The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 羅傑‧艾克洛命案

Aug 29, 2006

I finished Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. The ending is not very surprising, I don't know why but I always expected this. I remember I read a novel by James Patterson. In that novel, sorry I forgot the name but I was very surprised at that time when the "I" died and there was a shift of another "I" in the story. Especially the "I" is the killer. This mysterious crime story, the plot is very good and complicated. I think in Ms. Christie's novel, all crimes are caused by a motive, and this motive is usually greedy and lies. The so-called common evils. This is the 2nd books I read with detective Hercule Poirot. The first one is Oriental Express. It seems to me that he has very strange way to tackle criminals. No accuse in Oriental Express. Allowing suicide in Roger Ackroyd.

I like Agatha Christie stories. I didn't dare to read when I was very young. Probably because reading English writers' stories cause problems like remember NAMES. It's very difficult especially their name has first, last and middle names. When translated into Chinese, there will be many characters. For Chinese names, we usually have 3 characters only, no more than 5. So LONG NAMES are difficult for me to remember.

I found this little information in Wiki.

History has been much kinder to Christie, crediting her for an original idea. From that point on, the detective fiction mantra that "it is the reader's duty to suspect everyone" took on a new meaning.
Pierre Bayard's book Who Killed Roger Ackroyd?: The Mystery Behind the Agatha Christie Mystery (2000) (ISBN 1-56584-677-X) argues that Poirot actually got the solution wrong and proposes an alternative solution.

Does it mean There can be another killer other than Dr. Sheppard?

I will stop reading "chinese" books for a time being. I should read some English novels.

一個都不留 And then there were none

Aug 8, 2006

Finally, I finished Copy Cat Criminal 模仿犯. This book is huge. The story is very interesting that I couldn't read Faucoult's Pendunum at the same time. Anytime, I can read it another time. While I almost finish CopyCat, I found out a book called And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. I knew his name when I was 14/15. I remember it's my teacher Ms. Ho suggested me to read her books but ...........during that time, I was intoxicated with Akagawa Jiro. It turned out that I was very superficial to have spent so much of my YOUTH time to read many of his novels. I firstly read Christie's novel is Oriental Express. This book is well known classic and I remember even Akagawa sensei quoted this story in one of his novel too. Anyway, recently, I happened to have read a breif note about this book and it attracted me immediately. The story sounds to me very classic type and there are many stories deviated from it. Therefore, I am very eager to read it now. I reserved the book at public library. I have decided not to buy novel(except English novels). I think I can pick up a few days later.



I bought a new book "Seven Deadly Wonders" by . I have waited its paperback release for so long time. It's too expensive for me to buy the hardcover edition.

But I can't read it now. I will read the detective novel first.







Aug 13. I finished "And Then Here Were None". This book is very interesting indeed. The Tragedy is wonderful. But I think the breakpoint to see the true killer is rather difficult, even when I think back the plot and layout. SPOILER: How can I find out the killer when the Judge was "killed"? The first five death cases were by no means to know the killer identity. Last one is done by herself. 2nd the last is done by last one. So both of them are not killer. 3rd the last was killed by stone. Doctor was lost. I think doctor is the key point to know the true killer.

Copy Cat Criminal - Miyabe Miyuki

July 17, 2006

I started reading CopyCat Criminal by Japanese writer Miyabe Miyuki. This 2-books volume is HUGE. Chinese edition is totally 650x2. I read 60 pages so far, I have a rather good impression of the book. After 2 times travelling to Japan, I have a clear vision in the decription by the book.





At the same time, I'm reading Foucault's Pendunum. This book is very difficult. I need to check up many things even in the first few pages. It's not surprised that someone urged this book requires an index book.

The Married Man - Edmund White

July 8, 2006 I'm reading The Married Man by Edmund White. This is a story between a HIV-infected 50's American writer and a bisexual married 30's French architect in Paris. I would like to know a true soul of a gay man rather than so much rumours about them in the media. I'm a bit heartbroken when I found Austin(American writer) is seropositive at the very first few pages. Does it foretell it's a sad story or is it a problem of mind to preasume the tragedy life of any HIV-bearing men? Am I just any of the majority to think about Gay? I will take this a chance to understand, to touch the souls of Gay men.

I have checked some information about Edmund White. I'm surprised to find that he's HIV positive too. Seems he's engaged with a guy. He's published his autography in 2006. If there is a chance, I would like to read this book too.

Jul 11, 2006 150 pages are read. I feel sad to find out that Julien, the 28-year-old French was infected with HIV, most likely from Austin. Julien is a kind of man with strong opinion. I think he's very honest. I felt sorry when he said he would get satisfaction to see the death of Peter (Austin ex bf) before his death came. Julien finally managed to go to Boston where Austin took up a post of university teacher though he seemed not popular among students. I was unhappy to see Austin had affair with stranger when Julien was on the way to live with him. And the relationship between he and Peter did make Julien to suffer in certain degree too. Peter was his ex bf but Austin treated him so well and spoiled him that Peter made confrontation with Julien. I felt sorry for Julien because he's experiencing Culture shocks, employment problem, HIV infection news, the just settlement of divorce. What Austin could expect this young man to behave properly? especially in the presence of Peter? How dare Austin to have thoughts like wishing haven't met Julien and having invited Julien to live with him in USA. I don't know what the story will lead to but Julien is losing himself. He has no job now. Just bought a puppy to accompany with. No mental support from Austin. The story is told by the view of Justin, but he's not THE MARRIED MAN. The bitterness reminds me movies like Bulgarian Lovers and Second Skins. I want to finish this book ASAP. This book, though getting heavy but it's quite fast page turning. I expect to read Focoult's Pendulum and a Japanese detective story (Mimic Criminal).

July 17, 2006. I finished this book a few days back. I felt sorry for Julien. He died before ARC(AIDS Related Condition) Peter. The detail description of ARC of Julien is very devastating and terrifying. Julien lied to Austin in certain ways, about his family. He was playful when he's very young. Who transmitted AIDS to him is still unknown. Christine didn't constracted AIDS should be a signal. Julien was right about Austin would meet another guy very immediate after his death. Austin was nice that he took intense care of the last days of Julien.

I really think we shouldn't blame Gay for spreading AIDS and AIDS didn't mean to be the punishment made by God to GAY. We all know how AIDS firstly appeared in human society - the hunting of Apes in Africa. It's Heterosexual men(I suppose) brought AIDS to the world and killing Gays. It's simple a new epidemic like those Black Disease Plaque happened before. I can't dame the Gay simply because they have different sexual preference. Life is hard and so much sufferrings that we like to make condemn to others. I do hope there will be a cure for AIDS.

The Shadow of The Wind 1

Jun 6, 2006 (Devil Day ?)

I finished reading "The Last Supper" yesterday. I wonder why this book is quite popular that I needed to make reservation at PageOne. I guess most likely because of the current hit of Da Vinci Code.
This book is so so, sometimes quite boring with immerse Medieval background. Anyhow, I like his insight on WORDING The Apostles to make up Consolamentum. I would like to check out more about Cathars and Albigensians. I also want to know if there is any mythological correlations or meanings among 12 Apostles.




I have decided to read "The Shadow of Wing"(its original Spanish name: LA SOMBRA DEL VIENTO) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. I will read Chinese edition.


Actually, I'm very eager to read Foucault's Pendunum by Umberto Eco, but I would like to take a break on Chinese.

Rivals of Jesus

Rivals of Jesus - a programme produced by National Geographic

1. Apollonius of Tyana (13 March 2 – 98?)

2. Simon the Magician

3. Simon Bar Kokhba (revolt in 132AD)

4. Mithras (from 2nd and 1st centuris BC)

5. Isis (firstly found Egyptian record 2498-2345BC)

6. John the Baptist (30AD) - Mandaeanism

7. Nag Hammadi Library (buried around 400AD)

Match Point

The man who said "I'd rather be lucky than good" saw deeply into life. People are afraid to face how great a part of life is dependent on luck. It's scary to think so much is out of one's control. There are moments in a match when the ball hits the top of the net and for a split second it can either go forward or fall back. With a little luck it goes forward and you win. Or maybe it doesn't and you lose.



Theme Song: Una furtiva lagrima by Enrico Caruso
downloadable at http://www.archive.org/details/Caruso_part2

(L'elisir d'amore)(One tear that falls so furtively)

Una furtiva lagrima

Negli occhi suoi spunto:

Quelle festosee giovaniInvidiar sembro.

Che piu cercando io vo?

M'ama, lo vedo.

Un solo instante i palpiti

Del suo bel cor sentir!

I miei sospir, confonderePer poco a' suoi sospir!

Cielo, si puo morir!Di piu non chiedo.

SYNOPSES(L'elisir d'amore)

Nemorino is in love with a wealthy girl, but she says she isn't interested in poor boys like him. Desperate, he buys a "Love potion" that only turns out to be cheap red wine. And yet, Nemorino believes the "Elixir" will work. When he sees her cry, he knows she has fallen for him at last.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

One tear that falls so furtively

from her sweet eyes has just sprung,

as if she envied all the youths

who laughingly passed her right by.

What could I want more than this?

She loves me! I see it.

One moment just to hear her heart,

beating so close next to mine,

to hear my sighs like they were hers,

her sighings as if they were mine!

Heavens, please take me now:

All that I wanted is mine now!

Leonardo Da Vinci

1. Highlights of his Life

2. His signatures and writing style

3. His messages in his paintings, esp. fingers

Last Supper

Look deeply into this master piece !

For zoomable version http://milano.arounder.com/da_vinci_last_supper/fullscreen.html

Left-side Characters (in group of three):

1. Bartholomew, James the Lesser and Andrew

2. Judas Iscariot, Peter and John

Right-side Characters (in group of three)

3. Thomas, James Major and Philip

4. Matthew, Jude Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot

The Last Supper (in Italian, Il Cenacolo or L'Ultima Cena) is a mural painting by Leonardo da Vinci for his patron Duke Lodovico Sforza. It represents the scene of The Last Supper from the final days of Jesus as depicted in the Bible. The painting is based on John 13:21, which Jesus announced that one of his 12 disciples would betray him.

The fresco is 460 × 880 cm and can be found in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.

Leonardo began work on The Last Supper in 1495 and completed it in 1498 — however, he did not work on the piece continuously throughout this period.

Trivia:

1. The different knotting style of the table cloth:

2. Peter(?)'s left hand was holding a knife

3. Leonardo's self portrait appeared in the painting

4. Where's the cup, the chalice, the holy grail?

According to "The Secret Supper" by Javier Sierra. The sequence of the apostles can unveil a pharse as follows: BELIEVE IT OR NOT !!!!

From Left to Right(Looker View):

1. Bartholomew (Mirabilis- He Who is Miraculous)

2. James the Less (Venustus- He Who is Full of Grace)

3. Andrew (Temperator- He Who Prevents)

4. Judas Iscariot (Nefandus- The Abominable One)

5. Peter (Exosus- He Who Hates)

6. John (Mysticus-He Who Knows the Mystery)

7. Jesus Christ (A)

8. Thomas (Litator- He Who Placates the God)

9. James the Elder (Oboediens- He Who Obeys)

10. Philip (Sapiens- He Who Loves High Matter)

11. Matthew (Navus- He Who is Diligent)

12. Judas Thaddeus (Occultator- He Who Conceals)

13. Simon (Confector- He Who Fulfills)

The order of the alphabets is "MVT NEM A LOS NOC". In Latin, V=U, so the revised order will be "MUTNEMALOSNOC". The secret writing style of Leonardo leads the writing order to be "CONSOLAMENTUM" which means Baptism of Holy Spirit in accordance to Carthars, a heretic religion.

On the right side of the table, there is a different knot from the smooth knot on the right side. On the Left side, it's the most LIGHT and BRIGHT region where Leonardo painted himself as Judas Thaddeus. It's very obvious to convey the region of Gnostic ideas- Dualism, the light and dark, the good and evil, and Leonardo is at the bright side.

Dracula

Inspired when reading "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova (Her first debut)

Vlad III Dracula (November or December, 1431–December 1476), has also been known as Dracula (also Drăculea — see below, or Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Ţepeş in Romanian). Vlad III was the voivode, or prince, of the principality of Wallachia (what is today an informal region in southern Romania). His three reigns were in 1448, from 1456 to 1462, and 1476.

He led an independent policy in relation to the Ottoman Empire, and in Romania at least he is best remembered as a Christian knight crusading against Islamic expansionism into Europe. He is known in Turkish as the Impaler Prince, and is a popular folk hero Romania even today.

He got the title of vampire and acted as the main character firstly appeared at Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, Dracula.

Vlad was very likely born in the Transylvanian city. He was hostaged in Ottoman empire during his early life with his younger brother, Ruth.

I missed

It must a long while I didn't come here to drop a few lines.

I plan to make this Blog as my reading journey, to note what I'm going to read, what I have bought, etc. It must be fun and interesting.

The very previous book I read and I can recall is "The Historian" by Elizabeth Kostova. It's not exciting book which full of poetic senses and European Medival atmosphere. The story is about Dracula.

I don't tell anything about Takaki Naoko. I read all her pictures which have been translated into Chinese. I should have read the Japanese versions but I feel lazy to check up JPN dictionary for this kind of leisure reading.

Now, I'm reading "Secret Supper" by Javier Sierra. Anything about Da Vinci is top heat recently. I read twice Da Vinci Code within the last 2 years. This Secret Supper, read about 150 pages. I don't know I should blame the author or the translator. The English version is not very good. The plot is not very page catching nor page turning. This story takes advantages of the recent Da Vinci heat, looking another angle of the fresco in Saint Mary church in Milan - Last Supper. So far I sensed the subtle elements like "the different knots on either side of the table. I checked that the right one is called "Knot of Isis", and there is a painting of Mary Magdalene whose dress shows this knot too. Author mentioned the similar look between James and Jesus.

One week before I start this Secret Supper. I bought a BBC documentary DVD about Life of Leonardo Da Vinci. It helps a bit for me to understand the background of the story.

I watched the movie version of Da Vinci Code last Sunday. This movie is sucked. I hate the look of Robert Langdon by Tom Hans. His long hair ......gag me. Main actress' English has very heavy French accent. The movie changed partly the original story. I mostly can't stand Tom Hans argue with Sir Leigh about Holy Grail and the marriage with Mary Magdalene. Robert Langdon is not a christian. I can't find point why he argued with Sir Leigh. Anyway, I feel asleep a while in IFC theatre.

A new day

Jun 3, 2005 HK Time.

Today is not really a new day. Simply I have registered this Blogger site. I don't know much about it but it seems it can help me to save fragments of my writings, either when I am at work or elsewhere.

I finished reading one of the book of Paulo Coelho " The Alchmist". I like this book very much, much more than "The Little Prince". The religious standpoint is interesting, a rather New Age framework. For me, being a christian, I always regard the life of christian or at least myself as A Pilgrimage. A Pilgrimage in this world to pursuit of God. The striguing views of this alchemist with environment. The main theme which happens quite often throughout the book as "All the universe is conspired to help you to achieve this(dream)". This sounds like the phrase " The world(fate) will make a hero in his time" This main theme contrasts Santiago(The Shephred) as the dream chaser with the Crystal Merchant as the Dream-Dreamer / Dream-Refuser"

Besides, I like what Fatima told Santiago about Love. A love without reason and it's Maktub(it's written). It's more or less like FATE.

Santiago found out the "TRUTH" in desert which also appeared in the books of alchemy. I like Santiago didn't reject to read the book of Alchemy even he found out the "TRUTH" in the desert. Desert shows the truth in simple way while Alchemy shows it in sophisticate ways. But Santiago was open to truth.

Listening to his own "heart" and learning from "environment" is a very interesting point to me.

I borrowed this book from library and I will go to buy one to read again. This book is interesting and meaningful that I would like to read again and highlight those good phrases.