Author Spotlight: Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights was required reading (and probably still is) for high school English classes. However, it truly is one of my favorite novels. After reading Twilight and seeing so many references to it, I was inspired to reread the same copy I've kept for over 10 years. I must say that I enjoyed it as much as the first time I read it. It is full of beautiful yet dark imagery, intriguing figurative language, mysterious characters, and an unrequited, tumultous love set in a similarly, unruly and violent landscape.

Although it was Emily's only novel, it is such a masterpiece that it transcends time and continues to inspire movies and other pieces of literature. After rereading it, I noticed that it was not only mentioned throughout the Twilight saga, but there are also references to the novel in The Kite Runner and The Glassblower of Murano. Who needs a happy ending when you've experienced such an insanely passionate love story?

"My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff's miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning; my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the Universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it. My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods. Time will change it, I'm well aware, as winter changes the trees — my love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath — a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff — he's always, always in my mind — not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself — but as my own being — so, don't talk of our separation again — it is impracticable." ~Catherine's monologue, Ch. 9.

Author Spotlight: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

As I make preparations for the new school year, I am reminded of the first book my father gave me, The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. I must have read this book at least 5 times so far throughout my young life. It is one of those books that, depending on your stage in life, the meaning becomes more and more powerful. As a child, it was just a cute story. But, as I grew up, it's meaning became more and more pertinent. This book is written for children ages 9-12, but the meaning it conveys is ageless. In it, a stranded prince from a far away planet recounts his journey to a pilot stranded in the Sahara desert. The boy begins by asking the adult to draw different animals. The boy's perception of these drawings is vastly different compared to that of the adult and, thus, the fable depicts adults and their fixations with the most mundane activities as perceived by a child.

This book is a good reminder that sometimes as adults we need to revert back to childhood, forget about the worries of day-to-day life, and just enjoy the simplest of pleasures. For the Little Prince, this was his beautiful rose that he so missed on his home planet. For us, that rose symbolizes so much more that we take for granted on a daily basis. He had a hard time understanding the adults on the other planets and why their lives were consumed by meaningless routine. It is so easy as an adult to get caught up with our own work routine that I am reminded to enjoy each day as this new school year begins. I am reminded that all I have to do is look to my students to remember how easy it was to live everyday without a care in the world.

Author Spotlight: Paulo Coelho

As part of my blog, I'd like to feature authors whose work I have enjoyed over the years and share more information about them.

I've chosen Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho, for the first author spotlight because his work within and outside the world of literature truly reflects a global embodiment. He is a versatile artist as an actor, director, songwriter, journalist, and author. He is also known for his charitable work in his country. His 1988 book, The Alchemist, can be considered one of the most widely-read books having been translated into 67 languages and selling over 35 million copies. It is described as a fable about following your dreams. In it, a young man from Spain seeks out to achieve his "personal legend" - which is the ultimate quest to reach one's full potential and level of happiness. It is easy to relate to this fable as we all seek to achieve our own "personal legend" and face many trials and tribulations along the way.

Another favorite of mine from Coelho is Eleven Minutes. When I purchased this book at the bookstore, the clerk -a young man- gave me a very strange look and asked me if I was sure I wanted to buy this book. To that, he added that it was very risque. Then and there, I knew that I had to read this book. The book begins as follows, "Once upon a time, there was a prostitute called Maria." The story that follows is graphic but riveting. It is about a young, beautiful Brazilian girl who runs away to Europe in hopes of becoming famous. However, she eventually finds herself working in the red light district a long way from the fame and fortune she was seeking. And, a long way from love. Similar to The Alchemist, Eleven Minutes is about self-discovery and realizing a personal quest.

Warning: It is not for the faint of heart. But, if you're like me and have watched Pretty Woman an immeasurable amount of times, you'll have no qualms reading a book about a prostitute's search for herself and love in a harsh and unforgiving world.

You can find more information on Paulo Coelho and his body of work here.