So, as all you lovely readers have probably discerned by now, I am an ardent Adventures in Odyssey fan. I can't remember a time when the Whit's End crew wasn't a part of my life in some way, and I love them all to pieces. This feels like a strange first AIO-related post, but here goes: my very belated Thoughts concerning "The Best Is Yet to Come," Parts 1-4.
WARNING: This will be a LONG and SPOILERIFIC and possibly incoherent post. Proceed at your own risk!! First things first: Eugene's voice. I was skeptical going into this, for while I do trust Townsend Coleman, I don't trust AI technology. And Mr. Coleman did a remarkable job. The tones and inflections are spot on. Yet somehow many of his scenes come across as a little bit stilted. I think I probably over analyzed everything, though . . . I jotted down my impressions as I listened through the second time, and now here they are for all the world to read, in all their barely-edited glory. Enjoy.
I'll admit tears were shed during the last five minutes or so. Copious tears. I don't cry easily. I can accept it rationally and reasonably until the last few scene. Then--THEN-- Don't hate me, but I almost wish they had killed off Eugene. To me, his moving away, while sad, doesn't feel like the closure we need. It's like we are mourning two very different events--the passing of Will Ryan and the departure of the Meltsners--and only to us is Eugene really gone. I know moving is hard, but it's not as final as death, and it almost seems the characters have it easy. I know this all sounded extremely negative . . . I'm conflicted, okay? I do think the writers handled this very well, and I'm hoping this is will tie in with the 28 Hours/Novacom continuation saga, so I suppose I simply must follow Chris's advice and "keep listening"! But we need a "But Not Forgotten" kind of episode, in which the Whit's End crew grapples with the aftermath. I demand it!! :P Um, hopefully I haven't scared off all my readers with this onslaught of Opinion. If you've stuck out this far, you're amazing! I'd love to hear your sentiments. (Though I haven't heard album 76 yet, so don't spoil it for me!)
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I have been TAGGED by the lovely Lizzie Hexam of Starlight & Saucepans! Thank you so much, Lizzie! This is my first tag, so I'm excited (and a little nervous) to jump in. Behold . . . my answers to this monstrous tag.
Your favorite song This is a nice one to start with :P I can't do favorites. But we'll go with Jealous by Phil Joel, because it is very dear to me right now. Your least favorite song This isn't any easier . . . Um, Phil Wickham's Behold? I have nothing against the song, but I'm sooo sick of hearing it after doing choreography to it all of last semester. A song that makes you happy The Death of Tragedy :D A song that makes you sad The Way It Ought to Be Reprise from A Tale of Two Cities musical A song that makes you feel guilty There were a couple songs in the Les Miserables musical soundtrack that made me feel icky, so I just skip those songs now. That's all I can think of. A song that often gets stuck in your head In My Life from Les Mis. It's not even my favorite song--I just find myself singing it a lot. I don't know why :P A song that reminds you of someone This reminds me of my dear lil' sister, who choreographed a beautiful dance to it. (Seriously. She is incredibly talented.) A song that reminds you of someplace I don't think I can listen to this song without remembering first hearing it at Bible study. A song that reminds you of a certain event Hearing songs to which I've performed often prompt a host of memories. This and this readily come to mind. A song you know all the words to Hoo boy . . . a lot? Several hymns. And my sister and I have sung practically the entire Queen Esther soundtrack (Sight & Sound Theaters) together. Fun times :D A song you could dance to Oooh, any Nutcracker song, I think. I've been in the party scene, battle scene, snow scene, and several Land of Sweets pieces, so . . . yeah. A song that makes you fall asleep I like to listen to this when I'm in bed. A song from your favorite band What is a favorite band?? Um . . . um . . . how about Lord of Hosts by Shane & Shane? A song from a band you hate I thought about this for a long time, and I really have no answer. Hate is a strong word, you know, and I don't think I know enough about any bands I dislike to definitively say I hate them? A song nobody would expect you to love Darkness Before the Dawn. I don't know that I love it. It's certainly not a song I listen to often. Not my style. But when I do, it reminds me of a certain character of mine for whom a Great Big Plot is ballooning in mine head. (Not that he would like this song at all . . .) I love him to pieces, by the by, and dearly hope he will not always be living in a refrigerator box in a municipal park of my mind--I mean, that his story will someday see the light of day. Ahem. That was an unnecessarily long answer. A song that describes you Wow, that's very difficult. Well, this is me in a silly and pretentious mood, and this is me in a more contemplative state of mind. An underrated song more people should love I don't know what counts as underrated, because I'm not at all in tune with What People Love. But we'll say Maker of the Universe by Phil Keaggy. (It's so beautiful!!) A song that you often hear on the radio I . . . don't listen to the radio . . . A song you wish you heard on the radio See above. :P A song you listen to when you're happy This is a happy song! A song you listen to when you're sad I'll Never Sneeze Again. It should cheer me up in theory, but to me it's bittersweet . . . Will Ryan will forever be missed. A song you listen to when you're angry I don't think I listen to music when I'm angry. But here's an angry song. A song you want to play at your wedding Ooh, I've actually never considered this! But this song strikes my fancy. A song you want to play at your funeral Rock of Ages Cleft for Me A song that makes you laugh I can't tell if this is supposed me make me laugh or cry, but it makes me laugh. A song that you can play Oh, I am a very accomplished pianist. I can play The Star-Spangled Banner and Eternal Father, Strong to Save. That's about it. A song you wish you could play This isn't really a song at all, but goodness gracious me, if I could play the piano score from That Scene in "Recollections" . . . A song from your childhood. Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night! Your favorite duet This one! (I'm a Christmas-music-during-Christmas-time-only person, but . . . ) Your favorite song at this time of year Um, I don't think I'm a very seasonal listener? (Except for Christmas music, of course.) Right now I am kind of in love with Jared DePasquale's The Victory of Joan of Arc soundtrack. Doesn't have much to do with mid-January . . . oh, well. . . . And that's it! I did it! I hope you enjoyed this, 'cause I sure did. (I'll admit there was some moaning and wringing of hands.) Let me know if you spotted any of your favorites in the mix! As to whom to tag--goodness, I feel dreadful in not passing on the fun, but I truly don't know. I'm still new to the blogging world . . . Anyone reading this, feel free to go for it! Thank you again, Lizzie! Happy New Year, everyone! 2023 was such a great reading year for me, so I wanted to share some of my favorites. (I read over 50 books, so we're not going to talk about them all.) Here are my 10 favorite reads, in alphabetical order because I cannot rank.
The Great Divorce C. S. Lewis This little book could probably be read in a day or two. But I took weeks soaking in this masterful allegory of Heaven and Hell and was very sad indeed when it ended. Somehow Lewis' sparsely worded observations are stunning--he was a genius, everyone. I highly, highly recommend this book! (I read this with a mentor friend, and I can't express how delightful that was. :) ) Little Dorrit Charles Dickens I already talked about this one in a previous post, so . . . this was fun, complex, thought-provoking, and very long. Amy and Arthur are the best. Phantastes George MacDonald This was . . . not what I was expecting. ("Never assume!") It kind of lacks a strong plot. But the writing is so poetic and descriptive, and there were some little moments that took my breath away. And the end moved me deeply. I've read the book that baptized C. S. Lewis' imagination! How neat is that?? Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen Jane and I properly met each other at last this summer! I've been wanting to read her books for years, so when I finally started this one, I was very afraid it wouldn't hold up to its reputation. And, to be completely honest, it kind of dragged at the beginning. But when I closed the book on the last page, I wanted to read it again--right away. The character development is to die for. Real Christianity William Wilberforce Okay, so I read a modern language version revised by Bob Beltz. I much prefer original text, complete and unabridged, etc., but oh well. Wilberforce had such a heart for God and people, and this book is very convicting. The Runaway Patricia St. John Patricia St. John has been one of my very, very favorite authors since I was twelve. I never tire of her writing. It's been a while since I've picked up one of her books, so I was excited to read this. It's a middle-grade biblical fiction, and at first I was afraid it would be a repeat of Twice Freed, my favorite St. John book. Philo, the protagonist, did seem a little too similar to the protagonist of Twice Freed, but the book held its own. Not my favorite, but very good. Have I mentioned that I love Patricia St. John?? Reading this rekindled my admiration and adoration of her stories, and now I must re-read Twice Freed. A Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens I have no words. Mr. Dickens has destroyed me. Things We Didn't Say Amy Lynn Green This epistolary novel set in WWII is one of the few recently-released books I read this year. It was a similar experience to P & P: the beginning wasn't gripping (well, except for the prologue), but the characters and their arcs drew me until I couldn't put the book down. And, wow--this is the author's debut novel. Up From Slavery Booker T. Washington This autobiography of slave-turned-national figure was incredible. Booker T. Washington was so determined and so humble. (He was also very practical. Mr. Meagles would approve.) And his writing is approachable and engaging. Everyone would benefit from reading this! Young Whit books 4 & 5 Dave Arnold and Phil Lollar I finally finished the Young Whit series!! (These books have been a long time coming.) Book four was a little bland, in my opinion; book five was crazy, but oddly satisfying. Except for those really atrocious INCONSISTENCIES. Um, I have strong opinions when it comes to AIO, so I better stop here. SPOILERS Oh, but can I just say it was immensely satisfying when Johnny and Jack finally met? Not only have I been predicting it since book one, but also, it's Jack Allen!! END SPOILERS Well, that's that! Have you read any of these? What were some of your favorite reads of the year? (I also read C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, which was crazy, and re-read the Chronicles of Narnia, which was awesome. Both of those series should have been on this list, but I think the Space Trilogy deserves its own post sometime . . .) Something I've been pondering this Advent is the intensity of God's love.
It's truly too much for this little brain to comprehend. How vast can His love be, that it never wavers in devotion? I'll be the first to admit I grieve Him constantly with my rebellion. We break His heart day after day, and He keeps loving us with an unchanging love. "Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:15, 16, NLT) God was speaking to Israel in those verses. The same mighty Warrior who through the prophet Nahum thundered to nations, "Behold, I am against thee!" loved Israel with the tender love of a mother. Surely if His anger is so terrifying, His love is equally impassioned. The capacity of an almighty God, unrestrained by time or space, to love is breathtaking. That's the Love that was seen by shepherds in a manger, the Love that healed the sick and fed the masses, the Love that gave Himself up for humanity, the Love that conquered the grave, the Love that's coming back one day on a white horse, resplendent in due majesty. "The greatest of these" triumphs because it's stronger, more fierce, than anything we know. But, of course, C. S. Lewis said it best. In one stunning line, he presents us with a Love that is good, but not safe: "It was fiery, sharp, bright and ruthless, ready to kill, ready to die, outspeeding light: it was Charity . . ." (That Hideous Strength, Chapter 15, "The Descent of the Gods") This past summer I read Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. It was a long but incredibly rewarding read, and I loved it. It wasn't as haunting as A Tale of Two Cities (can anything beat that ending?), but it was heart-wrenching and endearing in its own way. It has an intricate plot, tender and stirring moments, downright hilarity, and the sweetest love story. One does not hear about it as much as some of Dickens' other works, so I thought to spotlight it on this li'l blog.
If you know Dickens, you know one of his trademarks is a large cast bursting with zany characters. Little Dorrit is no exception. There are soooo many characters within this 800+ page novel. Languishing behind prison walls, parading high society, traversing the Alps, and lounging in French resorts, this is quite the diverse group. Our heroine, Amy Dorrit, is a picture of virtue and goodness. Born and raised in prison on account of her father's impossible debts, the only life she has known is one of privation and loneliness. But she never complains--she works tirelessly to make her father's lodging in prison a home and to secure a future for her older siblings. She totally forgets herself in love for her family, who are in turn selfish and inconsiderate. But Amy doesn't seem to know how to hold a grudge or do anything but imitate Christ. Many other characters are less than upstanding, however. Some are hilarious while others are terrifying in their extremities. As I read, I realized Dickens, in a way only he can, was painting a portrait of man's many follies in these exaggerated characters. And as I read, I realized I could see myself. "But I say. Look here! That isn't nice at all." I want to be like Amy, meek and forgiving. But in reality I am more like self-righteous Mrs. Clennam. I can relate to Fanny Dorrit's discontentment and envy. Even the detestable Henry Gowan's laziness is familiar. The Circumlocution Office isn't the only example in this book of How Not to Do It. I would do well to heed Amy Dorrit's words: "Oh, Mrs. Clennam, Mrs. Clennam, angry feelings and unforgiving deeds are no comfort and no guide to you and me. . . . Be guided only by the healer of the sick, the raiser of the dead, the friend of all who were afflicted and forlorn, the patient Master who shed tears of compassion for our infirmities. We cannot but be right if we put all the rest away, and do everything in remembrance of Him. There is no vengeance and no infliction of suffering in His life, I am sure. There can be no confusion in following Him, and seeking for no other footsteps, I am certain!" (Little Dorrit, Book Two, Chapter Thirty-One) After all, Jesus is the ultimate example of How to Do It! Greetings and salutations!
I'm Ruth March. Welcome to my little blog! I hope you find it full of kindred-spirit-ness. My aim here is to honor God while having bookish, writerly fun--with a heaping dash of Adventures in Odyssey craziness, because that's what you get when you're with me. :D "Books? You want books? Ha! We've got books on hairy otters, on onions, and on Mars. All the fungus you could care for plus three triple zillion stars. We've got books on flossing teeth, plus three books on tossing sheep. If we spent our lives just counting books, we'd never get to sleep!" ("The Great Wishy Woz, Part 2") |
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