What Happens When Erin Takes a Lit Class

I started this blog during a Contemporary Fiction class my sophomore year, but now it's about my general writing and reading adventures.

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So this is the reading challenge I am currently doing. Normally, I don't do a reading challenge, but this one caught my eye. I think it has some really interesting categories so I'm going to try and do it. One book will only fill one category. That way it is more challenging and I get to read more books. I will do a short post on every book I read and then hopefully we can talk about them. I encourage you to try out the challenge as well, because why not. So far I have only read one book and i will write up a post on it soon. 

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I can't believe this blog still has followers... I'm going to start using it again though. I promise! 

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Guys, the story of Arthur from Morgan le Fey's point of view. I'm so excited!

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What book should I read next?

I would like to continue this blog as a literary discussion blog. 

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My professor told us to come up with a song that we thought either described or continued The New York Trilogy and I chose Ellie Goulding's The Writer. I've included the lyric version instead of the actual music video so that everyone knows what it says. I chose this song, because I feel like it describes the three stories in a more abstract way. It especially reminds me of Quinn in the first story. He is being shaped by Paul Auster (the detective character, not the author). He is being absorbed into the character. He's also a writer who writes detective novels and is able to get into the head of Auster (again, the detective character). There's also the line "I'd rather pretend I'll still be there at the end" which I think describes what happens to Quinn. He literally convinces himself that he's okay and that he can leave any time he wants. Yet, he gets so absorbed in his character and the job that he literally disappears at the end. 

[whenerintakesalitclass]

The New York Trilogy

I HATE THIS BOOK. This book ruined my life, you guys. That being said, it needs to be the next book you read. It was so amazing. I cannot decided if he's a genius at connecting things or if he's just messing with us for over 300 pages. My theory is that he's connected some stuff to make us think that everything's connected so we will spend all this time trying to figure out what the hell he's talking about.

For those of you who aren't familiar with The New York Trilogy, it is three short stories that are interconnected. There's actually a theory that they are the same story written three different ways. They are basically about a detective that starts to follow someone around and gets completely sucked into the job. They get so involved in following their target around that they practically lose their mind. One ends up sleeping in an alleyway for months, one might be following himself, and one basically takes over their target's life. They are three of the weirdest stories I have ever read and they are wonderful.

They also carry similar aspects which supports the "same story" theory. For instance, time loses all meaning in these stories. One guy goes to an apartment and the events that transpire cannot take more than an hour, yet he's there for 14 hours. In the next one months pass without the reader knowing. It's ridiculous. He also uses the same names over and over again WHICH IS MADDENING. You see the names "Quinn," "Peter Stillman," and "Henry Dark" multiple times which makes you think these stories have to have a solid connection in some way. 

Seriously, READ THIS BOOK. It'll ruin your life forever, because you'll spend it trying to figure out all the connections. However, it is so worth it. Paul Auster is a genius. That I hate. A lot. 

[whenerintakesalitclass]

Is Amityville a true story? There is a prologue and an epilogue in Amityville that works very hard to convince us that it is. Anson also works throughout the novel to enforce that this is a true story. (I think I would have actually found the novel more scary if I hadn't been questioning its authenticity the whole time.) I post this interview, because I think it brings up some very important points. First of all, there's something off about George and Kathy. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but it bothers me. Their story feels rehearsed. Furthermore, it just seems interesting to me that these people had interview after interview about these events even though they claimed to be terrified of them. I would not want to relive it over and over again if this had happened to me. Most importantly, the interviewer brings up some incredibly valid questions. He asks if they had anyone, plumber or contractor, come in and look at the house. They never did. They find that all of their toilets are pitch black inside and it's not washing off and they never call anyone. I would have assumed that there was something wrong with my pipes and called a plumber. Yet, these people, never did, even as they are trying so hard to convince you that they never believed in anything supernatural. I also just think that it is a massive indication that they are doing this interview along side James Brolin, who plays George in the movie The Amityville Horror. The whole thing just plays out like a promotion to me.

What do you guys think? 

[whenerintakesalitclass]

Jay Anson is a horrible writer.

I’m sorry if you like him, but he is just terrible. I actually prefer Stephanie Meyer’s writing over his (though I much prefer Anson’s content). Every other sentence in Amityville ends with an exclamation point. It's impossible to know when things are supposed to be scary, because everything matters. Anson goes into little or no detail about virtually everything. There are aspects of Amityville that are actually terrifying too. The idea of the pig creeps me out and then there's the sexually charged ghost or whatever that's practically sexually assaulting Kathy. Yet, these events are skirted over and often never explored. Then, there's the part where the dog tries to hang himself and no one really notices. This book was supposed to terrify me, but, honestly, it was so poorly written that it just made me laugh. 

Also, I swear he must say "112 Ocean Avenue" at least once a page. 

[whenerintakesalitclass]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about turning this into a regular blog after class ends. I would take requests for books or use the books from my future lit classes and we could discuss them.

Thoughts?

[whenerintakesalitclass]

Raoul

I've discussed my issues with Raoul on this blog before so I don't think it's necessary to go into it too much. Most of my issues stem from Raoul's behavior in the beginning of the novel. I do think that Raoul has a redemption at the end of the novel when he risks his life to go and save Christine. I think this is when he proves that he actually does love her rather than just covet her. That being said, he's kind of useless. Granted, he doesn't really know what is going on, but he's a bit of dead weight for the Persian. When they're trapped in the trick room, Raoul just kind of sits down and gives up. I like Raoul, I do. He just frustrates me as a character. 

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Christine

I honestly don't believe that Christine is given enough credit. I like her. She controls the situation around her the best she can. At the end of the novel, she's the reason Erik does not kill the Persian or Raoul. She takes advantage of opportunities to openly defy the Phantom by seeing Raoul. I don't understand why people call her weak. She does not yell or argue with the Phantom, but she subtlety manipulates him to get her way and she definitely goes head-to-head with Raoul. She's a hell of a lot more capable than Bella. Plus, the whole reason that she gets involved with the Phantom in the first place is because she is trying to better herself. There are certainly things that you can criticize about Christine, but I adore her. 

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The Phantom of the Opera (Erik)

As a literary character, I ADORE Erik. I think he's an excellent examination of humanity and monstrosity. Obviously, he's done horrible things and doesn't hesitate to do even more horrible things, but at the same time he has this adorable relationship with Mde Giry. It's also easy to feel sorry for the Phantom, because he has this awful past and he just wants to be loved for who he is. I also enjoy his redemption at the end of the novel when he lets Christine go saying she "could marry the young man [Raoul] whenever she pleased, because she had granted [him] her tears"  (Leroux 273). Yet, Erik is a monster with a past of murder (granted he did not have a choice). That's why I love him. He's a series of contradictions. He's a complex character with both good and horrifying characteristics. 

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A Short but Brief Character Examination

So, my class is moving on from Phantom of the Opera and on to Stephan King's Willa and then Amityville Horror. As a sort of farewell, I'm going to post a few short posts talking about each main character. Good? Good!

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Welcome new followers!

I actually have followers now. So, welcome! I just feel like I should warn you guys that this is a blog for my popular and contemporary literature class. So, if you were here for a PotO blog, I'm sorry. Obviously, I'm still open to discussion about PotO, but my class is moving on to "Willa" and Amnityville Horror. So, if you're interested, please stick around and discuss literature with me! 

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You are very brave, my dear.

Oh my god, what have I unleashed??? Thank you? Haha. 

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Out of curiosity, which translation did your class use for Phantom? (If you aren't a Phantom fan, you are extremely brave for posting in a fandom tag. As you can see, it get heated.)

Well, it's a college class so we all buy our own books. But from what I've seen most of us are reading the translation by Mireille Ribiere. 

Also, I love Phantom of the Opera! It was an awesome book. I just have to criticize it for my class and it has problematic elements. 

[whenerintakesalitclass]

Don't apologize! :) I think it's wonderful to cultivate discussion. It's a shame some people would rather insult you than do so, but I'm glad you took some insight from other people as well! Most importantly, I hope you enjoyed the novel, and I hope the rest of your class goes well!

Aw, thank you so much! So many feels today! Also, I really liked the points you made in your reblog.