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        <title><![CDATA[Books - Reviews for Everything | SlySpyder.com]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[My vision for this website is to have reviews for everything. I noticed that review sites usually concentrate on a certain area, but what if you want to look for a different review? That s right, go to another website. This site will have everything you need over time.]]></description>
        <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/</link>
                                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">292-339</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[ My Ántonia: A Journey to Remember ]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/60-literature-a-fiction/292--my-antonia</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                What a beautiful novel. The beautifully painted images of the Nebraska countryside remain to haunt my mind. I am ashamed that I had not read this book till now, it is treasure. Ms. Cather so eloquently describes her strange and wondrous land. All the characters leave lasting impressions and memories, I feel that I had known them myself. A true delight to read. 
                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Literature & Fiction]]></category>
                <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:34:29 -0500</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">291-338</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Lord of the Flies : Thrilling and Emotional ]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/60-literature-a-fiction/291-lord-of-the-flies-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Emotionally disturbing, a frightening picture of the dark sides of humanity. 

I had read this years ago, and decided to read it to my husband, who had never read it. I think he was unsure at first, not knowing anything about the book. But, I believe he was hooked after a couple chapters. 

When you first open the book, and read the calm descriptive passages about the color of the light on the ocean, you do not know what you are in store for. 

Mr. Golding's style in which he unfolds his tale is captivating and heart wrenching. This is definitely a must read. My Husband was very glad I introduced him to it. Once we were to the final chapters I said, "We have to read through to the end now, we can not put it down." He quickly saw why, and we finished reading it on the edges of our seats.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Literature & Fiction]]></category>
                <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:20:45 -0500</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">290-337</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Northanger Abbey : Come Delight  Your Senses! ]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/60-literature-a-fiction/290-northanger-abbey-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                 	   A lovely satire of the popular Gothic novel, Ms. Austen provides a charming romance, filled with fun nods to Mrs. Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho. There are no shortages of rakes, rattles, avaricious families, romantic gentlemen, and refined and intelligent ladies. One of my all time favorite Austen novels, I think it has a tendency to be overlooked, and under appreciated.

Ms. Austen's wit and candor are so vivid and well displayed in this fun read. And it is just that, fun. So wond ...more A lovely satire of the popular Gothic novel, Ms. Austen provides a charming romance, filled with fun nods to Mrs. Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho. There are no shortages of rakes, rattles, avaricious families, romantic gentlemen, and refined and intelligent ladies. One of my all time favorite Austen novels, I think it has a tendency to be overlooked, and under appreciated.

Ms. Austen's wit and candor are so vivid and well displayed in this fun read. And it is just that, fun. So wonderful to see a lady of her time, writing something not designed to be grand or flattering, just intelligent wit and humor.

A must read for any true Austen fan, or those who enjoy a wonderfully well crafted period piece.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Literature & Fiction]]></category>
                <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:54:04 -0500</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">289-336</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[The Mysteries of Udolpho : Step Into Another Time ]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/60-literature-a-fiction/289-the-mysteries-of-udolpho-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                 	   It takes patience and understanding to sit down and appreciate Mrs. Radcliffe's masterpiece of Gothic horror. I believe I had to read through about 5 chapters before my mind was smoothly processing the dialog and style of this period piece.

The dramatic landscapes and journeys that are brought to life in this work are thrilling. Even several months after completing the novel, my mind's eye is filled with images of the dark and wild Pyrenees and the stormy forests of the Italian hills ...more It takes patience and understanding to sit down and appreciate Mrs. Radcliffe's masterpiece of Gothic horror. I believe I had to read through about 5 chapters before my mind was smoothly processing the dialog and style of this period piece.

The dramatic landscapes and journeys that are brought to life in this work are thrilling. Even several months after completing the novel, my mind's eye is filled with images of the dark and wild Pyrenees and the stormy forests of the Italian hills. I still recall the scene where the guards staffs, put at a distance in the ground, channel the electric current of the lightning, dancing between them and to the earth.

I have read many complaints from readers of this volume. There are two difficulties with this work, they are justified, though I didn't let them impede my progress, or enjoyment of the finer aspects of the novel.

The first issue modern readers have is with that of the heroine. In this day and age, we are not accustomed, or pleased to be presented with a female heroine who seems incapable of any personal strength, firmness of mind, and who weeps endlessly, Yes, this is frustrating in our age of liberation. It is very hard to relate to Emily, and sometimes even harder to like her.

What needs to be remembered is that Mrs. Radcliffe is from a different time, a different world than the one we know. When reading any book of such antiquated date, we must remember that we become time travelers. We must not try to hold the characters up to modern day standards. I feel it imperative to set aside modern notions of the female sex to truly appreciate this work.

The second issue, is that which has been pointed out by scholars of literature, of the mode Mrs. Radcliffe employs to keep her mysteries hidden till the end. It does rob the reader of a sense of fairness and fulfillment. I was exceedingly pleased that all mysteries were resolved by the end. For a time, I was becoming nervous that I would be left in doubt forever as to what lay beyond the black veil...

In conclusion, this is a wonderful work that deserves to be remembered and enjoyed. I will definitely read it again.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Literature & Fiction]]></category>
                <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:36:15 -0500</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">281-328</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Pauline: Adventure and Beauty Abound ]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/45-childrens-books/281-pauline</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                This was another story that my little Caroline picked out. I absolutely love the brilliant colors used throughout. The animals are brought to life in the fun illustrations. We delighted in the tale of Pauline and Rabusius (great name!) Even my husband liked the story. It is unusual and fun. A wonderful addition to anyone who appreciates quality children's books.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Children's Books]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:38:02 -0500</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">232-272</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Hello Kitty Everywhere! (Hardcover): A Pleasant Surprise]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/45-childrens-books/232-hello-kitty-everywhere-hardcover</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Great item, I bought it as a gift after reading positive reviews. Nice to see stimulating verses, as well as interesting photos. A great gift for children, bringing them some intellect and culture along with a beloved character.I particularly liked the page with Hello Kitty in the devil suit, the unexpected elements in this book are quite entertaining.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Children's Books]]></category>
                <pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:05:49 -0600</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">214-256</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[The Geography of Love: The Geography of Love]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/43-biographies-a-memoirs/214-the-geography-of-love</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Highly recommend. A book of love, loss, and the struggles of a young family. Some strong adult language.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Biographies & Memoirs]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:43:39 -0600</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">209-252</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Midnight Sun (Twilight, #5) (partial draft): Hmmmm..... this is....odd....]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/68-romance/209-midnight-sun-twilight-5-partial-draft</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                 	  Well, this was the strangest thing I have ever read, a book (or part of a book) that is a carbon copy of the first book with minimal added details. I am not even sure what else to say, except perhaps that if Mrs. Meyer wanted people to know Edward's thoughts, she should have put those in her original story and cut the extra crap out. Seriously, how many times does someone have to be "chagrined".                  ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Romance]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:50:30 -0600</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">208-251</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[A Little Princess : Magical Scenes, Princess is a Little Too Perfect]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/45-childrens-books/208-a-little-princess-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                This was a fun story, but I didn't like it as much as The Secret Garden. I found the character of Sarah to be just a bit too unbelievably self sacrificing and well, at times out right annoying. There is a magical element to the story that is enjoyable at times, and you come to absolutely hate Miss Minchin. So there is definitely some strength to the writing, personally I just found it a bit too preachy.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Children's Books]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:06 -0600</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">207-250</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[The Secret Garden : Definitely a Garden to Visit Again]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.SlySpyder.com/component/content/article/45-childrens-books/207-the-secret-garden-</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I had never read this as a child, or had it read to me. My first exposure to the story was by viewing the wonderful film version made in the 1990's. 

What a treasure I missed out on in my youth! This story is truly amazing. First off, the horror of the cholera deaths in the early part of the story, as well as the apathetic behavior and responses of Mary do so much to bring to life this sad ugly, unwonted, misbehaving child. The descriptive passages about the carriage ride, the moorland, the 600 year old house, wow, I was completely enthralled and blown away. One of my favorite scenes was when Mary decides to see if the 100 rooms really are all locked... 

I would definitely recommend this to any adult or child. The version I read was the original, and there are definitely some references to the native Indians that are politically incorrect, but I think an adult reader should just remember that this story was written in a much different time and social context; and if that is explained to a child hearing the story, I think that creates more learning and understanding about the way people were unjustly behaved towards in the past due to ignorance and prejudice. Those are lessons that should be remembered and learned so that they are not repeated out of ignorance in the future.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Children's Books]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:12:50 -0600</pubDate>
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