Ash Wednesday by Ethan Hawke Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Ash Wednesday
Book Review: Jimmy & Christy's Story
Summary: 3 Stars
Jimmy and Christy are in their early twenties. They love each other, but are unable to allow themselves to be loved. She's pregnant and running home to Texas to try to deal with her confused life. Jimmy goes AWOL and their trip to Ohio and Texas begins. They've got a lot of junk to deal with from their childhood and the soul searching begins. At times I loved the two main characters and other times I hated them. Sometimes the story seems like a love story and other times it's a pitty party. The story kept my interest, not as a classic novel, but just as a simple tale of two kids trying to grow up.Book Review: Melancholic, intelligent novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, I won't go too deep into the story, I guess much people almost know it all. And most good things other reviewers pointed I totally agree with, so I'll just add my impressions.
Christy and Jimmy are totally different people, and you can feel it very vividly. The narrative is alternated between the two, but the one narrating is always the one who is more peaceful. If Jimmy is too angry, Christy is narrating. If Christy is too happy and talkative, Jimmy is narrating. The one with more intense feelings - no matter what they are - is always the being observed and not narrating. And the narrator is always feeling very introspective, philosophical and contemplative.
The sad thing is that, if they're always alternating, it means one is always filled with emotion and the other is serene. They're just taking turns and never feeling the same at the same time, and that's sad, like they can't find each other.
Book Review: On the road across the U.S.
Summary: 5 Stars
"Ash Wednesday," by Ethan Hawke, is a novel about a young couple: soldier James Heartsock and his pregnant girlfriend Christy. They go on a journey that takes them from Albany to New York City, to Ohio, and to other places in the United States. But this young couple is on an emotional journey as well as a physical one.The talented Hawke has really impressed me with his work in film (particularly his stunning performance in the film "Training Day"), and with this novel he proves his talent as an American storyteller. Hawke had me gripped from his powerful opening chapter, in which Heartsock has to perform a difficult military task. Hawke's writing is marked by vivid descriptive language and intriguing characters--a number of his minor characters have almost mythic qualities.
"Ash Wednesday" is a story of family ties and disruptions. A key theme of the book is growing up and making the transition to adulthood, and accepting the responsibilities that go along with this transition. Along the way Hawke raises a number of religious and spiritual issues. He deals with such issues as faith, ritual and grace; he seems to be asking if they are still relevant today--whether they can still bring meaning and joy to life. This is a thoughtful and moving novel.
Book Review: Please take this moron's pen away
Summary: 1 Stars
Acting is a worthy profession. It takes skill, talent and, motivation. However, it's not that hard, it isn't something that compares to air traffic controlling, emergency surgery, or writing. So why is it that actors think they can do all sorts of things? They tell us who to vote for, who to give our charity money to, or in this instance, write novels? This is the biggest waste of ink and paper since "Chicken Soup for the Soul." This is a self-indulgent farce. Just because he can stand on a desk, doesn't mean his cliche stupidities should be immortalized. I'd like to think that the publishing industry wouldn't infilict such tripe on us if it wasn't for his celebrity. If you are thinking of purchasing this book, please consider something else, perhaps a punch in the mouth (believe me, it would hurt less). This book, and Mr. Hawke, are a joke.Book Review: The Real Thing
Summary: 5 Stars
This book reminds me of St Teresa of Avila, Francis of Assisi & other assorted souls who have cottoned on to the genuine mystical vision. (See: Spoon River Anthology, Number 222, 'Faith Matheny'.) It is so obvious to me that that is what this book is about. God Bless Ethan Hawke for noticing and for putting so much down in writing. I was interested to read in another Amazon review that Catcher in the Rye got lots of bad reviews. Just because someone is a good-looking movie star, it does not mean he cannot write.