The House of Mirth

This read was just perfect after reading The Bell Jar since both of them also presented the expectations and struggles of women in society and the stereotypes that they live through, despite the fact that the focus of the bell jar was the emotional roller coaster of Esther. This very much reminded me of The Greaty Gatsby. It tackled the rise of the nouveau riches as well the life of the old rich people and how at this point in time appearances matter. One should be liked, and one should satisfy the expectations of people in order for one to become part it. The novel portrayed the life of a woman whose only purpose in life is to get married and depend of a husband to better fit the milieu at that time. The theme of marriage is very apparent in the novel as well as how it is affected by the actions that the main character Lily Bart did and the people she has engaged with.

Lily Bart is a very beautiful woman, whom most of the men in the story could not resist. She is emotionally attached to Selden, whom she believes is the only person who really sees her beyond her handsome looks. My feels. I loved both of them together, they are so cute. They’re reactions whenever they are around each other are priceless and Selden’s refusal to succumb to his feelings are very entertaining. It’s a pity though that it was too late when Selden finally subtly wanted to tell her something (probably to propose or say he loved her beyond words or something so they should just be together). And Lily also wanted to tell him something before she was about to doze off before she died of overdose. TT.TT Nooo… The interactions of these two are really precious. Apart from this, I also liked how the book presented the effects of Lily’s action on her life. Before she lived extravagantly, but in the course of the prose, she fell into the thing she abhorred the most, poverty.

This book is empowering, you can really see the difference between the language of this from Sylvia Plath’s work, an apparent result of the ‘male centered’ society at that time.

Despair and Yoite: A Nabari no Ou review

 

I just finished watching Nabari no ou. I’m gonna discuss briefly about the synopsis of the story. The story is about a teenage boy named Miharu who’s embedded within him a secret art called shinrabanshou containing knowledge that surpasses that of human understanding. All of the descendants of the ninja clans namely Koga, Iga, Banten, Kairoshu Togakashi, and Fuma fight over who will possess the shirabanshou. One day, Togaki, a teacher in Miharu’s school desperately recruits him to join their ninja club knowing that the day that shinrabanshou will be awaken is near. After that, the group along with Raimei, a samurai from the Shimizu family who’s affiliated with the Fumas face a lot of encounters with the ambitious kairoshu clan. In one of their encounters, Miharu meets Yoite. Yoite ends up threatening Miharu of granting his wish in exchange of his friends life. And after that they compromise to utilize the shirabanshou that is inside Miharu for themselves and ends up getting separated from the group which resulted to the exarcebation of the conflict. 

So basically that’s the summary of the show. I didn’t particularly like the thing about ninja scrolls and the secret art thing because I think that the main point of this story is the loneliness that we humans feel and how we try to build a wall around us to keep us from being hurt any further. I didn’t like Miharu and basing from the way he judged about what to wish for using the shinrabanshou I thought that what he decided was stupid. Wanting to save a person by granting his wish to disappear is just I think not reasonable because I think we humans should be also the ones to save our fellow if we have the chance. And even if he wanted to save Yoite from his despair I think using his unfathomable power to something trivial is not wise. Thank goodness Yoite knows better. In that aspect, it somehow links to pandora hearts, which makes this whole anime a interesting. I didn’t focus on the ninjutsu shinanigance but what I really like about this show is the complicated message it wants to present to the viewers or the readers (for the manga). 

As I was watching the show I came up with this:

1. The secret art: I think the symbolism for this is our potential to reach for something greater, our desire to materialize what we think best for this world. In totality, this is somekind of a challenge where we are being tested based on how we will react given the power to change everything. The change to make things right. Making us realize what we really want through the power that is invested upon us. 

2. Yoite’s tight grasp on life but at the same time his desire to disappear: Everything has a reason, and everytime we feel like giving up and just simple fade away, we still have an ample amount of hope that guides us through. No matter how much we say that we’d rather wish to die or something like that at the back of our minds, we just want someone to stop us and save us from our despair. 

I really like how the story was focused on the secret ninja art but in Yoite’s story as well. Whenever I see Yoite he makes me want to hug him and say to him that everything will be alright in the end. This is also I think one of the things we overlook, the fact that there are people who care about us but we just tend to get blinded, too absorbed at our loneliness and despair that we overlook it. Like for example, in Yukimi’s case, he really cared for Yoite! And their relationship is so beautiful that I want to cry, I don’t particular appreciate Miharu that much but I think it’s because I’m biased so I’m not going to talk about him anymore okay. 

Yoite is a very adorable person, and I feel happy whenever I see him smile. And whenever an episode ends, it breaks my heart because I can see him lying on the ground curled up and wet. T.T Yoite!! And by the way I decided that if ever I’ll have a cat, I’ll name him Yoite. 😀 

And at the end, when he was able to move on from his past and appreciate the feelings that the people who care about him have I was really happy because he was able to find peace in his short life.

I really thought he was brave when he was able to move on from the past that has been tormenting him for who knows how long. That experience made him afraid of being treated kindly. And I think in that respect I appreciate Miharu’s feelings towards him. Miharu said that he can Yoite is another him because they are very much alike when it comes to loneliness and despair that they both feel. They both feel afraid of kindness because they are afraid of being attached, afraid to trust another person because they are afraid of being hurt again. 

The last scene where he just closed his eyes and became tiny particles of dust made me want to cry my lungs out. 

I think the most applicable quote for that moment is this:

I saw it coming but it still hurts.

Yoite is such a precious precious boy. He deserves to be loved and be taken care of. 

 

An Abundance of Katherines (late post)

 

Another good one from John Green, he really does not fail to make me laugh! Haha. Because of this book, I think I’m going to force myself to read The fault in our stars, or would I rather read ‘Let it snow’? To prepare for a heart wrenching pain? Ah nevermind, this book is definitely entertaining. John Green, you really have a way with words, the kind of thing that he would make you laugh to your heart’s content and right after tug on your heartstrings.

Basically, this book is about the prodigy named Colin Singleton getting dump by Katherines. This guy’s girlfriends are always named Katherines and he wouldn’t date anyone not named Katherine at first, he has a reputation to live. So the story begins when he was dumped by Katherine XIX which was also his Katherine I. He and his friend Hassan decided to go on a roadtrip to cure his broken heart and they go on an adventure.

When you read the book, you find yourself thinking about how self centered Colin is. But in my case, I didn’t really though of it until the middle of the book. Well, he was a prodigy and he was trying hard to be something, someone who matters . In the early chapters of the book, it would be narrated that even though Colin is a prodigy and a smartypants, he’s missing something. And this missing piece is what the book is trying to resolve. Nice narration from Green. Reading the book is such a nice experience. 😀

Memoirs of a Geisha (late post)

After how many days, I’ve finally finished reading this. I must say that the Author’s narrative is very brilliant and the way he described everything was very detailed that I could actually imagine myself walking in the streets of Gion. The book was in the first person perspective, and what amazes me the most is that the author was able to capture how a japanese would actually narrate such a story. When I was reading this book, it felt like I was reading a japanese author, I don’t mean that I actually read works of Japanese authors (I read Murakami-sensei’s works though). It was very good, the plot and everything, I was even feeling all mushy in the inside in the last part when she finally knew that she was destined to be with the chairman. How sweet, to be able to be with the one you love. 

The book is kinda poetic, and it makes you connect with each of the characters, feeling their pain. I was even having an inner mind theater. It was so weird, I could actually imagine all of it in my head, VIVIDLY. The story clearly portrays the life of a Geisha in great detail too. The things that they went through before they were well known, the things that they did just to succeed. It isn’t easy, and most geisha don’t actually have a choice. Plus the cruelty and everything. The shortcomings that were results of greed and jealousy, and how they were able to overcome it. And the things that Sayuri did just to stay a little close to the chairman. I think that the book’s love story isn’t really the main highlight of the book, or it’s asset. I think it’s how the author vividly described Geisha life and made into life the hardships that they went through in the war. The cunning ways Geishas lives, feeding on the desires of men. Reading this book was an amazing experience. 😀

Vampire Diaries: The Fury and The Dark Reunion

 

 

 I’ve finally finished the original series of The Vampire Diaries and I can’t help but think why do most of the characters here in this series seem to be so judgemental towards Damon? They always blame him for everything, I know that he’s cold and everything but I think that he’s the kind of person who actually cares but he doesn’t let anyone see it. I really liked the part in the Dark Reunion where he helped Stefan when Stefan was about to be killed by Klaus. 

“Stay away from my little brother.”

Ah Damon, so sweet, to think just minutes before they quarreled with each other. I realized while reading the series that I don’t like Stefan’s character, he might be gorgeous as described here, but I like Damon’s character way way better than him. I really hate the part where he always blames himself and wants to carry all the burden on his shoulders. I think that he’s being too self righteous and that makes me remember about things that should have long been forgotten. This book is from Bonnie’s perspective. It shifted from Elena’s dramatic cheesy narration to Bonnie’s own matter-of-factly way. I like this book way better than the first one, although I still want Damon and Elena to be together.

I don’t really get it, Damon is such a nice nice guy why did Elena fell in love with Stefan? I want to read the next volume, I want to find out if there’s a chance that Elena would fall out of love from Stefan and realize that the one she loves is Damon.

I think it’s sad that Damon has always been the one who’s left behind, the one who never felt his love was reciprocated. Like in the case of Katherine, Katherine was so attached to Stefan compared to him. And now Elena, he too wanted Elena but Elena wanted Stefan. I think that when you weigh things, I think that Damon has more substance than Stefan, I think that he’s more like the prince charming type. But no, he has to be the mysterious pitiful character in this story who people are always suspicious of. I think that deep inside Damon is actually a nice and kind guy. But I still think it’s sad for him to always get dumped. I think it would be good if both him and Bonnie be together instead. Although, I still want him and Elena together. Oh wait, I’m starting to hate Elena all over again. Oh well, I will not particularly care. I think that is the most rational thing to do. 

Diabolik Loverz Review.

Hello all! I did a review on the six volumes of diabolik loverz. It is posted on my tumblr. Feel free to read it. Here’s the link of Vol 1: http://psychemenace.tumblr.com/post/23674029651/volume-1-sakama-ki-ayato-as-i-thought-your

So far, Ayato’s review is the longest. 🙂 It also contains a little summary of my review on the other 4 volumes except Shuu’s. If you want to check out my review and as well as my tumblr just go to: psychemenace.tumblr.com and psychemenace.tumblr.com/tagged/thoughts

I’ll be waiting! 🙂 Ehe thank you.

Warui Series: Muji na Anata

How can someone as handsome as you be insecure? I don’t really understand why Nanao is so senti. Whatever happened to him? With such beauty in him, why is he insecure? Is it because of the rumor that he is the guy who can seduce any man? Or is it because he usually plays around and no one takes him seriously? Or is it because he doesn’t want to trouble Kuon? I don’t know, most likely he really doesn’t want to trouble Kuon, because he’s blabbering about something like “You don’t have to do this, because I was the one who forced myself on you”. Tsk, Nanao!!!! The guy is completely in love with you, he’s even obsessed with you!

I wish that this series would soon update. I really want to read the following chapters! Ah, I fell in love with this series. I’m never gonna be tired reading this all over again. Sakuraga-sensei really draws hot characters, I wonder how she does that? Tsk. I want to be like her! Her art is so detailed it makes me wish for her characters to be real! After reading Nanao and Kuon’s part in her series, I can’t help not think about Nanao! Ohmigash! For some reason I find him very sexy, he’s even sexier than Shinonome or Mikado! Tsk. And furthermore, I liked this part of the series because it has something deeper embedded in it. I think this is because of Nanao’s weird personality and his demeanor. He’s the exact opposite of Mikado.

I’m looking forward to the release of another chapter on March 26, I’ll be fangirling!

Why we broke up

We’ll I forgot to write about this book after I was done reading it. I think it was kinda good even though the story line wasn’t really that great. But the way the author wrote it was very interesting. At first I didn’t really understand what the girl was saying. The book is supposed to be her letter to his ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. The first chapters of the story always end up with “and that’s why we broke up”, I was confused. But in the middle of the story, I began to realize what she meant.

The book is about bitterness, although the girl was simply narrating her experience with her boyfriend. That, as soon as her virginity was taken by the guy, she found out that she was being cheated on, and that’s why they broke up. She’s returning everything that has got to do with the guy, for her to be able to move on. It’s a love story as well as a story of bitterness and regrets. Not only did she tell their story, she also told the readers about the regret that she felt after all of it happened.

Whenever I listen to the song Skinny Love by Birdy I remember this book. I don’t really understand why. Maybe it’s because when their relationship was falling apart, the boy didn’t do anything to fix it, even though he keeps on saying that he loves the girl. Well, I think that, the polygamous nature of man is really vividly presented here in this book. Furthermore, I would also like to comment that, I didn’t really like the girl. Because she is a very pushy kind of girl and always want to do everything in her own way. She’s selfish.

Why we broke up is a typical story only that it was presented in a different manner. I think, it was very creative of the author to actually present it this way. And in addition to that, he also added fun facts about his love life. It was interesting. This book is for adolescents like me, and I think you would certainly enjoy this book if you read it. It’s unique and slightly poetic.

The memory keeper’s daughter

This novel is about the effects of the wrong decision that Dr. Henry had done, and that is giving their daughter away. Because of the lies that accompanied them all their lives this built a wall between him and her wife and also with their son. After his wife believed that their daughter had died their lives turned to the worst, they are no longer looking at each other. And to somehow make up for this, Dr. Henry with the use of his memory keeper (camera) carefully recorded all the memories on his own as if to somehow record all the things that had have happened.

 

 This novel is really sad, and I was in the brink of tears. I really took pity on Dr. Henry, he was not to blame because he was just trying to save his wife and himself of the future loss that they may have thinking that Phoebe wouldn’t live for much too long. I guess this was the product of is childhood experiences which he tried to forget when his life changed because of his profession. It also is sad to think that he never came back to their house and never saw his father and mother until they died. I think this was very cruel of him. Because as a son I think he should have repaid his parents in sending him to school and giving him love.  I think he should have cared for them more. He was a saint to other people but the doesn’t know how to care for his family. He kept thinking what if he never did that thing. Well, it’s too late now.

I liked the novel because of the theme of the story, and also the author intricately described details. She really wanted the readers to have a vivid imagination of her story. I liked that about this book. She also presented the present and the future, how life works for all of us. It continues no matter what.

Android Karenina

Wow! I never really fully read Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, but I’ve been wanting to read it though the book isn’t available here. I’ve read the first part, only the first part. And because of this I can’t seem to connect Anna Karenina to Android Karenina. -__- I should really read Anna Karenina then. Regardless of that, I think that Android Karenina was a splendid read, I wasn’t really expecting Anna herself to be somekind of high-tech android. Yeah, that part shocked me the most. Altogether this novel brought certain topics into surface (I think it is also distinct in Anna Karenina) these are: censorship, love, deceit and state power. Well, I can’t help but imagine Alexei Karenin as Stalin, sorry I just can’t help it. Though I pity him. He loved Anna dearly although he was forced to withdraw all of his love for her because of the face. I think that Anna Karenina embodied Leo Tolstoy’s sentiment toward Russian government which the state is to overpowering and censors almost everything to the people.

Reading this book I began to submerge myself in the doubts of the people and how difficult marriage life is. How difficult love is altogether. Love isn’t enough to keep your relationship with your so called “love” in tact and most especially if you have quarrels. Human emotions can cause a relationship to ruin. Jealousy is focused here in the novel. Of course pride is embodied by Alexei Karenin. Love is a like a surreal image, it doesn’t stay for too long, in the long run realize that it never even existed in the first place. It is just something that you created for yourself. Something that you stirred deep inside of you towards another person. And this sensation would be overpowered by the realities of the world.

Alexei Karenin was not a bad man, I think he is a good man. The only fault in him is merging himself with a robot. This would enable the robot to overpower his humanity with mechanical rationality. To think that the sole purpose of his class III was to subjugate humanity. I empathize with him in the fact that he was deceived by his wife. And was strongly opposed to the thought of being jealous. I really really felt for him! T.T Because of this great anxiety in his heart, the power of the face grew stronger and stronger. He gave love and forgiveness but all he had in return was loneliness, being along. And the only solace he had was his metal face. If only he was happier, perhaps the disasters would’ve not taken place.

Vronsky and Anna’s love story was really problematic. And I must commend Levin and Kitty’s love story for being a little pure. Levin really loved Kitty even though at first he was rejected by her because she was supposed to be the bride of Vronsky who fell in love with Anna. Who was the start of the chaos.

Love really is a dangerous thing. One cannot be certain whether he’s guarded when he is in love because when one is in love he is vulnerable as a baby.

I liked it, might as well find Anna Karenina. 😀