Review Of Charlottes Web By E.B. White

Review of “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White

Genre: Children’s Classic

Rating: 5/5

Summary: A pig named Wilbur is sold to a nearby farm by his former owner, Fern, an 8 years old girl, whose father can’t afford to have a pig in the house anymore. Wilbur feels lonely and is always in search of a friend. Finally, he meets a very sweet and gentle spider named Charlotte, who accepts his friendship.

My Opinion: The friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte is one of the best friendships in literature. They both are very caring towards each other. The character of Fern is very similar to that of my little sister’s. She too, like Fern, loves all sorts of animals (even insects). Her obsession towards this, worries my mother too (just like Fern’s mother). The whole book was very heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I have never cried, reading a book, like the way I did towards the end of this one. This book has made a special place in my heart and it has become my favourite book of all time.

Favourite Character: I love Charlotte. She has an air of warmth around her. The way she talks is very pleasant. The lullaby she sings to put Wilbur to sleep, constantly worrying about his health and reassuring him at times of insecurities, proves how loyal she is as a friend. I am scared to death of spiders. Charlotte is definitely my one and only favourite spider.

Quote: “After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die.”

Marauders era reimagined

part 2

A Review of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

Genre: Romance

Rate: 5/5

Summary: When Elizabeth Bennet first met Mr. Darcy, she couldn’t stand him for his pride. Neither did Mr. Darcy found her interesting enough to ask her for a dance. But many occasions brought them together again and again. At last, Mr. Darcy couldn’t help but fall in love with Elizabeth.

My Opinion: I don’t know where to begin. This novel is a classic and a masterpiece. I loved the use of satire in a most charming way possible. The first thing I noticed reading this book was that people were extremely nosy. They seemed to notice other people’s even the trifling matters of day to day life. I couldn’t help noticing how the mothers were all so anxious about their daughter’s marriage at the time. I loved Austen’s writing style very much. It was really funny and I laughed out loud at so many places (I’m even smiling to myself now thinking about some funny parts). Though it was a little draggy at the beginning, but I enjoyed almost every part of it. This book was worth all my time.

Favourite Characters: I can’t decide whom I like best among Jane, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Jane is such a sweetheart. Her values and point of views almost match mine. She is also a very responsible daughter and sister. I feel like, there is a warmth present in her which gives one comfort. Elizabeth is carefree and independent. She has a way of charming everyone and being friendly. She is very confident too. She handles her situation in a very tactful way. I specifically like the sisterly relationship between Jane and Elizabeth. My sister and I share a same kind of relationship. We too, like them, have each others confidence and shares every little thing. Now, what can I tell about Mr. Darcy! I loved him at the end as much as I hated him in the beginning. The best thing about him was that though he is proud, he learns.

Quote: “Do anything rather than marry without affection.”

“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller Review

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 3/5

Summary: “The Crucible” is a play of 1953 by Arthur Miller. The story is based on the infamous ‘Salem witch trials’ which took place in the 1692-1693. A group of young women, lead by Abigail Williams, accuse the village people of witchcrafts which results in a hysteria among them.

My opinion: The writing style of this play was very neat and I enjoyed reading every minute of it. It was short but the scenes were very intense. It showed how the ‘Salem witch trials’ was unfair and how ironically they hanged the people who wouldn’t admit being a witch rather than the ones who already did.

But there is a specific problem in this play which I would like to discuss. The protagonist John Proctor was shown as a brave hero whereas the antagonist was Abigail Williams, a very young girl who was sexually exploited by her former master (John Proctor). Isn’t it misogynistic how the writer had made the real victim look like a villain and the abuser a hero? I know Abigail was twisted and what she did was not right. But it was John who made her go that way.

Another problematic thing about this was that John was expecting his wife, Elizabeth, to forgive him because he had confessed to her. But when she couldn’t, it made him angry. At the end too, Elizabeth took all the blame on her saying she was too ‘cold’ as to why John made the mistake in the first place. That was really misleading. No one should be felt that way when their partner is the one cheating.

Quote: “I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it.”

One Last Dance

"Can I have a dance?"

A man with a pitch black mask covering the upper half of his face asked me. His face was very pale and his lips were thin.

Looking in his twinkling dark eyes, I felt like I've seen them before.

"But I can't dance." I said.

I wouldn’t have come to the ball if it weren’t themed as a Victorian London one. There is something I find really interesting about the Victorian era.

"Oh Darling!" the man said with a charming smile, "Let me take the lead."

This time I knew for sure I’ve heard that same voice saying the exact same word, “Darling!”

Unconsciously I gave my hands to his. We moved to the dance floor. He put his hand behind my back and pulled me closer.

I was oblivious to my surrounding. The only thing I was looking at was his pitch black eyes. The lights reflected in them as we move along the music. Hours after hours past. But we did not stop. I could not remember when was the last time I felt that much happy. We laughed, we danced and kept staring at each other’s eyes.

A sudden flashback cross my mind. I was dancing with my beloved surrounded by the dark woods. Our laughs were the only sound we could hear.

I pulled away and gasped, “You’re him.”

He came closer to me and whispered, “And you’re her, my mellilla.”

Read Part 2 Here

‘Wuthering Heights’ By Emily  Brontë Book Review

Genre: Gothic/Romance

Rating: 3/5

Summary: The story of Catherine Earnshaw and her foster brother, Heathcliff falling in love. But when Catherine is married to another man Heathcliff seek revenge on those he thinks are responsible.

My Opinion: I was confused throughout the whole book. Sometimes I liked it, sometimes I didn’t. The characters were hard to sympathize with. The decisions they made were crazy. Overall the whole book seemed like a mess.

Still, there were some memorable events which I can't deny that I really liked. The ending was satisfying too.

Favourite Character: Edgar Linton seemed like the only sane person in the entire book. He was a sensible person and I felt his judgements were right.

Quote: “You said I killed you--haunt me then.”