I have one other classic that I believe you’ll love. This
story is about sword fighting, witty comebacks, inner beauty and romance. I
read this one when I was a preteen and it really made an impact on me. As a
young man I did not feel very attractive (as many preteens do) and this story
gave me hope not just for romance but for the man I could be. The story is
called Cyrano De Bergerac. This story is about a brave soldier that is not just
a great fighter with the sword but extremely intelligent. One would think that
because of his bravery, smarts and fighting skills he would have many romances;
however, he didn’t. He had a very large nose and was not very attractive to
many. Now here comes another soldier Christian, who is also a brave man and a soldier,
however he’s not very smart but extremely good looking. Everyone in town knows
of Cyrano, his nose, his wits and his fighting ability so no one would dare
challenge him intellectually or physically. Except for Roxanne, who is not only
beautiful but very intelligent as well. Both man fall in love with her but
Christian dare not talk to her because he knows he’s not very bright. So Cyrano
helps him conquered her love by using his poetic voice and intelligence not
letting Chris know that he himself is madly in love with her but does not dare
confess his love because of his big nose. This story made me feel that it’s ok
not too be good looking and that being smart and good hearted is most important.
This sure is a great classic that anybody can enjoy so if you’re in a mood for
romance and sword fights this is one great book for you.
Rediscovering Children's Literary Classics
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Lost and alone…or may be not
Think about being in an island, alone, with no provisions
and having to survive. This is the premise for an adventure that you won’t
forget. Robinson Crusoe an adventure made for every young man. This story
talked about a man tested to survive alone in an island castaway from the world
and in an adventure unlike any other. His sanity is tested as well as his biases
when a native also stranded, joins him in this island. Aside from the adventure of being stuck in an
island all alone, this story is about friendship and how ones point of view can
change with time and by getting to know others. So if you’re in a mood to
witness firsthand what it would be like to depend on oneself for survival check
this book out. It’s sure to be a getaway.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Re-told with a twist
To continue with the talk on comic books let’s take a
look at another classic story in the realm of comics, “Superman”! I know many
people don’t like DC comics specially Superman (just ask Stan Lee). People
think that Superman is too goody two-shoe, and this can be true at times and
for this not many follow this character any more (I think). Now Marvel comics
is completely different then DC comics. Marvel characters have real problem
that a person can relate with. Let’s take Spiderman, he’s actually a teen when
he becomes a super hero and as much as he tries to do the right thing most
people don’t like him as a hero or as a teenager. Many can relate to that story
line and it’s because of characters like this one that Marvel is so popular. Marvel
has a tendency to create stories or characters that are flawed even though they
are heroes. This makes them very complicated and intriguing protagonists that
many love and follow from week to week. About a decade ago marvel did something
AWESOME. Marvel created Supreme Power! Let me tell you, this was story telling
as its finest. Marvel took the idea of Superman an alien that lands on a farm
and is raised by two loving parents which in turn that alien grows up to be
Superman; a hero with morals that fights for truth, justice and the American
way. In Supreme Power the story begins the same way an alien lands on a farm
and two loving people grab the kid and want to raise him as their own. However,
before any of this happens the government takes the child and raises him
instead. This story line is completely the opposite of what DC did. The alien
grows up suspicious and mistrustful of the government and later becomes a
threat to the security of the world because of this twist at the beginning of
the story. I could not put this novel down and could not wait to get the other
comics. The story line is complicated and intriguing and there are other characters
that mimic the DC Universe superhero protagonists, and they are all flowed and
complicated as the Superman counterpart “Supreme”. So, if you’re in search for
a fun comic that resembles many DC comics but the stories are twisted and fun
check out “Supreme Power” I’m sure you’ll have a Super of a good time.
P.S.
I want to clarify something; I love the character of
Superman. Some people don’t like those comics but I do. He’s every child’s dream
hero, invulnerable and can fly, what kid doesn’t like that (however Batman is
still my favorite). I tied a towel around my neck and jumped from couch to
couch pretending to fly. Who’s going to tell me they didn’t do that? However,
as an adult I have different appreciation for the character. It all started
with Quentin Tarantino. He had something different to say about Superman at the
end of the movie, “Kill Bill Vol. 2” (I recommend you watch and listen to his analysis
of superman through David Carradine’s character). This short conversation about
Superman made me look at this well known figure differently. Superman every kid’s
dream hero (and very soon another blockbuster movie) as well as an adult’s conversation
topic on the human psyche.
Tall, Dark and Disturbed… a Hero?
How to begin this new talk about something that I’m very
passionate about? I love classic books they take me back to my childhood and
they’ve shared a world of imagination that is incomparable. However, I do have
other things that I love to read. There is this other genre that I particularly
enjoy very much. I’m talking about a type of writing that I believe every kids
reads and loves to imitate with a shower towel tied around one’s neck. Yep, you
guessed right…Comic Books! When I started collecting them here in the U.S., they
provided adventure and complicated story lines all wrapped up in beautifully
drawn and colorful pages. Now don’t get me wrong, I love all these classic
books I’ve talked about before and I have to say if it wasn’t for those books I
would not enjoy comics as much as I do now. Comic books (or graphic novels as
many prefer) are a bit different and they do provide mythology and adventure
for millions of people, young or old. They have art and complicated characters with
complicated lives fighting for good or even crossing the lines of “good” at
times. One of my favorite comics is “The Batman”! Here is a person that watches
his own family get murdered in front of him setting the stage for a very complicated
character with psychological problems because of what he witnessed. Aside from
the psychology of his character what attracts me most about this “Super Hero” is
that he’s not a super hero at all. He doesn’t have any super powers. He is
strong, agile and smart because he chose to train his body and mind to be the
hero he is. Yes, he is rich and because of that he is able to accomplish a lot
as Batman. However, many people forget or don’t know that he is actually a
detective. He follows clues to solve a crime or to prevent it. This is what I appreciate
most about Batman; he is a self made man and he uses his brains. He is strong,
fast and smart because he set his mind to it. I appreciate this very much as a
teacher, because life is about hard work and commitment to ones ultimate goals.
Batman is the self made “person” that any of us can be if we work hard and have
a goal. I love comics just as much as classics; they provide entertainment and
mythology through pop-culture. At the same time comics may give the idea to a
young person (as it did me) that if one works hard and sets a goal one can make
that goal or dream a reality. So if you’re in the mood for some good art, good story
lines and a very complicated protagonist pick up “Batman: Legends of the Dark
Knight”, I guarantee it will be a “Holy of a good time” (as Robin would say).
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Revenge is best served in words…
I have been talking a lot of adventure and fantasy, but
what about those two things with a bit of revenge on the side? Yes I know,
revenge is a bad thing. It doesn’t help anybody, most certainly oneself.
However, how about getting your revenge without any guilt or anybody actually suffering?
Now that would be good. Of course I’m talking about the classic book from Alexander
Dumas, “The Count of Monte Cristo”. Talk about a dish best serve though classic
literature. This story tells about a couple of friends that don’t really know
each other. Dante is trusting and seems to have everything together and Fernand
is jealous and conniving and takes everything (even his wife, snap!) from Dante.
This is one of those books that teaches you that what goes around comes around.
I won’t lie to you; this book is intense and long but captivating and suspenseful
at the same time. I’ve recently taken on the endeavor to re-read it (in
Spanish), and it’s waiting patiently for me to finish my quarter classes to
take me on an adventure of revenge. “The Count of Monte Cristo” a true classic
that everyone can enjoy without repercussions. So pick it up and take vengeance
on those hot summer days coming up by forgetting the heat and enjoying the cold
dish of revenge this book provides.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
A treasure awaits…
Let me tell you about one other classic that I also used to love to read. Before Disney ever thought of Pirates of the Caribbean; there was this other pirate adventure that touched many young ones imaginations. “Treasure Island” a true treasure of a book for anyone. I would read this book off and on when I had already made my rounds through the other books in my small but precious library. This story was about a boy and a one legged pirate on search of this mysterious island with an unbelievable treasure. Yeah I know the title says it all, but as it's often said, "It's not the destination but the journey that matters"! This book had it all, adventure in the high seas, sword fights, PIRATES and a map that many would die for (and many did). Once again this book would take me places I've never been or even thought of visiting. It provided escape and many afternoons of sword fighting with my brother on the branches of our mango tree in the back yard; which played the perfect role of a pirate ship if I may add. So if you can't afford a cruise this summer on the warm but turbulent waters of the Caribbean Sea pick up “Treasure Island”, it'll sure provide escape and adventure at an affordable price (rum not included).
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
A new take
Continuing with the idea of new classics, I was introduced to a new
genre that may be is not so new. Let me explain what I mean. As a young boy and
an avid fantasy reader I also spent countless hours reading Greek mythology. I
love reading about Medusa, the Minotaur, the Kraken, Titans and powerful gods
that took the form of humans to have children that they in turn would have god
like powers. It was fascinating to imagine the son of Zeus fighting monsters or
brave men going to the underworld and taking on Hades the God of the underworld
(made for great and sometimes scary dreams, but so much fun). Greek mythology
would embrace and nurtured my imagination like no other. Greek mythology is its
own genre and one that we are all familiar with; however, a brilliant person
thought to introduce this well established genre with a modern take. I’m
talking about this fairly new series out in the young readers’ section called
"Percy Jackson". This series is about a teenage boy who is the son of
Poseidon God of the oceans, who is send to save the Gods from someone who has
stolen the lighting rod of Zeus. First of all, great idea! A modern take on
classic mythology for a whole new generation of young (and adult) readers to
enjoy every day and twice on Sunday. I became aware of this series of books
while ordering books through Scholastic Book club for kids when I taught
elementary school. I found this premise absolutely wonderful and so did my
students. I ended up ordering the whole series of books for my students and I
to enjoy. So if you're in the mood to read about mythology with a modern twist,
pick up the first book of the series, “Percy Jackson & the Lighting Thief”
(or any other would do as well). Sure, it's in the young reader section; just
pretend you’re buying it for your nephew. Hope you enjoy this new take on mythology, like my class and I
did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)