Lolita

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is a tragicomedy about a middle aged man who narrates under the pseudonym Humbert Humbert. After a phony introduction from the editor of Humbert's manuscript, and H.H.'s famous first lines ("Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins"(9)) , the poetic protagonist narrates his sexual escapades with Lolita's precursor, Annabel Lee. The readers then follow his journey from Europe to New England, where he first sets eyes on Lolita, his marriage to her mother, Charlotte, and Charlotte's subsequent death, their "father-daughter" journey around the U.S., and Lolita's escape with Claire Quilty.

A critic of Lolita said that in order to read and appreciate the multitudinous facets of the novel, the reader must reread it. The second time through, Humbert's "jury," as he refers to the readers, are less ensnared by (but never completely free from) his manipulative narration. S/he is more able to comprehend the full extent of H.H.'s pedophilic relationship with the preteen and just-teen Lolita, and the cruelty he subjects her to under the guise of love. With a second reading, Nabokov's audience can also catch the foreshadowing, wordplay, and hundreds of allusions hidden in the novel's pages.

Lolita is enigmatic, and its theme is ambiguous. It is hopeful and hopeless, hilarious and tragic, but never obvious. To make it short, Lolita is genius.

Those who haven't read the novel and feel like solving a mystery, I invite you into Humbert and Lolita's world, but be prepared to end up unexpressibly frustrated at Nabokov for his equivocality. For those that have already read it, I suggest you read it again. Lolita has made its mark on society; it has lent its name to new words, new fashions, and unfortunately, certain kinds of pornography. To say that Lolita is worth reading is like saying Avatar was mildly successful.

GO READ IT.

-SJ

Tender is the Night is a novel that follows the lives of Dick and Nicole Diver, an American family living in the French Riviera during the 1920s. Like pretty much any of Fitzgerald's novels, the plot encompasses the disillusionment with the time period, as well as the deteriorating marriage the Divers are experiencing. Not to spoil the plot or anything, but the reader can expect a dismal ending, as is typical of Fitzgerald's style. The novel may appear rather tedious to some because it contains little action, but many find it fascinating due to the depth into which Fitzgerald details his characters.

Critics often approach this novel from a biographical and/or historical stance. Fitzgerald himself even noted that his work is based on his family's life. There are many parallels between Dick Diver and Fitzgerald, and also between Nicole Diver and Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda. Fitzgerald explores the psychological aspects of relationships, especially when the woman tends to have more power. Because Nicole's family is really wealthy, Dick often uses her money to advance his career and maintain the lavish lifestyle they lead. Fitzgerald, too, suffered an unbalanced and unhappy relationship with his life for similar reasons: mental illness and reckless spending.

This novel, though once considered to be in the "shadow" of The Great Gatsby, is today well-deserving of a spot in the Best 100 Novels because of the accuracy with which Fitzgerald portrays the gaudiness and frivolity of the Roaring '20s, and also the despondency of those who seem to have everything. Fitzgerald has a particular style that pervades all of his novels, and Tender is the Night is no different.

Deliverance

Deliverance, by James Dickey, depicts the journey of four suburban men down the fictional Cahulawassee River in northern Georgia. The four men, Drew Ballinger, Ed Gentry, Lewis Medlock, and Bobby Trippe, intend on taking an easy, fun trip down the river; this is not at all what they receive. After encountering two mountain men in the woods, who proceed to sodomize Bobby, the four men find themselves fighting for their lives.

The novel is narrated by Ed Gentry, a middle class family man who lives in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The novel's chapters are split up into time periods. The first chapter is called "Before". The three middle chapters are all dates of the trip, which lasts three days. The last chapter is aptly named "After".

Deliverance was a novel ahead of its time. Published in 1970, Deliverance was unlike most novels published at this time due to its explicit content. The major themes explored in the novel are the maturation of the men while traveling down the river and the examination of society and self. These themes allow the author to depict the effect the trip had on the four men and how their lives change due to their experiences.

Due to the horrifying events the men experience, each of them return home to Atlanta changed men. For example, Drew Ballinger has very high moral standards and is unable to handle the murder of one of the mountain men, which led to his demise on the river. Lewis Medlock, the leader and alpha male of the trip, breaks his leg while falling through rapids, no longer allowing him to lead the trip. Ed Gentry is forced to lead the trip due to Lewis' injury; this is difficult for Ed, as he has never felt a sense of leadership in his entire life. Due to what Bobby experiences, the reader may come to the conclusion that he is the most damaged, but returns to normal life once he returns to Atlanta. Though the men are affected in multiple ways, they acquire maturity on the trip and return to their homes a different person. MKH

Catcb-22

Catch-22, by Joseph Heller, is a masterful novel about the experiences of an American bombardier in World War II. The novel is a satirical and ironic approach to the realities of war, and how incredibly cruel battle can be. The novel is essentially a paradox-the humorous and contradictory nature of the characters' dialogue set against the grisly and gruesome details that will take the reader by surprise. The novel is mainly weighted with the dialogue, so the reader can have the false impression that the mood of the novel is light and meant for amusement. However, this is not the case. Catch-22's purpose was (and is) to serve as a wake-up call for all those in favor of war, in particular World War II. The story is told in such a way that upon first finishing it, the reader will be left with the impression of a pleasant, jocular tone, a host of lovable and laughable characters, and a happy ending to all of Yossarian's troubles. However, upon further rumination and a second glance, the reader will remember the horrid and expressive scenes of warfare that are scattered throughout the novel, as well as the haunting remembrances of Yossarian's fallen comrades. All in all, the mood can come across as quite chilly and morbid at a second glance, despite the good-humored tone in which the novel is told.

So if its so depressing, why should you bother? Good question. Not only does the book carry an important message and theme, it is also genuinely a fun novel to read. The characters are, quite literally insane, and the actions border on the ridiculous. Not only that, but the novel has become the basis for an idiomatic expression that depicts a "no-win" situation. By reading the novel, it will help explain how that expression came to be. There are not many great American novel's out there that are humorous and didactic, but Catch-22 definitely fits the bill. So the next time that your English teacher assigns an essay on a lauded literary classic, look no further.

A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess, contains one of the most popular themes of the twentieth century. The debate between free will and the morals of others is thrust upon the anti-hero of the novel, Alex. Alex is a 15-year-old ruffian who spends most of his time beating up men and raping women. After he is imprisoned for killing an old woman, he is chosen to partake in an experiment that is supposed to make him ‘safe for society’. The ‘Ludovico Technique’ ends up destroying his free will and makes him helpless to the will of others. Back in society he is beaten by a group of people that he had previously attacked, and he is also attacked by his old nemesis and one of his former droogs. Though he might’ve been able to fight back before the experiment, it has left him with a physically ill feeling whenever he is around or the victim of violence or rape. This hopelessness eventually drives him to attempt suicide, which he does not succeed at. In a twist of fate, the government bribes him after all of the bad press that they got from his suicide attempt, and he discovers that he is ‘cured’ of the Ludovico Technique’s effects.

One of the most amazing aspects of the book is the language that Alex narrates in. The Nadsat is a mix between Russian and other colloquialisms. This language, that all of the youth in the novel speak, separates them from the adults and creates a society within a society. Even though the youth and the adults are not different in the slightest, the language barrier prevents a connection between the two groups. It also is used by Alex to soften the graphic nature of his actions, and it makes his intentions seem more innocent than they truly are.

The innovative language and Burgess' allowance for the reader to decide what hands the power and laws of society should lay in make A Clockwork Orange one of the best novels of the twentieth century, and possibly even all time.

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell's masterpiece 1984 is a novel about love, rebellion, and privacy. The protagonist, Winston Smith, is a basic gelatinous man whose work is all about altering the past. The novel is set in, you guessed it, 1984 in the country Oceania. The novel is separated into three different books, and the first book is mainly description about Winston and the world in which he lives. Winston's life is dominated by a telescreen that constantly monitors his every movement. His world is ruled by "Big Brother" who is "always watching you." There is also a constant war going on that seems to have been going on for as long as Winston can remember. This new world even has a new language called Newspeak. Newspeak's main purpose is trying to reduce the vocabulary so that the people in Oceania will have no free thought. Some examples of Newspeak: doublethink, thoughtcrime, plusgood, and ungood. Doublethink is having two notions coexisting such as how The Ministry of Love (a government building in 1984) concerns itself with torture, and The Ministry of Truth concerns itself with lies. Thoughtcrime is being guilty of thinking about committing a crime against Big Brother. Plusgood means very good, and ungood means bad.

The second book within the novel describes Winston's love affair with a woman named Julia whom he thought at first to be a member of the Thought Police. They begin this passionate affair, and both know that death is inevitable. During their affair they think that they are joining a secret group, The Brotherhood, but it is all a trick designed by members of the Inner Party. While Winston is reading a book that has been assigned to him by "The Brotherhood" he and Julia are captured by the Thought Police.

The third book describes the hideous torture that happens to Winston within The Ministry of Love and the reeducation that he is receiving from O'Brien (a member of the Inner Party.) O'Brien starves, beats, and electrocutes Winston, but Winton stays strong in his beliefs against Big Brother. Although, once O'Brien threatens to have rats (Winston's biggest fear) eat Winston alive Winston starts to cooperate. The book ends with the Inner Party shooting Winston because of his crimes, but Winston is happy about it because "He loved Big Brother."

Many details of the book have been left out, and it is impossible to try and get every single piece of information written down in this little blog post.

Critical reception of this book has been mixed from the first year it was published. Some view the book as a scare tactic intended to send its readers into "seseless paranoia." Others see the book as a masterpiece.

1984 absolutely deserves its spot on the "100 Greatest Novels of the 20th Century." The themes within the book are still pertinent. The plot, character development, and language in the novel is flawless. If one takes the time to read and digest the novel it is evident that this novel was way ahead of its time and that it is genuinely a masterpiece.

Billed as perhaps the greatest of all American novels, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath offers a vividly painful glimpse into a chapter of American history that is difficult to embrace. Set in the late 1930s, The Grapes of Wrath is the story of the Joad family’s journey westward in pursuit of the American Dream. In the midst of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during the Great Depression, the tenant farming Joad family is forced off the land and on to the road; the family travels westward to California in hope of a better life. The Joads’ journey to California is meticulously chronicled in Steinbeck’s novel. Desperation, death, murder, hunger, and homelessness plague the family’s journey; the novel overflows with tragedy. The tragedy, however, is tempered by a sense of determination and dignity that Steinbeck instills in the Joads. Steinbeck’s novel unquestionably captures the humanity of the migrants, the relentless pursuit of the American Dream, and the sustained hope that drives the American Dream forward. These are the elements that define the greatness of Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath.

Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath is unique in both its structure and its form. Throughout the novel’s many chapters, multiple voices offering varying perspectives tell the story of the Joads; the way in which the story is told points to Steinbeck’s greatness as an author and the greatness of The Grapes of Wrath as a novel. The narrative chapters, centering on the Joad family, are in chronological order and are told primarily from the third person point of view in vivid detail; the reader is with the Joads, experiencing life and suffering in the Dust Bowl alongside Ma Joad and the Joad clan. Interspersed with the narrative chapters centering on the Joads are interchapters dealing with larger issues that address the social and historical concerns of life in America’s Dust Bowl in the late 1930s, the plight of the migrant workers of California, and the political history of the world at large. These interchapters provide the context through which the Joads’ plight can be viewed. John Steinbeck’s novel The Grapes of Wrath is a monumental literary work; a work that paints such a remarkably vivid portrait of life during America’s Great Depression that it serves, even decades after its publication, to define an era of American history.

-RLG

The Sound and the Fury

The Sound and the Fury, by William Faulkner, consists of four sections, linked by a common set of characters and themes. Each might be read as an autonomous work. They all tell episodes in the decline of the Compson family, but are only loosley connected. Furthermore, the first three sections are presented from the perspective of characters whose impressions may not necessarily be reliable. These include Benjy--the severely retarded youngest son of the Compsons, who's section consists mostly of sensual impressions blended with memories, Quentin--the oldest son of the Compsons, who is a Harvard student, but finds himself so trapped by past memories, he cannot live his life in the present, and Jason--the Compsons middle son, who is unfazed by the past and is only concerned with manipulating people in the present and future.

Critical reations to The Sound and the Fury were by no means universally favorable when it first apeared in print in 1929. While finding the novel powerful and sincere, many critics did not approve of Faulkner's style. Some critics began to praise it, however, and before long the novel was quite popular, earning Faulkner the "recognition which his talent deserved" (Scott 25). Though the novel is by no means a light read or a good "trashy beach novel" because it necessitates such in depth analysis to comprehend its true meaning, it is an outstanding work of literature which has rightfully earned its place among the America's Best 100 Novels. - RJG

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road follows Sal on his journey to self discovery. Sal and his best friend Dean take four road trips during three years. They travel across America multiple times and to Mexico. Sal looks to Dean as a sort of God that can answer his questions about life. However, Dean is not searching for life like Sal but instead trying to escape it. These two different searches lead to Sal's and Dean's divide. Sal is able to realize the crippling effect of drugs and the boundaries and responsibilities life has through the destruction of Dean. Kerouac instills the importance of morals and responsibilities through the contrast of Dean.

Kerouac's novel is still highly negatively criticized due to its style. Many believe his spontaneous prose is not true writing but merely reporting, especially on his own life. The influence of sex, drugs, and music on the novel also caused it to be disliked during the 1950s. The majority of Kerouac's novels are based off of experiences in his own life. On the Road is based off of Kerouac's journey with Neal Cassady. Kerouac being portrayed as Sal and Cassady as Dean. They too traveled across America. The autobiographical nature of this novel allows the reader to understand more deeply Sal and Dean and the themes of the novel. This novel is particularly attractive to young people because they take it at face value but also understand that the novel is more than what is at the surface. They also like the fact that Sal stands up and tries to discover the meaning of life. HMW

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

When first starting Gone With the Wind, some may feel Margaret Mitchell’s style of writing to be to simple for such complex themes however, the further one reads into the book, it is easy to see why it is one of the better novels of the 20^th century. Gone With the Wind is not only one of the greatest novels of all time but it is also Margaret Mitchell’s greatest novel of her career because of the progressive ideas she presents through Scarlett O’Hara and her various themes. Three major themes seen throughout Gone With the Wind are the transformation of Southern culture, overcoming adversity with will power, and the importance of land. Critics were appalled by the first two themes because they presented ideas on women’s rights that had never been brought to attention. The fact that Mitchell was suggesting a woman could survive on her own with out the help of a man. While critics in the 1930s were disgusted with this notion, critics of the present day supported Mitchell’s progressive idea. They saw Mitchell to be one of the first women’s rights activists and way beyond her time. Gone With the Wind is one of the most progressive and inspiring books. Anyone who reads it will feel a want to push beyond barriers and do whatever one wants to do no matter what stands in one’s way. It is a novel that can be read by anyone because of its simple language however since it is so long one should preferably be above middle school before they embark on one of the most inspiring literary journeys one could read. -ELM

AP English- Blog for The Postman Always Rings Twice

Published in the 40’s, The Postman Always Rings Twice, is a well accepted and critically acclaimed novel that addresses deep themes and an intense and engaging plot that engulfs the reader into the novel. Cain’s novel uses themes of the subconscious human desires in order to entice readers into the genera of Crime Noir and hook them into the novel instantaneously. The most evident themes in the novel The Postman Always Rings Twice are the failed American dream which houses the sub-categories of love, sex, money, greed, and violence. The novel starts out with a nomadic man named Frank who stumbles into a roadside diner owned by a Greek man named Nick and his gorgeous wife Cora. There is an instant love connection between Cora and Frank, which is a sexual association that Cain makes very apparent. The new couple decide to murder her husband so they can run away together, and also collect the insurance money off of her husband. The murder is successful, Cora is convicted, and Frank is not found guilty. The twist in the novel occurs when Frank and Cora are driving, and Frank crashes the car accidentally killing Cora. Frank is convicted of murdering Cora and faces the death penalty. At this point the reader finds out that Frank is narrating the novel from a jail cell, and a sense of honesty and justice is restored to the novel. The Crime Noir genere has become increasingly popular, and Cain’s influence on it has been immense. The mysterious and sexual drive behind his novel, make it an interesting and logical read. ~HAE

Catcher in the Rye

"Catcher In the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is an astounding account of rebellion against society and adulthood. Holden, the main character, is a sea of contradictions. Although he has failed out of multiple schools, the reader can tell that he is intelligent. He is very honest to the reader but also a fantastic liar to the rest of the world. Holden is internally lost. He has no direction as he scathingly rejects the societal stereotypes and expectations of the 1950's. He is never satisfied with anything, just as he is also dissatisfied with society and his future. The only person who he enjoys spending time with is Phoebe, his sister. She is the only person who he can develop a connection with. Holden is constantly drinking and going to nightclubs like an adult, but he absolutely refuses to grow up at all. Despite his immaturity, he is an incredibly likable character. The language and description in this novel are brilliant and relatable. It lacks formal structure, and the phrases are written similarly to how one would speak. He is hardly articulate or distinct when he describes events and frequently uses swear words. However, Holden's thoughts and reactions that are displayed in an uncomplicated style that is congruent with how the reader truly reacts and thinks. It only enhances the Holden's relatable aspects, thus creating a strong bond between him and the reader-- almost like a friend.

"Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger is authentic at its core. It is relatable and true to human nature in a way that captivates the reader and makes it relevant and important no matter what the time period.

(Photo credit to Post Secret.)

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

When The Maltese Falcon was published in 1930, the world was only beginning to appreciate the detective novel. Though the first few detective novels that preceded Falcon received good enough reviews, they have equally been accused of being overly formulaic and vastly impersonal. Hammett revolutionized the detective novel by applying wild plots, well-rounded characters, and beautifully detailed settings.

The story of The Maltese Falcon follows the devilish detective Samuel Spade in his search for the infamous maltese falcon statuette, a historical artifact said to be worth millions. Spade must conquer his emotions, forcing himself to remain unaffected by the beautiful Brigid O'Shaughnessy, his romantic ties to his dead partner's wife, and threats and promises made by Gutman and his cronies Cairo and Wilmer.

Hammett masterfully paints a picture of an idealized San Francisco, the city in which The Maltese Falcon takes place. This San Francisco is unlike the factual city, as it is unrealistically (but pleasantly) overrun with corruption and bad guys looking for a quick million. Anyone can be a friend one moment and an enemy the next, therefore nobody can be trusted. This distrustful mentality can be seen thriving in each of the characters in the novel and could easily be associated with the time period in which it was set. This novel was written amidst the struggles of the Great Depression: nobody was catching a break and everyone was out to make a buck. While Samuel Spade is driven by a passion for justice and a personal interest, he is equally driven towards financial gain, even if it means betraying those close to him.

The ultimate lesson of The Maltese Falcon, however, is one in justice. Spade is willing to go to any lengths necessary to ensure that justice is served, whether it be something as lowly as sleeping with his corrupt partner's wife or something as noble as turning in a criminal whom he actually loves.

The Maltese Falcon was an easy and enjoyable read and undoubtedly deserves a place on the Best 100 Novels list among other greats, especially due to the striking quality of the language and imagery in regard to the nature of the novel's subject matter.

Never Let Me Go, written by Kazuo Ishiguro in 2005, is set in an alternative 1990's England, in which the world made biomedical advances after WWII instead of technological ones. The novel is the "memoir" of Kathy H, a student clone at the Hailsham School, and it is told as a series of memories. She is writing her story when she is about to begin donating her organs, and she is trying to recall all of her childhood memories in order to figure out when she became truly aware of what her future was going to be. She relives the memories of her childhood all the way up until she begins donating her organs.

The novel raises many questions including: What would you hold onto when life is short? What does it mean to be human? Would you speak up and help the clones? Can love excuse us from our destiny? The reason the novel is a "great" novel is because it raises these difficult questions, but it does not attempt to answer them for the reader. Because the novel is told as a series of memories, they do not have an agenda, and they do not try to prove a point to the reader, but instead they hand the reader a situation and allow him/her to determine what is important. Each reader is able to find his/her own answers in the story of Kathy's life because each reader brings his/her own experiences to the novel. Ishiguro's style draws the reader in by not revealing all of the information until the end. He gives the reader as much information as the characters had at that point in their life, so that when all is revealed the reader does not feel completely surprised.

To The Lighthouse, written by Virginia Woolf in 1927, is an insightful novel that effectively delves into the depths of human consciousness. Told in the new (and at the time, revolutionary) stream of consciousness technique, Woolf's novel centers around the Ramsay Family, on vacation at their summer home. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay, as well as their eight children, and summer guests Lily Briscoe, Charles Tansley, William Bankes and Augustus Carmichael, comprise the heart of the novel.

Woolf's main focus in To The Lighthouse is exploring the differing visions of reality that are created by individual consciousnesses. The Lighthouse itself plays a central role in this exploration, serving as a concrete symbol of the creations of different perceptions and realities. In addition to exploring the nature of reality, Woolf also uses her novel to question the role of women and men in society. The unique feminist vision that exists in To The Lighthouse is centered in Woolf's belief in androgyny: that the ideal society allows women to adopt traditionally masculine traits and men to adopt those commonly deemed feminine. Although this feminist vision persists throughout the novel, it is cleverly masked by the revelations of each characters conscious stream of thought.

One of the greatest triumphs of Woolf's novel is that it exists on two separate, and distinctly different, planes. On one plane it presents the reality of the Ramsay's life in their other home, created through the unique thoughts of different characters. On the other, however, it questions the very nature of reality, whether it is a concrete actuality or simply a creation of mankind's need for security.

- KFox