Lisa’s Comments (group member since Sep 23, 2009)

Lisa’s comments from the Should have read classics group.

This may seem an odd discussion thread, but I'm at a loss with what to do with all my OLD textbooks. They are probably considered classics by now, so that can be my link to classics. Does anyone know of any sites that will take them or can you recycle them at certain centers? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! I need to clear some more shelves for my newer books to have a home!

I'm opening up the nominations for the group read for February. Please try to nominate only 2 books since we quickly get overrun with choices! This nomination will be open until January 16th and the voting will go out on the 17th. Happy reading!

I'm waiting to see the movie until I finish the book, which might be in 2018, but I want to finish it. That will be the plan then!

I was wondering if we don't finish this one by the end of January, would everyone be interested in shifting it to a buddy read? This would allow the group to start a new book and let us continue reading and commenting on this one.

How is it going? Any new insights?

I finished it last month and really enjoyed it. If you check out the other discussion thread for this book you can see some of the discussions that we have had.

Elizabeth wrote: "Hi... I want to reread this book, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any guides I can use as I read along. I used Cliffs Notes in the past, which if I remember correctly, summarized but did lit..."

I have no idea on versions, I'm sorry about that. As far as guides go, have you looked at sparknotes or maxnotes? I don't know how they would be with this book, but it might be another place to start.
I also wanted to welcome you to the read!

Funny, that seems to have happened to me at about that same spot. It felt at times that I would never progress any farther. Hang in there and many of the mysteries get cleared up sooner than others!

Hello and welcome to the group Bonnie! I'm glad that you are going to us on this one and for the record I really sure that I'm not going to finish this one in one month either. We can keep discussing it long after the time is over though! Hope that you are enjoying it!

I have now met Fantine and her little girl Cosette. What a heartbreaking story. Right now, I'm reading about the internal dilemma of the mayor of M. sur M. I can see the poor man's struggle with his choice. I even flip back and forth with what the man should choose. I have an idea which way he will go, but part of me feels terrible with that choice.

jess wrote: "Classics - The Great Gatsby
Fantasy - The Princess Bride
Graphic Novels - Batman Year One
Historical Fiction - The Half-Hanged Man
Horror - Frankenstein
Literary Fiction - Pride and Prejudice
Myste..."

I'm thinking that you wanted this in another thread?

Ana wrote: "i will join you in january. i am really curious about this one:)"

Excellent! Can't wait for you to join us!

I thought the same thing about the time line also. Don't know why I thought that it before the FR as well. I need to google the events that followed Napolean's exile which is when this book is situated around, or am I really off base?

Yes, the bishop has become a really sincere and wonderful character in this story. I do have a history question, what was the significance of the former member of the "Council"? Was that a group that was active during the French revolution and voted for the death of the king?

Mpress wrote: "anyone else think that chapter " John Galt speaking" has deep religious connotations? I recognize references of Christianity.. wonder if Ayn rand was against religion? ?? interesting ... will read ..."
I think that Rand was an atheist, if I remember from another thread. I have wondered if growing up in the Soviet Union, had some influence in her thoughts about religion?

Still cruising Dustin?

I must say that the hardest part for me to take in was what happened to Eddie. I always enjoyed his character so I was disappointed with how his storyline ended.

How is everyone doing with this one? I have made it about 10% of the way through and the introduction of Jean Valjean has been interesting. He is quite the "dark" hero.

Finally, I have made it to this book! I'm on the priest part now and I would have to agree with you Suzanne about how Hugo is trying to describe the perfect man. It is even better that he used to be an aristocrat and has now evolved into something wonderful. I'm thinking that I need to relearn French history before I can appreciate this book.

The similarities between the two books is really striking. Has anything come from it?
Now that I know that Nesbitt helped to found the Fabian society, that is, I my opinion, scarier than knowing that she was a crappy mother. I can see where it would be nice to write a story that can make a fairy tale come true for just a small moment in time.

I found the adults in the story more interesting than the children. The porter and the old man were ones that stuck out. The part I found fascinating was the description of the hare and hound hunt. I had never heard of that before and thought that it sounded like fun. Is that still performed in England anymore? My kids would love that! Maybe, I will set one up in my town!