“I think I’d been looking for it all my life
a storm in my body to match the one in my head.”
― Rory Power, Wilder Girls
Category Archives: Book Reviews
The section of the blog for book reviews.
Examining Gary Paulsen’s ‘Dogsong’: Nature and Survival
Gary Paulsen was an incredible author who wrote a delightful body of work. His novels have inspired many young adults to write their own stories of nature and survival. His 1985 novel Dogsong, which is another popular novel by Paulsen, carries this familiar theme. It has had an incredible impact on young adults and the world of young-adult fiction.
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Exploring ‘The Mysteries of Harris Burdick’ by Chris Van Allsburg
I can vividly recall my first encounter with The Mysteries of Harris Burdick in my 5th-grade classroom. I was seated near the front, and my teacher presented each page of the book on a slideshow (probably an old wheeled-projector, given it was the 90s). As each image flashed by, my curiosity was piqued; it was all so strange.
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A Look at ‘The Once and Future King’
If you’ve read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, you probably look at Arthurian Legend a little differently. Knights aren’t the noble stalwarts touted by history, but bloodthirsty marauders. Merlin is a conman, and Mordred is a monster. Yet, the original tales still exist, and there is a purity in these legends. For example, The Once and Future King (1958) by T.H. White gives readers a traditional telling of Arthurian legend that is simply a must read.
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Book Review: ‘Doomed’ by Chuck Palahniuk
Death and purgatory have a certain beautiful connection, as one informs the other. Trapped in the between places, the tendrils of connection to life are still tangible threads, but death lingers closely. But this tie calls the fears of the latter to mind as doomsday approaches. In Doomed by Chuck Palahniuk, the reader learns the details and exploits about noxious teen, Madison Spencer. Her journey takes her from her death, to purgatory, to the revelation of her own behavior.
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Legends of the Fall Analysis: Themes and Meaning
Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends. — Legends of the Fall
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Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends. — Legends of the Fall
Continue reading Legends of the Fall Analysis: Themes and Meaning
Underlying Gothic Terror: The Haunting of Hill House
Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House is a quintessential novel in the horror genre. Yet, understanding the inner workings of her haunted house story is important, as it is firmly rooted in gothic horror. It’s also a novel about atmosphere and what lies under the surface. More so, it is all about the slow burn. By analyzing this text, we can understand more about the genre itself and what true horror looks like.
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Unpacking ‘House of Leaves’ by Mark Danielewski
“We all create stories to protect ourselves.”— Mark Z. Danielewski | House of Leaves
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No Country for Old Men Analysis: The Decline of Bygone Morality
Many readers became aware of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men through the 2007 Coen Brothers film. It is a challenging movie in many regards. It has an unconventional ending, strange characters, and an odd plot. Yet, it successfully utilizes conventions of the western genre and creates endlessly analytical moments. The book does this in the exact same way. But, perhaps the most important part of the novel is its meaning, which is difficult to parse. In this post, I am going to offer an analysis of No Country for Old Men and try to explain its significance. In this way, you may be able to view the film with fresh eyes.
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The Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac, Indigenous Horror
Joseph Bruchac’s The Skeleton Man is a fantastic young-adult read. It has just the right level of gross out and disturbing mixed with mystery and adventure. With that said, it caters to young readers with an interest in horror stories. Additionally, it offers an exploration of indigenous folklore through a terrifying tale.
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