english 11h novels. what you wanted fiction – all but one romance --8 mystery--7 suspense--4 ...

ENGLISH 11H NOVELS

What you wanted

Fiction – all but one Romance --8 Mystery--7 Suspense--4 Fantasy --6 Historical Fiction --6 Science Fiction --2 Comedy -3 Adventure-- 4

What I’ve done

Chose books from both the grade 11 and 12 lists which try to best meet those criteria.

I am offering many choices.

For a book to be chosen at least three people must read it so there can be discussion.

For some books there are limited numbers.

Science Fiction/Fantasy/ Dystopian Never Let Me Go – 4 copies

The Handmaid’s Tale – lots of copies

Brave New World – 8 copies

Wicked – 4 Copies

Never Let Me Go ***

By Kazuo Ishiguro

Dystopian

Narrated by Kathy who is looking back on her youth at a British boarding school.

She starts to put together the puzzle that she and her friends were different from others on the outside.

Discusses controversial topic of cloning.

Brave New World ***

By Aldous Huxley

Dystopian; published 1932

Set in the future where the World Controllers have created the ideal society – through brainwashing, sex and drugs all members are happy consumers.

Bernard is discontent with his society. He looks to find something better.

The Handmaid’s Tale ***

By Margaret Attwood (Canadian)

Dystopian

Published 1985

A futuristic fundamentalist state where women, and their increasingly rare reproductive capacities are strictly controlled.

Wicked

By Gregory Maguire

A retelling of the story of Oz.

A political, social and ethical commentary on the nature of good and evil in the land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival.

Focuses on Elphaba, the notorious green wicked witch, and her journey to wickedness.

Romance/Mystery/Suspense

Secret Daughter – 5 copies

The Lovely Bones – lots of copies

Incarceron – lots of copies

Frankenstein – 6 copies

Secret Daughter

By Somaya Gowda

Set in the USA and India.

Tells the story of a couple who cannot have children who adopt an Indian girl. A parallel story is told of her parents in India. The two worlds converge as the girl visits India.

The Lovely Bones

By Alice Seybold

Narrated by Susie Salmon looking down from heaven.

She was raped and murdered by a neighbour . She tells the story as she tries to help her father solve the mystery of her death.

Incarceron

By Catherine Fisher

Set in the future, after a period called “The Years of Rage” where the king decided that it was best for society to go back in time (with social practices). Ex. arranged marriages, traditional clothing, no-electronics allowed, etc.

Incarceron is a giant prison for criminals, poor people, etc.

The novel follows Finn who is trying to escape the prison and Claudia who is trying to escape society. Their paths become intertwined

Frankenstein ***

By Mary Shelley ; published 1818

Tells the story of Victor Frankenstein and his grotesque creation– a monster made from cadaver parts.

It also focuses on the monster’s wishes and desires.

Told as a frame story – a story within a story.

Historical Fiction

Three Day Road – lots of copies

The Great Gatsby – lots of copies

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – 5 copies

A Thousand Splendid Suns – lots of copies

Three Day Road ***

By Joseph Boyden (Canadian)

Set during WWI.

Tells the story of Elijah and Xavier during the war – two Native Snipers.

Descriptive battle scenes, but a captivating and heartbreaking story.

The Great Gatsby ***

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Set during the roaring twenties in New York.

Narrated by Nick Carraway who is new to the lavish world of American socialites and the elusive Jay Gatsby.

Lots of gossip, intrigue, scandal, murder, etc.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan By Lisa See

Narrated by Lily who is 80 reflecting on her life in rural 19th century China.

Follows the friendship between her and another girl and their experiences with traditional Chinese practices (ex. foot binding).

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Khaled Hosseini

Set in Afghanistan and tells the story of two women –Mariam and Laila.

Provides a vivid account of the restrictive role of women in Afghanistan.

A very engaging writing style.

Comedy

Going Bovine – 7 copies

Catch -22 – lots of copies

Going Bovine

By Libra Bray

Narrated by Cam, a teenager, who is told he is going to die – he has contracted mad cow disease.

He sets off on a road-trip through America to find the cure and endures a lot of wacky events.

Cam has hallucinations that help propel him on his way.

Catch-22 ***

By Joseph Heller

A satire and also a bit of a historical novel. Tricky narrative style – non-chronological.

Set during WWII and follows the life of Captain John Yossarian, a member of the US Air Force.

Details the life of Yossarian and his men during the war as they try to fulfill their service requirements to return home – a catch-22 situation.

Your Turn

Take a moment to look online and read more about the novels that interest you.

Choose your top six choices please.

I will endeavor to give everyone their top choice.