Summer Reading

I think this post will vary from the usual as I did a little bit of reading over my trip up the Mid North Coast, however, I still want to reflect on these books and dive into things that I found particularly intriguing and insightful with a hope that whoever may read this will pick up the books for themselves.

1. The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov
   Both funny and twisted, this is one of the first fiction novels in a while that I have enjoyed reading, with enigmatic and dubious characters. In Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita, the devil holds a sardonic mirror to 1930s Moscow, exposing hypocrisy and corruption with fantastical wit. Woland, the enigmatic visitor, isn't just mischief-maker; he's a catalyst, stirring chaos that unveils societal absurdities. We waltz through satirical balls and biblical retellings, each scene a critique of art, power, and human nature. Margarita, the lover, embodies defiance, her sacrifice echoing Bulgakov's own struggles against censorship. The interwoven narratives - the Master's haunting Pontius Pilate novel and Margarita's pact with darkness - braid together, exploring themes of truth, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love and art. While playful, the novel never loses its bite, leaving a lasting sting of reflection. A masterpiece that transcends time and place, The Master and Margarita is darkly humorous yet poignant reminder that even in the face of absurdity, hope and creativity endure. A firm 8.6/10.

2. The Prophet - Khalil Gibran

   The Prophet is more than just a book; it's an experience. Gibran's lyrical prose, disguised as fables, delves into life's profound questions with startling clarity. Each chapter, a jewel on a string of wisdom, explores love, marriage, joy, sorrow, and the mysteries of the human spirit. I truly found myself nodding in agreement, pausing to ponder, and reading aloud passages that resonated deep within. Read it, not just for its eloquence, but for the wisdom it imparts, whispered on the wind from a timeless prophet's soul. I found that the novel provides a companion for the want and development of a more thoughtful soul. A very warm and fuzzy 7.8/10.

3. The Pearl - John Steinbeck

   Steinbeck's The Pearl dives deep (get it…) into the human soul, unveiling both the glimmer of hope and the crushing weight of greed. Kino, a pearl diver, emerges from the ocean not with oysters, but with a luminous pearl, a symbol of his dreams for a better life. Yet, this dream becomes a monstrous pearl, twisting his innocence and unleashing the town's darkest desires. Steinbeck's narrative is a stark, beautiful seascape, mirroring the raw emotions that surge through Kino and Juana. The novella's brevity amplifies its impact, leaving a profound echo that lingers long after the final, tragic page. It's a cautionary tale, a poignant exploration of the corrupting nature of wealth and the enduring strength of love, all woven into a masterpiece that shines with its luminescent relevance. This is getting a very fun short 7.4/10

4. The Fall - Albert Camus
   In The Fall, Camus masterfully peels back the layers of Jean-Baptiste Clamence, a Parisian lawyer who plummets from respected citizen to self-proclaimed "judge-penitent." Clamence, through his confession to a stranger in an Amsterdam bar, lays bare his hypocrisy, his insatiable need for judgment, and the cracks in his carefully constructed facade of virtue. With each revelation, Camus explores profound themes: the burden of innocence lost, the absurdity of existence, and the impossibility of escaping self-deception. Clamence's descent is both horrifying and strangely compelling. His fall, both literal and metaphorical, shatters the illusion of innocence, confronting the absurdity of societal judgment. With elegant composition and profound philosophy, Camus delivers a haunting exploration of morality, truth, and the human condition, leaving me both unsettled and deeply introspective. A firm 7.9/10.

I had a lot of fun reading this summer and I am thankful that I got to spend the time with people I love and read whatever I wanted. I got to visit one of my favourite book shops (in UImarra) in which I picked up The Pearl and a few others. I also particularly enjoyed writing little bite-size reviews it has been reinvigorating. I also decided that I want to embark on reading a Book a Week this year and I look forward to compiling my thoughts on that at the end of the year.