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The end :(

  What a semester of books this has been. This class has been lovely and I wish I could take it again next year. It was my favourite of the semester and going to classes and discussing the books was such a blast. Really enjoyed getting to hear everyone’s thoughts on the books we read, and I would have to say my most memorable discussion class was with Nadja . Now, my favourite book this semester was Time of the Doves . The story was so fun to read and I loved seeing the development of Natalia’s character and her journey to happiness. Second place would have to go to my favourite lizard, Eulálio, in the Book of Chameleons. The idea of a gecko narrator was enough for this book to be in my top spots. Best character also goes to Eulálio, and the least, most awful, I really didn't like this guy , award goes to Quimet. Now book awards aside, this class has really broadened my perspective of literature. Before taking RMST, I had never really explored literature outside of what I was co...
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When I grow up -My Brilliant Friend

  This week's read was “my Brilliant friend” by Elena Ferrante. I was quite excited for this book since last week, Dr. Beasley had mentioned it was his favourite of the semesters novels. Now, the first thing that jumped out at me when reading is how brilliant Elena’s writing is. It made me never want to put down the book. While Elena revisits her childhood, there is a lot of violence and the use of words like dead, blood, rage. While all of this could very quickly make a book grim, Elena’s writing kept things more light hearted in a way. The heavy topics didn’t depress me, but rather were part of a bigger picture of Elena’s childhood and why she and Lila seek an escape. This book did have ALOT of characters, and sometimes it was a bit hard to keep track of everyone. I often found myself rereading sections and getting characters confused with each other. However overall, I would say it was a fun read and one of my favourites of the semester. Now onto the focus of the story, the frie...
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Being Delulu is the Solulu -The Book of Chameleons

  This week's read was The Book of Chameleons by José Eduardo. From the title, I had assumed that our lizard narrator would be a chameleon, but funny enough, he was a gecko. After reading this book, it definitely makes sense that it was titled after an animal that can constentley change its skin and blend to the background. I think in this book you can find many chameleons, these individuals with shifting identities who reveal themselves at the end of the book. We have the Foreigner, (probably the most obvious) who takes on the persona of José Buchmann. Throughout the book, the foreigner starts to shift into this role, changing the way he acts and talks to become this character. You watch him become a convincing José, going so far as visiting his “fake” fathers grave and going on a journey to find his “fake” mom. He was so convincing at being José, that I myself had to double check and reread the beginning of the texts to make sure he was not. We also see other chameleons, like Edm...
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Let it shrivel up and burn -Money to Burn

  Hello everyone! I hope you guys have been enjoying the sun as much as I have. I actually took advantage of this weather and did most of my reading for this week's book Money to Burn by Piligia, outside. What a change of pace this was from our usual more mellow paced books. Now I noticed that unlike many of the blogs I’ve read, I actually did not really enjoy this book. So first let me start with the things I did like. For one, Piligia writes this book in a way that sees perspectives of multiple characters. For instance, we get a look at the bank employee’s life and his hidden motivations to steal the money before he gets killed by the gang. It really humanizes the story and makes you feel the impact of the actions of our gang of criminals even more. It was also really cool to learn that this book was based on a real bank Robbery in Buenos Aires in 1965. Looking back on the book, it makes sense because of all the details of specific streets and people that were named. I had fun t...
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Cause when you’re fifteen -The Lover

  All I ask for, is one book where the relationship between two characters doesn't make me so uncomfortable (I’m thinking of Nada, Hour of a Star and the Time of the Doves). Seriously though, the books in this class will make you feel all kinds of emotions. Now for the book of the week, The Lover by Marguerite Duras. First things first I want to congratulate Duras for becoming a writer despite what the haters were saying (her mom tbh), good for you girl. On a more serious note, this book delved into the relationship between Duras as a YOUNG girl and her OLD lover. It brings up serious topics of the complexities of race, gender and social status in a relationship that has you questioning who holds the power. Now I was on the fence about this after watching this week's lecture but in the end I’m gonna say he’s the one in power because age, maturity and life experience really give him the upper hand here. Now, that's not to say that Duras does not benefit from the relationship...
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Hot Dog -Hour of a Star

  This week I chose to read The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector and I've gotta say this has definitely been an interesting read. For starters I found it really cool that the book follows a narrator while he writes about a character. Honestly the first time I tried to read this book I was so confused but after I watched this week's lecture it helped clear up the story for me. The narrator struggles to write about this girl who is forgotten, poor and unremarkable and he really emphasizes that he is the only one who loves her (kinda weird). The way he described her made me sometimes dislike Rodrigo and he would talk about how Macabéa’s life was sort of out of his hands, like she had her own destiny as he wrote her (but like he’s the author). She is a character that just takes life as it is, she doesn't go to church or ask why things are and the narrator even says she doesn't know she is unhappy. I think the quote that showcased this the most for me was when Macabéa ...
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This Book Made Me Hate Men Called “Quimet” - The Time of the Doves

  This week, I delved into Merce Rodoreda's "The Time of The Doves," and despite its weighty subject matter, I found it to be quite an engaging read. Rodoreda's ability to craft vivid imagery really drew me into the story. Initially, I was concerned that Natalia wouldn't find her happy ending, but I was relieved when things turned out well with Antoni.The book follows Natalia as she navigates her relationship with three men. The first Pere, who was very fond of her was a much better fit then Quimet, justice for that poor guy. Quimet, her first husband, was truly despicable. From trying to convince her to leave Pere to outright violence (when he STRANGLED HER), he crossed a line that I couldn't forgive. His manipulation tactics, like gaslighting Natalia about Pere and feigning illness in his leg for attention. He was a stinky narcissist and got what he deserved. Finally we have the second husband Antoni, who married Natalia to have a family. The thing that stoo...
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