This is my reviews page. On this page I will be reviewing books, movies, magazine articles, television shows, and other things I see and like/dislike. Mostly this page is a reference for anyone who wants to know a good movie to see or a good book to read. I hope you enjoy, and to send me "I disagree" mail, email me at [email protected] Thanks!
Book to read of the Month of January: Roots
By Alex Haley
After going through 729 pages of Alex Haley's Roots, I never will be the same again. This book is now my absolute favorite of all. When I was in the 8th grade, I was told by my trusty U.S. Studies teacher, Mrs. Fullmer to read Roots. I was curious and began to read. I got about 1/5 of the way through, when I was bored. Years later, I was bored, and wanted a book to read, and Roots seemed like the one I wanted, so I pulled out my old copy, dusted it off, and began reading...
This story begins in the African country of Gambia, the town of Juffure. When Kunta Kinte is born to Omoro and Binte Kinte, his name is shouted out as after his grandfather, Kariba Kunta Kinte. He grows up in this small town, learning the Mandinka ways of living. When Kunta is old enough, he goes through manhood training, where he goes through the rituals of the Mandinka Men. When Kunta is 17 "rains" old, he is captured by the "toubob", or white man.
Kunta is then put on a slave ship, and is tortured throughout the 3 months on this retched boat. Through terrible mush-food, and the "Flux", a terrible disease, Kunta barel survives. When he arrives in the Americas, he is bought by a White "Massa" (Master) by the name of John Waller. After arriving at the plantation, he tries to escape, to only be caught later by poor "crackers" (white poorfolk) who are looking to cut off his foot. Only the heel is left, and he is returned to another "massa", John Waller's brother, William Waller.
When he gets to this plantation, he meets his future wife, Bell, the big house cook. He and Bell later marry and have one daughter, Kizzy. Kizzy grows up knowing only slave-row life and soon meets a young man by the name of Noah, whom she has taken a liking to. He wants to escape, and since Kizzy can read and write, she writes Noah a traveling pass. When Noah is caught, Massa Waller discovers what Kizzy has done, and sells her to another Massa, this time a less-fortunate one. Tom Lea is his name, and at the first of their meeting, he rapes Kizzy and she becomes pregnant with Kunta Kinte's grandson, named George. The story goes on, telling about the generations that lead to the author, Mr. Alex Haley. This book taught me a lot about Black heritage, and now I know a bit more about the Civil War, and what some slaves did about their freedom in the 1800s. I would highly recommend you read this book, it's one of the best ever written. (1/20/00)
December book of the Month: The Princess Bride
By William Goldman
This book is amazing. If you have ever seen the movie, then you'll love the book. I saw the movie when I was small, and it was always one of my favorites. Every person who sees it always thinks Buttercup is beautiful, Westley is hot, and Fezzik is odd, but lovable. I came across the book when I was in my first year of high school, and tried to read it. I expected the storyline to be exactally the same. But since the story starts out differently, I didn't know that if you read on, you'd come across the real story.
The next year of school, we were required to read it for english, so I finally got down in it nitty gritty and read it. It was amazing how simalar the movie and the book was.
The story takes place in Florin, about 200 years ago. Buttercup lives on a farm with her parents and the young man who works as a farm hand with Buttercup's father. His name, according to Buttercup, is Farm Boy. She calls him this up until they both fall in love with each other and then the real Westley surfaces. Buttercup is devistated when she learns that Westley is going to America to find wealth, and then send for her. Soon after he leaves, Buttercup gets news that Westley's ship has been captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts, and Westley is now dead. Buttercup is so saddened by this occurance, she vows to never love again.
The king of Florin has one son. His name is Prince Humperdink. Shaped very much like a barrel, he is an avid hunter. When Humperdink finds that his father is dying, he realizes, in terror of course, that he will soon have to marry in order to insure the kingdom's...well...order. (o: By advice from Count Rugen, a trusted friend, he decides to marry Buttercup, who has now reached the status of the Most Beautiful Woman in the World.
This book goes on about how Buttercup is kidnapped and later rescued by the Man in Black. Be sure to read this book or at least see the movie, for you'll fall in love with it, and you'll call it your favorite. (12/9/99)
