March 2013 Challenge - Neglected Classics

[Naomi]

I loved East of Eden when I read it. It was a long time ago but I remember really liking it.

[Tejas Janet]

Naomi wrote: "I loved East of Eden when I read it. It was a long time ago but I remember really liking it."

Me, too... I liked it a lot, but it was a VERY long time ago. I bet I'd still like it if I picked it up again today. It's a true classic.

From my shelves at home thought I'd try out:
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Machiavelli's The Prince.


I have some others coming soon from the library:
Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War: An Epic Tale From Ancient Iraq
and Teachings of Rumi: The Masnavi.


And just purely for fun:
A Zoo in My Luggage by Gerald Durrell.

[Almeta]

Toying with Lost Horizon, but still searching.

[Julia]

Rhonda wrote: "I've decided my to read The Catcher in the Rye first. I've thought about reading it for years, so it's as good a choice as any. I'm considering East of Eden, but not sure yet. Has anyone read it?"

I read it EONS ago when I was in high school. The only thing I remember about it is that I loved it.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Some interesting choices there everyone. Looking forward to the picks.

[Snoozie Suzie]

Thanks Pragya!

[Beth]

I'm going to try to get through as many of the following as I can while also keeping up with other challenges:
Man and Superman 8 pts for me
Gone with the Wind 13 points for me
Don Quixote 18 points
The Sorrows of Young Werther 12 points (good points/length ratio!)
Dracula 13 points
Frankenstein 12 points
Starting with Sorrows of Young Werther on audio.

[Debra]

Almeta wrote: "Toying with Lost Horizon, but still searching."

I've a copy of it, so you don't need to get it from the library. I had thought about reading it, also.

[Almeta]

Debra wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Toying with Lost Horizon, but still searching."

I've a copy of it, so you don't need to get it from the library. I had thought about reading it, also."

Lost Horizon is another one on and off my challenges lists, but I never get to it.

One of the reasons I've had my attention called to it is that Betty White says it is one of her favorite books. Well if it is good enough for Betty White.....:D

There is a copy at the Tonquish Library, and I've actually had it in my house, but returned it unread. I'm going to go for it again. Not many points though!

[Debra]

No, I never seem to be able to rack up many points in these challenges.

[Cecily]

Some interesting interpretations of "neglected" among the suggestions!
;)

[Tejas Janet]

I gave The Prince a read, and was inspired to write a longer review than normal (as in longer than my more usual 5 sentence reviews).

Here's a link: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Ava Catherine]

I think I shall read one of these

The Oresteia: Agamemnon / The Libation Bearers / The Eumenides Aeschylus

The Three Theban Plays: Antigone / Oedipus the King / Oedipus at Colonus Sophocles
These are known as The Oedipus Cycle, so I assume they are fine read as one.

[Almeta]

Connie wrote: "I think I shall read one of these

The Oresteia: Agamemnon / The Libation Bearers / The EumenidesAeschylus

The Three ..."

Connie we are thinking alike. I have two books of plays by Aeschylus from which to choose. I want to include Prometheus Bound in whichever one I read.

The volumes are not listed on Goodreads so I will be taking photos of them and entering the necessary data.

[Lynn]

Cecily wrote: "Some interesting interpretations of "neglected" among the suggestions!
;)"

I thought the neglected bit was that we as readers were neglecting them on our TBR piles? I'm not sure how there can be different interpretations to that .... unless I've misunderstood it? If so I need to rethink what I've decided to read most definitely!

[Cecily]

Ah, my mistake: you meant neglected by individual members, rather than neglected in general. Sorry.

[[deleted user]]

I'd interpreted it the same way, Lynn - we'd neglected to read them, not that they are classics that are rarely read at all.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

That is correct. Ones you have personally neglected. The ones you have probably bought years ago as you knew you *should* read them, that have been impatiently humphing on your bookshelf each time you pick up another book. The ones you look at at the library each time that you do mean to borrow, but you have 30 other books in your arms at the moment.

And yes, you only get credit for your top scoring book, but that's one you can cross off! And like others have said, you can always read a few.

Connie, I'm happy if you want to read all 3 plays as one book. Or if you read one play out of the book. Just state what you have done and score accordingly. I'd be interested in what you think of Antigone. I played her in high school.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Beth wrote: "I'm going to try to get through as many of the following as I can while also keeping up with other challenges:
Man and Superman 8 pts for me
Gone with the Wind 13 points for me
Don Quixote 18 point..."

Impressive list Beth

[Cathie]

I finished reading The Poems of Dylan Thomas . Meh. He is not one of my favorite poets, to say the least. I had read many of his poems before and didn't like them but thought I would give him another try from beginning to end. It didn't help. I still don't like most of his prose.

This book is 13 points but I've started another read for this challenge, , so I'm not going to declare points just yet. I know I love Poe, so at least I'll be enjoying the read :-)

[Ava Catherine]

@ Almeta: You are a girl after my heart! Glad to see I won't be dealing with the ancients on my own. : )

@Rusalka: My second year of theater/speech in high school, our teacher told us the play "Antigone." I was riveted! Although I read many ancient texts in college, I never read these, so I think it will be fun.

[Tejas Janet]

Cathie wrote: "I finished reading The Poems of Dylan Thomas . Meh. He is not one of my favorite poets, to say the least. I had read many of his poems before and didn'..."

I agree, Cathie, about Dylan Thomas. Have tried and then tried another time or two, but still haven't become a fan. I always can fall back on Poe though because I know he won't disappoint, at least not the likes of me.

[Janice, Moderator]

Great point about the interpretation of neglected, Cecily! Thanks for clarifying Rusalka. :)

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Great point about the interpretation of neglected, Cecily! Thanks for clarifying Rusalka. :)"

Indeed. You can always guarantee there is another person or two wanting the same clarification, but don't want to ask.

[Tejas Janet]

Alexandra wrote: "This sounds like a great challenge, Rusalka, count me in! I think this is my opportunity to finally tackle Don Quixote. If I don´t read it now that I will earn point for these many pages, I will ne..."

If you don't do it now, maybe we and some others from YLTO could take it on as a buddy read... I agree that it's intimidating.

[Alexandra]

Tejas Janet wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "This sounds like a great challenge, Rusalka, count me in! I think this is my opportunity to finally tackle Don Quixote. If I don´t read it now that I will earn point for these man..."

This is a good idea. I´m not too familiar with the concept of buddy reading but it seems to be a good way to read those books that have been neglected for a while... I´ve started already on Don Quixote, but maybe we´ll find something else for a buddy read, Janet :-)

[Beth]

Alexandra wrote: "I´ve started already on Don Quixote, but maybe we´ll find something else for a buddy read, Janet"

I can buddy read Don Quixote with you!

[Beth]

Also, our library had a book sale yesterday, so there are masses of new contenders in my car (am afraid to bring them in because husband my lose it!--Thinking of starting a shelf labelled "in car").

[Pragya]

Any audio book recommendations for classics? I find I can't get into many of the classic audios.

[Beth]

Pragya wrote: "Any audio book recommendations for classics? I find I can't get into many of the classic audios."

I liked Middlemarch on audio, and The Golden Notebook.

[Shirley]

Pragya wrote: "Any audio book recommendations for classics? I find I can't get into many of the classic audios."

Pragya

look at audible.com whispersync or kindle free classics that are whispersync combos free and free for each one

http://www.amazon.com/s/?node=5744839011

this is USA link if you are another country
use drop down for shop audible whispersync and choose free

librivox.com has great ones

the catalog will help you find completed book readings and you can download or listen on the computer.

Poor Miss Finch by Wilkie Collins

[Pragya]

Thank you, Beth. I will go download them.

Thank you, Shirley for the helpful link. :)

I was trying to listen to The Woman in White but just couldn't get into it. I will give Poor Miss Finch a chance.

[Travis]

Pragya wrote: "Any audio book recommendations for classics? I find I can't get into many of the classic audios."

Neville Jason reading the Sword in the Stone is very good. Also I like most any classic read by George Guidall. Simon Vance is very popular in Around the World in 80 days or most anything he does

[Marcus]

Finished: The Phantom of the Opera

Genre: Gothic Horror (3) and Romance (1)
Pub 1910: (2pts)
Author: never read before (4), French (3)
Length 360p: (2pts)

Total: 15pts

[Almeta]

Pragya wrote: "Thank you, Beth. I will go download them.

Thank you, Shirley for the helpful link. :)

I was trying to listen to The Woman in White but just couldn't get into it. ..."

Last yeaar I tried Women in White as a Buddy Read, we both abandoned it. In couldn't get into it either. I am really surprised, as I am a mystery buff, I expected to be in awe. Didn't happen.

[Cherie]

Tejas Janet wrote: "I gave The Prince a read, and was inspired to write a longer review than normal (as in longer than my more usual 5 sentence reviews).

Here's a link: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

WOW!

[Almeta]

Marcus wrote: "Finished: The Phantom of the Opera

Genre: Gothic Horror (3) and Romance (1)
Pub 1910: (2pts)
Author: never read before (4), French (3)
Length 360p: (2pts)

Total: 15pts"

Ooooo! Good one. :)

[Cherie]

Tejas Janet wrote: "Cathie wrote: "I finished reading The Poems of Dylan Thomas . Meh. He is not one of my favorite poets, to say the least. I had read many of his poems b..."

I have had The Poems of Dylan Thomas on my list for some time, and after reading your comments, I am thinking I might just delete it off. I never gave it a try, but I am not sure it is worth keeping on my list. I think I added it because I thought I SHOULD read it someday. What do you think?

[Cathie]

Cherie, I read it because I thought i SHOULD, lol. You can always give him a try and if you don't like his prose then stop :-). I'm glad I gave it another go; it's really easy to read things that aren't a challenge, but I liked the challenge of reading something and not quitting.

[Lynn]

Marcus wrote: "Finished: The Phantom of the Opera

Genre: Gothic Horror (3) and Romance (1)
Pub 1910: (2pts)
Author: never read before (4), French (3)
Length 360p: (2pts)

Total: 15pts"

Marcus, if you've not realised it already you need to report this in the other thread > http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Marcus wrote: "Finished: The Phantom of the Opera

Genre: Gothic Horror (3) and Romance (1)
Pub 1910: (2pts)
Author: never read before (4), French (3)
Length 360p: (2pts)

Total: 15pts"

Yay Marcus, and nice read!
Would you mind popping that into the Reporting thread for me? I'll try to move it later if you can't.

[Janice, Moderator]

I have posted the challenge on our home page. If you would like to track your success, head there to indicate your goal.

[Cathie]

Great idea Janice!

[Alexandra]

Beth wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I´ve started already on Don Quixote, but maybe we´ll find something else for a buddy read, Janet"

I can buddy read Don Quixote with you!"

Do you have to start reading at the same time to do a buddy read? I´ve started on the book already but if that´s no problem, I would love to do a buddy read with you and Janet!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Shirley wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Any audio book recommendations for classics? I find I can't get into many of the classic audios."

Pragya

look at audible.com whispersync or kindle free classics that are whispersy..."

Did you mean http://librivox.org/ Shirley?

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Gaeta1 wrote: "I might read Carmilla, too. I ordered it from Scholastic when I was a kid--and then moved away before the order arrived."

Oh I would have been heartbroken as a kid! Sounds like you have unfinished business there Gaeta that should be resolved.

[Beth]

Alexandra wrote: "Beth wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I´ve started already on Don Quixote, but maybe we´ll find something else for a buddy read, Janet"

I can buddy read Don Quixote with you!"

Do you have to start readi..."

Just started a folder for us. I'm doing it on audio, so it will depend when I have time in the car and other places to read it, but looking forward to it. I started it a couple days ago, but am only about 10 minutes in!

[[deleted user]]

Gaeta1 wrote: "I really enjoyed Dracula, Pragya. I think a shifting epistolary novel works better with as an all-star audio cast, anyway. Lots of famous people in Audible's new production. Tim Curry, Alan Cumming..."

This sounds like a good idea, actually. I know when I read it I felt that the different "voices" were insufficiently different in writing style to be able to tell, from a look at the page, who's section I was reading at any one time. Having different voices would at least make the sections distinctive in a way the text wasn;t.

[Alexandra]

Beth wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "Beth wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "I´ve started already on Don Quixote, but maybe we´ll find something else for a buddy read, Janet"

I can buddy read Don Quixote with you!"

Do you h..."
Great, I´m in...

[Janice, Moderator]

I started listening to The Three Musketeers yesterday.