Cien Años De Soledad (was "I Seem To Have A Reader's Block")

[Dan, deadpan man]

Alan wrote:

No, that's really you, my friend. I did mean Ballard's Crash. Oops. Needless to..."

Damn, I am deformed.

[Lara]

Yay for Michael's superb pushing of this book!

Like Abi, I studied the book at uni, but had read it a few years prior to that. Normally studying a piece of literature you already love more than anything spells disaster - picking apart the wonder and all - but this book lends itself to such a wide range of discussions and each reading opens your eyes to more and more: the doppelganger, the Bible, mythology, magic realism, metafiction, the concept of time, the worship of the prostitute, the effects of colonialism and foreign plundering, incest, love, lust, hate, war... All this and so much more comes out at you with the most powerful imagery, well, imaginable.

It's outstanding. A veritable literary, erm, maelstrom.

And I may have to read it again after all this.

[Kerry, flame-haired janeite]

Sadly, I won't be joining in on this one. The majority of my books are packed in boxes in the garage (while we are in this temporary living space) and as they are in no discernible order I'm not about to open each one until I locate my copy of 100 Years of Solitude and I'm not going to buy a new copy. Hmmm. . .I guess I could try the library - wouldn't that be novel? But then I would really have to read it and I don't think at this time I'm up for it. . .I will lurk around in here and spy on the discussion though!

xo

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

michael: i see from the poll that you've been nominated to lead the discussion on this book. when do you think you wanna start? i'm hoping you will say in a week or two, preferably two... let us know, hmmm?

[Maureen, mo-nemclature]

Lara wrote: "And I may have to read it again after all this. "

i think that's a fine idea -- might get your reading energy flowing again -- i often find a re-read of a book i have really enjoyed does the trick. :)

[Michael, the Olddad]

Maureen wrote: "michael: i see from the poll that you've been nominated to lead the discussion on this book. when do you think you wanna start?

Maureen wrote: "Lara wrote: "And I may have to read it again after all this."

"If nominated I will not run, if elected I will not serve." He also said "He stuck with me when I was crazy, and I stuck with him when he was drunk. Now we'll stick together always."

In other words, I must decline. I am something of a town father these days, and I take it as a priviledge to serve the town. But it is budget season in very exceptional times and the town is looking to cut back on *something*; believe me, the political juices are really flowing. You ever fire someone or cut their pay? It will definitely bring out the beasts.

For those of you not from New England, the Commonwealth is divided not into counties (though they exist) but 300 smaller "town" units. Government is actually run by an unruly body called "town meeting". It is a wonder. But, to amble back somewhere near to the point, I just don't see having the focus to moderate a focus group at this point, being already pointed at by poll to help lead town. Wish me luck. The experience might come in handy when we take over Port Townsend.

mm

[Brian, just a child's imagination]

damn. i thought louisiana was crazy with 'parishes'... do ya'll stone people too?

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

If Michael is too busy with his plans for world domination, I will do my best to lead with insightful questions, at least.

It does seem people want to wait. In the poll I suggested May 1, just to give people a break from reading groups, etc. and to give Dan a chance to finish Infinite Jest, Ben a chance to finish Drood, and all that...

[Michael, the Olddad]

Shel wrote: "If Michael is too busy with his plans for world domination, I will do my best to lead with insightful questions, at least.

It does seem people want to wait. In the poll I suggested May 1, just to..."

Maybe by that point I can join in a re-read. I'd also like to explore his other works. I know 100 Years is recognized as his best, but does anyone have some insight on his other works, and which would be the 2nd best for me to explore.

mm

[Shel, ad astra per aspera]

I loved Love in the Time of Cholera. It makes me cry. For the film I needed Kleenex.

[Patty, free birdeaucrat]

Michael wrote: "I'd also like to explore his other works. I know 100 Years is recognized as his best, but does anyone have some insight on his other works, and which would be the 2nd best for me to explore.
"

though far more subtle than some of his other works, i think that the Autumn of the Patriarch is his best. Cholera is very good, but more interior, more domestic. Patriarch is a masterpeice, in mho.

[Patrick, The Special School Bus Rider]

What about Gravity's Rainbow? I bought that book ten years ago and have not read past page 50!