BOOK REPORT OF 'BUFFALO VALLEY' BY DEBBIE MACOMBER

TITLE : BUFFALO VALLEY
AUTHOR : DEBBY MACOMBER
PUBLISHER : MIRA BOOKS, 2001
NUMBER OF PAGE : 251
SETTING : NORTH DAKOTA, USA
GENRE : DRAMA

CHARACTERS:
1. Vaughn Kyle:
Just out of the army, worked for Value-X
2. Carrie Hendrickson:
Worked at Knight’s Pharmacy as trainee pharmacist, beautiful
3. Hassie Knight:
Owner of Knight’s Pharmacy, old, unofficial town confidante and adviser, kind.
4. Barbara:
Mother of Vaugh Kyle
5. Rick:
Father of Vaughn Kyle
6. Natalie:
Vaughn’s close friend, temperamental
7. Carrie’s brothers (Chuck and Ken):
Unmarried, still worked on their father’s hardwar store, lived at home
8. Ambrose Kohn:
Property owner planning to sell land to Value-X Corporation




SUMMARY

Vaughn Kyle was an ex-Airborne Ranger who worked for Value-X. He had a mutual friend called Natalie Nichols. In this case, Value-X was going to buy a property in Buffalo Valley. Then, Natalie asked him to visit the town to to some investigation about the society. Two weeks before the christmas, he went there. He did it delightedly because he also wanted to meet an old woman named Hassie Knight. Hassie was actually the mother of his sake name. When he was a kid, Hassie used to send him birthday card every year. She also frequently sent him letters and news through it. However, he never met her for the first time. That is why he wanted to go to Knight’s Pharmacy, which is to meet the dear old woman. Unfortunately, Hassie was out for the day. Vaughn met a woman named Carrie there. She was the trainee pharmacist who worked at Knight’s Pharmacy. Carrie surprisingly knew the story of Vaughn. After that, they talked for a while. Some other women later joined them. To wait for Hassie, they walked around the town.
(carrie hal 21)
While walking, they chatted and met some people. Then, they had lunch at Buffalo Bob. Carrie here told him about the town. When Hassie came, she was surprised and happy. However, Vaughn had to go home at the time. Hassie just let him go, cause he would come back later.
Hassie hal 38
Carrie smiled and felt something warm after the visit of Vaughn. Her family knew it from her attitude, especially her brothers. On the other hand,Vaughn’s parents were also curious about it after Vaughn went home. However, they were doubtful to talk about Hassie’s son, Vaughn Knight.
Vaughn came back to Buffalo Valley at Sunday. He directly met Hassie there in the pharmacy. He was attracted by Carrie. Then, he and Hassie went to her home. There she made him a tea and they looked for an old album and photos. Hassie also showed him letters that Vaughn sent to her for years proviously. Hassie knew that Vaughn had a feeling to Carrie. She then invited Vaughn to see the lightening of Chrismas tree. After that , they went there and met many people. Vaughn met Carrie again and talked to each other.
He went home and told his parents about the visit. His parents told him about their story with Hassie and Vaughn Knight. Years ago, Vaughn Knight was going to marry Barbara, Vaughn Kyle’s mother. However, he had to go to war, and later he died there. After the death of Vaughn Knight, Barbara fell in love with Rick, which was the best friend of Vaughn Knight. They were married. But they thought that they hurted Hassie’s feeling. That was why they never met each other thereafter.
His mother then said that Natalie phoned him. Vaughn did not want to talk with her at that time. He only thought of Carrie and the moment together. He also thought about her protective brothers.
Meanwhile, his parents wanted to meet Natalie. it is becaues they knew that Vaughn had been so close with her. On contrary, Vaughn honestly felt cloe\se with the town (Buffalo Valley) and the people, especially Carrie and Hassie. However, he did not tell anyone about his real purpose in going t Buffalo Valley. He even did not tell his parents that he went there because of his work in Value-X. He just wanted to know Carrie better and also the town.
Another day, Carrie was in front of Heath Quantrill, the president of Buffalo Valley Bank. They talked about the way to stop Value-X from moving into the town. She firstly heard the problem at that time. She knew that Hassie had kept the news from her. Actually, the news had spead in the town. A man named Ambrose Kohn wanted to sell his property to Value-X. They tried to avoid it.
Then she went to the mall in Grand Forks to meet Vaughn. He wanted her to accompany him to give an idea and buy presents for he mother. They later took a lunch. Vaughn knew something wrong in Carrie. Carrie told him about the Value-X. In this moment, Vaughn felt guilty cause he had to keep his real identity as Value-X employee. Carrie was a little angry about the news. Vaugn tried to cinvince her that Value-X can give positive effect to the town’s development. They became closer to each other.
News of Value-X was talked all over the town. Hassie talked with some old women about it. They thought for a soultion. Hassie gave up cause she had been old. They also talked about Vaughn and Carrie.
Carrie was in her house, talking with her mother about her time wiht Vaughn. She did not want to fail twice like what she had done in the past, related to her relationship with a man. Then suddenly Vaughn came to her home. She introduced him to her family. Vaughn thanked Carrie about the present and the information. Carrie said that Value-X usually destroyed jobs than creating them.
As they approached Buffalo Valley Quilting Company, they noticed his mother, Barbara.Barbara accompanied Vaughn to meet Hassie. Carrie kept the store for Hassie.
When they arrived at Hassie’s house, they were welcomed very well. Although there was a guilt in Barbara’s mind, she was happy to be able to meet Hassie. Hassie then invited her to join her Christmas.
Carrie was at the pharmacy. She thanked Leta for filling in for her. Vaughn entered the store. Leta let them go. They had some pizza before her brothers saw them. They were really protective of her. Then then made a joke by having a snowball war. Vaughn and Carrie ranaway. When they hid somewhere, they kissed. Later on, they got back to Hassie’s house. Vaughn and Barbara went home. Carrie relieved that Hassie would not be alone in the christmas day.
In th e party, people talked about value-x. Hassie told them to enjoy christmas day until the new year. She was tired. Carrie then took her home. On the street, Chuck said that Vaughn phoned her. Hassie told Carrie that he was a fine man.
Meanwhile, Vaughn phoned Natalie from home. No one knew that he was a Value-X employee in Buffalo Valley, except her. Natalie was quite angry at the moment. It is because he did not reply her call. From Natalie, he knew that Value-X had almost succeeded in buying the property. Natalie would visit the town after the christmas. She also said that Ambrose Kohn was quite hard to deal with. Natalie then talked with his mom.
Vaughn called Carrie who had been from the cookie exchange. She said that Hassie was doubtful in confronting the Value-X. On the other hand, Carrie was so curious about it. She then invited Vaughn to the high school play.
At the play, there were so many people. Vaughn and Carrie talked about the play. It is about the farmer history in the past. After the play, Vaughn tried to reveal his identity. But they just kissed. When finally Vaughn said it, that he worked for Value-X, Carrie was angry. She did not know what to say. Vaughn went home in guilt.
On another place, women of the town had a meeting to confront Value-X. Meanwhile, the men had to take care their children. Then the men also went to the soda fountain to talk it. Vaughn called Natalie to tell her that he resigned from Value-X. Natalie was surprised. Natalie knew that Vaughn loved a woman in Buffalo Valley. Vaughn said sorry but Natalie would not give up. He told her that he would settle there. Natalie thought it was ridiculous. She would go to the office to make sure the resignation letter from Vaughn would not be read by anyone.
On Sunday, Vaughn went to Buffalo Valley. He met Chuck and Ken. They said to him that he must not hurt her sister’s feeling. They looked at an empty land. Chuck said that the town needed a feed store. He wanted to make it but they were so busy. Surprisingly, Vaughn wanted to help them. He later was going to meet Carrie, but she was out.
In the christmas day, Barbara was with Hassie. Vaughn told Hassie that he worked for Value-X. He previously had told it to his parents. He also told her that he had resigned and planned to build a feed store and settle there. Hassie was happy of it.
On another place, Carrie was doubtful to join them. Then Vaughn came. She felt hurted but she still loved him. He then met her family. Chuck and Ken was outside with a sleigh. They all came to it. Inside the sleigh, Carrie forgave him after Vaugh told his settlement. They were in the park to have some fun.
Vaughn once met Quatrill, but he only left a message that the property had been sold. He came to the pharmacy to tell the news. There he found Carrie knowing that Natalie was his fiancee. It was too late for Vaughn to explain it to her. Carrie was broken.
When he came home, Natalie was in his house. Natalie tried to rebuild their relationship. But he rejected it. Natalie came out in anger, meeting Carrie’s brothers. She said ‘I was his fiancee’ and went away.
Carrie’s brothers needed an explanation on it. Vaughn’s mother helped him. When he tried to meet Hassie, she looked so sad. Honestly, she was so happy with tears. She explained that Value-X was lost. The women went to the Abrose Kohn’s before he signed the agreement. They bought the land. She also said that the land would be used to build a feed store.
Right after that, Vaughn searched for Carrie. Hassie said that he was in the town park. There he met her. Firstly, she did not want to believe him. But later, she forgave him for the second time. They kissed there and fell to the ground.

Later on, they were married.


COMMENT:
This story is quite easy to understood because it is about the life of a society. The language used is also simple However, the story is relatively boring because it is dominated with the topic of relationship or love. There is less surprise in the story of Buffalo Valley.

BOOK REPORT OF 'THE LIGHT OF DAY'

1. Title : The Light of Day.
2. Author : Eric Ambler.
3. Publisher : Oxford University Press, News Building, North Point, Hong Kong, 1978.
4. Number of Pages : 93
5. Settings : Greek and Turkey
6. Characters :
a. Arthur (main character):
- A driver who is also a tourist guide.
- Uses glasses, quite fat, with thick beard and moustache.
- Bravely in taking risk.
- British-Egyptian.
- Smart, but sometimes he can be awkward.
b. Harper:
- Tourist (and also one of the robbers).
- Has straight fair hair.
- Unpleasant and offensive mannered.
- Kind, but can suddenly be emotional.
- American.
- Usually use formal suit.
c. Major Tufan:
- Senior Turkish secret police officer.
- Emphatic, and friendly.
d. Miss Lipp:
- Harper’s employer, and one of the robbers.
- Has short wavy brownish hair, and tall.
- Woman on his mid 30’s.
- Cold hearted, and unpleasant mannered.
e. Mr. Miller:
- In his 60’s.
- Have similar personality as Harper has.
- One of the robbers.
f. Fischer:
- On of the robbers.
- Rude, and temperamental.
g. Geven:
- Servant.
- Dark, short, moon-faced, and middle-aged.
- His mouth was wide, with a three-day beard.
- Friendly old drunken man, but can suddenly be temperamental, and attack someone.
h. Mr. Giulio:
- Wealthy Italian gentleman at Pendik.
- One of the robbers.
i. Tufan’s men.
j. The Hamuls.
7. Summarized story:
One day, Arthur was being a driver of a tourist named Harper. But, he tried to steal traveller’s cheques of the tourist which were left in his unlocked room. Unfortunately, Harper knew it. Then, Harper made Arthur wrote a letter to threaten him. Arthur must also deliver a car to Istanbul, to a woman called Lipp, if he didn’t want to be put in jail.
On the way to Istanbul, Arthur was arrested by Turkish police, because in the door of the car,, they found grenades, pistols, bullets, and respirators. To Major Tufan he told his story. Then, Tufan sent him to continue his driving with those grenades inside, to get more information for the police. At the Villa Sardunya, he met Miss Lipp, and he became her driver while she was in Turkey. After reporting it to Tufan, Arthur was ordered to investigate more. It is because he would stay at The Villa Sardunya, together with Miss Lipp and her friends, as their driver. At the villa, he met two other men, Fischer and Miller. As their driver, Arthur drove the men to Pendik to meet a man called Giulio, and once to Seraglio Palace with Miss Lipp, while keeping his investigation and reporting tu Tufan.
One evening, Arthur heard the discussion of the men and woman about a map. Then Tufan wanted him to search for it. But he failed. On the same evening, Geven, the servant was drunk and attack Fischer who insulted him.
Next evening, Arthur was unbelievably asked to join the team, whom he knew later as the robbers! And they wanted to rob the old Sultan’s treasure, at Seraglio Palace. He then accepted the invitation, as what Tufan ordered to him. Arthur and the robbers went to the palace, and they did! They tried to runaway by yacht and a car which has been prepared by Giulio. They planned to escape to Rome by plane. On the way to airport, unfortunately, they were followed by Tufan’s men. But Miss Lipp as the driver can escape them twice. Right at that moment, Arthur remembered that his passport was out of date. It made the men angry of him.
Arthur then tried to delay the time for the police to come over them. Because they put the treasure stones in the door of the car, they had to open it with screwdriver. So, Arthur pretended to lose it. Harper was very angry, and he threatened Arthur by his pistols. When Harper was binding down to unscrew the door, and the other had entered the airport, Arthur slit into the driving seat gently and runaway with the car, to Tufan’s office.
Although Tufan had gotten the jewels back, and they knew the robbers, he was not pleased with Arthur’s work, because he didn’t carry out the orders. Italian police wouldn’t arrest the robbers, because they wouldn’t believe Arthur’s story too. There wasn’t any proof to be showed.
Finally, Arthur was paid only 500 American dollars, less than what he had expected. When he came out of the office, he still had to walk a mile to find a taxi. That made him angrier still.

8. Comments : Eric Ambler’s ‘The Light of Day’ is very interesting story to be read. This is because the conflicts are very well arranged by the writer, since the beginning part. Much action and good illustrations also attract the reader to read more and follow the story. So, this story is not a boring one, especially because of the language grade which is simplified according to reader’s English level.

BOOK REPORT OF JULES VERNE 'JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH'

Berikut adalah book report atau dengan kata lain, resensi dan ringkasan cerita dari novel tulisan Jules Verne yang berjudul 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'.

TITLE : JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH
AUTHOR : JULES VERNE
PUBLISHER : LONGMANS GREEN AND CO.
NUMBER OF PAGE : 159
GENRE : SCIENCE FICTION
SETTING : 1863, HAMBURG, ICELAND, STROMBOLI

CHARACTERS :
1. Prof. Lidenbroch (Otto)
Uncle of Axel, a professor at a university in geology, bad temper, impatient, uses stick, hat, and glasses, very difficult to please, not a bad man, difficult in speaking to public, fairly rich,
2. Axel
Geology lover, weak, easy to give up, doubtful
3. Grauben
17 years old, Axel’s cousin, pretty, fair, has blue eyes, later becomes Axel’s wife
4. Martha
Servant, worry, afraid of Otto
5. Arne Saknussemm
Icelandic, scientist in 300 years ago who came to the centre of the earth, the cryptogram maker.
6. Hans Byelke
Guide, strong, brave, paid once a week
7. Fridiksson
46 years old, science teacher at Reykiavik, speak Icelandic and Latin, kind.
8. Italian boy
9. Prof. Thomson
40 years old, Otto’s friend, head of a museum, kind
10. Finsen
A major
11. Captain Byarne
41 years old, captain of Valkyrie, kind.


SUMMARY

On 24th May 1863, Prof. Lidenbroch came home with an old book ‘Herms Kringla’ by Snorre Turleson. There was a dirty old parchment slipped and fell to the ground. There were strange letters there. And Otto did not want to have dinner before solving the code’s meaning in the runic. Then he found name Arne Saknussemm, an Icelandic scientist who lived 300 years previously.
He tried again in other ways, but he failed. Martha, the servant, was really worried looking at Otto’s attitude. Later on, Axel helped hum, too. Then he found the key and the message before he almost threw it into the fire. Next morning, he was doubtful to tell the message to his uncle. But Otto did not want to eat until he knew it. So, Axel told him. Message told him that ‘Go down the crater of the Yokul of Sneffel, that the shadow of Scartaris softly touches before the beginning of July, Brave Traveller, and you will come to the centre of the earth whuch I have done, Arne Saknussemm’.
Knowing this, Otto was really happy. He started to have meal again. Then he made a big decision by preparing for journey, because of the time to reach the Sneffel on July, as stated in the message. Otto invited Axel to come with him, but Axel was doubtful. But finally he joined Otto and left Grauben, his cousin, who should have been his wife. That was a hard separation.
From Hamburg, they reached Copenhagen in Denmark by train and boat. At there they made lesson in looking down on the tower to prepare their mentality for climbing. Then it is continued by using Valkryie ship, 10 days to Reykiavik. There they met Mr. Fridiksson. From him he knew that all Arne Saknussemm’s books had already been burnt. He also told them how to get to the Sneffel by introducing Hans to them. Hans would actually be their guide. They prepared anything to bring such as barometer, thermometer, and so on. Then they went to the Sneffel.
Passing the Icelandic villages, they took a rest with few Icelandic families, including Hans’ one too. Iceland is a lonely country. Then they arrived at Stapi. Axel was doubtful that Sneffel is an active volcano. However, Otto convinced him about that. They started climbing, and there was a dust storm. They could see the Greenland there. Between America and Europe.
They went to the crater then they found the face of rock written ‘Arne’. It made Otto happier. There was cloudy sky so they could not see the shadow of Scartaris. Then on 28th June they aw it so they went to the edge of the chimney, and went down. To the tunnel, they needed more water. Until ten thousand feet there were two passages and they chose the eastern one. There were three more days without water.
In this situation, Axel said that they must go back or they would die. However, Otto promised him to survive. One more day, he had sense. Otto gave up. Then Hans left them and back with a good news. He found water. It was a stream of hot water. They found the stream would come with them and showed the way. Axel was happy for it. There is another chimney. There they knew that they were under the sea (for about 48 miles down). Then the air became heavier.
On August 7th, Axel lost his companions. It is because he walked too fast. So he walked back to find two other men. And he found the stream was not there anymore.
So he searched it. He lost in the darkness and hunger. Then he heard something noisy and voices few days later. He knew that it was his uncle’s voice. He tried to call, then his uncle replied it. By hearing the voice, they counted the distance. It was 4 miles away. The road was very steep, so he let himself slipped down. He fell, faster and faster. Then his head struck a rock. He lost his senses. When he woke, he was happy to find his companions again.
Next day they continued the journey and found open air and sea. Otto named it with his name, Sea of Lidenbroch. There, they found a forest of giant mushrooms. They made a raft to cross the sea. The sea had the sky of rock, light of no sun, and no shadow. It was really strange.
They started to cross the sea while catching fishes. Long time, days by days, they did not see the end of the sea. Otto was impatient. Then they found a terrible fight between two unique animals. They were the prehistoric ones. Later on, they heard noises and saw something like an animal or island. Is was honestly a geyser. There they also saw a storm and electric ball.
After the storm, they were thrown to the shore. But Hans had saved the instruments. They counted the distances and figures, but they did not believe the compass. Why? They were at the beginning again! Then they examined the coast, found a mammoth and a giant man. There they also found a knife with letters on granite written ‘Arne’. Knowing this, Otto jumped in excitement.
They were ready for a new start, until they found a shut tunnel. They tried to explode the tunnel to open it with gunpowder. After Axel lighted the match, there was not any explosion. But the sea the shook and there was opening hole on the shore. The raft was caught up. They were carried at a mad speed. Few hours passed in chaos. They felt shocks of great violence when the raft touched the wall in darkness. Then suddenly they were going up. They found burning rocks and boiling water. They guessed that it was an earthquake or volcano. Then Otto was sure that they were inside a volcano.
They were thrown out of a volcano and saw beautiful sight: open air! Sky made not by rock! They were on the surface! Otto saw a boy and asked him in few languages. When he asked in Italian about the name of the island, he answered: Stromboli! This journey ended in Stromboli! Faraway from Iceland!
After staying there for weeks, they reached home. Hans joined them to Hamburg. But then he had to go back to Iceland. Otto were famous cause he had done important work for science. Axel then married Grauben. But there was a mystery of the compass. It showed wrong direction! Then Otto remembered something. The electric ball made this! They laughed. And all were happy at the end.


COMMENT:
This story is really interesting, especially because it is an adventurous one. This kind of story can gain readers’ imagination very well. Especially cause it is presented in simple language. The setting used was also real place, so it makes the readers curios of the story, whether it is fact or totally fiction.