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Done Already?

2008-02-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

I finished my story and that was one heck of an ending. In what may not seem like, but really is short, The entire case was being looked at in the wrong way until the last five pages of the story. Every single person except two had lied in the story involving what had happened. One witness didn't even see anything, they had been paid by someone who wasn't even under suspicion in order to confuse the protagonist Perry Mason. The original person who was thought to have been killed had already been dead for two years and the same person who paid off the "witness" stole their I.D. due to the fact that they had a similar description in order to have a abck-up name in case of emergency or incase he didn't want to be recognized. It is all still somewhat confusing to me, I'll have to re-read the last 10 pages again later.

New book

2008-02-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

It has been a while. For my mystery story I chose a Perry Mason novel called the Case of the Lucky Loser. Unfortunately, the book is a collection of seven novels, so everyone thinks that I'm planning on reading the entire book and since its not a book that all the other students are reading, they ask why I'm reading such a large book for fun. In fact, two kids who I had never even met in my entire life came up to me as I was at Dick's Sporting Goods and asked why I was reading. Very weird. Anyway, when I first started reading the book I thought that Perry Mason was a detective, but it turns out that he is a lawyer. Because of this the book has lots of interesting legal courtroom battles. The best parts so far, and I'm over halfway through, are when he interviews different people and has gotten three different explanations for the crime. I can't wait for the wrap up at the end of the story.

Done

2008-01-13T12:33:00.001-08:00

I actually liked this book a lot. It was an action-adventure-fantasy story which is one of my favorite kinds of stories. The various adventures and the final battle were especially good. I still have to say the trick that Odysseus played on the cyclops was by favorite part. It was so original and crafty. The battle was also pretty nice. The part with the spear volleys was awesome. Athena turned out to actually be instrumental in their victory. I was not a fan of the last chapter. I was confused for most of it and I can't believe it ended with a memory wipe. That is almost as bad as "and then I woke up". I can't imagine the greatest adventure of all time having such a corny ending.

The challenge

2008-01-12T12:27:00.000-08:00

I thought that idea by Penelope to have a challenge using Odysseus's own bow was pretty intellingent. Recently I read about more omens in the book which I did not understand until Odysseus explained it to Penelope. I'm wondering why everyone seems to be able to identify Odysseus by the scar on his foot. Has everyone seen his feet? Even the swineherd recognized him through that small imperfection. I'm baffled as to why everyone is so familiar with Odysseus's fott. I've been getting more confused in the past few chapters. I've noticed the startling amount of people whose names begin with Eury. I'm getting a bit fed up with it so it should become more clear once Odysseus kills all of the suitors.

Meh

2008-01-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

Not much has happened recently. The last three books have been exceedingly slow moving. At the beginning of chapter 15, Odysseus is with Eumaus and at the end of chapter 17 he has just left his hut and gone to his old palace in disguise. The only event of consequence is that Telemachus finds out that the "vagabond" is in fact Odysseus. Who would have thought? What an unforseeable chain of events. Also, I liked the part with the omens in chapter 15. That hawk holding the goose is pretty cool I guess but I don't really get why it means that Odysseus is going to exact his revenge. What does a dead goose in the mouth of a hawk have to do with anything? Is Odysseus the hawk? Anyway, I hope something happens soon because I am eagerly awaiting the next of Odysseus's great challenges.

Awesome!

2008-01-09T05:02:00.000-08:00

Chapter 13 had everything that I could possibly want. First off, turning that ship to stone was one of the coolest things I have ever heard. I like the idea of prophecys being fulfilled and not leaving people to wonder. If a ship didn't turn to stone at some point in the book I would be mad. Now for quite possibly my two favorite moments in this book. SWINEHERD!!! My favorite word has been introduced in the original epic. On of my other favorite words is also in this book. And that word is...vagabond! I hope that Homer contiues with his incredibly delightful vocabulary.

Best CHapter

2008-01-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

This is clearly the best chapter so far. All of the beasts and roadblocks are easily surmounted by Odysseus's wealth of cleverness...okay not really his cleverness, but more with Circe's instructions. Regardless, there is a lot of cool stuff happening. First, the sirens. That beeswax thing is pretty cool, but I don't know why Odysseus has himself tied to the mast. Couldn't he just put beeswax in his ears too? Also, why do you kill something that belongs to the Sun? It makes no sense, unless you want to die or something. I think if this book was a sitcom, Odysseus's men would be the unintelligent guys who are the butt of everyones jokes.

The land of the Dead

2008-01-06T12:25:00.000-08:00

This was potentially one of the weirdest things I have and ever will read. I guess I got my answer though about what the deal was with that guy who was killed after falling off the roof. Well, at least Odysseus finally realized that the reason why he is having all of these storms is because he blinded Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. Probably the best part of this chapter was when Odysseus meets some of the people who With him in Troy. Agamemnon was the best because his name is the best that the Gods have ever created. I can picture an amazing ruler being named Agamemnon. I think it is awful about that Tantalus guy. How awful would that be? Reaching for food and drink and not being able to get either.

Chapter 10

2008-01-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

There was a whole bunch of weird things happening in Chapter 10. I still can't believe that Odysseus's men thought he was hording treasure so they broke the bag. I mean come on. That was the only thing getting them home. The fact that they end up rowing to an island of giants is just bad luck. The next part of the chapter I already knew about from the Simpsons. Circe turns Odysseus's men into pigs, but she eventually turns them back. I'm actually pretty intrested to find out how Odysseus's trip to Hades will go. I'm still a bit confused as to why that drunk guy died at the end though. I don't see it having any relavence to the story.

The Odyssey

2008-01-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

It has been a while. The new book seems interesting so far, but is relatively slow moving. It took 8 chapters for Odysseus to start telling of his adventures. Chapter 9 was by far the best. I happen to think that Odysseus's trick, calling himself nobody, is absolute genius. That whole Cyclops scene tells a lot about the story as well. We learn of Odyseuss's intelligence, and why Poseidon is so mad at him. I still can't get over how he managed to leave the cave alive. Blinding a giant cyclops, tricking him into not attracting the attention of his neighbors, letting him open the door, and clinging to the bottom of his sheep to escape his clutches. I would not have thought of any of those things, especially getting him drunk and blinding him. I'm sure there will be even more amazing adventures to come.

That went pretty quick

2007-12-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished Lord of the Flies and I have to say that I'm disappointed. The ending was so abrupt. Ralph is being chased by everyone on the island and just runs into a naval officer who happened to see the fire. Unfortunately, I didn't get the full enjoyment out of this book because I had it ruined for me. After the first two days of having this book and only reading the first two chapters, I had learned that simon died, Piggy died, and a ship came in the end. In fact, I was sitting in the hall reading after track, and someone who I barely know walks by me and says, "Piggy dies." What is it about this book that makes people want to ruin it?

8-9

2007-12-13T16:37:00.000-08:00

I called it! What did I say in one of my earlier posts? That Ralph and Jack would split into two warring factions? I think so. It did split into two sides. Jack's side went to kill a pig which they did in an admittedly weird way. Ralph's group stayed and built a fire on the beach. Jack's group is becoming exceedingly savage. I think putting the head of the pig on a stake was a bit of overkill. When I first head about the pig talking to Simon I thought something was wrong. It caught me off guard. Finally, Simon dying is just plain weird. I don't know how the Lord of the Flies is going to be worked back into the story. The savagery has hit a high point and there is no turning back. What disturbed me most was that Ralph and Piggy were joining in the dancing. Even the most sane of the group are starting to turn.

Simon Rising

2007-12-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

Simon is rising to more of a leadership position. When Ralph is staring out at the ocean and thinking about how the boys will never leave, Simon reassures him about how they will all return home. He also volunteers to go back and see Piggy and tell him they will not return for a while. This may not seem like much, but I'm sure that Simon is curious about the beast and instead he decides to help the group by causing all the others not to worry. Ralph's strength as a leader is also falling. He is starting to become more like Jack. He was wrapped up in the chase of the boar. The grop of bigguns in general is becoming more savage. They almost accidentally killed one of their own.

Air Beast

2007-12-11T19:30:00.001-08:00

I still can't believe that the people on the island think that the dead pilot falling down in the parachute is the beast everyone fears. Unfortunately more disrespect for Piggy. Left behind with the littluns. I'm kinda surprised that Ralph and Jack lose sight of their goal somewhat. They are playing games? Now? That is highly unintellingent when you could be about to engage in a fight for your life. I'm more surprised at Jack fooling around. He is the one who is all excited about killing the pig. I would think that he would be sweaty-palmmed and determined to take down this scary beast. There is still one more thing. What is with the lack of fire protection? Nobody seems to care about the fire. It has gone out at least three times by now. It will be their downfall soon enough. Again.

Crazy Water Beasts!

2007-12-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

I think the kids are becoming more irrational. They are starting to become more savage. I'm still kinda mad that the beast has yet to be revealed. I'm expecting some sort of Loch Ness monsterish creature, with flippers to crawl onto land and snatch up little children in the night. It seems like a child's tale like a boogey monster taking kids from their warm beds. More tension between Jack and Ralph. I see two warring factions. Those who follow Jack and those who follow Ralph. Oddly enough, the choir boys will be tired of Jack's ways and side with Ralph. Those who think that immediate survival, hunting pigs and such, is more important than the fire being kept lit will follow Jack. Jack will make the first move and try to remove Ralph from power. A violent battle will break out and many will be hurt. One will surrendeer to the other, then a ship will come and the survivors will go home.

Lord of the Flies

2007-12-06T15:49:00.000-08:00

After the horror that was Pip and Great Expetations. I'm actually on chapter 5, but for now I'll just post on chapters 1 and 2. I noticed that the group seems to disrespect Piggy nad his ideas. They bully him around, especially Jack, and he is not going to take it for much longer. I forsee a mass power struggle between Jack and Ralph. The kids on the island will split into two sides and end up killing one another with only a few remaining. Also, that "beastie" is kinda freakin me out, especially when that kid disappears the night they make the fire.

It's Over!!!

2007-11-25T18:49:00.000-08:00

I finished the book and I'd say that it had a relatively happy ending. Pip meeting Estella was a good way to finish with Pip getting the girl as I previously stated. Magwitch died which was no huge surprise, but it still was somewhat shocking. However, Orlick being a giant mastermind behind killing Mrs. Joe and swearing vengence on Pip. I have one question though. What is up with Joe marrying Biddy? Joe has to be like 40 and Biddy is around Pip's age. That caught me by surprise. I liked how Dickens made Joe successful at the end. He's learned to read and write, he has a wife, and has a more gentlemanly appearance. I'm still confused about one thing. How did Orlick figure all of this out? Dickens may have explained it in the book, but I didn't catch it. I liked how Pip had to return to the marshes where he first met Magwitch. I thought it was nice how Pip returned to the original place where his story started.

Coincidences

2007-11-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

These few chapters probably had the most coincidental coincidences of any others before them. Highly unrealistic things were popping up left and right in these chapters. First off, whoa. Molly is Estella's mother!? At least that is what Pip thinks. That threw me for a loop in the first place. But wait, thatr is not it. The weirdest thing to happen so far in this book is not Miss Havisham being nice to Pip and then being lit on fire, which was pretty weird, but her being lit on fire and surviving! Pip some how manages to run from the garden to her room without her dying. That just seemed a little odd to me. However, I'm still not done. Pip now suspects that Magwitch is Estella's father. Since Magwitch considers PIp his son that would make him and ZEstella sisters. That meanas that Pip has been wanting to marry his sister. That got a little too crazy for me.

Compeyson's coming

2007-11-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

These few chapters were okay. There was more suspense than there was action, which is fine at some points, but this got to be too much. Chapter 47 was the most in my opinion. I thought it odd that Pip would go to the theater to relax. He never really expressed a large intrest in it as far as I'm concerned. I was also suprised that Wopsle recognized the convict from the marsh. I had actually forgotten that he had gone with Pip and Joe. Since Compeyson's appearence is likely to be in the next chapter, I expect a series of highly improbable coincidences. I have a bad feeling about Herbert as well. I feel his role has diminished and that Dickens is removing him from the story. I wonder what other farfetched relations Compeyson will have to Pip besides being the man who stood up Miss Havisham.

Exploding brain

2007-11-17T14:17:00.000-08:00

Chapter 42 blew my mind. Through a series of eerie coincidences, Magwitch came to know the man who left Miss Havisham on their wedding day. Magwitch also swore vengence on him for performing such a rotten deed. I was also delighted to learn that Arthur felt remorse for his vile actions, unlike Compeyson. Also, in chapter 44, Miss Havisham seems to take Pity on Pip which is the opposite of what her personality up to that point would lead us to believe she would do. I feel sorry for Pip as well. After confessing his love for Estella and being shut down for Drummle was probably the most painful thing that did or ever will happen to him. He was obbsessed with the notion only to find that his feelings were not Reciprocated. By the way, Chapter 44 had the Best ending of any chapter yet. "Don't go home." Why do you thinnk that Wemmick wrote this note to Pip telling him not to go home.

38 and 39

2007-11-14T18:51:00.000-08:00

These two chapters probably had the most action of any so far. First off, I thought Drummle was gone from the story. But he's back. And he's courting Pip's beloved Estella. At this point Pip still thinks that he is supposed to marry Estella, which in my opinion is some very wishful thinking. She ignores Pip completely, but at least she responds to some of her suitors. Oddly enough, many people in Pip's life are finding partners. Herbert is with Clara, Estella and Drummle, and Wemmick and Miss Skiffins. This is getting very coincidental, but I don't mind too much, as long as all of the characters in this story aren't mysteriously related. The next chapter was tied for my favorite with the chapter when Pip first meets Herbert. We meet Pip's mysterious benefactor! And who woulda thunk it, but it is the first character we meet besides Pip. Unfortunately, I am somewhat skeptical of the wacky way the convict recieved his fortune. Sheep ranching in Australia? Creative on Dickens' part, but highly unrealistic in my opinion. Now that we have a new main character I wonder how the story will change. Also, I curious as to how Herbert will react when he returns.

Tragedy Strikes

2007-11-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

A major tragedy caught me somewhat off-guard while reading. Mrs. Joe's death seemed to come as real blow to Pip. Even though she seemed not to like Pip at all, Pip loved her. I'm was also happy to read that Pip decided to be nicer to Biddy and Joe and to visit more often. He said he was sincere, but I am curious as to whether he will follow through. Also, Pip turning 21 seemed to be a large milestone. In our society, 18 is the age of adulthood, but Pip gets his money yearly starting at 21. Also, I think it is awesome that Pip is helping Herbert get into the merchant business. That is really kind of him. However, I think it is even cooler that Herbert now has a mysterious benefactor just like Pip has one. The mystery person is giving Pip money who is giving money to Herbert. Essentially that means that Pip's financier is paying for Herbert's business. People just seem to be throwing money around all over the place.

Chapter 28-32

2007-11-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

Lots of crazy stuff happening here. First off, the return of the convict. I have a sneaking suspicion that the convict will begin to play a major role, mostly because I read it on the back cover. It is kind of disturbing that this guy keeps popping up everywhere every few years. Also Wopsle in Hamlet was great. I still can't get over the fact that Wopsle is an actor. It is the perfect occupation for him, but it still seems somewhat unnatural to me. Still more surprising, Herbert has a fiance! I hope to meet Clara sometime soon. I'm also concerned with the fact that Wemmick is so at home in the prison. It gives me the feeling that he was a convict at some point. I'm still curious with Wemmick's background. I don't know much about him and I don't think Dickens mentions much about his past. If he does I didn't understand it.

The Return of Joe

2007-11-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

My favorite character lives again! Joe has returned to the story, at least in chapter 27. Speaking of things that return, Pip's snobbishness has once again reared its ugly head. Joe was just telling him news and he was disrespectful yet again. He was only interested when the news involved Estella. The best part of the news was that Wopsle has become an actor. After his re-enactment of the murder case earlier in the book I thought about what a great actor he would make. In regards to the Estella news, I wonder when Pip will go to visit her. He loves her, so I'm guessing that he'll take Herbert to Miss Havisham's house to see her. While he's there, he will neglect to stop by Mrs. Joe's house and catch up with Biddy. Based on Pip's reaction to Joe's visit, that seems highly probable if he goes to meet Estella.

Mr. Jaggers: Lawyer

2007-11-04T12:02:00.000-08:00

I love Mr. Jaggers now! His stentorioun voice shook the courtroom. Even the judge was trembling. That must be pretty scary to face. Now I know what makes him a great lawyer. His scathing questions and fierce accusations probably make him a living lawyer legend in England. Unfortunately, this is about all that I understood from the chapter. In Mr. pockets house, the servants run the house apparently which seems somewhat odd. Also, I didn't understand what the deal was with the faces Wemmick showed Pip. This brings me to my next question. What role do you think Wemmick will play later in the story?

Oh my God!

2007-11-01T18:10:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it! Herbert, the son of Pip's tutor and Miss Havisham's, is the pale young gentleman whose butt Pip kicked. That was my first reaction. Once I recovered from my surprise, I realized that it really isn't that surprising. Matthew Pocket wouldn't have not acknowledged his cousin's birthday , so he sent his son. Also, I love how the story of Miss Havisham is slowly being pieced together. It turns out that I was somewhat right. She did get devastating news which is why all her clocks were stopped. This leads me to a question for you reader. If you had loved someone and gotten news that they weren't going to return that love and betray you, what would you have done?

Chapter 14 to the end of the first section

2007-10-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

I recently finished reading this section and I realized something. Pip is getting really stuck up! Just because he came into some money doesn't mean that he has to act completely condescending to Biddy and Joe. I hope that sort of behavior doesn't continue. I was really starting to relate to Pip. I also am wondering whether this means that Joe and Biddy will no longer be a part of the story. I doubt Dickens would go the whole first section of the book and never mention them again, but I don't know how he would tie them back into the story. Why would Biddy or Joe have any reason to go to London? It's a shame to because Joe was my favorite character. He seemed to so nice to Pip and how does Pip repay him? By being a snotty, stuck-up, disrespectful child who doesn't appreciate the good friends he has in Biddy and Joe.

Chapter 12: revisited

2007-10-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

My favorite chapter so far is probably chapter 12. It seems somewhat out of place, but that is what I like about it. Pip meets this young man about his age who comes up to him and challanges him to a fight. Pip really doesn't know what to say, but the boy persists, so Pip fights him.Right now I'm thinking,"Pip is gonna get killed,". Suprisingly Pip soundly defeats the boy, who is far more muscular and taller. Estella must have seen the fight because she tells Pip to kiss her at the end of the chapter. I guess I liked this because I am a dreamer. I love comic books and superheroes. Against all odds Pip defeats the enemy and, in the end, gets the girl. This chapter seemed very uplifting and sometimes I just need to see that in a fairly morbid story.

Miss Havisham is weird

2007-10-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

I finished chapter 13 and I gotta say this book isn't as horrible as I heard that it would be. The beginning was slow and that convict was really creepy. However, for a convict, he seems to be a relatively nice guy. At first he seemed really mean when he threatened to cut out Pip's heart and liver. However, he took the blame for the goods he forced Pip to steal when he was captured. The most disturbing thing I've read so far is about Miss Havisham. It seems to me that something terrible happened at the time when all of her clocks stopped. Based on what she is wearing and the placement of various objects, I think that she was preparing for her wedding, when she was given devastating news, probably that her spouse to be died. She stopped in mid-dress, and she didn't continue on with her life and sat near lifelessly. I'm conflicted between feelings of pity, awe, and a little bit of disgust.