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Home › Entertainment

Question of the Day | 08/21/2008 12:00 am

What one book must all young women read before they turn 21?

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Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 08/21/2008 12:00 am

What the West Is Really All About

Well, this is a silly question because one hopes she’d have read too many books to count already. So I’ll just say the gloss achieved by reading and paying attention to the great Shakespearean scholar Harold Bloom’s The Western Canon would point her in the direction of what Western civilization’s greatest thinkers and writers were all about. Bloom dissects the major literary works of post-Roman and Biblical times. And if one doesn’t know what to take from that, then one isn’t concerned with being a fully realized, thinking soul. At the very least, The Western Canon shows us what we don’t know and need to know and haven’t really read.

Click here on this text to read my nationally syndicated daily column.
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Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 08/21/2008 12:00 am

Why Young Women Need Edith Wharton

I would never recommend just one book for any young person but I would tell her that the novels of Edith Wharton would give her immense pleasure as well as make her grateful to the women’s movement for changing the way it would have been for her had it not occurred.

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Read more about: Advice, book, Literature, Society

118 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Hines Hammond
A book I recommend for introverted young ladies is “Jane Eyre” (Bronte). Besides being a wonderful story that unfolds in such a way that you cannot put the book down for a million bucks when you are reading Chapter 24… I feel there are so many challenges a young lady can face vicariously; so many feelings that stir anew; and here we have Jane who would do well to join Wow. Now there’s a role model. A great way to learn truths about finding your match, the burdens of societal rules, and how to get your priorities in line. It is classic writing. Someone special to me gave me my first copy of Jane Eyre and it changed my life.
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 12:11 am
Frank Peterson
My favourite book—I fell for Jane when I was ten and have yet to come out of that singular pleasure :-)
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 12:14 am
Hines Hammond
That we cherish this book, and Jane herself — what a grand thing we have in common, Frank. Glad you’re back tonight.
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 12:20 am
Frank Peterson
Well Hines this is a topic that interests me greatly, as you may have guesses—The Brontes became heroines and I read everything of theirs. I think even at that early age they set me on the path of English lit and what a glorious time i had with that—I read Jane nearly every year.
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 12:29 am
Hines Hammond
Each Winter I curl up in a cozy interior spot to read, immersing my imagination in the vivid environs of drenched heather, blustery winds and the sound of a carriage approaching. Then I turn the pages to find Jane has stolen away to an alcove protected by thick drapery dimly lit by the rain-spattered window pane. We set out together…
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 12:56 am
Frank Peterson
Yes—me too—Winter is a good time to read Jane especially her the the Pac NW when one is comfy and warm and the rain comes down and the tea or coffee is most welcome. Did you see the recent film from the BBC with Ruth Smith who became Jane? Superb—she captured the Jane of my mind exactly as I have imagined her all these years and years.
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 1:01 am
Hines Hammond
I want to see Ruth in this film. Looking forward to it. Time for Zzzzzs.
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 1:25 am
Hines Hammond
The first movie version I saw was with George C. Scott as Mr. Rochester. How do you suppose I could find the recent BBC film of “Jane Eyre”, Frank? Is it still in moviehouses or moved on to satellite and cable? If you highly rate it, well, I want to SEE IT NOW.
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 1:55 pm
Frank Peterson
It’s on DVD at Amazon and it’s wondrous tho not everyone agrees with Toby Stephens portrayal of Rochester—not dark enough ala Orson Well’s brooding portrayal. Personally it compliments Ruth Smith’s Jane quite well. Smith’s Jane is the best I’ve ever seen—she is Jane. http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-Masterpiece-Theatre-2006/dp/B000LPQ6DE/r…
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 2:09 pm
Hines Hammond
Well, the Masterpiece Theatre movie jacket does portray a man with features in disagreement and what I would interpret as a brooding countenance. The link was…cadeau? Memory is NOT serving.
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 2:33 pm
Frank Peterson
I’m befuddled today—cadeau??
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 2:37 pm
Hines Hammond
Rochester gave his ward a gift - is cadeau a present or gift in French?
By Hines Hammond on 08/21/2008 2:59 pm
Frank Peterson
Yes both meanings Hines ;-)
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 3:07 pm
C A Rose
Hi Frank! Nice to see you back. I was missing your posts. You are such a romantic and I find that very refreshing.
By C A Rose on 08/21/2008 3:30 am
Frank Peterson
Why thank you :-)
By Frank Peterson on 08/21/2008 10:09 am
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