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Libby's comments
(member since Mar 24, 2009)
Libby's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.
(showing 1-20 of 44)
Lamerestbelle wrote: "Anna wrote: "I hate Paul Coelho !!!!!!
Same here. Those books are on very simplified philosophy of I-don't-know-what"
Thanks Anna for supporting our opinions
"
Couldn't agree more!
@ Katharine - I find that humor is really subjective. You just haven't found an author that strikes you as funny. I've recommended books I find hysterical and I get a so-so reaction from the person I've given it to and vice versa. I think this book is one of those.
@Mara - thanks for the feedback. This may be on the list but I don't think it’s one I'd appreciate. I'll skip this one and move onto the next. Looking forward to Catch-22.
I haven't picked this one up yet because it looks a bit disturbing. Just not one I was anxious to run out and buy. I'd like feedback from those who have read it. It is worth it?
this was bugging me so here is an explanation of the "powder room money" that seems to make sense -
"It's a euphemistic way for men to give their quasi-professional paid escorts money. $50 for a cab (which cost $5 in those days), $50 for the "powder room" (when the standard tip to the restroom attendant at a fancy place was $1), etc., made it seem less sordid and yet added up in a time when monthly rent was $100 or so."
It was a way to "pay" an upscale call girl without really "paying" her
Jasmin wrote: "I never realized what a great writer Capote truly was. He gets to the core of your heart simply, without too much fanfare, over-narration, and no melodrama"
Agreed - I've not read much literature from this time period and I was very impressed by this book. Thanks for the info on the other stories Jasmin - I'll certainly have to read them.
Yes, I too wondered about the money for the powder room thing.
I agree that Holly was an upscale call girl - not what we think of as a modern day prostitute. There is reference to her having sex w/ men, presumably for money, but I believe that she had the ability to pick and choose who she was willing to sleep with.
Also, I personally didn’t think that the narrator was a prostitute – I think there were overtones that he was gay but I didn’t get that he made his money in that manner. I assumed he was a writer. Now, the guy that moved into Holly’s place after she was gone was clearly a prostitute.
Jasmine - I would like to know which stories you liked best as well. I have the same edition and I'd like to read teh rest.
I've not seen the movie either and I'm probably going to skip it. I like to book too much.
As for the cat, I was mortified when she left him - I was so happy to see that he was safe in the end. I know it worked as a good plot device but it was still very upsetting!
Now that I've thought on it I'd add The Shipping News to the list. Great movie.
Tom wrote: "My preference is I read the book first since I don't want the experience either influenced or spoiled by the movie. It's not that I don't value movies, I clearly do love them also, but since movies are usually a shadow of the book, I'd rather get the full experience first."
Ditto here - I rarely like the movie as well as, or better than the book. The only examples that come to mind are the Lord of the Rings films which I think enhance the books and The Last of the Mohicans which is actually better than the book.
Those were my two favorite passages - both wonderful and so well written!
Great discussion all around - I'm glad I found an afternoon to read this one. I especially enjoyed the solid literary style that Mara commented on in the beginning -
"For me the style fit the content really well. It was smooth and compact and direct, rarely confusing but often lyrical and consistently genuine."
I could not agree more.
I quite liked Holly. I found her to be a fascinating and tragic character. I think Capote captured what many women experienced in the post-war, pre-feminism era - a desire to be emancipated without there existing any adequate social mechanism for them to really do so.
While the book is seemingly a short and "light" read there is really a lot to think about lurking belowing the surface. Very similar to Holly - its the things that lie deeper then the lipstick smile.
Thanks for sharing the article - fun perpective.
Updated the combined list and it appears I've read 62. Went to Half Price Books yesterday and found a bunch in the clearance area for $1. Hopefully I can start interspersing these with my regular reading. I'm an avid Fantasy fan and there simply aren't enough of those on the list to keep me happy :-)
I’ve only read 57 from the combined list which surprised me because I was a literature major in college - however, my focus was on 19th century literature so I haven't read the majority of the more contemporary works. It’s a great list to keep handy for book shopping.
Michelle wrote: "like unfocusing your eyes to see those 3d pictures"
Great way to describe how to read stream-of-consciousness novels! Wish someone had said that to me when I read A Portrait of the Artist as a YOung Man in high school.
Kirjote wrote: "Ana wrote: "I just started "Like water for Chocolate" from Laura Esquivel"
beautifully written novel!"
This is one of the few books where the movie is equally good. I'd recommend it when you are finished. It's in Spanish so there are subtitles but it's wonderful.
Leanna wrote: "What makes me sick is that every time I complain about this book to someone who's not a high school-aged girl, the response I get is "Remember, it's aimed for pre-teen and teenage girls."
I'm 19..."
Leanna - you are 110% right! I love YA literature and couldn't get past page 1 of the first book of this series. They are horribly written - basically a trashy soap opera with pages. As you state, there is so much good YA literature available it’s a shame to see so many people wasting their time with these books. Just stick with your opinion and keep encouraging people to read the good stuff!
I've read 45 on the 2006 version and 52 on the 2008 version. Not nearly enough!
1001 Books You Must Read B...
