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Nominations for 1 May Group Read
I can't at the moment as have two on the go..but may be interested in joining you for future standards. Let me know what you think of Vanity Fair as I have it sitting on my shelf (along with lots of other wonderful standards) Hope you enjoy :)Thank you for mentioning my suggestion to Boof and Paula - I was sure others would feel the same..
Hi guys - I replied to this suggestion on the general chit chat thread but not sure if you've seen it. Paula and I are discussing if there is a way we can do two reads (one standard, one "off-the-beaten-track") and if we do it, how will we do it. We are just mulling some ideas over and will come back to you as soon as we can.Thanks for the ideas - do keep them coming, we like to make sure that people are happy and will implenent ideas if they are feasible ☺
Sarah wrote: "Yes, looking at my schedule today, I won't nominate anything this time -- give me a chance to look around. Everyman, thanks for that suggestion. Do you remember where that list was that you were talking about?"No, I'm afraid I don't. Maybe Paula or Boof will remember?
Sandybanks wrote: "I'm interested in the off the beaten path selections proposed by Elizabeth and EMan, provided that they're available on Guttenberg, because otherwise I'll have some difficulty in getting them here."Yes, Three men in a Boat is available on Gutenberg. Here's the link:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/308
Read the first few pages there, and then people can see whether they want to switch their votes (which is easy to do on the poll!) :)
Three Men in a Boat
THERE were four of us - George, and William Samuel Harris, and myself,
and Montmorency. We were sitting in my room, smoking, and talking about
how bad we were - bad from a medical point of view I mean, of course.
We were all feeling seedy, and we were getting quite nervous about it.
Harris said he felt such extraordinary fits of giddiness come over him at
times, that he hardly knew what he was doing; and then George said that
HE had fits of giddiness too, and hardly knew what HE was doing. With
me, it was my liver that was out of order. I knew it was my liver that
was out of order, because I had just been reading a patent liver-pill
circular, in which were detailed the various symptoms by which a man
could tell when his liver was out of order. I had them all.
It is a most extraordinary thing, but I never read a patent medicine
advertisement without being impelled to the conclusion that I am
suffering from the particular disease therein dealt with in its most
virulent form. The diagnosis seems in every case to correspond exactly
with all the sensations that I have ever felt.
I remember going to the British Museum one day to read up the treatment
for some slight ailment of which I had a touch - hay fever, I fancy it
was. I got down the book, and read all I came to read; and then, in an
unthinking moment, I idly turned the leaves, and began to indolently
study diseases, generally. I forget which was the first distemper I
plunged into - some fearful, devastating scourge, I know - and, before I
had glanced half down the list of "premonitory symptoms," it was borne in
upon me that I had fairly got it.
I sat for awhile, frozen with horror; and then, in the listlessness of
despair, I again turned over the pages. I came to typhoid fever - read
the symptoms - discovered that I had typhoid fever, must have had it for
months without knowing it - wondered what else I had got; turned up St.
Vitus's Dance - found, as I expected, that I had that too, - began to get
interested in my case, and determined to sift it to the bottom, and so
started alphabetically - read up ague, and learnt that I was sickening
for it, and that the acute stage would commence in about another
fortnight. Bright's disease, I was relieved to find, I had only in a
modified form, and, so far as that was concerned, I might live for years.
Cholera I had, with severe complications; and diphtheria I seemed to have
been born with. I plodded conscientiously through the twenty-six
letters, and the only malady I could conclude I had not got was
housemaid's knee.
...
Everyman wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I'm interested in the off the beaten path selections proposed by Elizabeth and EMan, provided that they're available on Guttenberg, because otherwise I'll have some difficulty in..."I said it earlier -- This book is absolutely hysterical; it'll have you grinning and laughing much of the time! Even if it is not chosen as the group read, I highly recommend reading it. It is a very fast read too. Cheers! Chris
Re. "Three Men in a Boat.." - I was disappointed to see my local bookstore doesn't carry a copy, so will have to order online. That excerpt that Eman included had me laughing already!
Christopher wrote: "Everyman wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I'm interested in the off the beaten path selections proposed by Elizabeth and EMan, provided that they're available on Guttenberg, because otherwise I'll have s..."I desperately needs something hysterical that's a fast read! I'll vote for it.lol
Shirley is one of my favorite Bronte novels! A real gem!!!
Thanks for posting that awesome teaser, Everyman. I do look forward to reading this (I have it at home).
Holly wrote: "Shirley is one of my favorite Bronte novels! A real gem!!!"Really? That's so lovely to hear - I usually hear not-so-good stuff about it but I am such a huge Bronte fan that I want to read it soon anyway. Charlotte can do no wrong in my eyes - how refreshing to hear that this is one of your favourites.
I have started a new thread in the general section called Off-the-beaten-track books. Anyone want to read? for anyone who is interested in doing a read with lesser known books.
Boof wrote: "Holly wrote: "Shirley is one of my favorite Bronte novels! A real gem!!!"Really? That's so lovely to hear - I usually hear not-so-good stuff about it but I am such a huge Bronte fan that I wan..."
I too think Charlotte can do no wrong. The only Bronte book I did not care for, and still don't, is Wuthering Heights.
Holly, me too! I have tried with WH twice and can't get past 60 pages. I want to love it but...
Boof wrote: "Holly, me too! I have tried with WH twice and can't get past 60 pages. I want to love it but..."Boof - you have never finished WH?? That just cannot be. I insist on you trying again and finishing this time ;) It definitely improves after the first 60 pages!
Ha ha, OK Joy - consider me well and truly told!
Sorry Boof, I can be quite stern when I am impassioned, which often happens in conversations about beloved books :)WH was one of the first truly great works of literature that I read, and, along with Jane Eyre, it made me fall in love with Victorian literature. So, I feel quite strongly about it! If you do ever want to try reading it again, I would happily re-read it and be your reading buddy...
Now there's a plan! That would be much appreciated, Joy, thanks for that. I love it when people are so passionate about their books. Maybe I'll give it another go in a few months?
I am game whenever you are; just let me know! I am confident it will be worth your time :)
Boof!!! Say it ain't so! You've never finished WH??? But, surely, that cannot be! It is so... well... it's just so captivating, passionate, gripping. Truly there is no other love that compares with that of Heathcliff and Catherine? Such turmoil, such passion, such ... descriptions of the moors. *swoons*I say try it in October/November, when the first cold breeze nips in to say hello. When you first reach for the hot cocoa and warm, fuzzy blanket. Then, when the days are short and the wind starts to howl, you should pick up this classic and let yourself drown in it.
And I agree with Joy, it was one that I read when I was much younger and started my love of Victorian lit. If you want any more company when you read it, just give a shout! I'd love to join in! I've read it several times (and I rarely re-read) and would still love to read it again.
Looks like Dorian Gray is about to come out the victor. You all know what that means! Time to ask for volunteers leading the group discussion. Also, I'm thinking 4 weeks would suffice for this group read. It's a brief novel, and one that carries the reader right along to the end in a quick fashion. Thoughts?
Paula wrote: "Boof!!! Say it ain't so! You've never finished WH??? But, surely, that cannot be! It is so... well... it's just so captivating, passionate, gripping. Truly there is no other love that compares with..."Yes, I'm afraid so *hangs head in shame*. I will be sure to read it at some point in 2010 then (loving your description of the first cold breeze!). I'll make sure I give you both a shout.
Paula, I love your description of WH. It was my first Victorian and it definitely hooked me. It's been number 1 on my list since the first time I read it.
Paula wrote: "Boof!!! Say it ain't so! You've never finished WH??? But, surely, that cannot be! It is so... well... it's just so captivating, passionate, gripping. Truly there is no other love that compares with..."I'm closer to Boof that to you, Paula, on this. I first read it decades ago, and re-read it for a discussion a few years back, but I don't see it as one of the "must reads" of Victorian literature. It's iconic, I'll grant that, and the portrait of the Yorkshire moors is very well written, but the characters and motivations seem to me so unrealistic as to be almost cartoonish.
JMHO, and I realize lots of people don't share it. But Boof, don't feel badly if you haven't been able to finish it. It's certainly not a book for everyone.
I've never read it, and my mother is not big on it.We both like Jane Eyre, though.
It's official - The Picture of Dorian Gray has won our 1 May poll! To me, this book is really about identity. Who am I? How do I see myself? How do others see me? It is also a matter of beauty - what is beauty, and how does one capture beauty?
A little excerpt to whet the appetite:
"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful."
Yay! I am excited to begin reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. Also I have not read Wuthering Heights yet so if anyone does a side read I would love to join!
I've been wanting to re-read Dorian Gray so I am looking forward to the selection. I was on bedrest a couple weeks ago and re-read Wuthering Heights. Excellent book!
Everyman wrote: "Paula wrote: "Boof!!! Say it ain't so! You've never finished WH??? But, surely, that cannot be! It is so... well... it's just so captivating, passionate, gripping. Truly there is no other love that..."I agree with Everyman. Reading is such a personal thing. I loved loved loved WH, just read it again, but I can understand why one wouldn't. My brother used to wind me up by warbling 'Wuthering, Wuthering, Wuthering' in a falsetto a la Kate Bush. As a teenager I thought it sacrilege!
On other topics, I did not like Shirley at all. I wondered, when I read it, whether Charlotte lost heart and inspiration once all her sisters died; they used to collaborate, or at least heavily encourage each other with their writing. I felt the book lost its way part way through.
Brava! I adore Wilde, little up-start that he is.
I also re read Wuthering Heights, and in this reading all my cherished notions about the book have been called into question. So I too would love it if we could have a side discussion of that.
Kel wrote: "Brava! I adore Wilde, little up-start that he is."Hehe - "little upstart" - I think that about sums it up!
Paul wrote: "I also re read Wuthering Heights, and in this reading all my cherished notions about the book have been called into question. So I too would love it if we could have a side discussion of that."I don't know that we'll have this anytime soon, but will definitely mention again if we decide to pursue as a buddy read. I think it would make a great group read in the fall/autumn time period.
Right now we have Tess, Dorian Gray, a side of Vanity Fair, and possibly an off-the-beaten path book, so I think waiting on any more might be best.
I agree that WH would make a great autumn read and by the looks of the posts above would make a GREAT disucssion (with lovers and haters it seems). I think I may nominate it in 6 months or so and give it another go then.
Paula wrote: "It's official - The Picture of Dorian Gray has won our 1 May poll!"Oh, that's great - I love this book, but it's been a while since I've read it. I'll definitely join in the discussion THIS time.
Boof wrote: "I agree that WH would make a great autumn read and by the looks of the posts above would make a GREAT disucssion (with lovers and haters it seems). I think I may nominate it in 6 months or so and g..."Thats a great idea - I'd be up for a re-read of WH then.
Paula- I feel sorry that we have that opinion of him, even if he can be delicious many a time. You can imagine how sorry I was to find out that his sexuality is questionable. :)
Paula wrote: "Kel wrote: "Brava! I adore Wilde, little up-start that he is."
Hehe - "little upstart" - I think that about sums it up!"
Kel wrote: "Paula- I feel sorry that we have that opinion of him, even if he can be delicious many a time. You can imagine how sorry I was to find out that his sexuality is questionable. :)
His sexuality was not questionable. He was homosexual.
Peregrine-Love that name by the way...
I apologize, I left out my past tense. He was considered "different" in many accounts that I have read or been exposed to. Folks often were not blatant when it came to pulling back the curtain as we are now. So, it was surprising to me when I read about the shock and condemnation surrounding his persona. It seemed ordinary to me back then even. It's interesting how our world can change.
Peregrine wrote: "Kel wrote: "Paula-
I feel sorry that we have that opinion of him, even if he can be delicious many a time. You can imagine how sorry I was to find out that his sexuality is questionable. :)
His s..."
Ah. I see now what you meant. Thank you. Stepping down the klaxons.
Boof wrote: "Holly, me too! I have tried with WH twice and can't get past 60 pages. I want to love it but..."Boof and Holly, I'm with you guys on Wuthering Heights. It is just, in my humble opinion, a horrifying gothic tale of some very dysfunctional people. I have read it three or four times, but probably won't read it again. I'll say it again though, do give Emily Bronte's poetry a go. Her poetry is absolutely incredible; so very beautiful, passionate, and rich. To my mind, a much better poet than author. Cheers! Chris
Kel wrote: "Paula- I feel sorry that we have that opinion of him, even if he can be delicious many a time.
Oddly, I'm not sorry. I love Wilde. He wasn't typical, he didn't display "standard" behavior, from the bits I know of him he seems like he lived his life how HE wanted it lived, and I love him for it. I still think "little upstart" fits, though, and apply that phrase affectionately. It's like when I was a kid and my mom would affectionately call me a "little sh*t." I knew she meant it lovingly, and it was, more often than not, quite fitting :)
Has anyone here seen the Velvet Goldmine? Yes, it isn't a Victorian film, it is about a modern Rock and Roll singer, and all. However, it draws parallels between our world and Wilde's. In fact, the two rock stars of the film quote Wilde through out the film. I just thought of all that during our discussion.
Christopher wrote: "Boof wrote: "Holly, me too! I have tried with WH twice and can't get past 60 pages. I want to love it but..."Boof and Holly, I'm with you guys on Wuthering Heights. It is just, in my humble opin..."
Chris, I wholeheartedly agree - Emily's poetry is beautiful. I'm not a huge poetry fan but I do love hers (and Anne's).
A French Victorian era novelist worth considering is the 'French Dickens' - Emile Zola. I've also suggested him for the Western Canon section. http://www.online-literature.com/emil...
Ha-ha, you make most of us smile to be sure, Paula. Indeed, he DID, and didn't give a you-know-what as to what anyone thought of him. Oh, your mother too? (Laughs) I thought it was just me. :)
Paula wrote: "Kel wrote: "Paula-
I feel sorry that we have that opinion of him, even if he can be delicious many a time.
Oddly, I'm not sorry. I love Wilde. He wasn't typical, he didn't display "standard" beh..."
MadgeUK wrote: "A French Victorian era novelist worth considering is the 'French Dickens' - Emile Zola. I've also suggested him for the Western Canon section. http://www.online-literature.com/emil..."
Hi Madge-
The nominations have closed for this time around, and the poll is over, but please keep Zola in mind for he next go-round! I would love to read something by him! Germinal has been waiting patiently on my TBR mountain for several months now.
Note to self: nominate Les Miserables next time. Must read that.
I'd love to read Zola next time too. I have only read one of his books and I have several more on my shelf at home.
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Victorians!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Picture of Dorian Gray (other topics)The Picture of Dorian Gray (other topics)
Elle et lui (other topics)
East Lynne (other topics)
Shirley (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
George Sand (other topics)Leo Tolstoy (other topics)
Oscar Wilde (other topics)
Elizabeth Gaskell (other topics)
Anthony Trollope (other topics)
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I am sorry if I am making things complicated but was so excited to find this group to share my journey through the classics..
so happy to see Mill on the Floss mentioned :)