Monday, April 13, 2009
The Best Text: Recommendations for FALL 09 Students
Which of the various texts we examined this semester (book, novel or other) meant the most to you personally, either emotionally or aesthetically? Share your comments/opinions/suggestions with the students who are going to take this course in the coming fall. (Anonymous comments will be deleted.)
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The Godfather was a fascinating book to read. I probably would never have read that book, but because it was an assigned reading for the class I read it, and found that I could not put it down. I believe that seeing the movie first (and I mean before it was screened in class) made the characters come alive. The novel also had so much more detail of course, so if you are a fan of the movie, reading the book is a wonderful bonus. For future students, even if this book is not on the reading list, it is well worth reading, it is more enjoyment than work in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, The Godfather meant the most to me. It was definitely easier to relate to because it took place in more modern times than the other books. Also, the other novels were about Italian immigrants who struggled in America whereas The Godfather is about Italians who prospered in America. There was also much more action and drama and it made for a very entertaining and easy read (even though it seems very long). I would have preferred seeing the movie after the book because by the time you get to the book, you feel as though you already know the story in its entirety. However, after reading the book, I learned that there was a lot in the book that was omitted from the movie and it made the story even better. The book describes everything in such great detail, even down to the minor characters. I always thought of The Godfather as a guys movie/book but I proved myself wrong- I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to agree and pick The Godfather. I hate to seem so shallow when I say why, but it really boils down to the point that I just found it far more entertaining than the previous novels. Since so much of the reading (and films) preceding The Godfather focused on the struggle of Italian American immigrants, it was just a breath of fresh air to jump into some writing that was difference.
ReplyDeleteAnd on a more personal level, as a film major I found it a really great experience to see the film and read the book at the same time. I was able to see how Coppola envisioned the novel in his head, and got to think critically about why he made certain decisions when it came to adapting the novel.
In my above post, I mentioned The Godfather was the best noval we have read this semester. That may have been premature. The next noval "Killer Smile" is a very interesting book so far. For those of you who have not started reading it yet, you have something to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that the novel The Son Of Italy was the best book that we had read all semester. I feel as if it gave great insight to the chracter's life and struggles that were made inorder to achieve some success. This book made the imagination open to a world of struggle, heartbreak, failure and then success of a character that only knew hardship. It was as if his story engulfed the reader and it made it hard to put the book down. in my opinion this would be the best book for readers that really want to know the struggle of immigrants.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have enjoyed reading all of these books. They are valuable for different reasons. Son of Italy is very important for understanding the struggles of first generation immigrants, coming of age in a foreign land and finding yourself as an artist. Christ in Concrete was incredibly moving, and I loved the language. The Godfather was by far the most entertaining, and perhaps the easiest to understand because it is contemporary. Killer Smile is amusing and is an interesting look at two different aspects of Italian American life.
ReplyDeleteAsthetically i enjoyed the Godfather the most out of everything we have read this semester, however what hit closest to home was the novel by D'Angelo. Coming from a family of immigrants it was easier to relate to stories i was told from my parents and extended family in regards to the hardships they experienced when they came to America, as did Pascal in the novel.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Christ in concrete the most. It sometimes gets confusing in text because of the structure of the writing, but i felt the most connection with that book. By connection i mean it captivated me more then the rest of the novels. i felt that i was very involved in Paul's life through the text. The novel makes your mind feel the family's sorrow, pain and suffering.
ReplyDeleteGodfather is a classic that everyone should read.
Son of Italy didn't catch my attention in the least.
Although I really enjoyed reading The Godfather, I think Son Of Italy was for me the biggest surprise and has, so far, been my favorite text of the semester. I began reading Son of Italy expecting a simply, possibly boring, story of early immigration. Though some might still see D'Angelo's book as fitting that description, I found it to be much more. That this was the story of an artist's struggles particularly appealed to me. Further, I found the narrative to be much more rich and well-wrought than I was expecting. I do not think I would have read Son Of Italy on my own and so I am glad it was a required text for this course.
ReplyDeleteI have to say all three novels Son of Italy, Christ In Concrete, and The Godfather were enjoyable in a different way. Whith Son Of Italy I go a look into the lives of Italian Immigrants that I had never gotten before. Christ in Concrete was a very emotional read. I actually had to put the book down a couple of time because I was tearing. As for the Godfather it had its way of drawing me in. While reading the Godfather I was fascinated by the Corleone's and their ability to hold their power.
ReplyDeleteOf the various works of literature and film that we examined this semester, I most enjoyed reading and watching the Godfather. Having never read the book or seen the movie prior to this class, I found it to be an entertaining experience. I felt that the content of the Godfather was a good example of many of the things we talked about in the class, from Fred Gardaphe's lecture dealing with stereotypes of Italian-American literature and film to the family aspects of Italian-Americans. Also, it was interesting to compare the similarities and differences between the novel and the movie. I would recommend any of the books we have read in the class, but the Godfather would get the strongest recommendation.
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