NYRB Classics discussion

Hello, everyone!

My name is Abigail. I'm new here at NYRB and will be taking over for Nick on the NYRB Classics discussion group here (Nick is still with us, just in a new position at the house).

I'd love to start talking about a book for the month of August, if you all are ready to jump in.

We have released quite a few titles since your last discussion in March and will be releasing a few more titles before July is out. Just in case any are of interest, here they are:

- The Unrest-Cure and Other Stories by Saki, with Illustrations by Edward Gorey
- Transit by Anna Seghers
- Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban
- In Love and My Face For the World to See by Alfred Hayes, both publishing at the end of July
- Speedboat and Pitch Dark by Renata Adler
- The Alteration and The Green Man by Kingsley Amis
- Frederick the Great by Nancy Mitford, publishing at the end of July
- We Have Only This Life to Live by Jean-Paul Sartre
- The Crisis of the European Mind by Paul Hazard


I'd love to read any one of these books, and please do throw out other suggestions if you have another Classic in mind.

Looking forward to discussing with you all!

-Abigail

Hi Abagail, I'm delighted that you intend getting the NYRB bookclub started again as it did seem to be in abeyance. It was by reading about the group on A Different Stripe that I first found out about GR, and I'm very glad that I was led here.

In the past we have considered both recently published titles and some from the back-catalogue, so I would like to propose a book about which I have heard many positive comments, both here and in literary reviews: Stoner

I've long wanted to read Renata Adler. Speedboat

(i did love Stoner, though, and would think it's a good choice for those who haven't read it)

...and I loved Speedboat, Sarah!

Well then I'll order Speedboat whether the group reads it or not. Smile.

Hey there, Abigail (and hallo, Nick, wherever you may be). I'm good for Speedboat or Transit. Not least because I just bought them last week, haha.

And Stoner's one of my favorite books, also one of the first NYRBs I've ever read. I wouldn't be averse to a reread.

Hi Abigail,
Good to see life coming into the group!
I would be open to what the group decides.

I too have read Stoner in the last year, and it is one of my favorite reads.
I'm not keen on reading it again so soon, but I would not want to deprive anyone the great pleasure of reading it.
So I'm with Stoner if we go with that.

Best,
- gary

I've also read Stoner in the last year or so (and highly recommend it). Not ready to re-read it yet but I'd gladly participate in a conversation about it

I just finished both Speedboat and Pitch Dark in the last couple of weeks and loved them. Would enjoy having a discussion about either.

Of the list that Abigail suggested, after either of the Adler titles, I'd be most interested in the Saki stories or Transit.

Thanks for getting this running again, Abigail. I am open to anything, but thought I would mention that I was drawn in by the Ed Park piece on Turtle Diary at Slate, which is apparently the intro to the NYRB edition. The article mentions his Frances books for young children, but one of my favorite books is his book for slightly older children (and adults), The Mouse and His Child.

The movie adaptation of Turtle Diary is worth a look.

The screenplay is written by Harold Pinter, and stars Ben Kingsley and Glenda Jackson.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090219/?...


- gary

Thanks, Gary. I will definitely check that out after I read the book.

Your welcome.

I'd be very interested to read either of the Adler titles. Transit looks like a good read as well.

Chiming in to vote for Speedboat! It's been in my to-read stack for a month now, and I'd love to discuss it here!

I recently read Turtle Diary and loved it but I haven't been able to find the film. I bet it's terrific.

the film is excellent.
unfortunately, it's not out on DVD.
there are VHS copies on eBay http://www.ebay.com/bhp/turtle-diary

and amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...

hard to believe it's not out on DVD.
hope you get too see it.
- Gary

Ah, that's why it's not on Netflix. Thanks, Gary.

your welcome. l look forward to reading the book.

Welcome, Abigail!

I have read Stoner but a would be happy to read it again. Transit is my first choice from the new list. Turtle Diary a close second. Speedboat also looks good. I am already ordering all of them.

Thank you for chiming in, all! I'm so excited to begin reading with you.

I'll make a poll including any title that has been mentioned more than once on this thread thus far and let you know when it's up.

P.S. We at NYRB agree heartily with the misgivings expressed here about the Turtle Diary movie not being readily available. A shame upon shames!

Everyone: the poll for the August book is up.

I am not sure how to access the poll from my phone. If its still open I'll cast my vote tomorrow. I just read both of the Adler books. I loved both of them so I'm happy to discuss.
I just bought Stoner today. I also have In Love in my to-read list. Thanks to Abigail for getting this going.

Tim, Speedboat won the poll. So you're set.

Thank you, Seana. I look forward to the discussion.

From the LA Review: http://lareviewofbooks.org/review/an-...

Hello, all. I have been on a NYRB classics reading binge lately and am glad to find this group. I have not yet read Speedboat, but will pick it up this week.

Great, Danielle. My copy is on order, so I'll be joining in whenever I get it done too.

Hello Abigail,

I can't express how pleased I am to find the group up and running once again. Thank you! My book is on order and should be arriving soon.

First picked up Speedboat about three months ago. It was fascinating reading for several days—I was crazy about the voice, I remember, and how breezy and a little off-kilter the language was—the book got set aside for one reason or another. So, really excited to get back to reading this. The token pressure of a group read is also a motivation, haha.

PS: You've heard this a lot, and I suspect you'll be hearing a lot more of it from NYRB-nuts like us, but: Thanks very much, Abigail, for resurrecting the group!

Hello all, I am mid-way through reading Speedboat and am looking forward to our discussion this month. I see that Lucky Jim is still listed at the current book. When are we planning to begin the Speedboat discussion?

Hello all. I have started a discussion thread titled "August Book Discussion: Speedboat, by Renata Adler." Feel free to chime in at any time!

-Abigail

Thanks, Abigail! New York Review Books wrote: "Hello all. I have started a discussion thread titled "August Book Discussion: Speedboat, by Renata Adler." Feel free to chime in at any time!

-Abigail"

I just got my copy today, so will be joining you all over on the discussion board soon.