Bob’s Comments (group member since Jun 22, 2011)

Bob’s comments from the Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) group.

I'll have to put Victory on my list. I've like what little Conrad I've read so far.

Sara wrote: "Marking one off on my Old and New Challenge. The Tall Woman. One of the best books I have read all year!

Bob, this book is like A Cry of Angels -- it is so good you ca..."

Looks like another must read, thanks!!

Lots to chose from, good luck!

You are steadily putting check marks up. One challenge almost finished and lots of time left for the other.

Congratulations! Looks like you have successfully completed your 12 book requirement. I take it you are planning on finishing the other two? I remember Dune being really good, one of those I should have read years prior to my actual reading it.

I too, am reading The Talented Mr. Ripley. It is my first by Highsmith, but for some reason I have bogged down about halfway. Picked up a no brainer and will get back to it next week.

Congrats on finishing challenge #6. I've always loved short stories, but never so much as this year. I'm so hooked it cutting in on my other reading.

Past nomination threads are not deleted, they are archived.

The Country of the Blind was nominated by Marilyn

I agree with Katy Count of Monte Cristo isrealy good. I hope it goes better for you.

I've always enjoyed short stories, but this year I may have gone a little overboard. You have some some I need to read.

Welcome Taruna!

Hello Susan, and welcome

A powerful short story.

I’m not going to argue for or against technology. Although I think I can make an argument for or against, depending on which side of the line the coach wants me to play. I agree that technology is mindless and that it does play a role in the destruction that has occurred. Our ever increasing dependence on technology has left us mentally weakened in our reliance and dependence, take the cell phone for example, how many phone numbers do you remember. Our acceptance makes us forget the power of that which we have created. While man didn’t create nature, he did create technology. Technology isn’t emotional man is. I still contend that the smart house is just as indifferent to the existence or nonexistence of humans as the birds and nature of the poem indicates. The bombs that were unleashed were also indifferent.

For me the story is about the danger man presents to man, in this case it’s during the early nuclear age. Ever since Cain slew Able man has shown himself to be capable of evil. Efficient in killing people one at a time or in mass. Before the creation of Little Man and Fat Boy humans’ killing in mass was measured in the thousands. After August 1945, we became capable of exterminating the entire human race. I wonder what Sara Teasdale would have written if she had been aware of nuclear weapons rather than just bombs and chemicals.

Bradbury may have written this for us to contemplate the dangers our continued development of technology capable of total destruction. It is also a reminder that man is proficient in doing evil and it is wise to not allow the power of total destruction to rest in the hands of a few politicians, who for the most part function on emotion and aren’t smart enough to know how to get out of a soft shower of rain.

End of rant.

Looks like you have your challenges on track. Lots of good short stories online, I read a good many of mine there.

Another one new for me.

Michele wrote: "I've always found this story deeply unnerving, not so much for the implied nuclear annihilation as for the house carrying on its programmed daily routine. Not only is it unable to deviate, even to ..."

I didn’t see technology as being malicious in this story. The house never cared about the inhabitants when they were alive and didn't know they were gone. The devastation to the world was brought on by man, not machine. Why would the technology, if not destroyed at the same time, deviate from it programed function. There is no one left to care.

The last two line of the poem-with my change after the word tree-

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree (nor technology)
If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn,
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

Congrats! you are dong well.

Philina wrote: "Is this the whole short story?

https://www.btboces.org/Downloads/7_T...

When at home I have to check my Martial Chronicles."

Yes, a big story packed into a few words. I've read it several times and will read it again sometime this month.

High praise, another for the TBR.

Welcome Stratos!