Already Read, cont.

• Macbeth: Now don't get me wrong, Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers of all time, but I found this play a bit too violent and depressing for my tastes. Yes, I do know it was meant to be a tragedy, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. Macbeth as a character was frighteningly intriguing, as well as Lady Macbeth. Rating: three stars.
• Mansfield Park: I absolutely love Jane Austen to death. This is a little bit more reserved than Pride and Prejudice, but it definitely pulled me in, keeping me reading to make sure Elinor got a happy ending. I found the character of Marianne very similar to Lydia, except for their final situations. Rating: four stars.
• Merchant of Venice: I found this play horribly confusing and had a hard time getting all the allusions and humor. But again, it's by Shakespeare, so I feel bad rating it poorly. I'm sure it has literary merit; it's just lost on me. Rating: two stars.
• Persuasion: Again, I love Jane Austen. This is my second-favorite novel of hers, besides Pride and Prejudice. The character of Anne is so easy to identify with and you find yourself rooting for her with every new misfortune. Rating: five stars.
• Pride and Prejudice: This is quite possibly my favorite book of all time. I can't even begin to count all the times I've read it, plus having watched every single movie version I could get my hands on multiple times. Austen's wit absolutely sparkles in this novel and there is never a dull moment. This will certainly be a classic for centuries to come because, besides being entertaining, it contains some of the most biting social commentary a woman could express in that time. Rating: five stars.
• Romeo and Juliet: Forgive me, but I haven't read this book for three years and when I did, it was the first time I had ever read Shakespeare and I was very poorly taught. So, I think I enjoyed the play, but I know for certain, I did not comprehend Shakespeare's humor or allusions, which is what truly makes his work great. Rating: three stars.
• The Scarlet Letter: I did like this novel, but Hawthorne's style is so tangled and dense that I found it hard to read for much more than plot. Wonderfully suspenseful, but the cultural difference left me feeling a little disconnected. The character of Pearl is quite odd, which only contributes to this dark little novel. Rating: three stars.
• A Separate Peace: I really loved this novel. The suspense of what was eating at Gene was skillfully created as well as the mood of the era. Warning: not a "feel-good" book. It's definitely not a book to read when you're depressed. Rating: five stars.
• Tale of Two Cities: Harking back to the way it was published, this book is a very suspenseful read. The ending is a bit of a cop-out, yet satisfying. Very rich in accurate historical detail. Rating: four stars.
• Wuthering Heights: Another novel from one of the Bronte sisters, yet I did not care for this one very much. A very dark and confusing novel, I just couldn't get into it. But I know there are people who absolutely love it, so meh. Rating: two stars.