Sara's 2017 Old and New Classics Challenge

[Melanti]

Speaking for myself, I loved Lolita. Yes, it's extremely disturbing subject matter, but it's written so beautifully. Nabokav uses all sorts of literary tricks and allusions, etc. that make it interesting despite the subject matter.

And I've always had a soft spot for unreliable narrators.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Sarah and Melanti: I felt much the same and thought I the author would transcend the subject matter. I am not adverse to reading about characters I do not like or subjects that are not comfortable. For me, Nabokov's writing did not overcome my aversions and I found NO redeeming message at the heart of this narrative. He has skill (I also enjoy literary tricks and allusions and unreliable narrators), and he obviously is appreciated by others who are intelligent readers, but for me...I wish I had just said "no."

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Biblio wrote: "I felt the same way about Lolita. I would have DNF'd it but I read a non-fiction psychology book about perps' frame of mind. That non-fiction explained that by understanding how these perps get acc..."
You have hit upon the only possible reason for reading this book, because it unfortunately gives a very realistic view of how a predator controls and uses his prey.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Completed The Sea 4.0 rating.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

First progress on this challenge for a while. Read Waiting a 4-star read for me.

[Pink]

Well done finishing another book, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think I might have that one on my shelf, I'll have to take a look.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

It sat on my shelf for years, Pink...so, I put it on this challenge. All my choices for the challenge this time were books I already own.

[Pink]

Every year I tell myself to read more of the books I own, but they go down at a slow rate, even without me buying any more. I'm lucky that my library is great, but it doesn't help me get through my shelves.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I do the same. I find I cannot pass the used book store without going in, though, and I cannot come out without at least three books in hand. I tell myself it is better to buy them when I can get them cheap, but my TBR shelf is overflowing. The library and buying specific books for group reads means getting to these is difficult. Oh well, first world problem. :)

[Pink]

Yep, it's a lovely problem to have isn't it :)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Just completed The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. Literally sapped of emotion by the end, with a mind going full-speed. Times like these I wish there were something more than a mere 5-star rating...something that says "This is beyond excellent".

[Leni]

That's generally what I save the 5-star ratings for. Lol

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I'm stingy with them, Leni, but now and then I come across a book that is just outside even the 5s for me...this is one of those.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Finished a re-read of Watership Down, which I first read in 1975. I enjoyed it and found that it merited exactly the 4-stars I had given it from memory. I seldom have time to re-read anything, but it had been a long time and I wanted to see if it struck me at all as it had back then. Good read.

[Kathleen]

Sara wrote: "Finished a re-read of Watership Down, which I first read in 1975. I enjoyed it and found that it merited exactly the 4-stars I had given it from memory. I seldom have time to re-read a..."

I read it back then too, and have been wondering what I'd think now if I re-read it. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Let me know what you think if you read it again, Kathleen.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Finished A Yellow Raft in Blue Water and enjoyed it quite a lot. It was a well-written, beautifully characterized book, with enough of a mystery to keep me reading avidly.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

One more completed: Our Mutual Friend, which earned 5-stars from me. I do love Dickens, and while this would not be my very favorite, it would rank rather high on the list. I am trying to get through Mr. Dickens entire canon by doing two a year. Next up is Nicholas Nickleby...also on this challenge for me.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Ticking off another on the list with Bring Up the Bodies. Fascinated with the role of Thomas Cromwell in the Anne Boleyn story. I saw the very excellent production of this series on Masterpiece a few years back. Anxious to have the third and final novel come out. Hope Hilary Mantel is working at it!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

The last of my pre-1900 books was Basil by Wilkie Collins. It was a great read and earned a 4.5 point rating from me. I think Collins does a marvelous job of spinning a mystery out of nothing and developing a character that you cannot help sympathizing with, even when you feel they are their own worst enemy.

[Pink]

Congrats finishing your old school choices :)

[Leni]

I love Wilkie Collins. I have him on my Old and New challenge too. I look forward to starting Armadale in the week.

[Kathleen]

Oh boy--I'll have to try Basil after Woman in White. Sounds good!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thank you, Pink. Now I need to get to work on the Women Authors challenge, which is sorrowfully behind.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Leni wrote: "I love Wilkie Collins. I have him on my Old and New challenge too. I look forward to starting Armadale in the week."

I have never read that one, Leni, so I will be looking for your review. I bought a compendium of his work since I know I would eventually like to read them all. No excuse now not to fit him in.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Kathleen wrote: "Oh boy--I'll have to try Basil after Woman in White. Sounds good!"

I enjoyed it, Kathleen, and I think if you like his style you would as well.