Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

John wrote: "I had been planning to make Sunset Song my March choice, but after seeing Rosmarie and Kathy's comments, I'm not so sure now."

I'm continuing to read Sunset Song even though the hard life Chris has depresses me. The first chapter has the most Scottish language, but after that it is much easier to read. The first chapter is a description of the places and landmarks and land where the story takes place. I just let the language flow over me, checking here and there for definitions of words. (An ebook with dictionary made it easier). Plus, there is a map in the ebook which shows the territory.

John, you might want to try it to see how it goes for you.

A lot of readers on goodreads rated Sunset Song very highly, but it just didn't strike a chord with me. I've often been the odd person out-not liking a book most people like, and the reverse!

Kathy wrote: "John wrote: "I had been planning to make Sunset Song my March choice, but after seeing Rosmarie and Kathy's comments, I'm not so sure now."

I'm continuing to read Sunset Song even t..."

I think I'll do that Kathy. It is frequently voted as one of the nation's favourite books in Scottish polls, but somehow I've never got round to reading it. I once had a boss who rated people on (a) whether they had read the trilogy and (b) how much they liked it. (She even claimed that the book determined her choice of boyfriends). She was not impressed by my failure to have read it.

Rosemarie wrote: "Nan Shepherd wrote The Grampian Quartet, the first book being The Quarry Wood, written in 1928. I've read it before and will reread it later this year,..."

I've just been watching a documentary on rail travel in the Highlands, which mentioned Nan Shepherd in glowing terms....and I learned that she was the first woman author to have her image on a British banknote - beating Jane Austen by 10 months.

I once had a boss who rated people on (a) whether they had read the trilogy and (b) how much they liked it. (She even claimed that the book determined her choice of boyfriends).

Just thinking about that.....this could be a challenge all on its own - "If you were choosing a partner or friend based on their reaction to a classic book, what would that book be and why?"

My Scottish poetry read in February is New Poets 1959. Of the three poets collected there, the one I'm most interested in is Iain Crichton Smith, but the others (Karen Gershon and Christopher Levenson) are also good choices. All three went on to establish themselves, so whoever chose them for this volume, when they were all unpublished other than in the occasional magazine, had good foresight.

I'm about a third of the way through, and hoping to finish by mid-month so that I can concentrate on a Scottish novel. I had been planning on Ring of Bright Water, but may switch to Sunset Song.

Is anyone moving on to a new choice in February?

Although I'm still reading Waverley I am planning to go on to Dorothy Dunnett. The first three of her Lymond novels were publish more than 50 years ago. I'll start with the The Game of Kings written in 1961. When I first read them only four had been published. I have never read them all but for our purposes the first three are relevant.

Penelope wrote: "Although I'm still reading Waverley I am planning to go on to Dorothy Dunnett. The first three of her Lymond novels were publish more than 50 years ago. I'll start with ..."

Good choice Penelope. I hadn't realized she was so popular - with a Dorothy Dunnett Society, and an International Dorothy Dunnett Day,

"Dorothy Dunnett readers are devoted and active, and have held gatherings in Edinburgh in 1990, 1994, and in 2000 with over 300 people in attendance. Similar events were held in Boston, and in Philadelphia in 2000. Since her death smaller international gatherings of between 50 and 115 people have been held in Dublin (November 2001), New Orleans (November 2003), Malta (October 2005), Saddell in South West Scotland (April 2007), Orkney (September 2007), and Paris (2010). "

Oh dear - more for the TBR pile!

I'm still reading Sunset Song but may be able to fit in another book toward the end of the month.

I have available to read:
Music In The Hills by D.E. Stevenson
Treasure Island by R.L. Stevenson
Greenmantle by John Buchan

Not sure what I'll go with next.

I did manage to read the book of essays by Muir in January.
In February, I will be reading something by George MacDonald, but I'm not sure which book it will be.

At some point I'll be reading Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne, pseudonym of Robert McNair Wilson.

I’m reading Catriona by Robert Lewis Stevenson. I re read Kidnapped last year and thought it was a lot of fun. Free Kindle book and it fits into another challenge in another group. Double bonus.

I've finished New Poets 1959. I liked it, although like any collection, especially of poets where it was their first collection, it was a bit uneven. But well-worth the time spent.

This thread is throwing up an amazing variety; I've not read either of the two books chosen by Rosemarie and Chad, and I'd never heard of Melanie's author. I'll try to read all of them later in the year - George MacDonald will be the biggest challenge - I'm not a huge fan of fantasy.

I have the Princess & the Goblin by George MacDonald on my list for this year for another challenge :)

Annette sounds like a great choice! I always like books that cover morals like courage and honor like The Princess and the Goblin does!!

Kathy wrote: "I'm still reading Sunset Song but may be able to fit in another book toward the end of the month.

I have available to read:
Music In The Hills by D.E. Stevenson
[bo..."

I'm glad you're still sticking with Sunset Song, Kathy. I made a start on it today. Its been a mixed reaction so far - some bits I've found shocking, some bits very funny, and on the whole I've loved the language and the rhythm of the book. I remember reading somewhere a comparison to Joyce, which I found a bit far-fetched. Now I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss that comparison.

I'm only about a quarter of the way through, so a lot may change.

Are you enjoying it?

Yes, John, I am enjoying it. The most recent chapter I read describes a wedding and all the festivities that go with it. Chris seems to be almost a different person (view spoiler)[since her father, who was just awful, died. (hide spoiler)] The descriptions if the land are beautiful. The book definitely has a rhythm. I've never read any James Joyce, so I don't know if it compares of not. I have Dubliners on my list to read this year.

I've just finished Sunset Song - and I loved it. Every word of it.....and now I have to read the next two books in the Scots Quair trilogy.

I'm glad my comments didn't discourage you, John!

We all have different tastes, Rosemarie, and I never expect anyone to like a book just because I do. Plus, its taken me a long time to get round to reading Sunset Song, and without this group I probably still wouldn't have read it.

Also, in 2016 the BBC conducted a public vote to find ‘Scotland’s favourite Scottish book’. Top of the list was Sunset Song, Iain Banks’s The Wasp Factory came second, followed by Alasdair Gray’s Lanark - those last two are among my all time favourite books, so it was likely that I'd feel the same about Sunset Song.
I just hope I'm not disappointed by the other books in his trilogy.

I hope so too!

Has anyone in the group read any of the "Hebridean" books of Lillian Beckwith? (e.g. The Hills is Lonely, The Sea for Breakfast)

Some of her books fall outside our date range, but I think her first 5 or 6 books would be included - they are very much comfort-reads, full of gentle humour.

I've read some of them multiple times, but keep coming back to them, partly to refresh my memories of the beautiful Isle of Skye.

I've read a number of Beckwith's books and enjoyed them. They're entertaining.

I ended up loving Sunset Song. I think I was put off by the early chapter about Chris's early life with her father. After that, I enjoyed the book very much. The feelings the author evoked went right to my heart.

The Hills is Lonely by Beckwith looks good, John. I've added it to my TBR.

I hope to get to Music In The Hills by D.E. Stevenson next. It's the 2nd book in the Dering Family trilogy. I read the first book, Vittoria Cottage back in 2017. These are old-fashioned comfort reads.

Another author I enjoy reading is Compton Mackenzie, who wrote Whisky Galore and other novels, plus an interesting series of autobiographical books divided into Octaves. I've read all of the Octaves.

Kathy wrote: "I ended up loving Sunset Song. I think I was put off by the early chapter about Chris's early life with her father. After that, I enjoyed the book very much. The feelings the author ..."

Yes, the father was a particularly brutal character. Apparently the author himself had a rough childhood, with a father who was very hard with him, and he attempted suicide when he was just 18. Even when Sunset Song was published and getting great reviews, both in the UK and internationally, his mother asked him ‘what did you want to write that muck for?’ and then went on to say, ‘I’m ashamed of you’!

Rosemarie wrote: "Another author I enjoy reading is Compton Mackenzie, who wrote Whisky Galore and other novels, plus an interesting series of autobiographical books divided into Octaves..."

That's another good suggestion, Rosemarie. I've only ever read Whisky Galore and The Monarch of the Glen, and I'd never heard of the Octaves. I'll need to look at them, as he seems to have been an interesting character.

Kathy wrote: "The Hills is Lonely by Beckwith looks good, John. I've added it to my TBR.

I hope to get to Music In The Hills by D.E. Stevenson next. It's the 2nd book in the Dering..."

Thanks for that recommendation, Kathy - I've just bought The Empty World by D.E. Stevenson. The description of "thrilling sci-fi romance classic from D.E. Stevenson, perfect for fans of Stephen King" clinched it!

I had no idea D.E. Stevenson wrote any science fiction.

One reviewer described it as "like a 1936 Stephen King" - I hope to start it tonight, so I'll let you know if that is an apt comparison.

John wrote: "One reviewer described it as "like a 1936 Stephen King" - I hope to start it tonight, so I'll let you know if that is an apt comparison."

That sounds like a very interesting book. Look forward to your thoughts.

I have just finished The Great Poets: Robert Burns and loved it. It was very well read.

I am still working on my first novel Hester but am reading Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson as my second poetry collection.

That's excellent, Tracey - I'll be really interested in how you rate Stevenson's poetry.

Since it is Valentines Day, a love poem that will be recognized by those of you who have been reading Burns -

A Red, Red Rose

My luve is like a red red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly play'd in tune;

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve
And fare thee weel, a while!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.

Thank you, John. I ❤️ that poem! 🌹

That’s beautiful, John.

Thanks, John!

Thanks, John. I loved that poem from my recent reading of Burns.

That is great, John. Thank you.

I love that poem also. Didn’t know it was Burns until I listened to this. I learn so much through this group. Happy Valentines to everyone ❤️

Happy Valentine's Day to you and all our members, Tracey!

I am so enjoying the discussions and offerings here! Thank you, John and all contributors.

Finally finished Waverley by Walter Scott. a solid 4 star read and my first Scott. The audible book wonderfully read by David Rintoul.

Annette wrote: "I am so enjoying the discussions and offerings here! Thank you, John and all contributors."

You are very welcome Annette - I enjoy this group enormously, and have learned so much.

Penelope wrote: "Finally finished Waverley by Walter Scott. a solid 4 star read and my first Scott. The audible book wonderfully read by David Rintoul."

I love Scott and have 4 books by him to read this year hopefully. I have enjoyed every one of his I have read so far. Which of his works would you like to read next?

Tracey wrote: "Penelope wrote: "Finally finished Waverley by Walter Scott. a solid 4 star read and my first Scott. The audible book wonderfully read by David Rintoul."

I love Scott an..."
I have Scott's Journals which are fascinating with a really good introduction. I thought to read the Waverley novels in order of publication but maybe I will just dive in and read Guy Mannering or Kenilworth. What is on your list?

Penelope wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Penelope wrote: "Finally finished Waverley by Walter Scott. a solid 4 star read and my first Scott. The audible book wonderfully read by David Rintoul."

..."

So far I have read 7 of his novels and some of his poetry. The 3 I gave 5 stars to are
Ivanhoe
The Heart of Midlothian
Guy Mannering

The 4 I have on my hself waiting to be read are:
The Antiquary
The Bride of Lammermoor
Old Mortality
Redgauntlet

When I have finished Hester I will read one of these. I hope to maybe buddy read one.

I've just finished the vintage mystery, Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne.

It's a good one!