MedlemSharingLife

Real Name

Christian

About My Library

My reading taste is all about how a book is written, and how well the author conveys his thoughts into my mind. Fiction is most prevalent on my bookshelf, and a story with an introspective and descriptive narrator gets my attention. I search for creative writing with a great story rather than experimental fiction per se. I favor English language and British authors, as it is more difficult to convey an author's subtle meaning during translations.

My Favorite Books listed above in "Collections" are the only books I list on LibraryThing.com. When viewing my favorites, I recommend selecting the "Covers" and "+" tabs to reveal these books by cover art in large format - it's more fun this way. Don't bother with "All Collections" as that is a compilation of both books read and an unread queue.

Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast Novels introduced me to descriptive literature and reading as an art in itself. Silk is like a watercolor painting with few words (60 chapters within 100 pages). Andorra is my favorite European vacation in the eyes and mind of the main character, then things don't quite work out when I begin to feel I have invaded the private lives within a small city. Drood is led by a famous unreliable narrator with his Victorian-era opium literally seeping through the pages to the reader's nose.

Three books are lifetime favorites and share a similar theme: The Story of San Michele is a memoir of an amazing life revealed by the author's own thoughts later in life; A Slight Trick of the Mind is the real Sherlock Holmes at 93 in the English countryside after WWII, and this story portrays the human spirit far more than the detective; The Remains of the Day is introspection at its best, and like the other two novels, brings forth my most meaningful theme in life, "Went the day well?" - a phrase borrowed from a sad WWI English poem written by John Maxwell Edmonds.

Along with my favorite trio above, The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber has been one of my finest literary experiences. On its surface, its a bawdy Victorian romp, but underneath its covers is immersion into late 19th Century London, rich Victorian Era vocabulary, and sadly, in the end, the author's abandonment of his faithful "Dear Reader". Dessert for this 900 page story is The Apple to console readers one more time, as well as the BBC film available for DVD Region 0 (Apple iMac).

You may send an email to inquire about a topic, make a comment, or provide a recommendation.

Email: cfox6215@comcast.net

About Me

Born and raised in Potomac Maryland near the C&O Canal. During college years, maintained the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park as a PATC Trail Overseer. Moved to northeast Texas to begin a 33-year career in Civil Service, and hiked frequently in the southern Ozarks. Worked in the San Francisco Bay Area, then settled in Pennsylvania's Cumberland Valley at the end of my career.

Enjoy the Fine Arts (books, films, paintings, photography), polished stones, historical solo board-games, casual bird-watching, German binoculars, classic film cameras, and strolling in nature.

Always a map person. Enjoyed detailed trail maps in the woods, especially Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, California's Point Reyes National Seashore and Sierras, and Maine's Mt. Bigelow Range. Combining maps with historical events, I enjoy tinkering with complex historical board war-games.

Enjoy a town & country day trip. Explore the little road not taken. Search for beautiful places to walk, and enjoy close-up things in nature as much as viewing distant landscapes.

Always look forward to the crack of dawn. Live a quiet lifestyle and try to discover something new every day.

Obsessive about colors, their names, and finding variations in the world. Favorite color is a deep rich blue-gray.

Explore interesting cemeteries for stone/monument architecture, cultural and historical perspective of a place (names and dates).

Favorite Films (production dates and description help distinguish films that share the same title when searching for them online):

* Enemy at the Gates (2001) - WWII historical drama. Prolonged confrontation between a Russian and German sniper in Stalingrad. We view both sides without much bias as the story develops, but a personal human choice is made, and it makes all the difference in the world.

* Downfall (2004) - WWII historical drama. Hitler's final days in his Berlin bunker, as told by his private secretary, who survived the war. After the film, I researched the outcome of those in the bunker - it turns out that Hitler's nurse was the last one standing, as she lived a long life to 2006.

* Artificial Intelligence (2001) - Through a robot that survives the human race, we are preserved for alien races to discover. In the end of this film, we feel the emotional expression of what we all strive for - to love and be loved. The emotional impact of the final scene is unlike any I have seen in film.

* Bicentennial Man (1999) - An unexpected mix of comedy and meaningful drama. A robot strives to become human, and in doing so he affects the hearts of many along the way. The ending is beautiful, and similar to the wishful ending of the novel "Time Traveler's Wife".

* Three Colors Trilogy, Blue, White, Red (1993-1994) - These films follow the theme of each color in the French flag - blue for independence, white for equality, and red for fraternity. In each film, watch how an old lady struggles to place a bottle in a recycle bin, and with the help the main character, our response to this scene matures over time. Following each theme, we are all individuals that struggle alone (independence), need to be heard (equality), yet somehow connected to each other (fraternity).

* Remains of the Day (1993) - As a long career of a distinguished British butler ends, it leads to introspection of what was accomplished in life, and an active search for what was lost. Sometimes only memories can be possessed.

* My Life (1993) - Fatherhood. Main character did a damn good job becoming a new father, and the final scene fulfills his efforts. Puts me to shame.

* Hero (2002) - Chinese film. Pinnacle of intelligent story-telling. A warrior is rewarded by a king for killing assassins, and is invited to tell his story. The assassin flashbacks his adventure, but the king counters by suggesting another version of the same story. The only film I have ever seen that reveals more than one person's flashback of the same series of events, in which the two stories contradict each other. Who is the real hero?

* I am David (2003) - Cold War era persecution. A simple film about a young boy growing up in a political labor camp, and seeks what he lost - his mother. An elderly woman's advice about finding the right moment to trust people in this world is a special scene.

* A Very Long Engagement (2004) - Quirky French love story. The French have an unusual way of simultaneously creating horror and laughter at the same moment. Finding love lost during WWI is not free.

* Amelie (2001) - Quirky french comedy. The viewer cannot decide to laugh, cry, or pass out from mental epilepsy watching one scene to the next - constant changes of fate blend together. Obviously, the French do not see life as a simple linear progression.

* Together (2002) - Chinese comedy. Many silly characters come and go in our lives, but there is so much meaning as to what they do. Some films are great works of art, some offer wonderful stories, but this one gives us feelings and a sense of purpose for human bonding. The ending fulfills one of my greatest moments in film - the soul becomes free.

* Reunion (1989) - WWII persecution. Young friends at their prime are separated by war. Many years later, an older man searches for his past friend, and discovers the valuable meaning of his friendship 50 years afterwards. How many friendships in your life will blossom to full potential and affect your soul 50 years later?

* Forced March (1989) - WWII persecution. I respect persecution, as it exists on a micro level everywhere. This film tricks your mind as you watch a film production - you fall into the historical scene. An unusual, painful, and extraordinary story never to be forgotten. A gripping film that ends with a quiet respect for humanity.

* The Road Home (1999) - Chinese film. Simple story about love of a person, love of people, and love of life. Simply beautiful. To have loved someone in life is a good thing. One of the greatest films ever seen - it gripped my heart and never let go.

* The Lives of Others (2006) - Cold War persecution in East Germany. Amazing courage of a choice when you are the persecutor, and a beautiful way to say "Thank You" in recognition of that choice made.

* Cache (2005) - French thriller. Most American thrillers rely on bad things happening and you build anxiety to find a moment of peace (lock yourself in a safe room), while in this film, nothing happens and you build anxiety for something to happen for resolution. This story is about guilt on the individual level, as well as the national level. Who is the guilty party in this story? The Director's epilogue discussion is intellectually important and offers a visual treat to view the ending a second time.

* The Legend of 1900 (1998) - Odd film about a man born on a cruise ship and became its piano player - some lives are unique and peculiar. A slow but unforgettable film.

* Damage (1992) - A plug for my favorite "Femme Fatale" Juliet Binoche during her wild-child years in film. Not recommended for mom.

* Cherry Blossoms (2008) - Mature viewing advised and not recommended for casual viewers. In some ways it is about the ending of companionship and accepting your fate. Odd film so out of norm - a mind tripper. I can't shake it off.

* 500 Days of Summer (2009) - What initially appears to be a young adult comedy turns out to be a mature love story with a sting of realism only appreciated later in life.

* Mostly Martha (2001) - German film. A woman who needs to be herself and only herself has the courage to care for another vulnerable person, and bravely discovers love. The finest love scene I have ever seen in film, and it is beautiful - its about the meeting of souls with delicate emotional intimacy, not sex in a sandbox.

* Before Trilogy. Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), Before Midnight (2013). Love story. Each film 9 years apart, and the same two actors age through the series. To be able to meet someone and share long conversations together is special.

* Unforgiven (1992). Clint Eastwood finally says goodbye to his classic western character in his own way.

* The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). The actor that represented sailors was a real-life veteran coming home and dealing with his physical loss.

* The Red Violin (1998). An entertaining story of an artifact having a soul.

* Sixth Sense (1999). Good psychic story with a surprise ending.

* The Empire of the Sun (1987). Perseverance of children under adverse conditions.

* Intimacy (2001). Struggle of strong physical connection mixed with loneliness.

* Blue Jay (2016). An indie film. Momentarily rekindling a past relationship that was not forever, and discovering what was lost. Soulful. A deep soul is my forte, but so difficult to find in others. They exist, but rarely revealed.

* The Razor's Edge (1946). It is difficult to find our own path in life independent of society's program.

* Mr. Holmes (2015). Film adaptation to compliment one of my favorite books, A Slight Trick of the Mind. Sherlock Holmes, retired and living the good life along the English coast, struggles with names and an emotionally unresolved case. An endearing film about aging and special people that cross your path in life.

Film scenes only:
* Life is beautiful: Meryl Streep soaks in the view in final scene of "Plenty".
* Women: Julie Andrews sings her heart out on the Alps in "Sound of Music".
* Fragility of mankind: Speech to the press at the apex of genius in "Charlie".
* Lost joy of childhood: Childhood scene, and final scene in "Citizen Kane".

Short Films (10 minutes, search You Tube by title and the phrase "short film"):
* Sign Language (people, love, and looking forward to life).
* Birthday Boy (creative and soulful).
* Validation (a bit cheesy but sincere).
* Keith Reynolds Can't Make It Tonight (satire of silly American career goals).
* High Maintenance (witty).
* I'll Wait for the Next One (a shocking sensitivity to loneliness).
* Blind Date (2012) by Raul Busarello (alone and trying to create a life).

Music:
* Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann - Energy of youth and love. Simple lyrics.
* These Eyes by The Guess Who - Love lost. Wonderful lyrics.
* Songbird by Fleetwood Mac - Caring love to all we have met. Good lyrics.
* Brooklyn by Steely Dan - Soothing sounds.
* Powderfinger by Neil Young - Music for the soul. Sad lyrics.
* Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt - Enduring memories of love.
* Radar Love - cool sounds.

Poems:
* Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost - Deep introspection.
* Dew by Issa - A sad timeless Haiku.
* Out Beyond Ideas of Wrongdoing by Rumi - Llife is not linear and logical.
* Rendezvous by Ted McMahon - Memories of exploring Santa Fe New Mexico and its locale.
* Little Boy Blue by Eugene Fields.

Art - William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Rarely do I like more than one or two works of an artist, poet, or author, but this late 19th Century painter has my attention. When I lived near San Francisco, I would visit "The Broken Pitcher". He can paint feet like Moses can talk to God. The "Pride of Dijon" by William Hennessy is my perfect summer date in a deep conversation. Collecting art can be expensive and require home real estate space, so I am happy with small size prints and collect them in archival boxes, and share them during a conversation.

God - I feel that his presence is best felt when we give care to others, meaning kindness beyond just a quick thanks.

Sted

Hockesson, DE

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