73.
Author: Ruth Brandon
Title: Governess: The Lives and Times of the Real Jane Eyres
Publication: Hardback, 2008.
Pages: 257 pages
Genre: Nonfiction
Acquisition: LT 75er suggestion
Date Completed: September 13, 2010
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Ruth Brandon's Governess treats a subject well-known to anyone who has any level of experience with nineteenth-century British novels. Historically, the governess is a sad figure, isolated from all societies by the strange social distinctions her occupation creates. Brandon's presentation of a few selected women seeks to enlighten readers as to the true experiences of this fictional trope, but as a reader I question her proclaimed intentions versus the material she actually presents. Indeed, Brandon presents brief biographies of selected governesses, based on careful research and primary documentation such as letters and journals. However, my own reading suggests that Brandon's true goal is to champion the rights of women - socially and intellectually - as opposed to exploring the occupation and the effects of that occupation on the individuals. Much of Brandon's text is concerned with presenting the shameful realities of women's lives (kept purposefully ignorant, losing rights to their children, and specific maltreatment at the hands of various men), while the material itself is selected based on the fact that the women were at some time or another a governess.

This is not to say that Brandon's text is unsuccessful - rather, it is an interesting examination of individual lives that illustrate larger social problems - but I found the subject of governessing to be, at times, secondary to questions of gender analysis.

If a reader is at all familiar with the lives of the Brontes or Mary Shelly, or even if they've read a novel such as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall or Jane Eyre, Governess will provide no enlightenment. However, if a reader has only a brief understanding of Victorian culture, Governess will provide an interesting introduction to the roles of women in society.

71.
Author: Benedict Carey
Title: The Unknowns: A Mystery
Publication: Hardback, 2009.
Pages: 259 pages
Genre: Mystery, Young Adult
Acquisition: Teaching Text - 5-8 grades
Date Completed: September 10, 2010
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Adjacent is a place to hide the unwanted but necessary. The little island is home to a large nuclear plant, the hard-working families that keep the plant running, and the garbage that is generated by the communities around them. The children of Adjacent spend their time running between trailers, hiding is broken down buses, and watching the garbage come in on large barges.

When the narrator begins on the first page, "[p]eople were praying for something twisted to happen last summer. ... We wanted a problem, and a hairy one, just for something to do," the reader really isn't surprised.

The surprise, though, is that they get what they ask for.

People start disappearing from Adjacent; ordinary people that live on the island, and no one seems to care what is happening to them. But when a local math tutor disappears two of her students are determined to find out what is going on, and work their way through a series of mathematical clues they're sure Mrs. Clarke left behind.

The mystery goes far deeper than they ever expected, and Di and Tom gather together an unlikely group of conspirators to help stop the disaster that is looming.

I purchased Carey's book to kick off my 5th and 8th grade language arts classes at a math and science academy. The mathematical theme of the book flows naturally with the narrative, and the reader is able to develop and theorize along with the protagonists. I believe that The Unknowns will be very appealing both for young readers who have an interest in reading, and those who proclaim that math is just plain boring.

70.
Author: Louise Penny
Title: The Cruelest Month
Publication: Paperback, 2007.
Pages: 401 pages
Genre: Mystery
Acquisition: Resistance is futile
Date Completed: September 3, 2010
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache novels are deeply satisfying; as I reached the resolution I experienced that wonderful, comfortable full-belly feeling that only exceptional novels can inspire.

The primary plot of The Cruelest Month focuses on the now-infamous Arnot case which helped to define Gamache; though the case itself was long ago "resolved," the repercussions of Gamache's decisions have never fully dissipated. Now, Gamache and his team must face uncomfortable truths and a world of confrontations in order to support decisions that were honorable.

The secondary plot is the murder of a newer resident of Three Pines; unlike previous novels, the victim is not thoroughly detestable, yet there is no shortage of suspects.

The Cruelest Month is a character-driven narrative, in which quite a bit of development is presented. I enjoyed learning more about some of the principle characters, and was thoroughly pleased when my hopes for certain characters were fulfilled.

69.
Author: John Fleischman
Title: Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science
Publication: Paperback, 202.
Pages: 75 pages
Genre: nonfiction, medicine
Acquisition: Purchased for classroom use
Date Completed: September 2, 2010
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Phineas Gage: A popular science book that doesn't underestimate children, and presents a fascinating medical oddity for their enrichment and entertainment.

In Phineas Gage John Fleischman chronicles the adult life of a man who has the extreme misfortune to experience an iron rod fly through his head and out the top of his skull ... and live to tell the tale. Literally, in fact, as he sat chatting with his landlord about the accident while he waited the half hour for the nearest doctor to arrive. Despite the extreme improbability given the state of medical treatment in 1848, Phineas recovers from the incident and goes on to live an additional eleven years. However, the true subject of Fleischman's narrative is not really Phineas Gage as an individual, but rather how he helped inspire the medical community. In life, aspiring surgeons look at Gage's recovery as proof of a number of neurological theories. After his death his doctor finally reveals that his patient's recovery was not as "complete" as first suggested, and Phineas' medical history and remains go on to inspire and enlighten medical minds for decades to come.

Phineas Gage is remarkable all on his own, and Fleischman makes his story available to young readers. I personally intend to use the volume to teach elements of nonfiction in a fifth-grade English class at a math and science academy, and I am looking forward to the feedback my students provide.

Courtesy of Wikipedia, here is Phineas with the tamping iron that caused the damage - and remained at his side even in death - as well as an illustration of the iron as it passed through his skull:

The soul of Oscar Wilde's scandalous and captivating novel is alive and well in 2010. The latest film version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" took my breath away. It is a different beast from Wilde's original novel, but it is no less majestic for its transgressions. The decadence is captivating, and the artistic expression is superb. Oliver Parker has shaped a masterpiece, manipulating an unforgettable tale and perfectly adapting it to film. What is important about Parker's film is that it projects the sensationalism and sensibility of the 1890 gothic story into the contemporary world, while remaining faithful to the culture that inspired the original manuscript. Yes, many aspects are unfaithful to the narrative as it is published under Wilde's name, but Dorian is not frequently known for his loyalty.

I truly cannot praise this film enough. As a faithful Wilde devotee, I highly recommend all others with even a passing interest seek out this visual, musical, and narrative masterpiece.

68.
Author: Beth Fantaskey
Title: Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
Publication: Kindle Edition
Pages: 384 pages
Genre: young adult, horror, vampires
Acquisition: Suggested by LT user elliepotten
Date Completed: August 23, 2010
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side is a light and frothy young adult novel that follows the current trend of vampire romance. Ellie Potten compared the book to the Disney "Princess Diaries" films, and she calls it spot-on. What I enjoyed most about Fantaskey's take on the popular Cinderella variation is her portrayal of Jessica's emotions; Jessica reads like a typical teenager (albeit in a supernatural position), and her evolution throughout the book seems natural and believable. Lucius is not nearly as interesting as the protagonist. As the love interest, he fulfills all the requirements that readers will expect from the genre. However, I felt his epistolary endeavors to be less than sincere, and I felt that his letters flattened Lucius as a character, rather than developing the character for the audience. His inner monologue is shallow and contrived, and his use of "quotations" is more than a little ridiculous. Still, the book was good fun, and I'd probably seek out Fantaskey in the future.

67.
Author: Alison Rattle and Allison Vale
Title: Mad Kings & Queens: History's Most Famous Raving Royals
Publication: Hardback
Pages: 152 pages
Genre: nonfiction, history
Acquisition: Purchased August 21, 2010
Date Completed: August 21, 2010
Rating: 2 stars out of 5

Mad Kings & Queens is exactly what one would expect from a Barnes and Noble bargain history book, but I am nonetheless disappointed. I was prepared for the lackluster writing and the lack of development, but I was not prepared for the prejudice and judgment that guided the choices made by Rattle and Vale. It is no secret that royal lines have long been plagued with mental instability, and the "inbreeding" of European royal families has lead to a long list of unfortunate offspring. This progeny makes up a strong portion of the book, which is seasoned with famous figures such as Vlad the Impaler and Elizabeth Bathory (named as Erzsebet Bathory, accent marks missing).

What I found distressing was the long list of monarchs who were dubbed insane for, well, enjoying sex. Some of these royal figures are even included for simply enjoying sex with their lawful partners. Others, of course, include queens who had a number of affairs, and rulers who indulged in homosexual desires of varying degrees. While I understand that contemporary politics, religion, and cultural stigmas would likely influence the subjects of these royals to recoil in horror, does a strong libido really mark a historical figure for entrance into a collection of Mad Kings & Queens? I would argue that a king who engaged in sexual congress with his wife late into his seventies deserves a little more indulgence than the tsar who ran naked through the streets stabbing citizens.

Interested in naughty kings and queens? Eleanor Herman is a lot more fun - and a lot less judgmental.

66.
Author: Oscar Wilde
Title: The Critic as Artist
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 113 pages
Genre: Classics, dialog
Acquisition: Work text
Date Completed: August 21, 2010
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

My own response to this text is long, and likely tedious, so I will save my "review" for the classroom. In place of a personal response I would like to share the response of Ernest from page 112:
You have told me many strange things to-night, Gilbert. You have told me that it is more difficult to talk about a thing than to do it, and that to do nothing at all is the most difficult thing in the world; you have told me that all Art is immoral, and all thought dangerous; that criticism is more creative than creation, and that the highest criticism is that which reveals in the work of Art what the artist had not put there; that it is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is the proper judge of it; and that the true critic is unfair, insincere, and not rational. My friend, you are a dreamer.

65.
Author: Mark Twain
Title: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Publication: Hardcover
Pages: 300 pages
Genre: Classics, bedtime stories
Acquisition: Max's book
Date Completed: August 16, 2010
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Whew! Another tongue-twister of a bedtime story for my monsters. I feel out of breath just thinking of Jim's dialog, and my head is still reeling a little bit. I suppose Huck Finn is a classic for a reason, but I personally did not enjoy it nearly as much as I enjoyed reading the boys Tom Sawyer. Now I'll have to wait a few years to hear what they think.

64.
Author: Louise Penny
Title: A Fatal Grace
Publication: Paperback
Pages: 334 pages
Genre: Fiction, mystery
Acquisition: Purchased August 6, 2010
Date Completed: August 12, 2010
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

The second novel in the Inspector Gamache Three Pines series is just as elegant and breathtaking as the first. Penny's writing style defines traditional genre stereotypes, and the second in the series matches the first in careful construction and execution. For Penny, it seems the conclusion is not the point of the narrative. Rather, it's the journey through life,and the language that carries the reader there.