Top Ten Unique Character Names

1. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. So pretty much all the names in this book are the best - Jem Finch, Scout Finch, Boo Radley... but Atticus is the most memorable of all.

2. Uriah Heep from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. Dickens had a knack for unique names. There are sooo many to choose from, but Uriah Heep is up there for me because it perfectly encapsulates the creepy, icky character it's meant for.

3. Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. The name is so brilliant he only needs one.

4. Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Such a friendly, delightful name for a friendly, delightful fellow.

5. Lady Amalthea from The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. A lovely name befitting a unicorn in human form.

6. Bastian Balthazar Bux from The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. Not two, but THREE alliterative names. It doesn't get much better than that.

7. Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride by William Goldman. Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

8. Bellatrix Lestrange from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. Rowling's writing is filled with one-of-a-kind names, but Bellatrix Lestrange's is my fave.

9. Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. I didn't love the book but I do love the name. It's a strong name for a strong character.

10. Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. A light, lyrical name for a deceptively dark and complex character.

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. 

Review: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

 
Jasper Jones is the resident outcast in the small town of Corrigan. His name is the first on everybody's lips when anything goes wrong. So when, one hot summer night, something goes very, very wrong, Jasper desperately searches out help - and comes across the light in the window of our protagonist, Charlie. With one impulsive action, Charlie is pulled into a mystery that will turn his world upside down and the reader is pulled into a story that stays long after the final page has been turned.

I have to admit, I've been dreading writing this review. Because I just want to fangirl and say "READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!" but the book is so beautiful and brilliant, it deserves better than that. So I'm going to try and muster up some sentences that are more coherent than "ZOMG I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK I WANT TO MARRY IT AND HAVE TEN OF ITS BABIES." Here goes...

The story itself is amazing. The central mystery has just the right amount of suspense and plot twists, while the coming-of-age aspect is masterfully weaved through a series of incidents that are by turns thrilling, hilarious, bittersweet, heartbreaking and hopeful. The language is simple but exquisite, with authentic dialogue and honest narration that effectively evokes the tense atmosphere of the mid-1960s town, along with Charlie's own internal struggles. It's one of those books that gives you that edge-of-your-seat feeling, as you anticipate what happens next with excitement or dread - and sometimes both. It's telling that one of my favourite scenes was a play-by-play of a cricket match, which was more exciting than actually watching a game. Craig Silvey is a freaking marvel.

All of the characters, even minor players, are well-rounded and realistic. Charlie himself is a sympathetic and likable narrator. Even when his actions are questionable, you really feel for him and understand where he is coming from. As for the eponymous Jasper Jones, he remains an enigma who takes on almost mythical qualities through the eyes of Charlie. But my absolute favourite character was Charlie's best friend, Jeffery Lu. The son of Vietnamese immigrants, Jeffery's unfailing optimism in the face of bigotry and bullying brought tears to my eyes, while the rapport between he and Charlie made me laugh out loud.

The blurb on the cover of Jasper Jones calls it "an Australian To Kill a Mockingbird" and I can see why. There are obvious parallels between the two - the examination of race relations in a small town in the not-too-distant past; the use of a youthful narrator and the exploration of what it means to grow up; the scorching summer setting that adds to the heated and claustrophobic atmosphere; the disappointment and then ultimate admiration a son feels for his father; the misunderstood recluse... not to mention the sheer brilliance of the writing. While the comparison is apt and to his credit, the true beauty of Jasper Jones is in the way Silvey takes all these features and makes them truly his own and uniquely Australian.

In summary: READ IT! READ IT! READ IT!

Rating: 5/5

Fine Print
Published: Allen & Unwin, 2010
Get It: Booktopia

The Movie Was Amazeballs: To Kill A Mockingbird

I finally watched To Kill a Mockingbird. Wow. I wasn't going to post about it because, just wow. It's perfect, and I don't know if there's much more I can say about it. But I'll try.

I was surprised, to start with, at the opening credits - usually with old movies you assume they'll have those basic flash-card titles that go on forever. Not this one (I guess it's not that old, hey?) - the opening credits, showcasing what we later find out to be Jem's box of treasures from Boo, sets the nostalgic, innocent tone wonderfully and instantly pulls you in.

The story remained remarkably faithful to the book. There were a few changes, naturally, with numerous minor plots edited out. I missed Mrs Dubose's storyline in particular, but I understand why hers and others' stories were missing - what enriches the book would have bogged down the movie. As it is, we're left with a very powerful telling of the two major plots - the court case and Boo. There wasn't a lot added to the film, with the bulk of the scenes coming straight from the book, but what was added, I liked. The early introduction of Mr Cunningham, and his interaction with Scout, for example, made the later mob scene even more effective. I also appreciated the way the trial was introduced pretty quickly, and we got to see more of Atticus' perspective.

But the most outstanding thing about To Kill a Mockingbird was, of course, the cast. OK, Gregory Peck was too young to be Atticus, technically - but with his performance, it didn't really matter. He was Atticus - dignified, wise, kind, intelligent and loving. The kids were also brilliant in their roles - exactly how I pictured Jem and Scout. Robert Duvall's young apperance as Boo Radley was short but memorable, and Tom Robinson was tragically compelling. Bob Ewell was skin-crawlingly creepy; my only small gripe (and this is probably going to sound petty) was that his teeth seemed too white and straight for someone as rough and poor as Bob.

All in all, I loved this movie. I'm just sad I waited so long to watch it! But it's OK, I know I'll be rewatching it for years to come.

Rating: 5/5

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Review: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Review: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Don't ask me how I got to my age without having read or watched To Kill a Mockingbird. I guess it's coz I didn't study it at school like so many seem to do, and I never felt particularly compelled to pick it up in my free time. I finally read it last week, as it was suggested reading for my writing course, and I'm so glad I was forced to make the time for it - because it was awesome, natch.

I have to admit, it was kinda slow going at first, as Tom Robinson, the black man Atticus Finch is assigned to defend in court, is completely absent from the first quarter of the book, and I was impatient for what I perceived to be the main plot to begin. Little did I know everything that was happening would become important down the track - and the way it all came together was masterful.

I adored Lee's whimsical way of storytelling. While the book deals with some pretty heavy issues, the use of the young Scout as narrator gives it such a sense of warmth, humour and hope. I think Scout is one of my favourite characters ever. The way she saw the world, together with her innocence, her stubbornness and her strength, made her a remarkable – and, importantly, believable – kid. I also adored her family - especially her relationships with her father, Atticus, and her big brother, Jem. The supporting cast of neighbours and friends were also wonderful, and even the antagonists were superbly and realistically drawn. Bob Ewell gave me goosebumps, he was so icky. The one character I wanted to know more about was Boo Radley, though of course this would have completely undermined his place in the plot as a mysterious, almost mythical creature. He was just such a fascinating character - as they all are, really.

I wasn't expecting to love To Kill a Mockingbird, but I did. I can see now why it's so popular. It's pretty amazeballs.

Rating: 4/5