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Lost Books of The Odyssey
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Spoiler As You Go
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So far I'm not sure if this is really the type of book that has spoilers, but I always err on the side of caution. I'm not at all far in, 21/177 according to my Nook, so it may develop more of a plot. So far, it seems very loosely constructed and wandering.So far the chapter "Guest Friend" has struck me the most. The idea that familiarity might take away a mystery and beauty has always been thought-provoking to me. It also parallels in an interesting way to a discussion another group I'm in is having about Thomas Hardy and Jude the Obscure. Hardy said, "Love lives on propinquity, but dies of contact." While decidedly depressing, there is some truth to the idea that when we are too often with someone or something it can bring harm. I do not think it is always the case, but it seems to happen fairly often.
I really love Decrement. That's a beautiful image of death.I'm at 55/177
I'm at 39/177. I also enjoyed "Guest Friend" the most so far. In "Agamemnon and the Word", the sentence (view spoiler) was surprising, yet satisfying. It made me wonder if the phrase was original during the original writing, or a common phrase used then too. I looked it up on wikipedia and it seems that it could go either way.
So far I've really enjoyed "Sirens" and "The Myrmidon Golem"I think my favorite so far is Killing Scylla.
It's bad I'm not even paying attention to the titles, isn't it?
I keep having to go back and look them up.I still think "Decrement" is my favorite, but I've enjoyed the others you guys mentioned, especially "The Myrmidon Golem" and "Guest Friend." "Odysseus in Hell" is also good and competing with "Decrement" for my favor.
"Fugitive" is my favorite so far. Love me some strange loops.Really liked the ending of "A sad revelation": brutal and beautiful.
(view spoiler)
Hated "Odysseus in Hell" - just... depressing.
Also, I mentioned elsewhere, this book reminds of Borges. Anyone else? Have you people read Borges?
Never read Borges, Vlad. Good, bad?
Also, over halfway in and Guest Friend is still my favorite.
Also, over halfway in and Guest Friend is still my favorite.
Never read Borges, Vlad. Good, bad?Fantastic, imho.
That going to be your choice for the next read?
If most people on here never read it- probably.
I have never read Borges, but to be honest, I'm not a big fan of the style of this book.
I think a different style for the next round would be nice.
So what did everyone else think about the writing style other than the aspect of the slivers of stories?
It felt a bit... history textbookish. If that makes sense.
Also: what the hell is the meaning of Ocean's Disc? I have no idea what that was about.
So what did everyone else think about the writing style other than the aspect of the slivers of stories? I'd say it works well with the theme of the book. (view spoiler)
One thing that bugged me was overuse of obscure words. I get it that it helps to set the tone, but... too much. Felt like I need an Ancient Greek dictionary just to understand some passages.
Ala wrote: "Also: what the hell is the meaning of Ocean's Disc? I have no idea what that was about."This might help
Ala wrote: "It felt a bit... history textbookish. If that makes sense."Do you mean like history books one might encounter early in school or and upper level history book?
Ocean's Disc is one section that, to me, required more knowledge of the original story to make sense, and that annoyed me.
Vlad wrote: "So what did everyone else think about the writing style other than the aspect of the slivers of stories? I'd say it works well with the theme of the book. [spoilers removed]
One thing that bugged ..."
I agree with you about the obscure words that at times seemed to be there solely because the author wanted to go "hey guys,look, I can use this word correctly!" It added nothing. Overall though, he had a sort of awakened dream feeling to the writing that suits what pieces of the Odyssey I remember actually reading.
Like any number of books one is assigned in a history class.
Also, yeah, I ended up looking it up after I posted to see what the Ocean's Disc was about. Thanks for the link, though :)
Also, yeah, I ended up looking it up after I posted to see what the Ocean's Disc was about. Thanks for the link, though :)
I finished today. This book was definitely a change for me. I haven't read anything like this since high school. I did enjoy skipping around after I got used to it, but wouldn't say it's my favorite style to read. Getting the refresher on The Odyssey was pretty cool. I forgot about that time period style of folk lore. It was more directly philosophical than contemporary writing which was fun to read for a while. :)
Melissa wrote: "I finished today. This book was definitely a change for me. I haven't read anything like this since high school. I did enjoy skipping around after I got used to it, but wouldn't say it's my favorit..."I considered skipping around, but didn't. It does sound like a fun way to read this.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I would agree that it's not a style I'd often choose to read.
Yeah, it's a refreshing change of pace, but not a style I'd read too often.
Remember to tag them as (view spoiler)[Spoilers! (hide spoiler)], though.
And maybe toss up the chapter or how far into the book you are(outside the spoiler tag) so folks will know if it's safe to look or not.
And, of course, if you come across something specific you want to discuss, feel free to throw a thread up about it :)