Svetlana's Reads and Views

Name of Book: The Living Reed Author: Pearl Buck ISBN: 1-55921-022-2 Publisher: Moyer Bell Limited Type of book: Korea, 1881-1945?, communism, christianity, Russia, America, multi-generational, love, duties, sacrifice, royalty, Japanese treatment, democracy, misleading Year it was published: 1963 Summary: THE LIVING REED tells the story of a close-knit family who dedicate themselves to the salvation of their homeland, that tiny peninsula hanging like a golden fruit before the longing eyes of surrounding nations. The reader lives with them from the splendid era of Queen Min to the climactic days of the Second World War, and emerges not only with admiration for the Korean people and their rich culture but with the excitement of discovering a little known and fascinating history closely entangled with the history of America itself. Kim Il-han, an adviser to the throne when we first meet him in 1881, is to become the family patriarch, and the steadfast and passionate lo...

Name of Book: Hakon of Rogen's Saga Author: Erik christian Havgaard ISBN: 0395068037 Publisher: Sandpiper Houghton Mifflin Part of a Series: Slave's Tale sequel Type of book: Vikings, north, usurper, pre-ancient times? self-reliance, kid, end of 1000s? Year it was published: 1963 Summary: For nine generations the island of Rogen passed from father to son, a bleak island whose craggy peaks embraced a world of its own. But now sullen forces of evil close in on Rogen. Kidnapping, vengeance, treachery, and bloodshed swirl within a suspenseful tale that perfectly captures the mood of a harsh but heroic people who lived at the end of the Viking period. Characters: While with the main character, Hakon, there is maturity that's evident, the other characters seemed to play stock characters and there was barely any growth when it came to them. Theme: Evil will not prosper Plot: I personally felt that the pacing was uneven and although it wasn't th...