All About Books discussion

Greg wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Greg, I can see this becoming a classic with time. I am putting it on my classics shelf; I do not have a shelf for MODERN classics!

So you read science fiction more than I do. Do..."

Nope that book I just cannot do, but thanks for the suggestion. I JUST finished Flowers for Algernon . Definitely five stars from me, and the narration by Adams Sims was stupendous too.

Writing a review of a book you really loved is impossible. It never feels adequate.

First I am going to go work out outside in the yard and think while I rake and dig.

Diane, I had tears in my eyes too.

Pink, what is your question about the narration?

Glad you finished and enjoyed it Chrissie. I wondered how well the narrator captured the change in Charlie's language and intelligence, throughout his different states. The book starts with broken language, full of spelling errors, then as it progresses he uses more complex language, sounding especially articulate. So I wanted to know how the narration changed to reflect this and if it was done well. From what you've written so far, it sounds like Adam Sims did a good job. I'm glad.

I made the mistake of reading the book blurb on the back of my edition before I started. Which detailed what happened to Algernon. That's when I stopped reading blurbs and introductions just before a book, which is hard to do without trying to get an idea if a book is right for me.

Pink wrote: "Glad you finished and enjoyed it Chrissie. I wondered how well the narrator captured the change in Charlie's language and intelligence, throughout his different states. The book starts with broken ..."

Yes, Sims does a great narration. He does both the broken stumbling lines as well as the complex, articulate ones. That this is ONE person, regardless of what comes out of his mouth, is well captured too. I think this is an important message of the book. There is more to a person than just their intelligence.

It is not hard to guess how it will end, even without reading the blurb. This in no way diminishes one's appreciation of the book.

I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 32, an adult at the beginning.

Pink wrote: "Glad you finished and enjoyed it Chrissie. I wondered how well the narrator captured the change in Charlie's language and intelligence, throughout his different states. The book starts with broken ..."

How annoying about the book blurb Pink! I hate that!! That's one of the reasons I avoid finding out anything about a book if it is an author I generally feel I will like.

Although it doesn't necessarily spoil a book, I personally much prefer to discover things as the book unfolds.

Chrissie wrote: "I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 34, an adult at the begi..."

Where did you see it classified as young adult Chrissie? The awards it won were not in the young adult categories anyway

Some school districts in the US actually banned it years ago, though I know it is taught now. Back in the 1970s it was banned from some high school libraries as "filthy and immoral", which is a bit of a head scratcher for me, but it did happen.

Chrissie wrote: "I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 34, an adult at the begi..."

We read it in High School as part of the curriculum. It was one of my favorite assigned books throughout the years.
My guess would be that it's classified as such because it is discussed in schools. However, the book is for all ages. It speaks to all, I think.

Greg, that's interesting. I was in high school in the 70s. It wasn't banned in Canada. Filthy & immoral? That is a head scratcher.

Chrissie, I am also hesitant about suggesting some sci-fi. I put these forward for consideration. I haven't read some of them in years, so there may be aspects that I don't remember. However, I remember them as "reality" based stories.

books by John Wyndham. I especially enjoyed The Chrysalids and Chocky but they are all good.
Stranger in a Strange Land. If you can ignore the fact that he was raised on Mars, it was a story of acceptance and fitting in, as I recall.
Fahrenheit 451

I've heard only good of A Canticle for Leibowitz but haven't read it myself yet.

Some of China Miéville's books may work for you. I've only read one (Embassytown). There was space travel (different planets) but the story was "human" based, with human conflicts.

Petra wrote: "Chrissie, I am also hesitant about suggesting some sci-fi. I put these forward for consideration. I haven't read some of them in years, so there may be aspects that I don't remember. However, I rem..."

Some of these I've read Petra, and the ones I've read were all very good!

Stranger in a Strange Land is the one exception in that I didn't love it. I read it recently, and it felt a little dated to me. I felt like it had too many long asides/pontificating, but I felt the same way about The Fountainhead; that's just my personal reaction. :)

I haven't read The Chrysalids yet, but I recently added it to my to-read list. I keep hearing that mentioned by friends who often like the same books I like - I should read it soon!

Petra wrote: "Greg, that's interesting. I was in high school in the 70s. It wasn't banned in Canada. Filthy & immoral? That is a head scratcher. ..."

It was in Texas and a couple other places, not everywhere. There were objections to the sexual content, but I think it must be the same people who end up thinking they see the Virgin Mary's face in a rutagaba because I've read it more than once and don't recall anything too dramatic along those lines.

I suspect you're right about the YA association coming from it being assigned in schools. I can see it as having very good lessons for young people in terms of bullying and understanding people who are "different." But it doesn't appear the book was originally written as a YA book or even considered a YA book when it first came out. The awards it won are not YA awards.

Petra wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 34, an ..."

I also read it in high school (also during the 70s). But that shouldn't make it a young-adult book as I also read Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native and other books which are clearly not labelled as YA.

Greg, I read Stranger..... in high school, so it could very well be dated. It's one I hesitated putting on the list because it's been so long since I've read it. I'm kind of sad to hear that it pontificates.
Chrissie, this one hasn't aged well, so probably not a good choice.

I am a huge fan of John Wyndham for a good story that is relaxing to read.

Sci-fi is a tough category. I like it but not if robots play too large a role but I don't mind other societies (martians, elves, etc)

Ooh....remembered another one that Chrissie may like: Beggars in Spain.
Nancy Kress may be an author to explore. I've read 2 of her books and both were reality based and very good.

When I mention elves, I'm thinking about The Lord of the Rings but that's more fantasy than sci-fi.

Oh you've reminded me to try some more Wyndham. I've only read The Midwich cuckoos, which I liked but didn't love.

Petra wrote: "Greg, I read Stranger..... in high school, so it could very well be dated. It's one I hesitated putting on the list because it's been so long since I've read it. I'm kind of sad to hear that it pon..."

It could be just me Petra! And I didn't hate it; I just didn't love it. I gave it 3 stars, which for me means ok. The book still had some interesting ideas.

I read the short story Flowers for Algernon in school but not the novel. I keep meaning to read the novel.

Greg wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 32, an ..."

If you go to the book page, on the right, there you will see how many people have shelved it.

Filthy and immoral? That is utterly crazy.

Petra wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I do not understand why Flowers for Algernon is classified as a young adult book. Because of that I thought Charlie, the main character, would be young. He is 34, an ..."

Yeah, maybe b/c it is discussed in schools. I can see that. I do think adolescents will enjoy it too, particularly if they are interested in psychology, but to classify it as YA is for me totally crazy

Finished The Treatment by C.L. Taylor my review https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

Greg wrote: "
So you read science fiction more than I do. Do..."

Interesting. I didn't realize, until now, that my review, etc, of this book didn't make it over in any of my transfers from Shelfari, but I read this in 2015 but for me it was only a like. I did cut and paste my review just now (it was from the days when I used to write them in Word and save them--I don't do that anymore, which is not good because if Goodreads goes down, that's it since I don't bother putting them on LibraryThing anymore). I managed to find it in the first review year I checked.

Petra wrote: "Chrissie, I am also hesitant about suggesting some sci-fi. I put these forward for consideration. I haven't read some of them in years, so there may be aspects that I don't remember. However, I rem..."

I agree that the more realistic they are the more I might like them. I have checked out your suggestions and want to thank you. I am still thinking. A dear friend to me also highly recommended Heinlein's book. He recommended The Master and Margarita and I loved it.

I think I should try Stranger in a Strange Land. I have put it back on to my wishlist from my maybe shelf.........

Greg and Petra, I do not need things all up to date but I am worried about the pontification. Finally I will know what I think.

Petra wrote: "Greg, I read Stranger..... in high school, so it could very well be dated. It's one I hesitated putting on the list because it's been so long since I've read it. I'm kind of sad to hear that it pon..."

I have read Tolkien and I don't want more.

Beggars in Spain looks interesting, but I decided against it b/c many see the characters as caricatures. I am sorry, I am such a hard person to suggest books to. Totally hopeless. THIS is why I so often fall back on non-fiction, even if I believe the very best books are fiction. They demand imagination and real creativity.

Karin wrote: "Greg wrote: "
So you read science fiction more than I do. Do..."

Interesting. I didn't realize, until now, that my review, etc, of this book didn't make it over in any of my transfers from Shelfar..."

A great review Karin! We had very different reactions, but you explain your experience of the book well.

Chrissie wrote: "I am sorry, I am such a hard person to suggest books to. ....."

Chrissie, don't be sorry. We all look for different things. It's still fun suggesting books for you and a real joy when you enjoy them.

Now I am reading something simpler than my last book. I like variation. The Picture Book is my choice. I really enjoyed the author's A Country Road, A Tree about Beckett, which I read last month, and so I wanted to try another. I like how Jo Baker puts together her words.

I finished reading The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories and it was amazing. Puss-In-Boots, The Earl King, The Company of Wolves and The Lady of The House of Love were my favourite storiea from the collection.

Now I am reading Call Me by Your Name and it is such a fantastic read too!

Raul wrote: "I finished reading The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories and it was amazing. Puss-In-Boots, The Earl King, The Company of Wolves and The Lady of The House of Love were my favourite stor..."

Glad you liked it Raul! I remember "Company of Wolves" as a standout too.

I won a copy of Dead Ground in Between in my library's summer reading program and am just reading it. So far, I'm really enjoying how this story is unfolding. The characters are interesting, there are a few storylines and the writing is a relaxing style.
I hadn't heard of this series before this book win but will now look into it more.

I have begun Beware of Pity. I have not read anything by Stefan Zweig. This had to be remedied. So far I like it. There is humor and it has me intrigued.

Just started Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A New Verse Translation
Armitage won me immediately with a disquisition on the challenges of translating poetry. Sensibly, Armitage agrees with me - sound and rhythm are as important as meaning."

Joan wrote: "Just started Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A New Verse Translation
Armitage won me immediately with a disquisition on the challenges of translating poetry. Sensibly, Armitage agr..."

I love tbat book, though I'm not sure which translation I read. Is that a good one Joan?

Greg, I am enjoying Simon Armitage’s translation - I think Tolkien’s is probably more famous. Armitage clearly enjoys the sound of words, that comes through in the audiobook. Armitage is also an accomplished poet - though his poems seem a bit bleak to me.

I finished The Subtle Knife last night and started The Amber Spyglass. I want to finish it so I can read The Belle Sauvage because my reservation just came in at the library

Joan wrote: "Greg, I am enjoying Simon Armitage’s translation - I think Tolkien’s is probably more famous. Armitage clearly enjoys the sound of words, that comes through in the audiobook. Armitage is also an ac..."

Perhaps similar then to Heaney's translation of Beowulf which I loved? Another excellent poet who is sometimes bleak that translated an older verse classic.

I suspect I will much prefer the Armitage translation to Tolkien's. Although I definitely enjoyed Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, I wasn't too fond of Tolkien's translation of Beowulf - the imagery and language weren't nearly as vivid and precise as Heaney's.

Thanks Joan for mentioning this translation - I'll definitely check it out!

I needed something light, so I started Game of Mirrors. One can never go wrong with Andrea Camilleri.

Starting Winter by Ali Smith

I am reading A Doll's House by Ibsen... but honestly I am not enjoyed it...maybe because I am reading it not at my native language and I don't get to much satisfaction.

Eva, I think A Doll’s House works much better as a play or audiobook. I really liked the dramatization with Anthony Hopkins. I don’t recommend the Libravox version but I hear the one with Calista Flockhart is good.

Diane S ☔ wrote: "Starting Winter by Ali Smith"

I want to read that one at some point Diane!

Greg wrote: "Diane S ☔ wrote: "Starting Winter by Ali Smith"

I want to read that one at some point Diane!"

Same here!

Did either or both of you read her Autumn? I know Gill did? And speaking of Gill, has anyone heard from her?

Yes I've read Autumn. I liked it quite a lot, even more when I look back at it.

Diane S ☔ wrote: "Did either or both of you read her Autumn? I know Gill did? And speaking of Gill, has anyone heard from her?"

I talked to her briefly Diane - I get the impression she's hanging in there.

Greg wrote: "Diane S ☔ wrote: "Did either or both of you read her Autumn? I know Gill did? And speaking of Gill, has anyone heard from her?"

I talked to her briefly Diane - I get the impression she's hanging i..."

Thanks for telling us, Greg.

Thanks so much, Greg. I think of her often.

Greg,
Thanks . I think we’re all missing Gil and as Diane said thinking about her for sure .

Thanks for the update, Greg.

Marina wrote: "I needed something light, so I started Game of Mirrors. One can never go wrong with Andrea Camilleri."

That's the next Camilleri book in my TBR - I look forward to hearing how you like it.

I am reading Atonement. I have been putting off reading this, despite many of my friends here recommending it, because I didn't much like the only McEwan I had read (The Child in Time). Now I wish I had read it sooner!

Leslie- have you seen the movie? If so can you compare them to help me decide book or movie.

Joan wrote: "Leslie- have you seen the movie? If so can you compare them to help me decide book or movie."

No I haven't. But I might watch it after I finish the book - if so, I'll let you know how they compare.