Category Archives: Dave Pelzer

Book Review, Classics, Creative Non-Fiction, Dave Pelzer, Fantasy, John Steinbeck, Literature, Lois Lowry, Madeleine L'Engle, T.C. Boyle, Thomas Hardy

Reviews: The Earlies Part 3

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Really fun. And interesting. One of the best young-adult fantasy novels, I think.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Not my favorite of Steinbecks work, but considering Steinbeck is an incredible Americcan author, that’s not saying much to the negative. It is a great story and very well written. Certainly interesting commentary on early prejudices toward the mentally handicapped.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Nearly flawless.  Beautiful “young adult” about the dangers of oppressive conformity and thought control. Be yourself!

The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy

This is one of the first truly literary giants I completed, and one which helped me to define myself as a literature student. Getting through this novel and, more importantly, enjoying it ..well, yay for Hardy. Thanks for turning me into a literature student.

The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer

Wow. Tragic and heartbreaking. Beautiful, honest prose. Disturbing and haunting true story.

The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle

Very moving story but Boyle seems wrapped up in his own style. That is to say, he comes across as quite pretentious. It distracts the reader from what should be a powerful and painfully truthful story.

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Agatha Christie, Autobiography, Classics, Coming-of-Age, Dave Pelzer, Herman Melville, J.D. Salinger, J.K. Rowling, John Steinbeck, John Walsh, Literature, Murder Myster, William Golding

Reviews: The Earlies, Part 18

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer 4.0/5.0

Amazing book. Sad, disturbing, heart-breaking, and maddening.

Tears of Rage by John Walsh 4.0/5.0

Incredibly sad story (true story) about a child’s kidnap and murder. Tear-jerking and intense. Very good book.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding 4.5/5.0

So awesome. (I warned you that some of these reviews were simplistic! I must have been in my “minimalist” period.)

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 5.0/5.0

Best book ever. Well, maybe not, but it’s certainly a favorite of mine.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 4.5/5.0

I read this book in seventh grade, and it is what first got me interested in reading for fun. Until that point, I had only picked up the stray Goosebumps or Choose Your Own Adventure book. I’ve read this book three times and will probably read it again.

Moby Dick by Herman Melville 4.0/5.0

Stunning. One of the most – no, the most elaborately detailed book I have ever read. Not the most exciting plot, not the easiest language, not too many exciting sub-layers to the story. But definitely, positively one of the best books ever written. It took me 7 months to get through (and I’m an insanely fast reader) but it was well worth it.

The Pearl by John Steinbeck 4.0/5.0

Beautiful story about the evils of wealth and greed.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 5.0/5.0

Amazing finale to an incredible series. Well done, Ms. Rowling. Well done.

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