I've been so busy, but this should have been posted a few days ago.
Author J.D. Salinger Dies at 91
I'm sure you're all aware of this, but it was a sad day for the literary world.
I've yet to read anything by him, but I plan to once I am done with my list. (Catcher in the Rye is going on my overflow list.)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sexual Frustration and the Helpless Woman
I just finished the play, 'A View from the Bridge' by Arthur Miller, and it is good enough to post to this literary blog. I'm not sure if it's a 'Classic,' as Penguin might not have publication rights on it, but its themes of sexual frustration and helpless women, though not the main point of the play, dovetail nicely on the characters in Anna Karenina, and I'd like to write about it. Both also explore characters determining their own downfall through unjust actions; these fates are not supposed to be surprising to us, but to force us to live out bad choices to the dirty end.
I originally saw the first act performed by a Carrol Gardens theater groupe at the Brooklyn Museum a few months ago, and just found a copy to read the full play. It didn't run long when it debuted in 1956, but recently it's been revitalized, that time as a mini opera, which I wasn't the hugest fan of.
Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood, in this 1940's setting, is a dominantly Italian neighborhood, very working class, and as Miller's narrator says of the main character Eddie Carbone, a home to simple people who work hard, make a paycheck, come home to dinner, and reach little beyond the joys of mere existence. But oh, can their lives be complicated.
Eddie lives with his wife and his wife's niece Katherine, who he overtly covets. He is a grown man who has a thing for his barely-post-pubescent adoptive niece, who he raised like a daughter, and can't handle her going out into the world, getting a job, and meeting boys. We see his wife sense this and become upset; we see Katherine sense this and get confused; and we see Katherine's suitor, the illegal Italian immigrant Rodolpho, who is living in their house.
What pains me is seeing Katherine struggle with her feelings of daughterly love for Eddie, too often choosing be ignorant of his inappropriate feelings and refusing to be the person in the house who takes charge of them. SPOILER: As we approach the final scene, she still hasn't moved out of the imploding household, doesn't try to tell Eddie to stop trying to break her and Rodolpho up. As a privileged, post-modern 21st century woman this is the most frustrating thing in the world to see.
Anna Karenina inspires much of the same feelings for me: Why can't Anna just go be with her man? Why doesn't she dash off into the night with her son, forsaking meaningless things like social status and money in favor of true love? Why do they let asshole men like Eddie and Aleksander Karenin rule their lives?
Well, first, because these stories were written by men to explore how the male characters handle and react to complicated love situations. But secondly, because being a woman really did limit these women's ability to determine their lives, whether within a relationship or monetarily. They didn't have the social mobility to stave off completely on their own, or at least didn't believe that they did. And this makes me sad.
Sorry RaeAnn that it took me so long to post something. Can't wait to read more of everyone's progress.
I originally saw the first act performed by a Carrol Gardens theater groupe at the Brooklyn Museum a few months ago, and just found a copy to read the full play. It didn't run long when it debuted in 1956, but recently it's been revitalized, that time as a mini opera, which I wasn't the hugest fan of.
Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood, in this 1940's setting, is a dominantly Italian neighborhood, very working class, and as Miller's narrator says of the main character Eddie Carbone, a home to simple people who work hard, make a paycheck, come home to dinner, and reach little beyond the joys of mere existence. But oh, can their lives be complicated.
Eddie lives with his wife and his wife's niece Katherine, who he overtly covets. He is a grown man who has a thing for his barely-post-pubescent adoptive niece, who he raised like a daughter, and can't handle her going out into the world, getting a job, and meeting boys. We see his wife sense this and become upset; we see Katherine sense this and get confused; and we see Katherine's suitor, the illegal Italian immigrant Rodolpho, who is living in their house.
What pains me is seeing Katherine struggle with her feelings of daughterly love for Eddie, too often choosing be ignorant of his inappropriate feelings and refusing to be the person in the house who takes charge of them. SPOILER: As we approach the final scene, she still hasn't moved out of the imploding household, doesn't try to tell Eddie to stop trying to break her and Rodolpho up. As a privileged, post-modern 21st century woman this is the most frustrating thing in the world to see.
Anna Karenina inspires much of the same feelings for me: Why can't Anna just go be with her man? Why doesn't she dash off into the night with her son, forsaking meaningless things like social status and money in favor of true love? Why do they let asshole men like Eddie and Aleksander Karenin rule their lives?
Well, first, because these stories were written by men to explore how the male characters handle and react to complicated love situations. But secondly, because being a woman really did limit these women's ability to determine their lives, whether within a relationship or monetarily. They didn't have the social mobility to stave off completely on their own, or at least didn't believe that they did. And this makes me sad.
Sorry RaeAnn that it took me so long to post something. Can't wait to read more of everyone's progress.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
les miserables (part i)
So, I am about halfway through Les Miserables.. (page 555/1220.. I would say I'm rounding but I'm not--that's for real! haha). I just finished with the story of Jean Valjean, and I've moved onto the story of Marius. "Finish" might be a little misleading because I'm not sure if Jean Valjean and Cosette show up again later (I sure hope so!) but I will see eventually (hopefully in another week).
Gah! What to say..
I was rather worried about being able to wade through the 1k+ pages of story. Granted, I LOVE long books, but I've never read something so long (I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the longest book I've read was the seventh Harry Potter, which doesn't really count). I know it's a classic, but it seems to me logically somewhere along the way it should come to a lull in the story and be hard to get through. So far, I haven't come to that point.
(A note: I always read the introductions to these as well).
In the introduction, the length was touched on in so much as he (Norman Denny, also the translator) spoke about passages that have nothing to do with the actual storyline, but are there simply to provide background (for instance, the recounting of the Battle of Waterloo had no effect on the story what-so-ever, except for the small exchange at the end of it). I have found these wanderings of subject not cumbersome, but rather interesting. It provides a depth to the characters and story that is hard to come by. Plus, Hugo's way of presenting, describing, and weaving them into the storyline is genius. They never seem useless.. Each time I come upon one I wonder "where the hell is this coming from?" but I've gotten through enough of them that I trust his judgment, and I know for a fact nothing he says is meaningless.
The way he presents his character's thoughts, feelings, and situations are really unusual. Something about the way he does it allows you to feel a keen sympathy and connection with the character that is hard to come by in most stories (and, in more modern works, achieved in a completely different manner). I think all the meanderings of the past lives and connections of all these people are at the backbone to his character development (and what makes it so different from most character development). It flushes out the person for you, leaves nothing to be desired, and makes you feel as if you were there every step of the way during this person's life.
In short, I love this book. I love the writing. I am way more invested in the characters than I thought I would be. I've loved every page of it, though.
Gah! What to say..
I was rather worried about being able to wade through the 1k+ pages of story. Granted, I LOVE long books, but I've never read something so long (I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the longest book I've read was the seventh Harry Potter, which doesn't really count). I know it's a classic, but it seems to me logically somewhere along the way it should come to a lull in the story and be hard to get through. So far, I haven't come to that point.
(A note: I always read the introductions to these as well).
In the introduction, the length was touched on in so much as he (Norman Denny, also the translator) spoke about passages that have nothing to do with the actual storyline, but are there simply to provide background (for instance, the recounting of the Battle of Waterloo had no effect on the story what-so-ever, except for the small exchange at the end of it). I have found these wanderings of subject not cumbersome, but rather interesting. It provides a depth to the characters and story that is hard to come by. Plus, Hugo's way of presenting, describing, and weaving them into the storyline is genius. They never seem useless.. Each time I come upon one I wonder "where the hell is this coming from?" but I've gotten through enough of them that I trust his judgment, and I know for a fact nothing he says is meaningless.
The way he presents his character's thoughts, feelings, and situations are really unusual. Something about the way he does it allows you to feel a keen sympathy and connection with the character that is hard to come by in most stories (and, in more modern works, achieved in a completely different manner). I think all the meanderings of the past lives and connections of all these people are at the backbone to his character development (and what makes it so different from most character development). It flushes out the person for you, leaves nothing to be desired, and makes you feel as if you were there every step of the way during this person's life.
In short, I love this book. I love the writing. I am way more invested in the characters than I thought I would be. I've loved every page of it, though.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Back log - "A" is for Alcott
Well well! Its been quite a while since any of us have posted. Maybe we should make some kind of arrangement so there is continually new material and not just explosions of it on the weekends. We'll see.
I wanted to start posting my thoughts on some of the books I have already read so HERE WE GO!
A) Little Women. watch out - ***SPOILERS*** ahead.
When I started to read this book I checked out from the library a really great edition. It was embedded with lots of small historical details, which helped create the context of the book, and some of the original illustrations. From this edition I learned that Little Women as we know it now is actually two short novels combined, "Little Women" and "Good Wives" and I must say, I liked Little Women much better.
I hadn't ever read this book before (I think I tried to start it in the fourth grade), even though I owned two copies of it, and I hadn't ever watched the movie either, but I had seen enough cultural references to know the basis of the story.
Immediately, I loved Jo and Beth. Amy annoyed me throughout the book, though not terribly until the end. I LOVE the creativity and general moxie that Jo has in the book. When I read these kind of books I always find myself drawn most to the character that is most like me or that I most would like to be and that was definitely Jo for me. She is so adventurous and full of spirit but still such a creative spirit, an artist and writer. However, she always had a soft side, especially for Beth and her mother, which I think makes her more real and much less a caricature, but hey, thats me.
Speaking of characters, I wish their mother, Marmee, had been a bit more developed, just because mothers are awesome, but I don't think it held the story back or anything.
I also loved Beth, I think because she represents a lot of what I wish I was more like - more kind and gentle. I know I can be a bull in a china shop and though I can be very callous and harsh, I hate to hurt people's feelings and I think that is why I fall for sweet characters like Beth. I CRIED when she finally died, even though I knew it was coming. Its funny how much I enjoyed this book even though I knew most of the plot ahead of time.
Amy annoyed me I think because I came in ready to not like her and her selfishness irritated me, though it really was not overbearing or a central part of her character. The way she interacts with Aunt March was wonderful and those kind of developmental milestones, when people start to grow up, and appreciate these finer more delicate points of being an adult, I love to read.
Meg, ahh Meg. Being the oldest I suppose I should have connected with her more but I just always really wanted to her grow a pair like Jo (egg up as Bowen would say) and not care about what other people thought - really I mean, not care about being poor. I imagine being poor sucks, I really don't feel like I can even possibly begin to imagine what its really like. As much as my family has to budget and can't have the nicest things, etc., I didn't really realize this wasn't the average experience until I went to college and was surrounded by Johnson county, Chicago suburb, St. Louis, Minneapolis "my parents give me an allowance and pay for my tuition, car, etc, etc," kids. And as much as there is a huge gap between my parents and their's, I won't pretend I ever had to worry about food like the March girls did in this book. What I liked about the representation of this was that the poverty didn't dominate their lives - and they weren't even the bottom of the totem pole on that. They went out of their way to help people even worse of than them (something we all should do) and still wrote plays, and had fun, and loved each other. Also, there wasn't much jealousy with Laurie as the rich neighbor. Its hard for me to not resent that, as unfair as it is of me, when I know people whose parents bought them a condo or something. However, it wasn't overly idyllic (a little yes) and they still had familial squabbles and such.
However, I am still SUPER PISSED about the ending of this book. What the crap is this I can't marry Jo so I'll just take her sister instead crap?? THATS WEIRD. Maybe it was more acceptable in the times, but Im pretty sure, if someone had been in love with me, couldn't have me, and proposed to Lea instead, there would be more than one hell to pay. Though really, if its ok with all parties involved should I care? Probably not, but it Jo and Amy are so different it seems weird to substitute one for the other and I don't feel like Laurie really "fell" for Amy as a different person as much as just transferred his love, and it was easy, because he loved the family as a whole. The Jo and Professor thing made much more sense, and as much as I wanted her to end up with Laurie, I could deal with it. I also enjoyed Meg and her match though never really got into Meg or Amy as characters. Was this just my preference or were Meg and Amy not as central?
In the end, I LOVED "little women" and didn't like "good wives". I guess I even have issue with the title Good Wives. Is that all you are after you get married? I would imagine my friends who are wives have identities and passions beyond being "a wife" and I sure as hell know I will. Maybe I am talking out of my ass here, as an unmarried person, but I think it sucks and is unhealthy for either partner to be too wrapped up in being "we". I know that being married is a complete paradigm shift in your view and place in the world, but I don't think it means giving up "you". Anyway, those are my thoughts on Little Women at this point. Not sure if I want to read any of the other books in the series yet.
I wanted to start posting my thoughts on some of the books I have already read so HERE WE GO!
A) Little Women. watch out - ***SPOILERS*** ahead.
When I started to read this book I checked out from the library a really great edition. It was embedded with lots of small historical details, which helped create the context of the book, and some of the original illustrations. From this edition I learned that Little Women as we know it now is actually two short novels combined, "Little Women" and "Good Wives" and I must say, I liked Little Women much better.
I hadn't ever read this book before (I think I tried to start it in the fourth grade), even though I owned two copies of it, and I hadn't ever watched the movie either, but I had seen enough cultural references to know the basis of the story.
Immediately, I loved Jo and Beth. Amy annoyed me throughout the book, though not terribly until the end. I LOVE the creativity and general moxie that Jo has in the book. When I read these kind of books I always find myself drawn most to the character that is most like me or that I most would like to be and that was definitely Jo for me. She is so adventurous and full of spirit but still such a creative spirit, an artist and writer. However, she always had a soft side, especially for Beth and her mother, which I think makes her more real and much less a caricature, but hey, thats me.
Speaking of characters, I wish their mother, Marmee, had been a bit more developed, just because mothers are awesome, but I don't think it held the story back or anything.
I also loved Beth, I think because she represents a lot of what I wish I was more like - more kind and gentle. I know I can be a bull in a china shop and though I can be very callous and harsh, I hate to hurt people's feelings and I think that is why I fall for sweet characters like Beth. I CRIED when she finally died, even though I knew it was coming. Its funny how much I enjoyed this book even though I knew most of the plot ahead of time.
Amy annoyed me I think because I came in ready to not like her and her selfishness irritated me, though it really was not overbearing or a central part of her character. The way she interacts with Aunt March was wonderful and those kind of developmental milestones, when people start to grow up, and appreciate these finer more delicate points of being an adult, I love to read.
Meg, ahh Meg. Being the oldest I suppose I should have connected with her more but I just always really wanted to her grow a pair like Jo (egg up as Bowen would say) and not care about what other people thought - really I mean, not care about being poor. I imagine being poor sucks, I really don't feel like I can even possibly begin to imagine what its really like. As much as my family has to budget and can't have the nicest things, etc., I didn't really realize this wasn't the average experience until I went to college and was surrounded by Johnson county, Chicago suburb, St. Louis, Minneapolis "my parents give me an allowance and pay for my tuition, car, etc, etc," kids. And as much as there is a huge gap between my parents and their's, I won't pretend I ever had to worry about food like the March girls did in this book. What I liked about the representation of this was that the poverty didn't dominate their lives - and they weren't even the bottom of the totem pole on that. They went out of their way to help people even worse of than them (something we all should do) and still wrote plays, and had fun, and loved each other. Also, there wasn't much jealousy with Laurie as the rich neighbor. Its hard for me to not resent that, as unfair as it is of me, when I know people whose parents bought them a condo or something. However, it wasn't overly idyllic (a little yes) and they still had familial squabbles and such.
However, I am still SUPER PISSED about the ending of this book. What the crap is this I can't marry Jo so I'll just take her sister instead crap?? THATS WEIRD. Maybe it was more acceptable in the times, but Im pretty sure, if someone had been in love with me, couldn't have me, and proposed to Lea instead, there would be more than one hell to pay. Though really, if its ok with all parties involved should I care? Probably not, but it Jo and Amy are so different it seems weird to substitute one for the other and I don't feel like Laurie really "fell" for Amy as a different person as much as just transferred his love, and it was easy, because he loved the family as a whole. The Jo and Professor thing made much more sense, and as much as I wanted her to end up with Laurie, I could deal with it. I also enjoyed Meg and her match though never really got into Meg or Amy as characters. Was this just my preference or were Meg and Amy not as central?
In the end, I LOVED "little women" and didn't like "good wives". I guess I even have issue with the title Good Wives. Is that all you are after you get married? I would imagine my friends who are wives have identities and passions beyond being "a wife" and I sure as hell know I will. Maybe I am talking out of my ass here, as an unmarried person, but I think it sucks and is unhealthy for either partner to be too wrapped up in being "we". I know that being married is a complete paradigm shift in your view and place in the world, but I don't think it means giving up "you". Anyway, those are my thoughts on Little Women at this point. Not sure if I want to read any of the other books in the series yet.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Brave New Year
First, I'd like to thank the wonderful little r for creating this blog. Secondly, I'd like to thank her for inviting me to contribute to it. And thirdly, I'd like to thank myself, for making it possible for me to be here today, reading and writing for this blog.
The Penguin Classic challenge is one will force us to span the breadth of known Western history in a way that we really should have in college but were likely too intoxicated to do so. Though it is a blatant marketing device meant to increase brand loyalty to the Penguin publishing business, it is a damn clever one, and one that I don't particularly mind participating in. However, as a last testament to my formerly anti-corporate ways, I will make a point to buy versions not published by Penguin throughout the duration of the challenge. This will be difficult for the more obscure texts, but we'll see.
I'll be honest, I haven't compiled my alphabetical list yet, but I work better in a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants sort of environment anyway. Breaking the mold, I've started in the T's with Anna Karenina, Tolstoy's oft-claimed best novel of all time.
Tracing the romantic and catastrophic exploits of multiple couples, Anna, according to the introductory text, is a moral statement about love, fidelity, and how shit just doesn't work out sometimes. The book's namesake, the super-high class woman Anna Karenina, ruins her life having an affair with the young hotshot Vronksy. At the same time, her brother is sleeping around with chamber maids, and two innocent lovebirds Levin and Kitty do a joyous and awkwardly cute lovedance that has lasted 400 pages so far. With truly brilliant insights into each character's thought process, we see a whole range of possible love situations for people living in 19th century upper class pre-Soviet Russia. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Anna offs herself by the end, probably by jumping in front of a train (when Anna and Vronsky first meet, someone gets hit by a train and dies. I'm predicting this was a bit of foreshadowing.)
So yeah, it's about upper class people that have lots of time to mope, pine, think, and do whatever it is upper class people do when they aren't ordering servants around and waiting for the Bolshevik revolution to ruin their way of life. (Apparently a lot of that free time is spent philandering.) Tolstoy was upper-class-ish himself, and the inspiration for his main character came from gossip he heard about a woman in a nearby town.
I'm halfway through, and can have more thoughts later. Only 407 pages to go in my Oxford World Classic copy (look at my lack of brand loyalty!)
I look forward to what the Year of the Penguin has in store.
Says the Penguin: "2010! That's my shit."
Friday, January 15, 2010
askim's readings thus far.. ( a to g )
So far, I've made a fair amount of progress. I will try to say a few comments here about each book, but as I'm not reading them currently it may not be super in depth (as I hope to get with future books).
A : Inferno
Initially, I was indifferent to this selection. It's one of those books I had heard about all my life, but really had no idea what it was about (besides Hell), or even that it was part of a larger whole. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and as I delved deeper into the idea, I became very intrigued. What I enjoyed most about it was seeing the sin transferred into some abstract representation of punishment, and how--most of the time--it made sense. I can't think of an example off the top of my head, but it was very interesting to read. On top of that, I really enjoyed the organization of Hell.. the levels, the landmarks, and the creatures that resided there. Overall, I really enjoyed this reading. Will I read Purgatorio and Paradiso? Right now, I'm not planning on it. But maybe some day.
B : Tarzan of the Apes
My main purpose in reading this was simple: I only knew the story from Disney's point of view. I don't have much to say about this book--it was quick and overall a good read. One of those stories that appeals to the mass for good reason--adventure, unknown worlds, and love! I did, however, Burrough's comments on the ape society satisfying. It was good to see that even at the time of writing there were people in the world that knew humans weren't the only species to have culture, language, and social structure.
C : the Canterbury Tales
This selection I was very excited about. I had always wanted to read this, but never had enough time. What struck me as the highlight of this work (and forgive me if I'm being simple here--I am no scholar), was the different voices of the characters. Yes, each tale is told by someone different. Generally when an author tries to accomplish this task, they do some very basic tonal differences, but nothing too different (granted this is from limited experience, and with one exception: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer). Not only was it in verse, but the voice of each story was entirely different from the next. As a writer, I found that very impressive. It was like you were right there with the caravan, traveling while you listened to these (mostly) very entertaining stories.
D : Tale of Two Cities
Wow. I loved this. There is something to be said about how they used to do terror before it became acceptable to throw blood and gore everywhere. The scene when they're in the prison looking out onto the courtyard was really terrifying. I also really enjoyed the story of the plot twist with the sister. I can't say much on that, for fear someone that hasn't read it is reading, but.. basically.. this is literature at it's finest. And yes, that's why it's a classic, but I'm just trying to emphasize how much I enjoyed this. I think, so far, it's at the top of my list.
E : Parzival
Disclaimer: I am sure this is a wonderful tale, and that I just wasn't in the mood for it. I'm not sure why I had such a hard time completing this particular story (it was right around the holidays, so that might have been it), but for some reason I had the worst time with this one.
Ahh.. I was looking forward to this selection, but I was very disappointed. I enjoy the whole medieval/knight/damsel-in-distress stories but come on! This novel basically outlined this boy, Parzival, who was the best looking knight in the whole world. He would go from place to place, meeting women, falling in love with said women, fighting for their/their honor, winning their heart, then leaving to go another place. The one thing that kept me intrigued through this was the idea of his quest to find the grail. When he arrived at the castle where he was just supposed to ask the question, I REALLY enjoyed that part. It was so reminiscent of Gawain and the Green Knight (which I would love to read again) but the rest was just.. sorta.. there.
F : the Beautiful and Damned
Having read the Great Gatsby in high school (so long ago..) I was really looking forward to this one, and I wasn't disappointed. No, it's not as good as the Great Gatsby but (and this is from what I understand--I can barely remember the Great Gatsby.. just that I loved it) it's a definite stepping stone in that direction. Regardless, this story was very simple, but it was really profound. There's something to be said for that. The idea that you make your life what you want.. that their own social and economic demise was inevitably set out by themselves.. No, it's not a new theme, but the way Fitzgerald went about it was very elegant.
G : Faust (Part I)
This one took me by surprise. A man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and happiness. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but something really drew me to this one. I wasn't convinced I would like it enough to read parts one and two, but as soon as I get the time and money, I'm picking up part two. The story of Faust's relationship with Gretchen.. her life being destroyed by him.. and her eventual saving was captivating, and I'm honestly not sure why. However, I can say I am really looking forward to being able to read part two (which probably won't happen for awhile :-/)
Whew! Well.. that's it for now! I am starting Les Miserables, either today or tomorrow.. and will have updates on that as I read through it. :)
Right now, judging from how much I liked Tale of Two Cities, I am really looking forward to Les Mis. The size is sooo daunting, but I think I can get it done in three weeks (60 pages a day!).
I'll be updating! I also have some other random non-classic books I'd like to discuss..
A : Inferno
Initially, I was indifferent to this selection. It's one of those books I had heard about all my life, but really had no idea what it was about (besides Hell), or even that it was part of a larger whole. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and as I delved deeper into the idea, I became very intrigued. What I enjoyed most about it was seeing the sin transferred into some abstract representation of punishment, and how--most of the time--it made sense. I can't think of an example off the top of my head, but it was very interesting to read. On top of that, I really enjoyed the organization of Hell.. the levels, the landmarks, and the creatures that resided there. Overall, I really enjoyed this reading. Will I read Purgatorio and Paradiso? Right now, I'm not planning on it. But maybe some day.
B : Tarzan of the Apes
My main purpose in reading this was simple: I only knew the story from Disney's point of view. I don't have much to say about this book--it was quick and overall a good read. One of those stories that appeals to the mass for good reason--adventure, unknown worlds, and love! I did, however, Burrough's comments on the ape society satisfying. It was good to see that even at the time of writing there were people in the world that knew humans weren't the only species to have culture, language, and social structure.
C : the Canterbury Tales
This selection I was very excited about. I had always wanted to read this, but never had enough time. What struck me as the highlight of this work (and forgive me if I'm being simple here--I am no scholar), was the different voices of the characters. Yes, each tale is told by someone different. Generally when an author tries to accomplish this task, they do some very basic tonal differences, but nothing too different (granted this is from limited experience, and with one exception: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer). Not only was it in verse, but the voice of each story was entirely different from the next. As a writer, I found that very impressive. It was like you were right there with the caravan, traveling while you listened to these (mostly) very entertaining stories.
D : Tale of Two Cities
Wow. I loved this. There is something to be said about how they used to do terror before it became acceptable to throw blood and gore everywhere. The scene when they're in the prison looking out onto the courtyard was really terrifying. I also really enjoyed the story of the plot twist with the sister. I can't say much on that, for fear someone that hasn't read it is reading, but.. basically.. this is literature at it's finest. And yes, that's why it's a classic, but I'm just trying to emphasize how much I enjoyed this. I think, so far, it's at the top of my list.
E : Parzival
Disclaimer: I am sure this is a wonderful tale, and that I just wasn't in the mood for it. I'm not sure why I had such a hard time completing this particular story (it was right around the holidays, so that might have been it), but for some reason I had the worst time with this one.
Ahh.. I was looking forward to this selection, but I was very disappointed. I enjoy the whole medieval/knight/damsel-in-distress stories but come on! This novel basically outlined this boy, Parzival, who was the best looking knight in the whole world. He would go from place to place, meeting women, falling in love with said women, fighting for their/their honor, winning their heart, then leaving to go another place. The one thing that kept me intrigued through this was the idea of his quest to find the grail. When he arrived at the castle where he was just supposed to ask the question, I REALLY enjoyed that part. It was so reminiscent of Gawain and the Green Knight (which I would love to read again) but the rest was just.. sorta.. there.
F : the Beautiful and Damned
Having read the Great Gatsby in high school (so long ago..) I was really looking forward to this one, and I wasn't disappointed. No, it's not as good as the Great Gatsby but (and this is from what I understand--I can barely remember the Great Gatsby.. just that I loved it) it's a definite stepping stone in that direction. Regardless, this story was very simple, but it was really profound. There's something to be said for that. The idea that you make your life what you want.. that their own social and economic demise was inevitably set out by themselves.. No, it's not a new theme, but the way Fitzgerald went about it was very elegant.
G : Faust (Part I)
This one took me by surprise. A man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and happiness. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but something really drew me to this one. I wasn't convinced I would like it enough to read parts one and two, but as soon as I get the time and money, I'm picking up part two. The story of Faust's relationship with Gretchen.. her life being destroyed by him.. and her eventual saving was captivating, and I'm honestly not sure why. However, I can say I am really looking forward to being able to read part two (which probably won't happen for awhile :-/)
Whew! Well.. that's it for now! I am starting Les Miserables, either today or tomorrow.. and will have updates on that as I read through it. :)
Right now, judging from how much I liked Tale of Two Cities, I am really looking forward to Les Mis. The size is sooo daunting, but I think I can get it done in three weeks (60 pages a day!).
I'll be updating! I also have some other random non-classic books I'd like to discuss..
askim's challenge list
What a great introduction! As little r. said, I am a fellow book enthusiast, and I've taken up this challenge with her. Personally, I think it's awesome we're nerdy enough to get excited enough to blog about it! :)
Well, without further ado, here's my list:
** Note: I avoided collections, short stories, and anything else that might not be considered a novel (except in a few cases).
A : Inferno by Dante Alighieri
B : Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
C : The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
D : A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
E : Parzival by Wolfrag von Eschenbach
F : The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
G : Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
H : Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I : The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving
J : Dubliners by James Joyce
K : On the Road by Jack Kerouac
L : Passing by Nella Larsen
M : Moby Dick by Herman Melville
N : Petals of Blood by James Nugui
O : 1984 by George Orwell
P : Swann's Way by Marcel Proust
Q : Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau
R : Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
S : The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
T : War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
U : The Wreath by Sigrid Undset
V : the Aeneid by Virgil
W : The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
X : The Persian Expedition by Xenophon
Y : Hungry Hearts by Anzia Yezierska
Z : We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
Another thing I must note, where it's been possible I've been buying the QP black spine Penguin Classic book, so they look all nice and neat next to each other on the self. :) If not possible (as in the case of Tarzan of the Apes) I've bought the MM Signet Classic edition (also published by Penguin).
Well, without further ado, here's my list:
** Note: I avoided collections, short stories, and anything else that might not be considered a novel (except in a few cases).
A : Inferno by Dante Alighieri
B : Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
C : The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
D : A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
E : Parzival by Wolfrag von Eschenbach
F : The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
G : Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
H : Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I : The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving
J : Dubliners by James Joyce
K : On the Road by Jack Kerouac
L : Passing by Nella Larsen
M : Moby Dick by Herman Melville
N : Petals of Blood by James Nugui
O : 1984 by George Orwell
P : Swann's Way by Marcel Proust
Q : Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau
R : Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
S : The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
T : War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
U : The Wreath by Sigrid Undset
V : the Aeneid by Virgil
W : The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
X : The Persian Expedition by Xenophon
Y : Hungry Hearts by Anzia Yezierska
Z : We by Yevgeny Zamyatin
Another thing I must note, where it's been possible I've been buying the QP black spine Penguin Classic book, so they look all nice and neat next to each other on the self. :) If not possible (as in the case of Tarzan of the Apes) I've bought the MM Signet Classic edition (also published by Penguin).
Little R's Challenge List
According to the wonderful database provided by another one of our bloggers, I have chosen one Penguin classic author for each letter of the alphabet. Ok, so I cheated a little. When there were few choices (like Q) I chose from another popular letter. It just doesn't seem fair when there were so many C and D authors.
Going through this I was surprised by how many I had actually read. Not that it was very many, Im just surprised I had read any at all. There were several I wanted to re-read but I'm not allowing that for myself in the challenge. Lots of these are books I have been meaning to read for sometime and never got around to it. Fun way to expand my reading list, which usually centers on psychology and ethnic autobiographies.
A – Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
B – Tarzan of the Apes, Burroughs
C – O Pioneers, Cather
D – Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas
E – Electra and other plays, Euripedes
F – Autobiography and other writings, Franklin
G – The Conservationist, Gordimer
H – House of Seven Gables, Hawthorne
I – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories, Irving
J – Autiobiography of an Ex Colored Man, Jonson
K – On the Road, Kerouac
L – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes But Marry Brunettes – loos
M – Anne of Avonlea – Montgomery (anne of green gables was on the list, so im counting that as a series and going with it)
N – The Man Eater of Malgudi – Narayan
O – 1984, Orwell
P – Fall of the House of Usher, Poe
Q – Instead I will read another C. In the Heart of the Country, Coetzee
R – Atlas Shrugged, Rand
S – The Story of an African Farm, Schreiner
T – Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court , Twain
U - Gunnar's daughter, Undset
V – Around the World in 80 Days, Verne
W- Streetcar Named Desire , Williams
X – I am going to go for another D instead. Just seems unfair with so few choices. The Extraordinary Cases of Sherlock Holmes, Doyle
Y – Another S instead. Dracula, Stoker
Z – American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings, Zitkala - Sa
Going through this I was surprised by how many I had actually read. Not that it was very many, Im just surprised I had read any at all. There were several I wanted to re-read but I'm not allowing that for myself in the challenge. Lots of these are books I have been meaning to read for sometime and never got around to it. Fun way to expand my reading list, which usually centers on psychology and ethnic autobiographies.
A – Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
B – Tarzan of the Apes, Burroughs
C – O Pioneers, Cather
D – Count of Monte Cristo, Dumas
E – Electra and other plays, Euripedes
F – Autobiography and other writings, Franklin
G – The Conservationist, Gordimer
H – House of Seven Gables, Hawthorne
I – The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories, Irving
J – Autiobiography of an Ex Colored Man, Jonson
K – On the Road, Kerouac
L – Gentlemen Prefer Blondes But Marry Brunettes – loos
M – Anne of Avonlea – Montgomery (anne of green gables was on the list, so im counting that as a series and going with it)
N – The Man Eater of Malgudi – Narayan
O – 1984, Orwell
P – Fall of the House of Usher, Poe
Q – Instead I will read another C. In the Heart of the Country, Coetzee
R – Atlas Shrugged, Rand
S – The Story of an African Farm, Schreiner
T – Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court , Twain
U - Gunnar's daughter, Undset
V – Around the World in 80 Days, Verne
W- Streetcar Named Desire , Williams
X – I am going to go for another D instead. Just seems unfair with so few choices. The Extraordinary Cases of Sherlock Holmes, Doyle
Y – Another S instead. Dracula, Stoker
Z – American Indian Stories, Legends, and Other Writings, Zitkala - Sa
The Year of the Penguin - The Beginning
The Year of the Penguin is a blog about books. Exciting, challenging, wonderful books. I've had a love affair with them for years now.
The project includes more than just me (little r) and actually started a while ago.
So, we really started this last summer after reading a different blog. http://bloggingtheclassics.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/the-penguin-classics-challenge/ A friend and fellow blogger, whom you will get to read (yay!) enlightened a few of us to this blog and the challenge and we decided to try it.
The challenge, at its most basic, is to read a classic for every letter of the alphabet (by author). I like it because its a way to read stuff that I have been meaning to read for years but have been unmotivated/uninspired to really try. I mean, I know I should have read Ulysses by now but the name "Ulysses" just makes me think of the civil war and smoking cigars while getting wasted in a cabin so I have never gotten myself to even open the book. Unfair stereotype to Joyce and President Grant I know.
This blog is going to track our progress and be a place for us tot alk about what we are reading and what is slowing is down from finishing, you know, those things like life, other books, boys, etc.
The project includes more than just me (little r) and actually started a while ago.
So, we really started this last summer after reading a different blog. http://bloggingtheclassics.wordpress.com/2008/05/17/the-penguin-classics-challenge/ A friend and fellow blogger, whom you will get to read (yay!) enlightened a few of us to this blog and the challenge and we decided to try it.
The challenge, at its most basic, is to read a classic for every letter of the alphabet (by author). I like it because its a way to read stuff that I have been meaning to read for years but have been unmotivated/uninspired to really try. I mean, I know I should have read Ulysses by now but the name "Ulysses" just makes me think of the civil war and smoking cigars while getting wasted in a cabin so I have never gotten myself to even open the book. Unfair stereotype to Joyce and President Grant I know.
This blog is going to track our progress and be a place for us tot alk about what we are reading and what is slowing is down from finishing, you know, those things like life, other books, boys, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)