Everything Is Illuminated

So, I had the good intentions to save up a bunch of book reviews to do all at once, like I'm doing with movie reviews, but the book reading is going slower than the movie watching.  So it looks like I'll just be doing book reviews as they happen.

I finished 'Everything Is Illuminated' by Jonathan Safran Foer a couple weeks ago.  It had been recommended to my by a friend, and I was interested partially because it's set in Ukraine.  I served a mission in Russia, so I was interested to see the author's perspective on that part of the world.  I had also seen the movie starring Elijah Wood, so I had a basic idea of the plot of the book.  However, going back, I'd have read the book first.  So, if you haven't seen the movie OR read the book, I would recommend both, but the book first.

The plot revolves mainly around the American Jew by the same name as the author who is researching his ancestors, specifically his grandfather, who came from Ukraine during the second World War.  He is especially interested in finding a mysterious woman named Augustine who saved his grandfather during the Nazi occupation of their village.  I found the narrative style to be incredibly unique and interesting.  Two of the characters, Jonathan and his native Ukrainian translator Alex, are writing novels based on their experiences, and they are presented to the reader as a correspondence between the two.  First, we read a section of Jonathan's novel recounting the early days of the village of Trachimbrod, where his grandfather lived.  Next is a section of Alex's straightforward narrative of their search for Augustine.  This is followed by a letter from Alex to Jonathan regarding the last section of the novel sent to him.  The connection between the two narratives is not immediately apparent, but creates some interesting contrasts among the characters.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel is Alex's butchering of the English language.  He uses words and phrases that make it seem like he's learned from a dictionary without ever hearing a native speaker.  He calls himself a 'premium' person, and rather than saying something is difficult or hard, he calls it 'rigid.'  The reason this is so funny to me, is that when I lived in Russia, there were quite a few people who thought that their English was exceptional, but who in reality spoke like a dictionary.

The thing about this book is that it's very powerful.  You're dealing with people who lived through the horrors of Nazi occupation, and might not want to relive these experiences.  Serious issues are dealt with.  This novel evokes intense emotions.  This isn't a book you'll read just for fun.  Despite all of that, I still recommend it.  One of the reviews on the book cover said that this book will change you.  I am inclined to agree.

Final Rating: 4/5

101 List 1 Month Update

Well, it's now been officially one month since I started my 101 list, so I figure it's time for a quick update.  I've completed 5 goals already, and there are 3 more that are in progress.

Completed goals:
13 - See a movie I've never heard of without learning anything about it
I completed this goal last night, actually, when I watched a movie called Harold and Maude with some friends.  I've been saving up reviews of several movies to post all at once, so this one is forthcoming.  The short review is that I liked it, although it's fairly odd in places.
14 - Run a 5K race
I completed this goal last Saturday, the 10th.  I finished with a final time of 29:10, which I hear is pretty good for my first 5K.  More detailed recap of this race is also forthcoming, possibly later tonight or tomorrow.
63 - Go to the dentist
I went, I promise.
73 - Climb a tree
This one was fun!  I went with some friends to Kiwanis park here in Provo, and we climbed nearly to the top of a tree.  We were so high that we could see out to Utah Lake.
100 - Get a library card
This is the first goal I completed, and has actually helped a lot with several of my other reading goals.  I've definitely enjoyed having a library close to my apartment.

Goals in progress:
3 - Read my height (5'8") in books
I'm sad to say that in a month, I've only read one book.  I need to pick up the pace on this one if I want to finish it.  I read Everything Is Illuminated (1") by Jonathan Safran Foer, and I was really impressed.  Like the movie reviews, I'll be saving several book reviews to post at once.
5 - Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet
I've watched 5 movies for this list:
B - Behind Enemy Lines
C - Clash of the Titans (2010)
H - How to Train Your Dragon
S - Surrogates
T - Toy Story 3
40 - Eat at 20 new restaurants
I went to eat at a place called Thai Mango with my coworkers last week.  It was decent food, but not incredible.  I'd probably go again, if the opportunity arose.  On the other hand, I probably won't go out of my way to visit again.

Well, that's where I'm at so far.  I'll probably give another update in another month, so until then, stay tuned for more reviews and randomness.  :)