Officially a fan of Stefan Zweig

So, I have read a short story by Stefan Zweig “Forgotten Dreams” and decided to read one of his books the “Burning Secret”.  The Austrian author is quit an engaging writer and the descriptions, and confusion he puts the reader through is just right. I find his style to be a bit gloomy and mysterious, also twisted too depending on the perspective you look at it from.

                                                                          

I feel as though Stefan has the reader enter into a dark territory from the voice in which they perceive the story from. I can tell thus far that his stories are many stories intertwined with each other in the realm of secrets revealed and unveiled.  The mood and tone is well set in the way he writes and immediately brings me in the story without me pondering when it will be complex and interesting, because from the very beginning it is introduced in such way.   

“Burning Secret” ended up being perverse and twisted in the ending of the novel.  We never really know what actually happened, as if parts were a dream but maybe even not. But perhaps the ambiguity is present in most of his writings; I’d have to read more to know. Edgar is the center of the novel, a young boy about 12 years of age wanting to pursue adulthood already and overcoming an illness. He and his mother go to an Austrian resort after his illness to recover.

The Baron is the predatory seducer, in which we see the characters from a deeper perspective now that their lives are encountered. The Baron stays at the resort and preys on the woman and gets to her first through the friendship of the child. Much deceit, lust, passion, and tumultuous things happen after the many encounters and the growing engagement between the three people.

At the end, I asked myself if Edgar the young boy was suffering from a mental illness that made the events so confusing and unclear. There could be a few possibilities of what really happened for the reader but all of them are going to be disturbing. I appreciate that Stefan chose that and leaves us unsettled and puzzled.

The Wes Anderson film “ The Grand Budapest Hotel” was beautiful and timeless. The color livelihood and the changes of the color palette throughout the film told the story even more. Many film devices were used that were old fashion, and overall the film was old fashion in a modern way.

Wes definitely is inspired by the intertwined stories within a story that Zweig uses and he also used a similar melancholy tone but also humorous. The historical similarities in the film along with the writings of Zweig are noticeable. I will be reading more Zweig and watching more Wes Anderson films. Both works are highly descriptive in there different realms.  I am fascinated by the history of Stefan Zweig and will need to know more of his life besides reading much more stories of his.

True Grit

My latest read was the well-known western novel True Grit by Charles Portis.

The language of the book is very simple and unpolished, pretty much to the point.

Mattie is telling the story looking back as an older woman to this epic story of her youth. She goes on a journey with Rooster a great mean Marshall and LaBeouf a Texas Ranger. At first they did not want a young girl going with them but come to acceptance of her presence, especially since she is the most persistent character in the novel and hard to get rid of.

Portis crafted Mattie’s hardheaded comical personality very well. She takes on a path that is not normal of the female realm during that time, carrying on a different set of morals and known femininity. Upon this journey into Indian territory Mattie seeks retribution for her father’s death by going after killer Josh Cheney.

The killer Josh Cheney is no complex character in my opinion, he’s just a drunkin gunman idiot. His character is quite foolish and gritty. I was surprised by the ending of the novel and was not very happy with the outcome of Mattie’s life but I guess you would have to read it to know what I mean, especially to see who has “True Grit”.

The relationship between Rooster and Mattie is one that grows and furnishes into a sisterly love and possibly fatherly love from Mattie’s perspective.

The movie I choose to see was the original True Girt with John Wayne. This movie embodied a true Western and told the story very well, I appreciated the lines being used from the book into the script. The cinematography was beautiful and I was captivated by how they story was put into place in this movie. Well, I’d like to see the newer True Grit and compare this classic Western to the retake!

Pride and Prejudice, a Novel

A recent read of mine I have indulged myself in was the Pride and Prejudice, a novel by Jane Austen. I was quite intrigued by the book, and though written in the early 18^th century it is a timeless novel and can be applied to today.

Austen portrays in this novel the many challenges of social class especially when it comes to love and marriage. Other things in this novel include social esteem, marriage for the sake of surviving at the time, reputation, family structure, deceit and of course pride and prejudices.

The sense of humor and irony in this book carrying on a serious topic leads it to be a masterpiece written in a highly esteemed manner.  In dealing with issues of the ego, Jane Austen’s approach to this quality takes a whirlwind in many directions in the book. Elizabeth Benett, or Lizzie, is the main character whom we see things mostly through her eyes. Lizzie, a strong independent woman turns out to be one of the most prideful characters in this book, of course without complete acknowledgment. Her clouded judgment leads her to despair at times, silly Lizzie

There are no male heirs to pass the Benett’s estate to except Lizzie’s awful cousin who offers his hand in marriage. (Jane crafted many well personalities for the characters).  Mr. Collins, the cousin ends up with a woman who is the voice of practicality. When you read the novel you will see this. Charlotte, Lizzie’s best friend will willingly take his hand despite who he is, for the sake of what he has and the comfort of living.

The novel is so well and impacting it is still used to today in major media and even rewritten literature platforms. It is constantly being reproduced throughout the years. The next film about to be released is “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”. Well, that’s gonna be..uh…interesting.

Three Questions

 “What is your origin?”

 –Professor Steiling

I am first generation American born and raised in New Hampshire. My parents are from the small South American country on the North Atlantic coast called Guyana, an abundantly rich rainforest. I am of Indian descent (India) which confuses people when they here South America.

“Who are your influences?”

When speaking of influences that are alive today that have impacted me, one of my influences today is a dear older friend Jaen Mitchell who was a former principal and educator and member of the UN woman board. She has helped me achieved my goals with my education by supporting my path. We have a monthly dinner in which we discuss issues of the world and philosophical ideas. Having a monthly dinner session to have deep discussion has cultivated my daily path in which I think and approach things now. I love getting into the heart of these discussions with her and sharing priceless time used well in her company.

My parents of course are a great influence as well, and when I look back on their story in coming to America that gives me admiration. My mother’s pursuit to receive a college education at 50 being a full time employee, full time student, mother and wife is phenomenal.  My dad came to this country to New York City with only 50 dollars to start a new life. His humbling path and achievements have been remarkable not only in my life but in those around him. My mom and dad have many amazing stories that blow my mind, and I am thankful that they are the humble people they are, ensuring hard work is life and you are sure to sow from it.

“What is your ideology?”

My basic ideology changes as I walk through life more and more and gain more experiences by every day I have on this Earth. My ideology goes to my Christian belief and values but also recently beliefs of philosopher Henry David Thoreau. 

I believe the pursuit of knowledge is important and no one can take that away, it is a gift to never loose (unless you get amnesia of course). In todays world where technology and advancements change society completely I am seeking a path that is simpler and content that results in gratification. Slow down look around and live mindfully, and fulfill what you to do to the best of your ability.

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