Book review: The Great Gatsby (Book by: F. Scott Fitzgerald)

Ethan Chan ☺

Book review: The Great Gatsby

Book by: F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is a fictional tale of love, lust, and jealousy. The story takes place in Long Island. It is the 1920s, and “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession”. Narrated by Nick Carraway, it goes into the details of the love of Daisy and Gatsby. Daisy, however, is reluctantly wed to Tom, because at the moment when she had to make the choice, Gatsby was in a financial slump. However, Daisy knew she loved Gatsby, and the same went for Gatsby.

The theme of this book is obviously love. When characters love one another, sometimes jealousy and anger occur. In this case, Daisy had loved Gatsby, and Tom was very mad at Gatsby. There are many confusing moments in this book when you read it, because it may not be immediately obvious. I did not realize who Nick had loved until one of the two had said “I love you”. It's really hard to understand up to mid-way, but from there on it's a bit easier.

The main characters in this book have quite a bit of depth. It probably could have been a bit better, but I think that it's satisfactory. However, I think that some of the other characters could have been given a bit more description. In one part, you see a criminal who crashed his car into a wall. However, this had nothing to do with the story, and could have been left out entirely. In fact, we never see this man again. I feel that there were sometimes too many characters, and it was not necessary to have so many. The author should have left out some characters, using the extra space to flesh out the main characters more.

This book's writing style is really hard to understand sometimes. Sometimes I cannot tell what the author is trying to convey. It all gets confusing, since you really have to pay attention to what happens in the story in order to actually understand it. I was half asleep when I was reading one part, and I learned the consequences when I did not understand most of the next part. It makes it so you almost have to be paying attention at all times when you read it.

The wording in this book is absolutely astounding. It amazes me that the author barely ever uses the same word in each paragraph. I don't think that he has ever used the same adjective in this book more than ten times. I would think that this book is a great way to find out new words. This may be an exaggeration, but I think it would be impossible to read this without a dictionary.

However, I have yet to get to the most important part. I really mean this when I say this: only hardcore readers should read this. It may sound ridiculous, but it's really hard to keep up with the story. You really have to have read a lot of books to understand this one. Sometimes it switches scenes without warning, and I am left wondering what happened. You can never be forgetful, and have to keep track of the story.

To conclude, this book is okay. I think that the story was pretty interesting, but sometimes it gets boring reading it, since you don't know whats going on. It's hard to keep track of what's going on, but it all makes sense at the end. The ending was also very tragic, and it turns for the worse for Gatsby. So as a result, I recommend it for only those who can take sad endings, and those who are hardcore readers. Readers 18+ will probably enjoy it more than younger readers. It's simply too much confusion for me to bear, so I can only give it 2.5/5. Cold love is really the best way to describe this book.

-Ethan ★★½

Book review: Fahrenheit 451 (By: Ray Bradbury)

Ethan Chan ☺

Book review: Fahrenheit 451

By: Ray Bradbury

This book, Fahrenheit 541, is a very interesting book indeed. It's likely that you won't find another gem like this. The setting is Earth, in the distant (or maybe not-so-distant) future. In the beginning, Montag (the main character) is a fireman. But here's the big twist: firemen START fires, instead of putting them out! In a whacked up world like this, technology rules; books are unneeded. Thus, the firemen now put fire to those books which everyone hates. Absolutely no one questions this order, because they are happy with this life. Until... a young girl named Clarisse steps in and warps Montag's mind. The author, Ray Bradbury, sure had a deep train of thought when he was designing these intriguing characters. Clarisse was always the odd one, questioning things around her. This influences Montag to do things with his life, not just burn books all day. Montag ponders this, and it troubles him deeply. It's not what he's told to do with his life, it's what he wants to do.

There are a lot of confusing terms here and there, so I would recommend reading this book with a dictionary close at hand. The characters have unique personalities too. Clarisse, who I mentioned earlier, is the girl that just doesn't fit in. She questions society and all that comes with it. Montag, however, is the man opposite of the scale. He's the one that fits perfectly in, until the two meet, talk, and discuss a time when books were read, firemen stopped fires, and knowledge existed. In this bleak future, Montag is very surprised at this shocking past. However, in all exciting stories, there is at least one bad egg. That bad egg, intriguingly, is a fellow fireman. He is the bad guy, who just hates books. However, at first glance, he doesn't seem bad. That, my friends, will change very soon. His name is Captain Beatty. At first, he's just a poker playing fireman. However, he notices Montag and what he's doing. You'll have to read to find out what happens.

The theme of this story: books. Books, books, and more books. However, books are very scarce in Montag's world, and if one is found reading them, they will receive a heavy, undesirable punishment: their houses being burned down. This twisted world revolves around the way of the flame. There is no knowledge, no books, only fire. It is once said in the book: “It's perpetual motion; the thing man wanted to invent but never did. Or almost perpetual motion. If you let it go on, it'd burn our lifetimes out ... It's real beauty is that it destroys responsibility and consequences. A problem gets too burdensome, then into the furnace with it.” That's what firemen do. They lift the “burden” of books off of the people's backs. However, it's all a lie. People don't even know how important books are.

This book is literature at it's best. The writing style is so immersive and descriptive; it tells of every little part of the picture. You can almost see the scenery, feel the emotions hopping out of the book. “There must have been a billion leaves on the land; he waded in them, a dry river smelling of hot cloves and warm dust.” It's almost like you are Montag, watching the world get destroyed bit by bit. It's so descriptive, it's like a movie that you control. The author provides a black and white world, you provide color. In this way, each reading is different, but the same.

In conclusion, this is a great book to read. It's no big series, nor it is well known, but as I said before, it's one of a kind. The plot is highly original; a big plus for any book. After all, how many books are about burning books? This book probably ranks up on my top ten. I've read a lot of books before, but this one keeps me wanting more. It has been one of the more interesting titles in the library. It's definitely a good read for anyone, but it's more enjoyable from ages 11+. I give this book a 5/5, for keeping my eyes glued to the book till the very end. -Ethan ★★★★★

Lord of the Flies: Chapter 13

Ethan Chan

10-9-08

☺

Goodbye

A siren screamed loudly. All the boys were going on board, wind gusting through their tangled, dirty hair. Their faces, covered with dry tears, were pondering on how it was possible that they were once refined British boys. Realizing the truth, that they were transformed into savage beasts on their own will, brought more mourning from Ralph.

“It's not that bad, Ralph.”

“Yes it is Jack, and you know it! How could we become what we are? How could we become murderers?”

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but there was something stopping him. Something that told him that Ralph might be right. Percival was wailing as loudly as he could, as if he were calling out to the gods to make his bad memories disappear. Everyone wanted to forget the island burnt by fire.

“You know Ralph,-”

“it's already over-”

“so just forgive-”

“and forget.”

“How could I forget the way we killed Simon? How Roger killed Piggy?The way everyone had forgotten about the conch and the rules? Even you had joined Jack's side. You don't forget things like that, you don't forget the first time you've...killed.”

“But Ralph, it was-”

“an accident!”

Ralph stared out into the ocean, remembering everything. The first pig they killed. The first fire they started. The first calling of the conch.

“There's no way it was an accident.”

“Ralph, you're not going to get anywhere by beating yourself up.”, Jack said.

“I don't care! This whole island life was a disaster because of you and your hunting!”

“But-”

“Who was the one that was trying to kill me? All of you, and you know it!”

Jack suddenly realized what had happened. He was the beast on the island. He was the one that converted all the boys into savagery. He was the reason that Simon and Piggy were killed. He looked back to a few hours ago, when they were hunting Ralph like they were hunting a pig.

“Boys, no screaming up there! I'm trying to man a ship here!”, said the naval officer.

“Sorry. What's your name?”, Ralph asked.

“Stanley. Call me officer Stan. How about you?”

“Ralph.”

“Glad to make your acquaintance.”

“Thanks for rescuing us, officer Stan.”

“Anytime. What happened on the island? I mean, what set it on fire?”

Ralph pondered for a while. What started the fire?

“The beast.”

“Beast? What beast?”

“It's not something you can hunt or kill. It's something that can kill mankind.”

“I don't get it.”

“It's like when... when... when a rush of power makes you do something... savage.”

“Oh. I see. Could you tell me your story?

“Yes. It all started when our plane crashed.”

Ralph went on telling the naval officer all the details of their misfortunes. From Piggy to Jack to Simon, from pigs to the man with a parachute.

The naval officer started talking again.

“Wasn't there anything to keep order around there?”

“Yes. There was the conch.”

“What was the conch used for?”

“Calling meetings and taking turns to talk.”

“That's interesting.”

One of the crew members then walked in.

“Captain! We've reached the harbor!”

“Excellent. Ralph, we've reached your homeland.”

Ralph went back on deck. He couldn't believe his eyes! It was home, home at last. Ralph wanted to leave immediately, but the naval officer beckoned to him.

“Well Ralph, what are you going to name the island?”

“.... Isle of the savages.”

“Why that name?”

“That was what we became when we went there. No one should ever go to that island again.”

Jack was coming to Ralph, and Samneric were too.

“Ralph!”

Samneric came to Ralph first.

“Ralph, I guess this is-”

“goodbye.”

“I guess it is. It was a fun while, Samneric. I hope you guys will do fine wherever you go.

“Thanks, Ralph.”

Samneric got back on board, but Jack came up to Ralph next.

“Ralph.”

“Jack.”

“I guess... it's goodbye.”

“I guess so.”

“D'you think that we'll be alright?”

“Of course we will.”

Yet there was an empty tone in Ralph's voice.

“I mean, do you think that we'll lose control again?”, Jack said.

“Maybe. We won't know for sure.”

“Well, after all we've been through...”

“Let's hope for the best. Let's hope for a bright future.”

“Right!”

“Farewell, Jack.”

“See you around.”

The boys shook hands, with a feeling of friendship. Now that sanity had been restored, they were now friends. If only Piggy and Simon were alive to be rescued. Even if Jack had been a beast, even if he had committed murder, it was a thing of the past. Civilization had been returned, and order was restored. It might be hard, but like Samneric said, it's better to forgive and forget. No matter what the crime, every living being deserves a second chance. It's going to be hard to forget about Piggy and Simon, but they've moved on to a better place. The friends that he had for quite some while, were going to depart. Even if they were departing, they all knew one thing. They were going to meet again, for sure. They were going to meet in the great place above, where they could start anew.

After walking towards his house, he rang the doorbell.

“I'm home.”

Lord of the Flies: Journal #12

Journal #12 by: Ethan Chan
Chapter 12: Cry of the hunters
Perspective: Simon

Rescue!

I'm glad that Ralph made it back all right. I was a bit worried, because Jack and his followers have keen eyes, eyes of destruction. It was a good thing that he found a good hiding place. Their constant ululation kept Ralph from being ambushed by the cordon. I got very tense when they lit the jungle on fire, though.

I wasn't surprised at that. Personally, I expected that irrational act from Jack, because he just wants to kill Ralph so badly. All those times he had diddled the boys into thinking he was the fun side... it all adds up to a team of almost unstoppable beasts. He had a ton of murderers after a huge bounty. It's a good thing that the adult came when he did, drill, epaulettes and all.

It's kind of ironic, actually. Ralph has been trying to make a fire the moment he stepped foot on the island. He's been trying so hard, and everyone kept slacking off. Especially Jack, because he felt that the fire was not important, not important at all. Now that he has Piggy's glasses, he started a fire of his own to kill Ralph, and get rid of his obscene ideas of being rescued. However, the large fire is a signal to the adults, so now Ralph's wish has come true, to be rescued, but not exactly in the way he had planned it.

I just wish I was still alive. I wish I could go home, and lead a calm peaceful life. They did get rescued, though, so I'm glad for that. I just hope that Ralph can go on as he was, and won't let the lord of the flies ever overcome him.

Ralph, fight to the end. Don't let the beast take over. Stay true and good.

Lord of the Flies: Journal #11

Journal #11 by: Ethan Chan
Chapter 11: Castle Rock
Perspective: Jack

Nothing in my way

Now that Piggy's out of the way, I'm one step closer to ruling the island. Roger did a good job getting rid of that fool. Soon enough all the boys will behave truculently, and there will be nothing but fun on this island. Piggy died a most painful death, but if I were the one killing him, I assure everyone that it would have been more painful. Still, that Roger wasted our defense against the others. Wait, what others? The only one left is Ralph, and he doesn't stand much of a chance, especially without that accursed conch.

That talisman seemed to give him all the power. Now that the conch is gone, Ralph's power will come to a cessation. I will the only king on this island, and all will obey me. Ralph seems to think us delirious, but that won't stop us. When he sees how much fun we're having, he'll finally come to his senses and join our side. Oh, the absolute power is only an inch away.

Just a bit more until no one will question what I do, what we do. I don't care if no one comes to rescue us, because we're perfectly fine here. We're all having fun, killing pigs. We have plentiful meals too, because of all the meat. Plus, no adults to tell us what's what. Ralph's been defeated by the madness. Samneric are on my side now, because if they oppose I will kill them. Ralph too, if he doesn't come to his senses soon.

Yes, it's all coming together now. Everything is falling into place. So what if we don't have law, order, and civilization? Sucks to those useless things. What matters is hunting, meat, and fun. We're gonna have fun on this island. We're gonna have lots of fun.