The Stranger by Albert Camus

This is one of the most fast-paced books I have read in a long time. Within 120 pages, i jump into the life of Meursault, a troubled young man. He is seems to be very nonchalant even when facing serious situations. From the start of the novel, he faces his mother's death, although he doesn't shed one tear. Later on in the novel he impulsively kills a man that he barley knows. He is a very interesting character and actual reminds me a bit of Holden Caulfeild form Catcher in the Rye. They both act on instinct and do not think of consequences later. nevertheless, I am interested in finding out why Meursault acts the way he does. Why does he barley give a fight in the courtroom that determines his fate? Why does he not even bother to assist his his legal advisers in fighting his innocence? Does this relate to the reason why he doesn't believe in God (which is highly emphasized in the book)? I can't wait to finish up the last few chapters of the book because it is very thought provoking and I am actually entertained by Meursault's character and surprised by the many choices he is making in the book.

The Lovely Bones-Ending

AMAZING ENDING!! I was even crying when I read the last ten pages! This book actually had so many life lessons and also made me think about family members who have passed away. Are all of our lost ones really looking down on us, reading our thoughts, living our experiences with us? I don't want to give too much away, but towards the end something really surprising happens and I was so happy for the main character, Susie. The entire book I really enjoyed reading about the life she left behind, however many parts of the book are sad and have unfortunate outcomes.
Actually, Susie's interest with her family on Earth doesn't seem to wane even after a long period of time. I don't mean to sound callous, but Susie has all of Heaven however she is only concerned with minor, even unimportant details in the lives of her family. At the end I think she finally accepts what has happened after several years, although she will never forget. This really conveys how strong a child's connection is with their family and how hard it is, especially for child, to be separated from those they love. I think that usually when people die, everyone on Earth mourns and acts like it is a major loss for themselves but nobody had really ever considered the person who died. I'm sure the person who passed away also miss everyone on Earth, but usually we say that they are "in a better place". After reading this story, I think that line is just our excuse to feel better about death and the effects it has on the living and dead. Especially with the touching ending to wrap it up, this book is up there with the rest of my favorite books and I highly suggest reading it!!

The Loveley Bones-middle (part II)

I wasn't able to read as much this week but I am almost done and hopefully I'll finish by next week. The book, surprisingly, is getting a bit boring and the storyline is slowing down. But, i am still very interested about all the details of the lives of her friends and family on Earth. Many of the scenes are very depressing. Susie's mom has taken her affair farther with Len Fenerman farther and has completely deserted her hope and commitment to her family. one of my favorite quotes which sparked a lot of emotions for me was, "Mr. Harvey left his house for the final time while my mother was granted her most temporal wish. To find a doorway out of her ruined heart, in merciful adultery" (197). it really is disgraceful how the police officers fail to recognize Mr. Harvey's guilt and how preoccupied Susie's mother is with fulfilling (only momentarily) her broken heart. As Susie witnesses this scene, she actually doesn't seem to be too let down by her mothers betrayal, which surprises me. at the exact time time as this scene, Mr. Harvey disappears from town, possible forever. Its amazing how an eighth grader has the maturity to let go of the past of her murder and gracefully understand the current needs of her family members.
Later on in the book, on the one year anniversary of her death, fellow students, neighbors and even teachers gather together on the cornfeild as a meorial for Susie. Susie is very suprised by the outcome of poeple and also very appreciative. This reminds me of Holden Caulfield, a chracter from Catcher in the Rye written by J.D. Salinger. He would always fantasize about his death and he once wondered who would come to is funeral. If this memorial was for Holden and if he was looking down from heaven, I think he would take it the exact oppisite way from the way Susie did. He would probably describe the people remorsing his death as phonies because they hardley knew him so therfore they couldnt be so upset about his death. Since I was reading this book last night and I finished reading The Lovely Bones just now, I have really noticed the difference between the characters.
I'm looking foward to the rest of the book and my friends tell me it is going to get even better so I cant wait to see what happens!

The Loveley Bones-middle

I'm about half way through this book and I am really enjoying it. One of the main issues in the book, which has just been introduced, is that Susie's father is looking for her killer independently of the police /investigating agents. He becomes more involved and even obsessed in proving that Mr. Harvey (Susie's real killer) is the murderer. But, many of the characters believe that he is crazed or just finding his neighbor to be the scapegoat and they claim there is no evidence confirming him as a suspect. This is one of the parts that gets me to the point where I am even annoyed at the characters. In some ways I think that the investigators or ignorant for missing the criminal when he is right under their noses. However, on the other hand, I can understand that they just think the father is going bit crazy because he just lost his daughter. I can understand from both sides why the characters may or may not find it plausible to call the Salmon Family's neighbor a criminal.
As the book progresses, I can see how the murder of Susie is causing a break down of her family members. First, as her mother is finding it very hard to cope with pain from the death and stress from her complicated life, she turns to the investigator for help, mentally and sexually. This represents a turning point because I think it symbolizes turning her back on her daughter and failing to solve the mystery. Her mother gives in when to her weak will power and she kisses the investigator, Len. While her husband vigorously and pasionatly works to make justice and find closure to their daughters death, she doesn't support him and she kisses the investigator, who has given up and closed the case.
However, even though her father is trying to continue her memory, he is also re cooperating from the loss. From heaven, Susie can see the special treatment he receives from his co-workers and even his boss and her father notices it, too. Although I have never experienced a great loss like this, I know friends that have lost a sibling or parent and I can sometimes see the special treatment they receive. I have never thought that those people would realize it, but do they notice how people act completely differently towards them. In the novel, Susie's family will always be associated with her murder and will always receive a different treatment from all the people they meet because of the labeled tragedy that is attached to their name.