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The Amber Spyglass

The Amber SpyglassTitle: The Amber Spyglass
Author: Philip Pullman
Series: His Dark Materials #3
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 518
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

THE AMBER SPYGLASS was my favorite of the series. It was very bittersweet, but I loved it. The religious conflict with the Authority and Metatron and who they actually are in the story (and what Dust is) made me examine my own beliefs and compare them to Pullman’s world. I enjoyed the thought-provoking nature of the story and I felt in no way Pullman was belittling my beliefs. I simply felt it was different, like many are, and created a something enjoyable to read. I adore Lyra and Will and their daemons and I wish I could stay with them a little longer.

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And Then There Were None

And Then There Were NoneTitle: And Then There Were None
Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Classic, Thriller
Format: Paperback
Pages: 275
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:

My Thoughts

While I was a Freshman in college, I had the chance to see the TEN LITTLE INDIANS play. (The title has since been changed to AND THEN THERE WERE NONE.) I absolutely adored the play, so I jumped at the chance to read the book with some friends.

While I read the book, I naturally thought of the play. When I got to the end, read the epilogue and the letter from the murderer, I was completely surprised. I hadn’t realized that the book and the play end differently. While I thought the book was excellent, I do prefer the play ending to the book ending.

Because of the change in titles, I decided to read about the history of the book after I finished reading it. It was fascinating. There have been four titles because of racial controversy of the first three titles. Not only has the book been adapted into the play, but it has been adapted into several movies and miniseries as well. Agatha Christie based the book on the song “10 Little Injuns” by Septimus Winner.

Ten little Injuns standin’ in a line,
One toddled home and then there were nine;

Nine little Injuns swingin’ on a gate,
One tumbled off and then there were eight.

Eight little Injuns gayest under heav’n.
One went to sleep and then there were seven;

Seven little Injuns cuttin’ up their tricks,
One broke his neck and then there were six.

Six little Injuns all alive,
One kicked the bucket and then there were five;

Five little Injuns on a cellar door,
One tumbled in and then there were four.

Four little Injuns up on a spree,
One got fuddled and then there were three;

Three little Injuns out on a canoe,
One tumbled overboard and then there were two.

Two little Injuns foolin’ with a gun,
One shot t’other and then there was one;

One little Injun livin’ all alone,
He got married and then there were none.

I loved Agatha Christie’s (revised) version of the poem the murderer uses to kill their victims:

Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little soldier boys travelling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five little soldier boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little soldier boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little soldier boys walking in the zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was one.

One little soldier boy left all alone;
He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

Anyway, I’m really glad I decided to read the book. It was really suspenseful and fun to read.

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The Last Battle

The Last BattleTitle: The Last Battle
Author: C.S. Lewis
Series: Chronicles of Narnia #7
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Middle Grade
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 224
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: The Magician's Nephew, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Silver Chair
My Thoughts

THE LAST BATTLE was definitely not my favorite of the series, but I still enjoyed aspects of it. I’m so glad Reepicheep was in this story, even if it was for a short time. I’m a little disappointed with the ending. I didn’t expect almost everyone in the series to die and I didn’t expect the series to end the way it did.

I want to know more about Susan. I found Lewis’ explanation by the other Pevensies inadequate. It just seemed strange that every Penvensie, including the parents, were brought to Aslan’s country, except Susan. What made Susan so bad that she didn’t deserve to come back? It’s not like she started to believe in Tash. She became a little mixed up. If Puzzle could be forgiven for impersonating Aslan, then I think Susan can be forgiven for being “interested in nothing nowadays except nylons and lipstick and invitations.” I guess there’s a possibility she may be able to go to Aslan’s country in the future. I just don’t know for sure and that bugs me.

Overall, the series was good and I enjoyed reading the books. I enjoyed meeting the characters, especially the Pevensies, Aslan, and the other animals. I also enjoyed the symbolism very much. PRINCE CASPIAN is, indeed, my favorite of the series.

At this point, I’m not sure I’ll read the series again, perhaps, if I have free time and nothing else to read. I’m glad, however, I read the books at least once.

2022 Reread

When I first read THE LAST BATTLE back in 2007, I enjoyed aspects of it but it was my least favorite of the series. As I reread it, I tried to keep an open mind. I’m glad I did because I enjoyed it much more this time around. I do still have a couple of problems with it, though. The first problem is with some of the allegory and the second is the same problematic language regarding the Calormenes that I noticed in THE HORSE AND HIS BOY.

I didn’t have a problem with all of the allegory. In fact, I truly enjoyed the allusion to Moses and the staff with the serpent on it as the characters saw or didn’t see what was really past the door in the stable. I also loved the allusions to the second coming of Christ and what’s written in Revelation regarding the wars, false Christs, and the coming of the Beast. The way Lewis tied them all together as a coherent story was phenomenal.

The part of the allegory in THE LAST BATTLE I had a problem with is regarding Susan and Puzzle. I still don’t agree with how Lewis treated Susan nor do I think that she shouldn’t be “redeemed” when Puzzle, who imitated Aslan, was. I know Puzzle was tricked by Shift. However, before Puzzle agreed to go along with Shift, Puzzle actually said that he knew it was wrong to impersonate Aslan. To me, this means he went along willingly. Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad Puzzle was “redeemed.” I just think if he was, then Susan should’ve been as well as she only liked nylons, lipstick, and invitations more than Narnia.

My rating changed from 2 stars to 3.5 stars after this reread.