Reading the Detectives discussion
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What non-mystery books are you reading? (2021-2022)
Susan in NC wrote: "Sue wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "I think if Dickens's were writing today he'd be more likely to be writing for television..."Yes, he would have a terrific cliffhanger at the end of every episode!
I a..."
Well there are variations between state (free to everyone) and private (also known as public schools which are fee-paying) but in general children start school around five, and that's primary, some areas do primary then junior, then around 11 children go to secondary. Everyone has to stay on until 16 at that age do GCSEs (used to be O-levels), and that includes core curriculum subjects like Maths and English. Then post-16 can stay on until 18 and do A-levels OR go into Further Education and do them or various technical/vocational qualifications. If students who did A-levels want to go to university they'd usually apply before doing their A-levels, and get a conditional offer which is based on predicted/required grade levels. That's in England and Wales, slightly different organisation in Scotland, might go to secondary level later and their exams are different but roughly equivalent. In some circumstances can do an International Baccalaureate instead of A-levels, so there are schools in central London that are offer that. I think that basically covers it. But some secondary schools here refer to themselves as high schools too.
Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Sue wrote: "Tania wrote: "I loved Bleak House, and I'm not a huge Dickens fan, I tend to prefer Trollope. "Yes, I'd read Trollope over Dickens any day. With Dickens, I keep thinki..."
I think it's more that I found the ones I tried from the Barchester series a little dry, but have been meaning to try The Way We Live Now
Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Sue wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "I think if Dickens's were writing today he'd be more likely to be writing for television..."Yes, he would have a terrific cliffhanger at the end of..."
Thank you!
Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Sue wrote: "Tania wrote: "I loved Bleak House, and I'm not a huge Dickens fan, I tend to prefer Trollope. "Yes, I'd read Trollope over Dickens any day. With Di..."
That was excellent, I see why many consider it his best novel- especially the greed angle, made it timeless!
I have read a lot of Dickens, which started at school, but have never read Trollope. I was actually told by a teacher and somebody else that I wouldn't like Trollope, but have recently added them to my list to read, as I was given them by someone else who liked them.It does sadden me when told the young of today have not heard of Shakespeare and Dickens
Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Sue wrote: "Tania wrote: "I loved Bleak House, and I'm not a huge Dickens fan, I tend to prefer Trollope. "Yes, I'd read Trollope over Dickens ..."
Great will bump it up my list, got a copy as a present a while ago. I do enjoy Victorian novels in general, and haven't read one in a while.
Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Sue wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "I think if Dickens's were writing today he'd be more likely to be writing for television..."Yes, he would have a terrific cliffhang..."
I've amended the comments on schools slightly, remembered that public schools in the U.S. are the equivalent of state schools that are open to the public here, so might be confusing, whereas in the UK private schools are also referred to as public schools! So a public schoolboy would be someone who went to a posh, private school.
Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Sue wrote: "Tania wrote: "I loved Bleak House, and I'm not a huge Dickens fan, I tend to prefer Trollope. "Yes, I'd read Tr..."
Great, we’ll cheer each other on this summer - I’ll try to finish Bleak House, and you tackle The Way We Live Now! ;)
Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Sue wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "I think if Dickens's were writing today he'd be more likely to be writing for television..."Yes, he would have ..."
I did know about posh “public” (but really private) from reading, and the jokes about David Cameron and such politicians who are toffs!
Yes we have far too many politicians with that background, mostly pretty useless.
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But I also really like Trollope, Thackeray, Hardy, Gaskell, Charlotte Brontë and others who are less well known like Margaret Oliphant and Mary Ward (or as GR insists on calling them, Mrs Oliphant and Mrs Humphry Ward!) Must admit though that in recent years I haven't spent nearly as much time reading these authors and have got more into more recent writers. Maybe when I retire I will be able to devote myself to the Victorians more again.
I don't really like getting into arguments about Dickens, though... for anyone who doesn't like him, "other authors are available", as the BBC would say! ;) And I do agree about the traditional canon being too restrictive - it's good to see many other authors being rediscovered.
Just to add, I'm not too sure Dickens would have written for TV, as he didn't get on very well with writing for the theatre. But his books have certainly made for some great adaptations.
very interesting, Judy. I haven't read Dickens since I was a child. I didn't like him but don't remember why. now that I'm almost 60 I might try him again. Has he written anything light-hearted? I'm only familiar with the movie musical Oliver, but wonder if reading Oliver Twist would be depressing. and the name Bleak House doesn't bode well!
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The Pickwick Papers is probably the most lighthearted of his full novels, but it is very long. Hard Times and A Tale of Two Cities are the shortest of the full novels, but both quite serious.
thank you, Judy, I will put The Pickwick Papers on my to read list and see.
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I am now back with the feisty elderly again by reading My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman.
Judy wrote: "Just a warning Jackie, just remembered the first chapter of PP is very off-putting - it gets better! But you may want to peep in a few of the books and see which appeals - just thought, Great Expec..."thank you for the advice. the TBR pile is large, so likely I won't get to it soon, but I will keep your posts in mind.
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I am now reading Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides I had heard of the Bataan Death March, but knew next to nothing about it. The author seems to have done a thorough investigation of the facts, and although it is all very grim, it is compelling reading.
I've just finished A View of the Harbour which was my first read by Elizabeth Taylor and all her other books are now on the TBR. Beautifully written, character-driven and so many layers to consider. My other main read of the moment is Possession. I am in awe of this book, the sheer amount of research and writing that went into it is stunning.
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Carolien wrote: "I've just finished A View of the Harbour which was my first read by Elizabeth Taylor and all her other books are now on the TBR. Beautifully written, character-driven ..."She's one of my favourite authors, I re-read this one recently as well. Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont is probably one of my all time favourites. You're in for a treat.
I'm currently reading Family Ties by Celia Buckmaster whose first book, Village Story reminded me of ET's writing.
Tania wrote: "Carolien wrote: "I've just finished A View of the Harbour which was my first read by Elizabeth Taylor and all her other books are now on the TBR. Beautifully written, ..."I'll have to take a look at Celia Buckmaster. Mrs Palfrey is next on my list by Elizabeth Taylor.
It's wonderful/ Planning on re-reading it again in August with another group.
Yes, we're reading Elizabeth Taylor's Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont over on Reading the Twentieth Century, the other group that Judy and Susan moderate - we'll be opening up discussions on 1 August so do pop over to join us, everyone is welcome!
I found and watched the film on youtube the other day, not the same ofcourse, but quite good.
I didn't know that was on YouTube will have to hunt it down, ta!
Reading The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein. I'm not a huge sci-fi reader (although I have liked the genre in the past), but this one just isn't hitting the spot at the moment.
I haven't read Heinlein in decades, but I remember thinking some of his work is really good, and some really isn't.
I have heard that his work is a bit all over the map, so that doesn't surprise me. I don't think its bad per se, and is rated by some as his best, just not my cup of tea.
I finished Young Anne by Dorothy Whipple yesterday. I do love her stories, so full of humanity, unfortunately I'm only 2 books away from running out of her novels :( but I'm looking forward to re-reads.
Reading How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill for a challenge to read a book about a country you’d like to visit.
I'm reading Mama Hissa's Mice which is set in Kuwait across two timelines. Very interesting as I know very little about Kuwait.
Enjoying my first foray into Wodehouse with Leave It to Psmith. I can see why his books are so popular--really funny.
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I like to drop into Wodehouse's world now and again. Always good for a chuckle.
Sandy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Enjoying my first foray into Wodehouse with Leave It to Psmith. I can see why his books are so popular--really funny."I like to drop into Wodehouse's world now and ag..."
Same here! Thanks for the reminder, Tara, might be time to visit Bertie and Jeeves (I’ve got a few used books around here somewhere)!
Tara wrote: "Enjoying my first foray into Wodehouse with Leave It to Psmith. I can see why his books are so popular--really funny."I envy you! all those Bertie and Jeeves books to read for the first time.
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I envy you! all those Bertie and Jeeves books to..."
Don't ignore the ones that aren't Bertie and Jeeves; some of those are my favorites though no title springs to mind.
one of my very favorites was a short story: Uncle Fred Flits By. oh, and anything to do with Blandings Castle.
Jackie wrote: "Tara wrote: "Enjoying my first foray into Wodehouse with Leave It to Psmith. I can see why his books are so popular--really funny."I envy you! all those Bertie and Jeeves books to..."
Oh, I’ve read them a few times - still fun to revisit old friends! That’s why I tried to get my own used copies- to keep them around for whenever I needed the perk me up! ;)
I’ve got a couple of those lovely little hardbacks that were reissued years ago, Jeeves in the Offing
courtesy of my mom, who worked at a bookstore for years! The discount was the best part…
I read quite a lot of Wodehouse when I was young , and thought they were hilarious. I supppose it could have been because they were so different to other books I was reading at the time. But having read a few in later years, I have found them slightly funny but nothing to actually laugh at. A disappointment for me.
It can be tough when an author has such a reputation, where you come in with big expectations. But so far, I can see what the hype is all about.
Tara wrote: "Enjoying my first foray into Wodehouse with Leave It to Psmith. I can see why his books are so popular--really funny."I think I may reread Jeeves soon, reread them all a few years ago and loved them. The Mulliner stories are very good too, short stories about aunts and curates, but never managed to get through the Blandings' series.
Tania wrote: "I finished Young Anne by Dorothy Whipple yesterday. I do love her stories, so full of humanity, unfortunately I'm only 2 books away from running out of her novels :(..."Glad you liked this one Tania will definitely try it.
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I have started Stop Bloody Bossing Me About: How We Need To Stop Being Told What To Do by Quentin Letts It has had my laughing in a couple of places, so far.
Reading the Detectives
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We did O-levels at age 16 and A-levels at age 18. Typically I think we did about 8 subjects at O-level and three at A-level. Universities asked for certain A-level grades to get into their courses. Some schools demanded an O-level in a subject to get into an A-level. It's all changed now, though, at age 16 at least.