Theme?!

Now now, don't get too excited for me, because I still have no idea why the things that are happening are happening, but I'm starting to specifically know WHAT is going on. Like I said, WHY? I have no idea. But WHAT, this I know.

And...
I'M STARTING TO SMELL A THEME GUYS!

Let me start a'fresh.

There is an old, acidic, obnoxious, rude, petty, haughty, conceited retired judge living in the Himalayas (possibly, do NOT quote me on that) along with young fiery Sai, an old cowardly cook referred to as, "the cook". He has a son who works in several different fast food restaurants in America illegally to try and earn money. The judge also owns a small dog named Mutt who is probably the only being that the retired judge actually cares for other than himself. There's also a baker whom we haven't heard much about because he went to...somewhere.

It is in the retired bitter judge's home in which this "family" resides. Sai is somehow related to the judge because she definitely isn't one of his servants. I've learned that because this retired judge is in fact, a retired judge, he has a high social status that demands respect and power. The moods the reader gets from the judge's abode is gloomy, dull, and imprisoning. It's like they are all being forced to live there and none of them are exactly elated. When Sai isn't unhappy, she's in a dreamy state. But there is something about her that tells me she's strong, and that she has potential to be MVP in this novel. You know, the hero that everyone is cheering for and loves to defend? Moving on, I also know that it is snowing. Yes yes, I know, serious valuable information. Of course it's snowing, it's the Himalayas. Well, every bit of information is useful, do not taunt me. I also thought I should share that it is very misty. Normally this wouldn't be significant in any fashion, but Desai is describing the mist so much that I'm almost being suffocated with the nonexistent rubbish, giving me reason to believe that it is important somehow.

Although my summary probably isn't information packed, it is pretty eventful, so bear with me.
One very MISTY/FOGGY afternoon, Sai and the cowardly cook were making some tea for the bitter retired judge when three young Indian boys appeared. One handled a shot gun, while the other two backed him up. They commanded the retrieval of the judge's weapons, food, and any other things that were useful.
(Side note): This gives the reader a fairly good idea of the time period; that is if the reader were able to identify such dates. Desai makes it seem like the judge, Sai, and cook, were expecting this to happen sooner or later. It seems like this sort of occurrence is common during this time, in this specific section of the world. Why? No idea. Everyone's at their wit's ends.
Continuing on, the boys didn't kill anyone. They simply ate, took whatever the family had, and left. Leaving them behind in a frightened and alarmed state. The boys spoke Hindi, not Nepalese, which for some reason affronted and disgusted the old bitter retired judge. He found it beneath him to a large degree. But he spoke Hindi anyways and could communicate. The cook fetches the police, who are quite obviously corrupt), and they do a search. Because the judge has such high social standings, the police had no choice but to actually investigate.
My summary ends here, because this is where the chapter ends. Interesting, no?
Hopefully we'll find out more about Sai's ex/current lover; it relates to my theme theory.
The theory that I have yet to discuss.
I'll just have to leave the theme revelation for next week's blog. Leave you in suspense. Whoever "you" may be.
(Plus I also don't really have any supporting evidence to claim that it really is a theme. But we'll just keep that to ourselves.)

Annoyance

The Inheritance of Loss, written by Kiran Desai, has already proven itself to be a novel that needs to be read with depth, analysis, focus, and lots of patience. Desai uses her own metaphorical phrases and figurative language that can often be difficult to grasp or frustrating to read. She uses it when describing something as simple as fog, or an emotion that doesn't necessarily need such a lengthy description. I find myself struggling constantly when trying to understand what Desai is trying to narrate or describe. Occasionally when she does use her figurative explanations and large overwhelming vocabulary, the meaning is almost lost, it's like reading a dictionary! I get thwarted by her inability to simply get to the point like McCarthy does. I love analyzing meanings and broadening my vocabulary, but Desai tends to drive me insane. For instance, "...there was report of dissatisfaction in the hills, gathering insurgency, men and guns." 

No idea what that said? Me neither! And I'm actually reading the book!

I feel like I'm trying to decode Sanskrit when I'm reading this! That sentence literally had absolutely nothing to do with the novel. Not that I have a very good idea of what's going on in the novel because I feel like I'm trying to read Vietnamese. Nothing makes sense! Her lack of simplicity and hatred of understandable and relatable language and descriptions, is making me unable to perform my duties as a reader. Desai better shape up and start making sense, otherwise I WILL go completely insane.

I wish I could say more about this book, but I quite honestly can't. It hardly makes sense to me at all. But what I have pulled together is that, the characters live somewhere near the Nepalese and Indian border and some sort of terrorism is taking place. I can't identify the time setting, but it's getting there. I also know that the main character Sai, used to be/is in love with a math tutor named Gyan. I don't know what happens/happened to him, but she thinks about him frequently. 

Hopefully the novel will kick off soon; most novel's begin slow (but for one hundred pages?). Also, I'm hoping that the random fringes of memories floating around in Sai's head throughout the novel will begin to pull together and form a solid and stable plot. 

I'm sorry for bad blog, but I can't even smell a theme. ( :[ )

I blame The Grove Press.

Inheritance of Loss

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai is already a very insightful novel, it's definitely going to be a "thinker". It will to be about life in general, which I know is a rather vague statement but I know it'll be about what one experiences throughout life. Every emotion, every betrayal, every feeling of happiness. The main character, Sai, seems like a very timid girl living in northeast Asia, who will soon learn the ways of the world and how to live in it. She'll gain the knowledge of life and become more sophisticated and break out of her shell.

You know, all that cliche stuff.

But let's be honest, I'm really hoping this book's a winner. A non-cliche novel that is beautifully written without the use of trite phrases, and overly used descriptions. Her writing style already seems like the average modern day writer (which bothers me), but she seems extremely insightful (which excites me being the nerd that I am). I'm looking forward to reading this novel even though it's beginning is slow. It feels like a good one.

It actually feels very strange reading a completely different book after All The Pretty Horses. The writing style is manifestly different, as is the tone, the word choice, the punctuation, and ESPECIALLY the imagery. The imagery is definitely the thing that I miss most from McCarthy. Desai is an excellent writer, it's just that I miss the simplicity of McCarthy's writing, the easy flow of it, and the vivid imagery without even having to think about it. I'll get used to it.

Enough of my complaining. I'm excited to read the remainder of my novel (even if it does have a slow beginning... I think I'm just a bit bitter today bee tea dubbs).

We'll see how this goes.

Dear old Frost.

"Acquainted with the Night" By: Robert Frost

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, O luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night.

This poem written by my favorite poet Robert Frost, is amazing. The speaker talks about the the night and what they've experienced during it. It's almost like they're saying that they know what goes on at night, and yet there's almost nothing they can do about it. When it comes to all the crime and wrong that takes place at night, people don't really pay any mind. They simply leave it alone because they don't really know what to do about it, or they are too scared to do anything about it, or they don't want to do anything about it.

I also interpret this poem as the speaker talking about a sort of connection they have with the night. Almost like they've seen mostly everything takes place at night, and they're used to it.

And by the time the sun comes up, it's all over. Whether it be crime, or the connection; it's just gone.

When reading this poem, the setting I see is a really late night in the city. I hear sirens going off, people lurking around corners, and some young people walking back from parties. And then "O luminary clock against the sky" tells me that the sun has risen, and all is over. The night is gone and a another brand new day begins.

Really? Is this what we've come to?

The CNN News article today read, "Dead Bear Wears Obama-Biden Sign". It took me no longer than two seconds to understand that the title said enough. The article told me that some people had attempted to protest Obama's candidacy through a cruel and sick act. It said that the people responsible had shot a bear cub in the head, dragged the animal on to the Western Carolina University campus, and draped two Obama-Biden posters over its perished body. The police contacted the local Wildlife Resources officials to move the body, and help with the investigation. 

Not only was this an act of cruelty, barbarism, inhumanity, viciousness, evil, and just plain wrongness, it was an act against our nation. An act that prominently states that our citizens have lost the true definition and meaning of the word democracy. This act manifests the immaturity and irrationality of our generation today; the generation that will be running this homeland of ours in the near future. The twisted act is not the thing that truly frightens me, it is the fact that this isn't the worst they can do. This was merely a threat. Before long it'll be the real thing, and our country will be in a disarrayed state of chaos and fear. 

Politics used to be exciting, an adrenaline rush! It was a realm in which people were able to express their thoughts, opinions, and morals even. It used to be something that introduced new ideas and systems. Politics made the world a better place! Now one looks at politics and society and sees tabloids, racism, prejudice, uneducated judgments, and corruption. What happened to accepting people's opinions and ideas? Their race and their heritage? Their religion and creed? Has all of that disappeared? Did it even ever exist at all? For some reason, it seems like this type of crime is getting worse and worse. Maybe it's just the media, or maybe I'm just growing up and seeing more of the world for what it is.

But if this is the way the world is, and the occurrence of something so beautiful and so great turning in to something so undesirable and so ugly is common, then I don't want to see it. Seeing the world's beauty and it's creatures being destroyed is not something that is particularly at the top of my to-do list. Maybe ignorance truly is bliss, because the profound act that I read about today is definitely something I would've gladly turned my back to. 

Obama? McCain?

During the last couple of months, U.S. citizens have been pressured to make the right decision in their choice of presidency in the elections. Will it be McCain? Or will it be Obama? Democrat or Republican? Who will save us from this economic crisis? Who will make a move on improving health care and bettering the country's safety? For the first time, people are actually paying full attention, and young people are actually getting involved. 

For this week's blog, I read a BBC News article on the Obama vs. McCain presidential election. It didn't exactly surprise me when I read about how terrified people are, and how little they trust the government now. Everyone's scared to go unemployed (if they aren't already), they're scared of not being able to provide for their family, and they're scared of losing their lifestyle, and everything they know. And the only way to mollify those fears is believing in one of the candidates, and believing that one of them will make a huge difference. Honestly, nobody knows who's going to be a better president or at least handle it better. We're all just guessing, and investing our hopes on them. And those candidates are doing everything they can to win us over, and believe in them. People are doing just that because these leaders are all we have left. 

Reading this article made me realize how much Americans depend on the government, and how much they expect from the president. When something goes wrong, they blame the government, president, and all the people who voted for the president. If things are going really well, they thank them. But have people ever stopped and realized it's their actions as well that are contributing to whatever the nation is going through? For instance, our economy didn't crash because Bush wanted it to (but it's not like he did a whole lot to stop it). It crashed because of people's actions and their carelessness. People basically think that the perfect government is one that will stop anything bad from happening, which is half their responsibility. The other half of that responsibility lies in the people. Being a democratic country entails citizens semi-running the country. We're the wheels turning this nation, and if a few of the wheels stop turning because they feel like it and they think that the machine as a whole has got it covered, and the owner won't let anything happen to them, the machine isn't going to work anymore. There's only so much the others and the owner can do. Just like the U.S., and it's leaders, and people. 

More and more individuals are starting to realize their contributions matter, and are at least almost trying to make an effort at helping their country. Especially by paying more attention to their own actions, and the candidates. Young people have finally found their voices and their opinions, and are using them. This year's presidential election is one of the most important elections of  our history, and it will determine the state of our nation and what direction it's headed in. 

I thought it was India vs. Pakistan?

India and Pakistan have been in an undeclared, not-so-discrete-war, since 1946. For years the two nations have battled over the state of Kashmir. For years, Indians and Pakistanis have lined up along the border to defend their country, while at the same time, fight for Kashmir.

For this week's blog, I read a BBC News article on the India-Pakistan War, and what Kashmir's views are on the war. 

Since I was younger, my Indian family had always told me that Pakistan just wanted Kashmir for selfish reasons. They wanted Kashmir to make Pakistan bigger and more powerful than India ever was. They told me that all India wanted to do was keep Kashmir safe from Pakistan, and any harm that might come to the people. I'd always believed my family, and quite honestly, I also believed their horrible terrorist tales of "those blood-seeking Pakistanis". Although now that I'm older, I can see my family's childish prejudice against Pakistan. I ask myself now, how do they know why Pakistan wants Kashmir? And how do they know what Pakistanis are actually like if they avoid them at all costs? Why, all of a sudden, does this war seem so much more petty and childish than before? I felt like it was two divorced parents fighting over a child that they both really want for their own selfish reasons. And then, above all else, I ask myself, haven't they asked what Kashmir wants?

It was this article gave me my original answers, then started a whole new round. Half of Kashmir (the Muslims) wants to be an independent country, which is definitely out of the question. The other half of Kashmir would like to stick with India, the feeling of safety is a good one apparently. If one option is definitely our of the question, then the other option is the only option left, right? So why then is this war still going? It doesn't make any sense. Why are they still battling it out, and why are there still terrorists attacking India? What on earth has India done to deserve the continuous murdering of their citizens? I've read Pakistan's news, and the only sign of terrorism that I've found is coming from themselves. So why then, is India being attacked by them?

I have yet to find my answers. But I now know that I'm as prejudice as the next Indian.

Among the Betrayed

For my blog this week I read Among the Betrayed, by Margaret Haddix. This novel is one of five books from the Among the Hidden series. It takes place in our world, some time in the future. The population has grown to an outrageous amount, and food is very scarce. As a solution, the government has created a law stating that, you can only have two children per house hold. But, if a family has more than that, the Population Police kill the "extra" children. 

Luke Garner is a third child. He's been in hiding for all twelve years of his life. He can't go to school, it's rare if he's allowed outside, and his family tries very hard to hide any suspicious behavior. Next door, there is another third child, Jen. And ironically enough, her father is apart of the Population Police, working as a double agent. Luke immediately takes a liking to Jen. She's fiery, brave, and will do anything to legalize third children. It wasn't their fault they were born, she tells Luke at one point. They are not just third children, they're people as well. Sadly enough, Jen dies after she riots for third children. She was discovered, along with thirteen others. They were are killed that night.

After this, Luke was absolutely shaken. He wants to do everything he can for the legalization. He wants to be a fighter like Jen. But Jen was his inspiration, his motivation. And now, she's gone. Luke's terrified. He's never been in the real world, he's been in hiding his whole life and has no idea what to expect. And on top of that, he's educationally deprived. Luke needs to find and help himself before he can help anybody else. He's a really great character. And somehow, even though I'm quite sure no reader has ever experienced this sort of situation before, Margaret Haddix does an excellent job with helping the reader relate. And understand every last one of Luke's emotions. I wonder what he'll do though. His change and growth will surely be gradual, but I'm excited to see him fight for what so many third children want. What he wants. What Jen wanted. And how he'll fight is the most important question. 

The best answer I have right now is that, we'll see. 

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? (Ending)

This week, I finally read the last of If I Have Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince? Last week I talked about Lucy's personality and her trite story . The one thing I was looking forward to at the end of the novel, was the way she handled her family. Her family didn't really pay attention to her, ask (or care) what her opinions were, or include her. But suddenly, they were making amends and apologizing to Lucy. All it took was a little something called: talking.

Lucy one night, was so fed up and tired of always getting in trouble with Mara (her stepmother), that she didn't hold her tongue. She didn't cringe or wince from Mara's contemptuous stare after Lucy shouted back. And she certainly didn't let Mara get to her father so easily. That night, her and father discussed what had happened. He once again accused Lucy of lying, and told her to tone down the dramatics. Without hesitation, Lucy spilled out everything. She found it much easier to say what she was feeling considering she didn't really have much to lose anymore. Lucy told her father about how neglected she felt, and how much she missed her biological mother. And about how she didn't really have a place in this specific family. About how she thought everything revolved around how Mara and the twins (her stepsisters) were feeling, and if they weren't happy, no one should be. Lucy explained how far he and her have drifted apart, to the point were he was accusing her of lying, which he's never done before. She spilled how drain and tired she was of having to put up with all of this, and she wasn't sure if she could do it for much longer. Lucy said that he could give her whatever punishment he wanted (even though he was going to anyway), because he'd never believe her. Finally she could breathe again, without all those things lodged inside her chest. 

Her father had realized how much he was pushing his daughter away, and tried to make up for it. He told Mara and his stepdaughters how much Lucy was suffering from his new marriage, and how they should make as much as an effort as Lucy did in trying to make this family work. In the end, he got them to understand and made them apologize, but he also made them mean it. He apologized as well, much more fervently. Lucy was overwhelmed, but she accepted all their apologies. She realized that it was over, she could finally have her happily ever after.

I found that while I was reading about the exchange between Lucy and her father, I felt as relieved as Lucy felt. She has much more self control than I do. Therefore, I would have never been able to shut my mouth when the first opportunity of talking back to Mara presented itself. When Lucy got in trouble time after time, I wanted to yell at Mara and the twins just much as she did. But she didn't. So when she finally did, I was almost proud of her. Timid little personality-less Lucy grew a backbone, and gained some wit. Or she already had them, and we found out that she did, when she did. The reader grows as Lucy does. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be intentional or not, but I felt like I was strangers with Lucy the first three-fourths of the book. Then she eventually started speaking up for herself and forming solid opinions. Which made me appreciate her character, and the story so much more. Yes, Lucy still is pretty cliche, but at least she is a stronger person. And the story line was a bit too happily ever after, but isn't that how all Cinderella stories are supposed to end? Yes, yes it is.

If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?

This novel is another Cinderella story by Melissa Kantor. It is about your average girl next door teenager, Lucy, dealing with the hardships of her friendless high school career. When she was young her mother died, leaving her and her father behind. Her father got remarried to the "wicked stepmother", and along with her, Lucy received two twelve years old snotty twin stepsisters. She's forced to learn how to hold her tongue, and often wonders if her prison time would be worth it if she drove a stake through her dear stepmother. Finally, in our little Cinderella's life, something changes. The most popular school's athlete is looking Lucy's way. And when he asks her out on a little innocent date, Lucy is unexpectedly saying hello to strangers in the hallway who suddenly would love being her friend. She now had friends and a busy schedule. But of course, the fairy godmother forgot to sprinkle some of her magic on Lucy's home. She's almost leading two lives. On one side, she is trying to put up with her new "family" for her father's sake. While on the other, she is living the life she'd always wanted. Lucy is popular, and she has the perfect Prince Charming boyfriend. And yet, she still isn't happy. Why is that? (When I continue reading, I'll let you know.)

As I was reading, I was thinking about Lucy's character. I wondered if I would want to be her friend had I been apart of her story, or she a character in mine. I wondered if timid, friendless, teenage girls were mostly the same in personality. Why is it that whenever I read these sort of novels, the teenage girl is the same? Very much like Lucy. How come we never hear about a strong and independent "nerdy" girl? Or a cool and collected "bad" girl? We always read about a Lucy, a "go with the flow" quiet girl. And why Lucy? I thought, coming back to the idea that all timid teenage girls were the same. But they aren't, so why write them all the same? Then I came to the conclusion that, no, I wouldn't be friends with Lucy. I wouldn't want to be friends with a cliche. Don't authors want to create characters that they know readers will be able to relate to? Why write another story about a girl who's looking for a boyfriend, but mostly for her own happiness? Why have her win it through having a boyfriend? And why is her boyfriend always popular?! Why not write about something important? I feel like all two-hundred and thirty pages that I read were a serious waste of time. The only thing I'm looking forward to at the end of the book, is how she deals with her family. After all, she can't have half of a happily ever after.