All About Books discussion

1. Gunnar's Daughter by Sigrid Undset. (Fiction - Norway)

2. Time for Outrage by Stephane Hessel. (Non Fiction - Politics)

3. Climate of Fear by Wole Soyinka. (Non Fiction - Politics).

4. The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore. (Fiction - Ireland).

5. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. (Non Fiction - Letters and Travelogue).

6. The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz. (Fiction - Poland).

7. Rings of Saturn by W. G. Sebald. (Non Fiction - Travel/History).

8. Mary in Redemption by Adrienne von Speyr. (Spirituality - Theology).

9. Echoes of an Autobiography by Naguib Mahfouz. (Non Fiction - Biography).

Are you planning to read more by Mahfouz Dhanaraj? I would like to at some point read his Cairo Trilogy I think.

Jenny wrote: "Are you planning to read more by Mahfouz Dhanaraj? I would like to at some point read his Cairo Trilogy I think."

I have at present three trilogies in mind. And Cairo Trilogy is one of them. If you are planning on Mahfouz, I can embark upon it immediately or tell me the possible dates.

I am very reluctant usually to begin a trilogy because then you will have to spend much time on a single author. I have actually planned Sigrid Undset's Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy for the summer and am planning also for Yukio Mishima's Spring Snow, The Sea of Fertility series. I do not know when I will be able to read them all. Recently also a German trilogy caught my attention - Agota Kristof's The Notebook, The Proof, The Third Lie: Three Novels. Life is tough for a faithful reader.

The latter belongs to my absolute favourites, but it is very very bleak (subtle warning ;)) The book you've nominated for the fiction book this month sounds really similar in terms of plot actually. She's not German though, but a Hungarian writing in French. I really liked Kristin Lavrandsdatter and Spring Snow sounds fabulous as well, have you read anything by the author yet?

There's also 'Independent People' by Laxness that we wanted to read!

How about starting with book 1 of the Cairo Trilogy this year and then see about the other ones whenever they suit? Kristin Lavransdatter and The Third Lie Trilogy should be best read together more or less, though infact The Notebook can also be read as a standalone to find out whether you like her writing (I've read it as such before finding out there were two more, and then read them all again).

The books of the Cairo Trilogy also seem to belong together very much, but then I am not sure. Since all three books together are very long, I am happy to let you decide depending on how you go along with the other trilogies (I am quite interested in the japanese tetralogy as well to be honest) and if we won't get there before the end of the year, that's fine as well. Should we maybe read 'Independent people' toghether in April?

That sounds perfect. And I might try Agota Kristof later, for I have already read enough bleak books last year.

I have read a short novella by Yukio Mishima titled Patriotism. I loved it and they say he was one of the best writers in Japan. Anyway I would love to read any Japanese writer. I have an admiration for the country and its people. I may be biased too.

About Sigrid Undset's trilogy I have already decided it for Summer.

And we can surely start with Cairo Trilogy anytime in the year except in June. In June I have a Virginia Woolf readalong and it is also a month of exams.

Independent People by H. Laxness is ok for April. We can do it.

10. The Castle of Crossed Destinies by Italo Calvino. (Fiction - Italy).

11. Cassandra by Christa Wolf. (Fiction - Germany).

12. La Madre by Grazia Deledda. (Fiction - Italy).

How was it Dhanaraj?

LauraT wrote: "How was it Dhanaraj?"

I liked the novel. Here are my thoughts on the novel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am planning to read Deledda's Canne al vento and Elias Portolusoon....

Dhanaraj wrote: "LauraT wrote: "How was it Dhanaraj?"

I liked the novel. Here are my thoughts on the novel: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am planning to read Deledda's [..."

[book:Canne al vento di Grazia Deledda|20899129] is her most famous novel - and the only one I've read! I liked it a lot; it remindedme of my country house in Sardinia, and of all the family stories there told. We live in the south though ...

@Laura T: I liked Deledda's style of writing - the way the external world reflects the internal world of the characters is very well done. Later I came to know that it is one of her remarkable traits. I can not agree more. And surely as a Sardegnian yu would have loved her all the more.

I do!

13. Jerzy Popieluszko by Grazyna Sikorski. (Spirituality - Biography).

14. L'Ora del Diavolo by Fernando Pessoa. (Non Fiction - Theories).

15. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. (Fiction - England).

16. Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee. (Fiction - South Africa).

17. Basta Così by Wislawa Szymborska. (Poetry - Poland).

18. Canne al Vento by Grazia Deledda. (Fiction - Italy).

19. Hiroshima by John Hersey. (Non Fiction - History).

20. God's Word in Man's Language by Eugene A. Nida. (Theology - Theories).
21. Le Antiche Versioni della Bibbia by Giovanni Rizzi (Theology - Theories).
22. Catherine of Siena by Sigrid Undset (Non Fiction - Biography).

I will soon be reading Hiroshima. You really convinced me it was a must read. Thanks.

Chrissie wrote: "I will soon be reading Hiroshima. You really convinced me it was a must read. Thanks."

Read it and let us know of your impressions.

I will.

23. Independent People by Halldor Laxness. (Fiction - Iceland).

24. Marta Oulie by Sigrid Undset. (Fiction - Norway).

25. Aneddoti Infantili by Elsa Morante. (Non Fiction - Biography).

26. Heidi by Johanna Spyri. (Fiction - Switzerland).

Heidi, Heidi....deine Welt sind die Berge....

I think I figured out what always makes me chuckle Dhanaraj, whenever I think 'Heidi' I hear the horrible music from the movie in my head! :)

Actually, hearing Gill and you speaking so highly of it, makes me think I should re-read it!

Heidi has become one of my favourites. I am sure to read it many more times......

Dhanaraj wrote: "Heidi has become one of my favourites. I am sure to read it many more times......"

I loved Heidi. But I also loved A Little Princess, although I can't imagine reading it as an adult.

@ Shirey: My next read in Children's Literature Shelf will be THE LITTLE PRINCESS. Your comment makes me apprehensive. Anyway, I will give it a try.

Dhanaraj wrote: "@ Shirey: My next read in Children's Literature Shelf will be THE LITTLE PRINCESS. Your comment makes me apprehensive. Anyway, I will give it a try."

Sorry, I don't mean to put you off reading it! It is a wonderful book, but I have not read it since I was a child.

@ Shirley: That is alright....I will read and I will tell my impressions.

27. The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang. (Fiction - South Korea).

28. God's Silence by Franz Wright. (Literature - Poetry).

29. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. (Literature - Play).

Dhanaraj wrote: "29. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. (Literature - Play)."

Interesting play!

Leslie wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "29. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. (Literature - Play)."

Interesting play!"

That is true. I am planning to read also one of his novels titled The Late Mattia Pascal. Have you read any of his novels?

Dhanaraj wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Dhanaraj wrote: "29. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello. (Literature - Play)."

Interesting play!"

That is true. I am planning to read also one of his novels ..."

No, that is the only Pirandello I have read.

30. Death comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather (Fiction - America).