Play #4

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare

When I first started reading this play, I almost dreaded it because there is so much excitement from other people about this one. Everyone talks about how great "Hamlet" is, and what a wonderful playwrite Shakespeare is, I was afraid that the play is talked up too much, and not really as good as they all say it is. When I finally opened my book, I decided to put away all thoughts of what others have said about this play and decide for myself whether it is good or not. And, I thought it was pretty good.

When reading Shakespeare's plays, usually I go watch them during or after my read. With "Hamlet" I had no intentions of doing so. "Hamlet" is a play that should be read, and read slowly. The major speeches are beautiful, and I wouldn't pick up on that if I was just watching. Also, I liked this play because it was fun to try to figure out whether or not Hamlet is mad/crazy. I never could come to a conclusion because I kept finding evidence for both, and could never figure out if he was supposed to be feigning madness or if it had overcome him. Overall, I thought this was a pretty good play, and I'm starting to respect Shakespeare more and more, even enjoy reading his work. The next play I read will be "King Lear."

Book #1

Sojourn by R.A. Salvatore

I wish it wouldn't have taken me so long to finish reading this book. I've had a lot going on in my life recently, and I'm just starting to get things back on track. Also, I've started a few books and never did finish them, so I've been reading a few at the same time. This book is the third book in Salvatore's "Drizzt" series, and I must say, it can be difficult to figure out the order of Salvatore's books. There are two different lists out on the internet, a chronological list and a published list. Salvatore wrote a few books, then went back and wrote about a time that takes place before the previously published books (I hope this makes sense; it does in my head at least.) 

I really have enjoyed reading this series so far. I've read "Homeland" and "Exile", and now that I have completed "Sojourn" I will move onto "The Crystal Shard." I think anyone who enjoys fantasy will love these books. I had a hard time getting through "Sojourn" when it came to large battle scenes. Normally, I love battle scenes, and Salvatore puts so much detail into his. Once I get used to it, I'm sure I will enjoy the detailed battles for what they are, but I felt like the Mooshie's Grove battle was really strung out too far.

Other than that, I have no complaints about this book. While a fantasy book, it touches on issues that take place in real life, primarily racism. Drizzt is a good guy, but most people judge him based on his race, dark elf. I like the way the books are set up, it's told in third person point of view, but at the end of each part (each book is divided up into several "parts") there is a first person monologue from Drizzt's point of view. I love these monologues and usually read over them two or three times. They are very introspective and include what Drizzt has learned about himself and the world around him. I can't wait to see what else Drizzt must face in Icewind Dale and beyond.