Literature & Film discussion
Suggestions for February's reading/screening
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I'm curious about how many different translations of "The Conformist" are out there. My copy is a 1961 Signet paperback that contains two other Moravia novels ("A Ghost at Noon" and "The Fancy Dress Party"). All translated by Angus Davidson. Original price: 75 cents (three times what I paid for it...) and in an amusing coincidence, the back cover has an ad for Lampedusa's "The Leopard" ("FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PAPERBOUND").
I tried to get The Conformist at B & N tonight, and it was unavailable. I have to admit, I had no idea which section to look in...fiction/literature? essays? recipes? I know absolutely nothing about this book. That's what makes it so fabulous. I am yet to critique my viewing of Postman (I know...pins and needles from everyone). I watched the Lana Turner, and am halfway through Obsessione. So far Obsessione is much more interesting. It feels a little grittier, a little less polished.
Amazon seems to have only one edition, published in '99 by Zoland Books (who seem to have released several Moravia titles) and still in print. I realize that I'm cutting this close, but I will be watching "Ossessione" this weekend... So like Alison, I too will be making comments at the last minute.
Mod
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/book...
Maybe try your local library as well. It should be in the fiction section.
Moravia is generally considered one of the better 20th century writers to come out of Italy. And several of his works have been made into films though I don't believe there have been any "Hollywood" adaptations. Outside the U.S. he is very well respected and I think in the last couple years his reputation has been growing in the U.S. as well.
And I'm glad the Cain topic will get some revisiting. I actually probably won't watch the Rafelson version until I get back home - in January! But really, we can continue our discussions as long as we want I think. Nothing stopping us, right?
Yes, thank you, I need to check the library anyway. Must keep reminding myself that they are FREE there. Here's a plug: At B&N right now, their paperback classics which usually sell for around $7.95 apiece are buy two get one free. So, of course, I did! (I got David Copperfield, Siddhartha, and The Brothers Karamazov .)That's what I love about this group--it has introduced me to writers and filmmakers that I otherwise would have never known about, or at least never made a point to become familiar with.
I think I'm going to start over with Obsessione, when I get the opportunity. It really seems to stand alone so far, despite being an adaptation. I had come to a part in the middle that had nothing to do with the Cain novel, but still very interesting.
As Kimley says, there have been several well-known films based on Moravia novels - "Two Women" and "Contempt" being among the better-known. But there was at least one US-produced one, "Me and Him", directed by Doris Dorrie. I'll let the imbd description speak for itself:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093240/
I also suspect that Bertolucci was very much influenced by Moravia's "Boredom" when he wrote "Last Tango in Paris"....
I got my copy of The Conformist at the library.Really looking forward to the book and movie.
Unfortunately started reading a pretty difficult book called PROUST AND THE SQUID which is about the history and science of reading by a neuroscientist.
really well written and interesting but a lot of info. Also the author has a dsylexic kid and understands what difficulty a kid can have where the kid has trouble reading.
After reading a few chapters and I don't start reading this book without the determination to read at least 1 chapter no matter what, I certainly am glad that humans began to read when they did.
According to this author there was a 2000 year gap between the first use of symbols by humans and the development of the alphabet and that Socrates was anti-written alphabet. I haven't googled either point yet but hope to finish this book just flat out 1 whole day this weekend where I only have 1 shot of scotch every 3 hours and sushi every 2 hours with no other distractions like sleep, computers,NPR, football etc.
Happy New Year Every One. Jim
Found mine at the library, too! I have heard of Two Women, if this is where Sophia Loren won her Oscar. On a side note, I was skimming a paragraph about a recent release: The Lives of Others (I think it was called), and it was mentioned in the same breath as "The Conformist."
It's getting close to time to vote on February's reading. I will just use the same list from last month since most people seemed happy with the selection but if anyone has anything they'd like to add, this is the place to do it.
I'd like to add the following:
Death in Venice - Thomas Mann book/Visconti Film
Diary of a Chambermaid - Octave Mirbeau book/Bunuel film
Belle de Jour - Joseph Kessel book/Bunuel film
Like last month, I'll post the list on the first of January and keep voting open until the 10th.
I just got my copy of The Conformist which I'm looking forward to.
Happy holidays everyone!