When a teacher gives you an assignment you generally do it. When that assignment comes from a dear friend who’s a retired English/drama teacher, you totally do it.
Jeff Bennett put some major thought into the 4-page handwritten list he gave me. It consisted of a good number of books, a handful of his most favorite classical music and a nice collection of movies.
As I may have mentioned earlier, I’m not a big reader. I used to be, but somewhere along the road I lost the desire. I am SO happy these suggestions came to me when they did. I have been devouring these books and I am happy to report that my Kindle is actually getting a good summertime workout.
I chose to read three of the books, listen to all of the music, and hold off on the films because I’ve got another fairly large film challenge in the works. Jeff’s wife Sherri Bennett was also kind enough to include books that meant a lot to her and from her list I also chose three. Oh, and can I just say – borrowing e-books from the library? BRILLIANT! It took me a while to figure it out, but once I did I was plowing through ‘em.
So thanks to Jeff and Sherri for these wonderful suggestions. My reviews follow…
Books Recommended by Jeff:
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest – Ken Kesey
Talk about going from the frying pan into the fire! Hoping to trade the last six months of his prison sentence of hard labor for a more restful existence, McMurphy ditches the work farm by feigning lunacy and lands himself in a psych hospital. As those of you familiar with the story know, things go sideways and the wise-ass felon finds his sentence significantly extended with a not so pleasant ending. An interesting study of how green the grass looks from a distance and how even the tough need to learn to fall in line when others are in control of your destiny. A compelling story of fate.
Completed 7/12/17
The Death of Ivan Ilyitch – Leo Tolstoy
“I can NEVER get enough Tolstoy!” Said no one (I know) ever! I hit this one with a bit of trepidation. Just the name “Tolstoy” causes me to dig my heels in and resist. But…Jeff said so…so I went with it. Thankfully, it’s a novella and no War and Peace! The story is one of life and death. Ilyitch’s ordinary, yet seemingly happy life is cut short by a long and painful illness wherein he needs to face his impending death. He questions every bit of his once considered “pleasant life” and curses his fate, finding hatred towards all things and people he once loved. It is an examination of mortality, certainly, but along with it an investigation into how to live one’s life and find meaning in it. Very apropos at his time as I try to explore ways to enrich my own life through this 60 x 60 endeavor.
Completed 7/14/17
The Metamorphosis – Franz Kafka
Yeah, I get that it’s a “must read,” is supposedly “influential” and a “masterpiece” and apparently sums up the term “Kafka-esque,” but personally…I’d sooner squash that f%$king bug than read another sentence! Gladly, it’s a short story, but honestly, it did nothing for me. I understand it demonstrates feelings of inadequacy and isolation. Okay. I didn’t care for it.
Completed 7/17/17
Books Recommended by Sherri:
Breathing Lessons – Ann Tyler
A helicopter mother and her affable husband take a road trip for the funeral of a friend. Her ne’er-do-well son has knocked up a girl and sat by while his marriage unraveled and she moved away with their daughter. Questioning her happiness with a sorry feeling of “is this all there is?” The mother detours on their way home to see her estranged former daughter-in-law and her granddaughter. With a fine line between truth and lies, she convinces the girl to come home with them under the guise of the son wanting a reconciliation. A story where very little happens and when it does, it brings heartache, sadness and apathy. Meh.
Completed 7/24/17
The Book of Ruth – James Hamilton
In a small 1960s Illinois town a financially and emotionally unstable mother raises a brilliant son and a daughter, Ruth, not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Matt goes off to be a college superstar, while Ruth remains in Honey Creek to live an unremarkable life. With one dead husband and another failed marriage, mom has a severe case of “bitter and angry” and Ruth dreams of love and happiness which she finds in Ruby, a delinquent unemployed addict with anger issues. The author voices Ruth with an uneducated childish narrative that draws you in and makes you know her. A wonderfully written, mostly depressing novel with highlights of unrequited hope. I felt sorry for everyone.
Completed 8/7/17
White Oleander – Janet Fitch
You may want to stop what you’re doing and pick up this book. Fitch writes like I would write if only I could write. Her narrative is smart, exceptionally descriptive and brought me on a journey I didn’t want to end. Astrid is the throw-away daughter of Ingrid. Ingrid did a terrible thing and has plummeted Astrid into a life no child deserves. The mother-daughter relationship is tough on good days. This takes it to another level. Mesmerizing and solidly a very, very good book.
Completed 8/17/17
Music recommended by Jeff:
Classical music! Ha! Besides Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite (which I was obsessed with during my schoolgirl crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov) I don’t think I’ve ever PURPOSELY listened to any. Jeff is a classic pianist and a music aficionado so if I was going to take anyone’s suggestions, it would be his…
Rachmaninov “Vocalise” Anna Moffo – Leopold Stokowski
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GibjzBPwhBU
Ok. So it says “vocalise.” That means singing and lyrics, right? WRONG! In this piece, the voice is most certainly an instrument but not a single lyric is sung. But oh, the message! I imagined this accompanying a film about a tragic love story. Both beautiful and haunting.
Sanctus from Requiem – Faure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_cVTi-rZcQ
Reminded me too much of church to truly enjoy it. I do not enjoy church. At all.
Pie Jesu from Requiem – Faure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VLY2bd5w8k
I liked this one better than Sanctus, but meh… Still not doing it for me. Still too “churchy” feeling.
Adagio for Strings – Barber
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKrxPTePXEQ
Pretty. Not the slightest bit churchy and very relaxing to listen to.
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor Second Movement – Tchaikovsky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXSbOgdAinY
I obviously enjoy Tchaikovsky beyond The Nutcracker. This was my favorite. Beautiful and thought provoking. Builds to a powerful crescendo that kinda gave me the chills.
Judy Garland Original Over the Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xFwKyNNSQY
Well this is just delightful. What a pure and lovely voice. Brings back those wonderful memories of laying on the floor watching The Wizard of Oz as a child and being totally enraptured. Really, really nice.