Victorians! discussion
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Nominations for August Group Read
I understand the time issue. I haven't even finished Miss Marjoribanks for the OTBP read. I would like to nominate Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope
I would like to nominate Armadale by Wilkie Collins.A lesser known mystery of Collins, I've always heard fabulous things about it and I'd like to find out for myself. :)
While it may not be English, it was written in 1880 and it's author is criminally ignored by the literate masses. I nominate Nana by Emile Zola.
Paul wrote: "While it may not be English, it was written in 1880 and it's author is criminally ignored by the literate masses. I nominate Nana by Emile Zola."
Paul, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was tempted to nominate one of Zola's titles, but since you have, I will second yours!
Paul, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was tempted to nominate one of Zola's titles, but since you have, I will second yours!
Sharon wrote: Paul, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was tempted to nominate one of Zola's titles, but since you have, I will second yours! I too second this nomination. I've been meaning to read Zola for a long time.
A Russian author would be good. Russia was going through the same changes as the rest of Europe, but at a faster pace.
Sarah wrote: "Scott, any suggestions???""Notes from the Underground" was written in parts throughout Dostoevsky's life,chronicling how his worldview changed. I first read it 50 years ago, and see in retrospect his journey from uncertainity to uncertainty.
That's a good one. And I'm sorry, Scott. I really didn't mean to sound so bossy.
Notes from the Underground has more than just a little similarity to Taxi Driver. When it comes to Russians though, who is better than Tolstoy?
I second Emile Zola - just bought Therese Racquin and would love to read that but any of his would be great..so happy to agree to Nana as well..
R.L. Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey in the Cevannes.The Victorian age was a great age for travel. Up to the adaptation of steam power to the railroads and to ships, travel was generally slow and uncomfortable. But the railroads and steamships made travel much more accessible to ordinary people, and ushered in a new era of travel literature.
Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey is his delightful and very funny record of a twelve day walking trip through rural France. It's a great look at what travel was like in the later Victorian era (the journey was in 1878, the book published in 1879), and has some interesting musings on various issues that arise in Stevenson's later writing.
According to the Wikipedia article, "In the John Steinbeck novel The Pastures of Heaven, one of the characters regards Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes as one of the single greatest works of English literature and eventually names his infant son Robert Louis. Later on, Steinbeck and his wife Elain were inspired by Stevenson in choosing the title Travels With Charley.
Link: Travels With a Donkey in the Cevennes
Everyman wrote: "R.L. Stevenson's Travels with a Donkey in the Cevannes.
The Victorian age was a great age for travel. Up to the adaptation of steam power to the railroads and to ships, travel was generally slow a..."
This is an interesting book which I read over 40 yrs ago. Whether I'll be able to find a copy amongst all my accumulated junk is another matter. I second Travels with a Donkey
The Victorian age was a great age for travel. Up to the adaptation of steam power to the railroads and to ships, travel was generally slow a..."
This is an interesting book which I read over 40 yrs ago. Whether I'll be able to find a copy amongst all my accumulated junk is another matter. I second Travels with a Donkey
I nominate Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
Personally, because it's been on my shelf for about a hundred years. It's said to be one of Hardy's best, so er, yeah!
Personally, because it's been on my shelf for about a hundred years. It's said to be one of Hardy's best, so er, yeah!
Staying with Lauren's theme above, I'll nominate The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. A thoroughly awesome novel!
Sarah wrote: "I would like to nominate Armadale by Wilkie Collins.A lesser known mystery of Collins, I've always heard fabulous things about it and I'd like to find out for myself. :)"
I second Return Of the Native.
you guys are making this so difficult. Too many good books to choose from.
I recently finished reading The God of Small Things, and it kept making allusions to The Heart of Darkness which made me want to read it. Heart of Darkness byJoseph Conrad
Oh I like Heart of Darkness. It's nice and short, too, even if the material is a bit heavy-hearted.
I have just started reading Heart of Darkness so I could actually join the discussion of this one!
I think you all are bound and determined to turn me into a Hardy fan :)
Paula wrote: "I think you all are bound and determined to turn me into a Hardy fan :)"Oh, Paula, you're just lookin' for a convenient excuse to dive into one of the great Victorian authors! You'll love him as much as the rest of us. The man can really craft a plot! In my book, he's up there in the stratosphere with George Eliot. Seriously good stuff!
I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one since I've bought the paperback.@Christopher: I thought that you didn't like Tess that much? Or am I mixing you up with another poster? : )
Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one since I've bought the paperback.@Christopher: I thought tha..."
LOL I am just the oppsite, between the two I would prefer Return of the Native, becasue that is the one I happen to own a copy of.
i love this site!! - to find fellow Hardy lovers is impossible in my day to day life - I have five unread Thomas Hardy books The Mayor of Casterbridge, Return of the Native, The Woodlanders, The Trumpet Major and Far from the Maddening Crowd.. I have read two and loved them so much am collecting all his books.. but now need to read them!! Also have unread G Eliots and E Zolas.. so happy with all authors suggested :)
Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one since I've bought the paperback.@Christopher: I thought tha..."
Sandybanks, I was always somewhat appalled after reading 'Tess,' but after reading "The Mayor of Casterbridge"... Well, my opinion has changed. Not only that, I am looking at Hardy quite differently now. I think I finally 'get' Hardy now. Maybe I'm just a slow learner. I am a confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool Hardyite now!
I am so enamored with Hardy that I have purchased all of his minor novels in paperback, a volume of his complete poetry (you guys know how much I love poetry!), and all of his major novels in the Everyman's Library hardcover editions!
Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one since I've bought the paperback.@Christo..."
Wow, that's quite a turnaround! So what do you think is his best novel?
Sandybanks wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one since I've bought the ..."So far? It is a toss-up between "The Return of the Native" and "Far From the Madding Crowd." However, I am in the midst of "The Woodlanders," and I am following it up with a re-read of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" and "Jude the Obscure." So, it could change.
I have to confess that I read "The Return of the Native" twice, back-to-back (and could easily read it a third time soon!). It moved me that much! I studied it, dissected it, and digested it. It is one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read. Gut-wrenching, but gut-wrenchingly beautiful.
Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one sin...""Gut-wrenching, but gut-wrenchingly beautiful."
Sounds fantastic.
I hope that one of them gets picked up for the upcoming group read.
@Paula: We want Hardy! We want Hardy! ;P
Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "I want to read another Hardy! Either Far From the Madding Crowd or Return of the Native would be fine. But I lean towards the first one sin..."Back to back-that's amazing! I haven't done that ever with a book. Can't wait to read it.
Well, many of us know Chris has good taste in the classics, so when he is so enthusiastic about the author, we take notice. I have only seen films of two Hardy novels and have never read him, so definitely something to look forward to. Still looking forward to the poll, whatever books wins, Hardy or otherwise.
I've only read Tess by Hardy and that was enough to make me a fan. I look forward to reading more of his work. So I will be definitely voting for one of his books in the poll.
I have really enjoyed the Hardy novels I've read so far, except The Trumpet Major, which I'm surprised I persevered with.
His poetry, however...
His poetry, however...
Paula wrote: "I think you all are bound and determined to turn me into a Hardy fan :)"That's because we love you and want nothing but the best for you!
Everyman wrote: "Paula wrote: "I think you all are bound and determined to turn me into a Hardy fan :)"That's because we love you and want nothing but the best for you!"
Well put, Everyman, well put!
Wow - now I want to read Hardy just from Christopher and Everyman's comments! :):)Have to admit - Tess is the only one I've read but I own Jude the Obscure and Far From the Madding Crowd so I guess my vote would be FFtMC... Or the more obscure donkey one Everyman nominated... that looks interesting... Or a Zola because he's on my challenge list and I haven't read anything by him yet...
Oh!! So many books to choose from! *^happy dance^*
Never read Hardy either.... ;/ eeep!! Maybe we should read a Hardy this month :D
I am thrilled to think a Hardy might make it in for our read. I was first introduced to him after a college roomate told me to read Major of Casterbridge. Chris has got me intrested in reading Return of the Native so I am ALL for Hardy. :)
Thank you all, for the nominations! There are some great ones for the upcoming group read!!Nominations are now closed and a poll will be posted shortly.
Paula wrote: "Wow - now I want to read Hardy just from Christopher and Everyman's comments! :):)Have to admit - Tess is the only one I've read but I own Jude the Obscure and Far From the Madding Crowd so I gue..."
If you decide to vote for FFTMC I'll give up Stevenson and vote for it too so you can get a good reason to read it. I'll be re-reading it for the umpteenth time, but that will be just an added pleasure.
Everyman wrote: "Paula wrote: "Wow - now I want to read Hardy just from Christopher and Everyman's comments! :):)Have to admit - Tess is the only one I've read but I own Jude the Obscure and Far From the Madding ..."
Kinda nice to see all of us happily gerrymandering! ;-)
Lauren wrote: "I have really enjoyed the Hardy novels I've read so far, except The Trumpet Major, which I'm surprised I persevered with. His poetry, however..."
Tracey wrote: "i love this site!! - to find fellow Hardy lovers is impossible in my day to day life - I have five unread Thomas Hardy books The Mayor of Casterbridge, Return of the Native, The Woodlanders, The Tr..."
i agree that Hardy's poetry is not easy to read. i read his poem "God's Funeral". It could have been written last week, by me, or dozens of other people that i know. Hardy was both relevant and visionary.
Hi everyone - the poll is now open to vote for our summer read!Sorry, it didn't come out on time this month but hopefully you will all still vote.
Some great picks for this month - have fun!
OK, just realised my mistake - sorry guys! I didn't get an invitation to vote so assumed the poll hadn't been done. I now see it has.
Also, the poll for some reason did not show up on the main page. Only accessible by clicking on 'polls' at the side.
Although I too am a Hardy fan (IMO the most poetic of our Victorian authors) I will second Paul's suggestion of Nana by Emile Zola, the 'French Dickens', or any other Zola.
Victorians!
Books mentioned in this topic
The Portrait of a Lady (other topics)Heart of Darkness (other topics)
Armadale (other topics)
The Return of the Native (other topics)
Far From the Madding Crowd (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Joseph Conrad (other topics)Thomas Hardy (other topics)
The rules are (please read carefully):
1) Any book by any author (regardless of nationality) so long as the book was published between 1837 - 1901.
2) One nomination each please (if two or more are nominated I will only count the first one)
3) If you can, please try to include a link to the book so that people can check it out.
4) Please try to include a sentence or so to why it would make a good group read (try and sell it to other members - it may make them vote for it!)
5) Have fun!!!
Nominations will close on 16 July and then voting will begin.