Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Jan 08

21

Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness by William Styron

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on January 21, 2008
Posted in Books Read 2008 • Depression • Non-Fiction • William Styron  | 6 Comments

A Famous Author’s Personal Battle with Depression
In this short but powerful memoir, William Styron, the author of “Sophie’s Choice”, tells of his personal battle with clinical depression.
Suffering from depression myself and working in the mental health field, I can honestly say he captured this debilitating illness very well indeed. I have tried to explain to my friends how I felt going through depression at my lowest, low. It’s like sinking to the bottom of a well with no lifeline to hold on to, gasping for air.
There were so many things in this book that I could relate to first hand! People who have been lucky enough not to suffer from depression don’t usually realize how debilitating it is. Symptoms are not just psychological, but there are many physical aspects as well. Styron explains this in a way that everyone, suffers and non-suffers can understand.
I still have some smaller bouts of depression at times, but it’s more like treading water at the top of the well, thank goodness. Some of my experiences with the professionals were similar to his, but my ultimate recovery was a bit different. I was not hospitalized and my recovery took a lot longer.
This book is a bit dated. As I said above, I work in the mental health field. I can tell you that the hospitals that I have worked with, don’t have the budget to do many of the programs that Styron had the fortune to experience, such as a lot of art therapy. It’s a shame, because these would be beneficial!
Though this book is a little dated now, I recommend it for those that have suffered from depression and those who want to know more about what it is really like.
3.5/5
Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Jan 08

20

Storm Rider by Akira Yoshimura, Translated by Philip Gabriel

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on January 20, 2008
Posted in Akira Yoshimura • Books Read 2008 • Historical Fiction • Japan  | 12 Comments

The Opening of Japan to the World
In Japan, at the age of 13, Hikoraro lost his mother and became an orphan. His stepfather gave him the choice of continuing school or become a sailor of his ship. Though he knew that his mother wanted more for him, he chose sailing.
Out on his first trip, there is a huge storm and the ship becomes lost and immobile at sea. Luckily an American vessel comes upon the ship and rescues all of its occupants. Eventually they sail to San Francisco. The story then goes on to how the castaways keep trying to make their way back to Japan and what happens to them, including Hikoraro.
This is the story about both the castaways and how Japan finally opens up to American and the world. It is also the story about Hikoraro and how he became caught up between two worlds, Japan and America.
Though I found the historical aspect of this book fascinating, the story of the castaways’ fell flat for me. There was no emotional depth to any of these characters, and while I was concerned about what would happen to them, I kept reading because of the history. This my be in part because of how the book was translated, but I’m more inclined to believe that it was because Yoshimura chose to use very little dialogue.
Besides the problem with the characters, I also found parts of this book to be quite repetitive. I think that much more editing and polishing was needed.
Non the less, I found this book worthwhile and do recommend it for those who are interested in the opening of Japan.
3/5
Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Jan 08

17

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on January 17, 2008
Posted in Books Read 2008 • Fiction • Fun • James Garner  | 8 Comments

Laugh Out Loud Funny
This little book is the retelling of classic bedtime stories with modern day political correctness. It retells stories including Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and Cinderella, to name a few.
Garner uses political correctness in the extreme! For example, here is an excerpt from Little Red Riding Hood:
The wolf said, “You know, my dear, it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through these woods alone.”
Red Riding Hood said, “I find your sexist remark offensive in the extreme, but I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid, worldview. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way.”
This book had me laughing out loud, sometimes with tears in my eyes. The only negative thing is that the stories do get a bit repetitive, like the original stories themselves. Therefore, it is best to savour them one at a time with space in between.
I really had a lot of fun reading these silly PC stories.
4/5
Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

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