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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I read this with my honors English class at the end of the semester. I wanted to do something completely new and was inspired by Ethan Hawke's recent movie about Flannery O'Connor (Wildcat).
While I'd read a few of O'Connor's short stories before (I mean, hasn't every English major?), I didn't really know much about her or her novels (of which there are only two). So, I decided to learn along with my classes.
We read one of her short stories, then watched the 2019 PBS documentary about O'Connor. We listened to her first novel together (the audio is only 5 hours long) and finished the year watching John Huston's 1979 film.
Our "discussions" were based on natural reactions, stopping only when we need to clarify or talk about something.
And it was GREAT. It's how real readers read...not how we read for school. The students' observations were genuine and not something they were just regurgitating from Sparknotes because an analysis was required.
Overall, this book wasn't terrible (the audio was quite fantastic, actually). It feels more like a long short story (or two) than a developed novel. But the themes of religion, racism, and misogyny are interesting. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
While I'd read a few of O'Connor's short stories before (I mean, hasn't every English major?), I didn't really know much about her or her novels (of which there are only two). So, I decided to learn along with my classes.
We read one of her short stories, then watched the 2019 PBS documentary about O'Connor. We listened to her first novel together (the audio is only 5 hours long) and finished the year watching John Huston's 1979 film.
Our "discussions" were based on natural reactions, stopping only when we need to clarify or talk about something.
And it was GREAT. It's how real readers read...not how we read for school. The students' observations were genuine and not something they were just regurgitating from Sparknotes because an analysis was required.
Overall, this book wasn't terrible (the audio was quite fantastic, actually). It feels more like a long short story (or two) than a developed novel. But the themes of religion, racism, and misogyny are interesting. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yet another circumstance where a well-rated book just didn't click with me.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book somewhat confused me. I found the concept of starting my own religion based on hate for a blind preacher exciting. The main character, to me, is neither likeable nor annoying. He is struggling to find his own place in a world where he has no one else, but goes about it all wrong.
Towards the end, a lot of strange things started to happen at once. One character actually believes that a real chimp is signing autographs, and becomes enraged when he discovers that it is a person in a suit. There is something wrong there.
Overall, this book was interesting more than anything else.
Towards the end, a lot of strange things started to happen at once. One character actually believes that a real chimp is signing autographs, and becomes enraged when he discovers that it is a person in a suit. There is something wrong there.
Overall, this book was interesting more than anything else.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I suppose it takes a misfit to love a misfit. Haze Motes, our hero, tries his best to sin, but somehow finds redemption. And the journey he goes on to find redemption, crazy. Standing on the hood of dilapidated Essex, Motes preaches the truth of the Church without Christ, the existential truth without truth. He attracts Enoch Emery, Onnie Jay Holy, false preachers and false prophets. He perseveres through rainstorms, through temptation, murder, Gonga the Gorilla, Lily Sabbath, the Holy Church of Christ without Christ. I love the wild twists and turns, but I'm not sure I love the message. I'm too much of a believer in the truth without truth.
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated