What Are We Reading? 21 June 2021

[Bill]

scarletnoir wrote: "I would only buy that book for someone I hated, with the intention of sending them into a downward suicidal spiral! (In truth, I doubt that my real life enemies were readers...)"

On the whole, I found the experience of reading Stoner more exhilarating than depressing, albeit on a kind of “meta” level. I found the writing style engaging enough to keep me reading, while many of the title character’s tribulations seemed too contrived to really take to heart.

But I think what I most enjoyed about it was engaging in a contrarian position vis-à-vis so many critics and other readers who found it a great and even a “perfect” novel. (See my review for links.) I feel that such exercises sharpen my reading skills and aesthetic self-awareness.

Of course, setting aside the improbable sorrows of not-so-young Stoner, one might also be depressed by the fact that so many critics, both in the US and abroad, heaped so much praise on such a mediocre novel.

[Georg]

Bill wrote: But I think what I most enjoyed about it was engaging in a contrarian position vis-à-vis so many critics and other readers who found it a great and even a “perfect” novel.

Lol.
I am still thinking about how to write a review of Colum Mc Canns 'Apeirogon'. It is difficult because I could ramble on and on and on about what I disliked about it (almost everything) and why.

[giveusaclue]

AB76 wrote: "Was that in 1916, or earlier?"

No, it was around about February/ March 1918 I think (they didn't talk much about these things did they?). His group got surrounded by German soldiers and they surrendered, so I guess he was lucky in the grand scheme of things. He came home via Ostend I think, in time for Christmas. He was luckier than my great uncle - his future wife's brother. He was killed by a rifle bullet aged 21. He had sent a card to my grandma dated 23 March, post marked 31st and he was killed on 7th April 1917. So by the time she got the card he was probably already dead. My dad was an only one who died before my grandad, It came down to me to clear his room at the nursing home and I found that card. They had kept it for 80 years! Very poignant.

[AB76]

giveusaclue wrote: "AB76 wrote: "Was that in 1916, or earlier?"

No, it was around about February/ March 1918 I think (they didn't talk much about these things did they?). His group got surrounded by German soldiers a..."

No, that was even more silent generation of men
My GGF didnt come home right away as he was posted on the active reserve( according to his medal citations, he won 4 i think...a group of soldiers who were to be ready for further deployment) but in the end he did came back not so long afterwards.

[AB76]

Bill wrote: "scarletnoir wrote: "I would only buy that book for someone I hated, with the intention of sending them into a downward suicidal spiral! (In truth, I doubt that my real life enemies were readers...)..."

still havent read Stoner, i tend to be contrary with books everyone is raving about and come back to them in a few years but i'm always glad to see books that maybe missed the adulation the first time round having a second or third life