Crime and Punishment

(Spoiler Alert)

       I just finished "Crime and Punishment" and am so throughouly vexed by the whole idea of this book that I am not certain where to start. I was under the impression that this book was about how one crime could be forgiven if it meant that a million good deeds came from it, but once again I was mistaken. The main character (Rodya) comes up with a theory that if someone is destined for greatness that he is 'allowed' to dispose of all those who opose him. Being young and idealistic, he assumes that he must be one of those great people and decides to murder a local pawn broker in order to continue his education and elevated his status. He ends up botching the whole 'experiement' and  through  the whole book you are led to believe that Rodya is being tormented by his concious and that is why in the end he decides to turn himself in. I was greatly disappointed to discover that it was not that afterall, but the fact that he could not over come his crime and move on that seemed to be 'The Real Crime' to him. The fact that his ego and pride had been eternally wounded is what bothered him the most. Even after he goes to Siberia for the crime of murder he is still under the impression that the real crime is his weakness of not being able to get over murdering another human being. I felt totally cheated. What exactly did Rodya learn?

    It is odd though, that this particulair act, prompted him to be so generious to others in his life. Even those that he was barely acquainted with where blessed by is generosity and selflessness leading up to his confession. I suppose, in a way, he was trying to justify his crime by doing good unto others, but how do you justify murder?

   The other thing that really bothered me about this book, is the way that the women where betrayed. Once again they are seen as bargining chips that the men can use as they see fit. They are described as meek and mild. At one point, one of the female characters (Sonya) is forced into prostitution in order to feed her family, and by doing so is looked down upon by society and the other more 'sophisticated' characters. Serously? Of course it was a man (her father) that demanded that she do such a thing, but does he get the blame for her 'uncleanliness'? Of course not!

   In my opinion Sonya is the real hero of this story. It is through her that her family is taken care of, and it is through her that Rodya starts to discover his humanity. Without Sonya the whole story would be one big pissing contest.

   Overall, I would say that this book is one that should be read, but not with any expectations. I suppose to througoughly enjoy it, one must put aside their values and their morals and try to look at it from a totally hypothetical view. Otherwise, it just makes you really angry at the world.

Always,
The Book Hoarder

PS I couldn't get my spell checker to work, so I apologize for my atroucious spelling errors.

The Help Continued

    I have finished 'The Help'. Although at first I seemed to be having a hard time connecting to the story, in the end I couldn't put it down. There are so many more dinamics to this story than I originally gave it credit for. Choosing to do the right thing isn't always easy. In this story, the main character (that is white) looses all her friends, boyfriend, and status because she feels that treating someone different because of their skin color is wrong.

    I discovered that the thing I was missing was right in front of my face all the time. The story is about not having prejiduces against people (for whatever reason) and that is something I feel very strongly about. It is an awesome example of rising up against adversity and sticking true to your own beliefs, despite what society might say.

   I realize that if this book was written 40 years earlier, there would be alot of controversy, but at this time, in this day it still feels appropriate. It reminds all of us to keep what we believe close to our hearts and remember who we are. I encourage everybody to look at their lives, and look at who influences their desicions, then make the promise to yourself that you will act according to your own concious and not to what society believes is right.

  I know that from now on I will take a look at my life, and stand up for what I believe to be true. I'm not saying its not ok to disagree about these things, but have enough respect to relize that just because someone might not agree with you, it doesn't make that person bad or evil. I guess I'm just trying to say that this book taught me to stand up for what I believe in, while still showing respect to other people and their ideals.

Thanks,
Book Hoarder

The Help

    "The Help" is the first book I decided to write about. I am currently reading it, so I haven't finished it yet, but it has me somewhat perplexed. It takes place in 1960's Alabama and follows the story of two african american maids during the begining of the civil rights movement. I understand the concept of the book and I know that it is meant to be moving, but I'm having a hard time connecting with this story. I was born and grew up in a predominately white town some 20 years after the movement has ended, so maybe I don't understand the signifigance of this story. I have tried to use my own experiences to relate. I have looked at the people in my generation that have been persecuted, like the gay community and how I feel about that, but this just seems different. It's not a good comparison and I'm not sure why I can't find anything in this book to relate to.
   On a totally unrelated note, I have a hard time reading the parts that are in the voice of the maids. It is meant to have the same slang and southern drawl that they would actually have, but my crazy correct grammer brain screams in frustration. I know this seems stupid, but anytime I read a book that doesn't have proper english or that the author does not use imaginative and different ways to tell the story I get really frustrated and bored. I wouldn't disregard this book simply based on the grammer. That is just a personal issue that I need to find a way around. In reality this book is well written and shows (I think) in a very realisitic way how people lived and felt about what was going on around them.
     In all I would say check it out. It might seem more rewarding to someone that grew up in this era or has a more diversified childhood. It is well written and you can tell that the author thought out each character. They all have their own specific personalities and parts to play. I have yet to see how the story plays out, but I am excited about finding out.
   If you have any thoughts or comments about a way to for me to find a connection, I would enjoy the imput.
Thanks,
Book Horder

In The Begining

Hello Everybody,


    I was watching an episode of "Hoarders" on tv last night and I thought about what it would be like to live like that...yeck. But then I started to think about the things in my life that I am totally obsessed about and it dawned on me that I love books. So I am going to write about the different books I read and my thoughts. I thought it would be fun to share with those I love and than they can share in my madness.

    Lets start however, with the story of how I came to be a book lover. When I was a little kid my mother used to read to me before bed. The very first book she ever read to me was "Wind in the Willows". Unknown to me (at the time) this book is filled with cus words, but my mother would use the word "blank" to say those particular words. Later when I read it as an adult, I was shocked at all the cussing. It made me laugh because I had the chance to rediscover a much loved memory of my past.

    That was how it all began for me. Soon I was reading to her and we would get excited over childrens books like "The BFG" and "The Magic Tollbooth". My love for reading has continued to grow over the years and at times I made a somewhat pathetic attempt at writing too. I love the smell and the look and the feel of books. As soon as I was old enough to make my own money, I started to invest in my own library. Now I am 26 years old and I have a five foot book shelf full of books (as well as several boxes of books that don't have a home) and all I can think about is the excitement of going to the book store to pick out my next book.

    So, if you have a 'sickness' like me when it comes to books check out this blog from time to time, where I will be talking about the books I am reading. I would love to have input and discussion about them.

Thanks,
The Book Hoarder