How to read Literature like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster 2003 / 314 pgs. (84,000~ words) Literary Criticism
When I started this book, I expected something entirely different. I honestly thought it would be a guide to reading professional documents effectively or finding key points in technical writing. It wasn’t that at all. However, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.
The book is a guide to understanding literature on a deeper level by analyzing narrative context. It explains that elements in well-written stories are rarely accidental; they are there to help you visualize scenes or foreshadow events. Even characters are built for specific, structural reasons.
Here are a few highlights I noted:
There is no such thing as a new idea. All stories have already been written. When you break down a narrative, you find that authors are inspired by previous authors, who were inspired by those before them.
Most plots have ancient roots. Many themes stem from the Bible, Shakespeare, or Greek Mythology. This tradition goes back as far as Virgil writing the Aeneid (19 BC), which mirrors Homer’s Odyssey (8th Century BCE).
Weather matters. Rain and snow are rarely just atmospheric. Winter often symbolizes death, while Spring symbolizes rebirth—concepts rooted in the myth of Persephone and Hades.
The Hero vs. The Supporting Cast. The hero (almost) never dies, while those around them exist to support the narrative. We often know everything about the hero but very little about the supporting characters because their primary function is to drive the hero’s journey.
Violence serves a purpose. In literature, an injury is often a plot device to force one character to interact with another.
Symbols are subjective. Symbols mean something different to everyone. If a meaning were completely straightforward, it would be an allegory, not a symbol.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. I really enjoyed reading it, and I could practically hear my high school teachers saying, “See, I told you this when you were in school!” It genuinely teaches you to read books from a different perspective.
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman 1977 / 285 pgs. (95,716 words) Si-Fi Classic
In Joe Haldeman’s classic science fiction novel, The Forever War, we meet William Mandella, a physics student whose advanced education gets him conscripted into the United Nations Expeditionary Force (UNEF). After grueling basic training on Earth, he is sent to Charon, a desolate planetoid beyond Pluto, where the training proves lethal for several recruits. From there, Mandella is thrown into a brutal, centuries-long war against a mysterious alien race known as the Taurans.
Mandella and his fellow soldiers travel between star systems using “collapsars,” which allow their ships to cross light-years in an instant. However, this instantaneous travel comes with a staggering cost due to time dilation. While Mandella ages only a few months or years on a mission, centuries fly by on Earth. He becomes a stranger to the very world he’s fighting to protect, which changes beyond recognition with each return.
More Than Just a Sci-Fi Story
At its heart, The Forever War is a profound exploration of the psychological horrors of combat. Haldeman unflinchingly portrays the trauma of losing limbs, the pain of losing loved ones, and the deep alienation of a soldier returning home.
The novel is a powerful allegory for the Vietnam War experience, channeling Haldeman’s own experiences as a veteran into a futuristic setting. The feelings of displacement, the struggle to adapt to a society that has moved on without you, and even the paradoxical desire to return to the simplicity of war will resonate deeply with many readers, especially veterans.
Final Thoughts
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
The Forever War is a book that deeply impacted me. I was completely engrossed in Mandella’s story, eager to see how his seemingly endless journey would conclude. It’s a masterful commentary on the futility of war and the enduring humanity of those forced to fight it.
Grab a cup of coffee and dive into this unforgettable classic. You won’t be disappointed.
Churchill’s Shadow Raiders by Damien Lewis 2019 / 350 pgs. (104,000 words) Military and War, History
The birth of the British Airborne Commando Operations, Operation Colossus, the very first British airborne operation, a mission to parachute into Italy and destroy a key freshwater aqueduct. It explores the challenges the team faced and how the mission ultimately ended in failure when their extraction failed, leading to the entire team’s capture.
However, the idea wasn’t over. The battle of Briton was an air battle and RADAR was the key that helped the British survive. The story then shifts to a critical intelligence-gathering raid in France. Understanding that German RADAR technology was a major threat, commandos were sent to capture parts of an advanced Würzburg radar system and return them to the UK. This mission proved to be a major success, providing intelligence that would have a great impact on the future Operation Overlord (D-Day).
Would I recommend it? It’s a good book for those that are interested in the subject. Having a RADAR background, the book sparked my interest. If you are not interested in military history, it might not be for you.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck 1952 / 602 pgs. (610,000 words) Classic
John Steinbeck’s magnum opus, East of Eden, is an epic retelling of the biblical stories of Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel. Set in the Salinas Valley of California, the novel masterfully weaves together the lives of two families: the hardworking Hamiltons and the deeply troubled Trasks.
The story of the Trasks begins in Connecticut with two brothers, Adam and Charles, living under the shadow of their cruel and dishonest father. Though a failure in most respects, the father’s fabricated tales of Civil War heroism eventually land him a powerful government position. Upon his death, he bequeaths a significant fortune to his sons.
The narrative follows Adam, who, after a forced stint in the Army, marries the beautiful but monstrously manipulative Cathy Ames. Soon after giving birth to twin boys, Caleb (Cal) and Aron, Cathy abandons her new family. The boys are raised by Adam with the indispensable help of Lee, their Chinese cook, housekeeper, and the story’s philosophical heart. In many ways, Lee becomes more of a father to the boys than the distant Adam ever is.
The central conflict unfolds as the brothers grow up, embodying the ancient rivalry of Cain and Abel. Cal is the dark, tempestuous, and jealous son, while Aron is the fair, innocent, and morally rigid one, whose idealism makes it difficult for him to confront the world’s evil.
Should You Read It?
Absolutely. Don’t let the 600-page count intimidate you. While the initial chapters, which jump between families and timelines, can be a bit disorienting, Steinbeck expertly ties every thread together into a powerful, flowing narrative. Be prepared for an ending that feels abrupt but will leave you thinking for days. East of Eden is a profound and unforgettable reading experience.
Thinner by Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman) 1984 / 442 pgs. (95,716 words) Horror
The premise of Thinner centers on William “Billy” Halleck, an overweight lawyer who kills an old Gypsy woman in a driving accident. When Halleck uses his connections to avoid legal consequences, the woman’s elderly father deems it unjust and places a curse on him: “Thinner.” The novel chronicles Billy’s terrifyingly rapid weight loss and the looming question of whether the curse will prove fatal.
While the plot’s predictability, especially towards the conclusion, is a minor drawback, it doesn’t completely detract from the story. Reading it prompts relatable thoughts: rapid, unexplained weight loss in a loved one would likely first suggest cancer, and claims of a “Gypsy curse” might be dismissed as denial. Much of the narrative telegraphs future events, including the ending.
So, is Thinner a bad book? Not at all. I’d still recommend it if asked, though it wouldn’t make my personal list of top Stephen King novels. Its somewhat foreseeable nature prevents it from being a completely captivating read, slightly diminishing its ‘getaway novel’ appeal.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!
Lopaka
Interesting Notes:
Recognizing the Gypsy curse as a common storytelling device (a trope), I immediately thought of Sideshow Bob shouting “Trope Alert!” in a Simpsons‘ Halloween special.
The Metamorphosis by Franc Kafka 1916 / 78 pgs. (22,009 words) Classic
Kafka’s The Metamorphosis opens with Gregor Samsa awakening one morning to find himself transformed into what the author calls a “monstrous vermin.” The novella then focuses on the reactions of Gregor and his family as they confront the reality that he is no longer the traveling salesman and sole breadwinner who supported them. This disturbing event sets the narrative in motion.
Although it’s a short novella—only about 78 pages, which I read in roughly two hours—it carries a significant emotional weight. From the beginning, I was curious about where the story would lead. The narrative develops towards an ending that feels both inevitable and deeply sad, leaving the reader with much to consider about the characters.
Despite its seemingly straightforward narration, the story provokes considerable thought. It’s easy to see why this work is hailed as a classic.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!
Lopaka
Interesting Notes:
One of my favorite movies is Spaceballs. There is a line that I never understood until now. After I finished The Metamorphosis, I was working on something when the line came to my head and I had that Ah Ha moment.
The line,
Colonel Sandurz “Preparing ship for Metamorphosis Sir.”
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Translated by Louise and Aylmer Maude) 1869 / 1,394 pgs. (587,000 words) Classic
War and Peace is, to date, the longest novel I have ever read – and it’s a truly epic story. However, describing this book isn’t easy. It avoids simple narration and defies traditional structures. There’s no single central character; instead, the reader follows several individuals, a mix of fictional creations and historical figures. The narrative weaves around significant historical events, such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the lead-up to the French invasion of Russia, and the eventual burning of Moscow.
This novel offers more than just a story; it delves into philosophical questions of right and wrong, personal tragedies, and triumphs. It’s quite common to be following a character’s experiences, only for Tolstoy to digress into a philosophical discussion, such as debating the reasons and responsibility for Moscow’s burning before Napoleon’s arrival.
The narrative structure doesn’t follow a conventional pattern, yet somehow, it works. While reading, I sensed Tolstoy’s desire to innovate beyond the traditional novel format. Deeper into the book, I initially suspected Tolstoy’s main goal was simply to write about the burning of Moscow, using the surrounding story merely as a backdrop to convey the events of the occupation. While I was wrong about his sole focus being the Moscow fire, I was right that he structured the narrative purposefully to tell a larger story.
The story unfolds within the world of Russian aristocracy, an environment Tolstoy, as a Count himself, knew intimately. We follow numerous characters throughout the novel – some you grow to love, others to dislike. Pierre Bezukhov provides a fascinating example. He begins as the illegitimate son of a dying Count, with many hoping to inherit the vast fortune. Believing he’ll receive nothing, Pierre is unexpectedly thrust into the highest echelons of aristocracy when his father leaves him everything. This sudden change confuses Pierre, who feels unprepared for the responsibility and is still searching for his purpose in life. Much of his journey involves this search for meaning, during which others sometimes take advantage of his nature, including his wife, who gains access to much of his fortune.
Another compelling character is Natasha Rostova, a beautiful young countess. She falls in love and becomes engaged to the older Prince Andrei. As part of an agreement with Andrei’s father, they must wait a year before marrying, during which Andrei serves in the military and tours Europe. Natasha waits, though unhappily, feeling her youth slipping away. During this time, she develops strong feelings for Andrei’s friend, Pierre Bezukhov. Tolstoy intriguingly portrays this period from Natasha’s perspective, allowing the reader to feel her painful anticipation for Andrei’s return, mingled with the awareness of passing time.
As mentioned, exploring War and Peace is a vast undertaking. Readers face a few challenges, common for novels of this scale: primarily keeping track of the numerous characters and managing the book’s sheer size. Dedicating enough time is crucial; realistically, plan for at least two to three months to journey through it.
Interestingly, I read the novel on my iPad, despite owning a paper copy. The electronic format offered a significant advantage: easy translation. Tolstoy often incorporates French phrases and sentences into the dialogue – reflecting the fact that much of the Russian aristocracy at the time spoke French. While understanding the French isn’t essential to follow the plot, translating it (which was simple using the tablet’s highlight feature, far easier than juggling a dictionary) definitely enhances the reading experience and provides richer background context.
So, is dedicating the time worth it? Absolutely. I found War and Peace surprisingly readable. It wasn’t the overly complicated text I had feared – perhaps I’ve just become more accustomed to reading such books now. While the first 100 pages or so are quite dense, the narrative smooths out considerably afterwards. The main challenge truly is its length, not its complexity.
Once you reach the final page, there’s an immense sense of gratification that comes with having completed such a masterpiece. For me, it echoed the feeling I had after finishing The Stand – another classic, famously long novel.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!
Lopaka
Interesting Notes
While reading War and Peace, I initially assumed Tolstoy’s primary goal was to write about the French occupation of Moscow in 1812, creating the surrounding narrative simply to support that event. However, I learned the reality was quite different.
Tolstoy originally intended to write about the Decembrists returning from exile (an event occurring much later than the novel’s timeline). But he realized he couldn’t adequately portray their return without first explaining the Decembrist revolt of 1825. To explain 1825, he felt it necessary to narrate the pivotal events of 1812, including the French invasion. Going back further, he determined he couldn’t properly set the stage for 1812 without exploring the precursor events around 1805, such as the Battle of Austerlitz.
And that is where War and Peace actually begins. By the time Tolstoy finished, he had crafted a 1,300-page epic that covered the years leading up to and including 1812, but he never reached the Decembrist events he had originally set out to chronicle. So, while the novel was conceived to eventually narrate specific historical moments, it grew into a monumental work that laid the groundwork but stopped before reaching that initial destination.
Furthermore, reading about Tolstoy’s own life, I realized how closely the character of Pierre Bezukhov mirrors aspects of Tolstoy’s own experiences and philosophical searching.
Such Men as These by David Sears 2010 / 396 pgs. [336 Narrative] (118,272 words) Military Historical
James Michener’s assignment from the Saturday Evening Post to report on the Korean War ultimately yielded the notes that formed the basis for his famous book, The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Inspired by Michener’s work and potentially his notes, David Sears crafts a fascinating narrative focusing on the challenges and contributions of the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 77 during the Korean War (1950-1953). The book offers a compelling account of the Navy’s response, weaving in Michener’s own experiences and the war’s impact on him.
The conflict began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States military, facing a conflict it hadn’t anticipated, was largely unprepared. World War II had concluded only five years earlier, leading to a significant drawdown of active-duty forces and meaning much of the technology employed in Korea was leftover from the previous war. Consequently, from the Navy’s perspective, the demands of the conflict fell heavily upon reserve forces rather than the depleted active component.
Such Men as These recounts numerous experiences of naval personnel, particularly pilots assigned to Task Force 77. One particularly striking story involves Ensign Jesse Brown, the first African American Naval Aviator, and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Thomas Hudner, who received the Medal of Honor for his valiant attempt to rescue the downed Ensign Brown.
While the book doesn’t delve deeply into the specific air combat tactics of the war, it excels at capturing the human element. It effectively covers the experiences of those serving with Task Force 77 throughout the conflict.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. Such Men as These is a great read and does not disappoint. However, readers should know what to expect: if you are seeking detailed analyses of battles and military tactics, this might not be the book for you. But if you are interested in the powerful, human stories of Naval Aviators and personnel serving under extraordinary circumstances during the Korean War, this book is an excellent choice.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book!
Lopaka
A Final Thought: On a personal note, I have worn the POW/MIA bracelet for Lt. Orville M. Cook, USNR, for over 30 years. He was an AD-3 Skyraider pilot shot down over North Korea on July 18, 1951, and is mentioned by name in the book. While I appreciated seeing his name included and learning about the context before and after his loss, I was naturally hoping for details on his specific final mission, which weren’t present. His story, and its partial inclusion, underscores the book’s focus on the broader human tapestry of Task Force 77, even if it means some individual threads aren’t fully explored.
Misery by Stephen King 1987 / 454 pgs. (110,565 words) Psychological-Horror-Thriller
Misery, a classic by Mr. King. It grips you from the start and does not let go. Paul Sheldon, author of the Misery Chastain novels wakes up from a confused and drugged out haze. As he gathers his wits and surroundings, he feels agonizing pain from his hips and below. He meets his savior, Mrs. Annie Wilkes, not only a former nurse, but also his number-one fan. Also, he realizes that he is not in a hospital being cared for by trained professionals but held against his will at Annie’s house. However, with two shattered legs, he is not going to be leaving anytime soon.
Annie loves the Misery books and really does not care for Pauls other works. As he has heard and read from other fans, please, just write those wonderful Misery books –signed, your number-one fan. His latest manuscript was in the car that Annie pulled him from. She reads it and finds it horrible, his worst writing ever. She did mention that she was waiting for the latest Misery book, Misery’s Child, to be released in paperback. What she does not know yet is Paul killed Misery. He despises Misery Chastain, as he feels he can write a lot more than just romance novels that swoon all of his fans. Once Annie has Misery’s Child in hand and devours it, she is terribly upset, and blames Paul for murdering Misery.
With the help of a BBQ pit, Annie demands Paul to burn his latest manuscript, the horrible book called Fast Cars. Once that is complete, she brings him an old Royal typewriter and has him author a book just for her, the greatest novel he has ever written, Misery’s Return! That, dear readers, is the first fifty pages of this masterpiece, for it only gets worse for Paul, much worse as he drafts the only book that will keep him alive.
Annie Wilkes, I believe is one of Mr. Kings greatest antagonist. She is one of the most polarizing characters because you are not sure what she will do at any given moment. This effectively makes the narrative an on-the-edge of your seat experience. The conclusion is incredibly satisfying with frightening consequences.
This novel, I felt, was a narration of frustration from Mr. King as he feels like Paul in various interactions with fans that have played out over the years. Considering, Mr., King received backlash from fans after the release of Eyes of the Dragon. Many fans just demanded him to continue writing horror books. I would imagine it was the same feeling that Tom Clancy received when Red Storm Rising was published, which was not a Jack Ryan novel, and readers demanded another Ryan book. I could imagine many authors reading this novel and stating, “that is how I feel”. Geroge R. R. Martin faces this all the time with his fans demanding for the author to sit a write Winds of Winter and do nothing else until it is complete.
Would I recommend this book, oh yeah! It is a great read and did not disappoint.
Enjoy a good cup of coffee and a delightful book! Lopaka
nyghteulen 