"Ragtime" by E. L. Doctorow Book Review

Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ragtime is set in America at the beginning of the 20th century. Its characters: three remarkable families whose lives become entwined with people whose names are Henry Ford, Emma Goldman, Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Evelyn Nesbit, Sigmund Freud, and Emilio Zapata.

It is a novel so original, so full of imagination and subtle pleasure, that to describe it further would only dilute the pure joy of reading. Turn to the first page. Begin. You will never have read anything like Ragtime before. Nothing quite like it has ever been written before.

This was a fantastic book! I recommend anyone in high school or older to read it. I had heard about this book because of a somewhat famous musical that is based on it, though I haven't seen it or heard any of its music so I couldn't tell you if they are at all alike. The musical did win a Tony though. Onto the book...

It's written so differently than what I am used to reading that it blew my mind! I actually kind of liked how the dialogue was written, without quotations, so it was like you could decide on your own whether the character said something or not. Realistically, they had to have said some or most of it, but they didn't have to say everything, the story could continue the way it was going regardless of whether one character said something or not. So some of it could be sitting there for just the reader to know about it, but the other characters may or may not have known anything more than what was told to them.

It was interesting that the author used one family whose members don't have names, or at least not important ones, to tell the history of the country's most famous people who shaped an era in everything; in media, beauty and style there was Evelyn Nesbit (who is the only person whom I was familiar with), in business there was J. P. Morgan and Henry Ford, in psychology there was Sigmund Freud (I loved the bit where the author says he took his vengeance on America by ruining sex for everyone which is so true), in entertainment there was Harry Houdini (who is a fascinating person and I am going to hunt down a good biography of him and learn me some), and in politics there was Emma Goldman (who I didn't know existed before I got this book so one day I will learn about her as well). I'm really glad the family members didn't have names because sometimes I have trouble remembering characters who only appear every so often. I can remember 'Younger Brother', but I can't always remember who the hell 'Tom' (as an example) is supposed to be.

The most fascinating characters were the ones the author made up: Coalhouse Walker and Susan, Tateh and his daughter. Their growth over the course of the story is exactly the opposite of each other and I can't help but think that the author was trying to make a statement using them but I am too dumb to grasp it and put it into words. It is interesting that the author was able to use the gaps in time for all the really famous people and string them all together like he did.

A short and fast portrait of America's most famous people. Highly enjoyable and recommended.

View all my reviews

Five out of five Model Ts.

Disney Villains Minimalist Illustrations!

Ursula from "The Little Mermaid".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

I know I just posted some minimalist posters a few days ago, but these feature the most evil of evil doers, the most cruel of tormentors.....Disney villains!!!

Disney villains are iconic characters, pushing the story along and making the hero do their job. It's no surprise then that they've become a part of the internet's artist community in various forms.


I originally saw this post on the Buzzfeed website (located here). The artist's name is Chelsea Mitchell. The original posting was on the artist's Tumblr.

The six posters include the likes of Jafar, Ursula, Captain Hook, Hades, and Cruella DeVil.

Jafar from "Aladdin".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

Captain Hook from "Peter Pan".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

Cruella DeVil from "101 Dalmations".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

Hades from "Hercules".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty".
Copyright Chelsea Mitchell.

My favorite is Maleficent. She was a real badass! And a dragon!

"Revolutionary Road" Book and Movie Review

"Revolutionary Road" movie poster
and the front cover of my
edition of the book.

I know this is a departure from what I normally do. But it felt to be the right thing to do and I'll explain why throughout the review.

"It's 1955. Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet), in the seventh year of their marriage, have fallen into a life that appears to most as being perfect. They live in the Connecticut suburbs with two young children. Frank commutes to New York City where he works in an office job while April stays at home as a housewife. But they're not happy. April has forgone her dream of becoming an actress, and Frank hates his job - one where he places little effort - although he has never figured out what his passion in life is. One day, April suggests that they move to Paris - a city where Frank visited during the war and loved, but where April has never been - as a means to rejuvenate their life. April's plan: she would be the breadwinner, getting a lucrative secretarial job for one of the major international organizations, while Frank would have free time to find himself and whatever his passion. Initially skeptical, Frank ultimately agrees to April's plan. When circumstances change around the Wheelers, April decides she will do whatever she has to to get herself out of her unhappy existence." Written by Huggo (Link below.)

(L to R) David Harbour and Kathryn Hahn.

The Book: Beautifully written by Richard Yates, his first novel, now a literary classic, it was nominated for the National Book Award in 1961 and earned high praise, including from celebrated author Kurt Vonnegut who said that "Revolutionary Road" was "The Great Gatsby" of his time.

The Movie: The music was wonderful, the clothes were beautiful (never have I been more jealous of Kate Winslet than when I saw her in that blue dress), the acting was amazing - and I don't just mean DiCaprio and Winslet. Michael Shannon, who played John Givings, did an excellent job playing someone presumed to be unwell because he expresses himself emotionally and also is the moral center of the story.

And I was going to try to stay away from referencing a past and much cited movie in this review, but since Kathy Bates also has a part in this film (playing Mrs. Helen Givings), it's now almost impossible not to mention it. And for those living under a rock and is somehow getting the internet as well, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates all starred in this little known film called "Titanic". This reason I am so reluctant to mention it is because two fine and critically acclaimed actors who want to work together because it worked so well the first time really shouldn't count as news, ever.

It's both a close and satirical look at the suburban lifestyle and a tragic love story. It moved me, but not to simple tears, just a terrible sadness settling in my stomach. The book and the movie are very companionable pieces. It's one of the best adaptations from page to screen that I've ever seen. 

Michael Shannon.

Favorite Quotes:

April Wheeler: Frank Wheeler, I think you're the most interesting person I've ever met.

John Givings: You want to play house you got to have a job. You want to play nice house, very sweet house, you got to have a job you don't like.

John Givings: Hopeless emptiness. Now you've said it. Plenty of people are onto the emptiness, but it takes real guts to see the hopelessness.

April Wheeler: It takes backbone to lead the life you want, Frank.

April Wheeler: If being crazy means living life as if it matters, then I don't mind being completely insane.

April Wheeler: I wanted IN. I just wanted us to live again. For years I thought we've shared this secret that we would be wonderful in the world. I don't know exactly how, but just the possibility kept me hoping. How pathetic is that? So stupid. To put all your hopes in a promise that was never made. Frank knows what he wants, he found his place, he's just fine. Married, two kids, it should be enough. It is for him. And he's right; we were never special or destined for anything at all.

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Bart Pollock: Talk it over with your wife. After all, what would we be without our wives.

April Wheeler: So now I'm crazy because I don't love you, right? Is that the point?
Frank Wheeler: No! Wrong! You're not crazy, and you do love me. That's the point, April.
April Wheeler: But I don't. I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I'll scream.
Frank Wheeler: Frank: Oh, come on, stop this April.
[He touches her for an instant and she screams at the top of her lungs before walking away. He chases after her]
Frank Wheeler: Fuck you, April! Fuck you and all your hateful, goddamn -
[He breaks a chair against a wall]

Kate Winslet.

April Wheeler: What are you going to do now? Are you going to hit me? To show me how much you love me?

Leonardo Dicaprio.

Frank Wheeler: Don't worry, I can't be bothered! You're not worth the trouble it would take to hit you! You're not worth the powder it would take to blow you up. You are an empty, empty, hollow shell of a woman. I mean, what the hell are you doing in my house if you hate me so much? Why the hell are you married to me? What the hell are you doing carrying my child? I mean, why didn't you just get rid of it when you had the chance? Because listen to me, listen to me, I got news for you - I wish to God that you had!

Frank Wheeler: You don't...hate me or anything?
April Wheeler: No.....no, of course not.
(She moves closer.)
April Wheeler: Have a good day.

Sources: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27069.Richard_Yates, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/plotsummary and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0959337/quotes.