The Obscure Reading Group discussion
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I love it that our group is growing, and internationally at that. Welcome to the newcomers. Looking forward to the news of the poll's outcome and to our conversations.
Thanks for the welcome, Yvonne :) And JimZ - and hi Helen! "followed my trail" :D
Jean, I'm also English and new to the group but I'd say I've possibly read more American literature than English! I have soft spots for many of the latter though: Dickens, Greene, Orwell, Isherwood... I'm currently reading David Copperfield for the first time and it's distracting me from finishing my Master's Dissertation due in December; I say it's worth it.
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Oh, man. It's been so long since I entered my "Favorite Authors" for the GR profile that I forgot who was there. Just looked and see that my Russian phase is most evident:
4 Russkies
3 Americanos
1 Irish
1 Norwegian
1 French
The most glaring nationality missing is women novelists. There's work to do there, though I listed a lot of women poets as influences.
As for British authors, I've read a ton thanks to majoring in English. I love Orwell as an essayist, the Bard, of course, for plays, Robert Louis Stevenson (counts or not?), Hardy, of course, and I went through a big D.H. Lawrence phase in my 20s.
Right. Work to do there, too.
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Ken. One of my favorite Dickens is Little Dorrit. I see you didn’t mention it. But I can’t nominate it since I already read it. 😐
Matthew wrote: "Jean, I'm also English and new to the group but I'd say I've possibly read more American literature than English! ..."That's amazing! I'm guessing it's unusual, so even more impressive. All four authors you mention are ones I rate highly too (especially George Orwell) - and now want to dive into again!
Oh David Copperfield is wonderful, isn't it? Makes you laugh; makes you cry ... and as you probably know it was Charles Dickens's own favourite :) Coincidentally I too have just finished reading it again as a first group read ... elsewhere. Hopefully it doesn't distract you too much from your dissertation, but brighten your mood, energise you and spark off your imagination :) Good to strike a balance.
Ken wrote: "Just looked and see that my Russian phase is most evident: ..."I noticed that! I do have problems reading Russian authors - though I have read a few odd novels plus poetry in translation - and admire all those who can get so much more out of them. I'm always amazed that Russian authors admire Charles Dickens, but when he was exiled to Siberia for four or five years, Fyodor Dostoyevsky refused to read any books brought to him, except Charles Dickens's David Copperfield and The Pickwick Papers! You probably know this :)
I had no doubt, by the way, that you would have read lots of English authors, as well as the Scots and Irish ones you list - and hope I didn't imply otherwise! I was equally horrified once to find my "favourites" list which must have been added by sampling, or some sort of algorithm, was just of 19th century white males!
Goodreads is great at some things, but a bit random otherwise.
My how we have grown. A Hardy Welcome to you all, pun intended.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Jean, I'm also English and new to the group but I'd say I've possibly read more American literature than English! ..."That's amazing! I'm guessing it's unusual, so even more impre..."
It is brilliant already, yes. Great Expectations has a special place in my heart, especially as old housemate and I still call one another Herbert (him) and Handel (me) after Pip and Herbs in the book. I recently saw Eddie Izzard perform the whole novel (abridged) in two hours on the top of the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill; he was fantastic, did all the voices and the descriptions, really did the novel justice, and somehow did the whole thing in a red dress too despite the wind!
Mod
I second the Hardy Welcome to all of our new members!
Ken, you made me take a look at my favorite authors, and while there are plenty of women (including the author of our upcoming book), except for my beloved Pablo Neruda, they are ALL British or American. That's what I need to work on expanding.
But oh yes Bionic Jean, I agree David Copperfield is wonderful! And Great Expectations very close to it in wonderfulness, Handel, I mean Matthew.
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Kathleen wrote: "Carol wrote: "My how we have grown. A Hardy Welcome to you all, pun intended."I second the Hardy Welcome to all of our new members!
Ken, you made me take a look at my favorite authors, and while..."
Witty response, I appreciate that, Kathleen. Nice to meet you.
Ken wrote: "I don't even remember Handel in GE. Was there water music involved?"Handel was simply the nickname Herbert gave Pip. One of the other students called me Pip first, on accounts of the "Victorian" looking coats I like to wear (just pea-coats, really) and decided that the fellow I lived with must be Herbert then. He began calling me Handel as his character did in the novel but the other woman continued to call me Pip... I preferred the former name.
Bionic Jean wrote: "Hi everyone,I'm Jean and have been "lurking" a couple of weeks reading the posts, so thought I should introduce myself. How I found you is unusual ... Someone liked a review of mine ... I checked..."
Hello, Jean a.k.a, "Bionic Jean,"
Welcome to our group! We're lively readers, and you will be a splendid contributor. Already I look forward to what I'll learn from you.
My Best,
Jan
P.S. Oh, I wanted to let you know: your name is intriguing. What inspired your "bionic" self? Memories of that 1970s television show come to mind. Please know: I am in awe of various people's super-hero powers.
Kelly wrote: "Hello!!! I am so excited to find this group. I am a lover of the classics and have finally discovered Thomas Hardy. In this short time, I have become 100% completely obsessed with his writing.
..."
Welcome, Kelly!
Your great love of the classics will make our discussions all the richer. There's a great deal I'll learn from you. I smiled when reading about your dog. So many dogs have barked their opinions and so many cats have strutted across desks these past months of social distancing; I've come to enjoy these new "friends." Any time you share a dog adventure, I'll enjoy the update!
With a smile,
Jan
Mod
Handel was simply the nickname Herbert gave Pip. One of the other students called me Pip first, on accounts of the ..."
Thanks for the refresher. I wonder if Dickens meant it to be an allusion to George Frederic?
Matthew wrote: "Hi all, I've just joined the group and looking forward to some discussions. I'm Matt, I'm twenty-three years old from Worthing near Brighton in the south of England. Thanks for inviting me, Ken. Lo..."Welcome, Matthew!
Worthing, England, must be a wonderful little corner of this world. I still marvel at what I'm learning from our novels and also from the various members here. I look forward to learning your perspectives and reading your contributions.
My Best,
Jan
Jan wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Hi all, I've just joined the group and looking forward to some discussions. I'm Matt, I'm twenty-three years old from Worthing near Brighton in the south of England. Thanks for invi..."Oh yes, it's not so bad here. Just a seaside town with a pier, and a very stony beach. Look forward to discussing things too, I seem to be surrounded by very intelligent adults! (I consider myself a child in comparison.)
Thank you Carol :) And *ouch*!Matthew - I would just love to see Eddie Izzard performing Charles Dickens! And now you have me wondering whether he has played a role in any of the various adaptations ...
Worthing always makes me think of The Importance of Being Earnest - but I expect so many people must have said that to you that I'd better duck!
Matthew and Ken - From memory ... the nickname "Handel" seemed appropriate to both, when coined by Herbert Pocket, for two reasons. Pip's brother Joe was a blacksmith, and the two friend Herbert and Pip got on harmoniously. (It's a pun on the famous harpischord piece by Handel called "The Harmonious Blacksmith", which is still in many a pianist's repertoire :) )
Jan - Thank you! Yes my name's a jokey reference to the "Bionic Woman" of the 1970s TV series :) It dates from about 3 years ago when I tripped over some coat-hangers and broke my leg so "spectacularly" (as the paramedics said) that I had to have a metal one put in from hip to knee. The first part of the tale is on my profile page under "my writing". Then recovering from that, and learning to walk again, I got cancer for the 3rd time...Anyway, I was going to change the name back, but several people had "lost track" of me when the initial letter of my name changed, so I left it as it is. I quite like it anyway :)
See, I think of your name "Bionic Jean" as a reflection of how strong you are and how you refuse to let things conquer you that would take the rest of us to our knees.
Sara - you're making me blush! You are so kind - but it's just a bit of jokey defiance really :) I'd like to have the inner springs like Lindsay Wagner though, and be able to leap tall buildings ;)
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Bionic Jean wrote: "Thank you Carol :) And *ouch*!Matthew - I would just love to see Eddie Izzard performing Charles Dickens! And now you have me wondering whether he has played a role..."
Actually, no one has ever said that to me, sadly. There is a plaque here in Worthing, on the building he wrote the play in, though it is now a horrible block of flats and hardly romantic at all. On the most part, no one here in Worthing has ever even heard of Oscar Wilde, let alone his connection to our tiny dot on the map. We have wild connections with many poets too: we have Byron Road, Shelley Road, Longfellow Road, Milton Street, Tennyson Road... and more!
I guess it's the same all over really, Matthew.
Ken, thank you for the warm welcome. I am from Ukraine (Kiev) which is "next door" to Poland. I do understand spoken Polish, and can read it, as Ukrainian language is very close to Polish. One day I'd like to try to read something in Polish, but back in Kiev, Polish fashion magazines were the best! Especially sewing and knitting instructions.
Helen, it is lovely to have you here. I am always so excited to get a point of view that comes from a part of the world I do not know well enough.
Thank you Jan and everyone for the welcome! I know I busted in here professing my love for Thomas Hardy 🤣 but I do love a wide variety of subjects! Mainly, I’m just glad to have found a group to broaden my literary horizons.
I’ve been on good reads for a while but didn’t know about the group aspect til just recently. This has been a rather isolating year thus far and is looking to continue in that manner... so this type of socialization is perfect.
Plus I don’t have too many friends that are passionate about reading and discussing books! Highly looking forward to it.
Mod
One da..."
Ah, the Ukraine (so MUCH in the news these days, but I won't go there). My great grandparents' first language was Polish. My grandmother was born here, but of course brought up in a household speaking both Polish and English. Me? I just know Polish cuisine, a few expressions, and of course Polish swears. 😇
Great to have you (and our other new members) here for our Oct. book!
Bionic Jean wrote: "Matthew and Ken - From memory ... the nickname "Handel" seemed appropriate to both, when coined by Herbert Pocket, for two reasons. Pip's brother Joe was a blacksmith, and the two friend Herbert an..."Ah, Jean, yours is a remarkable story. I will look for your writing during a break this afternoon. I just looked for you individually on Good Reads, and I smiled when reading your "entry question." Facing cancer as well? I'm humbled and intrigued. You surely have grit and creativity, and we all need more of those qualities. I look forward to learning from you.
I'm a survivor of a ruptured brain aneurysm and two strokes which all hit within a fateful few days. Daily lessons remind me my life and world have changed. I laugh while taking on the challenges, but I'm serious about the healing and work still ahead in life. Returning to the laughter, I make sure to enjoy the naps each day. Exploring the art of sleeping is truly a luxury. (smile)
Helen wrote: "Ken, thank you for the warm welcome. I am from Ukraine (Kiev) which is "next door" to Poland. I do understand spoken Polish, and can read it, as Ukrainian language is very close to Polish. One da..."
Hello, Helen!
What rich perspectives you'll bring to the discussions. I'm glad you're here. Have you traveled to the United States or to different countries in Europe or Asia? I'm fascinated by the many rich traditions, languages, and cultures around -- and, so I'm learning, within -- you. Yes, especially with our discussion of "The Street," I look forward to learning your perspective. Even though it wasn't our #1 winner, I am planning to read "The Emigrants" as well. I may highlight some of those passages and ask your reflection, if I may.
My father was born in Poland in 1940 and lived in various countries of Europe (I believe Ukraine as well) for years as a child. My own childhood memories involve watching him with his many friends who were also refugees. Their soft conversations and smiles were delightful to watch. I never learned Polish per his determination that we all "fit in" but perhaps I can learn a bit now.
Okay, my break is coming to a close!
A smile,
Jan
Matthew wrote: "Jan wrote: "Matthew wrote: "Hi all, I've just joined the group and looking forward to some discussions. I'm Matt, I'm twenty-three years old from Worthing near Brighton in the south of England. Tha..."Worthing sounds absolutely lovely. Your description right here has "cinched" it for me. Some day I will visit your town. Enjoy your new week!
My Best,
Jan
Hi, I’m new to the group. I live in Philly and was searching for a Hardy group. Hardy is my favorite writer of all time but I love lots of others too. I’ve just started a MA in English Lit program (after many years of being out of school :-0) so I hope I can keep up with whatever book is chosen. Looking forward to it!
Mod
Congrats on the MA program. Some day I might try an MFA in writing as a retired man, but I'd like to do it in person, so those plans, like many others, are on hold.
Visited Philly in 2002 last, though I train through it frequently when visiting the parentages in So. Carolina. Neat little town with some great restaurants (and, as I recall, a nice art museum).
Denise wrote: "Hi, I’m new to the group. I live in Philly and was searching for a Hardy group. Hardy is my favorite writer of all time but I love lots of others too. I’ve just started a MA in English Lit program ..."Congratulations on your MA in English Literature! Welcome to the group. I've learned so much from everyone here, and I remember when the facilitators first began this. I was intrigued and came to love the next questions and ongoing comments. I've always loved reading, yes, but little did I realize how much I would appreciate reading and discussions as I have this particular year. I hope the same will be true for you. Enjoy what these upcoming weeks and months will bring.
Denise wrote: "Hi, I’m new to the group. I live in Philly and was searching for a Hardy group. Hardy is my favorite writer of all time but I love lots of others too. I’ve just started a MA in English Lit program ..."Brilliant that you are starting an MA! I have my MA in Creative Writing Dissertation due in December and then I'm done! 20,000 words though...
Wow I'm full of admiration for our MA Lits :) Congrats, and welcome to you Denise. (I'm brand new too!)Jan - your experience sounds incredibly scary! You're definitely a survivor - kudos to you :)
A very eclectic and perhaps a bit intimidating group. After reading Kathleen's review of The Street, I decided to investigate the group that motivated her to re-read it. I will start it straight away, and I'm sure make good use of your discussions.I am a retired secondary science teacher with a passion for literature. My all-time favourite author is Anthony Trollope. If you are looking for obscure, The Fixed Period would certainly fit that definition. I live on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains in South-western Alberta, Canada. In the middle of a snow storm at the moment. See you soon in the discussions.
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Glad Kathleen led you here. It could have been any of the members here. Smart cookies, as they used to say. Really smart cookies.
P.S. Sorry about the snow. Here in Maine, I know it's only a few weeks or so away, and my daughter in Minneapolis has already seen it fly, maybe from the same system that went over you!
Ginny wrote: "A very eclectic and perhaps a bit intimidating group. After reading Kathleen's review of The Street, I decided to investigate the group that motivated her to re-read it. I will start ..."Hello, Ginny,
Welcome to this group! I learn so much from everyone here, and already from you I have two more avenues to explore in my reading journey. You already fit in, and I look forward to learning more.
My Best,
Jan
Nice to meet you, Ginny. The Fixed Period sounds very un-Trollope-like, so of course I just added it to the TBR. Looking forward to knowing you better through the threads.
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Like Ken, I've yet to read Trollope. What do you think is the best to start with, the obscure one or something else?
I am a real Trollope fan. I've read all six books in The Barchester Series, and have The Palliser novels waiting on my shelves. The Way We Are Now is a stand alone novel that sounds just like the Enron scandal of a few years ago. The series should be read in order, but other than that you can just jump in anywhere. Trollope knows human nature inside and out, so you will recognize people you know in anything he writes, plus he's funny and gossipy, because we all know that society lives on gossip. I know you didn't ask me, but I love Trollope so much I just butted in.
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Thanks, Diane! Great info, and I'm looking forward to jumping in. :-)
Hello! I seem to have randomly wandered in here, but you had me at Trollope. Is there a FAQ for how this works? Instructions? Directions? Orders?
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Glad you happened by, Paula. Welcome. We are just wrapping up one of our three-times-a-year discussions. See the description on the group home page for how it works here. Our next discussion will be in Feb. 2021. It is the only one of these three months where an "obscure" classic must be nominated, circa 19th century or earlier.
I will send a message to all members for an optional nomination fitting that description in late December. Then a poll will go up, we will vote, and we should have a new book to find and read by New Year's Day.
January is reading time, Feb. 1st begins discussion time. Simple!
Kathleen wrote: "Like Ken, I've yet to read Trollope. What do you think is the best to start with, the obscure one or something else? ..."Some great advice from Diane already. There are 47 novels, and it really depends on whether you want lighter or a bit heavier. I would not recommend starting with The Fixed Period. Very untypical. Satirical, but really very sad. The Trollope Society is having a promotion right now, and here are recommendations from some prominent readers: https://trollopesociety.org/pickupatr...
I voted for Miss Mackenzie. I remember liking it, and want to re-read it. It is a stand alone.
The Obscure Reading Group
Books mentioned in this topic
A Pair of Blue Eyes (other topics)The Woodlanders (other topics)
Buddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family (other topics)
The Castle of Otranto (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Thomas Hardy (other topics)Italo Calvino (other topics)
Anthony Trollope (other topics)
Charles Dickens (other topics)
Eddie Izzard (other topics)
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I'm delighted that you enjoy reading - and watching adaptations of - "the Inimitable", though sadly none of your favourite authors seem to be English (according to Goodreads). I confess to the same bias - but in reverse! My knowledge of American literature is particularly shameful, and I hope to improve it in this group.