Novel Analysis

Name of student: Fitria Ningsih Report: #1 Date: October 2^nd, 2012

· Title of Reader: Apologize, Apologize! (Novel/~~Article~~)

· Author : Elizabeth Kelly

· (ForArticles) Name of Journal/Magazine:-

· (Summary of) content (50-100 words):

A novel written by Elizabeth Kelly that focuses on the immensely crazy Flanagan family, which lives in Martha's Vineyard. The book is narrated by Collie (named for the dog), who lives with his radical mother, well father, drunken savant uncle Tom, his troublemaking brother Bingo and about a million dogs. Collie is caught in a tug of war between his family and his maternal grandfather, who bankrolls the family and sees in Collie a kindred spirit worth nurturing. The family gets in various misadventures throughout the book, each one slightly more disastrous than the next, and each one just a little less believable.

· Student’s Comments :

This novel looks like a memoir, which is not a compliment. For the first 130 pages or so, it can be summed up as: “My name is Collie. I have a crazy mother, an alcoholic father, an impulsive younger brother, a controlling grandfather, an odd live-in uncle, and scads of money. I’m the normal one and I just wish things were normal, but everyone around me thinks I’m a spoilsport.” This is told to us through a series of quasi-humorous family anecdotes where the family members’ dialogue and the plot seem to be going nowhere. All of a sudden, there is a major tragedy and Collie spends the next 100 pages trying unsuccessfully to recover and getting into a lot of serious trouble instead. In this section, it’s: “My name is Collie. I am rich and aimless, and nobody takes me seriously. I am trying to adjust to major trauma and loss. I will now engage in a series of self-destructive acts.” Collie finally ends up on a mission in El Salvador which proves to be life changing for him – not because he actually contributes in any way, but because he undergoes a series of traumatic experiences. After El Salvador, Collie has some more direction and actually pursues a career. I suppose the ending was meant to be happy, but by that point, I was mostly skimming and just glad to be done.

Name of student : Fitria Ningsih Report : #2 Date : October 20^th, 2012

· Title of Reader : The Whole World (Novel/~~Article~~)

· Author :Emily Winslow

· (ForArticles) Name of Journal/Magazine:

· (Summary of) content (50-100 words):

The Whole World marks the beginning of a brilliant literary career for Emily Winslow, a superb, limitlessly gifted author. This novel told about two Americans studying at Cambridge University, Polly and Liv, both strangers to their new home, both survivors of past mistakes, become quick friends. They find a common interest in Nick, a handsome, charming, seemingly guileless graduate student. For a time, the three engage in harmless flirtation, growing closer while doing research for professor Gretchen Paul, the blind daughter of a famed novelist. However, a betrayal, followed by Nick’s inexplicable disappearance, brings long-buried histories to the surface.

· Student’s Comments :

The Whole World was an interesting read. After having finished it, I am not sure I really understood it though. There was a part in the book where I was like, Okay, I get it, and I see where this is going. However, no. Liv's character deeply disturbed me. Then pretty much all of the other characters disturbed me as well. Except for Morris. However, I digress. Even though this book was a not interesting I think, I did appreciate the setting. Cambridge, England. Specifically Cambridge University and the surrounding area. Therefore, it was set in a very dark, gray, studious kind of atmosphere with libraries and mansions and cups of tea. This book wasn't horrible but it definitely wasn't my favorite

Name of student : Fitria Ningsih Report : #3 Date : November 3^th, 2012

· Title of Reader : Dracula in Love (Novel/~~Article~~)

· Author : Karen Essex

· (ForArticles) Name of Journal/Magazine:

· (Summary of) content (50-100 words):

Mina and Jonathan have already planned how their future lives together. Everything was perfect, and then the dreams began. However, these were no ordinary dreams and Mina begins to question not only her life but also her sanity. Meanwhile, Jonathan is called away on business and in his absence, Mina begins to see all her dreams of a future. Slowly, as her dream world collides with reality, Mina begins to see a different future, one that spans not only her present life but stretches into forever. That is a future not with Jonathan but with another man, a man who had always been with her in one way or another. Mina must discover who she is and what she wants as she descends down a path that will bring her closer either to her heart’s desire or to a life unfulfilled.

· Student’s Comments :

I really enjoyed this story. It is a retelling of Bram Stokers Dracula but from the perspective of Mina. Apparently, certain men in the story to hide their dastardly deeds covered up the true story. I really enjoyed the spin on the story and it made me look at some of the characters differently. Karen Essex did a terrific job and I will definitely be looking into some more of her work. This book was fast paced and very hard to put down. I also really enjoyed the beautiful cover work.

Name of student : Fitria Ningsih Report : #4 Date : November 19^th, 2012

· Title of Reader : A Week in December (Novel/~~Article~~)

· Author : Sebastian Faulks

· (ForArticles) Name of Journal/Magazine:

· (Summary of) content (50-100 words):

This is Faulks first novel. Taking place over the course of a week in December, from Sunday to Saturday, this follows a number of people, all of whom have some relationship to a dinner party being planned for the Saturday.They are money-obsessed hedge fund manager John Veals, his wife Vanessa; Spike Borowski, and his new girlfriend; Knocker al-Rashid, and his wife Nasim; R Tranter, and Gabriel Northwood, Jenni Fortune..All of these people have their own back-stories that we learn as well as their current circumstances. There is a lot of social commentary going on, such as the economic situation, immigration, prejudice, self-aggrandizement, stereotypes and so many people figuring out where they fit in the world.

· Student’s Comments :

I like reading this novel, a timely, and well plotted. Indeed, in the evil genius of the book, John Veals, there are echoes of Augustus Melmotte, the financier in Trollope's novel of that name. This is a wonderful characterization of an emotionally disabled man who lives to manipulate the markets, taking short positions on a bank 'too big to fail' and engineering a situation that creates havoc for Government and pain for ordinary taxpayers. The poor get poorer and Veals makes billions. I found the details of hedge fund practices hard to grasp yet strangely fascinating, a glimpse into an alien world that has a huge impact on society. The other characters are attractive or unlikeable and equally well drawn. It is at once funny, chilling, thought provoking and moving. Yet despite the satire, Faulks shows empathy for his characters and demonstrates the possibility of redemption, with one exception.

Name of student : Fitria Ningsih Report : #5 Date : December 7^th, 2012

· Title of Reader : Caught (Novel/~~Article~~)

· Author : Harlan Coben

· (ForArticles) Name of Journal/Magazine:

· (Summary of) content (50-100 words):

Caught is a novel written by Harlan Coben. It told about a reporter Wendy Tynes who is making a name for herself, bringing down sexual offenders on nationally televised sting operations. However, when social worker Dan Mercer walks into her trap, Wendy is thrown into a story more complicated than she could ever imagine. Dan is tied to the disappearance of a seventeen-year-old New Jersey girl, and the shocking consequences will have Wendy doubting her instincts about the motives of the people around her, while confronting the true nature of guilt, grief, and her own capacity for forgiveness

· Student’s Comments :

I absolutely like the main character Wendy Tynes, although I admit I was not digging her at the get go. My first impression was that she was another self-centered, career-minded, do not care who I step on as I climb this very wobbly ladder, reporter. My impression changed swiftly as the plot unravels and my goodness does this plot unravels fast. Those who are new to Harlan Coben, life-long fans, and those who are still left standing in the dark wondering where have all the good authors gone. In short, I recommend this for those who like a quick entertaining read