In Between Book: Journey to the West

[Plateresca]

I've finished Chapter 15. I find the dynamics between the somewhat whiny and cowardly monk and the boisterous monkey humorous.

What impressed me most in this part was the allegory in Chapter 14. The senses are trying to hijack the (monkey) mind, so the mind's impulse is to destroy [oppress] them; but that's wrong, one shouldn't strive to eliminate one's natural impulses, only to have them under control.

Here's the tune 'Moon over Western River' that was mentioned in this part:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGMkx...

Darrin, have you managed to renew the book loan?

[Darrin]

Plateresca wrote: "I've finished Chapter 15. I find the dynamics between the somewhat whiny and cowardly monk and the boisterous monkey humorous.

What impressed me most in this part was the allegory in Chapter 14. ..."
I was unable to renew the volume I had but I have put a new hold on the book at another library. I am just waiting for the book to arrive but this may take a week or more unfortunately. That is okay...I am reading it slow. You also asked about my motivations for reading this book which are actually pretty straightforward...the last couple of times the Obscure group has asked for classics suggestions, I have been recommending Asian classics rather than north american or european because I think we focus too much on western lit and I want to expand my own reading.

[Plateresca]

Then, I think, we should take a pause until Darrin can continue reading the book?

Well, I guess it's easier for us to read Western lit :) - which is why this is a bit of a challenge - but I do think it's still worth doing.

[Cherisa]

Yes I want to continue with it and can wait for Darrin. I have read so little Chinese lit, maybe even just Nobel laureate Mo Yan and a couple of ex-pats that I wanted to join you for this.

[Darrin]

That is great. Thank you for pausing. I am debating about whether I also want to read the Obscure read, The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch, so this will give me time to find and start that.

[Plateresca]

OK, so tell us when you're ready to resume, and where you are :)

(I am in doubt about 'The Sea...'. I've read Irish Murdoch and I know she writes well, but I'm not sure this is the right time for me to read this book).

[Darrin]

Plateresca wrote: "OK, so tell us when you're ready to resume, and where you are :)

(I am in doubt about 'The Sea...'. I've read Irish Murdoch and I know she writes well, but I'm not sure this is the right time for ..."
Plateresca, I received a copy of Journey to the West again and started to pick it up again and read it but gave up. I have to be honest with you, it just isn't something I want to continue reading and so I returned it to the library and I am going to abandon this book. I have simply lost interest and it is a slog that I find not enjoyable and I was trying to force myself to read it.

I hope at some point you continue if you wish and that you find it more enjoyable than I did.

[Darrin]

Also, so that you are aware, I am going to leave this group simply because my enjoyment of reading has been impacted by Goodreads in general and I feel like I have to make constant commitments to various groups and also a reading challenge. I no longer enjoy this and may even at some point abandon Goodreads.

[Cherisa]

Dennis, I’m with you, I’m quitting on the Journey. sorry Plateresca.
Sorry you’re quitting the platform Dennis. I’ve enjoyed our convos. if you want to stay in touch, I’m cherisab@gmail.com

[Dianne]

I had to pause for work but am willing to resume if anyone is still interested..,

[Cherisa]

I didn’t realize I was at 70% (we’ve been on pause a while). I might as well go ahead and finish.

[Plateresca]

Darrin, this is certainly not an easy read, so I can understand how it might not feel the right thing for you to go on with. Thank you for having suggested it in the first place, and for the part of the journey we've taken together :)

I also understand what you're saying about Goodreads! I am not a member of many groups, but even so, participating in the few that I have has taken up a lot of my time this year, and there were times when I doubted that this amount of communication was right for me, given that I strive to be as reclusive as possible :) And yes, reading shouldn't be a chore.

That said, I think that GR is an invaluable resource for choosing books based on readers' reviews, and as a kind of reader's diary for each of us, where we can log what we read and our impressions of it. So I hope you won't abandon it altogether; although I'm sure that whatever you decide is right for you will be so, and I wish you the best whatever you decide.

Once again, thank you!

[Plateresca]

Dianne, yes, I am interested, and I'd be happy to finish the book with you! Where were you when you paused?
I finished chapter 15, but I can go back to discuss any of the previous chapters, too (hopefully).

I can start next week, and we can go slower than three chapters per week - even just one chapter is better than none.
This is not at all an easy read, but I think there are interesting, inspiring, and funny moments, so I'd like to finish it anyway, - this first tome, at least, - even though it will probably be a bit more difficult to unravel the complexities without Darrin's guidance.

Cherisa, if you stopped at chapter 17, there are 8 more chapters to go :)

[Ken]

I think Darrin has already left the group so might not see your messages.

[Plateresca]

Thanks for the info, Ken!