Einstein's Dreams

The whole book reads like a dream, each vignette flowing into the next. The concept of the whole time-future-past-present has always fascinated me and that's probably one of the reasons I liked the book. For some reason, I felt the book had a really dream-like quality, maybe also because of Lightman's language and style. It makes you think about all the possibilities there are, like, what if these kinds of worlds really did exist? Could the small action of kicking up dust actually prevent the creation of the European Union? These minute details snowball over the course of time into something much much larger. Such a possibility is both thrilling and frightening.

Makes me feel very...existentialist.

Manananggrrrrl

Styled like a supernatural version of Tyra Banks, it seems to poke fun at the current talk shows and the many oh so very fake talk show hosts we have. It centers on the story of Yolanda, a manananggal who kills her friend Estrella, after the latter steals her to-die-for ass. Literally.

I thought Yolanda was a little justified in her killing Estrella after the body switching (but then I have always been a wee bit sadistic). But seriously now, I'd probably be mad as hell if I were a manananggal and I come back to find my super toned abs/ass stolen by my ridiculously overweight friend. It would be something like someone cutting off your nose because theirs was as flat as the Central Luzon plain.

A touch I especially loved: Yolanda flashing the audience. Actions speak louder than words. Haha!

Midsummer

My initial reaction to the story: I don't get it!!

The story doesn't seem to have much excitement, much less a climax. It reminds me of that last scene from the Jungle Book, where Mowgli sees this girl carrying a water jug smiling, err coquettishly? at him. It bothered me how the girl was being so flirtatious with the man, staring at him, accidentally (really?) spilling water down her shirt, and letting him get water. In the end, when she invites him to her house, I had to wonder whether everything was just a show to catch the man's attention. Oh boy, this woman has the makings of a Maneater: 1900s version.

I could see this ending as a love story...but for a moment there, I was seriously considering the notion of the woman being a witch, luring the man to her evil lair. *insert manic laughter here*

Persepolis

Of all the readings this semester, this is probably the one I liked best.

It quickly captured my attention with the simple black and white drawings. The unique approach of a graphic novel to a very serious topic was refreshing (On second thought, it might not be unique but this is the first autobiographical graphic novel I've read so it's definitely unique for me). Her narration as the young Marji actually did sound like a child, an endearing touch for me. I found it amazing the way Satrapi was able to narrate such a deep story about the political chaos experienced by Iran, with just the right combination of lightness, humor and heart.

Stranded Star

This story was a refreshing change from the usual Filipino fantasy stories I come across which usually involve engkantadas, forbidden lovers, a moral lesson and a newly formed object at the end. 

Though the story seemed to me a Filipino version of Stardust, I liked it nonetheless. I admired the story's subtle message about honesty and about how there's more to life than just beauty. Nova was a likable character with her depth, frankness and her good grasp on reality. She combined the beauty and brilliance of a star with the diligence and "realness" of a Filipino man.

Kwaidan (Movie)

A Japanese "ghost story" anthology, Kwaidan is a horror movie of the unconventional kind. While I have been used to shockers and screamers like The Ring, The Grudge and The Eye, Kwaidan goes for the more subtle, eerie approach.

The horror scenes don't just spring on you. All throughout each episode you get the feel that something is kinda off, though you can't quite put your finger to it. The setting and the music are all very efficient at creating an unsettling atmosphere and the storylines are not your usual wronged-woman-lusting-for-revenge-takes-advantage-of-modern-technology plot.

Not my usual cup of tea, but good nonetheless.

Jealous Husband Returns in Form of Parrot

First off, I love the title.

Moving on. Initially, the husband really annoyed me by his petty jealousies. He's the type of insecure person I really just want to tell, "You deserve all the emotional torment you're going through." I mean who climbs a tree while stalking their wives??

However, in the course of the story, when the husband started to, err, talk, or rather, expound on his meager parrot vocabulary, I found my sympathies gradually going out to him. When you see both sides of a picture, only then will you realize how much you've missed and how shortsighted you'd been. While his behavior was still out of line and irrational, I am more sympathetic towards him now. His feelings for his wife, were, in fact touching and I felt a bit sad that he never had the chance to tell her how he felt, and how much he loved her. (Yes, I am a sucker for those eloquent professions of love with that non-conventional Pablo Neruda feel)