Phil’s Comments (group member since Apr 15, 2016)

Phil’s comments from the Classics for Beginners group.

A good companion read is The Executioner's Song

Finished it this morning. I was really underwhelmed. I saw the movie about eight years ago, and was underwhelmed by that as well. I really liked In Cold Blood, so I was hoping for more from the novella.

I think this is a true cult read in that either you get it or you don't. There's some kind of cultural connection that people make with this book that I'm totally missing. Maybe if I was a Sex and the City fan?

Heather L wrote: "Phil wrote: "This book is completely nuts."


Care to expand on that?"

I could write a book about how crazy it is.

First of all, Twain's original premise was that Tom Sawyer would have an idyllic childhood, go out into the world, learn that civilization is evil and corrupt, return home in search of his childhood paradise, and learn that everything he once loved has been destroyed by the hypocrisy of authority figures. His editor persuaded him to stop after the "idyllic childhood" part, but some of the brutal social satire still snuck in there. That's why we have rambling, non sequitur chapters about how religion makes people boring and women shouldn't write because they're no good at it.

Then there's the plot structure. There's no plot at all for 5-10 chapters, then the Injun Joe plot starts, then it goes away for about 10 more chapters so Tom can go to the island, then it kind of comes and goes for the rest of the book.

Then there's Twain's insane concept of a perfect childhood as one in which you have absolutely no regard for others, as evidenced by the island episode.

This book is weird. It's entertaining, but it's a mess. And I didn't even bring up the race issues. (Jim is apparently a slave, but whose slave?)

John Greenman is nicknamed "the voice of Mark Twain" on the librivox forums. Here's a link:

https://librivox.org/tom-sawyer-by-ma...

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "I don't think I will be able to reread to participate in the discussion, but I enjoyed this very much when I read it years ago."

What did you like about it? I find it very awkward to teach and have decided to swap it out for The Prince and the Pauper this year.

This book is completely nuts. I have taught it twice, and I look forward to your comments with interest.

The audio version on librivox.org is awesome, if you're into that kind of thing.

Nina wrote: "Phil, still interested in Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

Why not? I can sneak it in sometime during the first week of August. This week is full.

Mark wrote: "i just signed-up today. i am not a beginner when it comes to Ulysses, but i love the book intensely and would enjoy helping others reach a similar perspective. (i'm also relatively new to the inter..."

Thanks for the encouragement, Mark. I'm hoping to read Part I by the end of the month.

I was surprised by the Nazi ban on Call of the Wild, so I dug around and made a list of other books banned by Nazis. Here it is, if you're curious:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

I have a question for people who hated this book. How does it compare to others of its kind? Specifically, others in the literary subgenre of "self-centered artist wandering around, ranting, and being irresponsible?" Others in this category include The Bell Jar, Rabbit, Run, and Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm told that Eat, Pray, Love fits the category, too, but I haven't read it.

I wrestled with this topic a year ago when I read and hated Wild. Did I hate it because it was bad? How could I love Tropic of Cancer but hate Wild? Is the difference the age at which I read it?

Here's my review of Wild:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm excited to attempt this book with you! I've picked it up twice before, but never made it through.

Let's go!

Nina wrote: "hey guys, anyone interested in buddy reading Breakfast at Tiffany's? i read it about two years ago (or maybe even longer?) and remember that i felt i somehow didn't get it. so, buddy ..."

It's been on my radar for a while. Maybe in July or August.

I'm curious to see how adults will respond to this one. It made a huge impression on me when I read it as a teenager.