Tuesday, February 2, 2010
hot iron
So the rest of the book pretty much lived up to my expectations - it wasn't bad. I had really hoped that there would be a final double-cross with Silver at the end; one of those top-of-the-cliff life or death decisions with Silver holding Jim before he is shot and killed by, say, the doctor.
But alas, 'twas not to be.
And yeah, what was up with the shortened ending? It's like - "so we left the island and sailed back home; Silver disappeared; and I never went back to Treasure Island again... The End."
Man... absolutely no retribution for Silver at all... weird.
Since Jim killed Hans, did anyone else feel like maybe he should have killed Silver too? I mean - pretend that the scenario that I just imagined had actually happened in the book. Hawkins killing Silver woulda been so much more debatable than the death of Hans; that was a life or death situation - kill or be killed. So it's "morally justifiable".
But killing Silver? That would have introduced a way different side to Jim. Maybe introducing the transition from plucky boy-hero into manhood; where things are not so black and white. Wouldn't that have been interesting???
I think so.
But blah blah blah - happily ever after ... All this needs is a heroine that Jim "gets" at the end, after the whole adventure and they can finally "be" together - sailing off into the sunset...
I liked the character of the doctor while he was treating the pirates, kinda smart-ass, kinda authoritarian. It perfectly fits the mental stereotype that I have of physicians today (which is now rooted in personal interactions with them...)
As far as further reading, I might have to step down a little... I really struggled to find time to read the end of this in time due to school, and if I'm not really into what we're reading then I'm probably not going to read it at all.
"Screwtape Letters" sounds... well, biased.
C.S. Lewis was quite outspoken about his beliefs. As far as discussion goes... what are we going to discuss? The nature of good and evil? Eventually it's going to boil down to a debate of self-determinism ("free-will") versus authoritarian directed influence - and I'm willing to bet that I know where that will go. To be honest, I'm not into having those discussions; it boils down to belief and that is inarguable when it comes to theistic concepts. Not that being inarguable is reason to not approach a subject, but I'd rather talk about something a bit more complex with less defined lines...
Like... the aid process in the developing world?
Like... exerting contorl over a culture for altruistic reasons?
If we're giving suggestions for books, I'd love to read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Or how about Catcher in the Rye, in respect for J.D. Salinger's recent passing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm just going to comment here and say I haven't read any of your posts, nor have I finished the book...because I've been in upheaval (geographically and technologically) and hope that in the next 5 days, a post would be achieved.
ReplyDeleteI, the initiator, so far FAIL at book club. Apologies.
I did happpen to read the end of this post though,,and I would LOVE Catcher. I mean I've read it, but a long time ago, and with no following dialogue.
nah that's cool. i understand why you wouldn't want to... i am just the opposite, and i love those discussions despite where they lead. i like knowing other perspectives regarding certain aspects of faith, because (for me) it helps me develop my own understanding and gives me things to think about that i wouldn't be able to have without that other perspective. ideological diversities are my primary source of gaining knowledge, so selfishly this is why i'd like to read this book- but this goes for any book i guess. just very much heightened with something so friggen interesting as spiritual warfare. if not this i was gonna suggest 'the road', but if we're going with either 'catcher in the rye' or 'farenheit 451' then i'm ok with that.
ReplyDelete"The Road" would be my pick. I was up in Nanaimo this weekend and tried to find "Catcher in the Rye" in a couple used bookstores - it's pretty impossible (at least up there).
ReplyDeleteBecause it's routinely on Book Club lists they can never keep copies for long, and now that J.D. Salinger has passed away they apparently haven't been able to have a copy for more than a day.
I did pick up Fahrenheit 451 - and then tore through most of it. It's amazing. Basic premise is that the main character is a "fireman" but in the future their job is to burn books.
The protagonist, one day, has a change of heart and wants to read the books instead of burning them. Interestingly, to me and this discussion, one of the books that he wants to save is the Bible.
Like I said, I've already read 3/4 of it, but I totally recommend reading it on your own.
I vote for "The Road".
I'm all for either Catcher or The Road. Catcher has been on my list for quite awhile and I added The Road to my list recently, so they are both prime options.
ReplyDeleteHowever, could we make the dead line for being finished it the end of March? Because it will take a bit to get a copy, and I have seven weeks to do five fifteen week courses. And it is already the eighth. Or really, it is reading week next week, and finding time to read will probably be zero problem.
I am all for postponing the deadline...seeing as I've continued to fail at the book club I suggested. Haha. Really..Treasure Island AND internet access are both on my computer and my computer currently wont start. Sad
ReplyDeleteBut I am finally back in my cozy home with reading hours...so I will be on top of this next book! So yea. End of March? Yeh?