Tracey’s Comments (group member since Jul 17, 2016)

Tracey’s comments from the Sir Walter Scott Appreciation group.

Linda wrote: "Hi, I’m Linda. I’m new to this group and I confess that I haven’t read Scott since High School and that was a long time ago. I’m looking forward to being part of this group. Thank you for extending..."

Hi Linda thank you for joining. I hope you will be able to join in with some of our reads. We are a small group but make up for it in enthusiasm. I look forward to enjoying Scott’s works together.

Rosemarie wrote: "I'm Rosemarie and have been part of this group since the beginning. I love to read, especially the classics. I hadn't read any books by Scott until I joined this group. I have enjoyed discovering a..."

Hi Rosemarie, As always I look forward to your thoughts as we share Scott’s works together. 🙂

I will kick this off by introducing myself. I am the originator of this group. I have loved Scott since I read Ivanhoe and loved him more when I read about his life and what a man of integrity he was. So few of his works are read now but it is my hope he will become better known. Whilst not all his books are of the same quality nevertheless they are far superior to most of the books produced today in terms of use of the English language and story.

I am an avid reader since the age of 3 and am never without something to read. I love the Classics, mysteries and some contemporary. I have discovered recently a liking for Southern US literature which I am exploring and audiobooks, for those times I can’t read a book. I read very little online and much prefer the printed format. I once had many books but due to several moves I keep only my absolute favourites and try to read only books I can get from the library.

Please introduce yourself if you are interested in doing the Walter Scott Challenge with this group.

My top 10 from the 4 years, in no particular order.

Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope

Moby-Dick, or, the Whale by Herman Melville

Middlemarch by George Eliot

The Heart of Midlothian by Walter Scott

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

The Woodlanders by Thomas Hardy

For those who completed the four-year challenge, please post below your top 10 books read over the four years.

Rosemarie wrote: "My third book by Scott is a compilation of short stories, many with an element of the supernatural, and two were sad.
Here is the list of stories that I read:
[book:Wandering Willie's Tale|22701392..."

Well done Rosemarie. It has been a pleasure doing these challenges with you.

Lori wrote: "Congratulations!
And sorry I couldn't participate in this group as much. After all the lifestyle changes that came with our move to the US, it was hard enough to keep up with the other group."

Thanks Lori. I understand and I appreciate your enthusiasm for Scott and the input you have made. :)

That’s great. I am so glad the group has blessed you both.

Rosemarie wrote: "I hadn't read any of his books before starting the challenge. They are a wonderful discovery."

For me too. I always look for his books at second-hand sales now.

For those who completed the four-year challenge, please post below your top 10 books read over the four years.

Rosemarie wrote: "Second Walter Scott book:

Marmion

This long poem was easy to read and very enjoyable."

You are doing really well with Scott and have raced ahead of me. I hope to keep working away at his works over the years ahead.

Thanks, both of you. It's been quite an experience doing this challenge and has certainly expanded my knowledge of literature and given me a greater variety than I previously read.
I am going to be putting up threads for the top 10 books read over the challenge. Rosemarie, I will send you the link.

Challenge completed and four-year challenge completed.

Brian wrote: "Tracey, earlier you asked me about reading Magic Mountain sometime this year. While I may not have the time and energy for it, at least I now know why you are interested. You just wanted to complet..."

LOL you read me better than I do myself. I love mountains and reading about them I always find rewarding.
And just for you, I changed my name to Tracey the Bookworm so that no matter when my avatar changes you will know which Tracey is speaking.

Sometimes my love of a challenge over rides the wisdom of reading gentler works. I have just finished Cold Mountain which has many harrowing scenes but it was so beautifully written that I am glad I read it. I think for the rest of the year I will go easier on my myself lol

Rosemarie wrote: "You have made fantastic progress, Tracey. 👏"

Thanks, Rosemarie. I haven't been able to get some of the books for other challenges so I have focussed on this. I will be working on the Canadian challenge next.

One book left to go and then I will have completed not only this year but the 4-year challenge.

Brian wrote: "On average, your 19th Century reads were not quite as satisfying as your 20th Century reads. I would note that again one of my favorites, Jude the Obscure, is your lowest rated book of the 5.
I do ..."

At last 2 books I give 5 stars to The Fall of the House of Usher and The Woman in White. I see you only gave 3 stars to the latter and I might have given it a lower rating if I hadn't listened to it as an audiobook. It was well narrated and that added to and enhanced the story.

Rosemarie wrote: "I had put off reading Jude the Obscure for decades because of the various reviews I heard about. When I finally did read it, it became my favourite Hardy, even though it is so dark, and Sue is a re..."

Oh Sue...

Sue; Jude I don't want to be a wife to you but I don't want you to look at or help or have any feelings for another woman.

Jude: Sue, that is not how things are.

Sue, now pouting; Oh I know I'm a bad woman. A bad woman. I should go away and have nothing more to do with you.

Jude; Oh Sue, dear Sue. You are an angel. Please don't leave me, dear Sue. I'll always be your love.

Sue, now having got what she wanted; Alright dear love. Our love is so much more wonderful without any obligation on my part.