2023: Hefty and Husky Planned Reads

[Luís]

Lesle wrote: "Luís wrote: "I'll suggest The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and the Laws of Physics as a Husky."

Unfortunately Luis this one would not qualify in our Classic world ..."

Ok. Got it.

[Diane]

I’d like to read Kristen Lavransdatter and Lark Rise to Candleford.

[Iris]

I'd like to second Kristin Lavransdatter, The Man Without Qualities and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Updated in message 2

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

I'll be closing the thread for suggestions. From the suggested list at message 2, please support the ones you're interested in if you haven't still done so. Thanks.

[Mike]

I'll vote for Fortunata and Jacinta as I've missed it from my AND list. I'll also vote for The Sagas of Icelanders having read The Prose Edda last month. To anyone else interested in The Sagas, I'd recommend reading The Prose Edda as it provides a broad overview of Norse mythology and themes, especially the concept of Kennings.

[John]

Mike wrote: "I'll vote for Fortunata and Jacinta as I've missed it from my AND list. I'll also vote for The Sagas of Icelanders having read The Prose Edda last month. T..."

Thanks for the recommendation for The Prose Edda , Mike. I think I'll try to read that one even if The Sagas aren't selected. (I think Karin will like that one too!)

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Updated.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

From the votes we received for the suggestions, four hefty and four husky are clearly marked out. So, I'll be closing the thread.

Hefty:
Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (867 pages)
Fortunata and Jacinta by Benito Pérez Galdós (818 pages)
Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset (1144 pages)
Shōgun by James Clavell 1152 pages

Husky:
The Sagas of Icelanders by Various (782 pages)
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell (608 pages)
Deerbrook by Harriet Martineau (656 pages)
The Red and the Black by Stendhal (608 pages)

The reading order is updated in message 1. Thank you all for your suggestions and support.

[Tracey]

Piyangie wrote: "Hi all! It's time for us to plan the Hefty/Husky reads for the coming year. Perhaps, it's a little early, but we have more time that way. :) Many of you are familiar with the format and procedure, ..."

Great suggestions. I am very interested in reading The Sagas of Icelanders

[Karin]

Tracey wrote: "Piyangie wrote: "Hi all! It's time for us to plan the Hefty/Husky reads for the coming year. Perhaps, it's a little early, but we have more time that way. :) Many of you are familiar with the forma..."

I need to finally read this entire book since I am descended from many of these people. (that's normal in Iceland and I'm half Icelandic as I have probably said before.) I know for sure I'm directly descended from statesman and author Snorri Sturluson though more than one of his kids. But then anyone whose family came from that part of Iceland probably is, so it's no great claim.

I've already read Kristin Lavransdattar and A Man Without Qualities and didn't like either enough to ever read them again. I gave each of them 2 stars, but then I only read what I feel like reading in our challenges anyway :)

I didn't like The Red and the Black, either (only 1 star), BUT I did like Shogun! I probably won't read it again because I think it's one of those books were it was great when I read it and I don't want to spoil the memory of that if I don't like it as much now.

[Melanie]

I hate Shogun because I can never take a bath again without thinking of that scene. I loved The Red and the Black even though it tore me apart. I would read that one again.

[Karin]

Melanie wrote: "I hate Shogun because I can never take a bath again without thinking of that scene. I loved The Red and the Black even though it tore me apart. I would read that one again."

Thankfully I have forgotten the bath scene. However, I remember enough to know that while I really liked it as a teen, there is no way I would like it as much now, in part due to (view spoiler)[ being peed on plus when the woman he loves commits suicide so brutally even if it was culturally correct and many other things that I know I don't remember (hide spoiler)]

[Melanie]

Karin, Thankfully I've forgotten the ones you mention.

[Pat the Book Goblin]

I’ll totally join for Shogun!! I’ve been meaning to read that one for a while!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Great, Patrick.

[Karin]

Shōgun was first published in 1975 so do you mean the first book he published, which is the second one chronologically? That's Tai-Pan which I've never read.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Karin wrote: "Shōgun was first published in 1975 so do you mean the first book he published, which is the second one chronologically? That's Tai-Pan which I've never read."

So it is, Karin. Thanks for pointing it out. I've missed that completely. We'll have to select another hefty in its stead. I'll call in for votes soon. I'm glad it's scheduled for the last quarter. We have time now.

[Karin]

Piyangie wrote: "Karin wrote: "Shōgun was first published in 1975 so do you mean the first book he published, which is the second one chronologically? That's Tai-Pan which I've never re..."

I'd forgotten, but saw it on a list of books published in 1975, so I'm glad I could help.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Hi everyone! Shōgun by James Clavell is not eligible as a classic for our group read since it's first published in 1975. I'm sorry for the blunder. Somehow, the date has slipped through me. I'm glad Karin pointed it out.

So now we'll have decide our last quarterly hefty read, and I've decided to call in votes from the rest of the nominations. Please vote for your preference and help us decide. Thanks.

The Mysteries of Paris by Eugène Sue 1392 pages
The Man Without Qualities: Volume I and The Man Without Qualities: Volume II by Robert Musil 752 pages and 1072 pages
Joseph and His Brothers by Thomas Mann 1492 pages - 7 votes
From the Terrace by John O'Hara 912 pages
The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning 924 pages - 5 votes

[Penelope]

The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning is a great read .

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

May I count it as a vote, Penelope?

[Brian E]

I hope so but in the meantime you can count my vote for The Balkan Trilogy

The Balkan Trilogy consists of three novels that, as with Kristin Lavransdatter, can be purchased in the combined format and also in individual editions in case you want to try the first one out before you commit to purchase the next two. The books are:

The Great Fortune published 1960
The Spoilt City published 1962
Friends and Heroes published 1965

The combined book is also referred to as Fortunes of War: The Balkan Trilogy. The term 'Fortunes of War" refers to Manning's six volume work about the experiences of a young married couple early in WWII, and consists of both The Balkan Trilogy and Manning's later The Levant Trilogy

[Nidhi]

I too would like to read The Balkan Trilogy. I thought the list was finalized already.

[Penelope]

Yes please, count the Balkan Trilogy as my vote.

[Nidhi]

I vote for The Balkan Trilogy and Joseph and his Brothers.

If just one vote is allowed then I vote for The Balkan Trilogy.

[John]

I'd like to vote for Joseph and His Brothers please.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Nidhi wrote: "I too would like to read The Balkan Trilogy. I thought the list was finalized already."

Yes, we did, Nidhi. But one of the chosen was overlooked as to the date publication. My mistake. Now we have to choose afresh another in its stead.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Brian E wrote: "I hope so but in the meantime you can count my vote for The Balkan Trilogy

The Balkan Trilogy consists of three novels that, as with Kristin Lavransdatter..."

Thanks for all that information, Brian.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Votes are updated in message 71.

It's alright, Nidhi. I'll count both of your votes.

[Kathy]

I vote for The Balkan Trilogy.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Thanks, Kathy.

Updated

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

There is still time to vote your preference for our final quarter hefty read. Please make your choice and help us choose. The list is in message 71.

[Blueberry]

I vote for Joseph and His Brothers.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Updated. Thanks, Blueberry.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Joseph and His Brothers I found this to be of the most interesting to me.

Thomas Mann regarded his monumental retelling of the biblical story of Joseph as his magnum opus. He conceived of the four parts–The Stories of Jacob, Young Joseph, Joseph in Egypt, and Joseph the Provider–as a unified narrative, a “mythological novel” of Joseph’s fall into slavery and his rise to be lord over Egypt.

[Rosemarie, Northern Roaming Scholar]

I read Joseph and his Brothers already and I think it's one of Mann's best works, and he's written a lot of good books!

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Lesle, may I take your interest as a vote in favour of the book?

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Piyangie wrote: "Lesle, may I take your interest as a vote in favour of the book?"

Sure

[Gilbert]

I read Mysteries of Paris last quarter of 2022. Really very underrated and I thought most intriguing.

But, my vote will go to Joseph and His Brothers, copy on its way.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Updated. Thanks, Lesle and Gilbert.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Gilbert wrote: "But, my vote will go to Joseph and His Brothers, copy on its way."

What translator did you get Gilbert?

[John]

My "Everyman's Library" copy was translated by John E Woods, who translated a number of Mann's books.

[Gilbert]

Lesle wrote: "Gilbert wrote: "But, my vote will go to Joseph and His Brothers, copy on its way."

What translator did you get Gilbert?"

Same as John, above, John E. Woods.

[Penelope]

I have a beautiful hard cover copy of Joseph and His Brothers. I voted for the Manning Trilogy because I figured I might get to Joseph when we do Thomas Mann later in the year. I am, however, more than happy if Joseph wins because it will probably take me from now till the end of the year to read it.

[Melanie]

I vote for the Balkan Trilogy.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Thanks, Melanie. Updated.

[Luís]

I vote for Joseph and his Brothers. I have a portuguese edition to buy.

[Piyangie, Classical Princess]

Thanks, Luis. Updated in message 71.

[Lesle, Appalachian Bibliophile]

Gilbert and John I had picked out another but I think I will purchase the same translation John E. Woods. Thanks!