The Bowie Book Club discussion

Cynthia was kind enough to send us the complete list of 100 books because the one of The Guardian has only 75 titles.:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/4...

Share with us: which ones have you read so far?

Only two, but I have a few on my to-read list:

by George Orwell

by Albert Camus

On closer inspection found two more:

by Gustave Flaubert

by D.H. Lawrence

A clockwork orange, 1984, In cold blood, As I lay dying, The Outsider (Camus), i guess

I have read a few... There are some that I was too young when I read, so I don't think I grasped their importance very well and there are others that are in my personal favorites list. I would enjoy reading them all again.

My already read list:

1984 (too young when I read it)

In Cold Blood

The Iliad

Lady Chatterley's Lover

On the Road

As I Lay Dying

The Fire Next Time

And these four are in my personal favorites list:

The Great Gatsby

A Clockwork Orange

The Stranger

The Master and Margarita

Surprisingly few, I think it added up to thirteen. But I've liked them all.

Robin wrote: "Surprisingly few, I think it added up to thirteen. But I've liked them all."

If you want, Robin, share the titles with us. So, in the future, I know who has already read what in order to set the polls and to choose the discussion leaders :)

Twelve:

1984
The Great Gatsby
Lolita
A Clockwork Orange
The Stranger
The Iliad
Madame Bovary
Inferno
Lady Chatterley's Lover
The Leopard
Berlin Alexanderplatz
Writers At Work

Shame on me... Only two, The Stranger by Camus and The Iliad.
1984, Madame Bovary, Lolita, The Inferno (by Dante), Black Boy, As I l Lay Dying, Berlin Alexanderplatz, The Great Gatsby, The Master and Margarita are on my reading list.
No excuse anymore for postponing reading them!

Cynthia wrote: "Shame on me... Only two, The Stranger by Camus and The Iliad.
1984, Madame Bovary, Lolita, The Inferno (by Dante), Black Boy, As I l Lay Dying, Berlin Alexanderplatz, The Great Gatsby, The Master a..."

I had many of the other books on my TBR list as well, Cynthia... Lolita, for example, I lost track of the amount of times I picked it up to start reading it, but changing my mind a second afterwards. And as you said, no excuse for not reading it now.

I've read 13, with several more on my TBR list:

1984
The Great Gatsby
Lolita
In Cold Blood
On the Road
A Confederacy of Dunces
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Vile Bodies
The Day of the Locust
Flaubert's Parrot
Mr. Norris Changes Trains
Hawksmoor
City of Night

It is interesting that most of us have read 1984 already. However, it is winning the first reading poll. Maybe because of the relevance of this piece in Bowie's work?!

Maybe Lidiana :-) Also because it is so "modern". George Orwell was a visionary, David Bowie was a visionary. More than ever, we need to feed on their art and work.

I could not read it either. I don't know, you have to be somehow prepared in order to read 1984...
I was 16 when I read Animal Farm and wow it was mind-blowing!
Can't wait to read 1984 :-)

Cynthia wrote: "Maybe Lidiana :-) Also because it is so "modern". George Orwell was a visionary, David Bowie was a visionary. More than ever, we need to feed on their art and work."

Nicely put, Cynthia...

Mariana wrote: "When I read 1984, I was 17 years old. I remember how crazy I thought the story was. I never thought of revisiting it though. However, if it wins the poll, I'll read it again and see how I feel abou..."

I think that when I read it was just a bit too crazy for my understanding. Really excited to read it again over 15 years later to see how much my perspective will change.

Cynthia wrote: "I could not read it either. I don't know, you have to be somehow prepared in order to read 1984...
I was 16 when I read Animal Farm and wow it was mind-blowing!
Can't wait to read 1984 :-)"

When I read Animal Farm I felt the same way. I think one of the things that made it hard for me to enjoy 1984 was the sci-fi aspect of it. I just can't get emerged in sci-fi stories, although I cannot explain exactly why... And I feel completely guilty!

I hated that concept of someone dictating your every move. Actually, it was fear more than hatred. I don't think I could live long in a society without freedom of thinking and acting.

Cynthia wrote: "I could not read it either. I don't know, you have to be somehow prepared in order to read 1984...
I was 16 when I read Animal Farm and wow it was mind-blowing!
Can't wait to read 1984 :-)"

Well, Animal Farm it's great metaphore; 1984 it's more political and... Can't wait to re-read 1984 :-)²

Five: I don't read American literature and Bowie liked so much...

Madame Bovary, 1984, The Stranger, The Leopard and Lolita.

Anyway, I just keep listening "Five Years"... hehe

Cynthia wrote: "Shame on me... Only two, The Stranger by Camus and The Iliad.
1984, Madame Bovary, Lolita, The Inferno (by Dante), Black Boy, As I l Lay Dying, Berlin Alexanderplatz, The Great Gatsby, The Master a..."
Two, but the great ones! Congratz!

Joéverson wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Shame on me... Only two, The Stranger by Camus and The Iliad.
1984, Madame Bovary, Lolita, The Inferno (by Dante), Black Boy, As I l Lay Dying, Berlin Alexanderplatz, The Great Gats..."

Thanks Joey :-) Camus is my hero since such a long time. Bowiean in a way and Bowie is quite Camusian as well. Both extremely humble and private.

1984, Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Lolita, Black Boy, As I Lay Dying, the Stranger, the Iliad, the Great Gatsby, the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, White Noise, On the Road, Darkness at Noon, the Sailor who Fell from Grace with the Sea, the Fire Next Time, Passing, A Clockwork Orange

16, I think.

Sentimental Surrealist wrote: "1984, Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Lolita, Black Boy, As I Lay Dying, the Stranger, the Iliad, the Great Gatsby, the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, White Noise, On the Road, Darkness at Noon, the ..."

Great selection...

Only four for me, but lots on my to-read list...

I've read:

The Great Gatsby
The Stranger
In Cold Blood
The Iliad (which I don't really count...I read it in high school and only remember the gist of it)

1984 - Orwell
The Great Gatsby - Fitzgerald
The Stranger - Camus
The Iliad - Homer
The Master and Margarita - Bulgakov
On the Road - Kerouc

Although a few I read when I was much younger and don't remember fully.

So am I wrong, or will 1984 be a reread for most of us?

A Clockwork Orange, In Cold Blood, Inferno, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Lolita, 1984, On The Road, The Great Gatsby, Iliad, The Master and Margarita, The Stranger. And maybe some of the classics when I was really young, but if I can't remember them at all, they don't count:)

Lidiana wrote: "So am I wrong, or will 1984 be a reread for most of us?"

A re-read, for me, but I can't say I remember it well enough to not want to read it again!

Erma wrote: "Lidiana wrote: "So am I wrong, or will 1984 be a reread for most of us?"

A re-read, for me, but I can't say I remember it well enough to not want to read it again!"

Same here, Erma... I remember I didn't like it much. Now I have started rereading and I am enjoying very much. Don't know if it the timing of my reading that is more adequate, or if it is the excitement of sharing the experience in our group...

It depends - either two or three (sad either way). I've read 1984 and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. According to a different list I saw, I've also read The Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. However, this group has shelved The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian.

I was supposed to have read 1984 when I was 15, but I hated it so much I couldn't finish it. I've been meaning to give it another try as an adult, and this is the perfect opportunity.

Adriana wrote: "It depends - either two or three (sad either way). I've read 1984 and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. According to a different list I saw, I've also read The Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. However, ..."

I'll check The Wonder Boys confusion :)

Adriana wrote: "It depends - either two or three (sad either way). I've read 1984 and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. According to a different list I saw, I've also read The Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon. However, ..."

You were completely right... My bad...

I've read, I think, eleven of the books: 1984, The Great Gatsby, Lolita, The Iliad, The Stranger, Madame Bovary, The Master and Margarita, Inferno, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, The Waste Land, and A Confederacy of Dunces. It's quite an eclectic list (no surprise there). Of the rest, I'm most interested in reading The Leopard, as I'm planning a visit to Sicily on May.

The Great Gatsby, 1984, In Cold Blood, A Clockwork Orange (which I will gladly re-read)... I'm disgusted with myself!

Clare wrote: "The Great Gatsby, 1984, In Cold Blood, A Clockwork Orange (which I will gladly re-read)... I'm disgusted with myself!"

Always far more than I with only 2 books... ;-)

Sarah wrote: "I've read only five, which is disgraceful as I own several more! :)

I've read The Great Gatsby (probably my nomination for the greatest novel of all time), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, White No..."

Sarah, you can now catch on your readings thanks to this group, lol.
Having read only 2 (yes, 2) books in this top-100, I own some ten other books since years now and there are still on my TBR list. Gosh...

Eleanor wrote: "I've read, I think, eleven of the books: 1984, The Great Gatsby, Lolita, The Iliad, The Stranger, Madame Bovary, The Master and Margarita, Inferno, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, The Waste Land, and A Co..."

Well done, Eleanor :-) Eclecticism is mind-opening. Spreads one's horizons. Just like Bowie was :-)
Beautiful island, Sicily...
Il Gattopardo has been on my list for years, but since I want to read it in Italian, I think it will remain so unless we vote for it as one of our monthly readings.
I'd like to see the movie as well but only after having read the book.

I've read 16, but about half of those were ages ago, in high school or college:

The Stranger
The Master and Margarita
Lolita
The Great Gatsby
Darkness at Noon
The Waste Land
A Confederacy of Dunces
1984
Mystery Train
White Noise
Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom
A People’s History of the United States
The Bird Artist
In Cold Blood
Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonders
A Clockwork Orange

...plus there's several more on the list that I've been meaning to read, including Fingersmith, The Leopard, Vile Bodies, Berlin Alexanderplatz, Wonder Boys, The Fire Next Time, and As I Lay Dying.

I've read about a dozen of the books on the list.....

1984
The Great Gatsby
Madame Bovary
Lady Chatterley's Lover
Fingersmith
Nights at the Circus
The Day of the Locust
Flaubert's Parrot
The Gnostic Gospels
The Divided Self

and just remembered I read Billy Liar in college years ago.....really looking forward to reading it again.....love the film with Tom Courtney and Julie Christie from the 1960s.

and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book

Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger.

Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume but mighty powerful

Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume but mighty powe..."

Mighty powerful indeed... I have read The Stranger two times, one in Portuguese and another in English... Now I am wondering if my French is good enough for me to try it in a third language...

Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume but mighty powe..."

It is the book that I've read at least 5 times. I've read also the graphic novel of it, have seen it on stage... I'm quite obsessed with it :-)

I can't wait to read "Meursault, contre-enquête" by Kamel Daoud, but I'd like to reread The Stranger first (once again).
The book by Daoud is the story from the point of view of the killed Arab's family.

Kamel Daoud is an Algerian progressive writer and journalist and speaks against islamic radicalism.

Lidiana wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Mighty powerful indeed... I have read The Stranger two times, one in Portuguese and another in English... Now I am wondering if my French is good enough for me to try it in a third language...

Go for it, Lidiana ! The Stranger is the second book I asked my partner to read in French at the beginning of our relationship and he had just limited school knowledge. It is so simply written but so excessively well written that anyone with basic knowledge in French can read it. I'm sure your French is much better so go for it :-)

Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume b..."

This might be interesting. Going to look for it here on GR. Tnx

Lidiana wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume b..."

I am very impressed.....I read only in English.....it would be wonderful to read The Stranger in French but I'm afraid my knowledge of the language now is far too limited.

Samanta wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon......."

I'm sure you'll find it a great read Samanta.....

Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Impressive list :-) You're right about The Stranger."

I'm going to read it again soon.....a slim volume b..."

Wow you really are a great admirer of the book Cynthia.....the new book by Kamel Daoud will be really interesting.....

Cynthia wrote: "Lidiana wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jenny wrote: "and The Stranger by Camus.....wonderful book"

Mighty powerful indeed... I have read The Stranger two times, one in Portuguese and anothe..."

That is very encouraging, Cynthia. Thank you so much... One of my classmates at the English course told me he read The Stranger in French during the last vacation, so I think I'll try. The fact that I already know the story may make it easier, right? Also, I can always have a pick in the English version in case I get lost. So many ways of "cheating" hahahaha