Frederick’s Comments (group member since Nov 15, 2012)

Frederick’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

I think the heading for this thread is 'Classics without the Class' However,I must agree, though its such a shame that, like yourself, so many judge Lawrence by those two iconic books. 'Sons and Lovers', impossibly pretentious, and 'Lady Chat', the already ailing author's expiation of his fantasies. There are other works however, and I must defend those not just on their merit but because they address a slant upon English society of the time that is largely forgotten.

A few days ago I recommended a BBC series of PG Wodehouse adaptations entitled 'Blandings'. The second episode came up this week. I withdraw my recommendation! I didn't think it was possible to turn Wodehouse into low comedy but somehow this production manages to give the impression that the scripts were re-written by Michael Frayn. Jennifer Saunders' acting repertoire should stop at voice-overs for Shrek, and David Wallyams' should begin with cross-dressing - something at which he is the consummate professional. Unless you are very bored one afternoon, don't bother with this series.

Beverley wrote: "Sebastian wrote: "I am probably going to get stoned for this, but Moby Dick is probably the worst book I have ever read. I generally like most classics, but for this one, I had to force myself to f..." I can't agree with you concerning Lawrence, I'm afraid - try 'St. Mawr' or 'The White Peacock'. But be thankful at least you got 'Sons and Lovers' and managed to avoid 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'. Incidentally, I wonder if Connie and Mel have ever turned up as a 'set book' anywhere?

Rose wrote: "My husband and I have been watching Merlin on Netflix, and we're almost caught up to the current season which is taping on our DVR. We really enjoy it. It makes me want to read The Mists of Avalon."
If I may make a recommendation, try 'The Once and Future King'(T.H. White). A bit Harry Potter-ish, maybe, but reasonably faithful to the original Morte D'arthur and a cracking read.

Here in UK the BBC has just embarked upon 'Blandings'- a series based upon PG Woodhouse's books. I don't know if it will cross The Pond, but if it does it might be worth a look. The reader perception of Woodhouse usually stops at Jeeves and Wooster, so this is worth getting into, as a variation of the same.

I kind of like PG, but I don;t know why. He's glib, rather than funny, and he represents a British view I'm not sure I believe in - but I always end up watching!

Geoff wrote: "Reading Hard Times at the moment. Aptly named so far, I assure you..!" Best regards to Mr. Bounderby. My kind of man!

Margaret wrote: "Marwa wrote: "Carrying on with the french theme ..;)

Germinal by Emile Zola"

This is a great book. One of those books that truly blew my mind when I was a freshman in college. I've read it a fe..."

I'm so glad you've picked up on Zola. A writer with a wonderful humanist touch - if you have time, please also try 'Therese Raquin', and 'Nana'. Both beautifully rounded pieces of work.

Oh Jason, one day when you're older you will look back on that and so wish you hadn't written it! Intellectual arrogance is never pretty, is it?

If you can find it - I lost my copy somewhere, I'm afraid - this is a very special fantasy: 'Winter's Tale' by Mark Helprin.

Fascinating that 'Waiting for Godot' should be in your list! In such distinguished company too. It just doesn't seem to fit somehow!

I wish I could believe it has changed, but from what I see here, very little has. Mine?
Hard Times Dickens
Kipps HG Wells
Julius Caesar Sorry, forget author (some Elizabethan chap with a frilly necktie)
Anthology early twentieth Century Poets (Rupert Brook et al)
Animal Farm Orwell
Dissertation upon Roast Pig Charles Lamb
Paradise Lost Milton
The Pardoners Tale (I think) Chaucer.

That was across 'O' and 'A' Level. There may have been others, but they escape me.

Oh, and for Dickens 'beginners' try 'Sketches by Boz'. Dickens' earlier work - the short stories he wrote for...oh, the name of the magazine eludes me...but very good and easily digestible.

Plutarch's 'Lives' - honestly these stories are, to my mind, the most reader-friendly means of access to ancient Roman and Greek history. All right, not fiction (though at this distance in space and time they might as well be) but beautifully written and fascinating! Romulus and Remus, Alexander, Alcibiades, they're all there. And you can't get much more pre-1910 than that!

'Watership Down' is a beautiful little book - the tabulation of a story he told his children one day on a long car journey, as I remember. General Woundwort is one of my favourite villains! Also try 'Shardik', another of Adams' works, but maybe give a miss to 'The Plague Dogs' and 'Maia' which always struck me (subjectively) as being a little bit sleazy.

Let's move on - some titles, please? How about 'Call me Anna'?

I don't think he's already here, so he at least deserves an honorable mention: James Michener. A succession of true 'table-leg proppers', but 'Tales of the South Pacific' got a Pulitzer, didn't it? And a musical! How many musicals did Tolstoy ever get? 'Centennial'and my personal favourite 'Chesapeake'. Very big books, but very readable.

Yeah, well my reply's in there somewhere! Do not know how I did that!

Jeane wrote: "I need help finding a book for:

Gadget Lover-

Environmentalist-

Busy professional-

Green Thumb (gardener)- If you can get it, Gertude Jeckyll and the Country House Garden is a brilliant book about a legendary lady and garden designer.



The answers can be anything from classics to contemporary and they can be ironic or..."

Yes, she is an excellent actress. But possibly slightly miscast?

I've certainly taken note; though with restrained enthusiasm. The book has been done to death, frankly, and its difficult to see what new dimension can possibly be served by dishing it up again. Let's contemplate: what can we look forward to? An unconvincingly young Miss Havisham in the person of Helena Bonham Carter, a dashingly handsome Pip rising dripping wet from the marshes on his horse, the obligatory nude scene forced in somewhere and - oh, yes - Pip and Estella closing for the final passionate kiss. Nah! Think I'll give it a miss!