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

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

Kathleen, I’m not finished yet but I will. I like your description of the book as “annoying.” While there are parts I really like and sections that are quite clever, I find myself becoming impatient and, yes, annoyed.

I am slowly finishing up but also looking forward to the 19th century. (I loved writing that and feel like a kid in school.)

Totally agree. Reading is not considered a valid/vital experience by many (?most) non-readers and almost anything else takes precedence, like gossip, travel plans, dinner, etc. Maybe reading on a kindle will be misinterpreted as being on a phone and allowed to go on :-)

I do intend to finish this book and do like parts of it quite a bit but my weekend was my first busy one for a year and a half and I seem to be playing catch up with lots of books at once. This is one book I can’t hurry.

The way my reading has progressed, or rather not progressed, not sure I can finish by Tuesday. So I may stay away for a while till I’m ready to see the ending discussed.

I agree with Sandra, Ken, and think I have sadly neglected Gardner. Another writer who is already on my kindle waiting to be approached.

The one thing that stood out to me, which I believe I included in at least one of my status updates, was the idea of writer or authorial anonymity now or in the future. This seems to be tied into some of the story segments. Is this a comment on the future of literature, or its past, the merit of both. No, it didn’t seem that to me. Rather it was a comment on authorship itself. How it doesn’t survive.

Of course this may be totally wiped out in the rest of the book.

Totally understand, Diane. Early on I felt similarly but then somehow the book grabbed me. That’s the strange unknown about books, isn’t it.

I have found that I am enjoying the reading more as I read further into the book. As Sara wrote above, I’m very interested in the narrator and Ludmilla’s search and the multitude of discoveries they/we are making along the way. I have been saving some of my favorite sections in my status updates here at GR and have post its in my book.

I find that I can’t attempt to understand the overall meaning of this book but I am finding it easier and easier to enjoy it. I loved the narrator’s visit to the publisher and the “possible” statement of the perpetrator. It seemed to be a statement on the futility of fame and a “let’s get real” statement about the whole industry. There are nuggets and nuggets throughout this book. If I tried to save them all it would create another book. Then Calvino could laugh, or smile knowingly, at or with me.

I’m quite certain I will need to read this again.

I’m enjoying the multiple sections on the meaning of stories, rather infinite meanings it seems. And I have found that I am smiling more as the chapters pass and I follow the patterns.

I think I will add some lines to my status updates but it’s difficult to select them since everything is so circular.

I started Calvino today too. I’m still at the clever stage, very early in the book, so perhaps I should read slowly so the clever-ness doesn’t overwhelm. I’m enjoying it so far.

I still haven’t read him. Someday.

I would read it!

Welcome Laura and Alison. Enjoy your adventures in the group. I’m Sue from outside Boston in Massachusetts, U.S.

Sara, I like your approach. I think I will try for that method.

Perhaps I had better start a bit earlier than planned in case I have to read in very small doses.

I hadn’t considered not liking this book! I heard so many good things about in the past which led me to buy it (but not to read it right away). I hope it’s somewhat playful in its word play...that would likely win me over.

Well my book was easily found, which is hopefully a good omen, and I plan to begin next weekend. So many books coming up but this is one I’ve wanted to read for a long time. Should be an interesting ride.

I used to go to what were then called art cinemas some of the time though Dead Poets Society would have been at a big place.