Category Archives: Alyssa Book

Alyssa Book

American classic makes transition to silver screen once again

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By Alyssa Book

From Photobucket.com
The Great Gatsby is the tale of lovers destined to be together, but meant to be apart.
The novel follows Nick Carraway, the honest and tolerant man from the Midwest trying his luck in the bond business in the East. Nick moves to the West Egg, right across the bay from his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom Buchanan.

Nick moves in next to a glorious Gothic mansion belonging to the young millionaire Jay Gatsby. Through whispers and rumors, Nick is soon to find Gatsby’s lavish party lifestyle is not all about sex and alcohol, like most things were in the 1920’s.

Gatsby, as you come to find, is in pursuit of the American dream. A part of that dream is getting the attention of Daisy Buchanan. Why is Daisy so important? She is Gatsby’s one true love. They embarked on a passionate romance before he went to war, and although Daisy is now married, Gatsby cannot let go of the sweet memories he has with her.

From this point in the novel, the real drama begins. With cheating, lying, and deceit spreading more quickly through the novel than the rumors of how Gatsby’s earned his fortune, the reader frantically flips through the pages totally engrossed in the story of young lovers trying to rekindle a flame lit long ago.

I absolutely loved the story and after reading it I understood why this novel has been acclaimed as an American classic. This love story is the first of its nature, and is the inspiration behind some the major romance novels and movies today. Fitzgerald’s novel opened the door for authors today to have the ideas of girls caught between two lovers.

The novel has been interpreted to film several times. Each film just never met the credibility or reputation of the novel that has been set through generations of praise from readers. On Dec. 25, 2012, Baz Luhrmann will be  adapting the film to feature talent such as Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The film casting was very competitive and the role for Daisy Buchanan was a hot ticket on the Hollywood audition scene. Blake Lively, Keira Knightly, and Natalie Portman all took a shot for the role before Mulligan stole the show and ultimately landed the part.

I am expecting this star studded film to be the most successful adaptions of the novel. Luhrmann was the director of films such as Australia, Romeo + Juliet, and Moulin Rouge. This film will surely uphold his reputations that the other films established: having a passionate romance story line with drama and suspense intertwining to create a great movie, one that I think could be worthy of awards.

I would suggest all genders of all ages to read The Great Gatsby. I enjoyed the suspense and deep themes running through the novel. American dreams, 1920 parties, and social classes defining integrity all help the reader realize that love can drive people to do unimaginable things.

I expect the movie to exceed the book, because with an all-star cast including America’s heartthrob DiCaprio, the movie should be a sophisticated interpretation of a classic novel. Filming began in September in Australia, but until Dec.25, 2012, we will have to sit back and anxiously await to see DiCaprio as the the mysterious Gatsby in theaters. In the meantime, this is a great time to read the acclaimed novel and fall into the romance of The Great Gatsby.

Cast List

A&E, Alyssa Book

Winter Fantasia puts on final show Thursday

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By Alyssa Book and Jared Murray

Winter Fantasia is an annual performance put on by all the musical art departments at FC. On Thursday, Dec. 8, students will showcase their talents by performing classic holiday pieces such as “Sleigh Ride” along with some more Christmas songs with a modern twist. This is a joint performance which includes the orchestra, band, choir, and handbells.

Winter Fantasia has taken a lot of preparation and freshman look at this as new and exciting, but still a challenge. Freshman Madison Eickholtz said she is eager to see what Winter Fantasia is like. She added lots of practicing and getting into the Christmas spirit is helping preparing her for today and Thursday. Eickholtz is a first violinist in the symphony orchestra.

This program is a culmination of all the musical departments at FC. Each program gets their own time on stage to perform several songs. At the end of the program all of the groups join together on stage and perform classics such as “White Christmas” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.”

Students use this performance to share in the holiday spirit with their community. This is an annual showcase that has freshmen through seniors eager to show talent to friends in family.

Senior Robin Fearheiley plays the bassoon in the symphony orchestra, concert band along with playing the saxophone in the Jeff sax choir. She likes Winter Fantasia because she gets the chance to appreciate the other musical groups at FC.

Orchestra director Doug Elmore, band director Harold Yankey and chorus/handbells director Angela Hampton are the excavators of this ambitious yet rewarding concert. They have prepared their students to give great performance; Thursday audiences will get to experience the show for themselves.

Both concerts will take place in the FC auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday night.

A&E, Alyssa Book

Theater’s annual ‘Madrigal’ dinner this weekend

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By Alyssa Book, Lauren Holstner, and Cody Repine

As December approaches, many theater students are prepare for the dinner that brings a Christmas spirit to the FC community. On Dec. 2 and 3, the theater department will showcase an event filled with food, acting, singing, and family bonding.

The event, called “Madrigal,” is a yearly spectacle that is held by the FC theater department for anyone who wants to come and join in on the fun.

At this dinner,families get to enjoy a five-course catered meal while enjoying the talented theater department’s holiday skits.

Not only is Madrigal a unique experience for the community, it is also an enjoyable experience for the thespians themselves.

Senior Erika Mohler said, “Madrigal is the first official thing everyone in the theater department gets to be a part of, so it’s a bonding experience. Everyone is an equal that night, no one is competing over leads.”

Junior Cherish Curry, who is a part of technical theater, said setting up for the dinner takes three to four hours of preparation. Technical theater also enjoys this show because it is easier to set up than other main stage productions. Curry particularly likes the artistic freedom they get while setting up Madrigal.

This experience bonds theater students and gives them a chance to do what they love while serving and entertaining their community and families.

Junior Laura Duncan explained how performing at the dinner is enjoyable because it’s lighthearted and low key.

The dinner is this Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Check back Friday night for photos from the show!

A&E, Alyssa Book

Classic novel adapts to film

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By Alyssa Book

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Since Charlotte Bronte created a heroine out of an orphan girl, Jane Eyre, her classic novel has had readers imagining what the characters would look like and act in our present world. When I was reading the novel, I kept relating the characters to people in my every day life, just so I could try to see what these characters looked like. I love when I read a book and then it becomes a movie because then it allows me to relive the excitement i got when I first experienced the print version.

Its fresh and exciting to see how the actors and actresses compare to the figures your own imagination had created. So naturally, I was enthusiastic when learning Mia Wasikowska was going to take the lead role of Jane Eyre in the 2011 feature film. She was Alice in the Tim Burton adaption of Alice in Wonderland. Unknown to me, Jane Eyre has actually been adapted 18 times to feature versions and 9 telefilm versions.

In 2011 though, a team behind this newest adaption was driven to reach a world wide audience to bring new light to the novel while still honoring its timeless value. The reason this novel continues to gain hype is the continuous influence and inspirations it brings to generations and generations of student readers.

The movie started out exactly how I thought it would. Directly before the climax of the novel. Within 5 minutes, the film transitioned to a flashback to that told the life of Jane and how she came to the destitute place she is now.

The film continued in a flashback until it reached the point that was the opening scene. The movie stayed true to the novel and kept the suspense in balance with the romance throughout the movie.

I thought the movie was very tastefully done and keep me interested from start to finish. I thought the director did a great job shooting and the film’s perspective actually reminded me of a Tim Burton film.

I would suggest to read the novel before seeing the movie in order to take in the emotion of the characters more than just trying to understand the flashback to present day comparison. It would simplify things drastically.

Jane Eyre is a film I would suggest seeing if you enjoy classic films. Pride and Prejudice movie fans will really enjoy the adaptation of Jane Eyre. I hope others enjoy it as much as I did!

A&E, Alyssa Book

Classic tale brings modern enthusiasm

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By Alyssa Book

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is a novel that stands the test of time. First published in London in 1847, Jane Eyre is still printed and read world wide. This classic was written before its time and addresses issues about gender relations, marriage, and independence.

I was presented with a choice concerning a novel to read for my English class, and old classical books did not sound too appealing at first. When I came across the description of this book, the talks of insane women and a protagonist overcoming adversity was enough for me to pick it up and start reading.

The plot centers on a young girl who was raised as an orphan. Jane is described as an opinionated and unapologetic character. These traits were very uncommon in London during her time period, but it brings a comical and inspirational side to the complicated story of a girl finding herself in a society that seems to reject her.When she becomes a governess, she falls in love with a man whose secrets lie deep within the mansion of Thornfield Estate.

Not only does the book relvole around two characters of different social classes falling in love, it also talks about the rules of society in a strict time period.

The novel created one of the most famous heroines, Jane Eyre, and brings up issues concerning women and independence. These topics still fascinate generations spanning the 1800s because they are still found prominent in forms of society.

I never thought a classic novel written in the 1800s could be so relatable and suspenseful to a girl living in the 21st century. The themes of love and passion and independence keep this classic novel fresh and innovative for all ages.

This book was a great read and I would recommend it to girls of all ages. It is inspiring and is a classic love story. The one problem I had with the book was some of the Victorian language used. It was sometimes very difficult to understand, but it was nothing a little Google or Sparknotes could not fix.

This novel was also recently adapted into film this year. I am excited to rent the movie and see my favorite characters come to life in front of my eyes.

Check in next week for my review of the Jane Eyre movie.