This list was really hard. Especially when I was only allowed 20 songs total and 5 from Wicked.
This is the Moment (Jekyll and Hyde) I know- it's not Wicked, and you're all shocked. I'm surprised too. But I haven't even seen this show, but I know this song from when Anthony Warlow sang it in The Main Event, which was a concert with John Farnham and Olivia Newton John in like 1998. It was a big deal at the time. My mum and both grandmothers had the video and my grandmothers also had the CD, so I heard it a lot. I just get goosebumps every single time I hear this song. I have posted about this before.
Defying Gravity (Wicked) This was so close to being number 1. Because it is the greatest moment I've ever seen in live theatre. I've been known to forget to breathe in this moment (it happened once in Singapore, OK? Let's move on) so of course it's on the list. I love Idina singing it, but anyone who reads this blog enough knows all I need to say is "Jemma Rix" and you will understand. (In case you don't read this blog that much- I really, really love Jemma. She's my favourite Elphaba).
King of Pride Rock (The Lion King) I said I wasn't going to provide links in this post because it takes FOREVER to write otherwise, but this is an exception because people may not have any idea what I'm talking about. It's this moment (yes, the video is from the movie, but it's in the musical so it counts). Soaring instrumental music, and then Circle of Life reprise by a choir? What's not to love? I actually want this in my wedding... somehow. I don't know exactly how that would work yet.
Tomorrow (Annie) This is such a positive, happy song! It just always makes me happy. And because Annie is so popular, it's usually one of the first musicals/songs that kids are exposed to. I'm pretty sure it was one of the first I heard anyway when I saw the movie on TV. I've seen both Annie movies, saw the musical in Melbourne and have heard Idina Menzel sing it on her Barefoot at the Symphony DVD, and I love it. I like to play this when I'm feeling sad.
The Wizard and I (Wicked) From the first second of the first time I saw Wicked, I loved it and knew it was going to be amazing. But it was in this song that I fell in love with it and Jemma Rix's voice. Plus, it's so happy as you hear Elphaba's dreams and this vision she has for her future. Of course, in subsequent showings, it just becomes bittersweet, but still.
Circle of Life (The Lion King) One of the best starts to a musical. It just sets the mood instantly, and grabs your attention from the very first second. I'm dying to see this live when the musical comes back to Sydney this year.
As Long As You’re Mine (Wicked) This song is the Fiyeraba (Fiyero+Elphaba) anthem, and the big love song in the show, so of course, it's on this list. But I love that it's so dark and passionate. You can tell from just the music what they got up to in that forest ;) My favourite rendition I've seen is the third show I saw in Singapore with David Harris and Jemma Rix. It was perfect.
Finale B (Rent) So yes, my favourite Rent song is the last song. That feels awkward to me, but it's true. I love the harmonies, the melody's, the combination of songs. This finale has set the bar for all musical finales for me.
No Good Deed (Wicked) Such a passionate, emotional, raw song. Again, I have been known to forget to breathe in this moment. It's so powerful, to see Elphaba's pain and desperation to save Fiyero. And (if you see the actual Broadway version, not the tour version) that moment when Elphaba rises through the floor with that "Fiyerooooo!" riff... ugh. I die.
Another Day (Rent) I love how this song switches between rock and ballad. And then how the others join Mimi at the end. The first time I saw Rent, it was the movie. And I liked Seasons of Love, but after that for a lot of the time, I wasn't sure whether I was going to see this through to the end. Another Day got me hooked.
Part of Your World (Reprise) (The Little Mermaid) Part of your world is a beautiful song all on its own. But to then have the reprise, which builds upon the inital song and have the big belting notes, that gets me every time- movie or musical (which I have only seen bits of on YouTube, but am hoping it comes to Australia one day. My friend Kelly and I think David Harris would be an awesome Prince Eric. We have our reasons!)
I'm Not That Girl (Wicked) This is such a heartbreaking song. And I don't think I know any girl who's seen it and hasn't related to this song. (I haven't asked any of the guys I know who have seen the show). Your heart just goes out to Elphaba in this song.
I Dreamed a Dream (Les Miserables) Another song full of raw emotion. I don't know what I can say about this song. I think though we can all relate to dreaming, and that pain that comes with those dreams not coming true. Plus, I mean the Lea Michele/Idina Menzel duet version on Glee? Pretty amazing.
The Lonely Goatherd (The Sound of Music) This is just such a fun song! It always gets stuck in my head after I watch The Sound of Music. It makes me smile every time. Plus, I like puppets.
Beyond My Wildest Dreams (The Little Mermaid) I think I love this song because of the tune. If you listen to it, you'll know what I mean. But I also relate to how Ariel is feeling in this song. That feeling when you're in a place you've only dreamed about and you can't even fathom that this is reality.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (The Wizard of Oz) It's a classic. Need I say more? I never get tired of this song. At the moment, my favourite version is by Katharine McPhee as can be seen here (thank you very much, Smash pilot episode for making me realise this existed!)
Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast) Such a beautiful ballad. "Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, Beauty and the Beast." I never get tired of listening to it.
Any Dream Will Do (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) "I close my eyes, drew back the curtains, to see for certain what I thought I knew. Far far away, someone was weeping, but the world was sleeping any dream will do." I think I just love this tune! It's so catchy! But I was first introduced to this song through the movie, which has Donny Osmond who my mum loves, so that could be a factor.
I Have Dreamed (The King and I) I've only seen The King and I once when it was on TV, and to be honest I prefer Anna and the King (even though it's not a musical). But I heard this song when David Harris sang an arrangement of this and "Maria" from West Side Story, and I kind of fell in love with it.
I Still Call Australia Home (The Boy from Oz) I'm a patriot. That's the whole reason this song is on this list. I love Australia, so I love this song. I used to be glued to the TV whenever the Quantas ad was on growing up (when they used this song for their ads, of course). "Someday we'll all be together once more, when all of the ships come back to the shore. Then I realise something that I've always known, I still call Australia home."
Honorable Mentions (AKA "Songs that just missed out"):
Chip on my shoulder (Legally Blonde)- especially when sung by David Harris!
For Good (Wicked)- just because I was only allowed 5 Wicked songs
Before we begin, a note- even though this is a list of my favourite tracks that aren't singles on Delta's albums, it's actually a list of my Top 10 tracks on her first three albums. My official excuse is that she could still release another single from her last album (fingers crossed), but also because otherwise this list would be 9 tracks from Child of the Universe and the number 1 track from this list that follows.
I just love so many songs on COTU, so I will list my favourites (in order) from that album at the end of this post. If you want to hear the songs, follow the links! So here are my top 10 tracks across Innocent Eyes, Mistaken Identity and Delta:
Off Delta's third album in 2007, Delta, this is the song Delta wrote about her parent's divorce. Now, my parents have been married for 28 years this year, so clearly the subject matter is not why I relate to the song. I love this song for a few select lyrics in the bridge of the song, and the chorus:
And we're so stupid if we think we can control All the dark matter at the centre of this black hole It's gonna pull us under if we don't let go
We're all walking on quicksand When we're busy makin' our plans, God laughs We're all walking on quicksand When we think that we understand, God laughs
As someone who freaks out most about the things I can't control, I relate. And it's true that so often life turns out so differently than we plan, and I think God must laugh when we think we have everything under control and planned. I also love that it's about a very personal, sad subject, but the song itself is so simple and more about the sentiment of the chorus than the subject of the divorce.
Number 9: A Year Ago Today
I've always loved this song, but no more so in the past year since my grandfather died. Again, it's so simple.
"You went away a year ago today." This song doesn't have to be about losing someone to death, it could be about losing anyone just in terms of a break up or the end of a friendship. Whenever you lose someone, you try and make sense of it. And no matter how much it hurts, life goes on. As the lyrics say, we get another year older, a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser.
In the past year, I've come to relate to this song on so many more levels. Now this song will always remind me of my Grandad, because Delta says it best:
"Love will never end/ And even though we're so far apart, you are forever in my heart"
Number 8: Butterfly
Ah, Butterfly. The music just sounds like a butterfly... and I realise that makes no sense, but I promise it does if you listen to the song! In away, if you stripped it down, this song could almost be a lullaby. It can work and be meaningful on so many levels, for so many different relationships. Delta used this song to open her first national tour, The Visualise Tour and it's very theatrical and magical and beautiful. It's just a really sweet song, and I love it.
Number 7: Extraordinary Day
This is the song Delta wrote about the day she was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin's disease) when she was 18. These are my favourite lyrics in the song:
"I know I can't change fate of that July the 8th,
and it was never the same.
I know, this stage is frightening
but it's oh so enlightening, is this how karma goes?
Who would have thought when chance came calling,
that this would be my defining story?
And who could guessed on my life's journey,
I could find my way through that extraordinary day."
Who hasn't had a day that they will always remember because some life defining and/or life changing moment happened? I have many. Whether it's good or bad, I know the feeling she is talking about in this song.
(Also, side note: I've almost used this as a title for a fanfiction twice. It was almost the title of Out of the Blue).
Number 6: Possessionless
Yep, I did use this song for a Wicked fanfiction (just a one shot). Because the first time I heard it after seeing the show, it fit Elphaba perfectly in my mind.
This song, I think, surprised a lot of people when they first heard it, because Delta's lyrics weren't usually so... intimate.
"All I've got is my body and it's naked for you. All I've got is this heart that I'm willing to lose."
She's talking about making yourself vulnerable, and not being defined by anything or anyone. She actually wrote it when she was going through the cancer battle, after she'd lost her hair and all that stuff. But it didn't appear until her third album. And it does feel like a very intimate song.
Number 5: The Analyst
Wow, I relate to this song. Any song that I relate to is always going to be really close to me, and on her first two albums, Delta had so many where it felt like she had been inside my head as she wrote them. The Analyst.
"Prepare yourself to meet, a girl who doesn't sleep. Dividing every question 'til the question is complete."
"She's travelling back in time, questioning every line that someone says."
"Trying to make sense of her life."
Now, when Mistaken Identity came out in 2004, I was 14 and was just beginning to emerge from years of bullying. Then (well, I still do it now at times actually), my self esteem was so shot that I was never actually confident that my friends actually liked me. I'd mentally repeat everything my friends had ever said to me, thinking about what they had said, how they had said it and what it might mean.
So, yeah, I related to this song in a big way.
Number 4: Fragile
Another song I really related to on Mistaken Identity. And Delta mostly always has a song on an album that is mostly just her and a piano, and Fragile is it for this. It's the type of song that can be stripped back acoustically or could be built up and would be incredibly powerful both ways.
After so many years of being bullied and having no self-esteem or friends, this song spoke a lot to me.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm alone, sometimes I feel like I'm not that strong. Sometimes I feel so frail, so small, sometimes I feel vulnerable, sometimes I feel a little fragile."
You know how you have days when you just feel like crying for no reason at all? This is the song that gets played a lot on those days.
Number 3: In My Own Time
This song has greater meaning to me as the years go on, and honestly, I could just post the entire lyrics to this song and that would sum everything up. But I find I'm listening and relating to this song a lot more the older I get, especially when people have all these expectations of you and what you should have been doing/achieving in your life by now. These lines in particularly stand out for me:
"In my own time I'll take a chance,In my own time, I'll find romance. In my own time, it'll be mine."
Yeah, there's times I stress that I'm 22 and still learning to drive, or single or... whatever. But this song reminds me that everything that is meant to be will happen, and I don't have to plan my life in accordance to when everyone else tells me what I should be doing and when.
Number 2: Last Night on Earth
Now, this is a song with proof that is works as an amazing song both acoustically and with a whole band. The album had the big version, but she performed it acoustically on her tour. And it's a really beautiful love song.
"If tomorrow never comes, I want you to know right now that I'm gonna love you until the day I die. And if tomorrow falls asleep, can you hold me first. I'm gonna love you like it's the last night on earth."
Number 1: Braveface
From the very first note, I love this song. It kicks in with an upbeat, strong piano melody and it's just a song that you know when Delta wrote it, she was happy and in love.
It's all about living a relationship in the public eye, and well... putting a brave face on. The chorus is totally awesome.
"Feels like I'm running with my high heels on, and they're chasing us waiting for it all to go wrong.You're my umbrella against their sticks and stones, as long as we keep smiling they'll never know.Put your braveface on."
And it has strings (you know that's kind of my musical weakness. I love strings!). The only thing is, I really want to see Delta sing this live. I've seen it happen twice (once in reality, the other on YouTube). On the YouTube one, she gave the microphone to some fans to sing; and when I saw it at her Believe Again tour, she went down into the audience and didn't even sing any of the song!
So, that's my Top 10 Delta Album Tracks. And now, here is my ranking of my favourite Album tracks from Child of the Universe. Even though I'm not putting up links to them, I strongly encourage you all to look them up and have a listen!
1. The Speed of Life
2. War on Love
3. Knocked Out
4. Hypnotised
5. Safe to Believe
6. I'm Not Ready
7. Child of the Universe
8. Touch
9. When my Stars come out
I just love them all, I simply couldn't mix them in with the others.
Dear Readers of 40 Weeks, This morning I posted the final chapter. And as I have stated in many tweets, author's notes, review replies and probably other forms of communication I'm forgetting as I write this, this story often felt like I was going through the pregnancy with Elphaba. Due to writer's block, the immense amount of research this story (and I myself) demanded, and that unfortunate disturbance known as Real Life (and in Real Life of a Teacher, that expanded to writing lessons, reports, marking, and job hunting) this story took me five months to write, three and a half to post and probably a month or so of research and planning between when I had the idea for this story and when I actually wrote the first word. So, in total that was actually about nine months! Haha, I hadn't added that up until now. Don't you love irony? Although I originally thought that this story would just be something light and fun to use an idea (which is the whole format of this fic and the 'each-chapter-is-a-week-of-the-pregnancy-thing) that I actually had when I was still writing House fanfiction and abandoned at Week 5 (that was when House started going downhill and I lost interest and inspiration for the fandom). Plus, it would cover the many requests I was getting for a sequel to Out of the Blue and Three Leaps Ahead! It required a lot of research, because I obviously, have never had a child or been pregnant. And although I had some knowledge, having 3 younger siblings (2 of whom I remember my mum being pregnant with), 2 friends who had been pregnant, done a year of Child Studies in high school and reading/watching a thousand books/movies/TV shows that involved pregnancy (I like babies. I admit it, it's an addiction); I knew that wasn't exactly the same thing. And I wanted to do this right. And as factual and realistic as possible. I'm picky about that. But I have been completely overwhelmed by the response to this story. I feel like I say that about every story, but I'm always surprised! I love how many reviews and tweets I get from people saying they've learned something about pregnancy or something they didn't know. I love helping people learn things- that's why I'm a teacher! So I wanted to write this and thank you all for your reviews for each chapter and for going through this journey with me! And once again, I am getting a lot of requests for another story in this series/universe. Which is very nice of you all! I always thought that if I was ever going to do another story in this series, it would just be a one-shot of Ashur's 18th birthday and him receiving the journal. After all, there's many interesting questions that could be answered! Does he have siblings? Cousins (either through Kastle or Nessa, or fake cousins through Galinda and Boq)? Is Frex in his life and what is his relationship with his maternal grandfather like? Are all his grandparents still alive? Are both his parents still alive? But you guys constantly surprise me with your thoughts, questions and what you want to know! So far, I've had suggestions for:
"Something about Nessa as she deals with her fertility issues and perhaps her and Halim going through the adoption process or perhaps something following Galinda through her first pregnancy" (via Bookworm0485)
"We all want to see Ashur grow up and (maybe) get siblings." (via ElphieOnEarth)
(I'll add any more I get to this list as they come) Also, Fae the Queen wrote her own one-shot/sequel to 40 Weeks, called The Journal, so check that out!
But I just wanted to say thank you! I am currently on chapter 12 of Come What May (which would probably be a more impressive statement if I knew how many chapters there would be...), and I'll keep you updated on my progress.
If you have any questions, thoughts, comments or... whatever, post them below! (or tweet me, but I like comments. No one comments on my blog, haha).
I was having a conversation about Delta with a friend the other day, and we were comparing our favourite songs. For me, there's two categories of Delta songs: Single Songs and Album Songs. Singles are obviously ones that were released as singles, and Album songs are ones that are just tracks on the album.
There's also little sub-categories: B-side Single songs, Songs Leaked Online That Have Never Seen The Light Of Day, Christmas Songs, Cover Songs (These are usually performed at her concerts), Songs Done With Other Artists (ie. Songs on albums that aren't a Delta album) and what I deem Filler Songs- songs that I don't love or listen to, they're just kind of there to fill out the album. (I think that's all, but I reserve the right to add more categories as I think of them!)
So after that discussion, I thought it would be fun to every so often, do a post on one of these categories and do a little list of my favourite songs in each category. It'll be either 5 or 10, depending on how many songs are in each category.
First up- Singles. I'm counting in terms of from her first album, so I'm not including her first single which was her first attempt "I Don't Care".
Over ten years and four albums, Delta has released (so far) 17 singles. I'm picking my top TEN (I was going to do 5, but that was way too hard). This is really, really hard because I love them all. The full list of singles will be down the bottom if anyone is interested.
Number 10: Out of the Blue
This was Delta's first single of her 2nd album, Mistaken Identity and first single after coming back from her battle with cancer. And like the first single from her last three albums, it's a happy song! But it kind of builds up, and it's just... it's really about coming out from a dark period and experiencing happiness that you didn't see coming. And I think that's a great thing. The version she did in her Believe Again tour is also absolutely beautiful with a new arrangement (follow the link). And yes, this is where I got the title for my Wicked fic of the same name.
Number 9: Believe Again
This was Delta's 2nd single from her third album and I think I love this because it's so dramatic. With the strings (which I adore), and there's mist and... sigh. Plus, it's a love song, but it's not... gushy? "I lost my faith in love, but now I believe again." That's it. It's so simple and beautiful. Plus, this clip made the record (which I think still holds) as the most expensive music video made in Australia ever.
Number 8: Not Me, Not I
Blair Mcdonough
Delta's first single after her diagnosis. Apparently this song is about her ex-boyfriend and Neighbours co-star, Blair Mcdonough, who I think we can agree is the cutest of all Delta's exes. Anyway, the music is gorgeous (more strings! I do love strings in songs), it also has a touch of the dramatic with the candles, moonlight, owls, etc. And the effects are awesome. I love that the message of this song is really "You broke my heart, but I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of crying about it." It's kind a 'screw you' in ways, LOL.
Number 7: Lost Without You
So this is the more typical break up song, and a lot of people thought this song was about Blair, even though Delta didn't actually write this song, haha. I love a good ballad, and this is a good ballad. It's a song that you can build up or strip down (like so many of Delta's songs) and it's still so beautiful. Plus, she has some really gorgeous clothes in this video (actually all of her videos... and real life...).
Number 6: Innocent Eyes
I spent so much time watching this clip when it first came out just wanting Delta's dress, haha. But I love this song because it's catchy ("Da da da da da da da da da da da da" Trust me on that) and it's really about growing up and trying to keep hold of your innocent and the feelings and memories of your childhood, which I fully support. And there's the awesome piano bit in the middle, which Delta took up to the next level in her last tour.
Number 5: I can't break it to my heart
Like I said, I love a good ballad. Especially a good breakup ballad. I was a bit disappointed in the film clip for this song, because I thought it could have been awesome if they'd recreated the story of the song. But well, what are you going to do? Plus, the live footage they have? I was totally there. Well, maybe not right there, she only did 2 of those shows and I was there for one. But it's a gorgeous breakup song, and it's heart wrenching.
Number 4: Born to Try
A Delta classic. Her first single, and the song that started it all! A beautiful ballad about life, with a really positive message. I don't think you can ever get tired of listening to this song. I still remember the first time I heard it, and it's still relevant all these years later.
Number 3: Wish you were here
Oh boy. This song had to make the list. The saddest song. Delta wrote this for a friend of hers who died in a motorcycle accident and it's... heartbreaking. And that's why I love it. There's really nothing more to say on this. Just watch.
Number 2: Sitting on Top of the World
Happy song! This is Delta's (and mine) "sunshine song." It's so damn happy. Whenever I'm feeling sad, I just play this and it makes me feel better.
Number 1: In This Life
In this life. Another love song that isn't gushy, it's just perfection. It starts off with a bang, and just... it's another happy song, which I love. I think we need more love songs that are happy.
FULL LIST OF DELTA SINGLES (there are links to those songs that didn't make the final cut if you want to listen. I also numbered them in order of my preference)
When people think of animals, they usually think of things like puppies, horses, birds... stuff from cartoons, Disney films and calendars. I've always found it really hard to pick a favourite animal, especially when I go to the zoo and am overwhelmed by the adorableness of animals. The lion held a high spot ever since I first saw The Lion King and animals like dolphins, wolves, pigs (probably helped by Charlotte's Web) and monkeys have popped up in the #2 spot over the years.
There are animals I don't like, of course- spiders (oh, the spiders. They must die. Ironically, Charlotte's Web didn't help with that); snakes; and sharks, just to name a few.
My point is, there are some entirely creepy animals out there. This is my list of my top 5:
5. BATS
Bats are number 5 because I don't find them that creepy to look at. I know they're vermin and there is the vampire bat and thank kind of thing. Mostly they're on the list because they have that tendency they have in every movie and TV show to fly in people's hair. Which is really creepy.
4. FROGS
Now, there is a large possibility that I inherited this fear from my grandmother, who loathes frogs after growing up and repeatedly finding them in her house. And at certain times of the year, you would find them on windows of our house, which I found kinda cool and pretty cute.
But I refused to go outside at night, lest I should step on one or something. This was after I was sent out to put some garbage in the bin and accidentally touched a frog sitting on the lid in the dark.
I know they won't hurt me, but I'm not big on anything slimy apparently.
And some are poisonous, and they can jump.
3. SHARKS
I think this picture explains everything. The eyes, the teeth, the attacks on humans... I don't even swim and they scare the crap out of me. And I don't know about everywhere else, but in Australia, they get hyped a lot.
And the way the media portrays it, they're getting closer and closer to shore every summer.
I think one reason I love dolphins is in addition to being smart, cute, friendly and awesome, they have been known to attack sharks to help humans under attack.
2. SPIDERS
I don't know why I've never liked spiders. Maybe it's because some of them can kill you. Maybe it's the fact they have 8 legs. I feel like 8 is too many. Why do they need 8 legs? I don't really like anything that crawls. And it's not just legs, they also have excessive eyes.
All I have to do is hear about a spider and I shudder. If one is in my room, someone has to kill it. Not me, someone else. I won't leave the room until it's dead, because I have to keep it in my sight at all time. If I lose it, I will not be going back in the room until someone finds it and gets rid of it.
I actually went to get a picture for this post and got so freaked out that this cartoon spider is the closest you will get.
1. OCTOPUS
This is rather recent. It's only been in the past few years that octopuses (octopi? I can never remember the plural for an octopus) have really creeped me out. I think it was actually the Disney encylcopedia on the DVD for The Little Mermaid that really made me realise how creepy they are, simply because I never really knew much about them.
So, the octopus: A creature that has no bones, can squeeze itself into a tiny crack under a rock to wait for its prey, again has 8 legs and has been known in captivity to climb out of their tanks, and climb into another tank to steal fish. Studies have been done and it's been proven they have great memories and can hold grudges.
Is anyone wondering why I gave them the #1 spot? Plus, they also look creepy.
I know there's always a lot of discussion about the time setting of Wicked. Everyone has their own opinion on the time period, the technology, the fashion, etc.
And honestly the book and musical don't give us a lot to go on. I've stated before the theory I use when writing my own Oz fiction- The Wizard of Oz was released 1939, which is Act 2 of the musical. I figure there were about 2 years between Acts 1 and 2, which would mean that Elphaba and Nessarose began Shiz in the fall of 1936-37 (I say '36 because I like to think some time passed between when they started and then Fiyero turning up, and the Lion cub, etc).
I was reading an article today on Cracked.com about 5 simple problems technology should have fixed by now and I was amazed to read that the fax machine was invented in 1843. Which means, by my timeline, there's every chance that Elphaba and co could be sending faxes to one another. That got me thinking about what other technology I never considered could be in Oz.
Here's some of the things I found:
escalator (1900)
vacuum cleaner (1901)
air conditioner (1902)
motion pictures (1910)
pop up toaster (1919)
notebooks with spiral binders (1924) [I know, right?]
FM radio (1933)
stereo records (1933)
drive in movie theatres (1933)
photocopier (1937)
There's also stuff like frozen food, instant coffee, self-winding watches, crayons, cellophane and even Monopoly. It's funny how you don't realise how old little things in life are until you actually look them up.
The first Jodi Picoult book I ever read was The Pact. I was in Year 10, and my
English class was studying John Marsden’s Letters
from the Inside. My teacher, knowing how much I enjoyed reading, asked if I
had read it before. I had, and had also studied it at my previous school the
year before. She didn’t really see the point in me studying a book I’d read and
studied before, so she said she’d give me something else to read. And she
handed me The Pact.
I was hooked. It was gripping, full of great characters,
plot twists and it was well written. I cried whilst reading it and it stayed
with me for days after. Then I read any others I could get my hands on,
starting with My Sisters’ Keeper, which
had the same effect on me.
I’ve read all of her books, and enjoyed the vast majority,
but her latest, The Storyteller, is
the first to have the same impact on me that The Pact and My Sisters’
Keeper did. I’m talking about that complete inability to stop reading until
you’ve finished, and when you get to the end, you need a moment to stop and
recover.
The Storyteller is
incredibly gripping, full of surprises and filled with characters I’m rather
hoping Picoult finds a way to slip into future books- like Leo Stein, an attorney
for the Justice Department. I cried, there were times I gasped aloud and felt
sick, and quite honestly forgot I was reading a fictional story.
The novel, Picoult’s 20th, is the story of Sage
Singer a recluse, loner baker who pretty much hides away from the rest of the
world. Through a grief counselling group where she comes to try and come to
terms with the death of her mother three years ago, she meets and befriends an
elderly man beloved by the town as retired German teacher and little League
coach, Josef Weber.
The main plot of the story kicks off when Josef comes to
Sage with a request- to help him die. Sage is appropriately horrified and
questions the matter. This isn’t a case of an old man being terminally ill and
wanting to end his suffering- Josef is quite healthy. But he tells Sage that
she needs to kill him, because he deserves death. The story then switches between Sage and
Josef’s perspectives as Josef tells her his tale, of being an SS soldier in
Nazi Germany during WWII. Believe me that this is giving nothing away from the story. Oh, one small detail I didn’t mention- Sage,
despite her lack of faith, is of Jewish heritage.
The Holocaust is one area of history that has always captivated
me, and as a result, I tend to devour most literature and movies that are set
in that time period. I’m not really sure why it grabs me so... maybe it’s
because no matter how much I read on the subject, I am still unable to
comprehend the ability to commit genocide and lead six and a half million
people to their deaths. Maybe it’s because I read The
Diary of Anne Frank at 13 (the same age Anne was when she went into hiding),
and still relate to her and mourn her. I’ve been to the Jewish Museum in Sydney
twice and have met and heard the stories of three Holocaust survivors in
reality and seen and heard the stories in many documentaries.
This is the part of the book that drew me in most, kept me
frantically turning pages and refusing to put the book down, and that made me
cry and hurt most. It also horrified me the most. Picoult has clearly done her research on this
subject, as she does every other subject she writes about.
And as many of her books do, it raises incredible moral and
ethical questions, as asked by the back of the book itself:
“What do you do when
evil lives next door? Can someone who’s committed horrendous acts ever truly
redeem themselves? Is forgiveness yours to offer if you aren’t the person who
was wronged?”
As Sage, and the reader, tries to understand these questions
and Sage and Leo Stein, the aforementioned Justice Department attorney try and
investigate Josef’s claims; the story is interwoven with a fictional tale full
of mythical creatures, which become more and more significant on several levels
as the book progresses.
And something else to note about The Storyteller- it will make you hungry. Seriously. Several
characters are bakers and in the less horrifying (but in a good way) parts of
the story, you will want nothing more than baked goods. For me, it was all
about visions of fresh bread with nutella (not because that was specifically
mentioned, nutella is just my first preference for everything) but there are
many delicious sounding treats throughout the book.
This is my favourite Jodi Picoult book, maybe since Nineteen Minutes. I definitely recommend
this book to everyone, especially those who are interested in history. If you
have personal experience with the Holocaust, you might find some parts distressing,
just a word of caution.
I did have fun with this chapter, deciding what exactly the nursery would look like. And then I saw this wall art type picture and thought it was perfect- I didn't feel like Elphaba would want anything too cutesy.
Thoughts? I really like this, and it fit in with my yellow scheme, I'd decided on.
