Fans of British Writers discussion
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Currently reading anything by a British writer?
I just finished A Tale of Two Cities. I hope you will enjoy it. Rosemarie, I read it when I was a teen. I might reread it again. Thank you for reminding me of this book. I used to love it.
I personally really liked A Tale of Two Cities, though it's been quite a while since I read it. For whatever it's worth, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .
Werner wrote: "I personally really liked A Tale of Two Cities, though it's been quite a while since I read it. For whatever it's worth, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ."Thanks!
I am reading Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad. It is not easy to read, but the language is beautiful. It helps to listen to Audible as I read it. I find it confusing to follow. Has anyone read this?
Carol, I haven't read it, but it's on my to-read shelf.
I read Lord Jim years ago. I enjoyed the novel because you learn more about the main character as the novel progresses, but the story develops slowly. I like the way Conrad creates the atmosphere of the setting of the novel.
I have started reading Lorna Doone by Blackmore. It is a long book. I finished reading Jude the Obscure by Hardy on Monday. I think it is his best book, and I like them all.
Rosemarie wrote: "I have started reading Lorna Doone by Blackmore. It is a long book. I finished reading Jude the Obscure by Hardy on Monday. I think it is his best book, and I like them all."I like the way you describe Jude The Obscure as his best book and not his most enjoyable . Goodness but it is a sombre read! I was quite young when I read it and it took me weeks to get over the children's deaths and the " because we were too many" note (apologies if I have misquoted)
That part just about broke my heart- that poor little boy, to be so desperate. (Not to mention the poor parents). But Hardy showed us that we need to be careful about what we say in front of children, since they take things literally.
I am reading The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin. It is the first of the Gervase Fen books, but I have already read three others. One of the characters relates a ghost story which is used in another novel, Holy Disorders, as the basis of the plot.In this book we meet his wife.
Rosemarie wrote: "I have started reading Lorna Doone by Blackmore. It is a long book.You're lucky, Rosemary, it's his best novel. I'd started his first novel "Clara Vaughan" because I read Lorna Doone about 42 years ago and was in raptures. This Clara Vaughan (in three volumes!) is too tedious for me. Even incomprehensible in some places. I worked my way through the first volume, started the second and dropped it so far.
I have not heard of Clara Vaughan, so thanks for the warning. I read The Maid of Sker and remember thinking it was okay. I am enjoying Lorna Doone.
Just to lower the tone a bit ...I am Kindle-bingeing on Susan Hill's detective series 'starring ' DCI, now Superintendent Simon Serrailler.
I think it may be a mistake to binge on them , somehow it is making me more critical and I am really only reading them to escape The Damned Heat of the South Australian summer!
Barbara wrote: "I am Kindle-bingeing on Susan Hill's detective series 'starring ' DCI, now Superintendent Simon Serrailler.
I think it may be a mistake to binge on them , someh..."
Hey Barbara! I read & loved the first one last year!
Theresa wrote: "I am currently reading A Tale of Two Cities and I am having a very hard timing getting "into it". I just finished Jane Eyre a few weeks ago and I couldn't put it down until I had reached the last p..."
I love this book (probably my favourite Dickens) but there is a lot of filler.
I am loving Wolf Hall I feel like I'm inside Cromwell's skull.
I am rereading the gothic novel The Castle of Otranto by Walpole. It is short and entertaining. I read it so long ago that it is like reading it for the first time.
Barbara wrote: "I am Kindle-bingeing on Susan Hill's detective series 'starring ' DCI, now Superintendent Simon Serrailler. I have only read Susan Hill's first book in the series "The Various Haunts of Men." She is a terrific writer and I can't wait to read the series.
I am reading The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare.
I am still reading Lord Jim, and I am listening to it on Audible at the same time. The writing is so exquisite that I can read a chapter over several times. The flaw in Jim's character is something so human, and it is so painful to see how he handles it. I want to go to the Goodreads section on this book, but I am waiting until I finish it because I am worried about "spoilers". I already saw "tragic ending" somewhere so I am scared to find out what is going to happen to him.
I am glad that you are enjoying Lord Jim. I read Heart of Darkness last fall and was really impressed by the writing. I attempted to read Nostromo quite a few years ago and really got bogged down- not with the writing, but with the plot.
A friend gave me "A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson. I swallowed it whole, and now I am reading "Life after Life".
I started rereading A Passage to India. I last read it in the 80's. I saw the movie version back then too and remember thinking that there had been some changes from the book. I also remember thinking that most of the British characters were annoying.
I recently finished reading My Lord the Spy by Audrey Harrison (a Regency Romance) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...and am nearing the end of The Policewoman by Justin WM Roberts (a military thriller) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Talk about contrasts!
Rosemarie wrote: "I started rereading A Passage to India. I last read it in the 80's. I saw the movie version back then too and remember thinking that there had been some changes from the book. I also remember think..."I might like to reread this book as well. I wonder how it would seem. I recall liking this book so much that I searched out lesser known E M Forster books, such as Maurice. This was about 30 years ago. How has it been for you to reread Passage to India?
I have read three chapters so far and am already fed up with some of the British characters(make that most of!). Knowing the general gist of the novel I am paying more attention to the writing.Forster comments about how the British are living in England and then concludes, "At Chandrapore the Turtons were little gods; soon they would retire to some suburban villa, and die exiled from glory."
That about sums it up for me.
Melanie wrote: "...and am nearing the end of The Policewoman by Justin WM Roberts (a military thriller)"Melanie, Roberts is a member of another group I'm in, and has posted about his book there. I'll be interested in your review!
Werner wrote: "Melanie wrote: "...and am nearing the end of The Policewoman by Justin WM Roberts (a military thriller)"Melanie, Roberts is a member of another group I'm in, and has posted about his book there. ..."
Werner, I've copied it below (gave it 4 stars) as I'm not sure how to provide the link to it here on GR!
"My thanks to the author for kindly giving me a copy of this roller coaster story to read.
At first, it read more like non-fiction with many intricate details of weapons and tactics of the SAS. Then the action started and a fast paced fictional thriller accelerated from the first encounter with the Drug Cartel onwards. The terrifying torture scenes were gripping and kept the reader in suspense as to whether there would be more.
I was on the edge of my seat gunning for the characters to whom I became attached. One could only be in awe of Sarah's extraordinary physical and mental resilience.
For readers looking for a fast-paced thriller with tension in abundance, this is one to read."
Thanks, Melanie; I've just officially "liked" your review. (I like it unofficially too! :-) )Whenever you want to link to a review you've written, bring it up and highlight the URL (in the long rectangular box at the very top of the screen, next to the arrows for moving to previous or subsequent screens) by clicking on it. (That will turn it blue.) Press Control + c. Then, while keeping that window open, open a second one, and bring up the Goodreads discussion where you want to share the link. Put the cursor in the comment box, and then click Control + v when you're ready to add the link. That'll do the job! Hope that helps.
Werner wrote: "Thanks, Melanie; I've just officially "liked" your review. (I like it unofficially too! :-) )Whenever you want to link to a review you've written, bring it up and highlight the URL (in the long r..."
Thank you Werner, I'll try that. I like your sense of humour!
Alongside Adrian Searle's book mentioned earlier, I've just started Simon Sebag Montefiore's One Night in Winterhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
and really like his style.
I read Montefiore's biography of Stalin's early years called Young Stalin, which was very informative about his rise to power, drawing attention to his obsession with power and total lack of scruples.
Rosemarie wrote: "I read Montefiore's biography of Stalin's early years called Young Stalin, which was very informative about his rise to power, drawing attention to his obsession with power and total lack of scruples."That sounds very interesting, Rosemarie. I wonder if Stalin's dark, murderous side showed up in those early years.
This is the first Montefiore book for me and I'm enjoying it so far.
Aled, I took the liberty to delete your post from this thread, after moving it to this one (https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ) that I've started for you in the Group Members Who Write folder. That's where writers' posts promoting their own writing are supposed to go, and where group members know to look for them.
I am reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman at the moment. I have enjoyed reading two of his novels, Stardust and The Ocean At The End of the Lane, and I have been interested in Norse mythology since I was a teenager, so I thought it would be good to read his retellings of the old tales. As he is a popular writer, I am sure many people will buy his new book. It might inspire some of them to learn more about Norse mythology, which would be a good thing. I am glad I bought the book. He retells the old tales in a suitably northern, light, direct, blunt way.
I have read four of Helen MacInnes books: Above Suspicion, Assignment in Brittany, While still We Live and Horizon. Opinoins differ. Anyone to share?
I read Assignment in Brittany when I was 19, which was a long time ago. I enjoyed it then. I remember the last Helen McInnes book I read was Message to Malaga, in my mid 20's. I really didn't like it. I don't know if it was a change in my taste for books, or if it just wasn't a good book.
Rosemarie wrote: "I read Assignment in Brittany when I was 19, which was a long time ago. I enjoyed it then. I remember the last Helen McInnes book I read was Message to Malaga, in my mid 20's. I really didn't like ..."I also read Assignment 40 years ago and enjoyed it immensely. This is probably the case with all MacInnes readers. The rest I've read now. Above Suspicion is also a very good almost spy novel. The remainig two are just Nazi occupation/guerilla stories, not much dynamic and clever and they did not entertain me much.
I am now reading The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. His books are enjoyable because you know it will eventually all work out, with no nasty surprises or melodrama.
I will look for this book. Right now I am still reading and listening to Lord Jim. I feel so worried about how it is going to end. I am going slowly because I re-read each chapter. I have also been reading non fiction about Yellowstone park because I am going there in June.
The Trollope book is part of the series of books called The Chronicles of Barsetshire. A group I belong to has been reading them in order, but the book I am reading has a whole new set of characters, so you can enjoy it as a stand alone book without having read the others. As for Lord Jim, it is a much more serious book.
I'm halfway through The Way We Live Now. So far there's been an abortive elopement,the heroine was spunky enough but the bloke proved inadequate also a pistol packing lady whose boyfriend extricated himself from his promise of marriage with some fear and trepidation plus the description of The Big Man's candidacy for office was so like certain recent events I quoted it on Facebook!
That book is on my to read list now, sooner rather than later. Sounds like fun.
Carol wrote: "I will look for this book. Right now I am still reading and listening to Lord Jim. I feel so worried about how it is going to end. I am going slowly because I re-read each chapter. I have also been..."You are going to Yellowstone, my husband and I will be going to western Canada, including the Yukon and Yellowknife. It looks like we will both be enjoying nature.
This year is Canada's 150th birthday.
I've just finished Simon Sebage Montefiore's One Night in Winter and highly recommend it. Here's my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just started https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
by Ted Allbeury and was drawn in immediately.
This month, another group I belong to is doing a common read of
, the opening novel of Norah Lofts' House trilogy. I'd read this back in 1963 or thereabouts, and I rarely reread books. But I'd gotten a copy by interlibrary loan to refer to for the discussion, and intended to review the book before returning it. As the discussion proceeded, I became aware of how many details I'd forgotten, and realized that a proper review will demand a re-reading. So, I started my second read of the book this morning, though I'm joining the common read late!
Kierkegaard Between Traffic & Travel
I read this great comic novel recently that was recommended by a friend. He said the humour was very British. It's set in the 1990s and references Blair, The Spice Girls, cassette tapes. The humour reminded me of Monty Python and Blackadder. Very entertaining!
I am still reading The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. I am reading it with another group, so I am trying hard not to read ahead- yet!I am also reading Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, finally. It has been on my to-read list for ages.
She writes well, but the book is sad.
I'm reading A Razor Wrapped in Silk by Robert N.Morris. It is the third in the series Porfiry Petrovich, who is investigating magistrate from Crime and Punishment by F.Dostoyevsky. I have also read the previous two: The Gentle Axe and A Vengeful Longing. They all are a brillinat reconstruction of St.Petersburg of 1860-s, fantastically created Dostoyevsky's atmosphere, ideas, characters (some of them from C&P). Maybe some of you have read them too?
Fans of British Writers
Books mentioned in this topic
Elia and the Last Essays of Elia (other topics)Martin Chuzzlewit (other topics)
The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral (other topics)
Favorite Ghost Stories (other topics)
The Feast (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Charles Lamb (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Robert Westall (other topics)
Margaret Kennedy (other topics)
William Wordsworth (other topics)
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So does the book Rebecca, by Daphne duMaurier.
I needed some light reading, so I am reading The Lost World, by Conan Doyle.