Classics and the Western Canon discussion
Introductions
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Please introduce yourself~
Oh, I didn't know this page existed! Didn't intend to be a "lurker"! My name is Ellen Fitzpatrick, I live in eastern North Carolina. I read all the time, always have. I'm a fiction, poetry, and essay reader, primarily, although I throw in an occasional biography. I don't like to read biographies of writers; it feels as though I'm breaking the fourth wall. I'm looking forward to reading some of Stephan Zweig's biographies, now that he's been "rediscovered." I'm lately mulling over the question of what happened to women writers from the time period between suffrage and the 60's. Finding out some very, very interesting things which include stories of writers from that period as well as their works, along with why people believe the women's movement "went silent" for all those years (the answer, of course, is that these women weren't silent). Just a current interest.
I'm a woman who's always loved Cheever, both O'Hara's, Dreiser, Creeley, Updike, Bellow, Roth, Percy (I'm leaving out so many -- Dickens, Trollope, Joyce, but where do you stop?), and who has taken a lot of heat from my women friends. I tell them if I didn't have these authors' different insights into men, I'd be hiding in a convent. And one day a couple of months ago it hit me like a thunderbolt -- "Where are the women?" Thus the interest I mentioned in the previous paragraph. The poets are there, and so are the narrative fiction writers, if you look.
The biggest conflict in my life (which will tell you how good my life is) arises from the pressures of library due dates conflicting with the cries of books I own insisting that they be read, too.
Work full time for an attorney, evenings aren't always my own (which, considering the person I share them with, is fine with me), so I'm a 3:00 a.m. riser and reader.
Have a 16-year-old Shih Tsu who has cataracts, so I have to read aloud to her now, also.
So happy to have found this group and to be free of the slings and arrows of the general discussion board. Very grateful for the time the moderators obviously put into maintaining the site. Thank you so much.
I'm a woman who's always loved Cheever, both O'Hara's, Dreiser, Creeley, Updike, Bellow, Roth, Percy (I'm leaving out so many -- Dickens, Trollope, Joyce, but where do you stop?), and who has taken a lot of heat from my women friends. I tell them if I didn't have these authors' different insights into men, I'd be hiding in a convent. And one day a couple of months ago it hit me like a thunderbolt -- "Where are the women?" Thus the interest I mentioned in the previous paragraph. The poets are there, and so are the narrative fiction writers, if you look.
The biggest conflict in my life (which will tell you how good my life is) arises from the pressures of library due dates conflicting with the cries of books I own insisting that they be read, too.
Work full time for an attorney, evenings aren't always my own (which, considering the person I share them with, is fine with me), so I'm a 3:00 a.m. riser and reader.
Have a 16-year-old Shih Tsu who has cataracts, so I have to read aloud to her now, also.
So happy to have found this group and to be free of the slings and arrows of the general discussion board. Very grateful for the time the moderators obviously put into maintaining the site. Thank you so much.
Nicola wrote: I had one question regarding the group read. When should I start reading the next book?."David gave a good answer. Our discussions are always broken into weekly segments, with a posted schedule. Discussion on each section of the book starts on the first day of the week, so that if, for example, the schedule calls for Book 1 of the Golden Ass to be on October 15-21, that means on October 15 (or usually the evening of the 14th) the moderator will open a thread and discussion on that part can start then. It's up to you whether you read before that day so you can start discussing right away without encountering spoilers, or whether you start reading it then and either enter the discussion right away realizing that you will encounter spoilers, or wait until you've read the Book before joining that week's discussion.
We are very firm about our no spoiler policy, so if you have read, say, past Book 1, you will need to be careful not to mention anything from later books until those threads are posted.
Hope that all makes sense -- if not, please ask so you can have the best possible reading/discussion experience.
Ellen wrote: "Oh, I didn't know this page existed! Didn't intend to be a "lurker"! ..."Not a problem, but glad you finally found it to introduce yourself. You'll find yourself very much among other compulsive readers here.
One response to the library-due-back problem is to read classics you can download for free from Gutenberg.org!
We used to have a Shih Tsu, but I never considered reading aloud to her. Hmmm. My bad?
Everyman wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Oh, I didn't know this page existed! Didn't intend to be a "lurker"! ..."
Not a problem, but glad you finally found it to introduce yourself. You'll find yourself very much among ..."
My only advise on reading to the Shih Tsu is to stay away from the Japanese novels. Still some bad feelings there...
S
Not a problem, but glad you finally found it to introduce yourself. You'll find yourself very much among ..."
My only advise on reading to the Shih Tsu is to stay away from the Japanese novels. Still some bad feelings there...
S
Hello Everyone!I’m a 25 year old who is currently in between jobs and has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. I am new to the Goodreads community and have been enjoying it so far. I have always enjoyed reading but have found it difficult to fit into my busy schedule the past few years. I am hoping to improve on this and decided to kick start my reading habits by joining several groups I was interested in, including this one. I have always enjoyed the classics (with Pride and Prejudice being my favorite in the category) so I am looking forward to some fun conversations with everyone!
-Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn wrote: "Hello Everyone!I’m a 25 year old who is currently in between jobs and has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. I am new to the Goodreads community and have been enjoying it ..."
I'm glad you found us! As to fitting into a busy schedule, we read our books more slowly than most groups here, to leave time for reflection and a perhaps deeper discussion than is usual, but it means that even those with busy schedules can usually find the time for keeping up with our reading schedules.
You're just in time to start on The Golden Ass, which we'll be reading over six weeks even though it's a fairly modest book, so I hope you'll be able to find time to join in the discussion.
Hello to all. My name is James and I live in Dallas, Texas. I've been looking for a Goodreads group to participate and nothing really caught my interest until I found this one. I like the fact you take a little more time for the reading. Like Hemingway, I occasionally move my lips when I read, so it can be slow going. But I love the interest direction of this group and I look forward to participating as much as time allows.
James wrote: "Hello to all. My name is James and I live in Dallas, Texas. I've been looking for a Goodreads group to participate and nothing really caught my interest until I found this one. I like the fact you ..."Welcome! I'm glad you found us, and that our way of discussing books caught your interest. I do think we have some of the more interesting discussions on Goodreads, and also a group that is highly courteous without being deferential.
Be sure to jump in with your thoughts -- we welcome contributions by all, new members and old hands alike.
Hi. I'm a retired bureaucrat from Columbia, Maryland, and heard about this discussion group from Roger. I loved reading and discussing the classics at St John's College many years ago and look forward to reading/exploring/discussing with you all. I've participated in other online reading groups and am really impressed by the quality of discussion and interaction here. I hope to catch up and participate in the Golden Ass reading. I read it awhile ago and was charmed (although not to the point of transformation :)
Susan wrote: "Hi. I'm a retired bureaucrat from Columbia, Maryland, and heard about this discussion group from Roger. I loved reading and discussing the classics at St John's College many years ago and look forw..."Another St. Johnnie! Which campus and year? At the moment, I'm the senior Johnnie (A66), but if you're retired, you might be in a position to take over that role -- not sure whether it's a crown or a dunce cap!
Will be delighted to have you join in the Golden Ass discussion. You should fit right in -- and where else on Goodreads can you get such an intelligent, robust discussion of a 2,000 year old book?
Everyman, I'm Annapolis '74, so not a contender for the senior Johnnie crown. Looking forward to some great reading and discussion here. On to the Golden Ass...
Hello! I've been lurking for a while, but just noticed that Richard II is coming up and realized I should introduce myself since I'd like to read that one with you all!I'm 49, and read "classics," as well as fantasy, history, and the backs of cereal boxes. I was a children's librarian in my youth, but retired when my son was born and have been educating my kids at home for a while now. Educating my kids has also meant educating myself -- last school year I read Homer and Virgil for the first time (in English translations, though I'm working on Latin so that someday I can read Virgil in Latin), as well as Sophocles, Aeschylus, etc., and this year I'm looking forward to reading Dante for the first time. I'm enjoying venturing into the "classic" classics, but I'm still more comfortable with old favorites like Trollope and Eliot.
I look forward to reading with the group and learning from the discussions. I've been so impressed (and sometimes intimidated) by the depth of discussion here!
Melora wrote: "Hello! I've been lurking for a while, but just noticed that Richard II is coming up and realized I should introduce myself since I'd like to read that one with you all!I'm 49, and read "classics,..."
Welcome! Sounds like you're a perfect fit for the group. I hope once you've joined us for Richard II we'll have you sufficiently hooked that you'll be ready to tackle Ulysses with us, too!
Cphe wrote: "Good morning,Stumbled across this forum yesterday and knew that I had to return and join.
Glad you found us. I notice you like Irish writers -- that's a perfect match for our reading of Joyce's Ulysses starting in January!
Have no fear! Ulysses's reputation as a difficult book is undeserved. It is an unusual book, to be sure, but once we get into it we'll see that it's nothing to be afeard of.
Cphe wrote: "I have to admit that I'm a bit intimidated by just the thought of tackling Ulysses in January.Who am I kidding? I'm mega intimidated by the thought of Ulysses."
What's to be intimidated by a book? If it is closed or thrown across the room (without breaking something), it doesn't talk back. It just takes up space. (Smile, please.)
What intimidates me is downsizing a lifetime of collecting books! ;-0
Lily wrote: "What's to be intimidated by a book? If it is closed or thrown across the room (without breaking something), it doesn't talk back. It just takes up space. (Smile, please.)What intimidates me is downsizing a lifetime of collecting books! ;-0"
Ha ha! I agree on both points, Lily. :) (although I have to admit that Ulysses does intimidate me, I'm still waffling on whether I will participate in this read or not).
But as to the second point, I'll worry about that much later on in my life. I've just recently ramped up my book-collecting habit. :)
Hello, everyone.
Everyman sent me a message recommending this group and, after looking around a bit, it looks really interesting. I was just in Dublin on Bloomsday this year and have been intending to read (and actually finish, this time) Ulysses, so I look forward to the group read in January.
Everyman sent me a message recommending this group and, after looking around a bit, it looks really interesting. I was just in Dublin on Bloomsday this year and have been intending to read (and actually finish, this time) Ulysses, so I look forward to the group read in January.
Linda wrote: "Ha ha! I agree on both points, Lily. :) (although I have to admit that Ulysses does intimidate me, I'm still waffling on whether I will participate in this read or not)."At least give it a try. It might not work for you, but if it does, you'll be glad you tried it. And if it doesn't, what really have you lost?
Alissa wrote: "Hello, everyone. Everyman sent me a message recommending this group and, after looking around a bit, it looks really interesting. I was just in Dublin on Bloomsday this year and have been intendin..."
Welcome. Great to have you joining us. How magical that you've had a Bloomsday in Dublin. Look forward to your sharing your experiences of the locations you were able to visit as we get to those sections of the book.
Everyman wrote: "At least give it a try. It might not work for you, but if it does, you'll be glad you tried it. And if it doesn't, what really have you lost?"True. I'm intimidated, but not enough to not give it a shot.
Linda wrote: "But as to the second point, I'll worry about that much later on in my life. I've just recently ramped up my book-collecting habit. :) ..."Linda, may you enjoy the years ahead! There's many an author (through the millennia) who has struggled valiantly to serve you.
Hello, my name is Dave. I've been on Goodreads for a long time but just discovered this group. I read a variety of subjects: history, philosophy, theology, fiction. I am excited to join this group because I've worked through some tough classics (Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky are two of my favorites) and it would be nice to not read such challenging books all by myself.
David wrote: "Hello, my name is Dave. I've been on Goodreads for a long time but just discovered this group. I read a variety of subjects: history, philosophy, theology, fiction. I am excited to join this grou..."Welcome, Dave. I'm glad you found us!
If you like working through challenging books, you'll love our new selection starting in January -- Joyce's Ulysses. Our discussion will be led by Thomas, who is the ideal guide for this literary adventure.
Hi everyone. I am Genni's sister and she has talked me into joining this group, because she always talks about the great discussions that you have. I am currently in college to get my Bachelors in English before applying to law school and love reading classic books. Over the past two semesters I was taking a Western literature class and would often talk to Genni about what we were reading and Look forward to reading your thoughts on the books as well.
Welcome, Kayla! I only joined recently but am finding this a lovely, friendly group.
Kayla wrote: "Hi everyone. I am Genni's sister and she has talked me into joining this group, because she always talks about the great discussions that you have. I am currently in college to get my Bachelors in ..."Welcome! Gee, in college and going to law school and loving classics -- you sound like me 50 years ago! I hope you can find time between your studies to read at least some of our books along with us and share your insights and questions. But I know how jealous of one's time college, and law school, can be.
Hi, All.I'm thrilled to have found your group, and I plan to join with you in your next read, which I believe to be Ulysses at this point. I've never been in a group like this, so any pointers are welcome (regarding navigation and participation format).
As for my introduction... I do love books. My education was cut short due illness, and I missed a lot of the Classics. I hope to remedy that here as well as to dedicate a fifth of my reading challenge for 2015 to the Classics.
Thank you for existing and for being open to new members. :)
Best Regards,
Shannon
Greetings all!I am an avid reader of a lifetime reading list I have assembled. It consists of four lists I merged: a list my HS teacher gave me many years ago, top 100 English language novels in 20th century, Pulitzer prize winners and Nobel laureates. Have read over 100 of them so far and have about 300 to go. Am not a fast reader, so just hoping I have enough time left in my life!
Shannon wrote: "Hi, All.I'm thrilled to have found your group, and I plan to join with you in your next read, which I believe to be Ulysses at this point. I've never been in a group like this, so any pointers ar..."
And we're thrilled that you found us. Yes, Ulysses is our next read; pre-discussion discussion has been underway for several days, and the formal discussion starts on Wednesday.
The Goodreads site isn't as intuitively obvious to navaigate as it might be, so if you need any help just ask. Lots of people here very happy to help out new members (or old members, for that matter).
Bob wrote: "Greetings all!I am an avid reader of a lifetime reading list I have assembled. It consists of four lists I merged: a list my HS teacher gave me many years ago, top 100 English language novels in ..."
Welcome. Your list sounds as though it mostly covers fairly modern works, 20th and 21st century, since neither Nobel nor Pulitzer prizes existed for pre-20th century books. While I'm sure Ulysses is on your list, so you should feel right at home here, in future reads we will probably stretch your horizon back some, maybe significantly (back to 300 BC or so if we engage in more Plato or pick up some Aristotle).
But meanwhile, welcome to the discussion of a book which is certainly on your list!
Three of my lists are "modern" as you point out. The other though includes (and I have read) Aeschylus, Aristotle, Augustine, Marcus Aurelius, Euripides, Homer, Lucretius, Plato, Sophocles, Thucydides and Virgil. This is the list I am trying to get through with highest priority. The list is really a gem. One more list I intend to add to the four is one based on Bloom's Western Canon list. There is a lot of overlap, I think. For example I just found (this was difficult) and read Faust 2.By the way, thanks for the kind reply! I think I will enjoy this group. May have to add another list to mine: books I learn about in this forum!
Bob wrote: "One more list I intend to add to the four is one based on Bloom's Western Canon list. There is a lot of overlap, I think."If you're looking for lists, don't overlook Clifton Fadiman's "Lifetime Reading Plan." (I prefer the original version to the "New" version revised by John Major.)
Everyman wrote: "...If you're looking for lists, don't overlook Clifton Fadiman's "Lifetime Reading Plan." (I prefer the original version to the "New" version revised by John Major.) ..."But, Bob, since you'll live in a global world, probably even more so than either Everyman or I have, don't overlook whoever makes good suggestions out of the classics of the East, as well joining us for the Western Canon focused upon here.
Lily wrote: since you'll live in a global world, probably even more so than either Everyman or I have, don't overlook whoever makes good suggestions out of the classics of the East I think your "you'll live" assumes I am (much) younger than both of you. My high school list is from 1960s. I have just retired. But ... I agree with the idea of eastern classics as well. I will have to consider some of them as well. Thanks for the idea!
And Everyman: thanks for the tip. I will check it out.
Bob wrote: " Lily wrote: since you'll live in a global world, probably even more so than either Everyman or I have, don't overlook whoever makes good suggestions out of the classics of the East I think you..."
An Eastern classics list for your consideration. It's a bit heavy on philosophy, but definitely worth a look. I've read through most of these, some with great difficulty but also with great reward. Intense stuff.
http://www.sjc.edu/files/3414/0734/99...
Interesting that this course list seems to give very short shrift to Patanjali and his Sutras which are kind of a source platform for much of the yoga practiced in this country today.
The list changes a bit from year to year, and I'm not sure why. It looks like they have added some readings in Neo-Confucianism that weren't there when I read through the list a few years ago, so maybe they cut Patanjali to make room. I don't like it though. Three seminars on Han Feizi (legalism) and only one on Patanjali just ain't right. But again, I don't understand the rationale.
Brian wrote: "Hi everyone. I've been looking for a classics group for a while and this looks like the best one."Welcome. We're of course too modest to claim to be the best classics group, but if we weren't so modest we would have to admit that you are completely right. :)
We're glad you found us.
In your mystery reading, you have some great names, but in addition, have you tried Josephine Tey, Rex Stout, Dorothy Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh? If not, you might find them also enjoyable. All wrote mysteries for intelligent people.
Hi everyone,I am a birth doula in Seattle. I recently moved back here after 14 years living in various other places (Connecticut, Boston, Washington DC, and most recently Chicago). As I child I was a voracious reader, but haven't done as much reading over the past decade since college as life filled up with a lot of working and graduate school and other things. I am thrilled to be back in Seattle, where I am nearer to family members and the mountains and nature I love. Since moving back, I have also been enjoying getting back into other activities of life, such as yoga, cooking, and also reading! I am excited to take part in this group and hoping I can keep up with the first read, Ulysses!
Jocelyn wrote: "I am a birth doula in Seattle. I recently moved back here after 14 years living in various other places (Connecticut, Boston, Washington DC, and most recently Chicago)...."Welcome, Jocelyn! I'm relatively new to this group, only having read two other books with this group, but it definitely has the best in-depth discussions, and with a group of people with a wide range of backgrounds (my classical background is sorely lacking).
Also, I had to welcome you so I could say "hi" as I'm also a Seattleite - I currently reside south of Seattle in SeaTac. I also love cooking, numerous outdoor activities, and of course reading. :)
Jocelyn wrote: "Hi everyone,I am a birth doula in Seattle. I recently moved back here after 14 years living in various other places ..."
Welcome. Glad to have you joining us, just in time for our Ulysses discussion.
You're in good company here in the Pacific Northwest -- we have quite a good contingent of members here, though of course we highly value all our members, even those not fortunate enough to live here! [g]
Hello!I'm student at University of Surrey, 22 years old, in my third year of my graphic design course. I live about 30mins south east of London, UK. Through my love of history I have come to love classics, and I think that if they really have changed literature and are remembered all these years later they really are worth reading and I think I should.
Other than classics I really enjoy fantasy, historical fiction, science fiction and horror. :)
Hello Jessica and welcome! You are to be commended. When I was in school I couldn't bear to read books for pleasure - and if I had, they would have required no thought. My mother was concerned that I'd never read again. :-) It's not too late to join us for Ulysses, and it's a great discussion going on.
Jessica wrote: "Hello!I'm student at University of Surrey, 22 years old, in my third year of my graphic design course. "
Welcome! It's great to see younger people enjoying the classics. You are absolutely right that they are so worth reading. That's what we're all about here, so you'll fit right in.
Patrice wrote: "Please join the Ulysses read. We can use more Brits to help understand the context."Besides which, if we have questions about Dublin, I'm sure you would be happy to pop over some weekend and do on-site research, right? :)
Linda wrote: "Also, I had to welcome you so I could say "hi" as I'm also a Seattleite - I currently reside south of Seattle in SeaTac."Thanks for the welcome, Linda! That's neat you are also a Seattleite
Classics and the Western Canon
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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The discussion will begin on the 15th, but you will only have to read the first section by then. Since The Golden Ass is divided into 10 books, I think it is likely that we will discuss one book a week, but I'll leave that to one of the moderators to confirm. There is of course nothing to stop you reading ahead, though of course that means you will have to beware of avoiding spoilers when discussing the book.
We will begin a two week interim read tomorrow, which, as it is always short, is kept under wraps until the day itself, though Everyman did give a few teasing hints yesterday as to what it might be.