The Secret Agent - Summer 2010 - Adventure

Genre # 6 -- Adventure
The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad
read 6/12/2010 - 6/15/2010

All in all I found this book quite dull. It was full of rambling monologues and political tirades. Most of the action was recounted through dialogue rather than actually happening before the reader's eyes. HOWEVER, chapter 11 redeemed the book, as it is one of the most literarily stunning segments I have ever read. Conrad masterfully creates an atmosphere of suspense through in-depth detail (even so far as to describe sound waves and shadows) and through psychologically stunning sketches of the characters' thought processes. He slows time down and captures the eternity of a single vengeful, emotional moment in this chapter. Don't bother with the book, but definitely read chapter 11!

 

This book was part of my 2010 summer reading program.

The Haunting of Hill House - Summer 2010 - Genre: Horror

Genre #3 -- Horror
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
read 6/5/2010 - 6/7/2010

Well, I must say, reading a horror book is a lot better than watching a horror movie. I wanted to get the horror genre over with as soon as possible; however, I actually somewhat enjoyed this book. Granted, it has a psychological dimension to it that I found quite intriguing. It's fun when an author messes with your mind, and you're not quite sure what is really going on. At the end of the book, I found myself tempted to reread some of it, just so I could figure out what exactly did happen. But I have a feeling that a rereading wouldn't be able to answer all my questions. I enjoyed the ambiguity and the freedom to interpret the ghosts as a trick of the mind.
 

This book was part of my 2010 summer reading program.