Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion
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Which LIST book did you just finish?
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I wonder why a book like this would even be on a list of "must rea..."
Ellinor wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy. (A late-in-life very troubled Tolstoy, apparently.)
What a bunch of dreck! I have to wonder how this one ever mad..."
Ellinor wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy. (A late-in-life very troubled Tolstoy, apparently.)
What a bunch of dreck! I have to wonder how this one ever mad..."
Kathleen wrote: "The Kreutzer Sonata by Leo Tolstoy. (A late-in-life very troubled Tolstoy, apparently.)
What a bunch of dreck! I have to wonder how this one ever made it to the list."
Interestingly, The Kreutzer Sonata has remained on the list since the original book in 2006.
The review from Boxall (by RM -- Dr. Ronan McDonald, Director of the Samuel Beckett International Foundation and Lecturer in the School of English at the University of Reading) -- "The Kreutzer Sonata proffers a blistering attack on the 'false importance attached to sexual love.' It argues in favor of sexual abstinence (even within marriage), against contraception, and against sentimental ideas of romantic attachment. These morals are, in many respects, alien to the West today, but the novel cannot be simply dismissed as a reactionary rant. The idea that women will never enjoy equality with men while they are treated as sexual objects resonates with ongoing feminist debates. . . The novel caused a scandal on its publication and attempts were made in Russia to ban it, though copies were widely circulated. Mere extracts were prohibited in America, and Theodore Roosevelt called Tolstoy a 'sexual moral pervert.' ... The most compelling aspect of this novella is the psychologically acute depiction of obsessive male jealousy."
Thanks for the info. I do not plan to read it.
Karen wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Ellinor wrote: "I also just read this, but I didn't finish. After about a third I couldn't bare the misogynistic talk anymore...."I wonder why a book like this would even be on a lis..."
The fact that Boxall saw the need to reassure us that "the novel cannot be simply dismissed as a reactionary rant" is very telling. Also, I should like to add once again that Tolstoy wrote an addendum in which he confirmed that he actually agrees with these horrifying ideas. That's the crucial difference between the "ongoing feminist debates" and the novel. As for the "psychologically acute depiction of obsessive male jealousy", some readers might be interested in knowing Sophia Tolstaya went through hell on account of this novel.
I said in my review, and I'll say it again: find me a text that is anti-contraception and you have found an anti-woman text.
Joy D wrote: "Ellinor wrote: "I also just read this, but I didn't finish. After about a third I couldn't bare the misogynistic talk anymore...."I wonder why a book like this would even be on a list of "must rea..."
I suspect because Tolstoy wrote it and the list skews very radically toward the "Man of Genius" kind of author.
Thank you for the Boxall review info on The Kreutzer Sonata, Karen. I thought someone perhaps saw great writing here that I missed, but it doesn't sound like it. I'll just say I didn't find the obsessive male jealousy compelling or even particularly revealing, but found the antidote to it that was offered deeply disturbing, reagardless of moral universe or time period. I really appreciate the detail though!
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I wonder why a book like this would ev..."
"...some readers might be interested in knowing Sophia Tolstaya went through hell on account of this novel." She also wrote a book herself as an answer to her husband: Sophia Tolstoy's Rebuttal of Her Husband Leo's Accusations: Who's to Blame?
Ellinor wrote: ""...some readers might be interested in knowing Sophia Tolstaya went through hell on account of this novel." She also wrote a book herself as an answer to her husband: Sophia Tolstoy's Rebuttal of Her Husband Leo's Accusations: Who's to Blame?"Thank you so much for sharing!
I just finished I, Robot.
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House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
Wow, what an accomplishment my the author! To create all the documentation, footnotes, interviews, etc. related to the story he tells is just amazing. There is also a forum where you can find a translation of one of the sections which was not translated in a footnote -- https://forums.markzdanielewski.com/f...
Mr. Vertigo by Paul Auster
This audiobook edition included an interview with Mr. Auster in which he talked about the books which inspired him to write. Top of the list was Crime and Punishment. Other favorite authors were Dickens, Cervantes, and the also the essays of Montaigne.
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North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell - If you like Jane Austen, you should like this. Just a little more gritty.
The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham - I have heard a lot of people in this group say how much they liked this one. I have to agree. I liked it a lot.
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The 120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de SadeNo. Just no. No more de Sade, thank you very much! (I've already finished Justine.)
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The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. One part Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, one part Dan Brown (I realize this predated Dan Brown, put down the stones) and one part Jules Verne. One of my favorite list books to date.
Sean wrote: "[[book:The Name of the Rose."
I read it three times. I have watched the film many times and I am always blown away by both the film and the book. One of my favorite books.
Carol wrote: "The 120 Days of Sodom by Marquis de SadeNo. Just no. No more de Sade, thank you very much! (I've already finished Justine.)"
My feelings exactly.
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Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. This one really had a Borges feel to it. Short, strange sections. But ultimately satisfying.
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Diane wrote: "Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson. Happy to finally have this tome behind me."I read it last year and I agree with you. It had some interesting parts but not enough for how long it is.
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The Iron Heel by Jack London and Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi and Martin Eden by Jack London and How It Is by Samuel BeckettDidn't realize I hadn't posted in a while.
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I wonder why a book like this would even be on a list of "must reads."