The Journals of Lewis and Clark
I was a little concerned that the dated writing style and...liberal application
of alternate spellings...would make this long book a difficult read, but that was not the case. It actually made it a more interesting read. I think I read somewhere that Clark spelled "Sioux" twenty-seven different ways in his journal, and never the same way twice, or something like that. This version, compiled and edited by Bernard DeVoto, has plenty of footnotes to clear up confusion and provide insightful commentary.The Lewis and Clark expedition was both a success and failure on many accounts and levels. Its lasting effect is debatable. What I feel is not debatable is its achievement in providing a fascinating story. A "national literary treasure" says Stephen Ambrose in the foreword.
Three impressions:
The journey from Fort Mandan to the headwaters of the Mississippi high in the Rockies was devoid of any encounters with natives. It was suggested that this was in part due to the expedition's reputation preceding them as they wintered in present-day North Dakota. This was also the leg of the journey that provided some of the best scenery and plentiful game for provisions. Altogether, this seemed to be the most delightful and anticipatory part of the journey, but also perhaps the most tiring one as the expedition fought against gravity in hauling their canoes and gear upriver.
The encounters at the continental divide with Sacagawea's native tribe, the Shoshones, is amazing and serves as both the literary and literal high point of the story. The tribe's fate is heartbreaking.
I found the happenings west of the Rockies to the coast to be relatively unmemorable. Not only was it fraught with disappointments for the expedition, but the native tribes in the region seemed to be the most thievish and degenerate. On the other hand, on the return trip, Captains Lewis and Clark did note that the Twisted Hair tribe was perhaps the most noble of appearance and disposition that they had met.
Phantastes
After the lengthy Journals, I started reading this slender book by George MacDonald, thinking it would be a quick fantasy adventure. I liked Phantastes, but I found it to be a tough read, with dense text and a disjointed narrative. It has nice dream-faerie imagery, but the story is a bit too dream-episodic to be a real page-turner.
The most memorable episodes for me: the story of the one-way mirror of unrequited love from the curiosities shop and the preparation for and battle versus the three giants. There were also several choice quotes that could inspire further fantastical adventures, such as:
"All mirrors are magic mirrors. The commonest room is a room in a poem when I turn to the glass."
"Everywhere in Fairy Land forests are the places where one may most certainly expect adventures."
"Somehow or other," said he, "notwithstanding the beauty of this country of Faerie, in which we are, there is much that is wrong in it. If there are great splendours, there are corresponding horrors; heights and depths; beautiful woman and awful fiends; noble men and weaklings."
You Gotta Have Wa
My recent interest in Japanese baseball led me to this book by Robert Whiting about American and Japanese clash of culture in the sport. It was a quick, fun book which provided me a good introduction to the history of baseball in Japan and some of its prominent players. This was my vacation read. I started reading on the flight from LA to Taipei, and finished on the boat ride to Cebu.
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
After slogging through Phantastes, I felt the need to casually reread Bilbo's tale for that quick fantasy adventure fix. I just started this past weekend. Since last reading The Hobbit, I've listened to the BBC radio production several times and am eager to rediscover the wonderful details that the adaptation left out. Chapter 1, "An Unexpected Party" bursts with magic and charm.
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