Review of the Books We've Read

   SPOILERS

   Death Of A Salesman: Death of a Salesman, a play by Arthur Miller. It's about a salesman named Willy Lomen, who suffers from depression and has tried to kill himself. It also centers around his wife and his two sons, Biff and Happy. While it ends with Willy's death, the play is centered around themes such as the American Dream, family relationships, grief, and denial. I think the author's depiction of how things don't always work out in life is an interesting take on the common happy ending found in media.
   The Stranger: Written by Albert Camus, The Stranger is a short yet vivid novel centered around the ideology of existentialism. The book's main character is Meursault, a man who has an existentialist's outlook on life. He is impartial to most emotional matters, including love. He only cares about physical matters, such as things needed for survival. He also experiences lust-- but, like previously stated, he doesn't actually care about the woman he is in a relationship. He is only with her because she takes care of him.
     Follow The River: Based off of a true story, Follow The River is a historical fiction book written by James Alexander Thom. Living in Virginia in the mid 1700's, Mary Draper was pregnant and had two young sons. But her village was destroyed when Shawnee Native Americans came and destroyed any trace of her life. She, her sons and her sister in law were taken on a long journey. But on the way to their destination, Mary took note of landmarks. One day, while in Northern Kentucky, she took a chance and escaped her captives. She left her now three children behind, knowing that they wouldn't survive; but she brought another captive, an older lady, with her. This thrilling novel tells her story.
     To Kill A Mockingbird: Written by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird tells the story of two children growing up in Alabama in the early 1930s. Jem and Scout, brother and sister, live with their father, Atticus, and their cook, Calpurnia. After their father takes a case in which he is defending a black man, Jem and Scout suddenly have to face the realities of Southern life, including racism. This book gives an innocent child's perspective on matters that are still argued today, and really make the reader think.
     Romeo and Juliet: A classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare. It centers on two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who are from feuding households in Italy. Throughout the show, Shakespeare shows us not only the rich families perspectives, but those of people who would be considered a lower class. While it ends in both of the teenagers dying, this play shows that not everything is black and white.
     The Great Divorce: Written by C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce is a novel about Heaven and Hell.  The Narrator is in Hell, but takes a bus ride up to Heaven along with other sinners. While there, he hears of other's stories that tell of why they didn't end up in Heaven. He travels around this new world, learning and listening. A mostly silent observer, The Narrator ends the novel with waking up and learning that it was all a dream. An interesting take on what the afterlife may be like, The Great Divorce  is unique and thought-provoking.
      Out of all of these, I recommend Romeo and Juliet. It is a great introduction to Shakespeare, and includes a cast of colorful and interesting characters.