I am about half-way through Portrait In Sepia by Isabel Allende. I like her writing usually, although it's always better in Spanish. I found the English copy at a local thrift store though, and actually really enjoying it. (Must be a better translator.)
She has some wonderful characters in this book- although I do have to keep referring back to the little family tree chart in the beginning of the book. I always wonder about those things, if they are actually helpful, or more distracting by the fact that they are there...
I just finished Great Expectations and it was magnificent. Charles Dickens is one of those people on my "Who would you have to dinner?" lists (most definitely!) He had such a quirky sense of humor and word usage that makes you read so closely. I found if I was too tired I had to re-read to make sure I got the whole picture.
Things I keep thinking about:
- Why do you think he ends it with Pip and Estella meeting and the statement by Pip that they would forever be holding hands? I felt sorry for Estella, but wonder if she ever really could love anyone? I want Pip to be happy, just not sure that's the way...
- Joe- He is such an amazingly sweet guy. I think I cried a little when Pip was sick and he was nursing him back to health. He was so much smarter than Pip gave him credit for (like most kids to their parents.)
- How we don't choose who we love
- And mainly- How a little kindness (Pip with the convict) goes a long way and can change a person forever. If Pip hadn't had Joe's example of kindness growing up would he have been the person that he was?
The read-aloud book of the month is The People of Sparks by Jeanne Duprau.
We LOVE this series. I think she's our new favorite next to Cornelia Funke. She delivers a message of non-violence in such a wonderful, thinking person's way. You aren't preached at but feel the characters struggles to "be good" as if you were there. It's a great read aloud because the vocabulary is rich but not too difficult as to where I have to stop and explain a word every sentence or two. The conversations it has brought up with my kids is so amazing.
War, hate, struggles, hunger, discrimination, weapons... (But I must say it's at a pace that is okay for my almost 7 year old to fathom.) We are almost done with this one and can't wait to read the next!
