Today Samara Learned... [Day 5]

that Naturalism can still be beautiful.

By pre-disposition, Samara is a Romantic... deeply and truly.  In her experiences with Naturalism, she has found things to appreciate, but not enjoy--not marvel at.  That was until today.  She just finished the last of a trio of short stories / novellas by Stephen Crane, and this last one, "The Blue Hotel," was astonishing!  It felt very Greek myth meets film noir - but set in the American west with a very Crane-esque sensibility.  Only three characters had names, and both the setting and the writing was sparse.  But it was brilliant!  Brooding from the beginning, it escalated into a dark observation on what could happen when 5 men, with ego and a machismo to defend, are confined in a small space together.

Well done, Crane.  Apparently this was one of Hemingway's favorite short stories, which makes sense.  Anyway, Samara may not be won over by Naturalism... but is grateful to see such a strong candidate for it.

Reading: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

"We only live once... Or do we?"  

 - Walter Mitty

Before the film comes out at Christmas, take time to read the original short story by James Thurber (1947).

*By the way, trailers like this one make me think we really need a "Best Trailer" award at some award show or another.

too many options...

aah! So much to read... and I don't know where to begin.

Current rundown:

The Complete Fairytales by Oscar Wilde*

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury*

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens*

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

haha... that should be Moments of Being [not Mrs. Dalloway] by Virginia Woolf*

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie*

Sherlock Holmes, Volume I by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle*

*started

Some random notes on this particular list... 

- a lot of 1890's-1910's... coincidence? not sure yet.

- short stories? at least 3 of those comprise of short stories--I totally expected myself to get sucked into a novel when I finished school. This is a pleasant surprise.

- Barrie and Doyle were friends and played on a cricket team together =) I happen to be fond of cricket, but am a bad observer--I was way too American in my tendency to clap and cheer throughout the match.

- this is why I should always finish a book before starting a new one =/

- all of these are British except Bradbury (because he was is a genius who transcends being an "American Author")

Well, if there's one you think I should dive (back) into, let me know. Go figure, but Sherlock is definitely the one I feel most drawn to right now...:)

Magus choice today: The Complete Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde

I'm stoked! I was expecting I'd get a novel, but I think this will hit the spot.

I have already read "The Selfish Giant" and I have high hopes that this collection will be amazing.

I read one today, "The Happy Prince." It was one of his earlier works and his faith is still evident in a really beautiful way (of course it's beautifully put--it's Wilde!)

Anyway... I hope to put some good Wilde quotes up soon.

Adventure for tomorrow: interview! Pray if you would =l =)