While not a history buff, Pocahontas is one of my favorite pieces of history. I will admit that I prefer the happily ever after story that Disney portrays (the first one, with the open end that implies John Smith might have / probably came back after he was healed to be with Pocahontas). Despite this, I still think this story is an important one and I am glad it is not lost and forgotten about. While the chapter in my middle school history book was short, this book taught me a number of facts I did not know before, so it was definitely worth reading.
"Nothing at all is known about Pocahontas' mother. Usually, following tribal tradition, when the great chief Powhatan chose a woman to marry, her royal status was only temporary. Once she gave birth to her first child, Powhatan usually had nothing more to do with her and moved on to his next choice of spouse. While Pocahontas probably spent her very earliest years with her mother, tradition held that by no later than age three or four, she would have been taken away and brought to live in Powhatan's household."
"Each canoe was made from a single tree - usually cypress, but pine and chestnut were also used depending on availability and access. After a tree was selected in the forest, a fire was built at its base. Alternately burning and chipping away at the charred wood eventually felled the tree. Once it was on the ground, small fires and red-hot stones were used to burn down the wood along the center line."
"Clothing for the members of the Tidewater tribes was simple, and little was worn except in the colder months. Deerskin was used to make leather robes, moccasins, and leggings that provided added warmth in the winter. In addition, turkey feathers were sewn together to make mantles, or short capes, that also offered protection from colder temperatures. During the rest of the year, most men and women wore a basic breechcloth - a piece of clothing resembling an apron that hung from around the waist - though some women wore a type of fringed skirt as well.
"Hair styles varied according to social status, gender, and age. The youngest girls wore their hair cut very short on the sides and in the front, but long in the back. A married woman's hair was worn long and kept braided. Men kept their hair long and uncut on one side, but was trimmed very close or shaved. This prevented their hair from getting tangled in their bowstrings when hunting. No elaborate head gear was worn - such as the enormous feathered bonnets donned by Plains Indians - but hair ornaments might include feathers or rattlesnake's rattle. Both men and women hung chains, beads, or other objects from holes in their ears. One Jamestown colonist wrote of natives who sported rats skins and live snakes attached to their earlobes. Intricate tattoos and painted designs were common body ornaments. Colorful depictions ... were created by mixing tinted powders with oil. Bloodroot - a plant which produces a deep red shade - was a popular choice."
"...the Powhatan people had little metal, but they were quick to put locally found resources to use for a variety of functions. Tools such as knives, axes, drills, and arrows were made with wood and stone, while antlers and large bones from deer and other wild game were formed into needles, primitive drills, fish hooks, and other useful items. Clay, bark, animal skin, and turtle shells were made into cups, bowls, or storage containers for food."
"...items such as pearls, copper, certain types of shells or beads, and any other luxury goods could only be obtained via trade. An extensive network of commerce extended as far away as the Great Lakes region."
"Powhatan had sent Newport twenty wild turkeys requesting twenty swords in exchange. Despite John Smith's protests, Newport agreed to the trade. When Powhatan made a similar offer to Smith after Newport's departure, it was refused. There would be no further arms supplied to the natives if Smith had any say in the matter."
"While traveling to Powhatan's new encampment with her family members, Pocahontas heard of her father's true plans. The offer of supper the next day actually concealed a plot to kill John Smith and his men. ...
"Much later that evening, as Smith and his men were relaxing in anticipation of the next day's feast, they were startled by the appearance of Pocahontas. ... Her warning was simple. If they wanted to live, they should all leave soon. ...
"Thinking how brave her actions were, Smith probably wanted to give Pocahontas some sort of present to thank her for her efforts, and he brought out several blue glass beads. Seeing the trinkets in Smith's hand, Pocahontas reacted - according to reports by others in the party - with tears streaming. Didn't Smith realize that, if she took the beads, Pocahontas would have to explain how she got them? Didn't he also realize how great the chance was that she took in coming to warm him of the plot? Did he really value their friendship so little that he would simply pay her with a few beads as he would any local guide?"
"...the winter of 1609-1610 was probably the worst Jamestown colonists experienced. With stored corn long gone, the English resorted to eating whatever they could find - mice, rats, dogs, cats, and even poisonous snakes. Boiling shirts and cuffs produced edible starch that was made into a kind of porridge, and even belts, book covers, and leather door hinges were cooked and consumed. Reports of cannibalism remain unconfirmed."
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Friday, July 22, 2016
Sam Reviews "He Said, She Said" by Jay Laffoon
Overall I enjoyed this. A lot of the points were very similar to the last relationship book I read, "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus", except that this one was also heavily influenced by God. The Godly-ness of this novel sometimes enhanced the purpose of the methods, but also in some circumstances made it seem a little tiring, but of course that's probably more a personal preference than a true review of the book. I think there's a lot to be learned in this book, and I will definitely be taking tips into my future relationships. I don't think I'd revisit this book, nor do I think it was anything exceptionally phenomenal or one-of-a-kind.
There was a part in the book early on that explains how simply taking a shower at night can show how much you love your wife. He debunks every excuse he's heard in the past as a public speaker,
"A shower wakes me up in the morning."
"So can drinking coffee, brushing your teeth, and cold water splashed in the face."
"My skin gets too dry if I shower twice a day."
"It's called lotion, dude, use it!"
"My hair is unmanageable unless I style it right out of the shower."
"OK, Louise. If your hair is your priory in life, I guess I get that one."
"I can't shave at night; I'll have five o'clock shadow."
"So is it your boss you want kissing your cheek, or your wife?"
"I simply prefer my showers in the morning."
"That's right, I forgot. Marriage is all about you and your preferences. Never mind we're talking about real-life ways to say I love you."
"Seriously, how you smell means a ton to your wife. Remember, her sense of smell is much more acute. I can build a strong case that shows if you get into bed saying 'I love you' to her sense of smell, she will say 'I love you' in a way you clearly understand."
There was another part near this that explained how scientifically girls are more attuned to their senses even as newborns only a few hours old. I thought this was an interesting fact.
There was a quote pulled from a few different articles about something I had never heard of before, "Hurried woman syndrome".
This first snippet is from Chandrarekha Kaza, MD, an internist at the Advocate Health Center - Palos Heights:
"Symptoms include fatigue, moodiness, weight gain and low sex drive. And approximately 50 million American women have at least one of these symptoms."
This is from the author himself, "The illness is thought to be triggered by chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices, and it's main victims are women ages 25 to 55." Apparently this isn't a widely accepted diagnosis but I personally feel like it makes sense. I am guilty of the "Superwoman mentality" of trying to be everything for everyone and I definitely think it has taken a physical toll on my mind and body. "Women are more vulnerable than men to stress-induced illnesses, reports the American Medical Association."
This bit is from Boloji.com by Kavita Devgan:
"...urban women have to tackle similar pressures of home, office and other responsibilities. High stress and anxiety disorders, mild depression, physical exhaustion, digestive disorders, low sex drive, unnatural weight gain and low self-esteem are all indicators that something is not right," says Dr. Manju Mehta, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, AIIMS."
The book goes on to explain how this "Superwoman mentality" has come about, primarily attributing it to WWII,
"Unlike the man who went to the factory and returned home to a wife who had spent the day cleaning and cooking, "Rosie" returned to an unkempt home with no meal waiting. Once home from the factory, "Rosie"still had a day's work ahead of her - cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. Somewhere along the way, society said women had to do it all to be valuable. We fell for the lie that we had to prove we are just as good as or better than men."
There is a chapter based around the idea of "She needs to hear 'I respect you', and I definitely felt this chapter word for word. I'm pretty sure most of my quotes came from this chapter.
"A husband can show his wife respect using the phrase 'You're right' in little, every day ways. From choosing a restaurant to taking ballroom dance lessons, he says 'I respect you' by agreeing to go places and participate in activities that are important to his wife."
"One of the easiest ways to tell your wife you respect her is simply to communicate with her. Share the details of your day and call just to let her know you are thinking of her and you love her."
"I have to train myself to act when I hear that white noise [my wife's voice]. ... When I recognize Laura is speaking and I pause the television - or turn away from the computer - and turn my attention to her, I say 'I respect you'."
"Men, it can feel like an inconvenience - an interruption - to pause a TV show or computer game to listen to your wife, can't it? Let me ask this. If you have a craving for a Coke, do you hesitate to hit that pause button? No. Why would you show your wife less respect than your taste buds? We have to retrain our minds to realize our wife is not the distraction, she is the main event!"
The second most important chapter, in my opinion, was the "She needs to hear 'I desire you'" chapter.
"A woman needs seven significant, non-sexual touches in a day to feel loved." The chapter went on to say that not all touches are actual touches and simply doing household chores without being asked or expecting anything in return can be counted as a significant, non-sexual touch.
"'Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to fine china, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.'
"...Men, God sees your wives as fine china. He expects you to treat them accordingly."
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work,
"In one falls down, his friend can help him up,
"But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
"Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"Most authentic men, would take a bullet for their wives. So why not take a bullet in the following ways: Spend fifteen minutes a day in face-to-face conversation. Hold her with no further expectations. Play with the kids. Help with daily household chores.
"Most authentic women, would follow their man with whatever dream. So why not follow him to: His favorite sporting event. The garage as he engages his hobby. The couch to watch his favorite show - the whole show without getting up. The bedroom.
"...Daily death to self will win the heart of the woman you love and the devotion of the man you love."
There was a part in the book early on that explains how simply taking a shower at night can show how much you love your wife. He debunks every excuse he's heard in the past as a public speaker,
"A shower wakes me up in the morning."
"So can drinking coffee, brushing your teeth, and cold water splashed in the face."
"My skin gets too dry if I shower twice a day."
"It's called lotion, dude, use it!"
"My hair is unmanageable unless I style it right out of the shower."
"OK, Louise. If your hair is your priory in life, I guess I get that one."
"I can't shave at night; I'll have five o'clock shadow."
"So is it your boss you want kissing your cheek, or your wife?"
"I simply prefer my showers in the morning."
"That's right, I forgot. Marriage is all about you and your preferences. Never mind we're talking about real-life ways to say I love you."
"Seriously, how you smell means a ton to your wife. Remember, her sense of smell is much more acute. I can build a strong case that shows if you get into bed saying 'I love you' to her sense of smell, she will say 'I love you' in a way you clearly understand."
There was another part near this that explained how scientifically girls are more attuned to their senses even as newborns only a few hours old. I thought this was an interesting fact.
There was a quote pulled from a few different articles about something I had never heard of before, "Hurried woman syndrome".
This first snippet is from Chandrarekha Kaza, MD, an internist at the Advocate Health Center - Palos Heights:
"Symptoms include fatigue, moodiness, weight gain and low sex drive. And approximately 50 million American women have at least one of these symptoms."
This is from the author himself, "The illness is thought to be triggered by chronic stress and poor lifestyle choices, and it's main victims are women ages 25 to 55." Apparently this isn't a widely accepted diagnosis but I personally feel like it makes sense. I am guilty of the "Superwoman mentality" of trying to be everything for everyone and I definitely think it has taken a physical toll on my mind and body. "Women are more vulnerable than men to stress-induced illnesses, reports the American Medical Association."
This bit is from Boloji.com by Kavita Devgan:
"...urban women have to tackle similar pressures of home, office and other responsibilities. High stress and anxiety disorders, mild depression, physical exhaustion, digestive disorders, low sex drive, unnatural weight gain and low self-esteem are all indicators that something is not right," says Dr. Manju Mehta, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, AIIMS."
The book goes on to explain how this "Superwoman mentality" has come about, primarily attributing it to WWII,
"Unlike the man who went to the factory and returned home to a wife who had spent the day cleaning and cooking, "Rosie" returned to an unkempt home with no meal waiting. Once home from the factory, "Rosie"still had a day's work ahead of her - cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. Somewhere along the way, society said women had to do it all to be valuable. We fell for the lie that we had to prove we are just as good as or better than men."
There is a chapter based around the idea of "She needs to hear 'I respect you', and I definitely felt this chapter word for word. I'm pretty sure most of my quotes came from this chapter.
"A husband can show his wife respect using the phrase 'You're right' in little, every day ways. From choosing a restaurant to taking ballroom dance lessons, he says 'I respect you' by agreeing to go places and participate in activities that are important to his wife."
"One of the easiest ways to tell your wife you respect her is simply to communicate with her. Share the details of your day and call just to let her know you are thinking of her and you love her."
"I have to train myself to act when I hear that white noise [my wife's voice]. ... When I recognize Laura is speaking and I pause the television - or turn away from the computer - and turn my attention to her, I say 'I respect you'."
"Men, it can feel like an inconvenience - an interruption - to pause a TV show or computer game to listen to your wife, can't it? Let me ask this. If you have a craving for a Coke, do you hesitate to hit that pause button? No. Why would you show your wife less respect than your taste buds? We have to retrain our minds to realize our wife is not the distraction, she is the main event!"
The second most important chapter, in my opinion, was the "She needs to hear 'I desire you'" chapter.
"A woman needs seven significant, non-sexual touches in a day to feel loved." The chapter went on to say that not all touches are actual touches and simply doing household chores without being asked or expecting anything in return can be counted as a significant, non-sexual touch.
"'Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to fine china, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.'
"...Men, God sees your wives as fine china. He expects you to treat them accordingly."
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work,
"In one falls down, his friend can help him up,
"But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
"Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
"A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
"Most authentic men, would take a bullet for their wives. So why not take a bullet in the following ways: Spend fifteen minutes a day in face-to-face conversation. Hold her with no further expectations. Play with the kids. Help with daily household chores.
"Most authentic women, would follow their man with whatever dream. So why not follow him to: His favorite sporting event. The garage as he engages his hobby. The couch to watch his favorite show - the whole show without getting up. The bedroom.
"...Daily death to self will win the heart of the woman you love and the devotion of the man you love."
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Sam Reviews "Angels and Visitations" by Neil Gaiman
Angels and Visitations is a collection of pieces written by Neil Gaiman for various reasons and various times in his life. I enjoyed the book but there were a view pieces in particular that I preferred.
1. Babycakes - a story written for PETA basically calling out people who "justify" eating and testing products on animals. I don't necessarily agree with the premise of this piece but I can appreciate where he is coming from. Here's a snippet:
"A few years back all the animals went away. We woke up one morning, and they just weren't there anymore. They didn't even leave us a note, or say good-bye. We never figured out quite where they'd gone. ... We wandered around lost, for a time, and then someone pointed out that just because we didn't have any animals anymore, that was no reason to change our lives. No reason to change our diets or to cease testing products that might cause us harm. "After all, there were still babies. ... Some of them we ate. Baby flesh is tender and succulent. ... Some of them we tested. We taped open their eyes, dripped detergents and shampoos in, a drop a a time. We scarred them and scalded them. We burnt them. We clamped them and planted electrodes in their brains. We grafted, and we froze, and we irradiated. The babies breathed our smoke, and the babies' veins flowed with our medicines and drugs, until they stopped breathing or until their blood ceased to flow. ... With the animals gone, what else could we do? Some people complained, of course. But then, they always do."
2. Virus - a poem written about video games (written before 1999) and how they kind of take over people minds and habits and such. It's a little crazy to think people thought that strongly about them back in the 90s when the problem is so prominent now in 2016.
1. Babycakes - a story written for PETA basically calling out people who "justify" eating and testing products on animals. I don't necessarily agree with the premise of this piece but I can appreciate where he is coming from. Here's a snippet:
"A few years back all the animals went away. We woke up one morning, and they just weren't there anymore. They didn't even leave us a note, or say good-bye. We never figured out quite where they'd gone. ... We wandered around lost, for a time, and then someone pointed out that just because we didn't have any animals anymore, that was no reason to change our lives. No reason to change our diets or to cease testing products that might cause us harm. "After all, there were still babies. ... Some of them we ate. Baby flesh is tender and succulent. ... Some of them we tested. We taped open their eyes, dripped detergents and shampoos in, a drop a a time. We scarred them and scalded them. We burnt them. We clamped them and planted electrodes in their brains. We grafted, and we froze, and we irradiated. The babies breathed our smoke, and the babies' veins flowed with our medicines and drugs, until they stopped breathing or until their blood ceased to flow. ... With the animals gone, what else could we do? Some people complained, of course. But then, they always do."
2. Virus - a poem written about video games (written before 1999) and how they kind of take over people minds and habits and such. It's a little crazy to think people thought that strongly about them back in the 90s when the problem is so prominent now in 2016.
3. Looking for the Girl - a story written for (and about) Penthouse and this guy's obsession with one of the girls. It's ultimately a metaphor for how we are all obsessed with these photo-shopped beauties that don't actually exist in the world.
"I asked a [Penthouse] model once if she felt she was being exploited. 'Me? ... I'm getting well paid for it, love. And it beats working the night shift in a Bradford biscuit factory. But I'll tell you who's being exploited. All those blokes who buy it. Walking over me, every month. They're being exploited.'"
"Charlotte is there, in all places, all times, sliding through our fantasies, a girl forever "
4. Murder Mysteries - a story about how the world was created (from the mind of Neil Gaiman) and about angels. It was kind of written like a classic "Whodunnit" which I can appreciate, but it also had an interesting view on how the universe was made and about God.
"'...That was not just.'
"'...It was justice. He killed another. He was killed in his turn. ...'
"'But...he loved. He should have been forgiven. He should have been helped. He should not have been destroyed like that. That was wrong.'
"'It was His will.'
"Lucifer stood. 'Then perhaps His will is unjust. Perhaps the voices in the Darkness speak truly after all. How can this be right?'"
"'...It was justice. He killed another. He was killed in his turn. ...'
"'But...he loved. He should have been forgiven. He should have been helped. He should not have been destroyed like that. That was wrong.'
"'It was His will.'
"Lucifer stood. 'Then perhaps His will is unjust. Perhaps the voices in the Darkness speak truly after all. How can this be right?'"
Overall I enjoyed the book. I find Neil Gaiman books difficult to get through sometimes, but his short stories and poems are far easier and I always enjoy them.
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Sam Reviews "Immigrant Soldier, the Story of a Ritchie Boy" by K. Lang-Slattery
I have a (somewhat unhealthy) obsession with the Holocaust and Nazi Germany so I jump at the opportunity to watch any movie or documentary and to read books that delve into the atrocities that happened there.
I do not typically enjoy historical fiction, however, but I was pleasantly surprised by this story. There were some parts that got a little hung up in the history and the procedures of war but most of the time I didn't even feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, it was just a really great story. The writing is simple but articulate and I could honestly see the story unfolding like a movie in my mind, which is my favorite kind of writing.
I could honestly see myself reading this book a second time in the future so I'm glad I finally sat down with it.
I do not typically enjoy historical fiction, however, but I was pleasantly surprised by this story. There were some parts that got a little hung up in the history and the procedures of war but most of the time I didn't even feel like I was reading a historical fiction novel, it was just a really great story. The writing is simple but articulate and I could honestly see the story unfolding like a movie in my mind, which is my favorite kind of writing.
I could honestly see myself reading this book a second time in the future so I'm glad I finally sat down with it.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Sam Reviews "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy - July 2016
I don't usually read synopses for books picked for the book club, mostly because I plan to read them regardless of how I feel about the summary. However, the PDF I found of this book was headed by a synopsis and so I read through it. What strikes me is the following statement: "The prose is quintessentially McCarthy: spare, desolate, unemotional, reserved of
both unnecessary vocabulary and punctuation." I have mixed feelings about authors and books that do away with common literary devices, but I think because this is a book more about the "journey" than the "destination" I will appreciate the quickness of this story more than I might in a different circumstance.
The book might go into it eventually but I wasn't expecting to step "years" into the journey. (Kind of like when I started Z Nation I was surprised that it didn't start at the beginning of the apocolypse.)
"He knew only that the child was his warrant. He said: If he is not the word of God God never spoke."
Realistically I wonder how long a cart (assuming a shopping cart) would last pushing it for miles and miles on rough pavement. I also thought it was pretty ingenious to add a mirror to the cart to keep an eye behind you.
Why does the author refer to the main characters as "the man" and "the boy" if the two are actually related, why not just refer to them as "the father" and "the son"?
"'Just remember that the things you put into your head are there forever,' he said. 'You might want to think about that.'
"'You forget some things, dont you?'
"'Yes. You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.'"
The Road drinking game: Every time you read the word "Gray" take a drink!
"In his dream she was sick and he cared for her. The dream bore the look of sacrifice but he thought differently. He did not take care of her and she died alone somewhere in the dark and there is no other dream nor other waking world and there is no other tale to tell."
"'If you break little promises you'll break big ones. That's what you said.'
"'I know. But I won't.'"
Knowing that you have to let someone else did just so that you can live, and not even being able to just shoot him to put him out of his misery, must be the worst thing in the world. [In reference to the man who was burned in the tar.]
"'I wouldnt leave you.'
'I dont care. It's meaningless. You can think of me as a faithless slut if you like. I've taken a new lover. He can give me what you cannot.'
'Death is not a lover.'
'Oh yes he is.'"
"The hundred nights they'd sat up arguing the pros and cons of self destruction with the earnestness of philosophers chained to a madhouse wall."
Not that I'm a fan of this possibility but wouldn't killing and eating the dog be the best course of action? Except for the fact that they only have one bullet.
When the narrator is describing the "parade" of people and says that there is a dozen ore more women in their convoy, some of them pregnant. What logic does it make to get people pregnant? Clearly the world has been destroyed beyond just "building a new society" - all of the trees are dead and the only things growing are mushrooms, so it's not likely that they'd be able to survive.
The plantation they found, I'm assuming they locked their slaves in the cellar and turned to cannibalism, am I right or did I totally miss something?
Obviously if every house they came to had nothing to offer then the story wouldn't go very far, but the fact that he found a cistern of water as well as a ton of dried apples just seemed way too good to be true and I was really surprised when no one jumped out and threatened him.
"'You should thank him you know', the man said. 'I wouldn't have given you anything.'
"'Maybe I should and maybe I shouldn't.'
"'Why wouldn't you?
"'I wouldn't have given him mine.'
"...'Why did he do it?' He looked over at the boy and he looked at the old man.
"'You wouldn't understand', he said. 'I'm not sure I do.'
"'Maybe he believes in God.'
"'I don't know what he believes in.
"'He'll get over it.
"'No he wont.'
"'You wont wish us luck either, will you?' the man said.
"'I don't know what that would mean. What luck would look like. Who would know such a thing?'"
When the portable stove gas tank went empty, it's amazing to think about being in a situation where getting mad is truly useless. The man could have yelled and screamed and devalued the boy for making such a thoughtless mistake, but what good would that do them? So instead he just breathes and says "It's not your fault" and just moves on from his disappointment.
When the man was sick and was talking about memories I wasn't sure if the scene where men pried up a rock and burned snakes alive was a past memory or a current happening. If it was current why didn't the men just eat the snakes instead of torturing them?
Oh my god, do you think people would resort to getting pregnant just so they could eat the infants later?
When they find the house with the home jarred goods and the boy is afraid to go upstairs, it seems really dumb to not investigate the upper story but to still start a fire in the living room fire place.
I liked how at the end the Man was asking the Boy to tell him a story and the Boy kept saying how his story wouldn't be good because it's not happy and it's too much like real life, and the Man says, "I think it's pretty good. It's a pretty good story. It counts for something." Kind of seemed like a 3rd wall break or something and I always like those.
"'What's the bravest thing you ever did?'
"'Getting up this morning, he said.'
"'Really?'
"'No. Don't listen to me. Come on, let's go."
How old is the boy? Obviously he's at least grade school age, but the statement: "In some other world the child would already have begun to vacate him from his life." almost implies that he's even older than that.
After the Man died and the Boy started off on this own, how did the other guy who came along know him? And who was discussing whether or not to go back and get the boy? Was it really the same group of people from the town so long ago, were they just following him this whole time?
The ending seemed very abrupt. Is it just assumed that the boy tagged along with this other family and things just went on similarly as they had with the Man? That they lasted as long as they could and then they died? And what was with the last paragraph about the trout?
Overall, I liked the book. I don't know that I would re-read it. I think this is a book better off as a movie, which I know probably sounds crummy of me. But I am excited to see the movie now.
The book might go into it eventually but I wasn't expecting to step "years" into the journey. (Kind of like when I started Z Nation I was surprised that it didn't start at the beginning of the apocolypse.)
"He knew only that the child was his warrant. He said: If he is not the word of God God never spoke."
Realistically I wonder how long a cart (assuming a shopping cart) would last pushing it for miles and miles on rough pavement. I also thought it was pretty ingenious to add a mirror to the cart to keep an eye behind you.
Why does the author refer to the main characters as "the man" and "the boy" if the two are actually related, why not just refer to them as "the father" and "the son"?
"'Just remember that the things you put into your head are there forever,' he said. 'You might want to think about that.'
"'You forget some things, dont you?'
"'Yes. You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget.'"
The Road drinking game: Every time you read the word "Gray" take a drink!
"In his dream she was sick and he cared for her. The dream bore the look of sacrifice but he thought differently. He did not take care of her and she died alone somewhere in the dark and there is no other dream nor other waking world and there is no other tale to tell."
"'If you break little promises you'll break big ones. That's what you said.'
"'I know. But I won't.'"
Knowing that you have to let someone else did just so that you can live, and not even being able to just shoot him to put him out of his misery, must be the worst thing in the world. [In reference to the man who was burned in the tar.]
"'I wouldnt leave you.'
'I dont care. It's meaningless. You can think of me as a faithless slut if you like. I've taken a new lover. He can give me what you cannot.'
'Death is not a lover.'
'Oh yes he is.'"
"The hundred nights they'd sat up arguing the pros and cons of self destruction with the earnestness of philosophers chained to a madhouse wall."
Not that I'm a fan of this possibility but wouldn't killing and eating the dog be the best course of action? Except for the fact that they only have one bullet.
When the narrator is describing the "parade" of people and says that there is a dozen ore more women in their convoy, some of them pregnant. What logic does it make to get people pregnant? Clearly the world has been destroyed beyond just "building a new society" - all of the trees are dead and the only things growing are mushrooms, so it's not likely that they'd be able to survive.
The plantation they found, I'm assuming they locked their slaves in the cellar and turned to cannibalism, am I right or did I totally miss something?
Obviously if every house they came to had nothing to offer then the story wouldn't go very far, but the fact that he found a cistern of water as well as a ton of dried apples just seemed way too good to be true and I was really surprised when no one jumped out and threatened him.
"'You should thank him you know', the man said. 'I wouldn't have given you anything.'
"'Maybe I should and maybe I shouldn't.'
"'Why wouldn't you?
"'I wouldn't have given him mine.'
"...'Why did he do it?' He looked over at the boy and he looked at the old man.
"'You wouldn't understand', he said. 'I'm not sure I do.'
"'Maybe he believes in God.'
"'I don't know what he believes in.
"'He'll get over it.
"'No he wont.'
"'You wont wish us luck either, will you?' the man said.
"'I don't know what that would mean. What luck would look like. Who would know such a thing?'"
When the portable stove gas tank went empty, it's amazing to think about being in a situation where getting mad is truly useless. The man could have yelled and screamed and devalued the boy for making such a thoughtless mistake, but what good would that do them? So instead he just breathes and says "It's not your fault" and just moves on from his disappointment.
When the man was sick and was talking about memories I wasn't sure if the scene where men pried up a rock and burned snakes alive was a past memory or a current happening. If it was current why didn't the men just eat the snakes instead of torturing them?
Oh my god, do you think people would resort to getting pregnant just so they could eat the infants later?
When they find the house with the home jarred goods and the boy is afraid to go upstairs, it seems really dumb to not investigate the upper story but to still start a fire in the living room fire place.
I liked how at the end the Man was asking the Boy to tell him a story and the Boy kept saying how his story wouldn't be good because it's not happy and it's too much like real life, and the Man says, "I think it's pretty good. It's a pretty good story. It counts for something." Kind of seemed like a 3rd wall break or something and I always like those.
"'What's the bravest thing you ever did?'
"'Getting up this morning, he said.'
"'Really?'
"'No. Don't listen to me. Come on, let's go."
How old is the boy? Obviously he's at least grade school age, but the statement: "In some other world the child would already have begun to vacate him from his life." almost implies that he's even older than that.
After the Man died and the Boy started off on this own, how did the other guy who came along know him? And who was discussing whether or not to go back and get the boy? Was it really the same group of people from the town so long ago, were they just following him this whole time?
The ending seemed very abrupt. Is it just assumed that the boy tagged along with this other family and things just went on similarly as they had with the Man? That they lasted as long as they could and then they died? And what was with the last paragraph about the trout?
Overall, I liked the book. I don't know that I would re-read it. I think this is a book better off as a movie, which I know probably sounds crummy of me. But I am excited to see the movie now.
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