Reviews: The Earlies, Part 8

Tracks by Louise Erdrich

Very interesting story.. sort of a metaphysical native-American type thing. It’s been a while since I read it, but I remember liking it.

Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides

To me, this book had an extremely slow start. I was disinterested through the first 400 pages, but I persisted. And thank goodness. The last 150 pages, I believe, made the book the “Pulitzer Prize” winner that it is. It was impressive writing and information throughout, but the extended climax and conclusion are what really made this book worth reading. I wouldn’t have recommended the book three days ago, but today I think it’s a must-read.

Rain God by Arturo Islas

Enjoyable and real. An honest, heart-breaking look at homosexuality and Mexican-American culture. Humor, family, terminal illness, magical realism, terror, brutality, and peace. Wonderful, powerful read.

King Dork by Frank Portman

Very funny. Very good. Read it.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Not just an incredible science-fiction novel, but an incredible novel, period. Masterful story-telling, incredible characterization and plot development. Overwhelming in it’s perfect execution and follow-through.

Demian by Hermann Hesse

Very good book.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I read this book for the first time as an adult (after having seen the Disney movie many times when a child) and find that it is incredibly more complex and important than one could ever imagine. The story is genius, as is Carroll’s creativity with language, prose, and imagination. He is witty, sarcastic, and pleasantly parodic. This has become one of my top-five novels of all time, and not in the “juvenile” category.