Not a Captive Book

I am utterly disappointed.

I have a few authors that I try to read everything they write: Shirley Jackson, Alison Weir and Phillippa Gregory.  In fact, I also try to obtain a copy of everything they write as well.  I read other authors, as I am a voracious reader.  However, those three woman are my favorite, and therefore, I have a book shelf just for them.

My disappointment is with Alison Weir's novel, The Captive Queen.

Weir is a historian and has written many biographies and biographical books about the monarchy in England and other surrounding nations.  Her books about the Tudor dynasty were the ones that got me hooked on her writing.  However in the last few years, Weir has left her roots of biographical books and taken a fictional look at Jane Grey, Elizabeth, and now: Eleanor of Aquitaine.

I am currently on page 352 of 473 and I really cannot get myself to complete the book.  I really do not have an interest to continue with such sub-par dialogue and a ridiculous queen with an insatiable appetite for sex.  Yes, you "read" me: sex.

There are three types of historical novels: biographical/autobiographical; historical fiction; and historical romance.  When I was younger (i.e. teenager), I loved reading historical romance.  Historical romance is a completely fictional story written during a particular time in history.  Most often there is tons of sex and the plot is pretty simple to follow.  However, I was under the impression that Weir had written a historical fiction book: one that is historically factual about that person but dialogue and situations are fictionalized to keep the book moving.

I am really not interested in Eleanor and her lust after Henry, which made her get an annulment from her first husband, Louis.  The name of the book is: the Captive Queen.  I was more interested in her years as a prisoner of Henry's.  Her time in captivity started in part four, which starts on page 331.  What was that time like for her?  How did she keep her wits?

So I finally get to part four, and the book feels like it is racing with the clock to get past Eleanor's captivity.  I just could not understand why Weir named the book: The Captive Queen, if she was going to focus on the relationship with Eleanor and Henry.  The book should have been named: Eleanor and Henry - a lustful relationship ruined by greed.

My dilemma is that I really wanted to like this book.  I really did.  I enjoyed her first fictional novel attempt: Innocent Traitor, which followed the life and short-lived reign of Lady Jane Grey.  The dialogue did not seem forced, and the plot was intriguing and suspenseful - even if I knew how it ended.  I had high hopes for Captive, and it has not come close.

I feel cheated as a reader and a fan.  I feel like Weir's recent novels are only getting published because of her fantastic success with her historical biographies.  Her latest novel is, The Lady in the Tower.

I received this book as a Christmas gift along with the Eleanor book.  Will I read it?  Yes, I will try.  However, it will NOT be the next book I grab from my pile.  Instead I will read a book that was highly suggested by my husband: The Book of the Dun Cow from Walter Wangerin Jr.

The Book Thief

Even though I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee this morning (12noon to be specific), I am in the mood to write about a book the I cannot get off my mind (a VERY good review where books are concerned).

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak, was our church's book club book for the month of February.  The first couple chapters were a bit confusing, but I soon was captivated beyond belief.

I was surprised that The Book Thief is classified as a "Youth" selection.  Not that a middle schooler or high schooler would not find it enjoyable and captivating.  However, I am interested to see how many adults would be compelled to pick it up off a shelf.  It is in NO WAY a book just for youth.

The novel opens with Death narrating the story of Leisel Meminger.  Leisel brushes Death for the first time when her brother dies.  Death took an interest in Leisel, and the novel takes you on a journey through Nazi occupied Germany before, during, and after WWII.

Leisel and her brother (accompanied by their mother) are on a train to live with foster parents (Hans and Rosa Hubermann).  When Leisel loses her brother she is compelled to steal a small book, The Gravedigger's Grave Digging Handbook.  Even though she cannot read, Leisel is fascinated by the written word.

With the help of her foster father, Hans, Leisel learns how to read.

Throughout the novel, Leisel takes other books, is given books from her foster parent and a Jewish house guest (Max), and eventually writes her own story of her life.

Without giving away details nor the ending, I will say that the relationships Leisel makes on Himmel (Heaven) street are crucial to her transforming from a child into a young woman.

The written word becomes a metaphor for Leisel as well as for the Hubermann's house guest, Max.  As one that is in love with words, I was deeply moved by the strong theme: the value of literature.

However, nothing was quite as moving as the two stories that Max gives Leisel: The Standover Man and The Word Shaker.  The crude drawings were just beautiful, and I was touched to be able to read these little treasures.

Here are a couple pages from the book: to give you an idea of what I mean.

For all practical purposes I am going to purchase this book, so that I can reread it again and again.  *****

People With Lots to Say

Have you ever noticed that some people say a lot.  I do not mean, those individuals that seem to have diarrhea of the mouth.  Rather those that think they are very profound. The Internet (especially social network sites) has been a huge component of feeding people with "lots to say."  A status message, information about themselves, pictures, comments, etc., ad-nauseum.  Most of the time, these people state, "I hate drama," and really they are the ones that invite drama into their lives.

I find myself laughing when on a list of favorite quotations, they quote themselves in at least two of the statements.  Of course what they stated (while most like intoxicated) has to be amongst the greatest quotes of all time.  How could it not?

A few days ago I was looking at a profile, and I was almost in tears laughing that the status message and what ensued afterward.  I realize I'm being petty here, but I cannot help but find self-indulgence disgusting.  So...without further ado, here is the status message:

What can I say??? much more.............

Of course, much more was true.  So this person commented on their own status message.  You know, the first comment under the status.

And here is where the above person lists a bunch of things about himself.  Stuff that really is personal, and honestly ridiculous to share.  I honestly think he was looking for someone to respond with - wow, you are so cool....or deep...or awesome.  The comment was a HUGE monstrous paragraph.

The truly sad thing is: I think this person really believes that he is deep.  You know, multi-layered, complicated, etc.  I can tell you that he is not.

So how do we live in a society with millions of people with lots to say?  We ignore them.  We don't feed into their calculated and delusional world.  We let them befriend someone else that wants the drama.  Because feeding them emotional food is NOT an intelligent thing to do.