VOA慢速英语2015 2014年最佳图书

 

Best Books in 2014 2014年最佳图书

What books did you read this year?

Are you a fan of fact or fiction?

Today, we look at three popular books published in 2014.

American fiction writer Marilynne Robinson received wide critical praise for “Lila.” The book is her third in a series that began in 2004 with “Gilead,” named for a fictional¹ small town in Iowa.

The story is told as a letter John Ames, an old man, is writing to his son. Ames is a quiet, gentle man who leads a Christian² church in Gilead. He marries Lila late in his life and they have a son.

Lila is the narrator of “Lila.” She has a difficult childhood. A young woman named Doll is raising Lila. The two live on the move, always travelling. They are homeless and very poor but also loving.

All the Gilead books explore the nature of love and how it shows itself. Because of this the books discuss a wide number of subjects, like human rights, justice, religion and independence. The characters experience rescue of all kinds: spiritual, emotional and physical. Love, forgiveness and wonder are at the center of each act of saving.

The National Book Foundation has nominated Marilynne Robinson for a National Book Award for “Lila.” The second novel of the series, “Home” was also a finalist in 2008. The first novel, “Gilead,” won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

For teenagers, “We Were Liars³” by E. Lockhart was on many book critics’ best of 2014 lists. It tells about the children in a very rich family with a long history in the United States. They spend summers on a private island near the northeastern coastal⁴ state of Massachusetts. They attend private schools. They are expected to create futures⁵ complete with beautiful marriages, important careers and successful children.

But, the Sinclair family also has deep, dark secrets. They have serious problems and a troublesome habit of hiding those problems.

Several critics noted⁶ similarity in theme between “We Were Liars” and William Shakespeare’s “King Lear.” Publisher’s Weekly wrote “Lockhart has created a mystery with an ending most readers won’t see coming, one so horrific it will prompt some to return immediately to page one to figure out how they missed it.”

There is willful denial of fact discussed in the fictional “We Were Liars.” That idea is also investigated in a popular non-fiction book of 2014. “The Sixth Extinction⁷: An Unnatural⁸ History” explores the future for Earth and its inhabitants based on events of its past.

Author Elizabeth Kolbert is a science writer for the New Yorker magazine. She formerly⁹ wrote for the New York Times newspaper. The New York Times listed her new book as one of the top ten best of 2014.

Ms. Kolbert suggests, in thirteen parts and about 330 pages, that man-made climate change is leading to a sixth mass extinction. She looks at many different kinds of environmental situations from the oceans to the rainforests. She studies the work of researchers past and present.

Ms. Kolbert does not pass judgment¹⁰ on her findings. But, she writes about environmental science in a way that non-scientist readers can understand. Her writing style gives readers the freedom to come to their own judgments¹¹.

Words in This Story

narrator – n. a story teller¹²

theme – n.  the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.

extinction – n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely

inhabitant – n. a person or animal that lives in a particular place

1 fictional   

adj.小说的，虚构的

参考例句：

• The names of the shops are entirely fictional.那些商店的名字完全是虚构的。
• The two authors represent the opposite poles of fictional genius.这两位作者代表了天才小说家两个极端。

2 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

3 liars   

说谎者( liar的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The greatest liars talk most of themselves. 最爱自吹自擂的人是最大的说谎者。
• Honest boys despise lies and liars. 诚实的孩子鄙视谎言和说谎者。

4 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

5 futures   

n.期货，期货交易

参考例句：

• He continued his operations in cotton futures.他继续进行棉花期货交易。
• Cotton futures are selling at high prices.棉花期货交易的卖价是很高的。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

8 unnatural   

adj.不自然的；反常的

参考例句：

• Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？
• She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。

9 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

10 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

11 judgments   

判断( judgment的名词复数 )； 鉴定； 评价； 审判

参考例句：

• A peculiar austerity marked his judgments of modern life. 他对现代生活的批评带着一种特殊的苛刻。
• He is swift with his judgments. 他判断迅速。

12 teller   

n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员

参考例句：

• The bank started her as a teller.银行起用她当出纳员。
• The teller tried to remain aloof and calm.出纳员力图保持冷漠和镇静。