the portal

Now I’m going to make a statement. Its bold, brave and unusual, especially from me. You may want to sit down for this one. Ready? Okay, here goes:

I liked this book.

No, I have not finally succumbed to insanity, hell has not yet frozen over and the skies are not red with the fires of Ragnarok – Isobelle Carmody has simply provided another fantastic book from the popular writing factory of…Geelong.

Well Geelong jokes aside, this book was yet another in Isobelle Carmody’s Obernewtyn Chronicles, the fifth book. Fans could be forgiven for getting anxious about this particular series; the previous book in the series was released 9 years after the last one. But believe me, the wait has been worth it.

Not only has it been released after the longest wait ever, it is also the longest book I’ve ever read, pages wise at least. The formatting technique wasn’t exactly compact, but that’s not the point. Its the longest book in the series, exactly 1000 pages. Its not the best one of the series, but the one I’ve anticipated the most.

Now, this is where the spoilers start. So if you haven’t read the rest of the series, stop here, go read the other books and come back once you’ve done so. The book starts off a few months after the last book left off, continuing on the story of the Misfit rebellion against the Council – the tyrannical and opressive government in the post-apocaplypic world. A quick update: Rushton hates Elspeth (for some as-yet unknown reason), Dragon can’t remember anything about Obernewtyn and the Rebellion – the pseudo-equivalent of the Church – are still rebuilding their ships to prepare an incursion against the remaining Council controlled areas. There is a renewed alliance between the Misfits and the Gypsies, and the relations between the Sadorians and the Misfits are still going well. Where the rest of the book goes? Well you’ll have to read it it find out.

This book is slightly more optomistic than the previous books. This one is the first which actually offers some small hope for the Misfits – previously they’ve been betrayed, been victims of Council oppression, been separated, lost seveal important people and generally been reacting. This is the first book where the Misfits actually get pro-active. There’ll be reunions between lost friends, the repairing of relationships, the end of past struggles and the start of new ones. Because of its immense length, it really offers everything that you could possibly want in a book. Its plot, character development and writing style are just fantastic. It leaves the book perfectly set up for the sequel and without doubt I’ll waiting anxiously for it.

Robespierre

Much debate has focussed on issues such as the new ‘teenager’ edition of Shakespeare, as well as other subjects regarding ‘Moden Inglish’ and the like, although to present a common theme amongst these topics I would have to head straight toward the horizon of ‘the classics or the modern?’ debate. The two, or perhaps more, sides of the argument consist of the restoration of old literature, ‘proper’ English and tales of great depth, and evocation. When juxtaposed to more modern works we see more simplistic writing (both in style and in subject), however many believe that ending with this stereotype is simply preposterous, and hence, we should create a new angle of perspective on the debate.

Wandering toward those great authors of the twenty-first century, we see that it is possible to create works of art (disguised as literature) in modern times and with our modern interpretation of a language that has been twisted and turned throughout years of constant change.

Perhaps we should admire both sides of the debate, accept that English has changed, and accordingly the style of writing has changed. But does this mean that it has become less meaningful? Well, I’ll leave that thought in your hands…

Despite the arbitrary lack of structure to this piece, I find it necessary to now wander off to the other side of the debate. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps (beyond all imagination), the classics aren’t that amazing, aren’t that sensational? It has become apparent to some (definately not to me!) that some classic works of literature are stereotyped, and given the hyperbolic judgement of greatness. Perhaps this is true. Most likely, it isn’t.

I leave this muddled, and awfully over-complicated subject in your hands. As readers of both fine and terrible literature, I hope that you will search beyond the realms of knowledge to find me an answer!

Posted by tyronec

In response to a reader’s suggestion, we are launching a new competition. The person who writes the post which is most commented upon will receive a traditionally yummy prize! The competition deadline is the first Friday of next term, so you have plenty of time to think of a controversial book/writing/reading related topic, compose a scintillating post and publish it on The Portal. You can then sit back and watch the comments roll in. (See ‘How to post’ on the left of The Portal’s front page).

Mrs Sweeney

Image : http://student.nuigalway.ie/~writers/images/Writer03.jpg 27/5/08

The Recruit is the first in the Cherub series – one of Scotch library’s most popular. The series is about a 12 year old boy named James, who is orphaned and sent to a foster home where he is recruited by Cherub, a branch of the British Secret Service which trains boys and girls to become spies.

Within the first ten pages of The Recruit, James has thrown a taunting girl named Samantha against a wall, (not realising a protruding nail would gash her face), come home to find his obese mother drunk, described the toasted sandwiches his sister makes out of nutella, honey, icing sugar, golden syrup and chocolate chips, and been beaten and terrorised by Samantha’s brother. Non-stop action laced with humour and topped by terror makes this a one- sitting read. Be hooked!

Mrs Sweeney

I am happy, in fact ecstatic, to announce that in response to the following weeks’ heated debate as to whether The Age or The Herald Sun is the official ‘newspaper of the year’, I have taken the majority’s word to mean that The Age’s authentic, evocative journalism is what Australians, generally, prefer. Hence, those who wrote in favour of The Herald Sun must (perhaps that’s a little bit too harsh) may concede defeat. The Age has taken a magificent lead. A lead towards a better Australia…

tyronec

There’s been some pretty tough competition, with some amusing and clever suggestions, but a team of (perhaps narcissistic) judges has decided on  Jason’s  flattering entry in the Acronym competition…

 Perspectives

Of

Really

Talented

All-seeing

Linguistic, Literature Lovers

We also really liked this one by koalaboy

Place

Of

Random/Rebellious

Thoughts

About

Literature

Well done boys!

Feel free to keep posting suggestions – you never know, we might award another prize if there’s a stunning entry!

Mrs Sweeney

Anyone who has read ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ by Louis de Bernieres will want to read this more recent book by the same author.  Set in Turkey in the early part of the twentieth century, “Birds without Wings” is a powerful and gripping narrative about the effects of some of the major events of the early twentieth century–the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli Campaign of WW1, the bitter struggle between Greeks and Turks, and the achievement of Turkish Independence–on the lives of individuals in a small village in south-west Turkey.  The effects are profound and the narrative deeply moving.  As well as being a fantastic story, “Birds without Wings” also presents in a very readable way an account of the history of the early twentieth century in this troubled part of the world.  It is fascinating to read about the Gallipoli Campaign from the Turkish point of view.  Has anyone else read this amazing book?

J. Simpson

At Tuesday Book Club , Dr Mitchell grabbed everyone’s attention when he spoke about the exploits of Barry Eisler’s character John Rain. Half Japanese and half American, Rain is a hired assassin. The Library has ordered all his books so get your reservation in early. Who is your favourite crime writer?

M.Blomquist

Has anyone noticed this amazing book on the shelves? Not since Shaun Tan’s The Arrival have I seen such exquisite illustrations. The story is about an orphan who lives in a train station in Paris, and becomes immersed in a mystery involving mechanical secrets , an eccentric girl and a grumpy old man. However this is not your standard illustrated picture book. It is a homage to silent film, a tour de force of artistry and a refreshingly original concept. No wonder it won the 2008 Caldecott Medal (awarded each year to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children). Don’t be put off by ‘for children’. Like Shaun Tan’s work, this is for all ages.

Mrs Sweeney

Collective nouns are such fun – and so collectable! Some are mundane, some superbly apt, and some simply astonishing!

It’s entertaining to try making up your own – this website has lots of suggestions for collective nouns as well as accepted ones. For example…

an attitude of teenagers 

an ambush of widows

a compromise of senators

an embarrassment of parents

a pretension of intellects 

a shortage of dwarves

My own inventions…

a hassle of homework

a quagmire of excuses

a suicide of cyclists

a slick of politicians 

Do you have some favourites that bring a smile to your dial – either established ones or your own creations? Post them in comments and I’ll  publish a  list of the best ones.

Get creative!!!

Mrs Sweeney

Image : http://www.youthblog.org/archives/teenagers%20hiphop%20cartoon.jpg 17/5/08

Bravo boys – you’ve contributed some great collective nouns! So far we have…

 from dweedidwee

a circuit of computers

a flash of cameras

a wave of sound

from Gilla

a round of circles

a rumble of earthquakes

a tree of books

a forest of dust

a boggle of letters