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[[deleted user]]

Do you mean Margaret? You switched to Elizabeth...

I don't think the author means for you to laugh at the characters -- criticize or sympathise is probably much closer. (I don't have the book, but I'll go get it later today.) The way these people act/react is normal for the period. The manners were stiff, the class distinctions were real, and ingrained.

I'll skim through to see if I can catch up to where you are Chrissie. I'm already 9 hours behind -- sorry I was sleeping... :)

[Chrissie]

Jeanette, I meant Margaret, my mistake. Kim also answered my question under the comments for my review of the book. We have a small discussion there. I will just say here that I have come much further. I feel to appreciate this book you must get a bit into their new life up north. that is the interesting theme of the book. I have listened to about 1/3 now, through chapter 18. I am hooked. I am not laughing any more, that was just at the beginning out of frustration.

[[deleted user]]

I'll pop over to your review....

[[deleted user]]

Chrissie wrote: "Jeanette, I meant Margaret, my mistake. Kim also answered my question under the comments for my review of the book. We have a small discussion there. I will just say here that I have come much furt..."

I wasn't sure if Elizabeth was her aunt, or cousin, and you were still at the very beginning. I've posted on your review.

[Manybooks]

I think we sometimes make too much of what an author's intention is or could have been/should have been. I am not one of those theorists who says that the intention of the author is unimportant, but it is only one aspect of many.

If I read a text, I do wonder what the author intended, but if I think that my interpretation of the narrative, my reaction is different than what I believe that the author intended (or what I know that the author intended if that is known though biographical details, interviews etc. etc.) that is completely acceptable, as long as I can back up my assertions and explain them adequately (in my opinion at least).

And let's face it, once a text is on paper, it basically gets a life of its own, it surpasses its author, its creator and is affected by many different aspects (different readers from different backgrounds, different countries, with different, sometimes even opposite ideals, differing levels of education, the list goes on an on).

And for you, Chrissie, I don't think it matters so much what you are "supposed to" feel, how to react (what matters is your own, personal reaction to, your own personal feelings for the text, and these could very well be considered "wrong" or "problematic" by others, they are still your own reactions and are therefore a bona fide interpretation of a given narrative). I hope that makes sense.

[Aoibhínn]

Yesterday I finished by Janet Evanovich. It's the tenth novel in the Stephanie Plum series. This novel had a far more serious and darker tone than the other books. It was a gripping and exciting read with an excellent plot and great characters.

Right now, I'm a couple of chapters into by Ian Serraillier. This is a re-read. I first read in when I was in school. I remember liking it but I don't remember much about the plot.

[Janice]

I'm reading - so far I really like it - easy read.

[Aoibhínn]

I managed to finished reading by Ian Serraillier this morning. Now I'm reading by Nicholas Sparks.

[Chrissie]

I finished The Englishman's Daughter: A True Story of Love and Betrayal in World War I
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

and have started First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers

[[deleted user]]

How goes North and South, Chrissie?

[Chrissie]

Jeanette, I am still listening to it. My feelings waver..... At the moment, it just does not speak to me very much, so I finished off my paper book. I think I know where it is leading and that makes it kind of boring.

One aspect that is interesting is how people cope/react differently to death. Margaret seems to be a bit too wonderful......she never, ever, thinks about herself. My prime problem is what am I getting out of it? The contrast between the north and south life style is not the major issue anymore.

Heck, the book improved before, maybe it will again.

[[deleted user]]

Who died? Then I will know how far along you are....

[Brenda]

Lisa wrote: "I think I'm going to read Liar & Spy. I need a short and easy book this week. Next Thursday I want to start reading The Casual Vacancy as soon as I get my hands on it.

I was going to stick to just..."

Waiting on my copy of The Casual Vacancy too. Look forward to seeing your review.

[Chrissie]

Jeanette, I cannot tell you that because others reading this would get the spoiler. But I can tell you that a total of two people have died. That will tell you where I am. Oh and Frederik has left, after the 2nd person died. That you will surely remember! And something exciting just happened, so I am busy listening. If I open my mouth and complain the book gets better. :0)

[[deleted user]]

I was going to say, "don't give up just yet" because it does get more interesting.

[Chrissie]

Jeanette, I am not one to dump a book quickly. I only do that if I absolutely hate every minute spent reading the book. I will definitely finish this book.

[[deleted user]]

Good! I didn't think you were on the verge of dumping it, just yet. :)

[Gabriella]

I was reading The hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo and The Face by Angela Hunt, but I put them both down and got interested in another book, which is Everwild by Neil Shusterman. I really have a bad habit of starting books and not finishing them. Sometimes it's because the book just doesn't grab me in the first 100 pages, so I just give up on it and other times I like it okay but it's just because another book is calling my attention. Has anyone else started a book a not finished it for whatever reason? Chrissie, I pretty much get tempted to do it if the book is predictable and boring with cardboard coutout characters.

[Chrissie]

Gabriella, when you say a book is "predictable and boring with cardboard coutout character" then I might be tempted to dump it too. I just know when a book is too terrible to continue. You sit there and fume. I have to buy my books. This means I am more hesitant to throw them out on a whim; then I am totally wasting money. I cannot give a page count, it all depends on how much I hate the book. And recently Tracy said that she ended up liking North and South after having lots of trouble. Furthermore, Jeanette carefull picked this book out as a good suggestion for me to test Victoriana with. I trust her opinion, and I know she will not kill me if I disagree. I suggested a great book to her.......and she hated it, positively hated it. I don't hate North and South, it just bores me or irritates me off and on. I have read about 2/3, I might as well see what happens. Heck I want to know what happens.

[[deleted user]]

Well, I didn't hate, but I disliked it enough to stop reading it! It happens, and I am willing to give some books more time than others. I read half of Gone With the Wind (so, 500 pages worth) before I dropped it.

It was hard to pick out something from this period for you, Chrissie, as I am not a true "scholar" of Victoriana, and the books from that period often fall into the love/hate category among many of my friends. I would have loved to recommend Jane Eyre to you, but you might have wanted to kill me!

[Tracey]

I wouldn't say I liked it ... I'm still trying to put my thoughts together for a review. It drove me crazy - for a lot of the same reasons you mention, Chrissy, like the fact that Margaret was on the one hand SO good, and on the other hand she could be just nasty (don't dare compliment her on her looks!). Overall, I didn't hate it, but I was disappointed in it; a lot of friends in the past loved it to pieces, and I just couldn't figure out what they saw in it.

[Tracey]

I did love Jane Eyre (read it for the first time as a challenge last year) - and that surprised me.

[[deleted user]]

Like I said on your review (I think), Tracey, I may have been influenced by the mini-series. The adaptation shifted the book away from Margaret, just a little bit, and made it more about the workers and the masters. Richard Armitage helped, too.

[[deleted user]]

Tracey wrote: "I did love Jane Eyre (read it for the first time as a challenge last year) - and that surprised me."

I don't know if Chrissie would enjoy Jane Eyre. I really enjoyed it the last time I read it -- the dialogue was delicious in places.

[Tracey]

That would definitely be an improvement. (And Richard Armitage too.) Juliet Stevenson might well have been the only reason I kept going with the audiobook; if anything, Kim has understated how truly great she is! :)

I don't know what I expected from Jane Eyre - but not the sense of humor and warmth.

[Chrissie]

I am just listening. I do not think I am convinced to explore more Victorian literature, other genre continues to draw me more.

[Tracey]

I adored Middlemarch... maybe someday if you want to try again.

[Chrissie]

Tracey, I love history and biographies better than fiction, but thank you for the suggestion.

[[deleted user]]

Tracey wrote: "I adored Middlemarch... maybe someday if you want to try again."

I haven't read Middlemarch; another one for my list, maybe.

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "Gabriella, when you say a book is "predictable and boring with cardboard coutout character" then I might be tempted to dump it too. I just know when a book is too terrible to continue. You sit ther..."

I am a literature major and I don't think I have ever totally liked most Victorian literature (most middle to late 19th century literature). It does seem to drag on an on at times (and not just books written in English, German and French novels of that period are similar). Part of my problem with even considering trying more Victorian literature is that I had to read so many mega-tomes during university (and when I do read literature, I always feel I must do an in-depth analysis, lol).

[[deleted user]]

Ellie wrote: "Yesterday I finished by Janet Evanovich. It's the tenth novel in the Stephanie Plum series. This novel had a far more serious and darker tone than the other books. It..."
"Ten" isn't funny? That's why I like those books.

[Gabriella]

Chrissie wrote: "Gabriella, when you say a book is "predictable and boring with cardboard coutout character" then I might be tempted to dump it too. I just know when a book is too terrible to continue. You sit ther..."

Chrissie, I have fumed over a few books that I have felt have let me down. It really only takes one more of my pet peeves to make me put it down.

[Jennifer]

Started an unusual one: Kitty Foyle - made into a movie of the same name in 1939 or '40 or so, starring Ginger Rogers. I think she might have won the Oscar for it:I can't remember. I also seem to remember something about it being one of the movies that got her taken seriously as an actress, and not just as Fred astaire's dance partner.

[Kim]

Simran wrote: "I've got the dvd on my shelf. Has anyone seen the movie ?"

If it's the BBC series, I remember when it was on television here, but I didn't watch it. I love the book though, although I had to read about 150 pages of it before I started feeling that way.

[Chrissie]

Gundula wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Gabriella, when you say a book is "predictable and boring with cardboard coutout character" then I might be tempted to dump it too. I just know when a book is too terrible to conti..."

YAY, for us "uncultured people" who don't love Victorian literature. At least we are willing to admit it. Gosh, what a burden to feel you must do an in-depth analysis, that is even worse! Gundula, I see GR as nothing but fun. It must remain fun. The minute writing a review becomes a chore or looking through messages a bore changes must be made in how I use GR.

Gabriella, what are your other pet peeves? Some books have in vain kept me reading. This is one reason I like books that teach something. Then if the writing sucks and the plot line is terrible, hopefully I have learned something. Usually I go for books that have some history or cultural content to them.

[Kimberly]

I'm starting Reliquary by Douglas Preston, it's the sequel to Relic which I really enjoyed so I can't wait to see what happens in this book. I'm also starting Sea Change by James Powlik I'm really into the whole monsters theme right now.

[Jemidar]

Kim wrote: "Simran wrote: "I've got the dvd on my shelf. Has anyone seen the movie ?"

If it's the BBC series, I remember when it was on television here, but I didn't watch it. I love the book though, although..."

When the BBC series was on here I sat glued to every episode and went into swoon mode every time Rufus Sewell appeared on the screen. Loved it!

[Kim]

Jemidar wrote: "When the BBC series was on here I sat glued to every episode and went into swoon mode every time Rufus Sewell appeared on the screen. Loved it! ..."

Swoon mode is always good! I don't know what I didn't watch it. If it was one of those Sunday nights at 7.30 on the ABBC jobs, for the past 10+ years that's been our open-house-come-over-for-dinner night, so no telly gets watched.

[Jemidar]

I think it was a Sunday, 7.30pm one. If not it was Sunday, 8.30pm. LOL.

[Kim]

Jemidar wrote: "I think it was a Sunday, 7.30pm one. If not it was Sunday, 8.30pm. LOL."

Prime time for bonnet dramas! :D

[Manybooks]

Chrissie wrote: "Gundula wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Gabriella, when you say a book is "predictable and boring with cardboard coutout character" then I might be tempted to dump it too. I just know when a book is too t..."

I actually enjoy writing reviews, but because I am a perfectionist, they take me a long time to complete. Also, sometimes I just want to read and not worry about writing reviews (but literature always makes me feel I ought to be more in-depth). And sometimes, I don't want to learn anything (which is why I sometimes just read silly stuff, but afterwards, I do fee a bit, well, bad). I know for myself, I have a lot less patience now with books that don't grab me, that I feel are boring (funny, but I can usually finish a book that offends me and then write a critical review, but a book that bores me or a book with a very dragging, tedious writing style, I often just stop reading altogether).

[Chrissie]

Gundula and all others here, one thing is certain, books really play a large role in out lives.

[Tracey]

Jennifer wrote: "Started an unusual one: Kitty Foyle - made into a movie of the same name in 1939 or '40 or so, starring Ginger Rogers. I think she might have won the Oscar for it:I ..."

Christopher Morley! I love Morley. I have that book but haven't gotten around to it (or seen the movie, but I think you're right about the award). Hope you like it.

[Aoibhínn]

I finished reading by Nicholas Sparks a few hours ago. The book was a bit of a disappointment really. I've read most of Spark's books and I think I'm too used to his writing style. I found the plot of the story to be extremely predictable and slightly unrealistic. But if you've never read a Nicholas Spark novel before, you'd probably like it.


Now I'm about to start reading by John Grisham. It's the october monthly read in a Goodreads group I'm in and I want to get a head start on it.

[[deleted user]]

Just started "Millie's Rose" by Donna Sturgeon

[Sylvia]

I've found a wonderful book Bunte Steine: Ein Festgeschenk in a Dutch translation (not yet in GR; I have to include it). It's a book with short stories with a title of a stone: Granite and Rockcrystal. I read this for a challenge.

[Manybooks]

Sylvia wrote: "I've found a wonderful book Bunte Steine: Ein Festgeschenk in a Dutch translation (not yet in GR; I have to include it). It's a book with short stories with a title of a stone: Granite and Rockcrys..."

If you enjoy Adalbert Stifter, you should also perhaps try his novella Brigitta, very evocative, taking place on the Hungarian "prairies" (I don't know if I would necessarily recommend Stifter's Der Nachsommer, Indian Summer, although very descriptive, it is also one of the slowest moving books I have ever read, with basically no narrative tension and not much of a plot throughout 500+ pages, but many do love this book, but for me, it was/is just a tittle too too slow to be wholly enjoyable).

[Lisa]

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Nope; I'm not original, I'm afraid.

[Manybooks]

Lisa wrote: "The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. Nope; I'm not original, I'm afraid."

How are you enjoying it so far?

[Jennifer]

I just finished Brava, Valentine , which is the second of her books about an Italian-American family that owns a custom shoemaking company. I hope she writes a third and finishes the story. And the thanksgiving-dinner-gone-Hindenburg family scene was PRICELESS. I couldn't have stopped reading during that scene long enough to take my hand off a hot burner.