Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Just received: Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset;
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas; and, Joseph and His Brothers by Thomas Mann.

Lisa M wrote: "The classics I got were:
. . . The Sweet Dove Died by Barbara Pym pub. 1978 - not quite a classic yet but my goal is to read all of Pym's works and I think this one may have been written years before it was published"

Not as many years as some other Pyms, but there was certainly a delay, as Wikipedia points out:

"Pym worked intermittently on the novel in the 1960s, commencing the first draft in 1968, noting that it was darker than her previous works, which had all been in the tradition of high comedy. The first (incomplete) draft was entitled Spring before Pym found her final title. . .
Pym sent the draft to her longtime correspondent, the poet Philip Larkin, who provided detailed critical suggestions. . . Pym completed the rewrites in mid-1969 . . . The novel was rejected by Macmillan in 1970, deeming it "a risky commercial venture". . . Ultimately 21 publishers passed on the novel and Pym moved on to her next work, An Academic Question.
In 1977, Pym was rediscovered by the literary public after being praised in a special edition of the Times Literary Supplement, and her latest novel, Quartet in Autumn was accepted by Macmillan. Before Quartet had even been published, Macmillan accepted Sweet Dove as well.
The Sweet Dove Died was published in England by Macmillan in 1978 and in the United States by E.P. Dutton in 1979."

As to the story's plot: "The plot of the novel is generally believed to have been inspired by Pym's brief romance with a Bahamian antiques dealer, Richard Roberts, known to his friends as "Skipper."

Gilbert, I have downloaded Mann's. Plan on reading it soon! Let's hope we like it.

I finally, FINALLY bought myself The Women's War by Alexandre Dumas. It wasn't a good deal but I saw that Amazon had it and decided it was time to just get a copy before it disappeared from the site for an indeterminate amount of time.

I also got myself a copy of Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore. I don't know much about it but it looked interesting so I decided to take a chance on it.

So, I've figured out that whenever the blurb on the back of a book has d'Artagnan mentioned that I get it even though I know that he's not a character. I just get the book because d'Artagnan is one of my favourite characters. Which led me to getting The Barber of Seville/The Marriage of Figaro/The Guilty Mother by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading my new books, especially the Alexandre Dumas. :)

Tiffany wrote: "I finally, FINALLY bought myself The Women's War by Alexandre Dumas. It wasn't a good deal but I saw that Amazon had it and decided it was time to just get a copy before i..."

I hope you'll enjoy Lorna Doone, Tiffany. It is one of my favorites. It is also the first novel that introduced me to classics and developed my love for classics as a child.

Hi guys, I'm planning to buy To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, but I'm worried because I heard that the novel is quite hard to read. If you have read it, what do you think about it?

Kevin wrote: "Hi guys, I'm planning to buy To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, but I'm worried because I heard that the novel is quite hard to read. If you have read it, what do you think about it?"

I read it yet. Woolf has some in her books called the stream of consciousness, which means that her characters continually have a conventional dialogue, added by an accurate description. I'm a real fan of hers.

Piyangie wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "I finally, FINALLY bought myself The Women's War by Alexandre Dumas. It wasn't a good deal but I saw that Amazon had it and decided it was time to just get..."

I am super excited to get to Lorna Doone. It's set in the seventeenth century and I love that period, but I know more French history than I do English. However, I do know a fair bit about the Monmouth Rebellion, so I am happy I got the book. Besides, the synopsis and the characters sound super interesting. :) I am planning on reading this one either at the end of this month or in March! Glad to see that you enjoyed this book so much. Hopefully we can discuss it?

Sandy wrote: "Kevin wrote: "Hi guys, I'm planning to buy To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, but I'm worried because I heard that the novel is quite hard to read. If you have read it, what do you think about it..."

Kevin, I read To the Lighthouse last summer. Sandy's description is pretty apt, however I found that the novel's lyric beauty – especially the interim section between the first and second parts – to be so impressive that it was worth the disorienting elements of narration and plot.

For comparison I read Mrs. Dalloway within the past couple years as well. While I found it easier to follow,I liked To the Lighthouse more.

I'm on parental leave from work; not getting in as much reading in as hoped, since taking care of a newborn is harder than I remember 😅 But I'm setting a goal of a tour through the 19th century English novel:

- David Copperfield
- Jane Eyre
- Far from the Maddening Crowd
- Middlemarch (reread)

Still need a copy of Hardy.

Which Hardy are you thinking of, Jerry?

Jerry wrote: "- David Copperfield
- Jane Eyre
- Far from the Maddening Crowd
- Middlemarch (reread)

Still need a copy of Hardy..."

When you do, make sure it's Far From the Madding Crowd rather than Far From The Maddening Crowd. It's funny how often there are editions of novels with incorrect or misspelled words in the title.

Who remembers the movie Midnight Cowboy? It is based on a book by the same name. Right now it is on sale at audible.co.uk for £2,99. I purchased it. I am thinking others might be interested in this bargain !

Chrissie wrote: "Who remembers the movie Midnight Cowboy? It is based on a book by the same name. Right now it is on sale at audible.co.uk for £2,99. I purchased it. I am thinking others might be inte..."

Midnight Cowboy's author James Leo Herlihy had two of his other works, his play Blue Denim and novel All Fall Down, turned into popular early 60s films. Brandon de Wilde, who played the young boy in Shane yelling for him to "come back" appeared in both movies. Warren Beatty starred in All Fall Down.

Herlihy has a connection to one of NTLTRC's December authors as Wikipedia states:
"Apart from Key West, the primary home of Herlihy was in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles. There, another mentor and close friend was author Anais Nin who shared some of her most secret diaries with him."
Tennessee Williams was the 'other' mentor and close friend the article referred to.

Brian, have you read anything else by Herlihy other than Midnight Cowboy?

Chrissie wrote: "Brian, have you read anything else by Herlihy other than Midnight Cowboy?"

No Chrissie, I haven't read him. I just know about him as a cultural figure. All I know of his writing quality is that Hollywood likes his plots enough to make three movies from his works and that Nigeyb really loved Midnight Cowboy.

Brian, yeah, I am thankful to Nigeyb for bringing the book to my attention. And then it turned up in the current Audible.co.uk sale!

I took the children out for them to spend their pocket money and for my wife to get some rest and came back with two more books. I didn't realise HMV sold non-music books and came away with Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote and Coming Up for Air by George Orwell.

I bought 3 classics this past week: Heart of Darkness and Selected Short Stories by Joseph Conrad, Waiting for the Barbarians by J. M. Coetzee, and Zadie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau. I’ve only read one book by any of these authors- Disgrace by Coetzee, which blew me away! I’ve been wanting to read another one of his books ever since then. 📚

Coup de semonce by William Golding

Mike wrote: "I took the children out for them to spend their pocket money and for my wife to get some rest and came back with two more books. I didn't realise HMV sold non-music books and came away with [book:B..."

Capote's is great! Enjoy!

Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Mr Ma and Son

The Plague

Wives and Daughters

Letters to Milena

Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories

[book:Tess of th..."

Great buys, without a doubt!

Definitely some good ones, Kushagri! Enjoy!

I picked up a like-new hardback edition of War and Peace for $2 at the library. Now, I have no excuse to not read it! It’s the one classic that I’ve always wanted to read.

Pam wrote: "Definitely some good ones, Kushagri! Enjoy!

I picked up a like-new hardback edition of War and Peace for $2 at the library. Now, I have no excuse to not read it! It’s the one classic that I’ve alw..."

I hope you enjoy it Pam, it's one of my favourites!

Luís wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories
..."

Thank you Luís :)

Pam wrote: "Definitely some good ones, Kushagri! Enjoy!

I picked up a like-new hardback edition of War and Peace for $2 at the library. Now, I have no excuse to not read it! It’s the one classic that I’ve alw..."

Thank you Pam :)
Wow, a great deal! I hope you enjoy it.

Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories

Tess of th..."</i>

Wives and Daughtersis my favorite by Gaskell!

[book:Rickshaw Boy by Lao She I've read and liked, but I didn't love it.

Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories

[book:Tess of th..."

What a great collection to own! Happy reading and hope you'll enjoy them all. :)

Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories
..."

That’s great! I haven’t read any work of Elizabeth Gaskell yet. But I have Cranford and Wives and Daughters. Will definitely get to her works soon!

Piyangie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

The Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories
..."
Thank you, Piyangie :)

Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

[book:The Penguin Book of Italian Short S..."

Wives and Daughters I gave four stars, but Cranford only two. I am a stickler with my stars.

Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

[book:The Penguin Book o..."

Oh interesting! I shall then pick up Wives and Daughters before Cranford, to start with Elizabeth Gaskell! I do like it’s reviews. Thanks.

Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

Demons

[book:T..."

I'm a picky reader, and I think each one of judges books diffently since we have different backgrounds and experiences.

Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Visited a book fair today! Did a big haul :D
Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady

[book:Demo..."

That’s true. We too bring our lives and personalities to the books when we read them.

Had placed a request at the bookstore for quite a few books some time back! Fortunately, got those today :)

The Bell by Iris Murdoch

The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch

The Promised Land by Erich Maria Remarque

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope

Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope

A Maggot by John Fowles

On A Chinese Screen by W. Somerset Maugham

Plays Volume Two by W. Somerset Maugham

What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read.

Chrissie wrote: "What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read."

Thank you, Chrissie! :D

Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read."

Thank you, Chrissie! :D"

Remarque hasn't written one book that is merely so-so for me.

You must complete the entire Barsetshire Chronicles.

I've read everything I can get my hands on by Maugham. The same is true of Remarque. Murdoch, while being an excellent author, has a few books that weren't favorites for ME The Sea, the Sea, being one.

Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read."

Thank you, Chrissie! :D"

Remarque hasn't written one book that is merely so-so for me.

You mus..."

That’s so great! I have to read more of Remarque. All Quiet on the Western Front is one of my favourites. Yes, Barsetshire Chronicles are what I’ll pick up next.

I can’t put it in words but I love Maugham’s writing. He has a special way of putting forth emotions and creating characters as real as can be.

I am planning to dive deeper into Murdoch’s works.

Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read."

Thank you, Chrissie! :D"

Remarque hasn't written one book that is merely so-so..."

Murdoch is one of my favorite female authors.

Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "What a haul--some good books and authors whom must all be read."

Thank you, Chrissie! :D"

Remarque hasn't written one book that is merely so-so..."

Kushagri, what I think is amazing about Maugham is his ability to create books completely different in style and focus. Most authors give readers the same sort of writing in all their books. Not so with Maugham,

Chrissie wrote: "Kushagri, what I think is amazing about Maugham is his ability to create books completely different in style and focus. Most authors give readers the same sort of writing in all their books. Not so..."

That’s true, Chrissie! Rightly said.

A Curva do Rio by V.S. Naipaul
Novos Ensaios Helénicos e Alemães by Frederico Lourenço
Cadernos de Serafino Gubbio, Operador de Câmara by Luigi Pirandello
Terna É a Noite by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Luís wrote: "A Curva do Rio by V.S. Naipaul
Novos Ensaios Helénicos e Alemães by Frederico Lourenço
[book:Cadernos de Serafino Gubbio, Operador de ..."

Great buys, Luís!

Kushagri wrote: "Luís wrote: "A Curva do Rio by V.S. Naipaul
Novos Ensaios Helénicos e Alemães by Frederico Lourenço
[book:Cadernos de Serafino Gubbio,..."

Thank you, Kushagri.

The Folio Society Complete Anthony Trollope, reasonably priced.

Gilbert wrote: "The Folio Society Complete Anthony Trollope, reasonably priced."

What a great buy!

Gilbert wrote: "The Folio Society Complete Anthony Trollope, reasonably priced."

Folio Society books are such lovely objects - but normally too expensive, so well done for getting a reasonably priced copy.