Reading the 20th Century discussion
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What books are you reading now? (2020)
The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-mi Hwang is a marvelous novella. Don't pass it by. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun Hollywood Park: A Memoir by Mikel Jollett. I have been unsure if I should read this or not. I have to admit, it has pulled me in right from the start.
Today, I finished A Hero of Our Time and started Black Narcissus, which I want to read before I watch the miniseries of it, which recently aired on the FX channel in the U.S.
Brian, I have considered reading Lermontov's book many times, but I think it is going to be a chore. You know, one of those books you are glad to have read , but are also glad when it is over and done with. Id like to know if it is enjoyable as you read it????Black Narcissus--that I can tell you is very good! It is intense AND has humor. So, it's going to be on TV?! It is so good you are reading it first. The TV version may be different.
Chrissie wrote: "Brian, I have considered reading Lermontov's book many times, but I think it is going to be a chore. You know, one of those books you are glad to have read, but are also glad when it is over and d..."I hear you about chore reads. To me, A Hero of Our Time was a fairly smooth 159 page read and less of a chore than every other 19th Century Russian novel I've read, including 4 Dosty's, the 2 major Tolstoys, Dead Souls and Fathers & Sons. Sometime next year I plan to read Oblomov
Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Brian, I have considered reading Lermontov's book many times, but I think it is going to be a chore. You know, one of those books you are glad to have read, but are also glad when ..."Brian, I just went and read your review. Do you feel that the "stories" hold together enough?
I can't wait to hear what you have to say about Oblomov, another one I have considered for AGES!
Chrissie, they do hold together well. I'm not sure I would have noticed them being separate vignettes if I hadn't known it beforehand. The Wikipedia article stated that the first and last vignettes had been published in a periodical as separate stories before the book was.
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini - 3 stars - My ReviewSeries of interconnected stories covering six decades (starting in the 1940s) and initially set in Afghanistan, with other pieces and parts in Greece, France, and the US. The premise and writing are decent, but I found it difficult to become engaged in this story. It feels a bit too fragmented. The linkages between the stories are only vaguely defined. I had previously read and enjoyed The Kite Runner, and much preferred it to this one.
Brian wrote: "Chrissie, they do hold together well. I'm not sure I would have noticed them being separate vignettes if I hadn't known it beforehand. The Wikipedia article stated that the first and last vignettes..."OK, I have moved the book to my wishlist. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the book with me
I finished Nowhere Ending Sky by Marlen Haushofer, translated from German to English by Amanda Prantera. It's a coming-of-age story, unconventional in style, packed with striking images and scenes. I really liked this one, I thought it was excellent, there don't seem to be many reviews on GR, which is a shame because I think it deserves a wider readership.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have completed Hollywood Park: A Memoir by the band leader and songwriter Mikel Jollett. The author lived in a cult as a kid. We see the consequences.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid. It is about Antigua, located in the British West Indies. Right off the bat you recognize that it is written with sarcasm, employing a heavily sardonic humor. It's short. After Kincaid's book, I will have to pick something lighter in tone. I will need to read a book with happy humor.
I have completed the short but draining A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid. Phew, I'm glad that's over.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I need something cheerful. My friend John has suggested I read The Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield--an author previously mentioned in this group. Here goes.
I love the Provincial Lady series, and they certainly are cheerful. They are what she's most known for and yet her other books seem much more serious and critical of the restrictions placed on women in Victorian/Edwardian society. I recently read Consequences which was great, but heart-wrenching. Looking forward to exploring more of her work.
Tania, I thought I would start with this one and see where it takes me. I felt I had to pick up something cheerful. I was laughing as I listened just a short while ago. What worries me is that I might begin to get bored. Is there some sort of plotline also?
No, not really a plotline, it is just a diary. I think it is very autobiographical with names changed and a few bits added for comedic effect. I didn't mind the lack of plot and just enjoyed sinking into it.
Tania, yeah, I had read that it was somewhat "autobiographical" in content. I hope that the humor doesn't become repetitive--particularly if a person reads it from start to finish, as I do.
I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed it I just found it quite entertaining and funny. Hopefully you'll enjoy it.
Tania, I thought I had purchased one volume containing the four different parts--but I realize now that I haven't. Soon I have to decide whether to continue....... I noted that you liked the first book best!It seems that on GR, there are two different sets of the four books--The Diary of a Provincial Lady and Diary of a Provincial Lady. These two are the first book of the two different sets.
I second Tania love that series, and read it very speedily, it's fun and fascinating on attitudes to books, fashion, bookish society too. I think you either like the style or you don't. Have you tried reading an extract Chrissie?
Alwynne, I am reaching the end of the first of the four books in Diary of a Provincial Lady and I do definitely like it a lot. I don't quite know how Delafield manages to pull this off. I am not finding the humor repetitive. I keep laughing at different things. Much of what she writes of I easily relate to--it does not feel dated. I am trying to decide whether to continue with the next book immediately. I thought I had bought the four volumes in one audiobook, but this was not so. I have to make up my mind SOON! So you say they don't start getting boring?
Chrissie wrote: "It seems that on GR, there are two different sets of the four books--The Diary of a Provincial Lady and Diary of a Provincial Lady. These two are the first book of the two different sets.."The two books are different, but both are not sets. It is confusing and it wouldn't be surprising that the audio book would not be as claimed. The books are:
1) Diary of a Provincial Lady - the first volume of the series only and is listed at 201 pages.
2) The Diary of a Provincial Lady - a compilation of the four books together (Diary of a Provincial Lady / The Provincial Lady Goes Further / The Provincial Lady in America / The Provincial Lady in Wartime) and is listed at 562 pages.
3) The Complete Provincial Lady Series - All 5 Novels in One Edition (Illustrated Edition): The Diary of a Provincial Lady / The Provincial Lady Goes Further / The Provincial Lady in America / The Provincial Lady in Russia / The Provincial Lady in Wartime -- adds in The Provincial Lady in Russia to the four compiled in THE Diary of a Provincial Lady mentioned above, and is listed as 687 pages.
The Provincial Lady in Russia is a nonfiction account of the author's actual visit to the Soviet Union, but is not considered part of the Provincial Lady series, despite the title or that it is called a novel in this collection. wikipedia states it was published first as I Visit Soviet Russia and in the U.S. as I Visit the Soviets.
I personally found it was better to space them out, they had very similar tones and could get a bit repetitive, but once I knew what I was in for, I'd pick them up when I knew that was what I wanted.
Chrissie wrote: "Alwynne, I am reaching the end of the first of the four books in Diary of a Provincial Lady and I do definitely like it a lot. I don't quite know how Delafield manages to pull this of..."Great Chrissie, they didn't get boring for me, possibly slightly less fun as they go on? I would happily have read more instalments though. Also like wartime books, love Mrs Miniver for example. So that helped with the later ones. I have a Penguin Modern Classics edition with a white spine, the UK imprint, which has the four diaries, not the added Russian one.
Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "It seems that on GR, there are two different sets of the four books--The Diary of a Provincial Lady and Diary of a Provincial Lady. These two are the first book of the two differen..."Thank you, Brian, this is very helpful. Now wonder I have been confused!
I am going to finish off the first book and see how I feel then.
Chrissie wrote: "At the two links (see message 2118) I provided, the same content is rated but they are not connected. Shouldn't they be?."I'm not sure what you mean. When I go to each of the two links I see different books, descriptions and ratings. They shouldn't be connected.
In reviewing these, I see that even Goodreads is confused. This Penguin edition of The Diary of a Provincial Lady
has the intro word THE but Goodreads lists it as containing only the first volume and has the ratings and reviews for the first volume and not the ones for the compilation. However, if you look at the actual book, you see that it is 586 pages (22 hour audiobook) and is actually the four volume compilation.On the other hands, the Virago Press edition of the first volume The Diary of a Provincial Lady
is correctly listed on GR as containing only the first volume. Thus, it is the publisher that incorrectly added the intro word THE.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I have very much enjoyed Diary of a Provincial Lady by E.M. Delafield. It is cheerful, a perfect choice for the dark days we are in.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
I have enjoyed discussing this book with several of you here in the group. I have added the next book in the series to my wish-list and plan on reading it soon.
I have started, with I must say some trepidation, The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. Will I be able to follow this on audio?
Brian, you explanations have made it clear to me. Thank you!
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende - 4 stars - My ReviewThis book is a historical family saga set in Spain, France, Chile, and Venezuela, spanning the 1930s to 1990s. This book covers events such as the rise of Francisco Franco, the outbreak of WWII, and Pablo Neruda’s involvement in leading Spanish refugees to Chile. Once in Chile, it portrays the rise and fall of both Salvador Allende and Augusto Pinochet. She brings a masterful storyteller’s touch to bear in creating this moving story of a couple thrust together and changed by world events.
I just finished Buchi Emecheta's fascinating novel Second Class Citizen originally published in the early 70s and based on the author's experience of coming to London in the 1960s. Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Great Judy, I was completely absorbed. I thought she was really skilled at explaining her cultural background without info-dumping, as well as the clash with British culture that made communication so hard, and I liked the understated way she talked about the challenges she faced, it made what she said more powerful somehow. I'm really looking forward to reading In the Ditch to find out what happens to Adah next.
I have read The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli. It wasn't at all as hard as I thought it would be.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am now enjoying another by Elizabeth von Arnim. This time it's The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight. It is available free at Librivox here: https://librivox.org/the-princess-pri...
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See - 3 stars - My ReviewFriends with different backgrounds, Young-Sook and Mi-Ja, live in Jeju, Korea, an island off the coast of what is now South Korea. They are haenyeo, sea women who dive in the ocean without equipment to harvest seafood. I enjoyed learning about the female divers and their culture, and I think this is the strength of the book. It clearly portrays the dangers and risks, as well as the matriarchal society in which they reside. I do not think the chosen storyline of a broken friendship was the best vehicle relating Korean history. The plot seems too thin for a story set against significant historical events. For me, there is not enough integration of the disparate elements. I was not prepared for the extreme level of violence this book contains, and certainly not for a massacre, so be forewarned.
Mod
I think I had both the books about Adah in one volume, if I remember rightly.
I finished children's book by Erich Kastner The Flying Classroom surprisingly charming.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tania wrote: "I personally found it was better to space them out, they had very similar tones and could get a bit repetitive, but once I knew what I was in for, I'd pick them up when I knew that was what I wanted."I have decided to space them out, as you have! I will probably get to the second next month since I read / lisen a lot.
Published in 1966:Silence by Shūsaku Endō - 4 stars - My Review
Set in 17th century Japan, this work of historical fiction tells the story of Sebastian Rodrigues, a devout Portuguese priest whose beliefs are tested to the breaking point. At this point in history, Christianity is being eradicated from Japan by leaders who see it as a threat. It is based on a real episode in history, but the specifics have been lost to time. Endō fills in a possible scenario and tells a powerful story in the process. It is not didactic. It highlights the need for compassion and understanding above rigid adherence to doctrine.
I have completed The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight by Elizabeth von Arnim. I am running out of books to read aby this author.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will soon start A Promised Land by Barack Obama.
Mod
Milkman by Anna Burns - 4 stars - My Full ReviewThis story is set in Northern Ireland in the late 70s during “the troubles." Eighteen-year-old protagonist middle sister is being stalked by a paramilitary leader called Milkman. The populace is living in the midst of terrorist activities. All names are generic, which I liked since it seems appropriate in an environment where people lose a part of themselves. I became invested in the outcome. The author does a fine job of conveying what happens to a person targeted by a more powerful person in a situation where she has little control. This book is written in stream-of-consciousness, using long paragraphs with few breaks. I found it extremely creative and liked it very much.
Mod
Re-reading of Dylan Thomas's
A Child's Christmas In WalesLink to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished the pleasingly diverse The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories: From Hans Christian Andersen to Angela CarterLink to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
I've just started Piranesi which is strange and wondrous.
I think I'd really like to read Piranesi, I do keep hearing how strange it is. I loved Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. I'm reading Kingdoms of Elfin by Sylvia Townsend Warner which is reminding me of The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other StoriesI'm also reading Bill the Bachelor by Denis Mackail for a bit of light comic fiction (think P.G. Wodehouse) and Ancestral Voices: Diaries, 1942-1943 the first of James Lees-Milne's volume of diaries, he was one of the Bright Young Things set, and here he's working for the National Trust during the war. Loving this one.
Mod
It's definitely strange in a good way, Tania. I haven't read Jonathan Strange so can't comment on comparisons but would like to read it now.
Reading the 20th Century
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Passing by Nella Larsen - 4 stars - My Review
This book examines loyalty, longing, respect, risk-taking, and identity. I read it as both an indictment of racism and a portrayal of the heavy personal cost of social mores that require racial categorization. It was published in 1929. I was unprepared for the ending and it offers the reader many possible interpretations. I can see why this book is considered a classic.