Tag Archives: henriikka

Finn Family Moomintroll

The book I chose is written by Tove Jansson. She wrote Finn Family Moomintroll 1948 and the english translate was made in 1950. Tove Jansson was really professional children’s author. All her Moomin series are described in Moomin Valley. All stories have own lesson to kids.

Main character in this book is Moomintroll, who is very kind. All the other characters are mom, dad, Sniff, Snork Maiden, Snufkin, Hemulen and Hattifatteners. There are also other character but the aren’t worth mentioning.

Issues of Finn Family Moomintroll are Moomintroll, Snufkin and Sniff founding the Hobgoblin’s Hat and trying to find out were it came from and why. Hobgoblin’s Hat is mysterious thing because it chances you another figure when you go under it. In the story Moominhouse change into a jungle and other crazy things happens. In the end you can find out how the Hobgoblin arrive in the Valley of Moomins (who owns the Hat).

When I was little I watched many times Moomin series on TV and my mom red for me Moomin books. It was my favorite TV show and book! Moomins are a fiction tale about Moomin Valley and figures in it. Characters aren’t very plausible but right choice to show for children. Stories are always gently so I would recommend the book to nine years and older children. Language is easy to read and understand. Chapters are divided to seven peaces and there are pilot summary at the beginning of every chapter. I think the best part of book is when Moomintroll goes under the Hobgoblin’s Hat and changes into small creature. After that his mother doesn’t recognize her son. Soon she just realize that creature is one and only Moomintroll. That is touching part!

Something little I would have written other way is character names in finnish but that wouldn’t be possible because of all the english readers. Names are hard to recognize and connect to the right characters. However, this book is readable Moomin story. Read it and find your internal Moomin!

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Operation Ocean Emerald

Operation Ocean Emerald is a thriller which was published in 2010 and it has been writed by Ilkka Remes. The book is english version from Remes’ ”Piraatit”-book, which was published in 2003. Main characters names and the plot has been changed little so that the book applys better for non-finnish reader. The book tells about cruise ship Ocean Emerald, which has been hijacked and it’s passengers who try to save the ship and themself from the hijackers.

The books main character is 14-years-old boy Luke C. Baron. Luke is from England but his family has moved to Porvoo Finland, where he lives with his dad and mum. Other important characters are Toni, Lukes friend, Craig Thomson, Ocean Emeralds head of security and former FBI-agent, Philippe Delaroix, one of the hijackers, Juliette du Pont, hijacker and Rosita, ships cleaner. Luke is 14-years-old but by mentally he seems to be adult. He tries to act as hero middle of hijacket ship taking stupid risks and does the job for adults, which is very unlikely in real world.

The story begins in Porvoo where Luke and Toni find a lost passport and boarding pass to floating luxury palace: cruise ship Ocean Emerald. They decide to return it and couple days later they  drive from Porvoo to Helsinki where Luke goes to return the passport. When he finaly finds Juliette du Pont, the passports owner, Luke is taken captive by Juliette and her partner Philippe Delaroix. Capturers put their plans in motion and Delaroix captures the bridge and the whole ship treathening with explosives which have been hiden across the ship.  They demand money from ships 1000 wealthy passengers, Luke is going to stop hijackers plans.

The books narration is maded by third person which is common in Remes’ books. The narrator tells from all characters situations and the character changes very often, which is very annoing, when you are not sure which character the narrator tells about.

In my opinion the book was interesting and very exciting with all its turns and problemsolves. The best part was the plot and bad parts were narration and Lukes uncovincing heroism and ingenuity. His acts in the book make hard to believe that he is just 14-years-old. I would recommend the book to everyone who is interested from thrillers. The book has lots of difficult words, so understanding was sometimes hard. Finding the book was easy: just search thriller books from english books.

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The fellowship of the ring

The fellowship of the ring is the first part of three-volume epic novel The lord of rings. It´s written by J.R.R Tolkien. The book was published on July 1954.
The fellowship of the ring centralizes in the fictional universe of middle-earth and it takes place in the Middle Ages. The atmosphere is dark but hopeful: The hobbits mankind face multiple consequences but still they find joy and happiness in the darkness. The Harrator is in the third person and it is all-knowing. The story starts from a small village called Shire. There two of the main characters, Frodo and Sam get mission to destroy the Ring. Their journey to destroy the ring is the main plot of the book but it has multiple side plots.
The developes mainly around Frodo and Sam´s journey but stil most of the book tells about three heroes Aragon,Legolas and Gimli. They mainly fight against evil wizard Sacron´s troops but their actions are meant to help Frodo and Sam in their mission.
The book has multiple themes and probably the most important of them is the corrupting influence of power. The ring has almost chlimited powers and it seems that it is immensely difficult for many characters to resist the temptation to steal the ring for themselves and use it for their own purposes. No matter what the wearer´s purposes, good or evil, the Ring´s power always turns the wearer to evil. The story is full of examples of those who are correpted by the Ring. for example Gollom who once was a young boy named Smeagol who the Ring turned evil and obnoxious creature.
The main characters of the book are the hobbits Frodo and Sam, the wizard Gandalf the grey and the ranger Aragorn. Frodo is the ring-bearer whose task is to destroy the ring. Frodo has a great ability to resist evil. He is brave, wise and unfailingly polite. Unlikke the most Hobbits Frodo is curious about the world out of Shire. Aragon has a great amoount of power and knowledge under a humble exterior. Aragorn does a display a sort of vulnerability. Durin the story Aragorn slowly transforms into the king he is destined to become.
To my mind the highlight of this book was in the last charapter when the ring overtakes Boromir´s, who is one of the Frodo´s protectors, mind and makes him try to kill Frodo during the battle against the ores. This leads to Boromir´s death by the arrow of the ore.
The text is hard to read and it´s hard to keep up with the plot but when the story went on, the book shatched me in to it. it ended up to point where i lived within in the emotions of the book, if characters felt sad or happy, i did too.

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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a love story written by Jennifer E. Smith and published in 2012. She has also written This Is What Happy Looks LikeThe Storm MakersYou Are Here and The Comeback Season. 

The genre of the book is ”young adult” but what I think is that it can be read by anyone who likes love stories, not depending on one’s age.  I don’t usually read love stories, but I wanted something that would be simple and quick to read. First I though that The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight would be a sugary sweet, basic love story with no deeper thoughts. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

”Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?” Hadley is a seventeen-year-old girl who misses her flight to London. Her father is getting married to a woman which Hadley has never even met. At the airport Hadley meets Oliver, cute and tall British boy. Turns out that he is on Hadley’s new flight, sitting on her row. Long flight goes by in a blink of an eye, but upon the arrival Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other.

Hadley, the main character in the book, is a little insecure and sarcastic. She is struggling to figure out how to function when her dad gets married again, and how to forgive him for moving to London and abandoning her and her mom.  I liked Hadley as a character, because she is easily compared to myself. Not some unrealistic and perfect girl that many love novels seem to have as a protagonist.

Romance between Hadley and Oliver should be the main point in the book, but actually it seems to be Hadley forgiving her father and a reminder that nothing last forever, but we all have a second chance. Also, the I think that the book was ment to be hopegiving, when I actually felt a little sad after reading it.

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Book review of The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is written by American writer Suzanne Collins. This 2008 published dystopian novel is respected all around the world and it is the first book in  The Hunger Games trilogy.

The book tells about young lady Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the dystopian called Panem. Panem has built in the area of old North America and is run by the powerful Capital. Capital arranges every year The Hunger Games, where together 24 people are fighting for life. Capital is divided into 12 districts and from the every district have to attend one girl and one boy to go as tributes. Katniss’ homedistrict is a number 12, and she come selected with the boy named Peeta Mellark. Rules are simple: their option is to kill or be killed.

Ms. Collins is an amazing writer and her idea about a book like this is fantastic. I cried because the story was so good and touching. It is one of the easiest book to talk with other people because it makes you think about things which are important to you. Book’s voice is Katniss’ and reader can identify with her when she is afraid of be killed, delighted at her successes and in love with Peeta. Her trait is a little bit shy and comfortable with herself, but thought very intent and confident. Excitement remains from the beginning until the end. That is why The Hunger Games is so engrossing!

The book emphasizes different characteristic and emotions in people and there is a strong contrast between good and bad in the story. As I just mentioned ”in love with Peeta”, the story includes just suitably romanticism. Katniss and Peeta’s romance is like a ”second” story in the book.

I suggest this work for everyone and hope for you to comment about your reading experiences!

 

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Twilight

I read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight- saga’s first book. It was published in 2005. The author of the book is an American young adult. She is best known for her vampire romance series Twilight.                                                                                                        The genres of the book are fantasy and romance. It is a love story, which tells about a vampire and a human who fall in love. I would say that Twilight is the best romantic book I have read. It reminds me of The Vampire Diaries- series.           The main characters of the book are Bella and Edward, who fall in love at the first sight. They are deeply connected, as if they were meant to be together. Bella is kind of a klutz but also funny. Edward is more like the serious type.                   The story is quite simple, it tells about Bella Swan who moves back to live with her dad to Forks. On the first day of school she saw this mysterious stunning guy called Edward Cullen. She was immediately drawn to him. She finds out that he is a vampire and eventually they fall in love. Through many incidents a vampire called James almost kills Bella but Edward saves her.                                           Honestly, I had difficulties while reading the book and I had to use the dictionary a lot. Even though I didn’t quite understand all the parts, I have seen the movie so I have a general view of the book.                                                                             I liked the story and characters a lot and I could recommend the book to any teenage girl who is into love stories.

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Black Beauty

The book that I read is Black Beauty and it is written in 1877 by Anna Sewell. Black Beauty is a very old story about a black horse, who travells around the England during her life. The story is narrated from Black Beauty’s perspective. It is a novel.

Anna Sewell has written this novel beacause she wants to tell  people about animals welfare and how to treat them kindly, respectly and sympathetically. The book represents its genre very well. Black Beauty is very good book for them who wants to find out what horses life includes, for example pulling heavy carriages and galloping. Anna Sewell’s book Black Beauty is one of the best selling books of all time, and it also made an affect on me.

Main characters are Black Beauty, Farmer Grey, Squire, John Manly, Ginger and Merrylegs.

Black Beauty tells about a horse’s lifestory  from its  youth to grown up. Anne Sewell is trying to accomplish better animal rights and their welfare in this book. That might be one big reason why she has written this novel from horse’s perspective. Author describes people, things and  places very exactly in this book. Narrator is inside in this story and for example horses can speak to others, but occasionally she is external. There are horses, farmers, grooms,families and riders in this book, which makes the story interesting, versatile and attractive. Events in this book are in chronologial order, so this is quite easy to read, understand  and follow the plot. In this book is even  little bit horror for example when The Black Beauty is in the horse stable, it starts to burn and they all start to panic.

Writer takes a stance on animals welfare, health care and their future. She also tries to get readers convinced that animals need a better treatment.

I would give rating 8/10 to Black Beauty, because it is a stirring story about loyal horse, who gets sometimes bad treatment from cruel people. Its a  book that everyone should read.

 

 

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Miss Molly

The book I read was Miss Molly and it is written by Jenny Oldfield. Miss Molly is part of “Black Pearl Ponies”-serie and this book was published in 2011. Book tells about pony called Miss Molly.  Main characters are Keira and her dad, whose home is Black Pearl Ranch, where they help training ponies.  Keira has a talent with ponies and she can think the way a horse thinks, and her dad is hopeful  that some day Keira can take his place and continue his job with ponies, in ranch. One of main characters is also Sable Lucas, whose parents plan to give her a surprise on birthday – pony.  In my opinion, all characters in book seem real.

Sable Lucas’s parents want to give her a big birthdaypresent: Miss Molly. Miss Molly has some problems and pony is little bit nervy. So, Sable’s parents brought Miss Molly in Black Pearl Ranch and allow Keira and Keira’s dad  only three weeks to train the pony.  Problems cannot be avoided and along the journey happens suprising things. Miss Molly’s big problem, horror of trailers, solved. But what happens then? The biggest part of story take place in ranch. Book events take time some weeks, maybe three or four weeks. Events are told in chronological sequence. The narrator in the story is all the time neutral, outside of the book.

I think that main theme of this novel is something like “never give up”. Problems will be solved! With ponies, it is important to be persistent. In my opinion, the best part of the book is whole story about Miss Molly’s training. I was maybe too old to read this book, and I can recommend it  maybe for 10-12 years old girl who like horses.  I felt language was quite easy to read, and I can noticed that book is headed for kids. When I started read an English novel, I think reading will be very difficult. At first it was little bit hard, but then reading in English started to go.

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A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind is a story in which mathematician, John Nash come down with very serious mental disorder schizophrenia. ”Beautiful Mind” book was publiced in 1998 and the creator of the book is Sylvia Nasar.

This award winning biography is a drama about the mystery of the human mind, the creation of beauty and the healing power of pure love. It is at the same time fascinating, stellar and disturbing. It provides a detailed look inside the mind of mentally ill set against the backdrop of mathematics.

Before diagnose Nash was happily married with Alicia. When Nash knew he was mental ill, he told her ex wife about it. Despite the divorce John’s beautiful, intelligent and loving wife stayed with him and helped him with the difficulties and changes that John had to make through because of the illness.

I have seen the movie based on this book before, so the story was already familiar to me. I think it is a sad story and I found it very hard to put down and that is one of the reason why I prefer movie to book. My favorite part of the book was the end. There is no doubt about the fact that the happy ending is perfect end to this book.

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James Bond and Doctor No

I read Ian Fleming`s book James Bond and Doctor No.  The book was published  in 1958. Ian Fleming was born 1908 and he died when he was 56-years-old in 1964. He was English author. He created well-known character James Bond, agent 007. He wrote 11 James Bond novels  and James Bond and Doctor No was the first novel which was made a film.

The theme of the book is detective and crime story. It is very typical book in this genre because book`s main character is hero who saved hole world. All the books which tell about Agent 007 are quite similar stories. For example Spiderman, Superman or Batman are same kind of heroes, who compat against evil.

The main character are of course James Bond, Dr. No and Honey Ryder. Also important person in the book is Quarrel. Bond and Doctor No are enemies to each other. Honey Ryder  helps Bond to fight against Dr. No. Bond is typical hero, who never die. Doctor No is cruel, evil and very ugly, his heart is in right side of body and instead of hands he has iron tongs . Honey is beautiful young woman who looks like model.  James Bond is handsome, womanizer, brave and imaginative.

Doctor No try to distroy all missiles of United  States by disturbing them with radioactive radiaton. Doctor No has built very big nuclear plant in his own island .James Bond has been sent to solve the problem.

The language of the book is quite similar than nowadays, although the novel is over 50-years-old.  Narrator of the book is outside of the story. Narrator is almost omniscient.

I really like James Bond novels and I have read many of them in Finnish. My opinion is that James Bond novels are better than movies. In the beginning reading was very difficult because I haven`t read book in English before.

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