Charis's Books > Book reviews by Charis

An enduring children's story!

Posted : 1 month, 1 week ago on 15 October 2009 08:53 (A review of John, Paul, George & Ben (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)))

Such a lovely book! I found this gem at a local book fair and was immediately drawn to its lively pages and historical content all pumped into a quite small children's book. I immediately desired it, not only for myself in order to engage in the innocent diversion of a children's historical story, but also because I think it to be a most excellent tale for my own future children.

It is historically accurate unless when it chooses to divulge in a joke, which it does so very smoothly. I do so enjoy that instead of making the common folly by saying, "The British are coming!" it says correctly "The Redcoats are coming!" This was another aspect that induced me to buy this hardcover children's book at the age of 19!

I certainly recommend, if you do happen to stumble upon it in a book store or a library, to browse through its pages. It is quite amusing, and if you have children I wholeheartedly recommend you suggest it to them! The book is quite a laugh as it introduces you to the comic characters John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. What is most excellent about the book is that it provides a more accurate description of these important American figures at its end.

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Review

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago on 16 August 2008 10:04 (A review of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (P.S.))

Betty Smith writes a beautiful and signficant autobiographical novel with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

I must say this is one of my favorites, and I adore the way Smith provides an enormous picture of a girl growing up in poor Brooklyn without becoming dull and lifeless. The description of character is vivid and sensible, giving a full view of every flaw in these strong, but struggling people. Even the father, a drunkard who stumbles home at night after working as a singer at the bar, is described and then understood by us readers - someone who has simply cracked under the pressure of life in Brooklyn. But he does not give up on his children, or his family, and he ever so often attempts being a real father again, and takes Francie, the main character, on excursions and despite his flaws becomes the favorable parent.

While I have certainly grew up in more favorable conditions than Francie, I felt unusually connected to her early love for learning and for reading, and especially for her solitude. She was independent, as she had to be because of her mother's greater love for her brother, Neeley. Despite this, Francie does not blame her mother, but is instead simply aware of it, and adapts because of it.

This novel is not a small feat, but it is an incredibly rewarding one, and, after reading, one feels a great satsifaction from knowing that it continues to grow and fester inside of you, adding new light to whatever life you are living at this moment.

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Things Fall Apart

Posted : 1 year, 3 months ago on 16 August 2008 09:50 (A review of Things Fall Apart: A Novel)

Things Fall Apart is such a beautiful expression of man - a novel that while it holds its roots in Africa, can be understood and related to by anyone and everyone. I particularly liked this book because it captures the essence of what I believes to drive humanity: insecurity.

The main character Okonkwo is seen as a strong man: he has multiple wives, he is attempting to become a more prominent leader in he village, and he has a son. However, he is painfully affected by society and societies desires that his supposed strength is a pale facade for his unbelievable fear and anger.

This novel hit home with me because as a whole, we are completely obsessed with society as our judgement, and rarely do we judge things of our own accord and our own mind. We use society as a crutch and live life accordingly. But the structure of society is ever-changing, and if we rely upon it without fail, society will surely fail us - and as the title suggests, what we know will surely fall apart.

Chinua Achebe tells us to run past our insecurities and the easiness of resting upon society's values and to create our own reason, our own morals, and our own ethics. Only then can we remain whole when things fall apart, because nothing is truer or stronger than what you believe in your own mind.

Things Fall Apart is what I believe to be an essential reading for the every day person, especially those who are growing up. I read this as a sophomore in high school and it gave me new insight as to how I shouldn't use society as a way to mask my insecurities as so many do. This novel is educational, and while considerably morose, effective in its purpose and Achebe's writing style is easy, yet magnificent.

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