Classics for Beginners discussion

Happy Birthday....mine is coming up shortly....Sigh.

Teri-lynn wrote: "Happy Birthday....mine is coming up shortly....Sigh."

When??

I've just started The Color Purple and so far it is horrific.

On the 30th of this month

Have made a B'day thread.

Nicolle wrote: "I've just started The Color Purple and so far it is horrific."

Meaning the subject matter - or the writing?

I agree re the difficult subject matter (especially in the beginning ... well, really throughout). But I thought the book was brilliant.

Marcus wrote: "I've just finished The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner and really enjoyed it."

I would agree - it is an outstounding book, especially the structure and themes given the time when it was written.

I would agree - it is an understounding book, especially the stru..."

Book Concierge wrote: "I've had this book for ages and I read it every December on my birthday. Happy Birthday to Me!"

You share a birthday with my brother hope you had as good a day as he did.

I'm going to begin King Lear and Great Expectations when I'm through rereading the Inheritance series.

Book Concierge wrote: "Nicolle wrote: "I've just started The Color Purple and so far it is horrific."

Meaning the subject matter - or the writing?

I agree re the difficult subject matter (especially in th..."

The subject matter...I like the style that the book is written in, kind of ebonic.

Picked up Jane Eyre again...I hope I get it finished!!

Fasya wrote: ""

For reason completely irrelevant I refuse to read Cassandra Clare. On totally personal grounds. I could on for about an hour about how awful she is.



I started A Christmas Carol and I'm quite ashamed to say that this is probably my first classic since school... part from Anne of Green Gables

Well you are in the right group for re-introducing yourself to the classics!

Louise-Lesley wrote: "Fasya wrote: ""

For reason completely irrelevant I refuse to read Cassandra Clare. On totally personal grounds. I could on for about an hour about how awful she is..."

totally agree... i read city of bones but that was enough to establish a promise never to read for her again, she's a terrible writer, she's trying but she's a terrible writer, she can just stick to fanfiction, i don't read those

i started Sense and Sensibility but i may put it aside for some time more (it's my last Austen) and pick up A Farewell to Arms my first hemmingway, looking forward to seeing for myself why people like him so

she didn't even stick to her own fanfiction

(oh. burn.)

I don't even want to pick it. I've heard lots of good reviews but I just don't want a try it. Something tells me that I won't like it, and that was made to be sold.

I loved and tried to read Sense and Sensibility and tried to read A Farewell to Arms but never finished. Because it was for a work and ended up picking another instead. If This Is a Man / The Truce So shocking!! Amazing book about a true and terrible story.

Louise-Lesley wrote: "she didn't even stick to her own fanfiction

(oh. burn.)"

it's a ridiculous excuse for a book, not even worth our talking about it, especially on a group that aims for books that actually stood the test of time

Namida... wrote: "Louise-Lesley wrote: "she didn't even stick to her own fanfiction

(oh. burn.)"

it's a ridiculous excuse for a book, not even worth our talking about it, especially on a group that aims for books ..."

i refuse to read it on bitter!fanfic!fan grounds, but i have heard so many friends with similar tastes warn me against it.


& yes. definitely deserves to be in a tween loving place.


For the record I'm enjoying A Christmas Carol although surprised at how it differs from the film versions I have seen

Louise-Lesley wrote: "Namida... wrote: "Louise-Lesley wrote: "she didn't even stick to her own fanfiction

(oh. burn.)"

it's a ridiculous excuse for a book, not even worth our talking about it, especially on a group th..."

Really? Have you seen the one with Jim Carrey? There were a lot of quotes from the book.

I didn't even know Jim Carrey did one! Must look it up!

Tender is the Night - F Scott Fitzgerald
Audio book performed by Trevor White
4****

The novel tells the story of the Nicole and Dick Diver, a wealthy, American couple living in Europe in the early 20th century. As the story opens they are introduced to a young movie actress, Rosemary, who is infatuated with Dick and with the lifestyle the Divers and their friends enjoy. Slowly Rosemary, and the reader, watches the Divers’ marriage disintegrate, and Dick, in particular, descend into alcoholic despair.

There is no question that Fitzgerald could write brilliantly. It is a complex and thought-provoking look at human failing, at fear and weakness, and at self-destruction. However, I could not stand any of the characters, and really did not care what happened to them. Maybe it’s his focus on this very hedonistic lifestyle. This is not the first work by Fitzgerald I’ve read and I’ve had a similar reaction in the past. I’ve also read books by other authors who shone a bright light on a wealthy class – Edith Wharton for example – without feeling that same disconnection with their characters or complete distaste for their lifestyle. I give it 4 stars based on the strength of Fitzgerald’s writing; it is full of exquisitely crafted passages which simply took my breath away.

Trevor White does a wonderful job of performing the audio book. His pacing and voice inflection breathed life into the characters.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I really do love the story :) Such a perfect read for the holiday season :)

I'm not currently reading a classic, but I am reading a book called Party of the Century. It's about the famout blackand-white ball Truman Capote gave in the late 60's. I'm on a classic society/socialites kick. :)

A Christmas Carol ! I thought I should read something christmassy!

I just finished that one. Love it!

Me too!

Reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

I really should read a christmas carol....I love the movies!! Especially the muppets!!!

I'm halfway through A Clockwork Orange right now, actually. And so far, it's amazing. One of the best books I've read in a while.

Teri-lynn wrote: "I really should read a christmas carol....I love the movies!! Especially the muppets!!!"

The Muppets is my favorite Christmas movie ever. And the book is really good, too—in a different sort of way, :)

I'm now reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins...very good so far after reading 150 pgs...it's going really quick!

I'm reading The Once and Future King by T.H.White

Started A Game of Thrones this morning. I'm reading too many at once, but they are all so good!

The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Audio Book performed by Mary Woods.
3***

This classic of children’s literature tells the adventures of four good friends – Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad – living on the edge of The Wild Wood. Toad is the most vexing animal! He’s boastful and given to hyperbole; on the other hand, he’s generous with his friends and sincerely remorseful – eventually. Fortunately for him, his friends compensate for his shortcomings. Rat is ever resourceful and a font of information. Badger is the wise old man of the wild wood – somewhat of a recluse, but gracious and eager to help when called up. And then we have the ever curious Mole who starts out the adventure and proves to be steadfast, reliable and intelligent.

Mary Woods does a great job reading this book. I can see why it’s remained popular with children for over 100 years. Somehow I never read it as a child (or have no memory of it). My adult self wasn’t all that impressed, however, so it gets a respectable 3 stars.

I'm reading Declareby Tim Powers. It's not classic but it's very well written and, I don't know if it's my own projection onto this work, or if it were the writer's intent, but there are ripples and reflections of 1984 and Arthur Blair all over this.

Reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I am reading Jane Eyre at the moment, so far so good!

LOVE that book.

Staying away from the classics currently but I'll be back to them. I'm investigating a few renowned fantasy and sci-fi books and seeing if they're worth the hype compared to the resonating classics.

The book I'm reading (Audiobooking) "Declare" is a really good example of a well written piece of work that really reflects, echos 1984, especially in the begining.

I have finished Jane Eyre, which I really enjoyed, going to have a little break from the classics and am going to start

I'm currently reading Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen :)

I'm right now juggling The Bourne Identity and The Hobbit. I'll probably go on and read The Lord of the Rings next. Both Tolkien books are re-reads because I re-read them every few years.

Desiree wrote: "I'm now reading Mansfield Park! Enjoying it. It's my fourth Austen."

I'm reading that one next :D

Desiree wrote: "Tammy wrote: "Desiree wrote: "I'm now reading Mansfield Park! Enjoying it. It's my fourth Austen."

I'm reading that one next :D"

Great! Be warned, you might not like Fanny Price like..."

lol I've heard that a lot about Fanny Price. I'm curious to see what I think of her.
And Norhtanger Abbey is my fourth Jane Austen. :)

I've got a few books going:

Still reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles as I have little reading time, though it is a great read so far.

Nance wrote: "I'm now reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins...very good so far after reading 150 pgs...it's going really quick!

"

I really enjoyed this book:)

I'm currently reading The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles and so far I love it! It's a lot easier to read than a lot of classics. Very witty too.

Great Expectations and Sabriel together now...

I'm currently reading Tale of Two Cities. I thought the first half of the book was a little slow but I'm really starting to enjoy it now. I loved Wuthering Heights but I did find it a bit of a challenge. The characters were very flawed but well developed. 1984 is still one of my all-time favorite books. The movie is also wonderful. I tried reading Vanity Fair a while ago and just kind of quit. I will have to try it again. It is supposed to be one of the great comedies.

Finished reading Tale of Two Cities. Loved it! Now I'm reading The Murders of Rue Mogue.