The House of Mirth, By Edith Wharton

By: Edith Wharton

Publisher:  Everyman's Library

Publish Date: 1905

Reprint edition Publishing Date: February 5, 2008

ISBN: 0679406670

Page #: 400

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fiction, Literature, Classics

Age Level: Older Teen, Adult

Series Titles: n/a

Subjects: Tragedy, Old New York, High-Society, 

Reader's Annotation: Lily Bart, one of literatures finest contradictions, lived in New York at the turn of the Century, when everything was lavish and opulent: for the rich. For the less secure like Ms. Bart, running in these circles were nothing short of a gamble. Unrequited love, a caged life, & shear loss are explored through Lily in Wharton's classic tragedy.

Synopsis: Edith Wharton's doomed novel The House of Mirth is a tale of class and gender, elegance and disaster. It is time-sensitive tale (yet ageless) set in Old New York at the turn of the 20th Century. At the center of The House of Mirth is Lily Bart. Merely a female embellishment, Ms. Bart struggles to stay afloat in a wealthier society then she has means to exist, while at the same time trying to temper a spirit which far out weighs her societal cage. She acknowledges the contradictions of love and marriage, social climbing and luck, while playing the game of turn of the century survival. After a series of terrible mistakes (of which no woman is allotted many in her day) Lily Bart takes a disheartening and tragic, spiraling dive into the darkest place a human soul can exist: a place that many don't return from.

Notes: The House of Mirth was made into a wonderful and (in my humble opinion) underrated film in 2000. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200720/

A modern library greatest 100 books of all time.

The House of Mirth is one of my favorite novels of all time.

Stars: 5 

Extras: 

Free Content on Project Gutenberg http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/284

Edith Wharton on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Wharton

The House of Mirth on LibraryThing http://www.librarything.com/work/11880

Romeo & Juliet (Film), Directed By Baz Luhrmann

By: Baz Luhrmann

Tagline: My only love sprung from my only hate.

Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1996

DVD Release Date: March 12, 2002
ASIN: B000060OFT
Length: 120 minutes
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama, Musical
Age Level: PG-13
Series Title: Part of the Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom / Romeo + Juliet / Moulin Rouge)
Subjects: Shakespeare, Books-to-Films, Romance, Tragedy, Violence, Family Feud, Musicals

Reader's Annotation: A modern take on Shakespeare's classic love story, Baz Lurhmann delivers stunning modern music and visuals while keeping the original Shakespearian text in tact. 

Synopsis: Romeo is smoking hot. Juliet is a stunning babe. Together they make a beautiful dead couple. Romeo and Juliet as a couple are unquestionably time's most beloved (yet tragic) teen couple. Furthermore, it is one of the most classic love stories ever written (if not the most classic love story). Romeo + Juliet has inspired everything from West Side Story to Twilight. With this in mind, the dream-like director Baz Luhrmann presents his vision of Romeo + Juliet. The appeal to a younger audience is apparent with costumes, music, violence and feuding families (kind of what it may look like if Wallmart CEO's daughter fell for Target's CEO's Son). Rather then butchering Shakespeare Luhrmann presents a window into the depth, poetry, & pertinence of Shakespeare that can rivet even the most reluctant Shakespearian student. 

Notes: Violence, drugs, and sexual references are used throughout the film despite the PG-13 rating. Parental discretion is advised. Foul language is encapsulated by Shakespearian tongue: only English sleuths will catch them. 

Stars: 5

Awards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/awards
Extras:  Official Movie Website http://www.romeoandjuliet.com/

Read Romeo + Juliet for free online: http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/Romeo_and_Juliet/index.html

Wikipedia on Romeo and Juliet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet 

Romeo + Juliet IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/