The Lake House by James Patterson. Little, Brown and Company, 2003. Genre: Murder Mystery
The Lake House takes place in the present across the US including the cities of Denver, Colorado and Washington D.C. Max, a girl who was genetically altered with wings knows a secret about her past that she is afraid to tell to the ones closest to her. She experienced horrible things as a child in an underground hospital called the school. She escaped from the school with five other kids like her. They lived with a veterinarian and her boyfriend who is an FBI agent for one year at the lake house before being exposed and brought home to their biological parents. Knowing that the school does not want them alive max takes her once family and flees to the vet, Frannie O’Neal’s house. They then go to the agent, Thomas ‘Kit’ Brennan’s house after trying to be killed. All the while, on the way and for some time later, trying to be murdered by a certain Dr. Ethan Kane, director of the once school.
“James Patterson knows where our deepest fears are buried…. There’s no stopping his imagination.” New York Times
James Patterson writes a book I can compare to the Harry Potter series where a person who has an ill brain that is not in touch with society tries to kill the main character. In this case it is Dr. Kane trying to kill Max and in the Harry Potter series it is Lord Voldemort trying to kill Harry Potter.
Since half the book follows Frannie O’Neal and the other half follows Dr. Kane there are different writing styles. When talking about Frannie the book is in first person. When talking about Dr. Kane the book is written in third person. James Patterson uses foreshadowing in his book constantly because the chapters switch from one point of view to another he hints at what the opposite person will be doing in the next chapter or what will happen upon returning to the current person. He also uses imagery while describing the scenery and does so with great detail. He gives you a wonderful picture of what is going on.
“A young and quite homely scrub nurse rounded the corner of the passageway and nodded her head deferentially as she approached him. She had a crush on Dr. Kane, and she wasn’t the only one.
“Doctor,” she said, “your still working.”
“Esther, you go home, now, please,” Ethan Kane said, pretending to be solicitous and caring, which couldn’t have been further from the truth. He considered the nurse inferior in every way, including the fact that she was female.”
James Patterson has a very captivating style of writing that drew me right in. This is the only book of his I have read but I will surely read more. The way he tells his story with very good and very bad experiences is amazing. He reminds us that everyone isn’t exactly nice in this world and that most people are at the same time. Something that is good for anyone every now and again.
Monday, October 6, 2008
One Win, Two Cleats
10-15-08
What would you do if faced with the most brilliant moment you can imagine, or the most amazing object one could purchase? Which one would you take? Everyone has a different opinion about this. They would argue about this and that. Which one you choose simply depends on which you hold more valuable. If you’re more of a material person who loves funky gadgets and expensive items you will choose one while the person who loves the perfect view of nature or something that can not be bought would take the other.
I am meticulous as I tie them. First one, then the other making positive each one is fit to my liking. Once I am finished I take my stand. The ball sits there. Taunting me, telling me I won’t do it, I can’t do it. I rise to the challenge. I know where I want to place the ball on the goal, I don’t have to look. I just picture it. The top left corner of the goal is what my entire mind is thinking. In a burst of speed and power I slam the soccer ball. Cleat, with perfect precision Sends the ball to the back of the net, Passed the keepers inadequate attempt of a save.
My cleats are awesome. With a burnt orange, black and white exterior they look sick. They also have a tiger paw on them just like my high school mascot’s symbol. Their patterns are nasty and in my opinion are just about the best looking cleats that one can buy. Nike Total90, please Kelme Diablo, my cleat, is where it's at. Nothing comes close to them. They don’t just look amazing, but are a fine quality cleat. They stand up to my play and stay with me as I go. They fit perfectly and allow me to kick the ball with extreme accuracy and force.
The score is tied. Six seconds are on the clock. The ball is in my hands. One thing is on my mind, score. I can’t think of anything else and would not if I could. I dribble once, stop, fake a pass left, step back, jump, and shoot. The leather ball glides off my fingertips with just the right amount of backspin. I know what will happen when the ball leaves my hands. The question is, do they?
It’s the best moment that can happen to me, winning a big basketball game in the final seconds. There are so many moments in basketball like this and nothing in sports is better than sinking a three at the buzzer. It’s awesome just seeing one, but having it happen to you is simply perfect. Winning a big game is truly priceless.
When you take that shot it is like time is in slow motion. Everything moves slower, even you. As time winds down and you have the ball you take a quick look around, seeing if there is someone that has a better chance to take the shot. There never is. So, you make your move to trip up the defender, again something that always happens. Then you step back knowing what comes next as everyone shouts “SHOOT!” You face the basket jump and shoot, following the command of the fans. You are behind the three point line and for the third time this is something that always happens. Watching the shot you know it will either fall in or slip out. When it goes in and everyone goes crazy it is the most amazing moment that can happen to a person, me at least. You hope it never stops. Adrenaline is racing threw your body. Your team is huddled around you screaming your name as they praise you.
So how do you compare these things? Well, obviously, they both have something to do with sports. One soccer, one basketball, but both sports. I believe they have a different similarity though. They both bring me great happiness and joy. My cleats allow me to play a game I love and that moment wouldn’t happen if I didn’t play another game I love.
They connect me in a way that nothing else does. Of course, they do have major differences like being different sports and being completely different parts of different sports. One is a special moment, the other, equipment. Still I love them and could not live without them.
So, as I said in my introduction value is different for everyone. I think of value as a reminder of good. Something you value brings you happiness… in most cases. Like my cleats, they bring me happiness because I love soccer and could not play without them. Every time I see them I’m reminded of kicking a ball and knocking it around with friends. The good of happiness controls me. To me, that is value, a reminder of good.
What would you do if faced with the most brilliant moment you can imagine, or the most amazing object one could purchase? Which one would you take? Everyone has a different opinion about this. They would argue about this and that. Which one you choose simply depends on which you hold more valuable. If you’re more of a material person who loves funky gadgets and expensive items you will choose one while the person who loves the perfect view of nature or something that can not be bought would take the other.
I am meticulous as I tie them. First one, then the other making positive each one is fit to my liking. Once I am finished I take my stand. The ball sits there. Taunting me, telling me I won’t do it, I can’t do it. I rise to the challenge. I know where I want to place the ball on the goal, I don’t have to look. I just picture it. The top left corner of the goal is what my entire mind is thinking. In a burst of speed and power I slam the soccer ball. Cleat, with perfect precision Sends the ball to the back of the net, Passed the keepers inadequate attempt of a save.
My cleats are awesome. With a burnt orange, black and white exterior they look sick. They also have a tiger paw on them just like my high school mascot’s symbol. Their patterns are nasty and in my opinion are just about the best looking cleats that one can buy. Nike Total90, please Kelme Diablo, my cleat, is where it's at. Nothing comes close to them. They don’t just look amazing, but are a fine quality cleat. They stand up to my play and stay with me as I go. They fit perfectly and allow me to kick the ball with extreme accuracy and force.
The score is tied. Six seconds are on the clock. The ball is in my hands. One thing is on my mind, score. I can’t think of anything else and would not if I could. I dribble once, stop, fake a pass left, step back, jump, and shoot. The leather ball glides off my fingertips with just the right amount of backspin. I know what will happen when the ball leaves my hands. The question is, do they?
It’s the best moment that can happen to me, winning a big basketball game in the final seconds. There are so many moments in basketball like this and nothing in sports is better than sinking a three at the buzzer. It’s awesome just seeing one, but having it happen to you is simply perfect. Winning a big game is truly priceless.
When you take that shot it is like time is in slow motion. Everything moves slower, even you. As time winds down and you have the ball you take a quick look around, seeing if there is someone that has a better chance to take the shot. There never is. So, you make your move to trip up the defender, again something that always happens. Then you step back knowing what comes next as everyone shouts “SHOOT!” You face the basket jump and shoot, following the command of the fans. You are behind the three point line and for the third time this is something that always happens. Watching the shot you know it will either fall in or slip out. When it goes in and everyone goes crazy it is the most amazing moment that can happen to a person, me at least. You hope it never stops. Adrenaline is racing threw your body. Your team is huddled around you screaming your name as they praise you.
So how do you compare these things? Well, obviously, they both have something to do with sports. One soccer, one basketball, but both sports. I believe they have a different similarity though. They both bring me great happiness and joy. My cleats allow me to play a game I love and that moment wouldn’t happen if I didn’t play another game I love.
They connect me in a way that nothing else does. Of course, they do have major differences like being different sports and being completely different parts of different sports. One is a special moment, the other, equipment. Still I love them and could not live without them.
So, as I said in my introduction value is different for everyone. I think of value as a reminder of good. Something you value brings you happiness… in most cases. Like my cleats, they bring me happiness because I love soccer and could not play without them. Every time I see them I’m reminded of kicking a ball and knocking it around with friends. The good of happiness controls me. To me, that is value, a reminder of good.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
