Margaret's comments
(member since Mar 05, 2009)
Margaret's comments from the fiction files redux group.
(showing 1-20 of 254)
Finally read the last two chapters today. Not surprising.
OH NO! Is there any way you can stay someplace closer to work for a couple of pay checks and then maybe get a car at auction? There's got to be some way for things to work out. Jeez Neil I'm in Boston but I'm going to ask around for other ideas. Hang in there.
I'm almost done too. Last night on pbs, American Experience?,was a show with old film about the crash. It srtarted in 1929 and ended ...after I fell asleep. But it kind of gave me some pictures to go with The House of Mirth. Interesting. (until I fell asleep)
Are you a veteren, Neil? Or affiliated with any government agencies or private social clubs? Most of these organizations have a person that will help you with crisies like this. Also look into The District Attornys Victim Services office. Wish I could help. Enough people are thinking of you so maybe some good karma will come your way.
OK, I think we left off at Mrs. Peniston? I can't even figure out how many years have past since the beginning of the story. Feels like 5. Do we have any clue? In one chapter Lily goes to Alaska and back with a month on either side. Where the Hell Is Seldon?
I just finished Book 2 Chapter 6. I'm starting to fear it's not going to end happily. Or ever.
What chapter are you on Christy? I'm on part 2 chapter 3 and I find that the chapters alternate boring good boring good. Selden is definitely the reason I am still reading.
Best wishes.
Oct 16, 2009 10:14PM
democracy breeds whining.
"A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it."
"No Good Deed goes Unpunished."
Oct 15, 2009 12:58PM
Defensive waffeling is like chum.
Oct 14, 2009 08:32PM
What I learned from this thread:
1. I don't know anything about the Nobel Prize Awards for Literature.
2. Wikipedia gives a lot of information but doesn't put it in any kind of interesting format.
3. Countries with awards of 5 or more -
France 14
UK 10
US 10
Germany 9
Italy 6
Ireland 5
4. It's controversial. Politics, Snobbery and Hissy Fits abound.
5. I think it's funny that it inspires the same behavior in a book group.
6. I've only read anything by 10 of them.
7. (Ignoring “He who shall not be named”) I really miss Nick.
Oct 12, 2009 01:43PM
You look alot like Davis. You're 29?
I don't know what it is about this book. Did Wharton write it this way on purpose? The chapters alternate between (interesting, dramatic, fascinating) and (boreing, lifeless, dull). At least it seems to be holding to that patern. I'm wondering if this should be classified as a Romance Novel? Did everyone give up?
Shel wrote: "You know what's striking me as I read?
These people have all this freedom. But how claustrophobic it feels!"
Yes! claustrophobic! Doesn't Lily refer to it as a "gilded cage"?
Chapter 3 was interesting enough with the end of Lily's parents and the bit about the reletives not wanting to take her in. Chapter 4 almost made me give up. Tedious tedious.
Until the last lines.
{She turned to give him the welcome which such gallantry deserved; but her greeting wavered into a blush of wonder, for the man who had approached her was Lawrence Selden.
"You see I came after all," he said; but before she had time to answer, Mrs. Dorset, breaking away from a lifeless colloquy with her host, had stepped between them with a little gesture of appropriation.}
I hope it stays interesting.
ooh!
Interesting. So he could save her or ruin her. Or both.
Well, I've only read chapter 1 and already it reads weird. Not just Lily's lines but the descriptions of her all seem "choreographed" by Lily herself. I'm guessing this has to do with Wharton's brush with the stage. I'll resist my inclination to be unsympathetic/empathetic to female characters and give her a chance. Maybe there is hope for her. Selden on the other hand seems genuine in his thoughts. I'm getting a sense that despite the difference in station/circle and his having no chance because she's above him, he looks down on her a bit. Well, first impression. I'll try to catchup.
fiction files redux
