What I'm Reading - March

[Sue]

I'm now reading Unaccustomed Earth and Pavilion of Women while continuing The Honey Month. I'm reading the Honey Month one day at a time to enjoy it in a relaxed way.

[Barbara]

Sheila wrote: "A.J. - I absolutely echo what Barb says about Heaney's translation of Beowulf - it is just great!"

I just tried to find that discussion but it doesn't seem to be in the archives.

[Theresa]

The Wind Up Bird Chronicle is one of my favorite books. It's not to everyone's taste, but I've read it several times. Love Murakami. And second Barb's commentson the Heaney translation of Beowulf.

[John]

I like Murakami, too, though I bailed early on Kafka on the Shore.

[Ruth]

I just finished Kowloon Tong: A Novel of Hong Kong I love Paul Theroux's travel books, his novels not so much. But there it was, on the new books shelf (which seems to have become seriously depopulated at my library) so it jumped into my hand.

A pretty good read, but a little like watching a train wreck.

[Barbara]

I haven't read any of Paul Theroux's novels, Ruth, and I keep thinking I will because I like his travel books so much. Is there any title that you would recommend?

[Brian]

Although I really enjoyed both The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore, I prefer Murakami as a short story writer. The tension between the real and the surreal seems to me to be more suited to his shorter works.

The Elephant Vanishes is good collection of his early stories; After the Quake has just six stories but they are all superb. His current collection of short stories, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman: 24 Stories, has an interesting introduction in which he says that writing novels is a challenge and writing short stories is a joy. He alternates between the two, never working on short stories while writing a novel. He views his short stories as sort of an experimental laboratory for his novels.

I'm thinking of tackling The Complete Essays of Montaigne with the help of How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer. Has anyone used the latter as a companion book to "The Essays?"

Also, Barbara and Ruth, which of Theroux's travel books do you recommend? I have The Old Patagonian Express on my to read list because of my interest in Latin America, but haven't had time to even take much of a look at it.

[Ruth]

Barbara wrote: "I haven't read any of Paul Theroux's novels, Ruth, and I keep thinking I will because I like his travel books so much. Is there any title that you would recommend?"

His most well-known is The Mosquito Coast. I liked it a lot when I read it, but that must be over 20 years ago.

[Dvora]

I read Theroux's Patagonia Express years ago and just recently Pillars of Hercules. He doesn't like any place he visits. After reading Patagonia Express I told myself I would never read another of his books. But a friend liked The Pillars of Hercules so much that I figured I'd give him another try but found more of the same of his dislike for nearly every place he went. Why does he even bother to travel?

[John]

Brian, I wasn't very impressed by "How To Live." If you already know anything about Montaigne, it's not bringing anything new to the table. If you don't, it may be worth it. Oh, and read the Donald Frame translation of the "Essais" if you can.

[Barbara]

Also, Barbara and Ruth, which of Theroux's travel books do you recommend? I have The Old Patagonian Express on my to read list because of my interest in Latin America, but haven't had time to even take much of a look at it.

My favorite of Theroux's travel books is Riding the Iron Rooster about his travels by train in China and Tibet in the 1980's. However, I liked The Old Patagonian Express as well. He almost always talks to authors who live where he is traveling. In Patagonian Express, he visits with Jorge Luis Borges.

Dvora, I think of Theroux as a bit of a curmudgeon. He does like many things about the places in which he travels, but he has a lot of negative things to say as well. I love his writing because he takes a totally different view than the typical tourist and goes to totally different places.

One little nugget in The Pillars of Hercules which pleased me no end were his comments about Arles in the south of France. We've stayed there and it's a lovely city, but I was almost sickened by the dog excrement that was everywhere. I was there after Theroux and a new mayor had launched a campaign to get people to clean it up, but it was still everywhere. When I started reading his account, I wondered if he would include it and sure enough! He hated it that aspect of it as much as I did. And, he loved lots of other things about it -- just like me.

[John]

Brian,

I believe I've now read just about all of Theroux's travel writing (except his trip down the Yangtze perhaps). I'd normally recommend The Great Railway Bazaar as the place to start, "Patagonia" would be fine also. the only one I actually disliked Dark Star Safari Overland from Cairo to Capetown - as one reviewer put it, "You never felt he was ever in any situation whipping out his Titanium Tier credit card couldn't fix." I found him incredibly pompous, more than once, during the book.

I really enjoyed listening to Murakami's novella After Dark.

Barbara,

I read one of Theroux's novels: The Consul's File, which left me understanding why a South Asian friend considers him patronizingly racist; on the other hand, I was hooked by having a protagonist with such a terrific moniker as Fenella Crabbe!

[Sara]

As mentioned on another thread, I'm about 50 pages into the latest (the 8th--hard to believe!) Maisie Dobbs novel. Quite good so far.

About two-thirds done with A Discovery of Witches which I've enjoyed. It's not blowing me away, but I'm sure I'll finish it, and I believe it's the first of a planned trilogy, so I imagine I'll follow up.

Finished listening to Eat, Pray, Love about ten days ago, and very much enjoyed it. Gilbert's self-deprecating humor came through very clearly in her reading.

[John]

I think EPL was one of those books where Gilbert's reading it worked out better than a professional narrator. However, I didn't find her very "self-deprecating" at all, rather the opposite at times.

[Sara]

Yes, John, I've heard that many opinion from other people. It's just not my experience.

[John]

I think was mostly the "I'm so hot,they all want me!" attitude in Italy that got to me. I found Richard-from-Texas the best part of the book, both in his bringing her down to earth, as well as her rendering of his accent!

[Sara]

huh. Don't remember that in the Italy section at all. But I do remember her brilliant personification of loneliness and depression as a couple of thugs who keep follow her home and move right in. :)

But the India section was my favorite, mostly exactly because she so clearly acknowledged her own shortcomings, and what lessons she needed to learn, repeatedly.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "As mentioned on another thread, I'm about 50 pages into the latest (the 8th--hard to believe!) Maisie Dobbs novel. Quite good so far.

About two-thirds done with A Discovery of Witches which I'..."
Oh good about the Maisie Dobbs. I still have the last one to read. I sort of dole them out to myself between other books as I've been enjoying this series for so long.

[John]

I have the 2010 Maisie Dobbs saved as well (audiobook), which I should read in the near future as this year's offering is hot off the presses it seems!

[J10]

Ruth wrote: "I just finished Kowloon Tong: A Novel of Hong Kong I love Paul Theroux's travel books, his novels not so much. But there it was,..."

The only novel I've read by Theroux is Millroy the Magician, and I liked it. Though, "liking it" might not be an accurate description: it was really good, and the ending left me slightly confused and angered. But still, worth a try, I'd say.

[Sue]

John wrote: "I have the 2010 Maisie Dobbs saved as well (audiobook), which I should read in the near future as this year's offering is hot off the presses it seems!"

I guess I should slip it in soon too. Sometimes it feels like a cheat since it's so enjoyable, not that others aren't also. It's sort of like dessert.

[Anne]

My "winter of the Tudors" has now lead my to WOLF HALL, as it is a selection for our new neighborhood book club. I didn't read it when CR did, but I look forward to browsing the discussion when I'm finished with it. I just started it last night, and am already eager to get back to it today (after the gym, my massage, some shopping...)

This little Tudor kick of mine started with The HBO miniseries THE TUDORS. I then read THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, some historical fiction about Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn and her sister, and then watched the movie "A Man for All Seasons." Still need to watch the movies about Elizabeth 1.

I must admit, this is being a mighty fun romp through not-so-merry Old England!

[Dvora]

Anne, I get on kicks like yours. I enjoy following these tracks, although they can get in the way of set reading with groups. But I don't care. Seeing the last part of the film Lust for Life on TV one day led me to several books about Vincent Van Gogh, a kick I am not yet finished with! Seeing the mini BBC series about Lilly Langtry got me interested in her and the mileu she lived in. I have a biography of her sitting on my shelf and will probably follow that up with a bio of Oscar Wilde (a good friend of hers) and then who knows where that track will lead?

[TheGirlBytheSeaofCortez]

Anne wrote: "My "winter of the Tudors" has now lead my to WOLF HALL, as it is a selection for our new neighborhood book club. I didn't read it when CR did, but I look forward to browsing the discussion when I'm..."

Anne, I'm sure CR didn't read Wolf Hall as a group read, though I do think many of us have read it.

I love the Tudor period, too, and am really looking forward to Hilary Mantel's sequel to Wolf Hall.

Dvora, I really loved Dear Theo.

[Dvora]

Thanks for the tip, Gabrielle. I've read two books of selected letters and some more of them on the internet on a site that has them all in chronological order. One of the reviews of Dear Theo says it is more a fiction concocted by Irving Stone of what the letters might have been than a true representation of what they are. But at this point, I have probably read enough of his letters and scholarly comments on them to judge for myself. So I have added it to my list to buy. For now, I await the arrival of Lust for Life that I have never read. Since it was the film version that set me off, I might as well read the novel.

[Sue]

I just finished re-reading The Daughter of Time. I was curious to see how it stood the test of time since I'd read it probably 30+ years ago. I found I agree with my 4 star remembered assessment.

[Sara]

I discovered Tey last year and really love the sensibility of her writing. Haven't read this one yet, though.

[Beej]

Dvora, as a fellow 'van Gogh-ite,' I think you'll enjoy Lust for Life immensely.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "I discovered Tey last year and really love the sensibility of her writing. Haven't read this one yet, though."

I do recommend it. It's really sort of an historical mystery using her then contemporary policeman.

[Beej]

The Clan of the Cave Bear.

The sixth and final book of the Earth Children series (The Land of Painted Caves) will be released tomorrow. I had never read any of the books but with the devotion and excitement I've seen from fans at the bookstore where I work, I decided to read through the series. So far, at almost the half way mark of the first book, I'm enjoying the story.

[Anne]

I must have seen a smaller discussion of WOLF HALL and thought is was a selection! I can certainly see why CRs would like this book!

LUST FOR LIFE has been on my to re-read list. I can foresee a Van Gogh feast in my future. Once the Tudors have their way with me!

[TheGirlBytheSeaofCortez]

I've finished The Anatomy of Ghosts and am going to being The Tiger's Wife now. Myths and folk tales are not generally "my thing" but I do want to read this book.

I also want to begin The Cairo Trilogy, but I'm afraid the small print might cause me to go blind! It really is small, and I'm really near-sighted.

[Ruth]

Beej wrote: "The Clan of the Cave Bear.

The sixth and final book of the Earth Children series (The Land of Painted Caves) will be released tomorrow. I had never read any of the b..."

I'd heard so much about this book that I downloaded the audio from my library. Maybe it's better in print. I didn't last 30 minutes on the audio.

[Hazel]

I haven't read much travel writing, but I'm just finishing Travels with Myself and Another: A Memoir, which is said to be unusual. It's Martha Gellhorn's account of her 'horror' journeys. It's absorbing, although some of her attitudes to other cutures/ethnic groups are hard to take.

[Aloha]

Let me know what you think of The Boat. I'm curious about that book.

Cateline wrote: "I'm reading two at present, The Boat by Nam Le, and Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor by Anthony Everitt."

[Aloha]

It's one of my favorite books. It's also my fantasy group's April read, which thrilled me. I'm ahead of the game for once and I still remember the book. I highly recommend this book if you're into SciFi.

Kat (LvnEvryMin) wrote: "I started The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle last night and enjoying it so far."

[Aloha]

Finished The Pariah. It is a fun ride. Masterton is not afraid to throw in everything and the kitchen sink. When an author does that, it either becomes a fun ride, or can border on cheesy or too much. Masterton obviously is into Native American rituals, and other ancient rituals and lores. One thing about studying writing is that I noticed some writers do lots of research on topic(s) of interest and incorporate that into their imagination. Now, these writers may not be masters of the written language in their prose or style, but they can bang out a helluva good story. Masterton is that writer. I love literature, so I love a writer who has artistry in the written word, but I can also enjoy a fun story.

On to Doomsday Book. Also, my history buff friend Sid recommended Flyboys: A True Story of Courage to me because it has cannibalism in the story about the Japanese atrocities during WWII. Really interesting story. I had the urge to clear the deck and read Flyboys next, but I was set on reading Doomsday for the last week. I don't know. If Doomsday doesn't grab me from the very beginning, I might jump to Flyboys. The urge is pretty strong to read it. Who'd know being a cannibal, you can make so many friends?

[Aloha]

I really enjoyed Kafka on the Shore. What didn't you like about it?

John wrote: "I like Murakami, too, though I bailed early on Kafka on the Shore."

[Dvora]

Beej, I'm looking forward to it (the book Lust for Life).

[Marjorie]

Sue said, " I just finished re-reading The Daughter of Time. I was curious to see how it stood the test of time since I'd read it probably 30+ years ago. I found I agree with my 4 star remembered assessment."

I found that book pretty boring and returned it to the library unfinished after page 90.

I've heard that her BRAT FARRAR is good and plan to give it a read sometime.

Marge

[Marjorie]

I'm reading WOLF HALL and loving it.

Even if one knows a lot of the history of Henry VIII, the Boleyns, etc. it is still a great read simply because Mantel does such a superb job of telling it.

It is taking me more time to get through the book because I stop to look up so many things that Mantel just hints at (some of which I probably should ignore, but can't as I like details), such as Calais (the city in northernmost France closest to England was a possession of England for several centuries); how horrible the sweating sickness was and that it disappeared and thankfully has never reappeared; the emperor's solders plundering Rome because they had not been paid; the Percy family (I'd never heard of, but were the most powerful family in Northern England during most of the Middle Ages); pictures of the Seymours' Wulfhall; etc., etc. --so many interesting tidbits.

Now I want to watch the old movies, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS and ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS. (Incidentally, Elizabeth Taylor was seen as an-- uncredited--courtesan in Anne of the Thousand Days.)

Marge

[Marialyce]

I am in the middle of To a Mountain in Tibet. I am enjoying it greatly. I have always loved Tibet and the people and their customs. Quite fascinating!

[Al]

Cateline & Aloha: I was disappointed by The Boat although I do think he is a talented writer.

Gabrielle: I am about 100 pages into The Tiger's Wife. I had the same reservations as you going into it and so far those issues have not been a problem for me. Someone else here has already finished it so I will definitely start a discussion thread when I am done.

[Carol]

I am reading Kings of the Earth for our upcoming discussion.

[John]

Aloha wrote: "I really enjoyed Kafka on the Shore. What didn't you like about it?

John wrote: "I like Murakami, too, though I bailed early on Kafka on the Shore.""

It's been a while, but as I recall the combination of unpleasant audio narration and subject matter; seemed heavy-handed and coarse to me.

[Brian]

John, does that mean that one should avoid the audio version of books that have a talking cat and Colonel Sanders in its cast of characters? I read the print version and enjoyed it a lot, but somehow imagining an audio version doesn't seem very appealing.;)

[TheGirlBytheSeaofCortez]

Al wrote: "Cateline & Aloha: I was disappointed by The Boat although I do think he is a talented writer.

Gabrielle: I am about 100 pages into The Tiger's Wife. I had the same r..."

I'm glad to hear the book hasn't held any problems for you, Al. I'm just starting it, but I'll be sure to check your discussion thread and add something if I finish in time. Thank you.

Kitty, if you have Netflix and can watch "Brother's Keeper," it's very interesting. You see the real people Clinch writes about in Kings of the Earth.

[Aloha]

I thought the audio was great.

Brian wrote: "John, does that mean that one should avoid the audio version of books that have a talking cat and Colonel Sanders in its cast of characters? I read the print version and enjoyed it a lot, but someh..."

[Carol]

Gabrielle wrote: "Al wrote: "Cateline & Aloha: I was disappointed by The Boat although I do think he is a talented writer.

Gabrielle: I am about 100 pages into The Tiger's Wife. I had..."

I added it to my queue.

[John]

Brian wrote: "John, does that mean that one should avoid the audio version of books that have a talking cat and Colonel Sanders in its cast of characters? I read the print version and enjoyed it a lot, but someh..."

Actually, I really liked the last book I listened to featuring a talking cat (Wild Things). I confess I don't recall the details specifically - apologies if that means my recollection of disliking the book is "invalid" in your opinion. It wasn't just the audio though - I wasn't getting into the story itself.

I like Murakami as a writer, just not that book.