Robinson Crusoe - Book 4

Robinson Crusoe

1719

Written by Daniel Defoe

I am still trying to get through the 100 Classic Book Collection. I haven't made too much progress since January, but I have made it through 4 books now. 

It is amazing going back and reading these novels which I know so much about bu tI have never read. I knew the basic plot line of Robinson Crusoe, but it took reading the book to fill in the details. One thing that did amaze me while reading the book is the time span. I thought Crusoe was just shipwrecked for a few years, but it turns out he was stranded for most of his life. It is only in the later years that he encounters Friday.

Rustin Allison

The Moonstone - Book 3

The Moonstone

1868

Written by Wilkie Collins

Another book from the 100 Classic Book Collection. This was the longest one yet! I love the fact that I can carry over 100 books around on my Nintendo DS.

Anyway, on to my thoughts of the book. One of the things that I enjoyed about this book is its sense of humor. There were severals moments that did make me laugh a little to myself as I was reading. The book is divided into severals sections each narrated by a different character. Miss Clack is one of these characters who is so religious and wanting to help those around her find religion that she often overlooks that help that she should give instead. She leaves tracts and different readings around the places she stays so that others may find Christianity. Her section was one of the highlights of the book.

The book is a mystery about the disappearance of a rare diamond. The use of different narrators allows the reader to discover how the 19th century class system operated in England, and how the members of these classes treated each other differently.

Rustin Allison

Under the Greenwood Tree - Book 2

Under the Greenwood Tree

1872

Written by Thomas Hardy

This is the second book that I have read from the 100 Classic Book Collection.

The novel follows the romance of Dick Dewy and Fancy Day who live in the small English town of Mellstock. The plot also involves the church choir being replaced by a new organ.

I enjoyed reading this book. The books gives a great description of English town life in the late 1800s. The courtship of Dick and Fancy is very complicated and I'm glad that we aren't quite as governed by rules and etiquette in the present. 

Technology also plays a role in this novel. The organ replaces the traditional role of the choir in the town church, which reflects how technology often replaces the traditional in many instances.

Thomas Hardy writes very descriptive prose. There were many passages in the novel that felt cinematic, and I could actually imagine camera shots and movements while reading some of the passages.

Rustin Allison

The Adventures of Pinocchio - Book 1

The Adventures of Pinocchio

1883

Written by Carlo Collodi

This is first book that I finished from the 100 Classic Book Collection for the Nintendo DS. I have decided to post a few thoughts after finishing each one. 

Well, this is first time that I have truly read the story of Pinocchio. I have only ever seen the Disney version of the story. The original Pinocchio comes across as a very, very bad boy. In the Disney version, Pinocchio is a boy who is just a little bad (I would actually go as far as saying he's just too naive to be good). The original Pinocchio is easily swayed by temptation, and knows that what he is doing is wrong.

Children's stories often have a dark streak, and The Adventures of Pinocchio is no exception. There is death, dismemberment, and other morbid themes throughout. Pinocchio, even though he is made from wood, has his feet burned off at one point.  This actually reminds me that I need to read a book called The Uses of Enchantment, which is supposed to deal with these same topics.

It was a very quick read, and it was fascinating to observe the changes the were made for the Disney version.

Rustin Allison