Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

I was not just pleased with this book because its protagonist shares my surname, though that is why I picked it up in the first place. It is a romance in the tradition of Austen, but in modern England populated by people of different races, religious beliefs, and traditions. It is funny, insightful and never cheap in its sentiment. Highly recommended.

The Sound and the Fury

I wasn't sure I was going to last for the duration of this work. It starts off from the viewpoint of a handicapped man; most of his insights are based on sensation. I wasn't sure I wanted to stick with that for 300 some odd pages. But three other perspectives are also offered all written in different styles. This is my first Faulkner besides a short story we read of his in my American lit course at BYU. It seems that those who are labeled postmodernist aren't really doing anything new when you encounter these types of works.

American's sense of self worth

This idea was certainly informed by my readings of Benjamin Franklin and Fredrick Douglass in American Lit classes at BYU, and surely almost every American film or book I have read since, but Americans tend to have a high regard for the Horatio Alger myth and they hold any one who is assisted in a lower esteem. I think this is also reinforced by a feeling of superiority this gives to those who feel like they have achieved everything by themselves. Finally it remains unchallenged because we live so far apart from one another in anywhere outside of the major urban areas. I know these seem like simplistic readings, but they are all true. While I lived in England and Italy, people maintained much healthier social lives, often leading to a greater sense of community. This sense leads to the belief that community is fundamental to everyone's success. I may feel more self-concious now about this at this moment, but as I am a PhD student I have needed to rely on the help of my family and friends to assist me at times. This wasn't something I planned, but none of us really know how our lives will turn out even if we are successful chasing after our goals. At times I feel this has led certain individuals to feel like I am not responsible because I don't have a real job. I tried to get a crap job. It didn't work. It was easier for me to get into a PhD program than to get a Christmas job at Toys R us.  I am also too sensitive.