is early 19th century France, Emma can't simply leave her house whenever she wants without offering some sort of explanation as to where she is going. She does not have a job, and has very little she needs to do outside of the house to merit her leaving. But she finds a way, and is able to get some satisfaction with a new lover. But soon (spoiler alert!), her lover grows tired of her, just as he has all of the other women he has been with, and abandons her, once again leaving her bored and unfulfilled. And while Charles suspects nothing, he continues to love her and dote on her, but she just cannot bring herself to see in him what he sees in her. Meanwhile, debts are piling up as a businessman Charles lent money from manipulates Emma into boring more and more money until it looks as if, while Emma's second affair may not ruin her, her spending and borrowing habits certainly might.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a classic fiction novel set in 19th century France. At it's absolute simplest it is a story about a common housewife who is repulsed by her doting husband as she sees in him everything that is dull, boring, and painfully everyday. So in order to get some excitement in her life, the same excitement she reads about in her novels and feels when she goes out to balls and parties, she goes shopping and has affairs. But beyond this, Flaubert also has brief moments where medical procedures and advancements of the time are explored as Charles is a doctor, and another prominent character, Monsieur Homais, is the local pharmacist who practices medicine without a license. Monsieur Homais is also anti-religion and enjoys arguing with the local clergy, even at less than opportune times (like a funeral). Even with these brief forays into science and religion, the main focus remains to be Madame Bovary. As for the "obscenity" that this book is known for, and the reason Flaubert was put on trial for it, it really isn't much compared to today's standards. The problem was really with the fact that the narrator doesn't seem to condemn Emma's affairs, leading some to believe Flaubert condoned adultery. Personally, I would think that Emma's behavior throughout the book, as well as the ending, would satisfy people on that score, but maybe that is just me.

My Verdict: Sure, it is a classic, but it is still incredibly tedious. And there are other classics similar to it that are much better and more enjoyable to read. The only reason I gave it more than one star on Goodreads is because I don't necessarily regret reading it, and it did eventually start to get good. Granted, it was close to the end (like 30 pages out), but still, that does count for something. It is also one of the books that suffers from what I like to refer to as the Frankenstein effect. Much like Mary Shelley's classic, it isn't really that long of a book, but it takes forever to read. Something about the language makes you feel like you're trying to run through wet sand. In other words, I would get tired of the book extremely quickly after having made little progress. It was beyond frustrating. Maybe other readers will be more like many of my lit professors and recognize this novel as the great classic it is often held up to be. But for me, I am mostly just glad it's over.

Favorite Moment: Pretty much any moment that I pick out as one that I enjoyed is a moment when Emma is shown to be either slightly ridiculous or slightly mad. I also enjoyed when her plans came back to bite her. Suffice it to say she will not be named below as my favorite character.

Favorite Character: While he may be dull and somewhat vanilla in his personality, I choose Charles as my favorite character. He is blind, naive, and a little slow as far as seeing people for who they really are, but ultimately he is a decent human being. He wants to make his wife happy and does what he can. And if he weren't so easily swayed by other's opinions, especially those who wish to ruin him, then he could have been a pretty good doctor.

Recommended Reading: As I said, there are other classics with elements that are contained within Madame Bovary that, in my opinion, are much more enjoyable to read. If you want to read more about married women who decide to have an affair, then I recommend Leo Tolstoy's Ana Karenina. If you want to read more about a married woman who wants more out of life with her doctor husband and begins spending outside of her means, I recommend  George Eliot's Middlemarch, which will also come with bonus discussions on science, religion, and politics. And finally, if you want to read about an unmarried woman spending beyond her means in order to get ahead in life and ultimately coming to ruin, I recommend Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth.      

Classic Fiction: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain

It's been awhile since I have posted about a classic novel, door stop or otherwise. So I decided to write about Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Much like anything else written by Twain, this novel is incredibly humorous while also managing to be very serious as Twain addresses the economy, religion, slavery, personal freedom, education, technology, and the destructive nature of war, amongst other things. 

The Situation: Hank Morgan is a highly skilled mechanic in 19th century New England, where he works in an arms factory. One day, during a quarrel, he is struck on the head, and wakes up in 6th century England. It is the time of King Arthur's Camelot, and the Knights of the Round Table. A time when the only thing more powerful than the divine right of the king is the influence of the church. At first, Hank believes he is simply dreaming, but when hours lead to days, he realizes he is in this unfamiliar place to stay. 

The Problem: Aside from the obvious issue of being transported away from your home to a time and place that is completely unfamiliar to him, Hank also finds himself in trouble almost immediately upon arriving in Camelot. One of the Knights of the Round Table captures him as prisoner, and once Hank realizes he has been sentenced to die, he starts to think of how he can not only save his own life, but also influence these people to change what he sees as their backwards way of living and improve upon their quality of life, while profiting from it of course. But in saving his own skin, Hank also manages to make a powerful enemy of Merlin, the most renown magician of King Arthur's time. During Hank's years in Camelot, he becomes a knight, a king of industry and business, a slave, and even a ruthless autocrat responsible for one of the worst wars King Arthur's England will ever see.

Genre, Themes, History: In true Twain style, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is a satire that contains much of his trademark dark pessimism and quick wit. There are moments that are laugh out loud funny, and then in the next page there may be a scene that will make you audibly gasp in horror. From Hank's first few days in Camelot, it becomes fairly easy to see why the English did not much care for this book when it came out (and they actually still may not care for it). Twain pulls no punches in mocking and ridiculing the monarchy, the church, the economy, the laws, and even the people of England. Sure, it can be argued that he is making fun of the England of the past, but much of what he is pointing at still remained true in the 19th century. It is also no small thing to make fun of the Arthur legend. And while Hank puts down the practices of 6th century England, he simultaneously elevates and praises American ingenuity and laws and education. 

Twain also uses many stories concerning the Knights of the Round Table as they appear in Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. The author gives Hank a history that intertwines with that of the knights. Hank even goes on a long tour of the country with King Arthur at his side as they both pretend to be traveling commoners.

My Verdict: When it comes to Twain, I prefer this novel over Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. They both have that dark, quick wit that can turn incredibly serious within the same paragraph, but for me, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court is much less frustrating. And while Hank may be the hero of the story, Twain makes the point that he may not actually know what is best for Camelot, despite the "advancements" and ideas he is able to put into place. Material progress isn't always a good thing, and better weapons do not necessarily mean better wars. But even with the brutality and awful truths, there are scenes that are genuinely touching and endearing. And of course, Twain still gives us plenty to laugh at.

Favorite Moment: When King Arthur and Hank visit the smallpox house. It is possibly the saddest moment in the book, but it gives Arthur a kind of humanity that you often don't see in other stories about him.

Favorite Character: While she may be a bit vapid, I do like Hank's companion on his first adventure, Sandy. She can talk for hours on end about nothing, with no interruptions deterring her from her story. And while Hank may complain about her, he is good enough to humor her, and even ends up loving her. 

Recommended Reading: It stands to reason that I would recommend Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but I never cared for that book, so I won't. I do believe that everyone should read it, but it is not one of my personal favorites. Instead I'll recommend Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Yes, it is a door stop. Yes, it is totally worth it.