The Good, the Short, and the UGLY

Recently I explored two fabulous books that I will probably re-read before venturing on to new material, and a book that I actually returned without finishing it(that has never happened before!).   Let’s look at them from great to bad:

The Color Purple by Alice Walker-If you have seen the megahit movie with the same title, you must read the book.  The story lines are very similar, but the book is much more detailed and provoking.  Celie in the book is easier to understand and actually becomes very successful both personally and professionally.  I really enjoyed watching her character evolve from a frightened and frustrated teenager to a happy and well-adjusted adult.  One of the most interesting differences between the movie and the book is the relationship that develops between Celie and Albert (Mr.).  I realize that some people may not like the story (or the movie) because of the homosexual angle, but it is a very minor point in the plot and neither the movie nor the book dwell on it.  Read this book, and then watch the movie again!!

Shiloh and Other Stories by Bobbie Ann Mason-Short stories are a venue I enjoy exploring because I am very busy and I love literature.  Short stories are much more intense than regular fiction and can be enjoyed in a short period of time.   Bobbie Ann Mason is a master in the ring of short stories, and has collections of them.  I discovered her work in an anthology and came across this book in the library.  The Climber was one of my favorite stories in the book.  Check this book out if you enjoy short stories.

The Vampire Armand by Anne Rice-One of my favorite series of books is the Vampire Lestat books, but I think the time has come for Anne Rice to end the vampire series.  Pandora was okay, but this one was not.  I could not even finish the book, it was too boring and raunchy.  There was some implied problem with Armand that he had gone into the sun and not died, then he told the story of his life with Marius and his introduction to vampirism; by then it was too painful to continue.  I skipped to the last chapter; it was about his human “children” that had been made into vampires against his will.  One of my sayings applies to this book, “Whatever!”

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