The Book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa (Gill and others)

[Gill]

I'm starting The Book of Disquiet on October 26th. Please do join me if you'd like to.

[LauraT]

I think I may be starting it about the same day!

[Gill]

That's good, Laura. Gosh, we'll be able to talk about it in person!

[Annie]

I'm new to the group. Have been meaning to read this one for a while. Would it be okay if I join in?

[Gill]

Of course. Annie. That would be lovely. I think Johanna is reading with us as well.

[Johanna]

Yes I am and excited about it!

[LauraT]

Gill wrote: "That's good, Laura. Gosh, we'll be able to talk about it in person!"

YES!!!!

[Annie]

I'm just wondering if anyone one else has more than one edition/translation of this ... I'm fascinated by the differences between the two I have, The Book of Disquiet and The Book of Disquiet, and that's before I properly start to read them.

[Gill]

Annie, I hadn't realised these were 2 different versions, and of such differing lengths. How interesting. I just bought the one that was cheaper for my kindle! It's this one:

The Book of Disquiet

I'll be starting reading this later today.

[Gill]

I'm enjoying reading this. I hadn't realised that it was made up of lots of small segments, but they hold together pretty well.

There's lots for me to think about as I go along
E.g. (view spoiler)[ how if you have a simple seemingly monotonous life, you only need little things to make you happy and interested (hide spoiler)]

I loved the bit where he was talking about how his life is like the children's game of cats cradle.

[LauraT]

Started today and finding it reallyinteresting, even if a bit too ...Fragmented!!!

[Gill]

Certainly fragmented, Laura. At times there is such an overwhelming feeling of sadness in this writing.

I know that Pessoa thought that Soares was his heteronym that was most like himself, and I think that comes through in the writing.

Some sections are so evocative, like the ones about autumn, and also about moonlight.

[LauraT]

Gill wrote: "Certainly fragmented, Laura. At times there is such an overwhelming feeling of sadness in this writing.

I know that Pessoa thought that Soares was his heteronym that was most like himself, and I ..."

Terribly sad!
And definitly I think it was written in Pessoa's name.

[Johanna]

Hello Gill, Laura & Annie! I just finished Mishima's Temple of Dawn and I'[m starting on the Book of Disquiet! Look forward to discussing!

[Gill]

Looking forward to it also. I'm about half way through, and finding it a bit of a slog. Hopefully discussing it with you will give me a bit of inspiration, Johanna!

[Gill]

Here's a link to the discussion we had about Pessoa, when he was our seasonal poet a couple of years ago:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I think I'm going to re-read the discussion before I carry on with the book.

[Annie]

I'm taking it slowly here, dipping in and out inbetween other reading. I'm finding it too melancholic for a sustained attack.

[Gill]

I'm halfway through and have decided not to continue with this one. Sorry about that. I'm not finding it an easy read.

[Johanna]

It's a tough book to like. Not sure why so many people rave about it. Maybe because it sounds so profound? I'm thinking that it's probably best to read it bit by bit, in between other books, like Annie is doing.

You are such an intrepid and assiduous reader Gill, that seeing you abandon the book says a lot about it and is a black mark against Pessoa!

Let me know when you want to read Requiem for a Nun. :)

[LauraT]

Gill wrote: "I'm halfway through and have decided not to continue with this one. Sorry about that. I'm not finding it an easy read."

Easy Read? It is noe of the most difficoult book I've gone through! As I told before it is too disconnected: some interesting thoughts, but jumping up and down ...

[Johanna]

There are entire sentences I don't understand what he is trying to say. Obscure, convoluted philosophical musings...

[Gill]

I was in Lisbon yesterday, where I met up with Fernando Pessoa.

We had our photo taken together:

https://images.gr-assets.com/photos/1...

[LauraT]

LOL!

[Johanna]

Ha ha ha Gill! That is fabulous!

[Gill]

Having been to Lisbon, I'm feeling more inclined to continue with this. But I think I'll be doing it in small sections. I reckon, if Pessoa wrote it in small sections there's no need for me to read it all at one go. My aim now is to finish it by early next year. Surely that must be achievable!

The beginning of December is probably best for me for Requiem, Johanna, with the provisos that a/ I need to get a copy b/ I want to finish Becoming Faulkner: The Art and Life of William Faulkner first.

[Johanna]

I hope you had a wonderful time in Lisbon! How long were you there?

Good to hear that you'll Disquiet another shot. I'm at around page 60 and sufficiently intrigued to continue in small amounts.

Take you time reading Becoming Faulkner and when you're ready, I'll definitely join you on Requiem.

[Gill]

We were on a cruise, so just there for one day.

[Johanna]

Oh how lovely! Enjoy the rest of your trip!