David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

10/10

My problems with this book cover are threefold. First, I could only find a small photo of it and not a huge picture like I am accustomed to posting. Second, it has the "Click to look inside!" on the top (which I hate for my blog), but I can only find a photo that has it. And third, I hate book covers of movie characters on the front. But it is the cover of the book that I actually read and so I had to stay true. But at least it has Kramer and Forrest Gump's mom as two of the actors. Although I have no clue on which characters they represent in the TNT Original Film. The reason being is that there are seriously like 50 characters in this book.

Sorry for the pointless intro. Now, this book was absolutely terrific. It has been well documented by me that I am a Dickens fan. I have read several of his books (many already discussed within this very blog) and the guy can just flat out write. And this book is no exception. I mean, to be able to write about so many different important characters (each with distinct characteristics and personalities) with different important storylines and to have all of their lives intertwine smoothly and flawlessly in Dickens-esque fashion just never ceases to amaze.

I will not really go into the plot at all because I think it best to keep these posts somewhat short, but it is about a boy named David, mistreated in his youth (common Dickens storyline), and follows his life as he grows up and experiences life's joys, trials, and lessons (both personally and by observation of those around him). It really is quite the sweeping epic tale.

Quickly I wanted to just list my favorite characters of the many: Mcawber (so many good ones from this guy who is always hatching up attempted profitable schemes that fail miserably), Mr. Dick (this guy is pure comedy, also somewhat mentally deficient I do believe), David (of course, he is a good dude), and Uriah Heep (cool name and I always do enjoy a good villain; plus, for some reason I always pictured him to look exactly like Scut Farkus from A Christmas Story). Other great characters include Ham, the Murdstones, Steelforth, Peggotty, and many more. I think that is why I truly enjoy Dickens. He creates some great, timeless characters.

Also, one last word before the quotes, of all the books Dickens wrote, this was his favorite. That kinda, by itself, gives one a bit of an idea of how fantastic this book is. He said, "Of all my books, I like this the best. It will be easily believed that I am a fond parent to every child of my fancy, and that no one can ever love that family as dearly as I love them. But, like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is DAVID COPPERFIELD."

Quotes:

"Never do to-morrow what you can do to-day. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!"

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery. The blossom is blighted, the leaf is withered, the God of day goes down upon the dreary scene, and - and in short you are for ever floored." One of my favorite Dickens quotes.

"I have never believed it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard-working qualities, and hope to gain its end...Some happy talent, and some fortunate opportunity, may form the two sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of stuff to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, and sincere earnestness."

"It has always been in my observation of human nature, that a man who has any good reason to believe in himself never flourishes himself before the faces of other people in order that they may believe in him. For this reason, I retained my modesty in very self-respect; and the more praise I got, the more I tried to deserve."

"There never were greed and cunning in the world yet, that did not do too much, and over-reach themselves. It is as certain as death."

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

6/10

I just finished reading this one. It was the book I picked off my shelf to read during Christmas break. A good time was had by all, except for the millions upon millions of people who died in the book. But it was all make believe so it's okay.

This book was written in 1959 amidst all the worries about nuclear warfare. And believe me, this book wouldn't help to relieve any of those worries for folks back then. It paints a pretty bleak picture. But, if you live in a somewhat isolated area you may survive if Russia decides to unleash 200+ nuclear bombs on the U.S.

In this tale, Randy lived in such a locale called Fort Repose. His brother worked in some government informational dealio and told Randy that Russia will strike any time now. So his brother flies his family to Fort Repose, Randy stocks up on things that he thinks he'll need, and the next day is when "The Day" happens. The rest of the story is about their survival. Randy and a handful of neighbors pretty much set up their own little law of consecration and get by quite well and much better than most.

My favorite part of the book was just seeing how losing some things that we have taken for granted (electricity, running water, a marketplace, etc.) can really be a crippling thing. Makes you respect some of the old-timers way back when who had to fight every day in order to survive.

My least favorite part is how well-versed Randy and especially his 13 year old nephew were with all the lingo. Everyone else were also way up to speed on it too. I wish that there were at least a few characters who were like, "What the h-e-double hockey sticks is going on?" or like, "I did not see that coming." Instead, this 13 year old kid is all in the know with the intricacies of strategic military nuclear warfare and the like. I mean, he calls the Mediterranean Sea "The Med". Pah-lease. Oh well, it actually didn't bother me too much and really didn't take anything away from the book overall.

I bet if I had read this book when it was first written that I would have pooped my pants. Then I would have moved to North Dakota and built the best food-storage of all-time.

A quote:

"Lying was the worst crime, the indispensable accomplice of all others."