History: Actual, Fictional and Legendary discussion

I am reading The Invisible Bridge. It is historical fiction. It surpriese me that I love it so much. I usually can smell when a book is fiction. This is GOOD historical fiction. Memoirs usually please me even more.....

Chrissie wrote: "I am reading The Invisible Bridge. It is historical fiction. It surpriese me that I love it so much. I usually can smell when a book is fiction. This is GOOD historical fiction. Memo..."

Looking forward to your review.

Ed, I only have about 100 pages left. It is very good and I didn't think I would like it as much as I do! There was so much hype. It is action filled. Always something is happening. It is not terribly introspective. For these three reasons I was a bit doubtful...... This book never slows to a crawl. You consistently want to know what will happen next! And there is interesting info about dance and architecture and Budapest and Paris and Hungary during WW2! The reader is right there in the middle of it all. I really am debating between 4 or 5 stars.

I just finished The Invisible Bridge and I loved it. Now I will start Not Even My Name: A True Story. The Turks not only tried to cleanse their country of Armenians but also Greeks.

Cleopatra: A Life

I will start Nothing in the World next.

I will now start The Homecoming Party - a coming of age novel covering Italian, French and Albanian culture.

I think I will soon start Two Babushkas tomorrow! I am reading it with a GR friend! :0) What do I do until then? Twiddle my thumbs? No, I will read GR!

Currently listening to Decision Points audiobook. The first chapter is excruciatingly boring. I tried to picture Josh Brolin in his role as Bush in W instead. It helps a bit from falling asleep.

Currently reading Medieval London, which oddly enough seems to be about medieval London.

Currently reading Two Babushkas, which I AM enjoying. I like getting inside the skins of those living in another time!

Reading The Rape of Europa, which is about the Nazis' art thefts.

Good luck. There are very mixed opinions on that. Another group is reading it, and....well, it will be intersting to hear what you have to say!

I'm finding it fascinating. I think I know the group in question, and I think they've abandoned it in favor of Umberto Eco.

I, however, will be sticking to this one. I'm really liking it.

Yup, you have the facts right! I am interested in hearing what you have to say.

I will now start The Family Mashber.

Just finished Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. It seems that most people overlook this novel, but it's the author's masterpiece. A bit long, but the episode in 1800's Paris is compelling, and the central relationship between Philip and Mildred is extraordinary - nothing like it around today! Well worth a read!

Susanna wrote: "I'm finding it fascinating. I think I know the group in question, and I think they've abandoned it in favor of Umberto Eco.

I, however, will be sticking to this one. I'm really liking it."

Umberto Eco drives me crazy. I barely could stand 100 pages of Foucault's Pendulum. Can't imagine that anything could be worse.

Ed, how are you doing?! My fingers are crossed for you. I definitely have trouble with Umberto Eco..... It is an attidtude thing that disturbs me.

I confess I am scared of Mr. Eco.

I am not scared of Umberto Eco, but I don't always find him interesting. I recently picked up hisExperiences in Translationfrom the library sale cart for fifty cents. I loved The Name of the Rose: Including Postscript.

The Name of the Rose is the book that disturbed me. The author's tone wasn't to my liking. I am certainly glad I read it, but I do not intend on reading another by this author.

I just gave up on the NY Review Classic The Family Mashber. Here is why: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have switched to Loving Frank. I like it immediately. It helps to enjoy Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture; you can picture the rooms and houses described. I am hoping to learn more about who he was inside!

What do you guys and gals not like about Eco? Maybe you have to be a bit of a history nerd to really enjoy him?

I'm not sure what's wrong with his "attitude" or "tone" as well.

Baudolino, I adore history, non-fiction and historical-fiction and biographies. The last is maybe my favorite. I am very glad I read The Name of the Rose, but it is too much of a struggle. Eco SAYS that he doesn't give a darn about loosing readers if his writing is difficult. He only values the "worthy" ones anyway. This came up in a discussion when an abridged version was to be published. This is what I am talking about when I speak of "tone". I do not like his tone, his attitude. Reading should be enjoyable . A really good author will both teach and make the learning process a game, fun, something you cannot tear yourself away from. Those who really know what they are talking about can say things simply. I believe if someone can explain a complicated subject to a five year old, and they understand and are enthused, that is someone who REALLY knows his subject. Here is a link to my GR review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

It explains BOTH the good and the bad! Of course it is just my point of view.

Re Eco-- Baudolino, it happens thatBaudolino is a book that I gave up on. It just didn't seem to be going anywhere that interested me.

Re Eco-- Baudolino, it happens thatBaudolino is a book that I gave up on. It just didn't seem to be going anywhere that interested me.

Chrissie wrote: "I just gave up on the NY Review Classic The Family Mashber. Here is why: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have switched to Loving Frank. I like it imm..."

Chrissie, I love his work, but I've always heard he was a very mean man. Certainly opinionated. I'd love to read that one.

Martha, Loving Frank is an engaging book. The author sticks to true events, filling in what is missing after having thoroughly studied al the facts that are known. It is as much about Frank's lover, Mamah, as it is about Frank. She is a fascinating character too. She was the American translator of the Swedish feminist, Ellen Key. What is most outstanding is that the author captures the lovers euphoria and then also pain and grief. The writing is beutiful. What do you think of this?

"Two years in a child's life is the distance between stars, she thought. She remembered being a child herself, lolling luxuriously in a bathtub at the age of eight and contemplating the vastness of the summer ahead. And it had turned out to be that - a millenium, it seemed, of fireflies and kick the can, of nights and days strung together by long pulsing cricket songs." The point is how a child might feel when their mother disappears for months..... The spouses, the children and the lovers are depicted in such a manner that you undestand what each one is going through, in the beginning, the middle, but I haven't reached the end yet! Very engaging. Very interesting what you learn. I am writing a review as I read the book. It is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
No spoiler beyond that which is made clear in the book description.

I absolutely love Frank Lloyd Wrights's architecture and design. I love the Japanese influence. There are several pictures and links to his buildings in the comments to my review, if you are interested.

I would not say he was mean, but clearly self-assured, opinionated and unwilling to deviate from his artistic beliefs. Most artists simply must believe in themselves. Life with them isn't the easiest, but still you are well rewarded by sharing their creativity. I have only read about half of the book.

Beautiful passage. I look forward to reading it.

I live about 30 miles from the Dana Thomas House in Springfield, IL and have toured it many times. Was heartbroken when one of our notorious govenors closed it, but it's reopened so I anticipate going again. It is beautiful!! Hope someday to go out west & tour those homes. Here's a link:

http://www.dana-thomas.org/

Martha, thank you for the link! I particularly like Taliesin, the Guggenheim and the trainstation in Nikko. those are the ones that come to my mind first. I like the simplicity o the Guggenheim.

Chrissie wrote: "Ed, how are you doing?! My fingers are crossed for you. I definitely have trouble with Umberto Eco..... It is an attidtude thing that disturbs me."

I'm progressing slowly but acceptably, since my knee replacement two weeks ago. Just wish the pain would stop. Wears me down and I get very grumpy.

Back to Eco, I read The Name of the Rose: Including Postscript and at the end wondered what all the fuss was about. Lots of allusions that did not contribute anything to the story.

I think he has even said he doesn't care if anyone reads his stuff but only those who understand his references. Of course, this appeals to those who wish to appear "to be worthy". He has a library of thousands of books and I suspect he tries to work in allusions to each of them in his writing.

Sounds like academic arrogance to me.

Ed, exactly "academic arrogance". I don't like his tone! I am glad I read it. Description of the time an place were enticing, but the mystery and the deep religious discussions were over my poor little head. :0)

I know that knee replacement surgery is painful. I was worried when you said that is what you were doing. Progress is slow, but hoipefully in the end you will be happier. My fingers are crossed.

Glad to hear you're progressing, Ed, & hope the pain subsides a little more quickly. Pain makes me grumpy, too! Hard to be cheerful when something hurts that bad.

I'm finally tackling Truman ... talked into joining a group read for another group. Just getting into it. I had forgotten how big it is.

Martha, Mornings on Horseback, by McCullough is wonderful. It isn't so huge either.

Chrissie wrote: "Ed, exactly "academic arrogance". I don't like his tone! I am glad I read it. Description of the time an place were enticing, but the mystery and the deep religious discussions were over my poor li..."

Thanks. I am progressing slowly but surely.

Right knee in February.

Thanks, Chrissie, I have that one on my tbr list. I've wanted to read another book on Teddy Roosevelt after reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. I also want to read McCullough's book on the Panama Canal - The Path Between the Seas

Martha, I have read the first and it is definitely good. The latter I have purchased but STILL haven't gotten around to reading it!!!

Ed, WHAT?! Are you doing both knees? You are some brave person.

Chrissie, I meant to get McCullough's Panama book, but when in B&N a few months ago, I blanked out & bought a different one ... totally forgot about McCullough's. Anyway, I'll read them both as this one sounds good, too. It's Panama Fever: The Epic Story of One of the Greatest Human Achievements of All Time-- the Building of the Panama Canal.

Chrissie wrote: "Martha, I have read the first and it is definitely good. The latter I have purchased but STILL haven't gotten around to reading it!!!

Ed, WHAT?! Are you doing both knees? You are some brave person."

By doing the right knee before April 1, I save my annual deductible.

I am not brave but rather cheap.

Ed, yOK you are brave and cheap! There is nothing wrong with being a cheapo. I am too.

Martha, I have already bought McCullough's book on the Panama Canal. I will probably just read that. Remember I just admited to being a cheapo. Good luck with the one you bought.

I just finished Loving Frank and I highly recommend it.

Now I am very excited about starting Buddha's Orphans.

Glad you're recovering, Ed. It took my mother quite a while until she was up and around after she had a knee replaced. About six weeks.

Susanna wrote: "Glad you're recovering, Ed. It took my mother quite a while until she was up and around after she had a knee replaced. About six weeks."

I'm about three weeks out and am using one crutch. Still experiencing pain but not as bad. Expect to be walking with a cane in a week and with no help in six weeks.

Biggest problem is getting the leg to lie flat.

Chrissie wrote: "Ed, yOK you are brave and cheap! There is nothing wrong with being a cheapo. I am too.

Martha, I have already bought McCullough's book on the Panama Canal. I will probably just read that. Rememb..."

LOL Chrissie, I'm a cheapo, too, but lost my mind when I went into B&N ... hadn't been in the bookstore for a long time. Thankfully, my son & granddaughter were waiting in the car so I couldn't stay long! :-)

Ed wrote: "Susanna wrote: "Glad you're recovering, Ed. It took my mother quite a while until she was up and around after she had a knee replaced. About six weeks."

I'm about three weeks out and am using on..."

Ed, sounds like you are making great progress. I know it probably seems slow to you though. Stretching exercises should help it to lie flat, but I imagine that will take some time. Physical therapy has been a lifesaver for me with different joint problems. I've been able to avoid surgery so far. My issues are more muscle weakness rather than the need for joint replacement ... at least so far.

Yeah, my mother used my rolling walker (leftover from when I returned home from the hospital after my stroke). I think that was easier for her than crutches. She doesn't like crutches.

Take it slow and steady!

I am currently reading The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough. It is the third book I have read of The Masters of Rome series (I read the first one out of order, as I had no idea it was part of a series nor that it would be so good). I intend to read them all.

I really like that series, Tim.

Tim wrote: "I am currently reading The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough. It is the third book I have read of The Masters of Rome series (I read the first one out of order, as I had no idea it was part of a se..."

I've read them all except the last one, Antony and Cleopatra which is awaiting me on my bookshelf in the U.S.

IMHO, it is the most complete and best researched historical fiction I've ever read.