LH > Recent Status Updates

Worst chapter so far. Couldn't count how many times he called Hettie fat. I get it, he was trying to have an obese character who overate because she suffered, but this could have been done with much more empathy. She could have had some much more depth. Also, if you have to explain your symbolism in a literal way it kind of loses its punch, B.C. I am so disappointed in this book. Def in a reading slump. Two in a row.

Okay this book is starting to annoy me now. There's an Irish woman who's fat and drunk, and these are her only descriptors. Wow, incredible. This is purely dumb and racist. Also if this dude says lickity-clack one more time I'm going to lose it. This feels like a YA written by a boomer who really thinks he has something.

Now this is a great book. It's funny, it's educative on South African history and the characters are interesting. DNF'd a terrible book before The Power of One and I am so glad I did, because now reading is fun (as it should always be) again. Rooinek, Boer, Kaffir are all new terms I've learned from these initial pages. Not to mention all the history of SA-very interesting!

I will give this book 120 pages. So far it's been nothing short of me rolling my eyes at the pretentiousness of the academic. This style is not grabbing me, the narrator is never direct, which isn't necessarily a problem, but the circling around the point isn't fun or clever. It sounds tired and incredibly pretentious. Oh well, I hope this book wins me over by 120 pages.

I've soaked up so much of this book I started journaling again. With a pencil. A sharp pencil.

Has this ever happened to you? You're going through a really bad break-up but you have a good book to keep you company? You're feeling sad, but the book can take you out of that haze and appease the pit in your stomach? Even more praise for this book, not only a wonderful, important, informative story, but also a gift that distracts me from the pangs of lost love. I shall always have my books. Ouch, I made myself sad

Life is happening all around me. I've been seeing friends, family, people I love. I haven't been reading as much as I'd like. But dam it it still feels holy to lose myself in a book for hours. Bert concluded the cattle drive — which is such an interesting practice. He's going where there's a job. His will to live, survive, his strength is so touching. And he's a good boxer? Glad he's leaving the Kents. On to the next

What a pleasant turn of style this book took. A Western it's become, and even though I sensed it in the themes of working farms, it's now a full gritty Western adventure, with Bert roaming Australia's native lands with a gang of rough men. This book is everything. Butcher's Crossing prepared me for the 'Journey' chapters of AFL. Facey always with a kind, beautiful language, seeing good in every dire situation.

The book has hooked me in now. Bibbys were lovely. Hotel lady, too. Bert is lovable, everyone likes him, he's easy to like. Bill and May, and their peaceful Christmas. Leaving his Mother's house was the right decision — who charges rent from their own son!? Dingoes continue to fascinate and scare me. Gramophones serve as a blissful escape. If not books (at this point of his life al), then music. Bert's a great man.

I know the book is from another time entirely, but what's with the glorification of killing Kangaroos and Dingoes? I'm no expert on this, and apparently Dingoes were considered a pest by the Australian Government, but still... Sigh... That's what's bothering me, but I guess this will all tie in together when Albert enlists and fights in the big war. It's fine and interesting learning about how farming was done in the

Tough to digest the chapters about all the tree cutting, wood burning, and animal slaughtering. The pig chpt so far was the toughest to get through. Albert is still fascinating. Him saving Mrs. Phillips and burning his hands in doing so was so touching. Frank is a madman, but a likable one. The snake story is hilarious, the one where it's a hen after all, not the one where the woman actually dies. The adoption that d

What a find! You feel like you've been let into a special conversation between a philosopher and his silent friend. Now I fully see William James' influence on Steinbeck — talk about Material Self hah John Steinbeck is such a fascinating person. His plans, the things he liked, purchased, invented, parties he attended, his admiration for his wife, his discipline and self-criticism, so admirable. All he writes, poetry.

Delicate writing, full of poetry, and the best kind, one that's clear, rooted in experience. We're still getting to know each other, this book and I, but I already respect it. I knew it had won me over even before I started reading it. A little boy, can you conceive it? Planning his own escape, thinking methodically and preemptively. Thank God for the Scottish family and their kindness. Grandma Carr weeps but is glad

Sadness settles in, brought by all the animal killing, tree chopping, and the enslavement of an 8 year-old. Old Albert and Charlie seem to be friends in the rough. Also, all the sheep and cows. I'm feeling many feelings already. I'm admiring this young boy who so stoically keeps on living. His poise & will are great. His responsibilities, endless. He was promised a pony & an easy job. How could they have let him go?

And so it begins, this long awaited book, which is on my '26 reading resolutions as highly anticipated. Helen from the yt channel 'Life Lessons from Books' sent me a thoughtful inscription that I transcribed on the flyleaf of my book, which came all the way from Australia. This will be a book full of wisdom, I can tell. Full of hardship, too. I'm feeling excited, I want to read it calmly though, learning as I go.

I know I've been remiss with my reading. East has left me in thrall, and starting to read again was difficult. I'm also investing in my other hobbies and seeing so many friends. I'm content, too. This morning, though, I did spend some time with this curious little book by Ms Kikuko. It's cozy, random, niche and everything that I like about Japanese novels. I guess u could say with a book like this I'm Lonely No More!

Spoilers:
We return to the German knife, Cal's frustration. Steinbeck trusts the reader understands how Cal will kill his brother. He never explains it, he doesn't have to. Cathy has her own world where she wants to be little and disappear. Goodbye. I never thought a book could do everything, but now I experience an action sequence where a cop guns down a running fugitive who just grave robbed a tyrannic villain.

Spoilers:
Deliberately stalling to finish EoE. I know it's coming, I'll miss it dearly. I concluded that with Adam going back to the Army Draft Board, knowing that Aaron (Bible) doesn't make it to the Promised Land, that both Aron and Cal want the ranch, this is what's going to happen. Timshel. Only one of them may overcome sin. Aron will be drafted and die in the war. Cal makes it to the Promised Ranch, marries Abra

I'm fortunate to read this book. I spent a summer weekend reading EoE. I'm alive and well, and healthy and safe. It's not often that I stop and really see how fortunate I am. This book encourages me to think this way. It encourages me not to be self-centered, not to take people for granted. It's books like these that are special, that leave you with something, a gift for you to use. I'm anticipating my grief here.

Spoilers:
The 3rd part ended on such a sad chapter. We lost two Hamiltons in a few pages. Their European dream was so sweet, too real. It's so sad to think of losing your sibling. And so graphic too, the descriptions. This chapter hurt me. As if John Steinbeck cut me or punched me in the stomach. I feel for Tom and for Dessie. White doves forebode. Will is a business man, he has no heart. And she wanted a purple egg.

Major Spoiler ahead:

Cal, Aron, and Abra.
Not only our unconscious does this, but apparently time/history, too. Freud would say wiederholungszwang. I just hope this generation can work-through.
Charles' last laugh, as he gives half his fortune, which came to the exact same amount old Cyrus left the boys, to Cathy got me speechless.
Make me laugh more than the chapter on the complications of owning a Ford, please

Three men, but it's really only two, get to figurin' about the translation of a specific sentence on mankind conquering of sin; and whether that's a shall or a may. Sam hands Adam, not a loaded gun, but a choice. The twins are named, Cal and Aron, will we witness repetition of tragedy? The hares! John Steinbeck is speaking, we know, but he's also mentioned by name, therefore I'm happy. I will mourn Samuel H deeply.

I have to tell you about the poetry in these bloody, venomous pages. They were found, in these chapters, in Samuel's plea for Adam to continue on living. Go through the motions, he said, act out being alive, like a play. And after a while, a long while, it will be true.
On account of the characters I have left I won't write all words, but on yet another poisonous chapter, the opening lines on Method left me in awe.

Spoilers ⚠️

Snake bites the hand of a good man. What a mythical character Cathy is. The light hurts her eyes, she said? Adam is rapt. I wonder what Charles is up to and if the twins are his. Lee is fascinating, but the symbolism around him makes me wonder if he's on the good side. You know, the braid being a snake and all. Thank God for Liza Hamilton? Joe is a vibe. And what do you know, William James is referenced.

Spoilers ahead
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Alright, Lee is a character. I just know his arc is going to be fire. Sam Ham is a loveable man. And I laughed out loud at Olive in the air. What a story!
Still loving to hate Cathy, the fiery devil. And Adam Trask is a rich man who does not build with his hands, but with money.
Steinbeck dissing cats is so funny, cause you know he a dog person from Travels with Charlie. The man clearly picked sides

Okay. I'm into it now. Terrific villain Cathy has me on edge. Something out of No Country for Old Men. But of course it's better, because it's something out of a Steinbeck book.

Hug me brotha!

The letter gave me chills, I feel like someday I'll have a nightmare where the house I am has eyes and there's a wooden chair rocking. Also, the guilt in that letter. And the want to travel the world instead of staying in that farm, looking for a wife.
Cyrus, it turns out, is not a (total) lunatic. And, I'm very sad Alice is gone. I guess it's like the Green brother says, everything is tuberculosis.

Oh wow, this feels like a completely different book at this point. Still good, but subplots galore.