A Retry

I started The Hobbit.  It's one I've always meant to read, something I've always felt I should read.  It's a "have to" for any serious literary person.  I even tried once before...in high school...but couldn't get past the first few pages.  So I'm buckling down for a retry.  And honestly, I'm not sure why I waited this long!  It has incredible literary merit.

It's light humor is utterly charming.  The main character, the hobbit Bilbo, is rather preoccupied with his own needs in childish ways in a normally human kind of way. Yet in the midst of the fanciful characters (trolls, elves, goblins, dwarfs)--which are somewhat hard to keep straight--is a powerful allegory of good and evil; the characters are on a quest, fighting strikingly clear evil.  The outlandishness of the characters makes the poignant dichotomy possible.  I look forward to seeing who stumps whom.

On another note, we finished Because of Winn Dixie.  I must say that it is among my favorite young adult books.  I loved the message, the characterization, the humor, the quaintness, the innocent charm, the small personal victories.  I will keep young India Opal in my heart.  

  

Versions

This week, I listened to a friend read The Rough Face Girl to a group of young girls (my daughter included).  This Native American version of Cinderella riveted us all, as it unveiled the story of an Indian girl who is mistreated by her older sisters but, because of her inner beauty, is recognized in a special way by the "Invisible Being."  In many ways, I liked the story better than Cinderella because it made poignantly clear the magnitude of purity of heart--that real beauty manifests itself outwardly in ways more memorable than exterior features.

My friend actually used this story to teach the girls about patience and how they can learn to patiently endure trying or painful experiences that others inflict upon them.  These tender-hearted young girls absorbed the message wholeheartedly, and I, too, better for its influence, left the story deeply moved at the benevolence and awesome reward from the "Invisible Being" who married the rough face girl.  We all vicariously blossomed as a result of this story, this modern fantasy. 

   

Winn Dixie

I love audio books. They allow me to relish in my notorious habit of reading multiple books at one time.  Just in the car yesterday, we "read" the first eight chapters of Because of Winn Dixie and had a marvelous time doing so.  Quite a literary bonding experience can happen, traveling from grocery store to retail store to the gas station with a powerful book playing. 

My daughter and I are particularly struck by the book--its charming portrayal of unconditional love and an endearing hope for good.  Even Joel caught on to its first person narration!  He's right.  Its point-of-view is important.  Hearing a child tell a story cheers my soul, for the reality is laced with sweetness.

I am now looking for a reason to go for a drive!