The Singular Adventures of Baron Munchausen by Rudolph Raspe

3 stars

The Beloved Baron Himself

The Baron Munchausen is quite a character. He can singlehandedly defeat great beasts, make ships fly, discover new lands (even those on the moon) and in general, always save the day. He reminds me a great deal of Don Quixote, actually. Although instead of Rocinante, he has a bevy of fine beasts: one horse whom only he could tame (and then of course ride inside for tea, because, why not?), some fabulously brilliant dogs who smell game even in the middle of the ocean (and I can't even get my dog to sit more than 2 seconds), a gigantic seahorse whose eyes he gouged out and then took to riding, and a pair of great eagles whom he rode all around with, and also enabled them to get very drunk on native fruit (such a good influence). Each story is more ridiculous than the next, but he does succeed in creating a welcome distraction from the real world. I recommend reading some of his exploits to escape with a light read.

Origins of the Baron

Unlike Quixote, Baron Munchausen is a real person. He was a German aristocrat who lived from 1720-1797. His main contribution to posterity was his love of telling tall tales, especially at dinner parties with his friends. The legend he built himself up to be was snatched by the literary presses in the 1780s. The first English version was published by Rudolph Raspe  in 1785. Not to be outdone, the tales were translated back into German the following year. 

The Baron has appeared in more than 100 different volumes to date. His exploits have been heard on the radio and seen on the stage. He has been a cartoon and part of a feature film. So it seems that he did achieve great things, just perhaps not what he intended to be known for, but has been an enchanting diversion to audiences for more than two centuries.

I've always been a fan of Top Ten Tuesday, which comes to us from The Broke and The Bookish.

This week's topic is which books I'd like to re-read if we were in an ideal world where I actually had time for such things. Here are mine, but let me know yours as well!

1. The Entire Harry Potter Series. These books truly enchanted me and I love the immersive feeling of being a part of the wizarding world. Since I don't re-read because there are far too many books in the world, I have to content myself with re-watching the movies now and again. At least I have that.

2. Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia Wrede. This is an adult retelling of the classic fairytale and one of my absolute favorite books. It has been so long since I've read it and I long to return to the coziness of its beautifully woven story.

3. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Another one of my favs. I've watched movies but none can get it just right for me. The only thing I can do is return.

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. There are some pretty good movie versions of this one (ahem Colin Firth, soaking wet) but the book will always hold a special place in my heart.

5. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice. This one puts together an intricate and dark genealogy of the Mayfair witches, stretching back generations. I love how much love was put into each and every story.

6. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Fabulous and dark, with so many twists I'm pretty sure I missed something in my first reading.

7. If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino. I'd love to forget I've read this one and read it again from scratch. I had such a great time with this book! Note: If you haven't read it yet, go do it. Now.

8. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Murakami is so beautifully layered that I am sure that if I reread this book it would be like reading it for the first time all over again. There are so many details that may only surface the second time around.

9. Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts. My first Roberts read and one that I truly loved. I would hope to recapture the magic it gave me the first time. I've read other Roberts books since this one, but none have quite reached this level for me.

10. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. These books are true pleasures. They are so smart and witty and just fun. I'd love to go back to the beginning.

Well there's mine. What made your list?

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Let's kick off this All Hallow's Eve by talking about our favorite books and movies with a spooky twist! Now I'll be the first person to admit that I have a fear tolerance of an eleven year old, so my favorites are not going to be nearly as dark as yours might be. But please share your Halloween must-haves here!

Favorite Halloween Movie: Hocus Pocus

This movie has everything I need in a Halloween flick: witches, magic, and Bette Midler. Seriously, I can never get tired of her fantastic rendition of "I put a spell on you." Pure genius. For those who haven't heard of this movie, Bette Midler. Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker play 3 bad witches who are raised from the dead on Halloween night by a virgin who lit a special candle. Now they are out to suck the life out of the children of Salem, and only 3 kids can stop them! A fun, family-friendly, wild ride.




Favorite Halloween TV Show: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
What's not to love? Linus' obsession with the Great Pumpkin, a Santa-like character who brings presents to good little girls and boys? The song he sings about waiting? All your favorite Peanuts characters in full animation? Yeah, this is a must for every Halloween.


Favorite Halloween Book
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
 This book is creepy, spooky, and awesomely written. I came across this book sitting on a display at Barnes and Noble, and it was like the book called to me and demanded that I take it home. So I did. I wasn't disappointed. This book centers on a dying, reclusive author who has finally decided to have her life story recorded. So she brings a young journalist to her home and unveils the story of the March family, and in particular the March twins, who have a bond that none can understand in its strange intensity. With myriad twists and turns, this book will consume your attention with every page.

Favorite Halloween Poem: The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

I don't know what it is about The Raven, but it never ceases to send shivers up my spine every time I hear or read it. It is so deliciously gothic, so dark, yet so far above the typically fright fests you typically see around Halloween. I love that the whole thing is one big, creepy, mind game, told in a spectacularly haunted way that no one but Poe can emulate.



Favorite Halloween Song: Thriller by Michael Jackson

It just isn't Halloween until I hear Thriller. It has defined the holiday for more than one generation, and the zombie-filled video, catchy music, and most awesome Vincent Price poetry reading ever makes a song for the ages. Come on, you know you have the dance learned by heart!



So there you go, some of my spooky favorites for Halloween. Have a very happy holiday everyone, and keep your little goblins safe from things that go bump in the night! I'll be the one cowering under the covers with a pumpkin latte in my hand!

I know, I know, it's been forever since I've last posted here. Sorry. Life happens. But I will attempt to take another stab at this blogging and reviewing thing and hopefully someone will read it!

The book that brings me back is a wonderful read courtesy of Book Club Girls, a program for book clubs from Harper Collins. You had to sign up forever ago, but if you have a book club and they allow more people to sign up I definitely recommend it!

Anyway, here is the book:
GI Brides: The Wartime Girls Who Crossed the Atlantic for Love by Duncan Barrett and Nuala Calvi. I rated it 4 stars. 

This book depicts the real stories of four British women who fell in love with American GIs during WW2 and followed them to America after the war ended. Sylvia, Rae, Margaret, and Lyn are all remarkable women who survived a crushing Blitz in London, and then went and uprooted themselves to a completely alien world (yes, the United States is very different from England even though we speak the same language).  One ends up in California, one Baltimore, one Georgia, and the other Iowa. Their stories are tales of hope, happiness, despair, frustration, and a wide range of other human emotions.One finds it difficult to understand the sometimes oppressive togetherness of a big Italian American family, and on top of that, develops a crushing illness. Another discovers that her new husband's family, and her new husband, are addicted to gambling. But there are definitely some silver linings here, amongst the struggles babies are born, new families are created, and new homes are made.

Although their stories are different, they all came together through GI bride organizations to create a community of friendship and support. I loved reading their stories, sharing their struggles, and rejoicing in their triumphs. This is one of the best books I've read focusing on WW2 because of its easy, narrative writing style and unique focus on an aspect that is somewhat less depressing than most depictions of the War. I really enjoyed seeing the war and what followed from this perspective.

HISTORY TIME!

I couldn't let you go without a little history lesson, now could I? 

The Blitz (1940-41) was a period of intense heavy bombing of the United Kingdom by the Germans.  London itself was attacked 71 times during this period with several terrifying explosives that devastated the area and killed more than 40,000 people, half of which were from London alone. The Americans, when they joined the war effort in 1941, stationed themselves in London in preparation for the fateful D-Day attack on Normandy. This attack took more than 4,000 Allied lives, man American and British, but is considered a pivotal turning point for the end of the war. 

Living in such close quarters for so long naturally led to a bit of romance among American GIs and their hosts. Not limited to England, there were war relationships springing up from Germany to Japan. These women hitched their stars on love and made the bold leap forward to join them in America, although the process of delivering the brides was quite lengthy. This upheaval led to a quite diverse Baby Boom in America, again mixing more cultures into the great melting pot that is the United States. It is amazing to hear about the individual stories that make our society and culture what they are today. 

You want more?

Of course you do. If this book interests you, you may want to try The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak, or watch Call the Midwife on PBS (there are books based on this series as well). There are countless numbers of World War II stories out there in every genre, which is a testament to how profound the impact of that war was to an entire generation worldwide.  

It's Thanksgiving-what are you thankful for?

The upcoming holiday has made me think about what I am really thankful for in my life. Although my turkey day festivities will be somewhat stunted by the lack of available family/friends in which to partake a feast, I can still say that there are a great many things I am thankful for (don't worry-I get family time the day after Thanksgiving. No food, but still good family time). So here are my top ten things. What are yours? Please post and let me know!

1. Family and friends. I am thankful for my family, small as it is, and for my friends, both old and new.
2. My health. Without which I would be able to live my life in the manner to which I've become accustomed.
3. My job. It does more than just pay the bills-it gives me a sense of purpose. And I love the organization that I work for. Being in a nonprofit and working toward something you believe in is endlessly rewarding.
4. Books! My thirst for the written word will never be quenched, and I am thankful that there are so many wonderful books out there for me to explore.
5. The ability to be myself. This is a newly acquired thing for me to be thankful for. I have recently re-discovered myself and feel that I am at last coming into my own independence. I am truly thankful.
6. Humor. Laughter is the best medicine and there is nothing like having a good laugh to cheer you on a dull, dreary day.
7. Love. While I'm not married and not in a relationship at the moment, I am thankful for love all around me. It doesn't have to be romantic love, but also love of beauty, love of art, love of music, and many more loves that I haven't mentioned here.
8. Dreams. We all aspire to something in our lives, and I am thankful for the ability to dream about the future. Dreaming helps us to know what is truly important to us and what we want to achieve in our life.
9. My dog. He is a little fuzzy ball of happiness! Everytime I see his smiling face I am thankful that he is mine.
10. The world around me. There is so much to learn-so much to explore. I am thankful for living in a country that offers up opportunities to become who you want to be-even though there are flaws in the system. I am thankful for the means to travel and learn about other cultures, even though I can't afford to do it as often as I would want. I am thankful to my ancestors for coming to America way back when in order to start a new life, one which would ultimately shape my destiny as well. Many thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Animal Farm by George Orwell

A "fairy story" written by Orwell which was published around the same time as WWII was ravaging the world. It is a bitter satire on human society replacing humans with farm animals who overthrow their human masters in a revolution. While the beasts all start as equals in a communist-like utopia, it quickly becomes apparent that the pigs are intent on seizing power for themselves. Which leads to one of the most stirring lines in the book "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".

After reading the Jungle earlier this year, I noticed many similarities. The horse Boxer for example is a perfect alter-ego for Jurgis of the Jungle, with the mantra "I will work harder" and that blindly loyal faith in those above him. While Jurgis gets disillusioned throughout the novel, Boxer instead works until his usefulness ends, then is cruelly disposed of. This same thing happened a great deal all over the industrialized countries when workers were hurt on the job and had no union representative to stand up for them.

This fable baldly paints the major things that are wrong with a capitalist society, which breeds greed and a lack of empathy for others. It also points out that the communist ideal will never work as long as one group continually sets themselves above others. This book proved to be prophetic, as several decades after the book was written we witnessed the collapse of one of the largest communist societies, which had become so corrupt and abusive that it was a pale shadow of Marx's utopia. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the bleakest part of this fable is that good, honest people (or animals) are always the ones who suffer for it.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Inspirational Characters

I just love Tuesdays don't you? It means that its time for another Top Ten Tuesday list, sponsored by The Broke and the Bookish.

Inspiration in a character can come from just about anywhere. My interperetation of the term 'inspirational' would be those characters who inspire you to be a better person, or to really examine the way you think about a situation, or the way a character's goodness and strength have shaped the events in a story. So with that in mind, here are my top ten.

1. Jane Eyre. I just finished reading this not too long ago (click here for my review!), and I was struck so much by how Jane would not be pushed around, even though societal conventions left most women in similar situations completely meek and docile. She values herself and her beliefs, and will not be shaken, not by love and not by force or hardship. There is something in Jane that I think we all can look to for inspiration-we can all use a little of her backbone at times!


2. Eleanore Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. She is the most levelheaded and selfless character I know-and always putting the needs of others before herself. While this almost leads to her perfect unhappiness, Jane Austen thankfully remembered poor Eleanore and her struggles and managed to give her the happy ending she so richly deserved.

3. Lady Jane Gray (lots of Janes, huh?). I know she was a real person, but her story is incredibly inspiring to me. She led a miserable 16 years and was forced onto the throne by her grasping family, supplanting the rightful heir, Mary I. But she was a brilliant scholar at that tender age, corresponding with the great minds of the world. She also had an unshakable devoutness for the Protestant faith-she clung to it to the very end, even when converting may have saved her life. To have such strength of belief and sharpness of mind at 16 years old is just amazing to me. Who knows what she may have achieved had she been allowed to live. See my review for the Alison Weir book based on Jane Grey, Innocent Traitor, here.


4. Benny Hogan, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. Benny is a larger girl with an even bigger heart who refuses to let anyone's preconceived notions of beauty get her down. She is determined to experience life to the utmost, and even when she is betrayed by those closest to her, she still doesn't shake that powerful inner core. Don't mess with Benny!

5. Elphaba from Wicked by Gregory Maguire. She goes to the farthest lengths to fight for what she believes in, despite major setbacks like green skin. Always misunderstood, she doesn't give up and strives to the very end to try to do what is right. I admire her strength of character very much. Before reading this book I never would have thought I'd be rooting for the Wicked Witch!

6. Novalee Nation from Where the Heart Is by Billie Letts. Talk about being given a bum hand. Everything that possibly can go wrong to Novalee does. But with a core of inner strength and a little kindness from strangers, she manages to rebuild her life, making it richer and more beautiful than it was before.

7. Aliena from Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Another shining example of not giving up even when the odds are against you. Her perserverance and sharp intellect navigated her and her brother from the depths of despair to shining victory. Richard never would have succeeded if it weren't for capable Aliena. Go girl!

8. Jo March from Little Women. Another strong woman who believes in her family, and also believes in her dreams. She gleefully marches to the beat of her own drummer and finds happiness waiting for her at the bend in the road.

9. Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. She talks her way into your heart with every page. Her thirst for life is truly infectious, inspiring you to see it through the rose colored glasses that she made.

10. Will from The Amber Spyglass and the Subtle Knife by Phillip Pullman. I should also include Lyra here too, because they really were a team. But I admire Will's strength in being the sole caretaker of his mother, and for managing to find his way in a completely strange world. And the courage he brings to the team of Will and Lyra is crucial to its success.

I see a pattern up there-I tend to gravitate towards strong women who have to overcome something. How does your list compare?