Sue’s Comments (group member since Jan 21, 2020)

Sue’s comments from the The Obscure Reading Group group.

I’m reading multiple books too but I have a feeling that may not work as well with Calvino.

I remember seeing it in the theater too, Ken. It does seem like it was in the Middle Ages — my Middle Ages, I guess, when I used to go to the movies all the time.

I have wanted to read this Calvino book for some time and now I have the perfect situation to do so. With this group, I will have all the support I might need if there are bumps in that road. When I hear a book is “Borgesian”, I get nervous. I never finished Borges’ Fictiones; it defeated me. I hope to try it again someday but who knows when.

I have a copy of this book but have to find it. For searching for used books, one site I have found ver helpful is bookfinder.com . It looks for books (old, new, hard bound or paper) at multiple online sites and provides lists of them by prices, showing shipping fees if applicable, etc. It’s a handy way to check multiple good online sources at one time.

Ken, I haven’t read any of the books on the poll but there are a few that I have wanted to read and a couple that also appealed immediately when I looked them up. I voted for one but there are so many rich possibilities in this list.

Thanks Ken. I’ve made a note of these.

Ken, I haven’t read any of his stories and really had no idea where to begin. So I never did. Thanks for the suggestion. I will try following through with it.

I decided not to watch or record the series. I did like A Moveable Feast but found A Son Also Rises just so so. And have never been “inspired” to read further. Like many, I have been turned off by much that I have learned about him and also how he treated others in his life.

I have the Sigrid Undset trilogy on my kindle but haven’t yet started it. I am amazed by how many books I haven’t read sometimes, especially when they have been high on my list.

Welcome to the group, Sam.

Welcome to all I may have missed. You are here at a good time, to be involved with the next book selection.

Diane, I have some large, and odd, gaps in my reading. I continue to plan to fill them in but then something new comes along.

I still haven’t read any Steinbeck though I have intended to for some time. I do remember reading a bit of John (J.P.) Marquand after high school I think. Authors that aren’t read anymore. Other names are just beyond my memory’s reach at the moment but I will return if the names do.

Oh and her use of commas!

Thanks Scout. I’m glad to know you are checking out my books. So much to read!

Oh yes, Darkness at Noon definitely.

Ken, did you read ‘The Lord of the Flies’ too? I remember that being on the list.

I’ve read A Moveable Feast, which I really liked, and The Sun Also Rises, which I recall feeling somewhat indifferent about. Bullfighting and drinking aren’t hot reading topics for me.

Hi Scout. Nice to see you here.

I’m looking forward to future readings too..

While I agree with many of the negative aspects of the book that others have mentioned, in the end I found I liked the book overall. I think part of the reason is that the pace of the second half was better and made the actual reading experience more interesting.
I also wish that Anne had lived longer as I believe she would have further developed her skills and ideas. I’m glad I read this with all of you...you definitely kept me going through that first book!

While Gilbert was “spying” on Helen’s house at the end, got me it felt different as he seemed to feel less worthy than earlier. In fact, the image I had of him was of a sort of “kept man” since he would now be dependent on her. While I didn’t particularly care for his character, Helen seemed to be in control. (Though the laws of the time could go against her if Gilbert changed.)