Title: Double Cross
Author: Philip Prowse
Publisher (level): Macmillan (3.6)
Summary:
At an international conference in Stockholm, a politician is sniped by somebody. Monika, a secret agent for Swedish Military Intelligence, is at the scene of the crime. Therefore, she is requested to investigate the case by his boss and starts to chase the criminal with Chapman, who is a MI5 agent. As she flies across the world, she finds out that Adolf Vitjord, the leader of a right-wing party in South Africa, is the ringleader of this crime. She manages to chase down. But, suddenly, Chapman rounds on her. Actually, he is a double spy. Instead, she is helped by Mr. and Mrs. Cabinda. At last, she accomplishes her mission.
Evaluation: 5 stars
I like spy movies, such as 007, Mission Impossible, The Bourne Identity and so on. So, I felt this story is good as a spy thriller novel. At the last scene, Monika said, “You know, ever since this business started I’ve been standing on the wing of a plane.” This is thoughtful words and I am interested in her character.
2010年1月14日木曜日
The Ironing Man
Title: The Ironing Man
Author: Colin Campbell
Publisher (level): Cambridge (3.6)
Summary:
Tom and his wife Marina have moved from London to a small village. Tom continues to commute to London by train every day. While he is at work, Marina is left in the village and keeps house. So, she is tired of the housework soon and she wishes someone would do it for her. Then, a stranger visits her to help ironing. She becomes exited because he is the first man who visits her and her wish has come true. At that night, she tells Tom about the ironing man. Of course, He is confused, and wonders who he is. Moreover, he becomes to suspect that the man might be her immorality partner. On the other hand, Marina is attracted by the man. As a result, this causes both Tom and Marina to reflect what real love is.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This genre is comedy, but it is very profound story. I believe that most Japanese householders have complaints same as Marina’s against his husband. That is to say, this story shows Japanese social problems clearly. In fact, it is difficult question and I don’t know what should I do after I am married someone. So, this story shows one example.
Author: Colin Campbell
Publisher (level): Cambridge (3.6)
Summary:
Tom and his wife Marina have moved from London to a small village. Tom continues to commute to London by train every day. While he is at work, Marina is left in the village and keeps house. So, she is tired of the housework soon and she wishes someone would do it for her. Then, a stranger visits her to help ironing. She becomes exited because he is the first man who visits her and her wish has come true. At that night, she tells Tom about the ironing man. Of course, He is confused, and wonders who he is. Moreover, he becomes to suspect that the man might be her immorality partner. On the other hand, Marina is attracted by the man. As a result, this causes both Tom and Marina to reflect what real love is.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This genre is comedy, but it is very profound story. I believe that most Japanese householders have complaints same as Marina’s against his husband. That is to say, this story shows Japanese social problems clearly. In fact, it is difficult question and I don’t know what should I do after I am married someone. So, this story shows one example.
My Fair Lady
Title: My Fair Lady
Author: Alan Jay Lerner
Publisher (level): Penguin Readers (3.2)
Summary:
Professor Higgins, who studies about dialect, comes across a poor girl. This girl speaks English with a strong London accent. Higgins immediately realizes that this accent keeps her away. As his study, he wants to try whether her accent can be corrected perfectly or not. So, he decides to do and makes a bet that she will be lady. He tries to do anything, but his plans do not very well. Anyway, he has managed to correct her accent and to let her learn upper class behavior. After that, she becomes lady and fascinates others. Finally, Higgins is fascinated with her.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I hear that this story is very famous, but this is the first time I read or watch. This story is so comical and interesting. Particularly, Higgins’ character is very nice. By the way, this originated with a musical. Therefore, I want to watch this movie version because book is silent.
Author: Alan Jay Lerner
Publisher (level): Penguin Readers (3.2)
Summary:
Professor Higgins, who studies about dialect, comes across a poor girl. This girl speaks English with a strong London accent. Higgins immediately realizes that this accent keeps her away. As his study, he wants to try whether her accent can be corrected perfectly or not. So, he decides to do and makes a bet that she will be lady. He tries to do anything, but his plans do not very well. Anyway, he has managed to correct her accent and to let her learn upper class behavior. After that, she becomes lady and fascinates others. Finally, Higgins is fascinated with her.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I hear that this story is very famous, but this is the first time I read or watch. This story is so comical and interesting. Particularly, Higgins’ character is very nice. By the way, this originated with a musical. Therefore, I want to watch this movie version because book is silent.
2009年12月14日月曜日
A Puzzle for Logan
Title: A Puzzle for Logan
Author: Richard MacAndrew
Publisher (level): Cambridge (3.6)
Summary:
Ronnie Campbell has escaped from prison. Inspector Logan and Sergeant Grant start to chase him. On the same day, a woman, Morag, is found dead in Holyrood Park. So, they think the body may have something to do with the escapee. As soon as they start to investigate, they find three doubtful men. But there is little evidence to identify who is the real murder. However, some clues have been found: the color of the murder’s car, his fingerprint and his dominant hand. As if Logan puts a piece of jigsaw puzzle one by one, she approaches the truth. Finally, she finds that the real murder is Robert Baxter. Actually, He killed Sinclair seven years ago because he had stolen Baxter’s money and made him so angry. He thought if Campbell, who worked together with Sinclair, went to prison for Sinclair’s murder, he would not go there. In fact, he killed and it worked very well until he escaped. This causes Baxter to kill Morag because she is only one person who knows the truth.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have never read a story that main detective is a woman before. So, it is very fresh for me. She is clever and positive, but I feel Grant is great too. Without his support, she would not have solved the problem. So, the balance of two people is great. By the way, I’m confused because the character’s names are so difficult to recognize: Mackenzie, MacLeod, MacDonald and so on.
Author: Richard MacAndrew
Publisher (level): Cambridge (3.6)
Summary:
Ronnie Campbell has escaped from prison. Inspector Logan and Sergeant Grant start to chase him. On the same day, a woman, Morag, is found dead in Holyrood Park. So, they think the body may have something to do with the escapee. As soon as they start to investigate, they find three doubtful men. But there is little evidence to identify who is the real murder. However, some clues have been found: the color of the murder’s car, his fingerprint and his dominant hand. As if Logan puts a piece of jigsaw puzzle one by one, she approaches the truth. Finally, she finds that the real murder is Robert Baxter. Actually, He killed Sinclair seven years ago because he had stolen Baxter’s money and made him so angry. He thought if Campbell, who worked together with Sinclair, went to prison for Sinclair’s murder, he would not go there. In fact, he killed and it worked very well until he escaped. This causes Baxter to kill Morag because she is only one person who knows the truth.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have never read a story that main detective is a woman before. So, it is very fresh for me. She is clever and positive, but I feel Grant is great too. Without his support, she would not have solved the problem. So, the balance of two people is great. By the way, I’m confused because the character’s names are so difficult to recognize: Mackenzie, MacLeod, MacDonald and so on.
Food for thought
Title: Food for Thought
Author: Pauline Francis
Publisher (level): Penguinreaders (3.0)
Summary:
Joe is asked to work on his uncle and aunt’s organic farm because his uncle has broken his arm. Though Joe is not so positive, he starts to work on their farm during his summer vacation. While he works, he realizes a GM crop is very close to the farm and it seems to be in flower soon. The GM crop farm is Ladock’s. Joe believes scientists and thinks GM food is safe and helpful in reducing insecticide. But his uncle and aunt don’t think so. A few days after his arrival, he happens to see Kate, who is Mr. Ladock’s daughter. Her hobby is surfing and it is same as him. So, they make friends with each other. On the other hand, he gets acquainted with Anna, who thinks GM food is harmful. Therefore, he is in a dilemma of two ways of thinking. One day, Anna decided to take part in the protesters and to trash the Ladock’s crop. When he knows that, he wonders if he should let her trash. He is confused, but he decided not to tell Kate because he felt Anna is brave.
Evaluation: 5 stars
This story is very interesting. We have already studied GM food in this English class. But the chapter of the text is theoretical and it is difficult for me to imagine the real idea of farmers. At this point, I feel this book is great. Moreover, it is written about both opinions. So, I can read without prepossessions and understand many problems over GM food.
Author: Pauline Francis
Publisher (level): Penguinreaders (3.0)
Summary:
Joe is asked to work on his uncle and aunt’s organic farm because his uncle has broken his arm. Though Joe is not so positive, he starts to work on their farm during his summer vacation. While he works, he realizes a GM crop is very close to the farm and it seems to be in flower soon. The GM crop farm is Ladock’s. Joe believes scientists and thinks GM food is safe and helpful in reducing insecticide. But his uncle and aunt don’t think so. A few days after his arrival, he happens to see Kate, who is Mr. Ladock’s daughter. Her hobby is surfing and it is same as him. So, they make friends with each other. On the other hand, he gets acquainted with Anna, who thinks GM food is harmful. Therefore, he is in a dilemma of two ways of thinking. One day, Anna decided to take part in the protesters and to trash the Ladock’s crop. When he knows that, he wonders if he should let her trash. He is confused, but he decided not to tell Kate because he felt Anna is brave.
Evaluation: 5 stars
This story is very interesting. We have already studied GM food in this English class. But the chapter of the text is theoretical and it is difficult for me to imagine the real idea of farmers. At this point, I feel this book is great. Moreover, it is written about both opinions. So, I can read without prepossessions and understand many problems over GM food.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Title: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Author: Xanthe Smith Serafin
Publisher (level): IBC publishing (3.6)
Summary:
Snow White is a very beautiful girl. Soon after she was born, her mother died. His father found a new woman to become his wife because Snow White was still a baby. The stepmother believes she was the prettiest of all. She asks the magic mirror who is the prettiest and it says she is every time. But when Snow White becomes seven old, the mirror replied Snow White is prettiest. So, she orders to kill her. She manages to escape from her and reaches the seven dwarfs house. They feel her miserably and decide to live there together. But the queen comes to kill her many times, and at last she succeeds in letting her to eat a poisonous apple. After she eats the apple, she falls down as if dead. The dwarfs try to bring the girl back to life. But nothing worked. So, they make a glass case for her so that everyone can see her. One day, a young handsome prince comes and asks the dwarfs if they allow him to take her body. They permit him. While they lift the case, one man trip over a stone and almost falls. At the moment, the sudden movement makes the poisoned apple fall out of his mouth. So, she comes back to life and marries the prince.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have watched Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a few times. And I realize that these stories are different in some points. Especially, the last scene is quite different. In Walt Disney’s, the prince kiss Snow White and it causes her to come back to life. On the other hand, in this book, it is caused by the sudden movement. This is interesting but I prefer Walt Disney’s to this.
Author: Xanthe Smith Serafin
Publisher (level): IBC publishing (3.6)
Summary:
Snow White is a very beautiful girl. Soon after she was born, her mother died. His father found a new woman to become his wife because Snow White was still a baby. The stepmother believes she was the prettiest of all. She asks the magic mirror who is the prettiest and it says she is every time. But when Snow White becomes seven old, the mirror replied Snow White is prettiest. So, she orders to kill her. She manages to escape from her and reaches the seven dwarfs house. They feel her miserably and decide to live there together. But the queen comes to kill her many times, and at last she succeeds in letting her to eat a poisonous apple. After she eats the apple, she falls down as if dead. The dwarfs try to bring the girl back to life. But nothing worked. So, they make a glass case for her so that everyone can see her. One day, a young handsome prince comes and asks the dwarfs if they allow him to take her body. They permit him. While they lift the case, one man trip over a stone and almost falls. At the moment, the sudden movement makes the poisoned apple fall out of his mouth. So, she comes back to life and marries the prince.
Evaluation: 4 stars
I have watched Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a few times. And I realize that these stories are different in some points. Especially, the last scene is quite different. In Walt Disney’s, the prince kiss Snow White and it causes her to come back to life. On the other hand, in this book, it is caused by the sudden movement. This is interesting but I prefer Walt Disney’s to this.
2009年11月20日金曜日
French Adventures
Title: French Adventures
Author: Jeremy Strong
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (2.0)
Summary:
Mouse and Sam have visited Paris as a school trip. They walk along the street of Paris with them teacher, Mr. Hopkins. Suddenly, however, Mr. Hopkins has been kidnapped by two horrible men. So, Mouse and Sam have lost in the middle of Paris. Moreover, they cannot speak French. Then, they manage to arrive at a book store whose signboard is written in English and they meet an American clerk, Montana. She helps them search for Mr. Hopkins and their school friends. Thus, they succeed in meeting their friends and at last they realize Mr. Hopkins is arrested as a suspect. Of course, he is not a suspect. In fact, the police have made a mistake. So, they meet Mr. Hopkins again.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is interesting and the proportion of words to illustrations is moderate. The characters of this story are attractive. Mouse and Sam are so brave and Montana is very kind. It is wonderful. And it is funny that the kidnapper is really the police. By the way, this book is two works. So, I should have read the part 1.
Author: Jeremy Strong
Publisher (level): Literacy Land (2.0)
Summary:
Mouse and Sam have visited Paris as a school trip. They walk along the street of Paris with them teacher, Mr. Hopkins. Suddenly, however, Mr. Hopkins has been kidnapped by two horrible men. So, Mouse and Sam have lost in the middle of Paris. Moreover, they cannot speak French. Then, they manage to arrive at a book store whose signboard is written in English and they meet an American clerk, Montana. She helps them search for Mr. Hopkins and their school friends. Thus, they succeed in meeting their friends and at last they realize Mr. Hopkins is arrested as a suspect. Of course, he is not a suspect. In fact, the police have made a mistake. So, they meet Mr. Hopkins again.
Evaluation: 4 stars
This story is interesting and the proportion of words to illustrations is moderate. The characters of this story are attractive. Mouse and Sam are so brave and Montana is very kind. It is wonderful. And it is funny that the kidnapper is really the police. By the way, this book is two works. So, I should have read the part 1.
登録:
投稿 (Atom)