BC Reads! is a student-initiated and student-run organization. Our goal is to promote literacy in the Greater Boston area and to encourage youth, students, and all members of the community to rediscover the pleasure of reading. We seek to accomplish these goals by publishing student and faculty book reviews, volunteering, and fundraising. Since our founding in the fall of 2012, we have written and edited over thirty-five book reviews, expanded our membership to over twenty permanent members, and collaborated with the coordinator of the Share Aloud program to provide volunteer opportunities for our members at the St. Columbkille Partnership School. We raised over $500 in our fall book drive and, thanks to the hard work and generosity of the Boston College Bookstore, we will be able to donate over $2000 worth of new books to the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School in West Roxbury. We have also established a partnership with the Boston College Libraries— keep an eye out for books that we have reviewed and recommended, which wear our stamp of approval!
Please enjoy the following book reviews and accompanying illustrations by our talented Staff Writers and Staff Illustrators!
Table of Contents My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares The Fault in Our Stars by John Green Divergent by Veronica Roth Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens The Help by Kathryn Stockett The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs The Broken Cord by Michael Dorris A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin The Paris Wife by Paula McLain Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (Charles E. Wilbour translation, with modern notes) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Organization Members Acknowledgements
My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares
Ann Brashares, who also wrote the muchacclaimed Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, composes a unique and intriguing love story in My Name is Memory. Daniel has “the memory.” He can remember all of his past lives – from 520 A.D. to present day. Through countless deaths, parents, wives, and wars, he remembers it all. But despite living these different perspectives that span human existence, one thing remains constant in Daniel’s remembrance: his love for a soul, which he calls Sophia. From 552 A.D. Asia Minor to 1918 England to 1972 Virginia, Daniel and Sophia’s souls are constantly seeking each other, only to lose each other time after time again. The book takes place in the present day, with Daniel and Sophia, named Lucy by her current parents, meeting in high school. However, in order for them to finally be together, they both must conquer the competing forces that have kept them apart for so long. This book was fairly entertaining and well written but dragged on a bit in the middle. One can only take so much whining about how much Daniel and Lucy love and yearn for the other. Nothing of consequence happens within the first 300 pages; it is simply a summarized account of a number of their past lives and a never-ending stream of pained thoughts detailing their unrequited love. Don’t get me wrong, the anecdotes of their past lives were interesting and varied. I enjoyed reading them and putting the pieces together. It just took
Brashares too long to reach the climax of the novel – not to mention the unfinished ending. I have never been one to adamantly despise ambiguous endings, as long as they make sense with the rest of the story and leave the reader with a sense of thoughtfulness to take with them. However, the ending of My Name is Memory was far from thoughtful. I wouldn’t even call it ambiguous. It just ended, as if no further explanation or musing was necessary. As far as I know, there is no sequel to this book. The main action of the novel was completely cut short. Despite the disappointing ending of this novel, I did enjoy the ride to the end and would recommend this book to lovers of romance novels. Only people who have an affinity for this genre will be able to stand the repetitive stream of consciousness that revolves around Daniel and Sophia’s love.
Review by Brittany Duncan, A&S '16 Illustration by Tashrika Sharma, A&S '15
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Oftentimes, young adult fiction is full of books that are pure entertainment: novels about teens and partying, high school romantic affairs, and, of course, an abundance of drama. What’s more rare is a teen novel with substance; a book with both an entertaining story and meaning. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is one of those unique stories. We get a look into the life of Hazel Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer, which has unfortunately spread into her lungs. Hazel is surviving and able to live her life to some extent, yet she realizes that her disease will soon finish her off. While the book is told from the perspective of a cancer patient, it is not the typical “cancer novel.” Hazel attends a weekly support group, which she usually dreads, until she meets a 17-year-old osteosarcoma survivor named Augustus Waters. Hazel and Augustus immediately form a bond, growing close through their witty personalities, life experiences, and An Imperial Affliction, Hazel’s favorite book by Peter Van Houten. The Fault in Our Stars is a beautiful, funny, heartwarming, and upsetting book that will leave readers laughing and crying in equal measure. The aftermath consists of thinking about life in a much deeper way. The characters are vivid, lifelike, and instantly relatable. Readers will form bonds with them, rejoicing in their triumphs and worrying along with them in the toughest moments. The language itself is easy to read and understand, yet it is simultaneously witty and elegant. Particularly special to The Fault in Our Stars is that it can be read for literary value as well as entertainment, containing many popular references and powerful meanings to uncover, as
well as important life questions to consider. People of all ages, though particularly teens and young adults, will love this beautiful book, which will leave an enormous impact on whomever chooses to read it. Review by Caitlin Mason, A&S '16
Divergent By Veronica Roth
Divergent is the first book in a trilogy by young novelist Veronica Roth. Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior lives in a dystopian society that is divided into five factions, each of which highlights a particular virtue: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Although each child is born into a faction, at the age of 16 members of society are allowed to pick which faction they will dedicate the rest of their lives to. When the time comes for Beatrice to choose her fate, she struggles between her loyalty to her family and her own desires. Her surprising choice leads to an intense and competitive initiation that challenges her mental strength, her physical capabilities, and the durability of her friendships. As conflict brews and her seemingly perfect lifestyle begins to unravel, Tris realizes that her most closely guarded secret might be the key to saving the people she loves. Through the development of a society characterized by divisions and faux peace, Veronica Roth plays on stereotypes, human nature, and the danger of conformity while building her scene. There are few lulls in the action, and I actually felt a sense of urgency to push forward while reading this novel. It
was as if the next important event would have gone on without me if I set the book down for just a moment. With a defiant teenage girl as the leading character, a futuristic, bleak setting, a budding romance, and a fascinating blend of excitement, dread, and mystery, I could not help but compare the first book in this trilogy to The Hunger Games. Do not start this book if you have any enticing plans for the next eight hours. Or during finals week, like I did. It started as a casual read that I hoped would calm my nerves, but instead I ended up pulling a non-academically related all-nighter to finish it. Honestly, the only real downside to this book is that conclusion of the trilogy will not be released until next fall. In Divergent, some questions remain unanswered and many situations do not make sense. I am expecting that these issues will be resolved in the second and third books, though. I’m not one for patience and would have preferred to read all three books in close sequence, but as far as flaws go I would say that this is a minor one. While Divergent is not for everyone, if you enjoyed The Hunger Games series I advise you to pick up this Veronica Roth novel!
Review by Christie Wentworth, A&S '13 Illustration by Patrick Hughes, A&S '14
Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald
Earnest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Elliot—these are the authors that occur in one’s mind when thinking of the “Lost Generation”. They were men, writers, disillusioned with a world destroyed by war. Yet, there was more to this time period and the literature produced during it. There were women; there was Gertrude Stein and Hadley Hemingway. There was Zelda Fitzgerald. In her only novel, Save Me the Waltz, Zelda Fitzgerald describes the familiar dissolution of the American dream felt by many of the authors of 1920s. However, unlike other writers of the period, she describes these themes through a woman’s perspective. Save Me the Waltz is the semiautobiographical account of a young woman from the South, Alabama Beggs, specifically detailing her marriage and her life with the artist David Knight. At first, she is enthralled with the late-night parties and the ritz and glamour that come along with her marriage to David. However, she soon sees the emptiness of such a life and turns away from her husband and into herself. In Paris, she recognizes her dream to become a great ballerina and begins to take lessons in a nearby dance studio. After months of practice and weeks of neglecting both her family and her customary lifestyle, she becomes exceptionally close to fulfilling her dream. She moves to Italy and performs in a ballet. However, soon after, her dream is shattered by an infection, which leaves her incapable of dancing again. Upon recovery, she returns to America with her husband and daughter to attend her father’s funeral. The novel ends with her and her husband resigned to complacency, seemingly content in mutual disillusionment.
For anyone who is interested in the Lost Generation, Save Me the Waltz is a necessary addition to his or her library. It brings full circle the thoughts and attitudes of many of the writers of that time – illuminating a woman’s perspective from an era that is described largely and almost singularly by men. With events taken from her personal life, the novel gives a different point of view on the workings of Zelda and F. Scott’s relationship, a marriage that has long incited the interest of readers. Drawing on many of the same themes as Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night and written at relatively the same time, Save Me the Waltz parallels many of the plot points of what has become, arguably, Fitzgerald’s most famous work. Consequently, Save Me the Waltz is an interesting juxtaposition to that novel and good companion for those reading it. Zelda Fitzgerald’s writing style, with a devoted attention to minute details, makes Save Me the Waltz a thoroughly engrossing read and one that can very successfully stand on its own as a great and unjustifiably overlooked piece of literature. Review by Christine Degenaars, CSOM '15
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book narrated in letters by Charlie, a freshman in high school. The book opens with Charlie’s first day of high school, as he reflects back on his best friend’s suicide in middle school and his favorite aunt’s death. Charlie is an innocent narrator, which makes the book very intriguing because it feels as though the reader is going through his experiences for the first time as well. Charlie encounters serious issues in high school detailing both family and friendship; sexual abuse and abusive
relationships; first love and sexuality; drugs and alcohol; and depression. These real issues and situations are presented in such a way that readers can easily relate to them. Also, the characters are diverse enough that every reader can find someone to identify with. I read this book in my sophomore year of high school, again my senior year, and I recently opened the binding a third time at the beginning of this year (my freshman year). It is amazing how this book continues to be relevant even though it is told from the perspective of a high school freshman in the ’90s. In fact, the issues it touches on are so universal that I argue it’s impact could be eternally significant. The book is well written with deep, quotable sentences on each page. It did not take me long to read The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Since it was composed of letters, the chapters were short and left me wondering what would come next. I really love this book. It made me think a lot about life, happiness, and what it means to be human. It also opened my eyes to what some people have to go through. I was able to relate to some of Charlie’s experiences; he is a very real and complex character who I wish I could meet and have a conversation with. The book was a roller coaster of feelings – at times I laughed, and sometimes I even cried. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of those books I feel everyone must read. John Green nicely sums up my feelings about it: “Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” – The Fault in Our Stars. So stop reading this review and pick up The Perks of Being a Wallflower. (And watch the film after – it is a great complement to the book!) Review by Colleen Brady, A&S '16
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling As an avid fan of The Office and a recent follower of The Mindy Project, there’s a special place for Mindy Kaling in my heart. I have never been an autobiography-reading kind of girl, but after reading Tina Fey’s BossyPants, I decided to give the genre a chance. Coupled with the realization that Kaling recently ventured into the egotistical category, I had to read it. Let me tell you, it was far from disappointing. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) was a hilarious depiction of Kaling’s life and her random tidbits of wisdom. Kaling paints a picture of her life through self-deprecating humor. She talks about how much she admires her parents and the numerous times she embarrassed her brother in summer camp. She explains how rare it is to be an overweight Indian child and yet how her mother embraced her for it. She also humorously describes why romantic comedies are the best genre and what clothes every man should own. She strongly believes that JC Chasez was the cutest member of ’NSYNC and Converse sneakers have a lifetime of one year. With every topic Kaling hits on, whether it’s serious or ridiculous, she uses her humor and personable character to engage the reader. Kaling is a role model to all women due to her humility, intelligence, and work ethic. I not only admire her, but I wish she were my best friend. I won’t lie to you; I could not put this book down. I read it in the gym, in between classes, even before bed. It took me a little less than two days to finally finish it. Obviously, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And
Other Concerns) isn’t the epitome of classic literature, but it’s still a captivating book which I highly recommend. Kaling covers topics every young woman has thought about, but she does so with a hilarious twist. This is the perfect novel to finish in a few days and to pass on to your best friend. Review by Hallie Sullivan, A&S '15
The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens One of the most beloved of Dickensian tropes, and perhaps also one of the most ridiculed, the ending, in pulling together and even justifying the rest of the story, has been called the signature of all Dickens and even Victorian novels. In this sense, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, his last and unfinished novel, seems to violate every motivation that one would have in reading such a book. In breaking off a mere six installments into the planned twelve after its author’s untimely death, it lacks what most readers would consider the most satisfying portion, where Dickens tends to tie up loose ends into ingenious, if always perfectly fitting, conclusions. Furthermore, the title refers to a mystery, and indeed, by the end of the existing installments, Edwin Drood has vanished, apparently dead, without the ending Dickens almost certainly envisioned to explain the circumstances of his disappearance. What has continued to draw readers to the story is this unknowable nature; the story has no ending, yes, but that only increases the appeal. After all, isn’t the perfect mystery the one that can never be solved? As a result, one
can attach significance to any small detail and conjecture the vital purpose it might have served in the final chapters. Scholars and laymen alike have pored over the details Dickens provides, but even with the help of the notes recovered after his death and the famed “Sapsea fragment,” a piece of a later chapter introducing new characters, the question of what happened to Edwin Drood cannot definitively be answered. The clues are all there, of course. Most pin the deed on John Jasper, Drood’s crafty uncle and the choirmaster, whose supposed piety masks an opium addiction and an obsessive love for Drood’s fiancé. Yet other questions abound; who, for instance, is the mysterious stranger and detective, Dick Datchery, whose inscrutable features many scholars believe hide the identity of a previously known character, disguising him or herself to uncover the truth? What stake does Princess Puffer, Jasper’s opium supplier, have in the case, and why does she venture to Cloisteram in the final chapters? Readers must accept that these questions can never be answered. Those who hope to find the answers to the questions The Mystery of Edwin Drood poses will inevitably be disappointed. But those perhaps accustomed to Dickens through his other works, who can wonder his motives and plans without ever realizing them, who can relish in the utter impenetrability of the mystery that Dickens has set before us, those are the readers who will enjoy this novel. The Mystery of Edwin Drood has been called the perfect mystery novel, not by virtue of its technique or even the author’s intention to deceive, but because it is the only one whose mystery can, quite literally, never be solved. Who killed Edwin Drood? Only his creator can fathom. Review by Jennifer Heine, A&S '16 Illustration below by Patrick Hughes, A&S '14
The Help by Kathryn Stockett This heart-warming novel is a story about the help—a contingent of black maids raising white children in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights turmoil of the 1960s. Aside from its central focus on racial tensions during this time, it is also a story of unexpected friendship and love. Told from the perspectives of Aibileen and Minnie, two maids in Jackson, along with Skeeter, a young white woman who doesn’t quite fit in, The Help will have you laughing, crying, and wishing you had Minnie’s caramel cake recipe. From the delicious southern comfort food, to the scandalous drama within the upper-class social circles, there is always some action to maintain your attention. While the recent film adaptation of the novel was relatively well done, even people who have already seen the movie will enjoy this book. As with most novel-based films, there are several scenes worth reading that were not included in the script. There is hardly a dull moment throughout the plotline, especially when the horrible Hilly Holbrook is involved. As someone who has not studied much about the civil rights movement, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book where historical events and critical social issues of the era were interwoven in a way that wouldn’t bore me to tears. So, if you’re looking for a fairly light read with a feel-good ending,The Help is just the kind of book you need! Review by Kristie Dickinson, CSOM '14
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
It is a ship set to sail from London to Brisbane in 1913 that spurs the entangled, enticing story of The Forgotten Garden. But, luckily for us, we need neither months aboard a vessel nor the ability to time travel to unravel this mystery. Instead, we must only look to Kate Morton, whose encapsulating voice carries us across continents and centuries with her story centered around a foster child named Nell. At first, Nell’s world is shattered when her father informs her that she was adopted. After her father’s death in 1975, Nell hoped to travel back to England from Australia to discover her true origins, but her granddaughter Cassandra’s unexpected, elongated stay kept her from continuing her search. In 2005, with Nell on her deathbed, Cassandra continues her grandmother’s journey, determined to piece together the puzzle that is their family history. Coming in at a hefty 552 pages, The Forgotten Garden is no light read – but it is a quick one. The chapters seep with mystery, and each question answered only raises new complications. Every time I thought I had the mystery solved, a new revelation would force me to reconsider and read on. Despite the many hours of sleep sacrificed, I finished the novel in a matter of days. Part of what compelled me to continue flipping the pages was Morton’s ability to create sympathy for her characters. I related to each and every character, whether she lived in 2005 or during the 1800s. I wanted
desperately to fill in the dark patches of history that influenced Nell, Cassandra, and everyone else involved in the familial search. Though Morton waits until the very last page to fully enlighten her readers, the journey that gets us there is well worth it. Morton is a master storyteller in both her descriptions that drive the main plot and in the gems of original fairy tales that are sprinkled throughout the novel. While reading, I was often conflicted between a subconscious desire to admire the genius of her writing and my need to know what would happen next. With The Forgotten Garden, Morton creates a beautiful homage to the institution of storytelling. I recommend this book, or any Kate Morton novel for that matter, to everyone. The Forgotten Garden has earned a distinction in my head I previously thought impossible to win: favorite book. As far as I’m concerned, this book has everything: mystery, beauty, compelling characters, prodigious prose. And while I’ve read - and loved - all of Morton’s other books, The Forgotten Garden is unquestionably the best.
Review by Laura Baumgartner, A&S '16 Illustration by Kayla D'Ambrosio, A&S '14
Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Jonathan Safran Foer’s debut novel, Everything is Illuminated, is a remarkable feat of fiction that transcends its own genre. The novel is comprised of intricately woven narratives that show the inextricable connections between time, place, culture, and humanity. The protagonist, who shares the author’s name, embarks on a journey to find the woman he believes saved his grandfather from the Nazis. With Alex, an ambitious Ukrainian teenager striving for the American dream, and Alex’s grandfather, a cantankerous man with a hidden past, acting as translators and guides, Jonathan realizes that he is not the only one looking to the past in order to better understand the present and to guide the future. While the themes of the novel – growing up, facing reality, grappling with love and loss, discovering family history, trying to explain inexplicable tragedy, and forming an individual and collective identity – are all clichés, Foer artfully portrays the tragically beautiful universal truths and uncovers the raw, relevant emotion in these familiar plotlines. Through the intersecting narratives, Everything is Illuminated conveys the universal bond of humanity and the struggle to reconcile reality when that bond is violated and betrayed. Simultaneously using macroscopic and microscopic lenses, Foer expresses the complex emotional existence that connects people of all ages, cultures, and religions. The juxtaposition of the protagonist’s exploration of his family’s past and Alex’s grandfather’s inability to escape his own past highlights the equal liberty and burden in acquiring knowledge, as both characters realize the duplicitous nature of history and memory.
The work itself is fiction, but it is rooted in the illuminating truths of profound sorrow, joy, and introspection. The novel’s liminality is paradoxically jarring and comforting, foreign and familiar. When the plot becomes uncomfortably serious, Alex’s broken English provides humorous malapropisms that offer necessary comic relief, while at the same time it makes the reader explore the possibilities and powers of language. When the journey seems physically and emotionally impossible for the characters, there is a reassuring discovery that motivates them to push forward. When the darkest cavities of human cruelty and frailty are exposed, there is still the wavering glow of hope to remind the characters and the reader that it is in moments of seemingly unbearable hardship and self-discovery that everything is illuminated. Review by Lauren Bly, A&S '15
Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs I’ve read A. J. Jacobs’ work before. In addition to being an editor at Esquire, he has filled the bookstore shelves with funny memoirs about the crazy experiments he regularly attempts. The last book of his I picked up, A Year of Living Biblically, portrayed his experience trying to live a year following every rule of the Bible. Full of sass, he drives his family crazy with his social experiments. Jacobs’ books move quickly with reasonably paced chapters that get to the
point and include pictures to hasten the dialogue! Normally, I’d give any book two stars minimum for having pictures. His latest work is the concern of this review, however. In Drop Dead Healthy, Jacobs attempts to become the healthiest man alive. After having a mid-life crisis, he realizes that he needs to get his act together on the health and fitness front. This book follows his journey as he embarks on a series of entertaining visits to a myriad of health experts. I’m always trying to read different things and push myself out of the comfortable light reading I like to do outside of class. Being a tame yogagoing, stationary bike riding, sometimes-elliptical-if-there’s-no-one-towatch-me-fall-off kind of girl, I was intrigued by the extreme health trends Jacobs tried; he described his experiences in a way that didn’t leave me feeling like I was reading another textbook for class. Instead of going to get acupuncture, going vegan, or turning my own desk into a treadmill, I witnessed him consult experts in every field in the hopes of finding the very best, but easy to follow advice for all aspects of health. From confronting germ phobias to discovering new tricks for dealing with stress, to trying out the “caveman movement” (don’t ask, just read), he attempts all sorts of extreme “hip” movements as well as trusted, old-fashioned exercise. I’m pretty picky when it comes to books, so I gave this one three stars. It moves quickly enough hold your interest, but I didn’t find it as witty as his other works. Overall, he addressed a lot of different issues in a casual way that held the reader’s attention from the very beginning. If you’re curious about ways to live well, just want to laugh, or need a fast read for your time on the treadmill/stationary bike/elliptical, this is the book for you!
Review by Molly Saint, A&S '15 Illustration by Kayla D'Ambrosio, A&S '14
The Broken Cord by Michael Dorris
Set in the early 1970’s, the voice and hand behind The Broken Cord, Michael Dorris, decides that he would like to become a father. Single, and without an ounce of parental experience, Michael applies to adopt a young Native American boy. It is here that the novel begins, and serves as an account of Dorris' struggle to understand the physical and mental impairments of his sweet and loving son Adam. Dorris begins his quest for the answers behind his son’s difficulties and searches to find out more about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is the clinical condition that Michael discovers is affecting his own son. Michael’s account is told with such openness that it would engage the heart of any sensitive, knowledge-seeking individual whether or not those symptoms were found among loved ones or friends. Michael Dorris explores the disintegrating culture of Native American communities within the United States, of which he was a part of as a child and now values as an adult. The prevalent abuse of alcohol and other damaging substances among these communities is explained and examined by Dorris in both an informative and understanding manner. A product and student of the Native American community, Dorris can show us how two cultures wrestle with such issues. Or, alternatively, how two versions of the "social contract" might try to cope with the human devastation inherent in a woman's consumption of drugs during her child-bearing years. His research led him to the realization that FAS and FAE have been surmised and counseled about in most of Western culture as far back as Ancient Greece.
I recommend The Broken Cord as a personal story, admirably told and exhaustively researched, which will add one more example to our human dilemma to keep rights and duties in balance in the course of our own personal exploration for meaning and justice for the communities of which we are all apart. Review by Morgan Healy, Lynch '16
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Winter is coming, and in the world of George R.R. Martin’s, winter can last for years – even decades. If everyone in the Seven Kingdoms wants to survive, a stable central government needs to be in place; unfortunately, it is anything but. The many families, Stark and Lannister the most prominent kin among them, struggle for the Iron Throne not only with sword and shield, but also through political maneuvering and ruthless backstabbing. Meanwhile, across the sea to the south, the last two living descendants of the late royal bloodline bide their time until they can reclaim the throne that was lost a few decades ago. The blood of the dragons flows through their veins and they will stop at nothing to take back what was once theirs. Wars are started, people are killed, and alliances are broken. Very few seem to realize that winter is coming along with a forgotten, ancient evil that may spell the end of humanity.
While not everyone has seen the HBO television series Game of Thrones, I’m sure most people have at least heard of the extent of its critical acclaim. With incredible actors, amazing cinematography, and a concrete storyline, the series has found fans of all different tastes, not just fantasy and sci-fi geeks such as myself. The thing is, the books are even better than the television series. The line between “good guys” and “bad guys” is blurred until it is nearly indistinguishable as the book goes deep into the minds and motivations of many different characters. The story becomes even more convoluted with multiple intertwining subplots and complex political strategies that are constantly changing. A masterful building of suspense and subtle hints of an impending cataclysmic event make A Game of Thrones an intense reading experience. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this book is that George R. R. Martin breaks all the rules of the fantasy genre. He writes from multiple viewpoints and makes even the most immoral characters seem sympathetic and even likeable at times. He also has no qualms about killing off main heroes. In fact, he does it a lot and with almost gleeful ease. If you like surprises, this book is for you. Above all else, A Game of Thrones is a book about people and their relationships. Although magic is important, especially later in the series, it’s actually more of a backdrop to the interactions between the characters. That’s why this series has become so popular outside of fans of the genre. Admittedly, the prose can be a bit dense at times, but it’s worth getting through. Trust me. Read it. Review by William Hwang, A&S ‘15 Illustration by Patrick Hughes, A&S ‘14
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
The Paris Wife is brilliant, beautiful, and heart wrenching. Set in 1920s Paris, a time of transition and innovation, this novel tells the true story of Ernest Hemmingway’s first wife, Hadley Richardson. Hadley is a practical women – honest and all things good. She brings out the best in Ernest and loves him to a fault. Their marriage is one with many obstacles, such as Ernest’s severe mood swings, his fierce commitment to his career, and even infidelity. Sometimes I wished she would finally snap and let Ernest have it. I wanted her to scream at him, to make him truly understand how much he hurt her. But no, that is not Hadley’s way. She is ever the perfect wife. Despite its beautiful descriptions of Paris and the incredible era of the ’20s, this book is a love story above all else. In fact, Paula McLain stated her whole idea for this book started when she read A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemmingway’s memoir of his and Hadley’s days in Paris. In the final pages, he writes of Hadley, “I wished I had died before I ever loved anyone but her.” Surrounded by greats like Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hadley and Ernest live exciting lives. The novel is so full to the brim of famous names from the “Lost Generation” that I found myself often pulling out my computer to research the many secondary characters that make cameo appearances. It was as though I was transported back in time, and I wanted to learn more about these fascinating people. Paula McLain’s commitment to staying true to the facts is admirable. I became enraptured by the story of the Hemmingways and sought out more information about them. I was surprised to learn how much of The Paris Wife is factually accurate.
The Paris Wife goes deeper than simply telling the story of the often forgotten first Hemmingway wife. It delves into the universal struggles of marriage and love. Despite their fame and the fact that this story takes place ninety years ago, Hadley and Ernest go through many of the struggles couples go through today. This brings the novel down to earth and renders it relatable to a modern audience. When reading this novel, I could feel Hadley’s love, strength, and heartache. Paula McLain breathes life into her, finally giving her a voice and a presence that will live on, allowing her to move out of the shadow of Ernest Hemmingway and be given her own identity. I came to love her and her story will stay with me for a long time to come. Review by Brittany Duncan, A&S ‘16
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (Charles E. Wilbour translation, with modern notes) The highly anticipated film version of Les Miserables to be released this Christmas will undoubtedly send devotees back to the timeless musical upon which the movie is based. But many forget even the musical is based upon an original source: Victor Hugo’s classic novel. Often considered his masterpiece, Les Miserables has proved the most enduring of Hugo’s works. Even those who have never read the novel often recognize the characters. To call Les Miserables epic would prove a grand understatement, weighing in at about 1500 pages in the most commonly accepted English translation by Charles E. Wilbour and spanning the entire adult life of its major character as well as the countless
intersecting lives. This depth and attention to detail enables the reader to slide easily into the richly drawn world of nineteenth-century France. Although abridged versions leave out what some deem unnecessary detours into such subjects as the pidgin of the urban poor and the history of the Parisian sewer system, these addendums not only serve to deepen the reader’s appreciation for the setting, but the information often proves vital later on. How better to appreciate Jean Valjean’s harrowing journey through the sewers than with a full understanding of these labyrinthine tunnels, and how better to appreciate little Gavroche’s endearing songs than with an understanding of his dialect? Despite the historical fiction setting, Les Miserables draws its scope beyond the breadth of its time and place. The language itself, even in translation, proves nothing short of breathtaking. Throughout the work, the reader finds himself pausing to relish the simple beauty of Hugo’s sentences, a pleasure that never flags even during the tautest of scenes. Furthermore, the story extends far beyond the tragic student revolution. As in the musical, that fateful night serves as the novel’s climax, but here the climax extends some 200 pages and expertly sweeps up a multitude of divergent storylines into one heartbreaking, electrifying, and ultimately life-affirming whole. Every character here receives not just a song but a wholly realized life, with such histories that even those familiar with the popular musical will have something to learn. Most adaptations, for instance, do not acknowledge that the beloved Gavroche is in fact Eponine’s younger brother. These histories lend characters that may seem simplistic in the well-publicized drama greater complexity; never before have the sometimes excessively villainous Javert or the childishly sycophantic Azelma seemed so pitiable, even relatable. It would be fair to conclude that, despite the desperate conflict at its heart, there are no villains in Les Miserables, only flawed mortals anxious that they might become heroes, and as readers we become invested in them all. We swoon for Marius and Cosette’s relationship just as we ache for Eponine’s unrequited love; we cheer Jean Valjean’s earnest hope of selfredemption just as we understand Javert’s irremediable dedication to his duty. Over the long course of these pages, these characters take on greater depth than any adaptation can afford them: their story has become akin to a
life, a life from which one emerges with almost a sense of bereavement from the world to which he has dedicated so much emotion. Ultimately, this is less a novel than an experience. Review by Jennifer Heine, A&S '16
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein Do you ever wish you could read your dog’s mind? Well, The Art of Racing in the Rain finally gives you an inside look. Enzo, the prime pooch of this heart-warming story, tells it all from his perspective, from puppy-hood to old age. He is raised by his master Denny, a racecar driver, along with his wife, Eve, and daughter, Zoe, in their Seattle home. Although he is “just” a pet, Enzo truly is a fourth member of the family. Even through a birth, a death, a debilitating illness, and a crippling court case, Enzo is unwaveringly loyal to them all. Stein weaves a truly bittersweet tale that will have you reaching for tissues at times, but smiling by the story’s end. You don’t have to be a dog owner to enjoy this book, though! It is hard not to fall in love with Denny and Enzo, a dynamic duo both at home and on the racetrack. While the dramatic parts of the plotline can be tearjerkers, the story has many more happy moments than sad ones. Enzo is extremely intelligent, and his philosophies are well thought-out and pretty darn funny. I loved his outlook on a dog’s life after death, which he learned from watching a documentary on television. (It certainly makes you wonder what your own dog is learning from shows you tune into on TV…) All in all, if you’re a dog lover and you have the need for a speed-read, you will not be disappointed.
Review by Kristie Dickinson, CSOM '14 Illustration by Patrick Hughes, A&S '14
Executive Board President
Chief Staff Editor
Christie Wentworth
DJ Adams
Secretary
Treasurer
Kayli Brownstein
Tara Nadkarni
Board of Directors Director of Volunteering
Director of Publicity
Director of Website Management
Yande Lombe
Chris Kabacinski
Maddy Carignan
Staff Writers
Laura Baumgartner
William Hwang
Caitlin Mason
Molly Saint
Colleen Brady
Hallie Sullivan
Jennifer Heine
Lauren Bly
Kristie Dickinson
Staff Writers
Brittany Duncan
Morgan Healy
Christine Degenaars
Staff Editors
David Querusio
Carolyn Esposito
Jess Nardolillo
Staff Illustrators
Tashrika Sharma
Kayla D'Ambrosio
Patrick Hughes
We are so grateful for everyone who helped with the development and expansion of our organization this past year. We would like to recognize the following people and organizations for the special contributions they made to BC Reads!:
Laura Bitran Jackie Wesner David Werda Chris Bergin Karl Bell SPO SOFC Eagle Print
Thank you for your support and encouragement!