LDB's comments
(member since Mar 22, 2008)
LDB's comments from the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die group.
(showing 1-18 of 18)
Aug 30, 2009 08:55AM
Maybe we just switch out the first book in the trilogy for this one. I was going to skip since I would want to read the first two before Ghost Road.
I wasn't terribly impressed by the book when I last posted about a month ago but I find that as I run into absurd situations in life, scenes from this book keep popping into mind. I keep referring to scenes and wanting everyone around to have read the book so they can get the comparison. When a book has such enduring and haunting qualities, you know it had an impact!
Jean Marie wrote: "Deanne wrote: "Love in the time of Cholera, brilliant."
I couldn't stand 100 Years of Solitude. All that magincal realism?? no thanks. And everyone had the same name so I had to keep flipping ba..."
I found that I liked One Hundred Years of Solitude better than Love in the Time of Cholera. The feel of the two books is definitely very different. The magical realism in 100 Years was definitely much more pronounced, so if you don't like the magical realism, 100 Years isn't the book to read. It is much more subtle in Love in the Time of Cholera.
I recently finished reading Anthem as my first Ayn Rand book. It was a quick read and the voice and images are still floating in my mind. As with all her books, this one was definitely a platform for conveying a part of her objectivism philisophy (specifically the "I" over "we" portion). While I can't say I agree with all that was presented through the story, it did enhance my interest in reading her larger novels.
Rebecca wrote: ""City of God" by E.L Doctorow. Anyone else read it/planning to read it soon? 100 pages in it's a wonderful many-layered novel with a lot of food for thought. I'd love to discuss it with someone."
I haven't read City of God yet but I believe it was a previous group read. Take a look in the book clubs thread to see what everyone had to say about it.
I remember asking myself the same question as I approached the end and then he never popped up again. I don't remember anything happening to him. He just kind of disappeared. Or is that what happened to him?! I may potentially remember a reference to him being "disappeared," but I can't truly remember.
**SPOILER***
Finding out where Orr ended up kind of kicked him out of his funk and he decided he was just going to run away and head to Sweden (via Rome) to meet Orr, with the chaplain cheering him on. This whole episode follows the more serious part in Rome and is the silliness that brings the reader back to a lighter reading place.
Orr was Yossarian's room-mate. I loved Yossarian's reaction when he ultimately learned where Orr ended up.
I just finished The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. It was a pretty good book that dealt with heavy issues in a measured, distant, yet personal manner. While the book was simple it was built on many complexities -- the relationship, Holocaust, coming of age, etc. This is one of those books that needs to sink in before I can really figure out what I thought of it.
I recently started The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. I have been avoiding the movie until I had a chance to read the book, yet I still find myself seeing Kate Winslett's face as I read about the character Hanna. This is an incredibly fast read and I am sure I will be done with it in no time.
I ended up giving this book 2 stars, although we will see if that changes as it sinks in. It was kinda like reading a slapstick movie and reminded me a lot of the tv series M.A.S.H. I didn't hate it but didn't love it either. There wasn't much of a plot to follow; rather it was a series of vignettes (often half told and returned to later) that moved from character to character. Nor were the characters very deeply drawn. I can't even say that I ever really got to know Yossarian and he was the character the author gave the most nuances to.
For those who have finished reading it, what did you think of the serious turn it took toward the end when we finally learn what happened to Snowden and are brought closer to the ugliness of war-time?
I am almost done and am waiting to finish before I post my thoughts. Can't wait to hear whatever everyone else has thought about this book.
Just finished The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Not quite sure how I feel about the book yet. It is very disjointed, as though seeing someone's life during the sober moments of a doped up existence. As I read in the biographical note at the end, it was meant to be like seeing life through the distorting lens of a bell jar. I can see that - it was definitely a distorted view. What made this book the most interesting, though, is not the story itself, but the connection it has with Sylvia Plath's own experience and sifting through the real moments and the fictionalized parts.
I just finished Love in the Time of Cholera. It was enjoyable enough but will not make it onto my favorites list. It was beautifully written and the characters were well drawn, but it really didn't have much of a plot. I felt that the view we were allowed was very narrow. I did find the latter third of the book to be very touching and that portion will probably linger in my mind.
I found the writing was very different from the magical realism in Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude. I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as I enjoyed 100 Years, probably because 100 Years had much more going on in it.
Luiza - I had just been thinking that would be a great idea for this book group! I have seen some interesting ones on other sites as well. I never have time to participate in the challenges (still struggling to participate in the monthly book discussions) but I love to see what the challenges prompt other people to read. Another group I am part of comes up with a list of themed questions each quarter to prompt people to find new books to read -- things like: in honor of Valentine's Day read a book that has Love, Heart... in the title.
I have only read two of his books but rank "The Alchemist" as one of my all-time favorites. I have also read "The Fifth Mountain", which was okay but nothing special. I agree with Sowmya that it is the idea I love, and the way it is presented, but not necessarily the writing.
Lisa - I read Wild Swanns many years ago and loved it. I enjoy historical fiction, which is essentially what this is. China's history is told through the lives of these family members through the generations. I would definitely recommend it.
I don't know if I would classify it as a must read but it was pretty enjoyable. The set-up of the story was a bit contrived, as was the end, but by the time you get to the end you are enjoying the ride enough to ignore the contrivance. It provides an interesting perspective on the old circus life and creates characters that are fun to hang out with for a bit. So, I would definitely recommend it.
1001 Books You Must Read B...
