On the Southern Literary Trail discussion
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General Bookishness
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Retired: What are you reading?
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Jane
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Jan 11, 2015 05:43AM
Mike wrote: "Josh wrote: "The flu=yuck. Oh no ! Get well soon Mike
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This was the year that Santa did NOT come down the flue. *ahem* It seems even being the wiliest old bass in the lake, it's difficult throwing this lure. Andalusia, the Queen, and Jeeves, the loyal retainer, have reached a leveling of upstairs, downstairs, each taking turns at putting on the kettle for a pot of tea. It is a case of one step forward, perhaps one and a half steps back. In the interim, we nap, read, nap, read. Periodically, I drop by to see how folks on the Trail are getting along. I found it quite ironic that when I was first laid low by this pernicious bug I was reading Station Eleven. I have become convinced that whatever strain this is, which was not covered by the flu shot I dutifully took, is not so virulent as the Georgian Flu, the subject of Mandel's novel. However, I do follow the philosophy of "The Traveling Symphony." "Survival is insufficient." So, I am thankful for the books that have kept my mind going through this lengthy, seemingly interminable, and frustrating experience. I have followed your comments with a smile. And it's pleasant to see you clicking along with your reads. One item which might interest you, I did manage to make it to McAllister and Solomon on one of those deceptive days when I was feeling better and found a 1955 copy of Andersonville, sans dust jacket. I'm tempted to have a replicated dust jacket made for it. They are available and reasonable in price. Of course, my In My Father's HouseIn My Father's House was signed by Professor Gaines to my great delight. I look forward to your thoughts on that one. If you've already addressed that, I will look through the discussions to find your thoughts. I don't know how you feel about the series "Downton Abbey," however, the Queen and I are hooked and will be watching the second episode this evening. Wishing you the best in the Uk this 2015.
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I will also be watching Downton Abbey tonight, this year promises lots of intrigue and (gasp) sex! In the 1920's! Who knew?
Tomorrow promises rain, I'm not working, no household chores to do; guess what I'll be doing?
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Uhm, is Billy working? *laughing* SHAME on me! Why, reading, of course! Just been to the store, picked up another load of daytime and nighttime Theraflu. I should own stock. Looking forward to Downton Abbey. It's interesting the way the series follows the changes in English society following the great war, especially for the downstairs staff, looking to find employment outside the great estates. My brother-in-law snubs the series as a soap opera. However, if soap it is, I find it quite a good one. It would be interesting to have our friend Jane check in on this topic. I'm still in the dumps at having missed Billy's pefected gravy for Shrimp N' Grits. Another time, Miss Scarlett. Andalusia and I miss you both. On the humorous side of things, the Queen insisted on taking the direct 78 route to Augusta. Very well, Jeeves, replied. It was night time. We averaged 45 MPH. Checked into a motel in Aiken at 11pm. However, the Queen is always right. Jeeves is always happy to oblige. *chuckle*
Mike wrote: "My brother-in-law snubs the series as soap opera"Bah. Tell your brother-in-law almost all great drama is soap opera. Romeo And Juliet is soap opera. The Godfather is soap opera punctuated with blood squibs.
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Bah. Tell your brother-in-law almost all great drama is soap opera. Romeo And Juliet is soap opera. The Godfather is soap opera punc..."
HAH! Love it. However, he's a stubborn Texan, turned Connecticut Yankee, now a NC transplant. We normally agree on things. However, he shall not be moved regarding Downton Abbey, alas. More's the pity! However, he will stay glued to Turner Classic Movies watching some of the greatest soaps ever made. *laughing* He adores "Jezebel."
I swan. Jezebel is Southern lye soap and lilac water. So is Gone With The Wind. Ingmar Bergman cinema is hopeless soap floating in great big cups of bitter black coffee. Speaking of Texas: The Last Picture Show and Giant are ...
Mod
Well, I must say, if I'm correct in remembering this, there's a certain panache to the coach's lines in The Last Picture Show: " Run, you little pissants, run!
Tough it out! You gotta be men like the rest of us." *ahem*
You've got the dialogue precisely correct. One of my all-time favorite films. Actually, The Last Picture Show was in my top three for many of my formative years. May still be.But it's still a windswept soap opera.
"Never you mind, honey. Never you mind."
Mod
But it's still a win..."
Yeah. I've always liked McMurtry. Bogdanovich had something about some films deserving to be in black and white. The Last Picture Show was one of them. I understand that the novel was the first of the Thalia Trilogy. I never got around to the other two. I should. Finally got around to making a trip to McMurtry's phenomenal book store and fortunately found out before I made the trek he had sold it. Wasn't much left when I was planning on driving out.
The Last Picture Show and Paper Moon (Addie Pray). Both were excellent. But you knew that.The follow-ups to The Last Picture Show were dreadful, in my opinion. Texasville was an attempt to write a big splashy half-comic movie. The worst was Duane's Depressed which I consider the height of self-indulgence and hackdom. (There, I said it.)
On the other hand, Leaving Cheyenne ... now there is some mighty fine McMurtry.
Downtown Abbey is a wonderful period drama in episodes ;)following in that pure British tradition with spot on historical detail.Julian Fellowes who also wrote Gosford Park is the mastermind behind it. It s too good to call a soap, to my mind anyway.
Yes, Jane, I am aware of the excellent quality of Downtown Abbey and its pedigree. And, as far as I'm concerned, Gosford Park and The Rules Of The Game (its prototype) are soap opera. I really do believe most of Shakespeare is essentially soap opera, as is The Godfather. It is not about quality (that can run the gamut). It is about the form.
I think soap opera is a more modern term and that s one reason why I would n t use it here for Downtown another reason is that I am not a soap fan and never watch them -there s something negative about the term for me- Maybe I am old fashioned When my parent s used to wait for Sunday and The Forsyte Saga we never refered to it as a soap opera only a period drama the term came into use for programmes like Coronation street later on.
I should also inject that some of the finest films and series ever made throughout cinema and television history have followed this form, and some of my favorite films of all time follow it. This includes many long running series on BBC, with continuing storylines interwoven, episode to episode. The "soap opera" structure is all there. But as long as it's good and excels at what it is, I'm for it.
Me too ! ;)
Mod
Diane wrote: "Real life is a soap opera, in my opinion, and not nearly as well done as Downton Abbey.":) lol
Randy wrote: "With all due respect (and from this writer's perch), you cannot "downgrade" or "debase" language. Language simply is..."Actually, I should thank you. You gave me some red meat to feed my ravenous and slobbery blog this day. It ain't easy. The blog is very demanding, always yanking at the chain, wanting to be fed daily when I'd rather be in the loins of a warm bed instead of out hunting down something fresh with good bones to gnaw until it's another greasy grey dawn. Another new day, but the same old blog, hairy and hungry and yanking my chain.
The loins of a warm bed. I love that. Can I steal it sometime?
Slobbery blog. Bad beatitude.
Love how you do that, my friend :)
Darrell wrote: "The loins of a warm bed. I love that. Can I steal it sometime?"Oh, sure Darrell. Just don't let her know you're using them and be sure to give proper attribution.
RT
Mod
Always remember that every English teacher would be utterly adrift and out of touch if you transported that English teacher into a classroom a hun..."
*AHEM* I seem to have missed something. And, Randy, it appears you are now talking to yourself. From a perspective of assessing the circumstantial evidence the party to whom you have addressed your comments has removed her comments from this thread after stating she was a teacher of English. You are bolstering your argument in her absence by pish poshing her as an academic.
I've been getting in touch with my feminine side today, been reading Martha Quest by Doris Lessing. Did me a world of good. Now. Be a gentleman, read over your comments, and as Atticus might say under these circumstances, try to walk around in her shoes.
Might the word patronizing come to mind? Chauvinistic? Perhaps a bit domineering?
Knowing some of the women in this group, I think they might think the comments fall into that category.
My friend, I think this horse is dead. No further discussion is merited, though an apology is always a good idea if you've gone a bridge too far. Oh! I'll be happy to take down this comment, if you'd like to delete your thread naming the group member repeatedly. She is a very active participant in this group, nominating, voting, and discussing almost every book read.
Yes- Randy , being an English teacher and a Creative Writing Teacher too!!! Everything you have spouted off to yourself here has already ran through my creative and intellectual little brain a million times over ! I often laugh at some of the silly words they do add to our dictionaries each year ! Remember last year they added " selfies " ! Taking photos of oneself or oneself among friends or with just another! I quite think you the type to take one of just yourself right now with a bit of egg on your face my sweet ! Just having some fun with you ! Not upset ! I seem to believe you might have been testing your blog entry out on our common thread hear and maybe need an edit from an English Teacher or Freelance writer or two ! Oh ! We must not forget our groups other professional author opinions! HA!
All in good fun ! I am not teaching English or Creative writing this semester ! Not to worry! My grammar and spelling is atrocious in these small spaces and my rambling sometimes goes on too!
Truce !
Your lovely friend dawn
Mike wrote: "One thing a bout of the flu will do for you is to give you plenty of reading time, if the book doesn't keep hitting you on the nose between doses of Theraflu and the like. All the Light We C..."</i>Hi Mike,
Hope you are feeling better!
I have added both [book:All the Light We Cannot See and Station Eleven (there is a long line waiting for this one at the library) on my to read list.
Beverly wrote: "I found one copy of The Gospel Singer by Harry Crews in our entire library system and decided to give it a try. I was a little nervous at first considering how distur..."I did finish The Gospel Singer in December. I believe it was Harry Crews' first book and I thought it was a very good read. It would probably be a good book for one of our monthly reads but it appears to be difficult to find. Maybe those living in the South would have an easier time finding a copy at the library or at a used book store than I did. If you find a copy, I recommend it. Not sure if the following comment is a spoiler or not but will label it as such just in case.(view spoiler)
Mod
Beverly, thanks so much. We're slowly on the mend! I read into the early morning hours today. Looking for Holland Winchester with the high sheriff of Oconee County in [book:One Foot in Eden. That wait at the library will be worth it. Station Eleven was a heckuva read!
Darrell wrote: "As a writer, I'm always interested in other writers' styles, and which ones push the envelope a little. Recently, I've encountered two authors -- first Bob Shacochis and now Susan Minot -- who don'..."Darrell, the first writer I can recall encountering who did not employ quotation marks was Davis Grubb in his brilliant novel The Night Of The Hunter. Strangely, the next time I came across this style was in a pulp Western novel I found in my father's suitcase after he returned from a trip to the oil patch. The Western title and author's name never really stuck in my brain, but I remember clearly the absence of quotation marks.
That's interesting. Maybe it's not as rare as I thought.
Darrell wrote: "That's interesting. Maybe it's not as rare as I thought."Darrell, I'm not overly enamored of the practice and despite the caveats by many folk who say that you get used to it, I don't really get all that used to it and it distracts me. That said, Davis Grubb took off and flew for me, probably because his concept and execution was so pure and sure.
Panorama CityPanorama City
It about a man trying to find his way in life.
1 I really find The writing so real that I felt like I was there. I fell like the writer really got it down what it would be like for something with a disability . I find that most writers do not know how to do that.
2 The plot was good and I really like how the writer got the reader in to the story.
3 I really like how he took risks in this book that help me with my writing even so I am a new writer.
people should read this book
It about a man trying to find his way in life.
1 I really find The writing so real that I felt like I was there. I fell like the writer really got it down what it would be like for something with a disability . I find that most writers do not know how to do that.
2 The plot was good and I really like how the writer got the reader in to the story.
3 I really like how he took risks in this book that help me with my writing even so I am a new writer.
people should read this book
Based on the recommendations of several of you, I've just started All the Light We Cannot See. So far, so good!
Diane wrote: "Glad to hear you're both on the mend. I'm sure the trip home from Wilmington seemed endless, but now you can recuperate. We have escaped the crud so far, although I'm around a lot of people on th..."Diane, I've been toying with the idea picking up the "Pilgramage" book for some time now, but was iffy. Since you love it, my mind has now been made up! I have never seen Downton Abbey, but Santa brought me the whole first season on DVD last month. Thanks to your recommendations, I'll be cracking the seal and popping the cork on these this weekend. Love your picks!
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Hey Diane - I just ordered Season One of Downton Abbey and Homeland ! I like a little historical lovely mixed in with some modern conspiracy ! I am all over the place in tastes Ya know ! Hope you are well ! I am trying to think of books for March Pre - 1980 so I was checking the thread ! There has to be someone I am missing ! Was Ellen Gilcrest pre- 1980 ! She had a book of short stories that were strange and wonderful? Dawn
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Diane wrote: "Leanne, I think you'll love Harold Fry and his pilgrimage. I think it's a book that can only be appreciated by people old enough to have some regrets in their lives, I've noticed that a lot of you..Ha! Yes, mid-50s qualifies as "old enough" indeed!
I read The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared some time ago and worried that the pilgrimage book would be too similar. NOT AT ALL!
In addition to choosing and building a scavenger hunt for my book club, I also often do the same for one of my BFFs who is also in the club. We are currently leaning toward something set in California, but this book or All the Light We Cannot See might end up being our choice for April. Ive got to get reading! Thanks again.
Leanne - I cannot recommend All The light We Cannot See enough ! THAT BOOK WAS A LIFE CHANGER ! Incredible character based novel and the characters will never leave my heart!!! Not a day goes by now that I don't divide people between light and darkness seekers. You will know what I mean after you read the book. I never really cried . It was a positive story that came full circle magically tied into a neat bow ! A CHRISTMAS bow for me because that is when I finished. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I am a passionate reader. I have to most times go back to finish reviews to give objective submissions or all you would read would be adjectives and exclamation marks !
Enjoy !
Dawn
Dawn wrote: "Leanne - I cannot recommend All The light We Cannot See enough ! THAT BOOK WAS A LIFE CHANGER ! Incredible character based novel and the characters will never leave my heart!!! Not a day goes by n..."Dawn - you and Diane were right. All the Light We Cannot See was excellent! After maybe 5 chapters in, I actually started taking notes on meals and ideas for one of our scavenger hunts...think about finding clues inside little wooden trick-boxes, having to align seashells up in a row before proceeding further, searching for batteries for a transistor radio, etc.
It was a great read in its own right, but Im hoping that when my book club meets tonight, this will end up being our April choice. That's the month I'll co-host and be in charge of activities.
Look, Goodreads gives the book over 4 stars, but until trusted readers tell me to go for it, I'll sometimes hold off. Thank you, ladies! Loved it.
Thanks to Sue and Diane, I have started
The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Look at that, it has a title taken from Matsuo Basho, A 17th century Zen poet kinda guy. This book is layers upon layers and a couple more. A stream of consciousness story centered on the protagonist's experiences in a Japanese POW camp building a railroad, The Railroad. It seems that NPR interviewed the author awhile back, fascinating. Sue, you are such a heavy hitter when it comes to books.
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The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Look at that, it has a title taken from Matsuo Basho..."John, I've been looking at this one, too. So many great reads out there, all the time. *sigh* Another one for the dangerously teetering read stack. I add my thanks to you, as well as to Sue and Diane. Each of you are always to be depended upon.
The narrow road is an amazing read. Hard to read at times because of the subject matter but the main character is a man who rises above himself in a horrible situation.
WWII has always fascinated me. Dad was on a minesweeper in the Pacific. Things Japanese fascinate me. I dreamed I was a kamikaze pilot. I married a Japanese girl. They were mean. They have a beautiful culture. They are a deeply appreciative people. The world is a strange place indeed.I would strongly suggest
Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings
Did y'all hear about the "Mockingbird" sequel???
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainme..."
I was just getting ready to post about this when I saw that you had beaten me to it. That is most exciting news, especially to know that it was actually written before TKAM and the manuscript was thought to be lost. I first heard it in the car on NPR and almost ran off the road. I can't wait, and I'll bet the publisher is rubbing it's hand with glee, just anticipating the sales.
Diane wrote: "Leanne wrote: "Here we go. It will be out in July!http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainme..."
I was just getting ready to post about this when I saw that you had beaten me to it. That ..."
LOL! Glad you stayed on the road, missy!
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On the Southern Literary Trail
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