21st Century Literature discussion

For general discussion of the book, author, press, awards, etc. No spoilers please! Other threads will be set up for specific discussion about the book.

I'm enjoying this way too much. I have some criticisms that I'll voice when we get to the right spot in the discussions for that. But I'm so reluctant to stop, I'm afraid nothing will get done in my life until I've finished the book.

Grrrrmmpfffff, checked all the libraries in Bremen today and none of them has the English edition plus it hasn't been translated into German yet (in which case it would be more likely to find it)...Grrrrrmmpfff again, I really wanted to read this one.

Arg..just finished chapter 5 and am less than impressed so far. Hopefully it'll pick up soon.

Just passed Chapter 26 this morning, and while there's certainly a couple of weak points, and I don't think we'll be talking about this book as a titan novel of the decade, it's certainly very enjoyable, and thus far I'd give it 4 stars (I'm tough on ratings)

I think I'll set up some chapter threads for the books this month since I don't see any others popping up...

Ok, I've set up threads for specific chapter ranges, I'd suggest not reading the threads til you've passed the last chapter of the thread range, and just post here or make a new thread if you've got something separate or from the middle, since this thread is a spoiler free zone.

I've got an interlibrary loan request in, but there seems to be quite a waiting list for this one!

same at mine, I had to take alternate routes to get a copy. But once you read it, you'll see why...great book

Will wrote: "Just passed Chapter 26 this morning, and while there's certainly a couple of weak points, and I don't think we'll be talking about this book as a titan novel of the decade, it's certainly very enjoyable..."

I've now finished it. And I agree: it'd not a titan novel of the decade, but it is an enjoyable read.

I don't know, it's easy to say it's not a titan, but frankly what are we comparing it to? I suspect that at 2020, looking back on the books from 2010-2020 we might find that this book still hangs around the discussion. Just like an oscar contender released at the start of the year gets forgotten in the discussion sometimes, when we sit down and list them at the end, we have to admit that the early work still makes the grade.

I'm NOT saying this will be the greatest novel in 10 years. I'm just saying I wouldn't be shocked if it still makes a best 10 list, and would be shocked if it didn't make a best 25. His prose is often gorgeous, and he pulls the reader directly into the story. Obviously, it's hard to argue against my unfair suggestion until the year 2020 gets closer, and honestly I hope I'm wrong! Because that would mean 25 even MORE enjoyable books to read in that time.

I wouldn't compare Fielding to anything but itself & by itself it is a book which feels to me to either have the potential to be more than it is or just has the patina of a better book than it turns out to be. Even if it turns out to be one of the top 10 books of the century, that would say something sad about the literary output, not make it a great book (and, so far, I think that 1Q84 is a wonderful book and Skippy Dies, which I'm just beginning, has the potential to be up there as well, so I'm not feeling so worried about the next decade or two).

What I do think is that Harbach is an author who could end up delivering a really great book.

Just over the half-way point, I'm curious, who's reading? I read this book way too fast, couldn't put it down, but anybody else still reading? Enjoying so far? Hating, but refusing to give up?

Wishing my interlibrary loan had come through!

well, don't give up on this one, it's too good to let slip through the cracks!

Fine plot. No one becomes perfect, but some are better than others. That's the story.