Reading Classics, Chronologically Through the Ages discussion

I think I’m going to stick it out with “Anna Karenina” first, as I think I tried to read it too fast in the beginning and burnt out because of it. Then I think I’ll read one of Thomas Hardy’s novels. I’ve never read anything by him, so I’m looking forward to it!

Taylor wrote: "I think I’m going to stick it out with “Anna Karenina” first, as I think I tried to read it too fast in the beginning and burnt out because of it. Then I think I’ll read one of Thomas Hardy’s novel..."

It might help to be a little picky with your Russian translators. I read the Pevear-Volokhonsky translation of Anna Karenina and was bored to tears. Then I read the Aylmer-Maude translation (they knew Tolstoy) and it was like reading a new book; it was wonderful! Constance Garnett is good as well. Best of luck!

I have not yet read Anna Karenina, but a friend of mine was highly recommending that when I do, I should read the Rosemary Edmonds translation (which is only available through Amazon U.K). I figured I'd offer it up as another option in addition to Cleo's recommendation. Good luck Taylor!

Thanks! I’m going now to pick up the Maude translation.

Hi, I'm Jenni. I homeschool two high schoolers and also teach for an online charter school. My new year's resolution/goal is to tackle more WEM books. I've read most of the titles on the novel list (mostly due to my English lit degree), and I am starting on the biographies and am in the middle of Augustine's Confessions. I look forward to reading and discussing with you all!

Hi Jenni! Nice to meet you! I'm a former homeschooler and I love discussing books. I've been through almost all of the TWEM biographies (except The Gulag Archipelago) but kind of stalled on The Histories, not because I didn't like them but because they were so interesting that I ended up doing posts on my blog for each chapter. I need to get back to reading The Republic and continue from there. In any case, if you'd like discussion, just post and I'll answer!

Thank you for the warm welcome, Cleo! I will definitely check out your reviews, and I'm encouraged to hear that you liked the histories. :)

Welcome, Jenni! We're glad to have you, and good luck with your reading goals. Even though we're technically reading on a schedule, please feel welcome to post your thoughts on "old" posts, or let me know if you'd like a post created for a book we haven't reached yet. I can't wait to hear your insights!

Hi, everyone! I'm Erin. I teach 2nd grade, and absolutely love teaching. I'm also eager to continue my own education through reading. I've always loved to read fantasy and sci-fi, and as an adult I started reading more classics and nonfiction. Currently, I'm working on reading Well Educated Mind, and am excited to find a group dedicated to tackling these kinds of books.

Welcome, Erin! (Sorry for the delayed reply) I look forward to discussing some of these books with you!

Hello everyone! I am a management consultant by profession with a degree in English lit.(hence the inclination towards classics) and an MBA. I've been constantly trying to make reading a consistent habit since I started working after college. I'm hoping that joining this group will inspire me to read more and get back my intrinsic motivation for reading.

Shefalika wrote: "Hello everyone! I am a management consultant by profession with a degree in English lit.(hence the inclination towards classics) and an MBA. I've been constantly trying to make reading a consistent..."

Welcome and good luck with your reading endeavors! While we are following a reading schedule, feel free to follow your own plan and comment on old discussion posts - the conversation can continue, even if it's not our current read.

Hello everyone!
I just stumbled across this group while checking some profiles here on Goodreads. I actually don't know The Well-Educated Mind yet, so it will be my first read before getting to the suggested classics.

I'm a medical student (started my internship this October and will be graduating next October). And I come from a North-African country so I didn't have the chance to tackle the great western classics yet.
However, I think it's the best way to understand the world we currently live in and to develop a real and good character. Hence the need to embark on this journey along with you all.

Thank you for creating this group and keeping it alive. I'm looking forward to learning more from you guys.

Louna wrote: "However, I think it's the best way to understand the world we currently live in and to develop a real and good character. Hence the need to embark on this journey along with you all.
..."

What a great statement Louna! I so agree! Welcome! I'll do my best to respond to any comments you have. I haven't read all the novel section but I've read all the biographies but one and I'm into the histories.

All the best in your classics journey!

Cleo wrote: "What a great statement Louna! I so agree! Welcome! I'll do my best to respond to any comments you have. I haven't read all the novel section but I've read all the biographies but one and I'm into the histories.

All the best in your classics journey!"

Thank you so much, Cleo! I'm so looking forward to our conversations!

Hello everyone! I've decided that I want to become "well educated" in the Classics. My main interest is philosophy as I'm in that stage of my life when I'm pondering how to live a well lived life. I want my life to have a heavy component of an "intellectual life" and this is where TWEM comes in.

It seems that this group isn't very active; people join at different times and are obviously reading different books. So I will announce books that I've read from any of the lists in TWEM, in case anyone is interested in talk about any of the books.

Cheers!

Pocket bio: Retired humanities teacher, residing in Tlaxcala, Mexico, with two dogs and six indoor cats. Passionate about literature, history, philosophy, classical music and opera, jazz, cinema, and similar subjects. Nostalgic guy. Politically centrist. BA in American Studies from Yale; MAs in English and Education from Boston University. Born in northern New Jersey. Have lived and worked in San Francisco, Chicago, northern Nevada, northeast Wisconsin, South Korea. More detail at Goodreads profile.

Hello All! In 2025 I will be starting this journey of a reading and thinking towards a well-educated mind. I might throw some Harold Bloom's recommendation in the mix (keeping the chronological order when the book was published though).

I'm a neurologist by trade, working corporately for a few years now. I'm a reader, planner, hobby artist, Notion/Obsidian enthusiast and Old Ways practitioner.