The Stonewall Reader: An Anthology That Made This Reader Surprised - Savindi

“Because of the Stonewall uprising, people saw homosexuals no longer as criminals or sinners or mentally ill, but as something like members of a minority group. It was an oceanic change in thinking” (White 14).    

Recently, I picked up The Stonewall Reader by Edmund White thinking that it would just be a good book to get some information for my history project. However, I was positively surprised. Yes, The Stonewall Reader was incredibly helpful for my project, but it was also a great book to read during my free time. I expected to read the minimum and only read what was necessary, but I found myself immersed in the book and reading the whole thing from cover to cover. 

The Stonewall Reader is an anthology with excerpts from books, articles, journals, and letters by LGBTQ+ rights activists, writers, journalists, Stonewall riots witnesses, and many others related to the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The plethora of unique stories are divided into three sections: “Before Stonewall,” “During Stonewall,” and “After Stonewall.” Because it is organized in this way, The Stonewall Reader gives a raw depiction of how LGBTQ+ people were treated by society and how that slowly changed after the Stonewall riots, which is incredibly interesting to read. 

In addition, The Stonewall Reader also conveys many emotions, showing the reader how LGBTQ+ people felt after the horrible treatment in the past. Every author included in this anthology has their own personal and powerful message to the reader, and they all have a unique story to share. Two excerpts I would like to highlight are the excerpts from Virginia Prince’s “The How and Why of Virginia” and Chirlane Mccray’s “I Am a Lesbian.” Both are inspirational, motivational, and emotional stories detailing their journeys as LGBTQ+ individuals.  

“I find now that now that I can be accepted by her [Virginia’s wife] I have also learned to completely accept myself and as a girl I’m interested in feminine relaxation and comfort as she is” (White 79). 

Virginia is a transgender rights activist, and in this excerpt, she recounts her journey with her gender identity. She describes the discrimination she faced as a trans woman, which makes the reader empathetic towards Virginia as well as angry and disappointed at those who hurt her. Some aspects of the story make the reader feel warm inside and happy for Virginia’s happiness. One part of her story I love is how her wife was supportive of Virginia. Overall, her story gives a glimpse at what it was like to be transgender, what discrimination she faced, and how she began to feel comfortable as a trans woman.  

“I may not have turned out exactly as they [Chirlane’s parents], but I do have what they seemed to want most for their children—love and happiness” (White 327).  

Similar to Virginia Prince, Chirlane Mccray recounts her own journey as an LGBTQ+ individual, specifically a black lesbian woman. She describes how she lived “in fear of discovery and in fear of not being liked” (White 316). She describes her coming out to her parents and their reaction. Like the other excerpts in The Stonewall Reader, this excerpt gives a raw depiction of the mistreatment Chirlane faced as a lesbian. It also gives a sense of empowerment when she describes how she overcame her struggles and talks about her achievements as a writer. Overall, it is filled with emotion that moves the reader.

Every story is powerful and meaningful on its own. However, it is much more interesting to look at them as pieces of a bigger picture. In the “Before Stonewall” section, the excerpts describe how LGBTQ+ individuals were treated. Many were sent to conversion therapy, which was often painful and cruel, and many were even arrested or killed just for being themselves. LGBTQ+ people were thought of as inferior. Sylvia Rivera, an icon of the New York City LGBTQ community and Puerto Rican and Venezuelan activist with the Gay Liberation Front and Gay Activists Alliance, explained that gay people were seen as “the lowest scum” (White 177). They were not treated as real, normal human beings but rather as someone below heterosexual people. In addition, LGBTQ+ people were always at the mercy of the police. However, this changed during the Stonewall Riots.   

In the “During Stonewall” section, the excerpts describe what the Stonewall riots were and how they started. It was the first time gay people had fought back and essentially won. Although many riots had occurred before, what set the Stonewall riots apart was how it started a movement for equal rights. Movements such as the Black Rights and Women Rights movements influenced the Gay Rights movement. Because of the Stonewall riots and the influence of other rights movements, the Gay Rights movement was born, which is what makes the Stonewall riots different from the riots that occurred before it. Then, the excerpts in the “After Stonewall” section describe the Stonewall riots’ impact. After this important event occurred and the movement was started, many individuals were motivated and inspired. The fight for equal rights grew stronger, and it is still going strong today. 

Combining these sections together, the reader sees this raw depiction of how LGBTQ+ people were treated by society and how that slowly changed after the Stonewall riots. In a sense, it is like a story, but it is entirely true and ongoing. Overall, The Stonewall Reader is an incredibly informative and inspiring anthology, and although it is a nonfiction book, I found myself enjoying it immensely. I tend to prefer novels with riveting plots and dynamic characters, but I still found myself invested in every story as well as the overall larger story. I felt warm inside as I read uplifting and motivating stories, and I felt angry and disappointed as I read stories of discrimination and hate. This anthology takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions as you take a small dive into LGBTQ+ history, and I highly recommend it to those who want to learn more about the Stonewall riots and its impact on the Gay Rights movement.         

Works Cited

White, Edmund. The Stonewall Reader. Penguin Books, 2019.

Wyrd Can Be A Good Thing - Nathaniel

     Terry Pratchet's Wyrd Sisters is a story of three witches, a ghost, a duke, a fool, and an actor, among other things. It is a fantastical, comedic story that uses different perspectives to make sure the reader understands (almost) everything that is going on. While it is part of a series of books that take place in Discworld, which is the world all the characters live in, no prior knowledge of the series is needed to understand and enjoy the book.

    Wyrd Sisters starts by introducing us to the Discworld, a world being carried by giant elephants that ride the back of a humongous space turtle. Next, it goes on to describe the current storm over the land of Lancre, where our story takes place. Wyrd Sisters shows us the storm's perspective and thoughts so we see why it is storming. Finally we meet the fabled Sisters themselves. While not being sisters by blood, the three witches are part of a makeshift coven. Nanny Ogg is cheerful, easy going, and frivolous. Granny Weatherwax is strict, mysterious, and frightening. Magrat is... well she's Magrat. Young, fanciful, and showy. From the start of the book the reader can tell that the witches are carefree and also demanding of respect.

    After meeting the witches, the reader is rushed away to glimpse a carriage rushing through the storm, then quickly rushed away again to meet the former king of Lancre, Verence I. Verence has just been murdered by Felmet, a greedy relative that wanted Verence's throne. Verence is seen talking to Death about his new ghostly form and the aspects of living as a ghost. Within a few pages the reader is once again whisked back to the three witches, who are about to interact with the carriage mentioned earlier. The carriage comes to a screeching halt in front of the witches, and out topples a man who hands Granny a bundle of clothes before falling over with crossbow bolts in his back. Upon getting rid of the pursuers of the carriage, the witches find themselves to be in the possession of a baby boy, one that seems to be a prince judging by the crown with him.

    With the scene painted, the story works on coming together. The child is given to a travelling couple in the play industry. King Verence comes to terms with the fact he is a ghost and starts haunting his castle. Lord Felmet takes the throne of Lancre and declares himself king. The witches do whatever pleases them, one of such pleasures being to bless the child they sent away with the travelling actors. At this point, the reader sees a bit of the new king's perspective, and how he is traumatized from killing his predecessor and is very paranoid about everything, namely trees. Years pass by, and the new king decides to oppress the witches. The witches in turn retaliate by speeding up time to ready Verence's successor, the child from that fateful stormy night. 

    Wyrd Sisters is a fun and easy read. I would recommend it to fantasy and comedy lovers, as well as anyone in need of a good story and potentially new series. Nanny, Granny, and Magrat are charming and funny characters that are very expressive with their own unique personalities. I will say it once again, give Wyrd Sisters a try.

Prejudice in To Kill A Mockingbird - Eleanor

     To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel set in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The books main character is Scout Finch who lives with her brother Jem and her father, Atticus, who is a lawyer. The book shows Scout learning about the racism and classism in her town and how her father helps her to understand it. This book shows the importance of moral education and the how prejudice that is taught to kids from a young age in schools. 

     "I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks" This is said by Scout to Jem when discussing why everyone does not get along in their community. This quote shows that Scout's views all people as equal and does not understand why differences in race or wealth cause conflict. Jem on the other hand is able to understand the cause of the conflict. Because Jem is a few years older, he is able to better understand the conflict because he has learned more about inequalities in their community and how it affects people. Scout is more oblivious to these inequalities in the beginning, this allows the reader to see how only a few years can affect someone's view of the world and we are able to see how Scout's views change throughout the book. 

    Throughout the book Atticus works very hard to teach Scout and Jem to be understanding and sympathetic to others. He teaches them to have concern for injustices in society. However, Jem and Scout's teachers teach the opposite of Atticus. For example Atticus tries to show his children that people are not either all good or all bad but instead have good and bad qualities. In contrast, Scout's teacher judges people as good or bad without considering the reasons a person may act a certain way.

    I love the way the author shows the development of Scout's moral education and understanding of the world around her. Atticus also teaches Scout to be aware and concerned about social issues without becoming too negative or cynical. I think that this is a very important lesson that is still relevant today. I have read To Kill A Mockingbird before but I love to reread it because each time I am able to better understand it and appreciate it even more. 

Eleanor Kraatz 

Floors by Luca

     Floors was written by Patrick Carman and published in 2011. The book tells the story of a 10-year-old-boy named Leo who lives in the basement of the Whippet Hotel in New York City. Leo's father is the caretaker of the hotel. The designer of the hotel, Merganzer Whippet filled his hotel with lots of mysterious rooms and strange contraptions. Floors takes Leo and his friend Remi on the scavenger hunt of a lifetime. 

   

When Merganzer Whippet suddenly goes missing, strange boxes start to arrive for Leo. Each of these boxes gives Leo directions to different rooms in the Whippet hotel. At this point, Leo's friend Remi joins in on the hunt for Mr. Whippet, and together, the two solve the puzzles in the strange boxes. 

    The story of Floors is obviously about Leo and Remi's quest to solve all the puzzles, however, one thing the author does very well is intertwining that story with the story of a millionaire named Bernardo Frescobaldi trying to sabotage the hotel to get the owner to sell it to him. 

    Patrick Carman does a wonderful job of giving the reader practically two different stories in one and delivering each story well. In this case, it can be easy to focus more on one story and disregard the other, but the author has managed to give a substantial amount of each story. 

    Another quirky addition to the book is the integration of animals into the plot of the story. An example of this is the ducks that inhabit the roof of the hotel and how they interact with the guests of the hotel, as well as with Leo and Remi. 

 

    I have had this book on my shelf for a while but never got around to reading it until recently and I realized that I had been missing out on a good story with admirable characters, and a whimsical plot. Although some might say that this book is made for younger readers, my opinion is that this book is for anyone who wants to enjoy a story about a fantastical hotel with mysterious rooms, eccentric characters, and adorable ducks. 

Before I Let Go: A Book I Won't Let Go Of - Savindi

 “It doesn’t have to be a happily ever after or happily always. Just a happily once. A happily sometimes. Hope. That’d make our pain worth it” (Nijkamp 244). 

Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp is about two best friends, Corey and Kyra, from Lost Creek, Alaska. When Kyra is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Corey is the first and only person in Lost Creek to defend and support her as the rest of the town turns on Kyra. The two are inseparable best friends until one day, Corey and her family move away, leaving Kyra in Lost Creek. When Corey finally comes back, she finds Kyra dead, a victim of suicide. The rest of Lost Creek treat Corey like a stranger. They speak in whispers and tell Corey that Kyra’s death was inevitable, that it was meant to be. Corey refuses to believe the people of Lost Creek. Nothing makes sense; nothing supports their claim. Through Corey’s thoughts and flashbacks, Before I Let Go tells a story of Corey and Kyra’s friendship and how Corey tries to find the reason for Kyra’s death. 

Overall, this novel has a captivating story that makes the reader wonder and turn the page to learn more. Nijkamp reveals small pieces of the tale bit by bit, using small yet crucial details in Kyra’s paintings as well as Corey’s flashbacks. The switching between past and present is difficult to adjust to, but with time, it makes the story more interesting to read. The author connects these flashbacks well with the present story, and it steps away from the usual chronological order most books tend to lean towards. In addition, the author fits in letters from Kyra in between chapters, which also give a unique structure to the story. In addition, these letters show the reader the close bond between Kyra and Corey. 

Corey and Kyra’s relationship is one aspect of the book that makes it so captivating. Corey and Kyra considered each other best friends. They loved each other, and this is apparent in Corey’s flashbacks to when Kyra was alive. The use of flashbacks shows how close Corey and Kyra were, how they interacted with each other, and how they felt about each other. Not all of Kyra and Corey’s relationship is revealed at the beginning of the book. Instead, it is slowly revealed and described through Corey’s actions and flashbacks. This use of storytelling makes the story more captivating and makes the reader want to know more about Corey and Kyra’s’relationship.   

In addition to the well-written relationship, Nijkamp portrays heavy topics well. When Corey hears about Kyra’s death, her first reaction is denial, which is the first stage of grief. She denies that Kyra is dead; she cannot believe it because they had promised each other that they would wait for each other. Eventually, Corey realizes that Kyra is, in fact, dead, and her next reaction is anger. She suddenly gets angry at the people of Lost Creek because of how accepting they are of it. The way they say that Kyra’s death was inevitable angers Corey. Her anger is a driving force for Corey, causing her to persistently find the reason for Kyra’s death. This portrayal of Corey’s grief feels very authentic and realistic, making the reader more empathetic towards Corey.         

The effective portrayal of Corey’s grief after Kyra’s death leads to one theme in Before I Let Go, which is that life does not always have to be happy, and it does not always end happily either. Kyra perfectly explains this in one of Corey’s flashbacks. “It doesn’t have to be a happily ever after or happily always. Just a happily once. A happily sometimes. Hope. That’d make our pain worth it” (Nijkamp 244). Life does not need to be happy all the time, and in truth, it is impossible to be happy all the time. One or more happy moments are enough to make the pain worth it. This lesson seems to be hard for Corey to understand and accept throughout the story, and I think this is common among most people. Especially in the modern world and with social media, many people feel the need to be perfect and show that their lives are always amazing, great, and happy. However, this is an unrealistic standard. It is ok to not be happy. If there is one sole reason to read Before I Let Go, it would be this powerful lesson.   

Works Cited

Nijkamp, Marieke. Before I Let Go. Overdrive ed., Sourcebooks, 2017.     

The Bell Jar: What drove her to insanity?

 Warning: This post contains discussion of suicide, sexual assault, and depression, please skip this post if you don't feel comfortable reading about these topics. 

    The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is a semi-autobiography about a young woman in the 1950s struggling with clinical depression. Ester (the main character) is a college age writer who is praised for her writing skills. Throughout the novel Ester struggles to understand and follow the conventions for most girls her age. She is expected to remain a virgin, find a husband, get married, and have children. However, she wants to travel, write, and cannot imagine herself ever getting married. She is only respected by other girls when she dates an aspiring doctor, Buddy Willard. Buddy expects her to give up her poetry to marry him and raise a family. Ester is torn between different future careers and attempts to kill herself on multiple occasions before ending up in a mental asylum.

    "When I was nineteen, pureness was the great issue. Instead if the world being divided up into Catholics and Protestants or Republicans and Democrats or white men and black men or even men and women, I saw the world divided into people who had slept with somebody and people who hadn’t, and this seemed the only really significant difference between one person and another. I thought a spectacular change would come over me the day I crossed the boundary line."

    One factor that adds to Ester's madness is the double standard regarding her virginity. She was taught from a young age that women are expected to "stay pure" until the marry and have children. The idea of remaining a virgin does not affect her much until she finds that Buddy, the man she is expected to marry, has slept with a woman before. She is enraged by the hypocrisy of this and does not understand why Buddy did not need to remain a virgin even though she did. I think that Ester becomes further alienated when she realizes that the other women she is around are not bothered by this double standard.  Of all of the factors impacting Ester's mental state, I found this the most interesting. The obsession with female virginity is something that is still relevant today especially in some religious groups.

    After Ester learns about Buddy's past, she refuses his offer to marry him and leaves him. She then becomes obsessed with the idea to lose her virginity. She feels her virginity as something that burdens her and holds her back and wants to have a sexual experience to become more free rather than for her own pleasure. She becomes somewhat competitive and feels as though she needs to have sex to distance herself from Buddy. However in the process of meeting different men she is sexually assaulted. I found the scene where she is assaulted particularly engrossing because it further showed the hypocrisy regarding sexual interactions in this time period. While she is being assaulted she is repeatedly called a slut even though she is the victim of the situation. 

Eleanor Kraatz

Sometimes Dead is Better

    Pet Sematary is a scary story that will for sure keep you up at night. Written by Stephen King, it is not for the faint of heart. Pet Sematary follows the life of Louis Creech, a doctor who moves to Maine, and his family. However, in this horror story, Louis has to deal with a bit more than some simple doctoring. He gets to play god.

    

    As I said, Louis moves to Maine with his family, which consists of himself, his wife Rachael, his kids, Ellie and Gage, and his cat Church. Louis immediately notices that the road near their house is constantly being driven on by large trucks that go very fast. His new neighbor, Judd, comes over and helps the family get settled and also makes friends with them. A few days go by and Judd decides to take the family on a little trip into the woods near their house. He takes them to a place called the Pet Sematary, where children have buried their pets for generations. A key takeaway is the large deadfall of brush and wood blocking the rest of the way into the forest.

    Later, when Louis is at work, some students rush in with a dying friend that was hit by a truck. Louis is left alone with him, and to his surprise the boy speaks. The dying boy tells him that the soil of a man's heart is stonier, and calls him by name. Louis is shaken by the experience and tries to get it out of his mind. Later that night, Louis is woken by the same boy from earlier, who leads him to the Pet Sematary and tells him to never cross the deadfall. Louis believes it to just be a dream until he wakes up with dirt on his feet in the morning.

    Time flies by, and on Thanksgiving Day, the unthinkable happens. Church is hit by a truck. Judd finds him and calls Louis over, and after some thinking tells Louis to come with him, and to bring Church's body. Louis is so worried as what to tell Ellie that he complies and goes along with Judd. Judd takes them up to the Pet Sematary, where Louis expects to bury him, but Judd presses on, and goes over the deadfall. Louis hurries after him and finds himself in a darker area of the forest. Judd refuses to answer Louis's questions and instead brings him through swamps and dark areas until they reach the deeper end of the Pet Sematary, the Micmac Indian burial ground. Judd tells Louis to bury Church in the burial ground, and Louis does it. He is too tired to question what truly happened, but the next morning, when Louis finds Church alive, he starts to wonder.

    Pet Sematary is really, really scary. Trust me when I say you do not want to read this late at night. Also, the book is even scarier if you have not watched the movie yet. All scary things aside, I would recommend this book because it is well written, and I am definitely going to read some of Stephen King's other novels.