Book Review: Spring Moon

Author: Bette Bao Lord
Title: Spring Moon
Genre: Drama, Historical Fiction
Pages: 480
First Published: 1981
Where I Got It: On my shelf (Goodwill Book section)

"At a time of mystery and cruelty ... in an ancient land of breathtaking beauty and exotic surprise ... a courageous woman triumphs over her world's ultimate tragedy.

Behind the garden walls of the House of Chang, pampered daughter Spring Moon is born into luxury and privilege. But the tempests of change sweep her into a new world -- one of hardship, turmoil, and heartbreak, one that threatens to destroy her husband, her family, and her darkest secret love. Through a tumultuous lifetime, Spring Moon must cling to her honor, to the memory of a time gone by, and to a destiny, foretold at her birth, that has yet to be fulfilled"

This book has been sitting on my bookshelf for a LONG time. Nearly four years now...*bows head in shame* Finally I decided it was time to take this from my bookshelf and read it. 

It took me a while to finish this, but there was so much going on, my poor brain needed a rest. I will also admit at some spots it was rather dry. So yeah...it did take me some time to get through it. There was a lot going on and China went through many changes over such short amounts of time. It was a lot to take it, but it was interesting and I learned a lot more about the culture and the history of China. 

I really liked Spring Moon. She may have been born into luxury and privilege, but she easily adapted to the changes around her. She was a strong woman and I'm so glad the author made her so. I'm so glad she got to see her dream and her prophecy come true. It was nice and I really liked the epilogue. ^.^ It was bittersweet, but it was good.

Even though this was solely about Spring Moon, it followed the stories of many of her kin. It did get confusing sometimes, but again...I advise taking your time. Some of the names were very similar - Bold Talent, Noble Talent - so I would get confused at times. I did like the additional voices, but after a while it was too much. Too much that it heavily slowed down the story. 

In the end, this was worth the read. I did like it. Though some parts were dryer then toast under the hot sun and some a couple points had my mind in a swirl, it was good. I learned a lot more then history books taught me about the history of China. I enjoyed Spring Moon's story and that of her kin. I recommend this to those that like or want to know more about China. I shall stamp this with 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Spring Moon
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lustrous Jade

*CaroleRae*

Movie Review: Sin Nombre

Length: 1 & 36 mins
Released: May 20, 2009
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Rating: R
Directed By: Cary Fukunaga
Where I Got It: borrowed from library

SUMMARY:
This epic dramatic thriller following a Honduran teenager who reunites with her long-estranged father and attempts to emigrate to America with him in order to start a new life.  Meanwhile, in Mexico, Tapachula teen Casper (aka Casper), has gotten caught up with the notorious Mara Salvatrucha street gang. He's just delivered a new recruit to the Maras in the form of desperate 12-year-old Smiley, and though the youngster's initiation proves particularly rough, she adapts to gang life rather quickly. As involved as Casper is with the Mara, he does his best to keep his relationship with girlfriend Martha Marlene.

CAST:
Sayra - Paulina Gaitan
Willy/Casper - Edgar Flores
Smiley - Kristyan Ferrer
Lil' Mago - Tenoch Huerta Mejia
Martha Marlene - Diana Garcia
Leche - Hector Jimenez
El Sol - Luis Fernando Pena



TRAILER:

REVIEW:
Been wanting to watch this for a while now and Boyfriend stumbled upon this at his library (I will make an account there because they have many more resources to get things then mine does).  ^.^ 

There is so much to say about this movie. It was a really deep and emotional and realistic movie that follows a gang member who did something bad and is on the run from his gang and a girl who is trying to sneak into America for a better life. The two come into connect and found their fate with each other. The way they met was clever and seemed realistic and not forced. They are from two completely different ways of life. If you expect a HEA ending...then you are dreaming. This movie broke my heart so many times, but I really adored it. As you know...I love my tragedies and this did fit into that category.

There were a few instances that I was unsure on what was happening and why. Some events happened so quickly that I feel like I missed a couple things due to blinking. At one point I did have to rewind a couple minutes to understand a scene. Other then that the lay out and the story-line was wonderfully done. The actors and director did wonderful too. Except for the girl who played Sayra...she reminded me of a Hispanic version of Kristen Stewart (Bella from the Twilight films). She was a very dry and emotionless actress. Even during one part where she was being attacked...I didn't feel that she was scared for her life. Oh well, I guess.

Then there was the ending....

I can't decide if I like it or not. Gah...at first I was in utter shock and anger! Now I'm unsure. Sighs. I guess I have a love hate relationship with it. I can't say much more for fear of giving away a spoiler. But yeah...I'm still trying to wrap my brain around it and figure out if I like it or not.

In the end, I did like this movie and I'm so happy I finally got to see it. Thank you Boyfriend for finding it for me! On the majority, the acting was good (besides for Sayra who is the Hispanic twin for Bella Swann). The storytelling was done well and I applaud this new director. I loved the tragedy and the realistic charm of this film. It was deep and had a great moral lesson mixed in. Poor Willy. *sad face* This would be a good film for those that like drama movies and that like people movies. This is a POV not done much in movies. The gangster running away from his gang and a person who wants a better life in the USA. Though it is wrong...I was rooting for her and her family. In conclusion, I shall stamp this with 5 stars. In reality, it is more like 4.5, but since I don't give decimals, I rounded.

Favorite Character(s): Willy/Casper (*sad face*), Uncle Orlando, Sayra (though she highly reminded me of a certain someone), and Smiley's Grandma (hehe)
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Lil' Mago, Le Sol, and Sayra's Dad (>.>)

Anecdote of the Jar by Wallace Stevens

Happy Monday everyone! I am having horrible luck lately! Jeez. My router is broke so I have no internet at home. We bought a new one and its being a pain. >.< The only way I can use the blessed internet is to go to a public place or go to a friend's house or Boyfriend's apartment. NOW Youtube is acting up. Sighs. I can't win these last couple of weeks. 

In place of my scheduled Music Monday post, I shall post some poetry. It's been awhile. ^.^ This poem I had memorized for my American Lit II class. Not sure why I didn't share it earlier...oh well. It is called 'Anecdote of the Jar' by Wallace Stevens:

I placed a jar in Tennessee,
And round it was, upon a hill.
It made the slovenly wilderness
Surround that hill.
The wilderness rose up to it,
And sprawled around, no longer wild.
The jar was round upon the ground
And tall and of a port in air.
It took dominion every where.
The jar was gray and bare.
It did not give of bird or bush,
Like nothing else in Tennessee.



*CaroleRae*

Book Review: My Year as a Clown

Author: Robert Steven Williams
Title: My Year as a Clown
Genre: Fiction, Drama
Pages: ebook
First Published: December 26th, 2012
Where I Got It: Given to me by the author and publisher to read and give an honest review

"With My Year as a Clown, Williams introduces us to Chuck Morgan, a new kind of male hero—imperfect and uncertain—fumbling his way forward in the aftermath of the abrupt collapse his 20-year marriage.

Initially, Chuck worries he’ll never have a relationship again, that he could stand in the lobby of a brothel with a hundred dollar bill plastered to his forehead and still not get lucky. But as his emotionally raw, 365-day odyssey unfolds, Chuck gradually relearns to live on his own, navigating the minefield of issues faced by the suddenly single—new routines, awkward dates, and even more awkward sex."

Like earlier stated, I was given this to read for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I was initially drawn to this book by the title and the cover. Such an interesting title. The cover is plain, but it really matches the story and the main character, Chuck. It fits. Chuck is an interesting character, but in the end he is just the guy next door. An average Joe of sorts. I really enjoyed reading the book in the guys view. There are a scarce amount of books following the man's POV after a divorce or break-up (or just in general). I also loved how it seemed that Chuck was writing some sort of journal to keep his sanity throughout Claudia leaving him.

Poor guy. He went through so much shit throughout that year. Stupid Claudia...if I was him I would give her not a dime. She was the reason for the divorce...she cheated and left him for another man. Stupid...>.> I hate women like her. I do. He did really nothing wrong (besides for get fired) and wanted to live his dream of being a writer. They didn't suffer of lack of funds. They had enough money for him to try and become a writer. He paid for her college and that is how she repays him????!!!!! GAH! I must leave this ramble....

*clears throat* Sorry. But women like her give good girls, like me, a bad name. *grumbles* stupid chit....

I really enjoyed the array of characters the author gave us. Chuck met some rather interesting people along the way. However, sometimes I was rather stunned by how cheesy and odd the Rabbi was. I didn't trust the man at all throughout the whole book. He seemed too cool and I was right that it was too cool to be true. I can not say more on this point without spoiling anything...but I have never heard of a Rabbi being a pot-head. JUST saying.

What else can I really say? I did like this book. It was a different book, but pretty good. Though I found some spots cheesy and unbelievable (aka, the Rabbi), I did enjoy it. Claudia needed a good punch to the face. Also, the ending left me dried mouth and a little empty. The epilogue was a little dry in my opinion and I really wanted to know more about future events for Chuck...like did he ever really settle down again? What about the other characters/friends of his? Sighs.

In the end, this was a good book. I enjoyed the journey and it really made me think about myself and what I would do in a similar situation. Even though I'm a chicka and he is a male, I still found myself connecting to him once in a while. I'm glad I agreed to read this book, because it was a mighty shake up to my reading bookshelf. I would recommend this to people who like people stories and for those that need a good shake up in their readings. Chuck was an interesting character. He was not at all perfect and I liked that. Just an average Joe with complexities. I shall stamp this with 4 stars.

Favorite Character(s): Chuck, Pauline, and Siobhan

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Claudia (*grumble*whore*grumble*), Jimmy, Bart, and the Rabbi 

*CaroleRae*