My sisters keeper review

Brief Outline 

This book is a story about a family torn apart by cancer, the story is told from the points of view of the family, lawyer and legal guardian. It's situated in modern day America with a few flashbacks from the parents point of view in the short time of a week and a half. It starts in 1990 when Kate is diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia, she starts chemotherapy immediately but her parents, Sara and Brian, are soon informed that she may need a bone marrow transplant and a member of the family would be the ideal donor but no one is a match. Therefore Anna is brought into the world she was genetically designed to have the same genetic make up as Kate so she could be a suitable donor. Sarah mainly narrates the next few chapters and talks about the pain Kate is going through and the procedures Anna has undergone to keep Kate alive. Then the real story begins when Anna seeks legal representation from Campbell for medical emancipation because she doesn't want to give away her kidney. But it isn't just Anna who is pushed to the side but their eldest son Jesse, who also acts out at Kates single mindfulness on Kate.

A Character you found interesting

I found the character of Anna to be interesting not because she seems to be the main focus in the book, but because she isn't. When Anna first announces she wants medical emancipation she is told not to be so selfish and irresponsible and is just brushed to the side as childish and it would all blow over, the focus isn't even on Anna like why she wants to seek medical emancipation but what the repercussions for Kate will be. The story unfolds as she continues the lawsuit, things such as the real reason she decided to seek medical emancipation come to light. I admire Anna because of the courage and love she shows for her sister, the courage of being able to stand up to her parents and to live a life that involves her ending up in hospital every time her sister is there. And the bond Anna and Kate with the mischievous incidents the two of them get up too.

A Theme That is Explored

The theme of conflict is evident through out the novel between Anna and Sara, Sara and Brain, Campbell and Julia and many more. Another example of conflict is between Jesse and himself. Jesse fights with himself when he lights the fire as to why he really does this, as a cry for attention or a pyromaniac habit. Conflict is mainly due to Annas lawsuit, as Anna and Sara clash as to what they believe is right, this is also the source of conflict between Brian and Sara when Brian takes Annas side.

Insight you Gained into the World of the Text

From reading this novel I've discovered life is full of decisions and sacrifices and not to take life to seriously as everything could be gone tomorrow just as Anna was lost in the blink of an eye.

What Type of Vision or Viewpoint does the Author have? Is it a dark/bright insight of the world?

I believe Jodi has a bright insight of the world, that even though Kate does have cancer life can still be happy such as when she meets Taylor, she can still fall in love like everybody else. And the high moments in the book of mischievous behaviour between Kate and Anna such as when they go into the hair dressers and ask will they give Kate a perm even though she has no hair. But there are moments of dark insights like the way Kate continuously relapses or the loss of Anna. 

Comment on the imagery in the novel

The books imagery is supported by the fact that there is a movie to help you along. Even though the book doesn't have the exact same story line the main parts can be examined in the movie and the book. The imagery in the book cam be quite hard to get a hand on because she swaps between past and present and there isn't a constant protagonist. But in general the imagery is good.

Do you like the novel? Would you like to live there?

The book is situated in modern day America, I am living in the present day which there isn't much I can do about. But living in a house where my sister would have recurring cancer would be horrible. As I have a sister myself I relate to not wanting to lose her and that if I had the chance of donating anything to keep my sister alive I would jump at the chance. I absolutely enjoyed this novel, I was glued to it finishing it in three days, I would definitely recommend it to someone who doesn't mind a big cry.

Book Review

Paper Towns

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Brief Outline

This incredibly hilarious book written by John Green is about Quentin Jacobson, the narrator of the book, and he lives in a subdivision in Orlando, California. The tale starts off with a discovery made by preschoolers Quentin (a.k.a Q) and his childhood best friend Margo Roth Speigelman. The story then jumps to high school where she barely even glances at Q. Then Margo goes missing. Without giving too much away it accounts both the adventures and misadventures of Margo and Q and his friends on their journey to find the mysterious Margo Roth Speigelman.

   A Character you Found Interesting

The Character I found interesting and my favourite was Q. He intrigued me in the way he gave up everything to try find Margo even though they hadn't talked in over 10 years not including the joint adventure pre her status of missing was raised. He becomes very selfish in his search for Margo and he threatens the friendships of his true friends who he has known most of his life. But also in his search for Margo she teaches him a few things which allows the real Q to come to life in all his glory.

A Theme That is Explored

Appearances. This theme is most obvious with Q's perception of Margo, his first "idea" of who Margo is would be typical of a teenage boy, she is seen as his wonderful, perfect, hot neighbour and thinks she is about as deep as a puddle. His understanding of peoples appearances evolves with the book and he realises that Margo isn't just some girl next door but a person with feelings and thoughts.

Insight into the World of the Text

In Paper Towns exterior fronts are displayed by one or two characters so they blend into the typical crowd of American teenagers. But you learn who the real people are under all the layers of protection they have put up to block out the judgement of their peers.

What type of vision/viewpoint does the author have? Is it a Dark/Bright insight of the world?

The book is told from the viewpoint of Q so everything is seen through his perception of the world. He has the typical outlook of a teenager at the start of the story that everything is boring and he can't wait to get out of school but strangely one outlook different to a typical teenagers is he hates prom and the idea of prom. This sets him aside from most of the American teenage population. But his viewpoint changes at various stages in the novel with highs like the night he spent with Margo before her apparently typical disappearance and lows when Margo disappears and the unending trail of dead-end clues Margo left behind.

Comment on the imagery of the novel

The novel is very well described by the author John Green and it really brings the story to life and intensifies the humour within the book. Since the novel is based in today's era its a lot easier to visualise the novel as we live in this world so are accustomed to many of the references and situations.

Did you like the novel? Would you like to live there?

I loved this novel it is another brilliantly written book by John Green with numerous humorous points, sudden plot twists and a few tear jerking moments this book was an extremely enjoyable read. The question would you like to live there doesn't really fit this novel as it is a modern novel. I think the question Do you look forward to living there? is more fitting for this circumstance. This is because he was going through having to study for his finals which I will encounter in the form of the leaving cert, and I will probably encounter many similar situations in this novel such as relationships, college, graduation and many more but I hope not to have to deal with a friend going missing. Overall I really enjoyed this novel it is now on my favourites list along with many other John Green books. 

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Book Review

Pride And Prejudice 

Brief Outline

Pride and Prejudice is a novel written by Jane Austen about Elizabeth Bennett and her family. It follows her journey to marriage and tells of the tales or marriage of her friends and family, for example her friend Charlotte Lucas marries Mr. Collins because she 'has' to, she believes she has become a problem to her parents because she was not married and The youngest daughter Lydia Elopes with Mr Wickham. Then the book follows Elizabeth and her journey to her marriage to Mr. Darcy mainly, but describes how for women to survive in this age they had to marry rich. Elizabeth defied this normality by refusing engagement not just once but twice, from Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy. 

A Character You Found Interesting.

I found the character of Elizabeth Bennett to be most interesting, as she has a strong personality and doesn't take the easy option in life. She displays this many times through out the novel e.g. when she turns down Mr Collins and Mr Darcy. Although I admire her strength she does have a weakness of prejudice, which the book title is based upon. She judges Mr Darcy before she learns the whole story but as she over comes this obstacle she becomes a better person and falls in love with Mr Darcy.

A Theme That is Explored

A theme explored in Pride and Prejudice is Class. The idea of class almost prevented the marriage of both Elizabeth and her older sister Jane by Mr Darcy. He pride comes from his high position in aristocracy. He believes that Jane is not good enough for Mr Bingly and is only marrying him for his money not love. Then he is rude to Elizabeth saying 'She is not handsome enough to tempt me, she is only tolerable' because of who her family is. This also is a factor in Elizabeth's prejudice to Mr Darcy that because he is in a higher class he is an ignorant snob, at the beginning of the novel he fits this description but proves otherwise towards the end. Through the novel Mr Darcy learns that factors other than wealth determines if you belong in aristocracy or not. For example Ms Bingly and Ms Hurst were born into aristocracy, and  are mean spirited and annoying where as Mr and Mrs Gardiner are part of aristocracy due too their good breeding and their intelligence.

Insight you gained into the world of text

From reading this novel I have discovered how much society has progressed in some aspects and the lack of progression in other areas. Such as women do not need to depend on marriage to live a good life. But women are still treated unequal to men in some cases. 

What type of vision or viewpoint does the author have? Is it a Dark/Bright insight of the world?

Jane Austen has a vision of a world where women don't need to depend on the opposite sex, she shows this through Elizabeth for a while in the novel in the way she stays true to her beliefs and refuses a marriage proposal.The author has both a bright and dark insight into the world of the novel as she shows how cruel men can be but also how kind they can also be. For example Mr Wickham was painted as the deprived solider but turned out to be a deceiving manipulative man  when he elopes with Lydia so he would get the Bennett estate and also got a 'bribe' from Mr Darcy. This is how Mr Darcy proves he isn't mean spirited and cruel. 

Comment on The Imagery in the novel

There is a lot of imagery in the novel which is brought to life with help from the numerous visual aids available to us. She uses descriptive manner when she wrote the novel. This makes it easier to imagine the scenes in the novel as if you where there. She also is very good at describing the feelings the characters experience like the heartbreak suffered by Elizabeth many times.

Did You Like The Novel?  Would You Like to Live There ?

I did enjoy the novel because it kept you guessing through out it, there were unexpected twists and turns like uncovering Wickhams past and finding out Mr Darcy paid Wickham to stay with Lydia.

In my opinion I would not like to live in this world as it is very hard to be a woman in this time. They had to depend on their husband and were not aloud to get jobs or even take part in any sport which i would find very difficult. 

Overall i really enjoyed the novel and would recommend it to anyone to read it.

Clockwork Princess

My Book Review 

Why did you select this book? Did you have any expectations?

I picked this book because i am a big fan of the author's, Cassandra Clare , various novels. Upon embarking on reading the mortal instruments i fell in love with her novels and style of writing and carried on to read her prequel, The infernal Devices. This is the third and final book in the series.  I expected it to be a brilliant book and it has lived up to its expectation so far. I have not completed it yet but have read about three quarters of the way. I also expect to find out who Tessa chooses will it be Will or Jem? only time will tell.

Genre of the book and Author.

She is an Author of young adult fiction. And writes in the genre of Fiction.

Plot outline.

The book is set in the Victorian England era. Tessa has been sent to England to live with her Brother as her aunt as died. She leaves New York with little more than the clothes on her back. She believes her brother is collecting her but is surprised by the appearance of the dark sisters. She was held captive by the dark sisters believing if she didn't do as they said Nate, her brother, would be killed. That was until she was rescued by Will Herondale. A Shadowhunter from the London Institute. The tale continues through the three books delving into the choices Tessa must make that affect everyone around her and even the whole world.

A Character I found interesting.

I found the character of Will Herondale to be very interesting. He's very interesting to me because of the struggles he has to deal with including hiding his love for Tessa. At first I didn't really like him because of his attitude, but the more i learned about his background the more i fell in love with this character. 

What style of writing does the author have?

Cassandra has a very descriptive style of writing to me. The detail she gives in her books allows me to really feel as if i was there. She also leaves a lot of cliff hangers through out the novel creating a heightened feeling of suspense.

Insight into the cultural context

As the book is set in Victorian England it is a world very different to ours. Its a world of the horse and carriage and large frocks.  I would not liked to have lived in this world unless i was a higher class citizen. In the lower class a girl would get better pay depending oh how pretty she was. The pretty maids were parlor maids who served the house guests. But the others would work in the kitchen or clean the house for less pay because of their looks.  Due to this fact I would not like to live in Victorian England.