Book Nerd’s Comments (group member since Dec 20, 2018)

Book Nerd’s comments from the Never too Late to Read Classics group.

I've been wanting to read this for quite a while.

The Food of the Gods by H.G. Wells

What happens when science tampers with nature? A riveting, cautionary tale with disastrous results reveals the chilling answer.
Hoping to create a new growth agent for food with beneficial uses to mankind, two scientists find that the spread of the material is uncontrollable. Giant chickens, rats, and insects run amok, and children given the food stuffs experience incredible growth--and serious illnesses. Over the years, people who have eaten these specially treated foods find themselves unable to fit into a society where ignorance and hypocrisy rule. These "giants," with their extraordinary mental powers, find themselves shut away from an older, more traditional society. Intolerance and hatred increase as the line of distinction between ordinary people and giants is drawn across communities and families.
One of H. G. Wells' lesser-known works, The Food of the Gods has been retold many times in many forms since it was first published in 1904. The gripping, newly relevant tale combines fast-paced entertainment with social commentary as it considers the ethics involved in genetic engineering.

I've read Frankenstein before but it's definitely worth a reread!

Frankenstein, or the Modern Prometheus is an 1818 novel written by English author Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Frankenstein tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who creates a sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. Shelley started writing the story when she was 18, and the first edition was published anonymously in London on 1 January 1818, when she was 20. .

I'm sure reading wither Frankenstein: The 1818 Text or
Frankenstein: Mary Shelley 1831 Edition is fine.
Here's something I found about the differeneces between the texts:

The 1818 Edition

The 1818 edition is the original work of Mary Shelley. It’s the one that started it all, and for some, the edition deserving of all the attention. The merit in this edition is in its origin. The 1818 edition was spawned from a friendly writing competition among Shelley’s friends and is loved by scholars and Franken-heads for its rawness and unaltered state. It’s believed this edition contains the original message of Shelley where the 1831 version tatters it. Plus, who wouldn’t love to own one of the original 500? Getting a hold of one may be difficult though, unless you have €350,000 to spend on Lord Byron’s personal copy signed by Shelley herself!

The 1831 Edition

To the chagrin of many, the 1831 version is the most widely read edition of Frankenstein. Anne K. Mellor wrote an essay in the W. W. Norton Critical edition arguing that the 1831 edition of Frankenstein loses Shelley’s tone and doesn’t coincide with her original vision. To understand the outcry of many, the alterations from the 1818 edition to the 1831 edition need to be listed:

The 1818 edition’s first chapter was expanded as well as split into two different chapters
The 1831 edition had changes made to the origin story of Elizabeth Lavenza
The 1831 edition introduces the concept of galvanism, a power thought to be able to reanimate bodies
The 1831 edition includes more of Victor’s motivations and thoughts for creating life

The Lilac Fairy Book by Andrew Lang


366 pages

Total to date: 715,442

Yes I'd say Galapas, Ambrosius, and Merlin are virtuous and all the character are flawed. Again, it reminds me of ASOIAF.
I understand the original legends had a more straight good and evil theme but I thought this story was meant to make it more realistic and human while keeping a few minor magical elements.

I didn't understand why there was a scene of him saying no to sex. In the back of my book the author's note says:
"There is so strong a connection in literature(and indeed history) between celibacy, or virginity, and power, that I have thought it reasonable to insist on Merlin's virginity."

I didn't really see it as good and evil. Merlin knows he has a destiny to fulfil and he goes along with the kings to do what he needs to do.

I should have about 600 coming before the end of the year. Maybe we can make three quarters of a million?

Hi Julietta. I wish I could read another language.

Hi Pieter! The Brothers Karamazov is a great classic. Are you enjoying it?

Hi Lisa!

The Olive Fairy Book by Andrew Lang


336 pages

Total to Date: 679, 750

I finished. Thought it was a great interpretation of the myth.
Another series I have to finish...

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

494 pages

Total to date 657,259

Welcome Julie and Bruce!

I'm seeing a ton of inspiration for A Song of Ice and Fire in this.

Thanks, that's interesting.

I'm about a hundred pages in, reading about Merlin's youth. I'm enjoying it so far.

So I'm not really familiar with Arthurian legend except from various movies. I saw that Green Knight movie. Weird.
Does anybody know what's the earliest work it's all derived from?

Glad to hear it.

I've been looking forward to this one. I haven't read any Arthurian stuff before and somebody recommended this to me.