Some books are quickly forgotten, but others linger and stay with us even after we have long finished reading. Skylar Hansen-Raj ’20 returns with two books with beautiful and meaningful stories and messages that will remain with the reader long after the books have been closed.
Today Will Be Different by Maria Semple
The book starts off with a promise Eleanor makes to herself. “Today will be different," she vows. "Today I will radiate calm. Kindness and self-control will abound. Today I will buy local. Today I will be my best self, the person I'm capable of being. Today will be different.” Indeed, her day does turn out to be different, albeit not the different she is hoping for. It starts off uneventfully, as she drops off her third-grade son Timby at his elite private school before mustering up the courage to have lunch with her “friend” Sydney. Yet, she is quickly summoned back to pick up Timby, who claims to be sick. She takes him to the doctor, who says his stomachache is due to stress from school. She decides to take Timby to meet her friend, who brings up a piece of the past Eleanor has worked so hard to avoid.
Of course, the day doesn’t get better from there. Instead, it takes wild leaps and turns, introducing characters such as Eleanor’s husband Joe, a sports-medicine doctor, who has told his colleagues (but not Eleanor) that he is away for the week, a disgruntled poet who turns out to have a boring grocery-store job, a surprise crashed meeting for sex addicts, the rambunctious Seattle Seahawks, and even the Pope. And, through flashbacks, we meet Eleanor’s younger sister Ivy and her controlling husband, Bucky. We also learn of Eleanor’s past, how she survived with an alcoholic father and made a name for herself as an animator for the show “Looper Wash”. Every page contains a new layer, a sudden twist, or an exciting revelation that keeps the reader on their toes.
My favorite part of the book was the language Semple used. She blended together difficult situations with humorous language to balance an otherwise heavy theme. The structure of each sentence was almost poetic, and there was a rhythm to the book that kept the flow smooth. One of my favorite quotes is: “That was happiness. Not the framed greatest hits, but the moments between.” Today Will Be Different truly highlights the “moments between.” It captures just a snapshot of one woman’s intricate and complicated life and brings forth an unexpected energy that is both inspiring and true.
Verdict: I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a beautiful read. The language made the book come alive. Although some parts are confusing and messy, it alludes to the unpredictable nature of life itself.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
“The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness… To realize one’s Personal Legend is a person’s only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”
Paulo Cohelo’s enchanting book, The Alchemist, is a life-changing read. Its simplicity and wisdom has inspired a devoted following around the world. This book exceeds all expectation, and everyone can learn something from the pure and eternal wisdom the novel has to offer.
The story itself centers around Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd, who travels from his homeland of Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of the Pyramids. His recurring dreams give him a clue that his travels will lead him to his treasure. Although a bit skeptical at first, Santiago is convinced after meeting a mysterious old man who tells him of his “Personal Legend.” "Personal Legends" differ for each person, but Santiago’s is to travel to the Pyramids so he can claim his treasure: “Whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you realize you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” Inspired, Santiago decides to give up his life as a shepherd in order to travel to the Pyramids. Along the way, he meets many teachers, who come in the form of a crystal shop owner, a caravan leader, an Englishman, and the desert. Santiago learns to listen to his heart and eventually finds out the truth of life itself. He meets the alchemist, who tests and teaches Santiago so that he can meet his final goal. Santiago also meets the love of his life, Fatima, in the oasis, and learns that true love is something worth waiting for. What starts out as a journey to find worldly riches turns into a discovery of the treasures found within our own souls.
Each page of the novel is rich with deep and meaningful wisdom. I found myself immersed in the book, and once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. I connected to Santiago and rooted for his success the whole book. This book is one I could read again and again, and I would learn a new message each time I read it. Cohelo’s ideas about life and the meaning of our lives on Earth shine through in the most beautiful way. The tone and language of the book is vivid and gorgeous.
Verdict: I would recommend this book to everyone. It is a relatively short read, and the messages it gives are truly eye-opening. The poetic language and elegance of the mysterious characters reveal some of the greatest truths of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment