Joe Kitchen > Recent Status Updates

Finally done with the Introduction! Here we go!

The Red Pony stories are all kind of sad.

"Saint Katy the Virgin" is a hilarious story of a really bad pig that gets converted and venerated. Quite the satirical piece about the Church.

"The Murder" is probably the most memorable of the stories so far. A man finds his wife with another (her cousin) and shoots him. The he punishes her.

It seems one theme through most of these stories is a man that's somehow suppressed, sometimes sexually by a woman. And then it comes out.

"Johnny Bear" is the story of the big bear-like man that has a snack for remembering conversations. He becomes the town's gossip mill - due the price of whiskey at the local drinking hole. Steinbeck seems to use the swamp and fog to indicate the ongoing mystery and doom.

Mike "The Vigilante" has just taken part in a lynching and is trying to process what he participated in.

"The Harness" is the story of a farmer who had been under the control of his wife. He has been fairly successful. When she dies, we find he's been controlled in more ways than one. He finally takes control and lives free from her control, or does he?

"The Raid" is about two labor organizers, possibly Communist, that are setting up for a type of rally. It gets raided by their opposition. This one has Grapes of Wrath or In Dubious Battle vibes.

"Breakfast" was simple: short and sweet.

"The Snake" is a story, apparently based on an actual event, of a mysterious woman that visits a zoological lab. Very good, with imagery enhancing the intensity of the situation. I was almost expecting it to go in a Stephen King direction!

"Flight" was kind of depressing. Young Pepé apparently kills a man during a trip to Monterrey. He returns home, and his mother sends him on the run. Things don't go well as he tries to flee over the rough California terrain. Very descriptive.

The White Quail: Not sure about this one... Mary has sought out her ideal life and has received it. Her identity is in her garden. She seems highly pleased with herself. He husband, Harry, seems to go along with her, even though he doesn't understand. When a white quail comes to the garden, she immediately sees it as herself. Harry is frustrated and vents it in an unexpected way.

Collection of short stories. Ratings for each:

The Chrysanthemums: Interesting. Elisa gives up some flower shoots, a part of herself, hoping to share her joy. She is devastated to see them discarded.

Wow. But will we find out why?

Interesting

Pretty entertaining so far. Draws the reader right in.

Very good so far. Nabeel has succinctly explained his Muslim childhood and the beliefs he grew up with. The expert contributions for each part shed more light on each topic. The section on textual criticism is very good.

Starting my quest to understand Islam and the impact of Political Islam. And to learn how to minister to my Muslim neighbors.

The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain was a good story. The Chemist has a visit for a ghost that takes away his ability to remember sorrow and disappointment. This "gift" is then passed on to all he meets. The Chemist then sees the unfortunate results and begs the gift is taken away. Through the efforts of his housekeeper, everyone is reconciled.

The Battle of Life was a pretty good story. A story of one sister's love for another age the sacrifice she makes. 3.5/5

The Cricket on the Hearth. Good idea...poor execution, especially when compared to A Christmas Carol.

The Chimes is a strange story. Not nearly as good as A Christmas Carol. Very interesting, though.

A Christmas Carol is a fabulous story. The Marley Ghost is profound: "Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me?"

The writing is very good. Levin and Kitty are definitely my favorite characters. There is a stark contrast between them and Vhronsky & Anna. I'm also wishing Alexai Karenin would stand up for himself.

Very engaging. Seems like it should have been called Levin!

I didn't think I could dislike Claude any more... Then there's Glen...

This section seemed to drag... But I like Henry!