Matthew’s Comments (group member since Mar 08, 2015)

Matthew’s comments from the Reading List Completists group.

General discussion of Mists of Avalon here. I will add other discussion topics later. This is our Big Read for October to December 2017.

Starts today!

Discuss the winner of our Places Poll for October 2017 here

Jessica wrote: "I am a rather disappointed in my library for not stocking even one version of this book either in English or Dutch! Not even regionally available, ridiculous. Luckily, there's always the ebook, but..."

Wow! And, yeah, the book loses a little something if you have to do an ebook (Of course, this time I did it audio, so who am I to talk!?!?!) ;)

It was a quick read - actually, even though a reread, I discovered that I forgot a lot about it, so I am glad I reread!

Click Here for Matthew's Review

A scene with dandelions early in the book. Bradbury also wrote Dandelion Wine. Coincidence or connection?

Starts today - burn, baby, burn!

Yay! Made it to part 5 - starting today!

I am in part IV now as well - I think I may not be quite as far as you. Right now Porfiry just got the boot!

Discuss the winner of the September 2017 Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Poll here

Finished this over the weekend. I like it okay - I really think I would have appreciated it more if I had lived more of my life during the cold war (I think I was about 13 when the Berlin Wall came down). But, as a historical fiction representation of the Cold War at its height, it is perfect. It is also much darker than the usual espionage stories I am used to.

Phil wrote: "Here you go: "Blood was flowing from his face, from his head. His face was all battered, scraped, and mangled. One could see that he had been run over in earnest."

I'm not sure what it means to be..."

I like this better, too - it sounds less redundant!

In mine, it is the end of the third paragraph of Part II, Chapter 7

Joe wrote: "And yes I did read the jungle - I guess you mean the social commentary - it's ok once you get used to it!"

Basically - but, not so much as social commentary for the sake of the story, but actual propaganda from the author. The difference between these two things is slight!

Joe wrote: "I'm not sure if anyone besides you and me are reading this book LOL - but I am enjoying. I would have prefered a different translation but find the story riveting and page-turning. It was a little ..."

Which translation did you go with? Looks like Constance Garnett was my translator.

I'm in the very middle of the book and kind of mired in some discussion that does not seem to be advancing the plot, but is instead a platform for the author to share his beliefs. It is reminding me of the end of The Jungle (if you have read that, hopefully you get what I mean).

In the middle - the interrogation is interesting, but a bit slow and confusing. I am thinking that as it is wrapped up, some of it will become more clear.

Carol wrote: "According to the American Civil Liberties Union, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is ranked 14th of the top 100 banned or challenged books in America between 2000 and 2009.

It was first banned o..."

Thanks for adding this info to the thread - it is fascinating to hear the history of banned books. While the reasons for this one, are more obvious than some. It is interesting to hear this was banned that soon after publication.

Carol wrote: "There's a typo in the title -- it says To Kill
and
Mockingbird"

Good catch- fixed! Can't believe I didn't notice that!

Phil wrote: "Here's my review of Watchman.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I like this comment very much: It makes the last 50 pages of The Jungle look like a pillar of restrained subtlety.

So far, definitely not what I expected. It's like - what if James Bond suddenly just had to be a normal citizen.