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

Matthew’s comments from the Reading List Completists group.

Overdrive had an available copy so I am going to start this today before I even start the January book. Doing things a bit backwards here!

The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz starts today. Feel free to discuss it here.

Liane wrote: "25 pages in. Just starting the poem. So far, it reminds me vaguely of Atwood’s Blind Assassin? A story within a story? I am intrigued. From my reading so far, the Commentary seems key to the story?"

I am not sure if their are different formats - mine has the commentary after the poem. Does yours integrate it, or ae you jumping back and forth. I still haven't started so mine may have an easy to use cross reference . . .

March 2021 Poll is up!

This time I went for more recent books from our lists - all released since 1990

Click below to vote!

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

This month is going too fast! I am still working on some January books and some other February book club books and haven't started Pale Fire yet! Might end up being a March book for me.

Discuss part 7 and 8 of Anna Karenina here

Tara wrote: "I really wanted to like this book more than I did. Far too technical in many places, it dragged a lot. There was definitely an opportunity for more suspenseful storytelling, and there were aspects ..."

For these exact reasons, I think it is helpful that I listened to it!

I just got my copy today. I didn't know anything about this other than it is on several must read lists. It appears to be a 69 page poem with 200 pages of commentary. Hmmmm . . . will this be good? We shall see!

I am thinking there is this one and the 1001 books one . . . and, yes, they both take a while! :)

Liane wrote: "Got my copy from the library. Trying to be more timely this month!"

Awesome! I am still waiting on my copy from the library.

Starts today!

A bit slow in places . . . but a very good piece of speculative fiction and early Steam Punk.

Click below for my full review:

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

Part 3 starts off strong with politics and class differences in Russia

Discuss the February 2021 Completist Selection Here

The winner of the February Short Book Poll is Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov

Jessica wrote: "I followed up with the 1954 movie, feels more outdated than the book itself 😂"

From the few parts I remember and thinking about other sci-fi movies from that era, they tend to feel cheesy and outdated. I keep picturing Kirk Douglas being super manly man in his white and red striped shirt.

And, it seems like those movies always starred James Mason!

Judy wrote: "Interesting comments. I don’t see it as a glorification of adultery, but maybe an acknowledgment of adultery. Probably very taboo for the times to even acknowledge it. I see a lot of self loathing ..."

There is definitely a lot more to consume. We shall see where this goes!

I don't think this quote is exactly the same in all translations, but this was the translation in the one I am listening to:

“They ought to find out how to vaccinate for love, like smallpox.”

Part 2 Chapter 7

My status to begin part two was that this seems to be the glorification of adultery. I wonder where that theme is going.

Judy wrote: "Matthew, was it decided to just kind of go at your own pace."

I just realized I forgot to answer this question for Judy! Yes, this group is always at your own pace. While we do have Monthly and quarterly reads, if it takes you one week or two years or you don't start until August - whatever! I have too many other deadlines in life to try and set more here. :D