English
The Book that Changed My Life
Here is the latest instalment in our series on the books that have changed the life of some of the staff here at Wanganui. We hope you’re enjoying reading them as much as we all are! The first is from Gabe Bryson one of our English teachers, and the second is from Sarah Pollard, head of our English department.
- “The man (or woman) who doesn’t read books has no advantage over the man (or woman) who can’t read them” – Mark Twain
Your Name: Gabe Bryson
Title: Titus Groan (the Gormenghast Trilogy)
Author: Mervyn Peake
What is it about? (keep it short, no spoilers!)
In a mythical place and time, the ancient crumbling castle Gormenghast is home to the Groan dynasty. The family stretches back to time immemorial, and the new baby heir, Titus, has just been born. Into this ancient, surreal world comes an imposter, the youth Steerpike, and he’s about to wreak havoc…
What was it about the writing/ genre/ plot that was so appealing?
This book has been called a modern gothic classic, and I’ve never read anything like it since I found it in a desk when I was in year 11. Peake created the most bizarre characters, the most striking images and descriptions, and an explosive and ghastly plot. It’s shadowy, twisty, creepy and comical all at the same time.
How did it make you feel and why was it special when you read it? (how old were you, was that relevant?)
I was 16 when I first read this book, and I felt as though I’d stumbled across an amazing, secretive world – full of hideous and bizarre characters. It was utterly enchanting and compelling. I think Peake’s writing is beautiful, and I still love this book, so I don’t think it was just an adolescent fancy. A mini-series was made of this book, and it was awful. To me, the only way to do justice to this book is to let your own imagination go wild as you read Peake’s words. Truly weird and wonderful.
Your Name: Sarah Pollard- English teacher
Title: Backlash
Author: Susan Faludi
What is it about? (keep it short, no spoilers!) This book was written in the early 90s and it details the hidden and often subtle ways that the progress made by women in the latter parts of the 20th century is often undermined and attacked.
What was it about the writing/ genre/ plot that was so appealing?. This isn’t a book with a plot, as such. However, it explained things to me in such an easy to understand and engaging manner that I devoured it in a couple of days.
How did it make you feel and why was it special when you read it? (how old were you, was that relevant?) I very rarely read non-fiction, so this wasn’t a typical kind of book for me to read. But I read this book in my first or second year of uni and it was a time of great change for me. I think I was open to having my mind changed and my thoughts and ideas challenged and for me this book made me see things in an entirely new way. It was full of statistics and anecdotes and was written in a really engaging and personal way, not the dry, boring report I was expecting. I learnt so much from this book and in many ways it made me the feminist that I am today. Although I’ve never read it again, I feel like it would still be just as relevant and important today as it was 25 years ago. Unfortunately, too little has changed.