Outside reading

For my novel I am reading the book "The Count of Monte Cristo". So far it has been an interesting, if slightly morbid read. Its very thrilling and interesting with very few slow parts, but it also has quite a few dark moments, and considering the cruelty possessed by the main character, well, I said it was interesting. The important thing is its keeping me very entertained and is very thought provoking. I couldn't ask much more from a longer novel like this.
   One thing that interests me the most in this book is characterization. The main character is by his own name, the Count of Monte Cristo. His character is a most fascinating one. The story seems to be about his massive change in character when it reverts from him being a man about to marry, being given a well-paying job and on the brink of happiness to being crushed and in despair. Its amazing how well the author can illustrate the change in character the count has gone through after his ordeal is finished, from his physical look to his view of life. Indeed, I am confident I could write every sticky note about his character and not run out of content.
   The one and only book that I ever seem to mention strikes me as being so similar yet so different. That book of course, is "War and Peace". They both are considered classic books, but thats not what make them so alike. Perhaps its just the change in writing style, but they both seem interested in money, foreign bits about currency, balls, odd affairs, romantic ideas that would be considered alien in these days, and the use of violence. They also take place around the same time, with "War and Peace" being during the first reign of Napoleon, and "The Count of Monte Cristo" being right afterwards, with the restored monarchy and the second rise of Napoleon. On the contrasting side of things, the books strike me as being very different thematically. The count is a man on a mission of revenge, where he had everything taken from him only to recieve the gifts to get back on his betrayers, and the book analyzes the effects this has on him as a person. This is opposed to the story of Nikolai, who has to work hard throughout his life to discover his meaning and recieves his reward at the end. Nikolai dies a relatively rich and happy man doing what he was born to do. I can only predict that the Count's ending will involve far more folly and be slightly more tragic. I'll just have to wait and see on that account. Meanwhile "War and Peace" concerned itself with the effects of war on a large scale, Napoleon and the Russian armies fighting head on head. The other deals with the murder and death on a small scale and its effect on the immediate people around. Needless to say, they both give disturbing views of both.
   As for my project, I have absolutely no idea. I hope to be able to draw on an over-arching theme when I finish the book to get some good ideas. In english, I might procrastinate to the last minute. I've gotten myself in trouble that way before.

Wow, I didn't even realize I could write something that long. Remind me to learn to stop sometime.
-Aaron