Pythagoras Magazine

Course 2008-2009

MY FAVOURITE BOOKS

 

Forum 2007-2008:

 

 

Send your email

 

Messages:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

----------------------------------------------------------------

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a book I recommend you read.
It is set in America in the 1930s. A time of poverty and racial unrest. The story is about a girl, Scout, her brother Jem, and their father Atticus.
Atticus is a lawyer who has to defend a black man Tom Robinson, who is accused of a terrible crime.
Because of this defence his children are bullied and discriminated against.
Atticus is a good man, he tries to help his children in this difficult time. However he cannot stop his defence of this man.
Atticus is convinced of his innocence and therefore sees it as his duty to help. No matter what the cost to himself.
This book shows that true friends can be found in the most unlikely places. Also we see that decency and honesty are better than false friends.
I loved this book when I first read it and I love it now.

                                                                    Nikki Dowsett

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird

 

Send your email

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is a book you may have heard of or perhaps you have seen a film made of the story. I hope if you get the chance one day you will read the book.

Daniel Defoe was born in London in 1660, what we know of him tells us he was an adventurer at heart. He eventually became a political writer, but his early years were spent travelling, exploring what he could of the world. We know he spent some time here in Spain and also went to Portugal.

During his travels he passed through the port of Bristol in England, where he met a sailor called Alexander Selkirk. Alexander had once marooned himself on a deserted island for four years.

It is fair to suppose that Robinson Crusoe is based upon Alexander and his true stories.

Young Robinson's family had educated him and hoped he would become a lawyer; however the young man was determined. He would be a sailor.

And so he was, at that time the sea was a very dangerous place. A lot of the world was unknown. There were pirates to be avoided, and the ships were not as robust as ships today.

Robinson had several adventures before he was shipwrecked on an island. Alone, no way of leaving the island, he must eat, live safe and well, and keep his sanity.

This is of course an old book, so the language and ideas seen strange to us now, however I urge you to try to get a copy and read it. When you do, remember, yes this is a story, but a real man did many of these things. Robinson Crusoe is made up. Alexander Selkirk was not.

Nikki

 

Send your email

 

 

-------------------------------

Forum 2007-2008:

 

 

 

Foro de Realidad y ficción

www.realidadyficcion.es

www.realidadyficcion.eu

www.filosofiayliteratura.org