Thursday, March 29, 2018

March Readalong/ Readathon/ Challenge Update #4

I cannot believe we are only days away from April, this month absolutely flew by (and it is a month that usually drags for me), I credit having all these ongoing interactive book events all month long to making it fly.  I am normally a very isolated reader with so few bookish friends near by and it has been a lot of fun reading and interacting with everyone throughout this month, even though I haven't been as active as I would have liked!


Anne of Green Gables Read-Along
This week's discussion post will be on Jenni's Blog on March 31st and will cover the last chapters of the book.   I have finished the book and as much as Anne drove me crazy and the overly dramatic reaction she has with everything, I found the point at about chapter 35 or 36 when she finally started maturing to be the point where the story finally captured me.  I enjoyed this more mature and controlled Anne, though at this point the story also seemed to really start glossing over and rushing the story instead of so many intricate details of interactions.  And with all the talk about Gilbert, why did none of you warn me about Matthew?!  I blame all of you for that mess the other night!! And speaking of Gilbert, I finally get what you were all talking about, it took until the very end of the book but I get it now.   Anyway, the final questions will be posted this weekend and I will have my full review along with those questions answered in a post next week.



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The Selection Buddy Read
I am all caught up with my Sister in Law in this book, in fact I have passed her by because I couldn't stop.  I am again completely frustrated by Aspen and America, I am totally team Maxon.  I did slow down enough to appreciate how much thought went into providing a history of Illea to go along with the new government system, and that is part of the appeal for me, the government, the unrest, and the way they are handled throughout the development of the story.


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Middle Grade March Read-A-Thon
   
 
While I haven't been able to read quite all the middle grade books I had hoped, they have made up a good chunk of my reading this month.  This last week I finished 4 more books, and I am in the process of reading the Astounding Broccoli Boy and I hope to squeeze in one or two more, including a childhood favorite if possible.
1. Read an award winner: Letters from Wolfie
2. Read a book to movie adaptation: Anne of Green Gables
3. Read a children's classic: 
4. Read a childhood favorite: 
5. Read a diverse book: As Brave As You

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Try a Chapter Challenge
  
  


I may not quite get through all the books I had hoped to try a chapter on but I am very happy and satisfied with this process.  On Monday I tried out three books from past OwlCrate boxes,  The Glass Spare was eliminated before the chapter was done, and The Hearts We Sold and Before She Ignites are both tentative yeses (I am not sure about them but am willing to give them more of a shot).  Last night I decided to try to get a couple more done and tried The Wolves of Winter from a recent Magic Chest Box was a yes, and The Haunted House Next Door from the first Bookish Treehouse Box is a maybe, not real thrilled with it and definitely not suited for Munchkin and King from an early Bookworm Box, I was really looking forward to this one but sadly it is a no, there is so much cursing in it (something I usually do not have a problem with) that I just couldn't get through the first chapter.   As I have been working on this challenge I have discovered several books that I had forgotten were from subscription boxes so there are a few more books than were originally on there.  I have a total of only 4 more books (at least I hope, I better do one more sweep of the shelves) and I am sure I can get those last ones done between Easter Prep and completing the rest of my challenges.

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Frankenstein Read-Along
So last week I was sorely behind on this read along, which I really felt bad about because I had really pushed Stef to have this read along.  But I am now caught up and am updating with the 2 rounds of questions I have missed.  The final questions will be going up tomorrow, so next week I will answer those final questions along with  a little bonus for me, something I have been working on all month. You can check out the updates, questions just chat with Stef at Noveltea Corner.

Now because I am reading the older format, some details have been changed and some of the timing is slightly different so I did my best to adjust the questions and answers to suit both versions.  This has been my first time reading the 1818 version as opposed to the 1831 version (most often published) and it has been a year or two since I last read the standard edition I am doing my best to remember the differences or glance at my other edition while reading when time allows.

So first we will have the questions for the 2nd update which covered from Volume 1, Chapter 4 through Volume 2, Chapter 3.

1. Who is at fault for William’s death? Is anyone other than the murderer responsible for what happened? 

This is such a difficult question, if the creature committed the murder, does that make Frankenstein an accomplice, as he was responsible for the creature? Are parents responsible for their child's every action? There definitely is some responsibility to teaching right from wrong but in the end unless actually knowing of the act and condoning it by inaction or action, in my opinion only the murderer is responsible


2. How might Justine’s trial have differed in today’s court system?

Being someone who works in a law office, though not often in connection with the courts, I would like to say that the trial would have been much more carefully run, a defense attorney to assist in Justine's defense and prevent a confession under duress and that emotions of the judge and jury would not be swayed by the actual crime, but they are all human and acts against children must be the hardest to hold back and judge based on facts and not circumstantial evidence.

3. How does Victor’s guilt affect his health? What is Shelley’s purpose in this recurring plot device?

His guilt sends him once again into a fit of madness, I think the outward and clear reaction to the emotion is a way to make the results of his actions and the emotions connected to those results a little more evident.  I think with the theme of taking both life and death into one's own hands and the responsibilities and consequences of doing such is what Shelley was trying to convey, it is not horror in the sense that there is the monster out there but more about the actions and results themselves when defying the laws of nature.


And now on to the questions for the 3rd update that covers from Volume 2, Chapter 4 through

1. What imagery does Shelley employ when the character describes his “awakening?” What does his reaction remind you of?

This is partly where I think the two editions very quite a bit, in the one I am reading the first bit (which I believe includes the first 2 days of the creature's existence) were glossed over.  The confusion of it all and the establishment of his senses really makes it clear how he is nearly starting from square one. The wonderment is like that of a child.

2. How does the change in narration to the creature’s point of view affect the reading of the novel? Do you feel sympathy for the creature when he is rejected by humanity?

Since first reading this book I have always really sympathized with the creature, I love his narration and how he finds beauty and wonder in simple things, and grows to master more complicated things and for the most part is gentle and caring until show the ugliness of people.

3. What crucial role in the creature’s development is played by the DeLacey family?

I don't think he could have made the strides that he did with out the observation of the DeLacey family.  The way they showed care and affection towards one another was a great way for the creature to also learn the gentleness of people, at least towards the ones they care about.

4. What is the motivation behind the creature’s vow of “eternal hatred and vengeance to all mankind?”

His hatred of humans is clearly a result of their rejection of him and his isolation in the world.

5. Is the creature’s demand for a female companion a valid request? Examine the pros and cons of Victor’s compliance. Consider evidence provided by both Victor and the creature.

It is human nature to want the love and affection of another, and the creature was created from human parts and has modeled himself after humans.  But I don't know that it will solve the problem for the creature because you can't force affection and love, who knows if the new creation would have the same temperment or would grow to love in return, and I don't think that argument was presented at all in the back and forth between them.


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So all in all a great month, and the next few days should wrap it up so nicely!! I will have reviews and wrap up posts over the next few weeks for all of these challenges. 

2 comments:

  1. You’re doing great! Sorry no one warned you about Matthew.

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    Replies
    1. I didn't think I was so attached to the characters until that moment, I bawled!

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