Daniel Half Human worthy, simplistic but good read
November 15, 2007
By: Renny Logan <rlogan@hilite.org>
Daniel Kraushaar, the main character in David Chotjewitz’s award winning novel Daniel Half Human, is half-Jewish. Oblivious to this fact, he is vehemently pro-Nazi at the beginning of this intriguing, though somewhat bland, story.
The novel starts out in first person limited from Daniel’s view point, driving through post-World War II Germany as an American officer stationed in the Royal British Army as a translator. It’s 1945, and he’s driving through the streets of his childhood.
Throughout the book, Chotjewitz switches into third-person omniscient as Daniel fades into flashbacks, recalling the days when he longed to be in the Hitler Jugend. The transitions between third and first-person are easily discernible because they only occur between chapters. The reader can easily tell when a transition has occurred.
The different viewpoints Chotjewitz offers give a better look at the story; the reader can see the personality and emotion of each character more strongly through the third-person perspective. However, when Daniel is speaking, the reader can see how he feels about his experiences in a more “real” sense.
The novel, though written somewhat blandly, manages to be both compelling and stimulating. It’s quasihistorical references, while factual, aren’t too in depth as to bore the reader. In the opinion of a history nerd, the book could actually dive into the historical events a little more; however, for the average reader, the book doesn’t get bogged down in details, but maintains relevance and quickly jumps back to the plot.
While a general knowledge of the Holocaust in Germany and World War II could benefit the reader, the author provides brief but informative explanations each time a historical event is referenced. Chotjewitz makes clear the novel’s purpose as a historical fiction and not as a textbook.
When it comes to writing style, on the other hand, perhaps some of the flair got lost in translation. Originally written in German, the novel was translated by Doris Orgel. To say that the book is poorly written would be to overstep; however, the writing is overly simplistic at times, with little sentence variety. To its merit, though, the book is an easy and fast read, fluidly carrying the reader through its brief 325 pages.
The plot is interesting in its tortuous journey, occasionally throwing the reader a curve ball, but mostly holds fast to its meandering path. The book has an easy going feel to it that lacks any significant suspense. But the end is less than expected and probably the most shocking part of the whole story. It catches the reader unaware and unsuspecting.
While the reader wonders if the book is worth his or her while, Chotjewitz slowly has been brewing a surprise. And while the end is shocking in an unimpactful way, it lingers inside the mind of the reader, a constant source of wonder for several days later.
In its entirety, this novel has earned its place on the Rosie list. Despite the mediocre quality of the writing, the story line does more than compensate.
‘Holiday Spectacular’ draws record ticket sales this year
November 15, 2007
By: Bennett Fuson <bfuson@hilite.org>
The scene was “pure pandemonium,” Caroline Barnthouse, Blue and Gold Company member and junior, said. “Everyone was scrambling to get their tickets.”
It’s that time of year again: “Holiday Spectacular,” the Performing Arts Department’s no-holds-barred tribute to the holiday season. According to director Lamonte Kuskye, ticket sales have led to “record sales” this year, adding that most of the main floor seats sold out the first day of pre-order sales. Tickets are still available at the bookstore for those who have not gotten their tickets yet.
“I’m really looking forward to the show this year,” Kuskye said. “The kids have been working very hard, and we’re going someplace musically that we’ve never been before.”
Icehounds return confident, head out to defend State Title
November 15, 2007
By: Andrew Browning <abrowning@hilite.org>
According to sophomore and forward Jon Micah Goeller, despite the Icehounds’ youth, the team has the mentality that it can continue to compete at a high level.
“As a team we’ve gotten younger, but we have a core group of returning players with more confidence,” Goeller said.
Goeller said the long-term goal for the team is to repeat as State Champions this season. “Of course we’d like to repeat with a State Championship, and we’d really like to win league and continue to do well in tournaments.”
One tournament coming up for the Icehounds is the Indy Jones Tournament. Goeller said it is one of the team’s biggest tournaments of the year, and many of the games will be played in Carmel from Nov. 23 to 25.
Goeller said he has set some personal goals for the season, but he puts the team’s success ahead of his own.
“I want to become an all-around better player and become more of a leader on the ice,” Goeller said. “But I really want to help recapture the State Title.”
Wrestling hopes to improve upon last year’s Regional title
November 15, 2007
TRAINING CHAMPIONS: Christopher Mascaro, varsity wrestler and senior, practices against Brandon Krieger, fellow varsity wrestler and senior. Carmel kicks off its wrestling season on Nov. 24 at Lawrence Central. That meet will be followed with a meet against the Lebanon Tigers at home in the fieldhouse on Nov. 29. Last year the team ended its season with a loss to Cathedral in Semistate. Coach Jim Selvio, one of the 5 coaches for the team, said, “Since we are bringing back so many of our original wrestlers I think that we will have a great chance to succeed this year. With 13 varsity players this year we will have a great chance to make it to finials.” with additional reporting by Jessee Jordan
Freshmen and JV women’s basketball start seasons strong
November 15, 2007
By: Stephanie Walstrom <swalstrom@hilite.org>
The women’s junior varsity and freshman basketball teams wrapped up tryouts the start of this month and now head into regular season play. The 11 freshman girls selected for the freshman team will play in the third game of their high school careers next Monday at home against Perry Meridian. The team will not compete again until Nov. 27 following break from practices over Thanksgiving break.
“We just want to see improvement each game and each week,” Chuck Johns, head coach of the freshman team, said. “We want to see the girls moving to the next level and working hard.”
“I think that if we do what the coach says and work hard, we’ll do really well,” Sophia Sharp, member of the freshman basketball team, said. “We have a lot of people who’ve been playing for a while so we should have a strong team.”
The JV team kicked off its season on Nov. 7 against Anderson Highland. The game went into overtime and Carmel defeated Anderson Highland 40-36.
The JV team will play their second game on Tuesday at Noblesville. JV Head Coach Kay Sharp said she is very excited about the up and coming season. “The girls work extremely hard in practice and play so well together,” Sharp said. “When a team plays together, good things always happen.”
Orchestra ensembles work to prepare for “Strings and Things” performance Sunday
November 15, 2007
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: A student ensemble plays the Dvorak String Quintet, Opus 77, while the rest of the class critiques them. This group is one of many that will play at “Strings and Things” on Sunday in the freshman cafeteria from 2 to 5 p.m. Besides music, the event will also feature gourmet cakes and a silent auction. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
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