The Man Without Qualities - Robert Musil

[Laurel]

Disucssion here for the massive doorstop that is The Man Without Qualities.

[Laurel]

I'm aiming to start this is the next day or so but I think it will probably be a long time before I finish it cos my copy's 1130 pages long! A bit daunting but here goes...

[Hilary]

I've read some long books but I don't think any as long as that. Good luck!

[[deleted user]]

I'll probably start at the beginning of next month - I'm quite excited :0)

[Laurel]

It looks really good but also very large - I have read books this long before but usually fantasy stuff so reads a bit easier!

[Hilary]

This really intrigued me! A scout around the bookshelves found three really thick books, all of them years old and all by the same author. Shogun (adapted for a TV series I remember), Gai-Jin and Noble House by James Clavell and all between 1200 - 1500 pages BUT it's just as you say, Laurel, they are really enjoyable, interesting reads so although I must have read each of them loads of times over the years Ive never realised how long they are.

[[deleted user]]

Just gave in to an irresistible urge to get Shogun (kindle edition) - huge books are much less daunting as e-books aren't they?

[Hilary]

I've always loved Shogun and thought the TV adaptation was very well done. The other two are set in Hong Kong and are a bit different but equally riveting. It's certainly easier to read long books on the Kindle. I remember when I read Mantel's A Place of Greater Safety, I ended up wishing I'd got it on the kindle as it was so awkward to hold.

[Laurel]

I've read the first couple of chapters of this and am finding the writing beautiful.

[[deleted user]]

Yay - I'll be starting soon.

[[deleted user]]

Just arrived at the beginning of part two - what a fascinating book - something to think about on every page and each chapter is like a short story or essay - mind stretching stuff.

[Laurel]

I'm almost at the end of part one - it's very interesting, the story hasn't started yet but I'm enjoying it still. I'm enjoying the philosophical stuff - was reading somewhere about the novel of ideas going out of fashion which is why stuff like this isn't read as widely anymore but so far I kind of like it. Although I didn't realise it was actually unfished! Goodness only knows how long the finished version would have been...

[[deleted user]]

Blimey - the mind boggles