Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels discussion
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They Were Counted
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The Transylvanian Trilogy
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Granted the Everyman editions, even second hand can add up. They do classy books, nice font size and the little tassel book marks are appreciated by me and the cats.
Just started book or volume IIIBack to back cliff hangers. Even the politics is starting to have elements of suspense.
Effortless story telling is the phrase I have been needing.
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strangley, both Goodreads and Amazon list it as 250 pages, but it's actually got 345!
re "effortless storytelling"
when a new character is introduced, or a new social setting, or a new piece of political background, with a lesser writer you might inwardly groan and think "oh, just get on with it! why are you making it even more complicated?!" but Banffy's style is so economical/engaging that you almost immediately "get" a) what he's talking about and b) how it relates to/enriches the rest of the story - it's amazing.
Who knew Banffy could be funny?A reward for getting this far is that there are scenes of laugh out loud humor.
One character just got one of the most perfectly imagined comeuppance.
Lessor note, he also writes himself into the novel. Perhaps a reminder that he was there. Or a tad of self-indulgence.
Finished.Some of the best chapters I have ever read. Clearly an underappreciated writer.
The last sentence is wow
Finally getting a chance to start vol. 2. I enjoyed the first volume, but I was kind of so-so about starting the next one, but I got interested right away. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but this one seems a little more polished than volume 1. Were all these written at the same time, or was there a break between writing?
Wiki says that there was a 3 year break between book I and II. 1934 and 1937
But was he writing continuously, consecutively .. one o them? IDK
Starting part II of Vol. 2, where Dodo makes her play for Laszlo. I'd be willing to kick Laszlo in the pants--I'm half in love with Dodo myself.
second your notion on both.Not sure Laszlo would Care or even disagree, but the kick would be itsown reward.
Dodo is the kind of woman I would want on my side. Add in bedroom privileges and life is good.
Finished Vol. 2. Might be a while before I can get to Vol. 3In some ways I liked Vol 2 better--maybe because I'd already learned enough of the characters to follow along without having to see them develop. (Not that I kept them all straight--not by a long shot). I understand why Banffy started Vol 1 out the way that he did, but it was a lot of information all at once, with a ton of characters to try and keep track of.
Vol 2 has a lot of scenes that seem to be designed to give the reader the feel of what life was like at that time, in that place, which have little to do with moving the plot forward. Some of these were interesting, some I felt were kind of in the way, especially when I was wondering what might be happening to Balint, or Laszlo.
I felt pretty confident that (view spoiler), though I couldn't foresee the details.
I look forward to Vol 3, when I get an opportunity to read it.
I have started to lay out my TOE on Balint ans Laszlo. So far it is worthy of a gut course in lit and maybe too obvious. But it has helped me to digest the books.
Prepare for at least two or three chapters that approach literary greatness.
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Happy reading
Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels
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oh, and I just bagged a veeery reasonably priced copy of [book:They Were ..."
"Banffy's effortless storytelling"
Nicely phrased.
I am thinking the intrusion of politics is meant to read like an intrusion, that is until... dun dun DUNNN!!