All About Books discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General Archive
>
What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
message 5851:
by
Angela M
(new)
Aug 26, 2015 07:41AM
I'm feel like Terri does . When I was younger I never gave up on a book . Now that I'm older and have a very long tr list , I don't have a problem with abandoning a book . I know that sometimes a book can get better but if I can't get into it after 100 pages or so I just don't want to take the time . And if I end up missing something good , I can live with that . Too many to read and not enough time .
reply
|
flag
I ONLY give up on a book if I absolutely hate every second reading it. I have to be 100% sure that it could never improve and that I am learning nothing. I am not saying this is smart, but it is how I am.
I'll abandon books too, in heartbeat, but having just literally finished it, I know for a fact that 14 percent is not enough to judge "Seven Killings" by. Not even close. It's just not a normal novel.My "review" can't even begin to do this book justice, but here it is, nevertheless: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
LOL Leslie! :)
I strongly disagree with the "moaning" part, but her books are definitely all about how social systems constrain people, about people (particularly women, but definitely not exclusively) who are trapped in a milieu that is completely opposed to their inner character. There's something almost Japanese about her realism of the effects of that overweening social system - people do fight against such constraints, sure, but the very capacity of what they can imagine is unconsciously shaped by those same social assumptions they've always lived with .. their ways of rebelling are formed by the very same social system they're rebelling against.
I relate to her books very strongly - when I was younger, I definitely lived in some situations where there was just no right move - the only option was to try to keep the inner flame alive by cupping my hands around it to protect it, curling up, and riding out the stormy season. Sometimes that's the only way. The American myth of course is that in any situation, you can just push up your sleeves, grab your hammer, swagger over with a fist full of nails, and fix anything - the sky's the limit - but although it's incredibly healthy in most cases to believe that, sadly it often just isn't true. Oddly, for that reason Wharton's books strike me as very much un-American in perspective. They feel foreign almost, and I can see why some people don't like them.
In my opinion though, there's a wealth of subtle social and psychological subtlety and awareness in them - the words feel rich on the tongue, both in language and in meaning. I think The House of Mirth is her masterpiece - it strikes the perfect balance.
Angela M wrote: "I'm feel like Terri does . When I was younger I never gave up on a book . Now that I'm older and have a very long tr list , I don't have a problem with abandoning a book . I know that sometimes a b..."Yes, I'd agree with you there. If an author can't manage to grab me by 100 pages, even if it's a long book - then it's not for me. Life's too short. Of course, if a friend were to encourage me to keep reading because I'd stopped just before it started to get interesting, then I would carry on. I know Bette encouraged me recently to keep reading Unless, and I am really glad I did. Thanks Bette :)
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Albert wrote: "@Chrissie I have not read Ethan Frome but have heard others make similar comments that they did not like it. The only Wharton I have read ..."I agree, Greg with pretty much all you say here. I really liked The House of Mirth. I wasn't as keen on Ethan Frome but still liked it.
I struggle to give up books as I always feel like I must miss out on something. Particularly if it's a classic novel. For example, I started reading Don Quixote 1 when I was away and now I'm back and in a new job etc I feel too tired to carry on with but I feel like a failure giving up! I wonder if I will ever get round to these books I've given up on or promised myself I would read
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Albert wrote: "@Chrissie I have not read Ethan Frome but have heard others make similar comments that they did not like it. The only Wharton I have read ..."Greg, I completely understand what you're trying to say and I agree with your views. When I saw the movie adaptation of The Age of Innocence, I loved the theme of how social constraints can shape people's thoughts and behavior and it inspired me to add the book to my list - it will be my first Wharton novel when I come round to reading it.
On abandoning books, in my reading history I've only given up two midway: one is Madame Bovary and the other is Pensées by Blaise Pascal.
Thanks Petra. I will rate the book tonight and write a review too.
Mod
I do agree Shirley, that's why I get to her every now and then!
I've just finished reading The Sense of an Ending. I thought it was brilliant writing and gave it five stars. No Book review , just the five stars!
I loved that one too, Gil. I love his writing.
It's a fantastic novel, I bought a beautiful hardcover edition.
Shirley wrote: "Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Albert wrote: "@Chrissie I have not read Ethan Frome but have heard others make similar comments that they did not like it. The only Wharton..."Given our different perspectives, I guess it isn't surprising that I liked Ethan Frome more than the other two!
Greg, I do see your perspective. Thanks for stating it so well!
Gill wrote: "I've just finished reading The Sense of an Ending. I thought it was brilliant writing and gave it five stars. No Book review , just the five stars!"That's one of my absolute favorites! I've been on the hunt for similar books since the moment I finished it in 2011. It's been a very unfruitful endeavor.
NetGalley allowed me to read Coffee Will Make You Black: A Novel by April Sinclair and this is my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Gill wrote: "I've just finished reading The Sense of an Ending. I thought it was brilliant writing and gave it five stars. No Book review , just the five stars!"I loved it too Gill! The writing was sublime!
Chuck, it does seem to be a one of kind book, doesn't it?
Marina wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I really disliked Ethan Frome. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Wow, I read your review and now I'm not at all sure I should read E..."</i>
I wasn't crazy about Ethan Frome but I thought The House of Mirth [book:The House of Mirth was amazing . I really liked The Age of Innocence too. I love Edith Wharton - she is my favorite writer from the turn of the 20th century. Not all her novels are dark - The Custom of the Country The Custom of the Country has some ironic, funny moments. I like her because she is the real thing - just like Jane Austen, she lived during the time period and grew up in the society she writes about.
It is a matter of taste, the main conflict in her stories are an individual conforming (or not) to society's standards at the time.
Greg wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Albert wrote: "@Chrissie I have not read Ethan Frome but have heard others make similar comments that they did not like it. The only Wharton I have read ..."
Greg, I agree with you about Edith Wharton, but you said it so much better than I could! Thank you for sharing your experience. Your comments on the American myth were particularly well said.
Greg, I agree with you about Edith Wharton, but you said it so much better than I could! Thank you for sharing your experience. Your comments on the American myth were particularly well said.
Charbel wrote: "Gill wrote: "I've just finished reading The Sense of an Ending. I thought it was brilliant writing and gave it five stars. No Book review , just the five stars!"I loved it too Gi..."
I seemed to have joined a very good club of people by having read it at last, and finding it wonderful!
I've been looking up about it. Apparently it took the Booker judges 31 minutes to decide to award it the prize. That must be about the shortest time ever!
I've been trying to work out how I missed it at the time. I think the reason is that I read Levels of Life, and after that mixed up the titles. So every time I heard about The Sense of an Ending, I thought it was what I had read.
Mod
Thanks Terri and Leslie :)
Charbel wrote: "Chuck, it does seem to be a one of kind book, doesn't it?"Absolutely. I mean, there's plenty of stories that do the "life review" thing, but I've yet to see anyone pull it off like Barnes.
I've wondered if there's a label for those type of stories. I wouldn't call it a "coming of age" story.
Finished Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye . 3 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am glad I read Out of Africa / Shadows on the Grass, with its added essays. Years ago, I saw the movie and started, but never completed the book. I am glad I finished it now. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Sacajawea, 4 stars. I enjoyed every single page!
Patricia, :0) I am glad you liked it a lot too.Tidewater: A Novel of Pocahontas and the Jamestown Colony looks good, but I have not read it yet.
A Man Called Ove . I wasn't sure at first, thought it might be an 'easy' book - easy to read, easy to forget. I actually really enjoyed it. I laughed and cried, and that doesn't happen very often!
Mansu wrote: "Hi everyone! I finished Hunger last night. Highly recommended! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ my review"Well that moved Hunger up on my TBR!
I finished a book of short stories by Agatha Christie, Problem at Pollensa Bay. A mixed bag and a couple of the better stories were later adapted by Christie into full-length novels (which were better than the short stories IMO). 2.5★I relistened to my audiobook of our group fiction book, The Handmaid's Tale. I commented in that thread but I will just say I liked it better this time. 3.5★
Finished Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Volume II. 4 stars. I'll miss Sherlock and Watson.
Chrissie wrote: "I am glad I read Out of Africa / Shadows on the Grass, with its added essays. Years ago, I saw the movie and started, but never completed the book. I am glad I finished it now. My re..."
I'm wondering if you've read any books about Beryl Markham?
Pink, we talked about Circling the Sun, which is about her. I have other biographies I want to read about her but they are unavailable. It is important to note that Out of Africa / Shadows on the Grass is not about personal relationships with her family and lover. There was much less than I thought possible. That is just not the focus. Nevertheless, I got something else from the book - African life. Great stories about animals too! This is why it is so hard choosing books, even given a boo description you can be very surprised at what is delivered and how it is done.
I haven't read any of those you mention, or anything about Markham, though Straight on Till Morning: The Life of Beryl Markham looks intriguing to me, that's why I wondered if you'd read it or anything similar. Getting hold of books looks problematic, especially if you're looking for audio.
That is one of the biographies I was speaking of and cannot get. Yes, its problematic. I still find enough good stuff to read. A Little Life, not on this topic, but another I want, will be available as an audio on Oct 20th. Finally!!!! Good news.
Chrissie wrote: "That is one of the biographies I was speaking of and cannot get. Yes, its problematic. I still find enough good stuff to read. A Little Life, not on this topic, but another I want..."
I saw that yesterday and meant to post about it. It was a very bittersweet moment. At first I thought it was out, lol, because it hasn't even been coming up in their search. It's not going to be out in time for me. But I wonder who will be narrating.
I finished The Small Backs of Children yesterday. A disturbing and memorable book. After much reflection, I gave it 5 stars.
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chuck, Oliver Wyman is the narrator of A Little Life. I was thinking of you when I mentioned it here. I knew you were waiting for it too. What do you mean by, "It's not going to be out in time for me."? Do you have to read it by a certain date?
Chrissie wrote: "Patricia, :0) I am glad you liked it a lot too.Tidewater: A Novel of Pocahontas and the Jamestown Colony looks good, but I have not read it yet."
Thanks Chrissie, I was actually looking for a book about Pocahontas last night. I also want to read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West someday.
Chrissie, I want to read Tidewater one of these days too .
Patricia, now Bury my Heart, that one is short! ;0) But it is a very hard read. Devastating even if you know of all the terrible things done to Native Americans. Here a link to my exceptionally short review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Angela, I have heard that Tidewater is good.
I have heard that too , Chrissie . Not sure when I'll read it but glad you heard that too .
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
All About Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Red Shoes for Rachel: Three Novellas (other topics)Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
The Promise Girls (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Marie Bostwick (other topics)
Deon Meyer (other topics)
More...
