A page here and a chapter there, staying up til the late hours crossing the words on the page with my eyes. This novel truly draws you in and locks you in place, its a novel that's so addicting and you can't stop reading it. Which for me is quite sad that I haven't finished it yet, though it on my priority list for the next couple weeks or so. In the middle of the book the conflict is starting to show through along with the underlying theme. "Yeah, I have abhor Mom's absence. I hate the emptiness. After being with her for a couple hours. I can see how vacant and silent my life has been for the past 11 years." (Bishara, 143) Throught the chapter Ruby keeps thinking and rethinking every move she makes. "I mean, I 'dbe anidiot to jump in and out of the tree until I reach Universe One, when my own personal utopia could be waiting for me." (Bishara, 144) Since she has found her mom she is unsure wether to continue in her goal to find her own home universe. "...until I get back home. Back to Willow and Kandy, and their decrepit house. Back no smelly Ennis High, Home of the Bear. Back to dad... On the other side: Take my time in each universe, looking for the ideal. Mom and dad could be in love in Universe Five or Seven or Ten. And it's not like I'm ditching dad. Not at all. Because dad will be there. He'll just be a better version of dad one who isn't glued to a computer screen 24/7. We'll do things together." (Bishara, 146) Ruby is trying to convince herself that it is ok if she never goes back to Universe One. If she finds the perfect place and stays there, were her mom is alive and with her dad, which her dad isn't working as much and spends time with his family. She is justifying maybe never going back.
During this chapter Ruby experiences a person vs. self while she thinks about finding her perfect uptiopia she always dreamed of, yet could never had, and thanks to the tree is now is. I believe the theme of this part of text is that For when people realize their desires and can reach them, they will jump in without thinking it through and the mass affect it could cause. For Ruby she is thinking she won't actully be leaving her dad, she would just be with a better version of her dad, and with her mom which is now dead. When in truth it's not her place to be anyways, she belongs in the universe that her dad is a workaholic and her mom is dead. It's quite sad but that is just how it is, and she can't change that, and if she trys there is no telling what would happen.
I've been reading a lot of larger novels recently for I am reading three at
this time. So I wanted to start a smaller novel, though I picked a random novel
off my shelf it has already surpassed what I thought the writing is capable of.
The Girls, is a short 121 pg. novel which I have fallen deep into its
grasps, for this novel is so realistic, it might as well be based upon a true
story. This novel is written of a dramatic aspect of a friendship breaking up.
The novel runs in chronological order and the chapters are of each characters
perspective at a time. So we get a close of view of each character in 1st
person.
When in Renee's perspective, who is the shy-quiet one of the group who is
scared to speak up, we learn her feelings and thought of the other girls.
"It was almost as if Candace were the queen, condemning Maya to death, and
Darcy was the once who carried out the order. The executioner- an executioner
who loved her work...Was Brianna one of those people who in the old days went
to the executions to cheer and have a big party?... Maybe I didn’t cheer, but I
didn’t do anything to stop it either. And there was Maya, all alone,
up on the gallows." (Koss, 43-44) When we could characterize the girls
ourselves, Renée does so for us by stating in her view point what she believes
each person would be and also creates a story like setting of which we can view
how each character reacts with the others. Candace is the ring leader of the
group, giving all the commands and punishment which all must follow, just like
a queen. When we have her dog, her servant for life, Darcy would do anything to
get Candace's attention and to be in the good spotlight of her praise, even cut
Maya out of the group. Then Renée put her and Brianna as the followers, as when
Brianna celebrates all of Candace's and Darcy's accomplishments, and goes all
the way. When Renée thinks of herself as the one that finds things bad
happening but won’t stick up for the one being punished cruelly for no reason.
And Maya the victim of the queen, who has done nothing wrong and is excluded,
as far as we know she has done nothing wrong at least.
Renée goes on to explain how they must be praised by Candace
to stay in this group like; a queen can banish subjects from her land. “Everyone
laughed, especially Darcy. We always, always laughed, no matter what. I didn’t
know how everyone else felt about Candace’s games, but I thought they were tests,
like walking on hot coals or something, to prove how tough we were.” (Koss, 28)
These girls are like puppets on Candace’s stings, meant for her
entertainment.
I believe that since Renée has noticed her flaws she will try to speak up
for Maya but fail because she will be either over powered or too scared to
finish. Maybe this thought will spread to the other girls and they will realize
what happened or Renee will leave to comfort Maya. I will just have to keep
reading to find out.
A quick view of The Girls on a libary perspective, with a person to person connection and back of the book summary. Libary Page for The Girls
This book as I was ready, made my heart crack, it poured emotions onto me and drenched me. For this book brought up something sad and natural in a human lifetime. Within a few sentence Mrs. Bishara almost made me cry, true talent of writing. "A few years ago- and only once- Dad had mentioned that there was a baby before me. But something went wrong during childbirth; he didn't get enough oxygen. Now, in my mind, I see a blue baby, tiny but with Patrick's face, his legs pulled to his chest. Stillborn." (Bishara, 128) Patrick is Ruby's older brother in the second and fourth dimension. Though in her real dimension he died... And never ready existed. In the way Bishara writes and describes this image in Ruby's head, the reader can clearly see it. This image in my head makes think of my sister Megan, who died as a newborn (For full text to self connection refer to "Relativity by Cristin Bishara Blog Post 1").
This view of the death of so thing so tiny and innocent that never was able to live a life it was set to have, brings tears to my eyes. In a human view point life is meant to be treasured and cherished. As a mother sees her child dead in her arms its like your life has no light, color, emotions or sounds. As even though Ruby is not a mother to Patrick she is his sister, and she feels connection towards him, and longs to be with him and closer. "Suddenly, Patrick isn't a stranger anymore. He's my brother I should have had all along. He would have taught me to throw a ball, make paper airsplanes, swim underwater. We would've fought over the TV remote and the phone and over who got the bigger bedroom. I reach out and squeezes his hand. He squeezes back." (Bishara, 128) Through this we see into Ruby's mind and we can see her reflecting on some normal, common life experiences, that most people may encounter. If not in their own lives but others.
Since Ruby is drawing upon these thought and reach out for her brother to be closer with him, in this dimension rather han in her own, she may have thoughts of staying in this dimension with her own brother. To experience these emotions and scenes in her parallel life, the good and bad.
The author of Relativity goes into much detail to explain the exact
movements of our main character, Ruby, and to give us the exact things that she
she's. Of which is rendering an image in our head of what this place may look
like. "And the tree! It's enormous, majestic. It cats its shade thick and
wide, blocking the sun, and the cool air is a kiss of relief after sweating
through the cornfield. I walk carefully, stepping over roots that erupt through
the earth at intervals, like knuckles, fingers gripping the ground. To think
this tree started as an acorn- a seed you could hold in the palm of your hand.
How long ago? It shot roots into the soil, spread branches into the sky,
feeding on carbon dioxide and rainwater. It thickened and stretched, cells
multiplying, pulling itself up, straightening its spine like an evolving
primate." (Bishara, 19) Through these words that Ruby uses to describe the
tree, it sounds like she is speaking of a person, with a life growing up,
fingers and knuckles in the dirt. Since she sees it as a person she doesn’t
want to disturb it, as she carefully walks over its roots. She is in awe struck
about how this tree came to be so big from a small acorn. I see the tree to be
looking something like this-
From the text, I can infer that maybe this tree has some magic abilities;
there is something different about this tree. It is described in such a way
that I can’t see this as a normal tree. Perhaps, maybe it is a normal tree that
ruby will stay around to relax from the stress of her new home and family. But I
can’t see that happening, something big is going to happen with this tree. Mrs.
Bishara is aiming focus on this tree for a reason and I hope later in the book I
will find out why.
A letter from a reader to Mrs. Bishara about her novel.
This book, was one of the of the 150 or so books I wanted to read but never got around to. I decided to put my other novel on rest and read this, which was worth it. It was (and still is) an amazing piece of literature, with the multiple conflicts, problem solving, and it's like it is a new world that relates to our own. I sit there when I'm not reading it thinking about it, and trying to "solve" the problems that Thomas, the main character, has to deal with. And it causes me to have a different view of world around me and a different outlook on how I could solve my own problems. "A fast-paced narrative... Dasnher's suspenseful adventure will keep readers guessing until the very end." -Publishers Weekly. I for one, highly agree with this quote/review about The Maze Runner it really did keep me guessing to the very end. I give this book a 4.5 star rating, its only half a star rating lower than 5 stars cause at points I thought there could be more imagery, but I believe Mr. Dashner is a more action-type author, with more dialogue, character development and exclusive actions and scenes. "The alarm finally stopped after blaring for a full two minutes. A crowd was
gathered in the middle of the courtyard around the steel doors through which
Thomas was startled to realize he’d arrived just yesterday. Yesterday? he
thought. Was that really just yesterday?" (Dashner, Chaper 8) The actions and words used in this quote has an overwhelming sense of anxiety and tenseness in the air. This scene in the novel is a mildly actionus scene yet we get so much from it we can tell the action will increase up until the climax. So it's kinda unfair for me to judge his writing in this light and give him a 4.5 start rating, since he is not a "flowery" writer, with over descriptive scenes and settings. Though he adds enough for me to see this place in my head. The suspence and cliff hangers in the novel will rack your brain when ever you turn the page or set the book down. "He began his new life standin up, surronded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air. Metal ground against metal; a lurching shudder shook the floor beneath him. He
fell down at the sudden movement and shuffled backward on his hands and feet,
drops of sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool air." (Dashner, Chapter 1)
I would recommend this book to pretty much everyone, though if you want me to be more specific on who would get more enjoyment out of the book, I will. Those who enjoy to "explore and visit" a different and dangerous world with tons of action and problems. An underlining mystery that will somehow help the characters reach their goal. Interesting solutions with different thoughts on issues. And characters you will get to know and fall in live with. If you agree to most of the above statements, I truly believe that this is a book for you. Plus even better news, this book is apart of a series, of which this is the first novel, so you can continue he the enjoyment of reading these action filled and suspenseful novels. Also soon it is to come to the big screen, I hope to catch it and I hope it follows the book closely.
The Good Reads page for The Maze Runner, which has ratings and reviews of others and a back of the book over view.
Santiago, quiet and considerate, is the main character of this novel, in my
opinion he is very unique. He is traveling through the Middle East, to the
pyramids of Egypt in search of his treasure. In the beginning I see Santiago as
a carefree sprit who’s only care in the world is to travel, and he uses his
sheep for that purpose. Yet, when he meets the king, who tells him to go find
his treasure he sees in his dreams, he is filled with the hope he could do such
a thing. But then he worries about his flock cause they can't the barren
dessert that holds of little water or grazing spots, he sells his sheep to a
good shepherd he knows well knowing his sheep with be happy and safe with him.
"If I become a monster today, and decided to kill them [the sheep], one by
one, they would become aware only after most of the flock had been slaughtered,
thought the boy. They trust me, and they've forgotten how to rely on their
instincts, because I lead them to nourishment." (Coelho, 7) This shows me
that he is compassionate, which will help him later on.
After traveling he finds himself in an Arabic town, where he needs to find
someone to take him across the dessert. Yet he doesn’t speak Arabic or know
their customs, making this stop in his journey hard for him. "How strange
Africa is, thought the boy. He was sitting in a bar very much like the other
bars he seen along the narrow streets of Tangier. Some men were smoking from a giant
that they passed from one to the other. In just few hours he had seen men walk
hand in hand, women with their faces covered, and priests that climbed to the
tops of towers and chanted... The boy felt ill and terribly alone. The infidels
had a look of evil about them." (Coelho, 34) So in this strange land, as
he described it, he went to learn the customs and the speech. So he could communicate
and feel welcomed by others. After he felt he was ready to move on he left. The
way he taught himself to live here in this town shows the trait that he is independent
in his learning.
He leaves and continues on his journey to his treasure but has run out of
coin. He comes across a old man in a glass shop, Santiago offers to clean the
glass for a meal that night. He ends up staying just over a year working for
the old man, cleaning the glass every day and help customers. He saves up money
to go continue his traveling, but he lies to the man saying he is going get a
new flock and continue with his life he had before. Yet man sees thru him, and
the boy feels ashamed for lying. Yet his time cleaning the glass taught him a
new lesson. "The old man continued, "You have been a real blessing to
me. Today I understand something I didn't see before: every blessing ignored
becomes a curse. I don't want anything else in my life. But you are forcing me
to look at wealth and at horizons I have never known. Now that I have seen
them, and now that I see how immense my possibilities are, I'm going to feel
worse than I did before you arrived. Because I know the things I should be able
to accomplish, and I don't want to do."" (Coelho, 58) He learned that
he has an effect on other people, and he feels bad for the man and apologizes
yet the man just laughs, for the boy is foolish to think that it's a bad thing
to have horizons and goals to meet. Santiago has an effect on other people he hasn’t
realized until now.
Soon he joins a caravan that will take him across the dessert. He
accompanies an Englishman, during the long journey across the sands on camel
back. He enjoys learning from the world around him and the people on the moving
caravan. Yet the Englishman disagrees and says books are better, they both have
different ways of learning that they both accept. "When people saw that
star shining in the morning sky, they knew they were on the right course toward
water, palm trees, shelter, and other people. It was only the Englishman who
was unaware of all this; he was, for the most part, immersed in reading his
books. The boy, too, had his book, and he had tried to read it during the first
few days of the journey. But he found it much more interesting to observe the
caravan and listen to wind." (Coelho, 74) He continues to learn and
process on his own to understand the world around him, accepting that different
people live and learn in different ways. He will most likely use this
information to help him in the future.
Here is the GoodReads page for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. So you can read the summary, reveiws, and ratings.
Relativity is one of the first sci-fi/fantasy novels I have read in a while. So far I am only one third thru it but I love it none the less. This book makes me think about the text, pushing me deeper into things I wouldn't have thought of or looked up if not for this book. "You can't go see mom! This isn't right. You don't belong here, Ruby. You need to go home. Mom is dead. I don't have a brother. If I'm somewhere with a dead persona and a nonexistent person, I don't want to be in that somewhere. I need to get out of this limbo land." (Bishara, 55) From this quote I predicted that Ruby is going to start to miss her mom and she will want to revisit the other world to see her dead mother. Then she will love her undead-otherworldly-mom and want to stay there with her. But yet she has not revisited the other world, I must read on to find out. I am pretty sure she will go back, my question is when and who will she tell about the tree?
Once she started jumping universes something occurred to me, thought it's an extent, it reminded me of Thw Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborn. The brother and sister Jack and Anne traveled to different time periods in a tree house, while Ruby travels to another parallel universe inside of a tree. Both groups of people travel to a place they shouldn't actually be in, have an adventure, then return home inside their tree/treehouse. "Really, only one thing makes sense. Only one course of action feels like the right choice: Head back to the tree, and get the hell out of here." (Bishara, 55) With this quote she is on edge to get back to her universe using the tree, while in The Magic Tree House:The Knight at Dawn- Book 2 ""We can't stay here," said Jack. "We have to go home and make a plan first." He picked up the book about Pennsylvania. He opened it to the page with the red silk bookmark." (Osborn, 13). Both Ruby and Jack want to go home from these other places they visited, with the tree.
In many ways this book reminds me of the real world, though its in the fantasy genre. Ruby is mad that her mother died and his her father is going to marry Willow, and making Willow's daughter, Kandy, her step sister. Many people, I would believe, would be angry at their parent for moving on after the other died. We would all wish for a miracle to happen and our dead relative to return to us, like Ruby does. "That I'm wondering how different my life would be at this very moment if mom had survived that car crash 11 years ago, when I was four. She got hit hard, but her dependable Volvo weathered the impact. She had her seatbelt on. It wasn't an airbag malfunction or anything else that might make sense. No. It was an airborne windshield wiper- propelled with arrow accuracy and speed- that skewered her esophagus. If it hadn't been for that windshield wiper, I wouldn't have a stepmother or a stepsister. I wouldn't have moved to Ohio. I wouldn't be standing in this room right now. Action and reaction." (Bishara, 13) She blames her mom dying for the condition she is in.
I also feel that dread of a relative dying in a car crash, for my older sister Megan died in such a way, except she was only a baby at the time. Just like the quote i used in the previous paragraph, Ruby is curious of how her life would b if her mother survived the car crash. As I am curious about how my life would be now and was if she as still alive today with me. Would I have moved to Mason? Would I be living in apartment? Would my younger sister Bria ever have existed? Would i be here? Those questions I can't answer, cause I can't change the past, or bring Megan back.
Shows the back cover of the book for you to read, and see if you become interested as well.
