Pam’s Comments (group member since Jul 12, 2018)

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

Patrícia wrote: "Hi everyone!
I'm Patricia and I love to explore a lot of book genres and formats. Very excited to be here since I already saw so many books I didn't know about, specially in the Translated Classic..."

Welcome to the group Patricia!

For Canadian authors, I suggest the humorist Stephen Leacock. I know there is a literary w award named after him. I just bought a used copy of A Treasury of Stephen Leacock which includes Literary Lapses, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town and Winnowed Wisdom.

I’m really enjoying Marquez’s writing style! I am very interested to read some of his work in Spanish, as a comparison, but will probably wait till next year.

I am curious why he keeps referencing the one individual and the firing squad. It’s been at least 5 times in 90 pages! I’m guessing this will be a significant event (of course) but the reader already knows it’s coming. Also, on the family tree, I see that Aureliano Buendia has 17 sons named Aureliano, but w no mother associated! Wonder what that means - 17 different mothers?! And, why the same name?

Aside: I just finished reading a Spanish picture book about the author. It’s titled Gabriel García Márquez Gabito by Georgina Lázaro. (In Latin America, Marquez is fondly know as Gabo or Gabito.) I absolutely loved it despite having to read much of into Google Translate! (My Spanish vocab didn’t include less common words like zurumbático (stunned/dazed), malabarista (juggler), and cachivache (junk) but… it does now!) The book provides details about Gabito’s life experiences that led him to writing and influenced his writing style. And, it’s written in verse (narrative poetry), so it has a beautiful sound, if you read in Spanish.

I second Nabokov.

I read many of her books as a teen and young adult. I don’t remember exactly which ones I read but 2 that I remember enjoying are Evil Under the Sun and And Then there Were None. I like the Poirot books the best but read a lot of Tommy and Tuppence and Miss Marple, also. I checked out And Then There Were None for my husband, since he’s never read any of her books! I may reread it.

Once again, I love your original prompts!

I like several of these suggestions but I’m going to refrain from voting for more than one since I’m terrible about finishing long classics! I still have 2 I started in 2021 that I’m hoping to finish this year and several on the 2022 list that I still plan to read! I added a few of these suggestions to my TBR so thank you to the suggesters for the titles.

Any of you listen to podcasts? There is a one called A Readers History of Science Fiction. Episodes #17 and 30 are discussions on Arthur C. Clarke. Episode 17 mentions A Childhoods End. I don’t remember how much detail the host goes into. I’ll have to revisit that one! The host isn’t very dynamic as a speaker but, as a SF fan, I like the content.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Scottish author, that I know of, so I’ll join in the fun! I’ll give The Beach of Falesá a try. I should have it in a few days from the library. Thanks for the suggestion Lesle.

I’m interested in Fortunata and Jacinta. I’ve read Vanity Fair and recommend it!

I like all of Amanda’s suggestions. What about O. E. Rølvaag? I remember reading Giants in the Earth in high school and really enjoying it. I haven’t read any any other books of his.

I’m definitely up for Fallada, Zweig, Kafka, Hesse, Grass, and Seghers. I’ll add some titles I’m interested in when I get home.

I’ve gotten to the point of a disturbing relationship. Although, if you look at the family tree, it’s not a surprise. Also, I’ve seen reviews which talked negatively about the inappropriateness.

Both my husband and daughter have asked me what the book is about. At page 71, I’m still not sure how to answer the question! It seems like it’s a family history over 100 years.

It’s great to see so many new members! Welcome Amanda, Kat, Sandy, Nora, and Cait!

I will have to get on the PC and check! I mostly use my phone for GR.

I read this book last October and really liked it! I took 2 pages of notes on the plot and am glad that I did since I forgot everything about it! I’m pretty sure that I did not see that ending coming. This is the only book I’ve read by Clarke.

What part of Germany Rosemarie? That sounds so fun! I had a last minute opportunity to go on a land and sea cruise in Alaska. I would be there now but I turned it down. Once I get the fall booster I’ll feel more comfortable traveling, especially on a cruise ship. I’m feeling a little disappointed but trying to make the best of my decision and do some fun local things. This morning I’m driving up to Santa Fe for a traditional music festival in the mountains. Looking forward to it!

Happy Sunday everyone! Enjoy!

This book is very different than anything I’ve ever read! But, I am enjoying it. I’m thankful that there is a family tree at the front of the book. I keep referring back to it, even in the beginning of the book. I’m on page 50. I found I need to read it without the TV on and have a solid block of uninterrupted time. It’s not the kind of book I can read while watching AGT. I have to really concentrate on what I’m reading. I do like the writing style. This is my first novel by Marquez. I read 1/2 of News of a Kidnapping, which is non-fiction, but for some unknown reason I didn’t finish it.

I read The Trumpeter of Krakow this year and enjoyed it.

I’m just getting back to this one. I’ll try to not to get distracted by library books and TV shows! I own the book but I put the audiobook on hold. I rarely listen to audio but this might be a good one to help me get through it. I like to do a combination sometimes of reading and audio.