So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall ?

Rapidly, merrily,
Life's sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly !

What though Death at times steps in
And calls our Best away ?
What though sorrow seems to win,
O'er hope, a heavy sway ?
Yet hope again elastic springs,
Unconquered, though she fell;
Still buoyant are her golden wings,
Still strong to bear us well.
Manfully, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell despair !

Charlotte Bronte

I recently finished Jane Eyre, so I'm in a Bronte mood. As far as I'm concerned, it's one of the best novels in English literature. The characters have the depth of real people, which is so hard to come by nowadays...it's genius, really. I almost love it more than Wuthering Heights, which is saying a lot because I worship that book.

I've realized now that it's all about character for me. I don't place much value in plot, though I can appreciate the effort and intricacies. I get joy when I read about interesting characters, not about the action in their lives, but in how they react even to the simplest things. Marquez is my favourite writer for that reason. I don't relate to his characters, really, but they are so human, so complex, that I don't know what to do with myself. The narrator of Memories of My Melancholy Whores, for instance, is...ridiculous. So brilliant. I love that book. Personally, I think if people judge books on whether they relate to the protagonist or not, they are never going to be completely satisfied. It's the wrong way to approach reading, in my opinion. The narrator is one, ninety years old, two, male, and three, essentially a playboy. I didn't read it and try to relate to him, because that would be unlikely. I went in open minded, and in the end I did relate, in the strangest ways. The only thing a reader should look for in regards to relatability should be in the character's humanity. If they are believably human, with real emotions, the reader will at least understand, if not relate, to the character. It shouldn't be about their situation. I think for Marquez it is all about character, which is why I love his writing so much.

So, to sum up...I love the Bronte sisters (well, I don't know about Ann, but the other two at least) and Marquez is a literary genius. Go read his stuff, now. It's addictive though, so be warned.