Mysteries of Udolpho

Review for the book "Mysteries of Udolpho"!

Ann Radcliffe wrote something truly inspirational in Mysteries of Udolpho.  Inspiring many writers after her, Radcliffe is credited with starting the gothic fiction genre.  Written in 1794, this story is considered to be the first mystery novel.  At six hundred and ten pages, it isn’t a quick read, but it is a must read for any mystery reader.

            Radcliffe’s story is truly genius.  She has created a great story line and plot.  Mysteries of Udolpho is riveting, keeping the reader on the edge of his seat.  While it starts off slow, and the reader might wonder why this book is considered so good in the first hundred pages, he will soon find that he cannot stop reading.  Once the story escalates, cliffhangers are everywhere.  In the middle of the story, there is no way to “just read one more chapter.”  At the end of one chapter, the reader simply must read the next chapter to find out what happens, but at the end of that chapter, the reader must read another chapter to find out what happens after that, and so on and so forth.  There are also multiple underlying storylines that all intertwine to create one large plotline.  This writing technique takes considerable thought and time and Radcliffe deserves great respect for it.

            However, Radcliffe’s writing is not exceptional.  Many loose ends are left untied at the closing of the book.  There are many details that Radcliffe emphasizes in the story that have no impact on the main characters or supporting characters.  It seems to the reader at the time the item is mentioned that these things will be explained in the conclusion, but they are not.  It leaves the reader wondering if he missed something.  Unfortunately, this happens too often in Radcliffe’s novel.  Some things could be very easily fit into the storyline that simply don’t get put in.  This is very unfortunate, as this novel could be outstanding but for these simple but multiple errors.

            Occasionally, however, something enters the plot that greatly affects or alters the main characters adventures.  With these, Radcliffe does an outstanding job.  One of these such things add to the mystery of the events.  Radcliffe mentions it repeatedly in the story, but never tells the reader exactly what that item that so frightened the main character is.  All through the story, the reader is constantly wondering and trying to figure out what that item is.  Radcliffe expertly keeps this a secret until the very end.  This item really has no relevance to the problems of the main character, yet it greatly impacts the character and makes her think untrue thoughts.  These thoughts frighten the feeble minded main character and affect many of her decisions.  This fear reaches the reader.  In the end, it is a vital piece of the plot.

            Mysteries of Udolpho is riveting, frightening, suspenseful, mysterious, and interesting.  Diehard mystery lovers will love this unknown classic.  While not the typical “scary” story, it is a must read!  Readers simply have to persevere through the beginning, and they will be greatly rewarded for their efforts.  It is not the best writing, but the story itself is a rare and valuable jewel!

~Michaela

Truth is

The leader. The girl who looks so confident and speaks so clearly. She always plans things perfectly and everyone goes to her for advice on everything. Truth is, she lies awake at night worrying, hurting.
The fashionista. Her hair and makeup are always picture perfect. She has exquisite taste in color. Her outfit is always different, always complimenting her skin, hair, eyes, and body. Everyone loves her. Truth is, she cries herself to sleep at night.
The obnoxious pest. No one likes her. She's loud, boastful, aggressive, and pushy. Always in your face. Always talking about herself, monopolizing the conversation. Truth is, she goes home to a dark bedroom and wishes someone would just be a friend to her.
The hater. She sits by herself, glaring at everyone who passes by. She won't talk, never smiles. She pushes every well-meaning person away. When she does talk, it's to make fun of something or someone. Truth is, she's been hurt so many times that she is afraid that if she lets you in, you'll hurt her too.
Some people look perfect from the outside. Their lives look amazing, they always smile and laugh. They always tell you that everything is perfect. Other people put up an impenetrable wall to protect themselves. Nobody is perfect. Everybody hurts. Some hide the hurt by putting up a happy wall. Others put up a fierce looking wall that will keep away people. It doesn't matter what they act like or look like. You don't know what is going on in their lives. They are hurting, worrying, stressing, crying, and sulking behind your back. Can I ask you to do one thing? Encourage. Lift up. When you notice that someone looks good, tell them! When you notice someone being kind, praise! When you know that someone is working hard for you or others, thank them! You may never know how that helps them. You may change their day, their life and never know it. Maybe they are considering suicide and because of your small word, have hope again. You don't know what a difference you could make. So please, take the 30 seconds it takes to encourage someone. You may just save a life.
Check out this song by Francesca Battistelli first. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc2XCkJX6c0

After

Have you ever attended a formal event? Maybe prom, homecoming, or something else? For girls, you probably spent the preceding week (maybe weeks) planning what you would wear, how you would do your hair, your nails, etc. You waited in anticipation. Finally the event arrived. Your hair was coated with hairspray, your nails were colorful, and your dress was perfect. The night flew by. You had an amazing time, and told everyone it was the best night of your life. You sink into bed in the wee hours of the morning and sleep for a very long time.
It's two days later. Your dress is hanging in the closet. Your nails are chipped. Your body is sore from dancing. Your feet are sore because of your shoes. You just washed the last of the hairspray out of your oily hair. Dark circles live under your eyes. The events of two nights ago seem like nothing more than a fun dream.
This is all you have to show for your adventure. Do you sometimes feel like this is all that will be left at the end of your life? You live a full, exciting life, but all that's waiting at the end is hurt and chipped nails. Are you really satisfied with that? Are you okay with standing before God and having to say that you made your life just a big party, nothing else? Are you content with living only for yourself? Are you alright with having nothing to show at the end of your life but greasy hair and blistered feet?
Can I encourage you to evaluate your priorities? Because your life may seem good now, but you will regret it later. Think about the millions of people living in poverty, hungry, and naked. Think about the widows, the orphans, the friendless, and the hurting. Does it hurt? If it does, good. That means you do care. Put that care in action. If you don't care one bit, maybe you need to go spend some time as these people. Christmas is the perfect time to do that. Go beyond throwing your change in the red bucket. Make a difference with your life. It will hurt. It won't be fun. But do it anyway.
~Michaela

Thanksgiving

Today was Thanksgiving 2012. The first official Thanksgiving was established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Ever since, we have established certain traditions. Some of our traditions are; eating a feast consisting of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, etc.;  watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, giving thanks, etc. We gorge ourselves on more food in an hour than we should eat in a week. Maybe your kids perform a play acting as pilgrims. Maybe they make little turkeys or place mats for your table. We turn on the football games even if we don't like the game just because that's the tradition. We invite family over or go to family. And if Thanksgiving was any different, maybe we ate a ham instead of a turkey, we would be mad until Christmas. And then, of course, Thanksgiving night Black Friday sales start. At dinner we tell everyone what we are thankful for, and then we turn around and get more stuff!
But you know what? In the same time it takes the mashed potatoes to pass around to you, about 12 children die of hunger. 12! 12 mother's children. Not even 12 people. 12 children! Every minute, about 12 children die of hunger related causes. Do you feel guilty yet? I do! You are groaning because you ate too much, and millions of children are too weak too groan because they haven't eaten in days, maybe weeks. And the last meal they did have might have been a bite of rice mixed with some grass. Or maybe a mud pie. What you ate in one meal could have given probably a dozen children a meal.
I don't want to sound judgmental, because trust me, I gorged myself today! But would you just think about it? Just think. Maybe then you will act. Imagine what could happen if everyone in America gave even a plate of their Thanksgiving 2013 meal away? How many less children would die? Please, think. And pray. Always.
~Michaela

Today

This is today.  That's a pretty obvious fact, right?  However, come tomorrow, it will be yesterday.  And you know what?  Once today becomes yesterday, you will never, ever, no matter how hard you try, you won't get yesterday back.  Ever.  It is forever gone.  Are you satisfied with what you did yesterday?  Did you do anything that matters today?  Did you do make a difference in someone's life?  Did you plant a seed for eternity?  Did you water a seed?  Chances are, you are now thinking, what could I have done yesterday?  Maybe you just let yesterday slip by, and you did nothing.
Guess what?  You only have so many 'todays'.  This could be your last one.  Maybe you don't have another tomorrow.  I don't want to sound morbid, but maybe this will get you thinking.  If you died right now, could you look God in the eye and say, "I made the moments You gave me worthwhile."  Honestly, I know I can't.  If you can, I will applaud God for His work through you.  That's my goal: to make every day worth it.  I have thousands of things I wish I hadn't done, things I wish I had done, and I'm not even 18!
Here's a story.  My younger sister loves money.  She will do almost anything to get it.  And she's a shrewd businesswoman, too!  She saves all her money.  She has about a hundred dollars.  But does that mean she'll just give you a penny if you ask for one?  By no means!  She keeps every penny!  She knows that every little cent amounts to something big.  Do you?  You have thousands of moments, but do you keep every one?  Or do you throw them away?  Do you give moments to 'me time'?  Do you give moments to useless hobbies?  How many moments do you give to TV?  How many millions do you give to worrying?  Every single tiny moment amounts to something huge, a lifetime.
We are called to give away our moments, but not to useless or harmful things.  Give your moments to God.  He will take your moments and disperse them to His plan.  He might give them to people, things, and causes you don't want Him to.  He might give them to that person you can't stand.  Maybe He'll give them to Africa, or Oklahoma, or your office, or your home.  Maybe He'll give them to orphans, to widows, to drug addicts.  Giving our moments, our todays to God requires courage.  It requires surrender.  It requires love.  But the rewards are beyond any sale-hunting, any Nickelodeon show, any girlfriend or boyfriend, any nap can offer you.
Will you determine to make today worth it?  Will you give God the moments you still have?  Will you step into the unknown and reap amazing, eternal rewards?  Because I will.  I will fail.  Sometimes I will take my moments back.  But I will try.  And I will trust that God will never fail me.  Please join me.
~Michaela 

Bitterness

This is an excerpt of the novel I am currently writing.  The only intro necessary is that the setting is America in 1864.


The reader will note here that America was in the middle of a civil war.  This wasn’t a happy thing.  Men died.  Women lost.  Whole men were rare and joyful women even more so.  Southerners hated Northerners, and vice versa.  Bitterness is a disease.  The disease of bitterness was spreading faster than gangrene or Sherman through Georgia.  It devoured anyone in its path.  America wasn’t simply fighting one big war.  They were fighting a war with bitterness as well.  They were losing this war, though.  Nobody enlisted for this war.  Women and children weren’t left out of the battles.  This was an all or all war.  Nobody had a choice to fight or not.  You see, feelings and obscure enemies aren’t required to follow the rules of war.  The only thing that would allow the people to defeat their enemy was their enemy’s weapon.  That thing was forgiveness and uniting together.  Bitterness isn’t stupid.  Bitterness will hit us at our only weak spot, no matter how small that spot is.  Our only weapon is forgiveness; our only armor, God.  God will protect from bitterness.  But bitterness turned Julia from God, from forgiveness.  Bitterness isn’t invulnerable.  All Julia needed to do was turn to the God of her childhood.  Will she?

Don't turn bitter.  Bitterness is still active in 2012.  You are not invulnerable.  So guard your heart.
~Michaela

2012 Election

Yesterday was the big election. People sat around their televisions anxiously awaiting the results. Many in our country voted yesterday or in the last two weeks. Maybe you didn't vote, even though you are older than eighteen. Maybe you wished you voted. Whether they voted or not, people groaned when their candidate didn't win. When their candidate did win, there was celebrating. It was a close election, but on the national level, Barack Obama won the contest. For some, this is the worst thing that could happen. Others believe he is what this country needs.
This morning you woke up and made a bee-line for the computer. You pulled up Facebook. And, surprise! there was drama. Your news feed was filled with Republicans slamming Democrats, Democrats exulting over Republicans, and the occasional third party voter insulting both. There were posts of celebration and of heartbreak. Quite possibly you joined in the backstabbing and mourning. Maybe you didn't insult, but you posted about the terrible things that Obama would do in the next four years. Maybe you celebrated the great victory. Or maybe, just maybe, you sat back, scrolled down the page, and sighed. Your fingers didn't touch the keys, but you sure wish you could tell people how stupid and trivial this is.
I don't care who you voted for. I hope you voted, but even if you made the decision not to, that is not my concern.
I do care about our country. I do care who is our president. But I know that God is in control. He will steer this country in the direction He wants it to go. Maybe sometimes we wonder why or how God is using the people He is using. We wonder if He is still directing this nation. Maybe you say, "God is in control" while you cross your fingers. It is true. We are in God's time. It doesn't matter what we think or do. God is God. You are not. Do your duty, vote. But ultimately it is up to God what happens. John Quincy Adams said, "Duty is ours, results are God's." God is in control.
Duty is ours, but what is our duty? Our most important duty is the duties we have Christians. We need to help the widows and the children, we need to reach out to the needy. But most importantly, we need to pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (ESV) America has not humbled themselves. We have not tried to seek His face. We have not turned from our wicked ways. America, we are in danger of losing God's blessing, if we haven't already lost it. Christians, let's unite and humble ourselves. Let us seek His face. Let us turn from our wicked ways. Then He will hear and heal our land. Will you get on your knees without ceasing these next four years? Will you seek His face? Because this will be a better country for your children and grandchildren if you do.
~Michaela

Les Miserable

Here is a book review I wrote for the classic: Les Miserable.  This review is for the book, NOT the movie.

Victor Hugo has written a timeless classic in Les Miserable.  This novel is loved by the generations.  This story has been transformed into musicals and movies.  This beloved tale is considered by many to be the best work of the nineteenth century.  It was completely published by May 15, 1862. The book was immediately translated into numerous other languages, including English.  Les Miserable was an immediate hit with all nations. During America’s own Civil War, the Confederate soldiers were particularly attached to the book, coining themselves “Lee’s Miserables.” Even to this present day and age, fifty years after the publishing of this narrative, the faithful still believe this to be the greatest novel of all time.

            Les Miserable is a story of wrongs and forgiveness; death and life; hate and love; enemies and friends; poor and rich.  In short, Hugo has captured the essence of life onto the page.  He has eloquently and successfully expressed the ups and downs, the hurt and the healing of life.  This heart-wrenching tale is not a collection of cold, empty words on a page.  This writing will force the most unfeeling heart to love and hate the characters, to sink in despair or leap out of joy in response to the circumstances, to cry and to laugh, and to sit on the edge of one’s seat.  The reader will soon find it quite impossible and unthinkable to put the book down until absolutely necessary.  The reader does not think with bitterness of the fact that the book contains more than a thousand pages.  In fact, upon the conclusion of the story, the reader might reflect with sadness upon the fact that it is only a thousand pages. This story will enrich the reader’s life.

            This classic is astounding, however, every book, even the best, have their own flaws.  Every author also has flaws.  This book’s one and only flaw is the long lectures in between sections of the story line.  These lectures, while interesting and connect to the story, are not necessary. They could be much condensed.  For some, these lectures are enjoyable to read.  They are educational and can teach one much about France and the world.  For the readers who are merely looking for an enjoyable read and an exceptional story, these lectures are tiresome and detract from the quality of the story.  These lectures can be skipped or read depending on the preference of the reader.

            One of the many reasons that Hugo’s writing is so amazing is his character development.  He takes time to develop his characters.  He lets the reader actually see the character.  He describes every aspect of the person.  He illustrates facial features, facial expressions, body build, personality, their past and present, and so much more.  He makes the reader feel as though they were old friends with the character.  Hugo gives expression and feeling to everything he does.  He leaves the reader wanting more.  As the reader closes the book on the last page, he feels as though he were leaving behind old friends and saying goodbye to family. 

            An individual can not call himself an avid reader without reading this masterpiece.  This story, while possessing its flaws, contains the deepest mysteries and feelings of life.  It makes the characters come alive.  This story is loved by the world in every era.  Victor Hugo surely has completed an amazing feat in Les Miserable.  This story is a must-read for everyone, teens, adults, elderly, scholars, laborers, rich and poor. 

 ~Michaela

Jane Eyre

Here is a book review I wrote for the classic, Jane Eyre.

Charlotte Bronte reached a new level of writing when she wrote Jane Eyre.  This timeless classic, loved by the thousands, is a story of love.  Jane Eyre is the story of a headstrong young woman thrust into the world at a young age.  Written in first person, the novel is written from Jane Eyre’s perspective.  Bronte brings to life the practical, down-to-earth side of romance.  She presents romance from the view point of a prudent girl who doesn’t let her emotions get the best of her when things don’t turn out as planned.  Responsibility and love mingle together to create a sweet aroma in this charming tale. 

            Bronte’s writing style in Jane Eyre is truly remarkable.  She succeeds in the difficult task of writing a novel in first person.  She takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotions.  She builds beautiful castles in the air, only to send the reader, along with her castles, plummeting into the darkness of sorrow.  She pulls her readers into embarrassment, and then swings them into the world of indignation.  She floats them to the clouds with romantic feelings, and then she drops them into the depths of disappointment when the clouds collapse; all this on account of one small girl.  Bronte brings her readers along on Jane Eyre’s trying journey.

            Bronte’s novel is near perfection.  It is difficult for the reader to find faults and errors in her writing. However, she does have weak points as with every other author.  While her development of her main characters is phenomenal, some of her supporting characters are unclear in the reader’s mind.  Characters such as Diana and Mary Rivers and Eliza and Georgiana Reed, while not undeveloped, could use more descriptions so that the reader can see them clearly in their minds.  This is the only potential fault in Bronte’s entire writing.  The rest of her characters and descriptions are faultless.  This novel could not be written any better.

            In Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte also gives an excellent example of practical romance to young women.  Jane does not let her emotions get the best of her.  She can still clearly use her judgment.  This is a real life example, unlike the typical romantic classic.  The characters are easy to relate to, and Jane could even become a girl’s role model.  As a follower of Christ, she is not a naïve, vulnerable girl.  She is the perfect example of doing what is right even when your heart tells you to do the opposite thing. The world is throwing an incorrect slogan at girls today; “Follow your heart.”  If Jane had followed her heart, she would have lived with a married man.  She would have done something wrong.  Her mind was telling her to do the right thing and walk away, but her heart was screaming at her to stay.  She did the right thing, even when it hurt. This is the image girls need today.

            Jane Eyre is a timeless classic.  It is written by a truly brilliant author.  Bronte brings the reader on an adventure, and it is an amazing one.  While she could have developed some characters more, it is an outstanding book.  She provides a superb example for young girls preparing to enter into the world.  This is an amazing read for boys, girls, men and women.  Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre is definitely on a list of must-reads!

~Michaela

 

It Just Takes One

It just takes one.  One what?  One for what?  Why only one?  Maybe these were some questions you asked when you saw the title of this blog and this post.  But then again, maybe you didn't care.  Maybe you just shrugged your shoulders and thought, "whatever."  No matter what you thought, keep reading.
One what?  One person.  Only one.  One for what?  Changing the world.  Making a difference.  I'm sure we've all heard this at least once.  "You can change the world!"  "You can make a difference!"  We hear it all the time.  But do we ever actually listen?  Think about it.  I mean really think about it.  Roll it around in your mind.  Taste it.  Take it apart piece by piece.  How does it feel?  Overwhelming?  Cool?  Awe-inspiring?  Ridiculous?  It's true.  You can change this world.  You can change America.  You can save our world, our country, from destruction.  Do you ever get fed up with politics?  War?  Sadness?  Death?  Anger?  Dishonesty?  Commercialism?  Do you ever wonder, what's the point of all of this?  Is something wrong?  Am I the only one that notices that something is wrong?  Something is wrong.  Our nation's leaders have resorted to trickery, dishonesty, and backstabbing.  Our people don't know our amazing history.  Our media is filled with dark, evil things.  Our lives are filled with dark, evil things.  And we don't even care.  Our nation has turned from God.  Our nation appears to be beyond saving.
But!  There is always a 'but'.  It may appear to be hopeless.  But it is not!  I am one.  I am one who is a failure, but one who is saved by grace.  I am one who still sins, but one who has not turned from God.  I am one who still believes in the power of the Light.  I am one who has my whole lifetime ahead of me.  I am one.  You can be one.  It just takes one.  Will you be that one? 

~Michaela