Trumpet Sounds No More Blog
Feb. 19/10
By: Anthony Mariano
“Trumpets Sound No More” is the second novel written by Rob Redfern. The novel takes place in 1840 during the Victorian era. The theatre world is shocked to hear that one of their youngest and famous entrepreneurs Mr. Cake was murdered. Inspector Owen Endersby of the London Detective Police Force was assigned to solve the murder. The inspector must deal with street vendors, servants, moneylenders, and performers of the theatre world, who know the victim well. Using unorthodox techniques such as disguise, break and enter, bribery and physical force; Inspector Endersby must find the person knew Mr. Cake, and silenced for good.
Throughout the novel, Redfern gives many descriptions of Victorian London. I think that most of his descriptions were very or quite accurate because as he describes London as the reader is transported back in time to Old Victorian England. I especially like his descriptions of the cobblestone streets and the references to their liveliness through the day. “The streets across the river were frantic with crowds…Houses and carts dogged Waterloo Road. A red banner across the front of the Coburg announced the upcoming Christmas extravaganza.” (Ch. 4, p. 116) His vivid descriptions of London put colour into the novel and to mesh with the murder story.
We meet many characters in the novel. Inspector Endersby is the protagonist of the novel. He could be compared to the central character in Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” Pip. Both Inspector Endersby and Pip have high expectations in life. Pip has high expectations of becoming a successful gentleman, while the inspector has high expectation of maintaining a reputation of becoming a great detective. The difference between the two characters was that Redfern did not give any information on the inspector’s early life, as Dickens did for Pip in “Great Expectations.” Harriet is the inspector’s trustworthy and caring wife, whereas Herbert Pocket is Pip’s caring friend and companion. Both of these characters were the perfect complement to each protagonist of both novels. The superintendent in “Trumpets Sound No More” could be compared to Jaggers in “Great Expectations.” Both characters seem too tense and hesitant at work. However, the superintendent maintains that same personality while Jaggers has a different personality when at home, as he is more relaxed and having more fun than ever. It seems as if the characters in both novels have similar personalities, with nothing different at all.
There are three main themes in the novel. One of those themes was high expectation. Both Inspector Endersby and Pip have high expectations in life. The inspector has a high expectation on solving the murder of Mr. Cake, while Pip has high expectations on succeeding life as a gentleman. Another theme is the act of struggling. The inspector was struggling to solve the murder by asking strangers such as street vendors and servants, while Pip was struggling to change his behaviour towards his family when he became a gentleman. The third theme is murder. Throughout the novel, no one has admitted to the fact that anyone has murdered Mr. Cake. It seems as if the recurring theme of high expectation and struggling shows in both novels.
Redfern uses two prominent symbols in the novel. One symbol he used was a metaphor, to depict people who might be involved in the murder. “A tall man in a fur cape was walking into the stable yard. The shadow of he theatre at first darkened the features of his face, but as he moved into the pale afternoon light, Edersby saw he was Italian or Spanish and that he had an air of authority about him.” (Ch. 4, p. 86) Another symbol used was a simile. “He seems so like a spirit, she thinks.” (Ch. 1, p. 3) He uses the similes to describe people in the streets of London. These two prominent symbols are what makes this book interesting.
I thought that Redfern’s depiction of the theatre world was well written. The thing that surprised me the most was how he explained that the theatre world was a huge part of Victorian England. He mentions that the theatre was a huge part of entertainment back then and how it is still part of England today. Overall, I thought that the novel was not too bad. I think that if Redfern adds more plot to it, people would want to read it.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Candor
Candor Blog
Jan. 4/10
By: Anthony Mariano
“Candor,” is the debut novel of Pam Bachorz. Set in the fictional town of Candor, Florida; Oscar Banks is the son of the town’s founder. Everything in Candor is perfect because subliminal messaging runs the town. The founder sends the messages to the people and they do exactly as they are told. However, that is all about to change when a new girl, Nia, moves to town. Oscar takes an immediate liking to her and has a sudden change in attitude. Before, Oscar was a perfect student and son; now he is more of a rebel influenced by Nia’s individuality.
Subliminal messaging is a common motif in the novel. The influence of these messages helps the town of Candor maintain its ideal of perfection for its youth, and the people seem happy with it. Everyone in the town does the exact same things from chores to give each other outward signs of respect. However, Oscar becomes tired of the fact that Candor is run by subliminal messaging. He thinks that it is unfair how his own father controls the town. There is uncertainty and fairness in Candor, which are the main themes.
Bachorz writes from Oscar’s point of view and it seems as if Oscar is telling us the story himself. He sounds like he is desperate and wants to get out of town, with Nia by his side. He is just getting sick and tired of how his hometown is run and wants to change that and turn against his own father. He wants to escape the influence of the messaging as well as the need to be perfect. Instead, he wants to lead a “normal” life with Nia, one where they can both be themselves.
There are a few issues in the novel that bother me personally. I was annoyed by the fact that the people in Candor are manipulated by the subliminal messaging and how they are not controlling the way they respond to the messages. Oscar was the only one who knows about the subliminal messaging and able to do something about them. At one point he is perfect, but changes his behaviour with Nia. The issue is that Oscar must decide whether the messaging should influence Nia and lose her forever, or keep Nia and face exposure.
Although they share different plots, “Candor” could be compared to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Once Nia moves in, not only does Oscar fall for her, but he begins to doubt the course of what he set out to do; in “MSND,” when Lysander is given the potion, he falls for Helena and messes up the love triangle between him, Helena, Hermia (whom he loves) and Demetrius (his sworn enemy). In this way, both plots are similar in that messaging and potion work to change each character’s destiny through the influence of liking or love for another.
I thought that Bachorz’s debut novel was good. The plot was intense and wrote with emotion. If she had a few more years experience, she would become a good author. I would definitely recommend it to adolescents who are looking for something new to read and who likes an intense, exciting novel.
Jan. 4/10
By: Anthony Mariano
“Candor,” is the debut novel of Pam Bachorz. Set in the fictional town of Candor, Florida; Oscar Banks is the son of the town’s founder. Everything in Candor is perfect because subliminal messaging runs the town. The founder sends the messages to the people and they do exactly as they are told. However, that is all about to change when a new girl, Nia, moves to town. Oscar takes an immediate liking to her and has a sudden change in attitude. Before, Oscar was a perfect student and son; now he is more of a rebel influenced by Nia’s individuality.
Subliminal messaging is a common motif in the novel. The influence of these messages helps the town of Candor maintain its ideal of perfection for its youth, and the people seem happy with it. Everyone in the town does the exact same things from chores to give each other outward signs of respect. However, Oscar becomes tired of the fact that Candor is run by subliminal messaging. He thinks that it is unfair how his own father controls the town. There is uncertainty and fairness in Candor, which are the main themes.
Bachorz writes from Oscar’s point of view and it seems as if Oscar is telling us the story himself. He sounds like he is desperate and wants to get out of town, with Nia by his side. He is just getting sick and tired of how his hometown is run and wants to change that and turn against his own father. He wants to escape the influence of the messaging as well as the need to be perfect. Instead, he wants to lead a “normal” life with Nia, one where they can both be themselves.
There are a few issues in the novel that bother me personally. I was annoyed by the fact that the people in Candor are manipulated by the subliminal messaging and how they are not controlling the way they respond to the messages. Oscar was the only one who knows about the subliminal messaging and able to do something about them. At one point he is perfect, but changes his behaviour with Nia. The issue is that Oscar must decide whether the messaging should influence Nia and lose her forever, or keep Nia and face exposure.
Although they share different plots, “Candor” could be compared to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Once Nia moves in, not only does Oscar fall for her, but he begins to doubt the course of what he set out to do; in “MSND,” when Lysander is given the potion, he falls for Helena and messes up the love triangle between him, Helena, Hermia (whom he loves) and Demetrius (his sworn enemy). In this way, both plots are similar in that messaging and potion work to change each character’s destiny through the influence of liking or love for another.
I thought that Bachorz’s debut novel was good. The plot was intense and wrote with emotion. If she had a few more years experience, she would become a good author. I would definitely recommend it to adolescents who are looking for something new to read and who likes an intense, exciting novel.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Book Blog #2
Book Blog #2
Nov. 16/09
By: Anthony Mariano
Under the pen name JD Robb, Nora Roberts continues the life and adventures of Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Detective Peabody, in “Origin In Death,” part of the “In Death” series. Set in New York City 2059, Eve and Peabody head to Dr. Wilfred B. Icove Sr. Center to study a case of a murder. Just as they were about to leave, another case falls into their heads. Dr. Wilfred B. Icove Sr. was found dead in his office, stabbed through the heart. Eve got a hold of a security tape of a woman exiting the office after the murder. Just like his father, Dr. Wilfred Icove Jr., was killed the same way a few days later. In the end, Eve and Peabody manage to uncover a private school that the Icoves founded and owned. In this school, the students were clones that were the works of the Icoves.
As the plot progresses many themes come up. When you read the words, “In Death,” murder comes to mind. We witness a murder right after the other, as Dr. Icove Sr. was killed a few days before his own son paid the price the same way. Also, the whole mystery is a crime fiction, meaning that the whole crime scene is based on untrue events. A crime was witnessed, an investigation was undertaken and a verdict was revealed.
Robb writes the book as if she was a Crime Scene Investigator. The language used were crime/murder terms and/or phrases to write. For example, Robb says this when she describes how Dr. Icove Sr. was murdered, “A silver handle protruded from the breast of the jacket, just under a triangle of red that accented the pocket.” The language that was said in the book seemed very convincing to the readers, as if the readers were reading a murder or investigating one themselves. It seems as if the reader was in the same situation as Eve and Peabody.
As the book progresses there were a few issues that came up. As the investigation continues, the reader tends to lose the entire plot and just want to close the book for good. For me personally, I totally almost lost interest in the book but managed to like it as soon as Eve was almost finished the case. In the plot, we witness the surviving members of the Icove family dealing with the losses of the people they love. Eve and Peabody were doing the best to help the grieving family, while trying to find out who killed the two kindest doctors.
“Origin In Death,” can be compared to William Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Both stories seem similar when the plot progresses, the people reading tend to become confused and people just want to close the book or leave the play, in general.
I feel as if the book could be improved, especially for its younger readers who love crime fiction. If the author could add some twists or more intensity to the book, it would make the readers not the put the books down. The author could use simpler terms, so that the reader could get a better understanding of the book.
The author used very little rhetorical devices. The only two that come up are themes and simile. The theme that keeps coming up in the book was murder; why will no one admit who killed the team of father and son. Robb also gave similes for the women who were involved in the murders: Dolores Nocho-Alvares: the last patient of Dr. Icove Sr., Avril Icove: Dr. Icove Jr.’s wife, and Deena Flavia: a clone.
In conclusion, I thought that the book was well written and convinced to readers. I would definitely recommend it for people who like crime fiction, a good mystery and want to be part of an investigation. Every time JD Robb comes up with a new concept for the “In Death,” series, it seems as if she is duplicating the success the other books have achieved. That is what makes her a good author.
Nov. 16/09
By: Anthony Mariano
Under the pen name JD Robb, Nora Roberts continues the life and adventures of Lieutenant Eve Dallas and Detective Peabody, in “Origin In Death,” part of the “In Death” series. Set in New York City 2059, Eve and Peabody head to Dr. Wilfred B. Icove Sr. Center to study a case of a murder. Just as they were about to leave, another case falls into their heads. Dr. Wilfred B. Icove Sr. was found dead in his office, stabbed through the heart. Eve got a hold of a security tape of a woman exiting the office after the murder. Just like his father, Dr. Wilfred Icove Jr., was killed the same way a few days later. In the end, Eve and Peabody manage to uncover a private school that the Icoves founded and owned. In this school, the students were clones that were the works of the Icoves.
As the plot progresses many themes come up. When you read the words, “In Death,” murder comes to mind. We witness a murder right after the other, as Dr. Icove Sr. was killed a few days before his own son paid the price the same way. Also, the whole mystery is a crime fiction, meaning that the whole crime scene is based on untrue events. A crime was witnessed, an investigation was undertaken and a verdict was revealed.
Robb writes the book as if she was a Crime Scene Investigator. The language used were crime/murder terms and/or phrases to write. For example, Robb says this when she describes how Dr. Icove Sr. was murdered, “A silver handle protruded from the breast of the jacket, just under a triangle of red that accented the pocket.” The language that was said in the book seemed very convincing to the readers, as if the readers were reading a murder or investigating one themselves. It seems as if the reader was in the same situation as Eve and Peabody.
As the book progresses there were a few issues that came up. As the investigation continues, the reader tends to lose the entire plot and just want to close the book for good. For me personally, I totally almost lost interest in the book but managed to like it as soon as Eve was almost finished the case. In the plot, we witness the surviving members of the Icove family dealing with the losses of the people they love. Eve and Peabody were doing the best to help the grieving family, while trying to find out who killed the two kindest doctors.
“Origin In Death,” can be compared to William Shakespeare’s, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Both stories seem similar when the plot progresses, the people reading tend to become confused and people just want to close the book or leave the play, in general.
I feel as if the book could be improved, especially for its younger readers who love crime fiction. If the author could add some twists or more intensity to the book, it would make the readers not the put the books down. The author could use simpler terms, so that the reader could get a better understanding of the book.
The author used very little rhetorical devices. The only two that come up are themes and simile. The theme that keeps coming up in the book was murder; why will no one admit who killed the team of father and son. Robb also gave similes for the women who were involved in the murders: Dolores Nocho-Alvares: the last patient of Dr. Icove Sr., Avril Icove: Dr. Icove Jr.’s wife, and Deena Flavia: a clone.
In conclusion, I thought that the book was well written and convinced to readers. I would definitely recommend it for people who like crime fiction, a good mystery and want to be part of an investigation. Every time JD Robb comes up with a new concept for the “In Death,” series, it seems as if she is duplicating the success the other books have achieved. That is what makes her a good author.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Book Blog #1
In Michael Lewis’s Money Ball, focuses on the Oakland Athletics baseball club during the 2002 season. For the past three seasons, the team had made the playoffs. During the 2002 season, the franchise had a payroll that was one-third of what the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees had as a team. However, the A’s were able to overcome this feat and return to October baseball.
During this particular season, it seems as if the team was at a great disadvantage with a low salary cap, compared to the Red Sox and Yankees. Lewis takes an in-depth look at how GM and former player Billy Beane “runs” or manages the team. People think that running a sports franchise is easy, but it is not. Billy had to survive losing key players due to a higher paying salary, seemingly endless defeat, and a decline in attendance. Yet, despite these problems, the A’s still had a winning season.
Lewis writes the book from a third person’s point of view, as if he was working for the Oakland newspaper. The language used was simply baseball and business/statistics terminology. People must understand what a home run and a strike are, among other elements of the game. They must also bear some knowledge of statistics and business terms such as batting average, attendance rate, and how money the team is earning each night for games.
Throughout the novel, there were numerous issues. Sports enthusiasts, especially Oakland A’s fans, were disappointed about the team’s low payroll. They were also upset about the fact that Oakland is perceived as a “joke” or the underdog amongst the league’s other teams. At the conclusion of the novel, the team managed to overcome adversity and disbelief in order to return to baseball’s holy grail, the playoffs.
“Moneyball” could be compared to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Hermia is passionate or crazy about Lysander, and they decide to get married without her father knowing, whereas in “Moneyball,” Oakland’s fans are crazy and enthusiastic about the A’s that they support them everywhere they go. However, their love and enthusiasm could lead to irrational actions such as disputes within the organization/family.
In conclusion, this novel would be most recommended specifically for baseball fans and people who would consider a career in sports management. I personally thought that the book could use some improvement if the author could simply clarify or explain the baseball/business terminology for those first time readers in a way that would make good use of footnotes. Overall, the novel was well written and quite informative as to persevering despite setbacks and/or obstacles; most especially financial.
During this particular season, it seems as if the team was at a great disadvantage with a low salary cap, compared to the Red Sox and Yankees. Lewis takes an in-depth look at how GM and former player Billy Beane “runs” or manages the team. People think that running a sports franchise is easy, but it is not. Billy had to survive losing key players due to a higher paying salary, seemingly endless defeat, and a decline in attendance. Yet, despite these problems, the A’s still had a winning season.
Lewis writes the book from a third person’s point of view, as if he was working for the Oakland newspaper. The language used was simply baseball and business/statistics terminology. People must understand what a home run and a strike are, among other elements of the game. They must also bear some knowledge of statistics and business terms such as batting average, attendance rate, and how money the team is earning each night for games.
Throughout the novel, there were numerous issues. Sports enthusiasts, especially Oakland A’s fans, were disappointed about the team’s low payroll. They were also upset about the fact that Oakland is perceived as a “joke” or the underdog amongst the league’s other teams. At the conclusion of the novel, the team managed to overcome adversity and disbelief in order to return to baseball’s holy grail, the playoffs.
“Moneyball” could be compared to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Hermia is passionate or crazy about Lysander, and they decide to get married without her father knowing, whereas in “Moneyball,” Oakland’s fans are crazy and enthusiastic about the A’s that they support them everywhere they go. However, their love and enthusiasm could lead to irrational actions such as disputes within the organization/family.
In conclusion, this novel would be most recommended specifically for baseball fans and people who would consider a career in sports management. I personally thought that the book could use some improvement if the author could simply clarify or explain the baseball/business terminology for those first time readers in a way that would make good use of footnotes. Overall, the novel was well written and quite informative as to persevering despite setbacks and/or obstacles; most especially financial.
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