Dan's comments
(member since Jul 24, 2009)
Dan's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.
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Johnny wrote: "Just finished 'The Crying of Lot 49' by Thomas Pynchon. I didn't get it. I hope I'm not alone in this."
I don't think it's possible for anyone to get the entire story of any of Pynchon's books. At best, you just let Pynchon flow over you as you read and one of the many themes of any given book will resonate with where your life is at the moment and you'll have an "Oh yeah!" moment or two. If you re-read the book at some later time, you'll likely have new "Oh yeah!" moments because your life has changed where it is.
Linda wrote: "Lolita - what is it about Nabokov's book (about a young girl being enslaved and sexually abused by an evil man) that you like SO MUCH?? Help me out here. "
Lolita isn't about what the vast majority of people who've never read it think it's about. At its heart it's about obsession and about a man trying to understand how obsession has controlled and destroyed his life. There is also much more balance in the "relationship" than people realize or would like to admit. The girl is not quite the innocent victim most people want her to be so that they can neatly classify the book in a certain way and not deal with what Nabokov really had to say.
Just finished my 100th - V. by Thomas Pynchon - so I'm right at the 10% mark.
Ann from S.C. wrote: "I'm going to start ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand. Is it on the list? I can't seem to find it."
It's not on the list...at least not the 2006 list. It's a little hard to get through at some points but worth the effort to finish. I'd love to hear what you think when you're done or even along the way.
Justine by the Marquis de Sade. Not the ending I expected for this book.
Finished Hawksmoor by Peter Ackroyd and the 2006 edition of 1001 Books.
Finished The Unbearable Lightness of Being last night.
Just finished East of Eden. Not on the list, but it should be there instead of Grapes of Wrath.
Lyn,
Reading from the Best Books is having a Steibeck Summer. East of Eden in June, Tortilla Flat and Sweet Thursday in July, and Grapes of Wrath in August.
Not on the list, but I'm starting East of Eden for the June read on another group.
Finished Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep this afternoon.
Hi Juney,
It's been a long time since I was in the 11th grade but the books I remember from that time are Great Expectations, Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey, and Huckleberry Finn. Looking at your bookshelves, I would say that you are far ahead of the majority of high school juniors in your reading ability as well as the quality of your taste in literature. If you're looking to expand your reading experience, Goodreads is the place to do it. Many of the groups here, including this one, have numerous members who will have reading preferences similar to yours and who will be happy to share recommendations and opinions with you. Of course, they'll want to hear your recommendations and opinions as well. Enjoy your reading and your time here.
Starting Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. I've never been much for science fiction but it's pretty good so far.
Jacob's Room. Not as good as Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse but interesting as Woolf's first stab at stream of consciousness.
Molly wrote: "Hi Dan,
What did you think about "The Sun Also Rises"? That wasn't my favorite Hemingway...I think "For Whom The Bell Tolls" or "To Have and..."
Molly,
It wasn't bad but it never seemed to go anyplace. I thought Jake and Brett's relationship/non-relationship could have used a little more attention and development but I guess that's not part of the Hemingway persona. The only other of his that I've read is The Old Man and the Sea, which I enjoyed. I'll have to read some more of him before I come to any conclusions. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll try one of them next.
Dan
Finished The Sun Also Rises last night.
Up to 81 with my completion of To the Lighthouse.
Dianna,
I enjoyed To the Lighthouse. I especially liked the "dinner" chapter because of her portrayal of the inane social conversation we engage in at gatherings such as those. Woolf is so good at showing how personalities and relationships depend on each other and how they change over time or in an instant. The only other one of hers I've read yet is Mrs. Dalloway but I plan to read more. I agree, Woolf isn't for everyone but once you get used to her style she can be very captivating.
Just finished To the Lighthouse.
Elke,
There are a couple of threads on this group that might give you a little help. One is Quick Reads and the other is Long Books. May not give you exactly what you're looking for but it'll at least give you a general idea and some of the posts include brief reviews of the books they mention. Hope you enjoy your time with us.
1001 Books You Must Read Before You
