Finished reading 'Heat and Dust' on the bus home tonight.
Remember on Monday how I lamented the book seemed too short?? Now, I'm really feeling that way! The end of the novel left me feeling completely unresolved, so much so that I can't bring myself to call it the 'conclusion'! It's so frustrating! I want to know what happens!!!! Urgh!!!!!!!!!
Deep breath.
Ok. To be fair, the Conclusion of the novel actually makes a lot of sense and totally fits in with the rest of the story. It's a brilliant statement about life, continuity, reincarnation, or some such thing. It was a really interesting, deeply entertaining novel. Even if the ending was really disappointing to me. I enjoyed the rest of the story, and I would read another book by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. However, if the ending of That book disappoints me too, I'll probably give her up.
So, if anyone knows a novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala that has a really, truly satisfying Conclusion - please let me know, and I'll add it to my reading list for next year!
One last thing about 'Heat and Dust' before moving on - has anyone ever counted how many times the title is used in the course of this novel? It's probably not as often as it feels like, but it was often enough that if it weren't the title I would still have noticed it's repetition. Weird.
The next Booker book I'm going to read is 'Saville' by David Storey, the 1976 winner. Funnily enough, I don't actually have a copy of it on hand. It's on hold for me at the library, but I haven't gotten down to pick it up yet, so in the meantime, I'm going to read a non-Booker book!
Alright, settle down.
Calm? You may continue.
I've mentioned before that the Calgary Public Library has a One Book, One Calgary event ( http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/one-book-one-calgary ) going on through November, and I'm really excited about this year's book! I work in a used book store, and my customers have said some great things about Steven Galloway's 'The Cellist of Sarajevo' so I'm going to read it next. This way I'll be able to participate in the OBOC events, and talk to my customers about the book when they ask me if I've read it! Seems like a pretty goo plan to me!
Happy reading!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
What Was Your Name, Again?
Just a little over half-way into 'Heat and Dust' - and I'm already feeling a bit sad that it's such a short novel (only 181 pages) because I'm really enjoying it. I feel like 'The Siege of Krishnapur' gave me a really strong basis for enjoying this novel, which is also set in India just 65- and 110-years later. It's been pretty cool, like returning to a well-loved vacation destination where everything feels familiar even though it's all different since the last time you were here.
The story is split between 1923 and the mid-70's where a young woman has come to India to 'research' the life of her grandfather's first wife, Olivia, who ran off with a Nawab (the 1923 story line). The Nawab is a particularly interesting character, domineering and possessive but with charisma, though I can't help but think of his friends and 'guests' as being victims of rather brutal psychological abuse. I have a suspicion that the "romance" will not turn out well.
In the modern story line, I find I'm actually a lot shocked by the naiveté of this young woman (who seems to be nameless?) in her passive regard to what amounts to sexual assault. This probably says more about my world (a world that has always been dealing with HIV and is 97% unanimous that assault is Never a woman's "fault") than it does about the character, who is living in the era of "free love". But I was still shocked - I was, in fact, all "but he could have Anything! You don't want to have sex with him, but you just let him anyway?? What are you thinking! Have some self-respect!" and when a follow-up scene involved a pilgrimage meant to cure infertility, I was all "aw shit! Now you're gonna have that nasty man's kid - smooth move! Grrr. Frowny face.". I'm also a bit concerned about the developing relationship between her and the man she's renting from, which seems to alarmingly echo the situation (if not the dynamics) of the relationship between Olivia and the Nawab. Sometimes I worry that I get too involved with characters.
Now that I'm onto my sixth Booker prize winner (yay!!) I feel safe in making a few generalizations about these early winners. First, and so obvious that it probably doesn't bear mentioning but I will anyway, there's a really heavy British colonial feel to all the books I've read so far. It's not surprising, because the Booker is for "a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland" but I didn't realize it would be so... noticeable. The only novel so far which lacked that strong colonization feel was 'G.' which was a bit more international, even though the character was essentially British.
My second observation is that, Dang! There are a lot of literally insane characters! It's become like a game of "where's Waldo" with me scouting out for the crazy person in every book - and usually, I don't have to look that hard. In "Elected Member" it was Norman; in "Troubles" it was Edward; in "G." well gee!; in "Siege of Krishnapur" I'd say the Padre won it; in "Conservationist" it was Mehring; and now in "Heat and Dust" there are a few options, but the obvious one is Ritu. It is a bit disturbing, but also amusing. I'm also kind of wondering if it is a trend that will continue through all 46 books. I'm betting it does.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the novel and glad to feel engaged again. Last week was a bit of a slough.
Happy reading!
The story is split between 1923 and the mid-70's where a young woman has come to India to 'research' the life of her grandfather's first wife, Olivia, who ran off with a Nawab (the 1923 story line). The Nawab is a particularly interesting character, domineering and possessive but with charisma, though I can't help but think of his friends and 'guests' as being victims of rather brutal psychological abuse. I have a suspicion that the "romance" will not turn out well.
In the modern story line, I find I'm actually a lot shocked by the naiveté of this young woman (who seems to be nameless?) in her passive regard to what amounts to sexual assault. This probably says more about my world (a world that has always been dealing with HIV and is 97% unanimous that assault is Never a woman's "fault") than it does about the character, who is living in the era of "free love". But I was still shocked - I was, in fact, all "but he could have Anything! You don't want to have sex with him, but you just let him anyway?? What are you thinking! Have some self-respect!" and when a follow-up scene involved a pilgrimage meant to cure infertility, I was all "aw shit! Now you're gonna have that nasty man's kid - smooth move! Grrr. Frowny face.". I'm also a bit concerned about the developing relationship between her and the man she's renting from, which seems to alarmingly echo the situation (if not the dynamics) of the relationship between Olivia and the Nawab. Sometimes I worry that I get too involved with characters.
Now that I'm onto my sixth Booker prize winner (yay!!) I feel safe in making a few generalizations about these early winners. First, and so obvious that it probably doesn't bear mentioning but I will anyway, there's a really heavy British colonial feel to all the books I've read so far. It's not surprising, because the Booker is for "a citizen of the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland" but I didn't realize it would be so... noticeable. The only novel so far which lacked that strong colonization feel was 'G.' which was a bit more international, even though the character was essentially British.
My second observation is that, Dang! There are a lot of literally insane characters! It's become like a game of "where's Waldo" with me scouting out for the crazy person in every book - and usually, I don't have to look that hard. In "Elected Member" it was Norman; in "Troubles" it was Edward; in "G." well gee!; in "Siege of Krishnapur" I'd say the Padre won it; in "Conservationist" it was Mehring; and now in "Heat and Dust" there are a few options, but the obvious one is Ritu. It is a bit disturbing, but also amusing. I'm also kind of wondering if it is a trend that will continue through all 46 books. I'm betting it does.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the novel and glad to feel engaged again. Last week was a bit of a slough.
Happy reading!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Five Books Down, Forty-one To Go!
I finished reading "The Conservationist" last night - again, it took me longer than I'd hoped, but I'm right back on schedule now. So, yay.
As I said in my last post, I really wanted to like this novel, and to be able to say nice things about it. It was not a bad book, in fact some parts of it (particularly the descriptions of the farm) are quite beautiful. However, I'm still not certain that I actually understood the book, or even the main character. I don't like not understanding a book, it makes me feel stupid. The result is that I end up not liking the book because it's made me feel stupid, which is unfair to the book but kind of inevitable. I'm not a good person.
There may be spoilers. I apologize, but in my attempt to understand this book spoilers are not a major concern for me. If they are for you, please don't say I didn't warn you. I'm trying not to Spoil, but I can't make any guarantees. Sorry.
Still with me? Ok, let's go.
My basic understanding of the book is that Mehring, the hobby farmer, feels he has lost the love of his ex-wife, his teenaged son, and his former mistress. He travels the world, flirts with women, over-sees the management of his farm, but feels unfulfilled, empty, unloved. The only consistency in his life comes from his land, and he slowly falls in love with it, until it also rejects him - in the form of a rather gross scene following a flood. Maybe it's Mehring rejecting the farm, as he has slowly shut himself off from the rest of his life. I'm not really sure. The final scene with Mehring on the farm was gross but inevitable. I thought it was a pretty good ending for the farm, which may actually be the protagonist of the piece.
The character of Mehring left me feeling unresolved, even a little dirty. By the second half of the book I was doubting his sanity, and by the second last chapter I was sure he'd lost his dang mind. The novel is filled with rambling train of thought passages where Mehring jumps from thoughts of his farm, his lover, his son, his workers, his indiscretions, all in a completely random way, and then back to where he started. There are also frequent imagined conversations, to the point where I'm still not sure if some parts of the novel were just fantasy sequences. It was very annoying for me, but I suppose it's just one of those artistic choices - you'll either love it, or you won't.
On the 'next book' front, I'm moving on to the winner for 1975, "Heat and Dust" by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. This week I have no dental appointments, no knitting night, and only two hockey games. In theory, I'll be able to finish this book early.
We'll see about that.
Happy reading!
As I said in my last post, I really wanted to like this novel, and to be able to say nice things about it. It was not a bad book, in fact some parts of it (particularly the descriptions of the farm) are quite beautiful. However, I'm still not certain that I actually understood the book, or even the main character. I don't like not understanding a book, it makes me feel stupid. The result is that I end up not liking the book because it's made me feel stupid, which is unfair to the book but kind of inevitable. I'm not a good person.
There may be spoilers. I apologize, but in my attempt to understand this book spoilers are not a major concern for me. If they are for you, please don't say I didn't warn you. I'm trying not to Spoil, but I can't make any guarantees. Sorry.
Still with me? Ok, let's go.
My basic understanding of the book is that Mehring, the hobby farmer, feels he has lost the love of his ex-wife, his teenaged son, and his former mistress. He travels the world, flirts with women, over-sees the management of his farm, but feels unfulfilled, empty, unloved. The only consistency in his life comes from his land, and he slowly falls in love with it, until it also rejects him - in the form of a rather gross scene following a flood. Maybe it's Mehring rejecting the farm, as he has slowly shut himself off from the rest of his life. I'm not really sure. The final scene with Mehring on the farm was gross but inevitable. I thought it was a pretty good ending for the farm, which may actually be the protagonist of the piece.
The character of Mehring left me feeling unresolved, even a little dirty. By the second half of the book I was doubting his sanity, and by the second last chapter I was sure he'd lost his dang mind. The novel is filled with rambling train of thought passages where Mehring jumps from thoughts of his farm, his lover, his son, his workers, his indiscretions, all in a completely random way, and then back to where he started. There are also frequent imagined conversations, to the point where I'm still not sure if some parts of the novel were just fantasy sequences. It was very annoying for me, but I suppose it's just one of those artistic choices - you'll either love it, or you won't.
On the 'next book' front, I'm moving on to the winner for 1975, "Heat and Dust" by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. This week I have no dental appointments, no knitting night, and only two hockey games. In theory, I'll be able to finish this book early.
We'll see about that.
Happy reading!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Curious, But Also A Bit Confused
Ok, so I'm on book 5 this week, reading Nadine Gordimer's 'The Conservationist', which shared the 1974 Booker Prize with Stanley Middleton's 'Holiday'. Incidentally, 'Holiday' brings the total of books that I haven't been able to locate up to 3, so I'll be jumping ahead to 1975 once I finish 'The Conservationist'. I still haven't decided how I'm going to deal with these three missing books. I was hoping to get copies from a local independent book seller, but I haven't heard back from them on my request, I guess we'll see what happens.
I started reading this novel Sunday evening, and I'm about halfway through now, so it's been a fairly quick read. I want to say nice things about this book. I want to like it, even. Despite the style of Gordimer's writing. In particular her punctuation is irritating me, but I'm trying to accept it as a legitimate artistic choice. Really, I am. Especially since I realize that it is a choice many writers of " literature" make, although I'm honestly not sure why. There is nothing "wrong" with the story, and I want to like it. But the truth is, I'm not really sure what the story is.
I know what has happened so far in the novel, it's not as though I've been reading on auto-pilot, suddenly twenty pages on without knowing what I've read. It's just that I'm not certain of what point Gordimer is trying to get across to me. I put off writing this post for a couple days because I really hoped the story would become clearer to me, but so far no luck. Maybe I'm ten or fifteen pages away from clarification and tomorrow I'll regret this post. For now, though, I feel a bit lost.
The novel is a 'modern' work, set in South Africa of the early 1970's. There is, of course, racial tension, and also interesting environmental observations. Before I started the book I toyed with the title, wondering whether the conservation would be of a social status quo or environmentally based. It seems to me, so far, that it is in fact an ecological conservation - the main character owns a hobby farm and appears to be interested in maintaining native flora and fauna, to a certain degree. It is a bit of a contradiction, however, because it is still an operational farm, and his main business seems to be mineral sales. So, that's interesting.
The issue of race in a novel set in South Africa is a given. The opening chapter has the discovery of a black stranger murdered on the farm. The police response is partly horrifying, and partly comical. The man is briefly referred to throughout the novel, but never really as a man just as an object. It's a very alien concept to me, but at the same time it's really not that different from sex workers 'disappearing' in mainland British Columbia with no one raising an alarm. Once a society stops recognizing the humanity of any group, it's not a huge leap before they are being disposed of like a stray dog. It's very sad, but it's good to be reminded of how our 'group think' can lead us to commit horrible crimes.
The Indian family is also quite interesting. I don't have strong grasp of South African history, and it never actually occurred to me that society was even further divided. Not just 'white' and 'black' but also 'non-white' - living in a sort of limbo where you can own property and run a business, but not entirely legally, always with the threat of an eviction requiring constant bribe payments. It's definitely a situation where you can feel the pressure building, so I'm very interested in how that is resolved.
I'm aiming to be finished reading this novel by Thursday. I was hoping for tomorrow, but there's no way I'll make that. Currently all I really want is for this novel to coalesce in a coherent manner, and realize the potential of all these interesting aspects. I would love that.
*Almost forgot to include a photo!
I started reading this novel Sunday evening, and I'm about halfway through now, so it's been a fairly quick read. I want to say nice things about this book. I want to like it, even. Despite the style of Gordimer's writing. In particular her punctuation is irritating me, but I'm trying to accept it as a legitimate artistic choice. Really, I am. Especially since I realize that it is a choice many writers of " literature" make, although I'm honestly not sure why. There is nothing "wrong" with the story, and I want to like it. But the truth is, I'm not really sure what the story is.
I know what has happened so far in the novel, it's not as though I've been reading on auto-pilot, suddenly twenty pages on without knowing what I've read. It's just that I'm not certain of what point Gordimer is trying to get across to me. I put off writing this post for a couple days because I really hoped the story would become clearer to me, but so far no luck. Maybe I'm ten or fifteen pages away from clarification and tomorrow I'll regret this post. For now, though, I feel a bit lost.
The novel is a 'modern' work, set in South Africa of the early 1970's. There is, of course, racial tension, and also interesting environmental observations. Before I started the book I toyed with the title, wondering whether the conservation would be of a social status quo or environmentally based. It seems to me, so far, that it is in fact an ecological conservation - the main character owns a hobby farm and appears to be interested in maintaining native flora and fauna, to a certain degree. It is a bit of a contradiction, however, because it is still an operational farm, and his main business seems to be mineral sales. So, that's interesting.
The issue of race in a novel set in South Africa is a given. The opening chapter has the discovery of a black stranger murdered on the farm. The police response is partly horrifying, and partly comical. The man is briefly referred to throughout the novel, but never really as a man just as an object. It's a very alien concept to me, but at the same time it's really not that different from sex workers 'disappearing' in mainland British Columbia with no one raising an alarm. Once a society stops recognizing the humanity of any group, it's not a huge leap before they are being disposed of like a stray dog. It's very sad, but it's good to be reminded of how our 'group think' can lead us to commit horrible crimes.
The Indian family is also quite interesting. I don't have strong grasp of South African history, and it never actually occurred to me that society was even further divided. Not just 'white' and 'black' but also 'non-white' - living in a sort of limbo where you can own property and run a business, but not entirely legally, always with the threat of an eviction requiring constant bribe payments. It's definitely a situation where you can feel the pressure building, so I'm very interested in how that is resolved.
I'm aiming to be finished reading this novel by Thursday. I was hoping for tomorrow, but there's no way I'll make that. Currently all I really want is for this novel to coalesce in a coherent manner, and realize the potential of all these interesting aspects. I would love that.
*Almost forgot to include a photo!
Congratulations to Julian Barnes!
Julian Barnes "The Sense Of An Ending" has won the 2011 Man Booker Prize! It was the fourth time that Barnes was on the Shortlist, and his first win - so I'm certain he's very chuffed, despite having in the past referred to the prize as a "posh bingo".
It sounds like a potentially depressing read, to me anyhow, but I'm sure it's beautiful. The chairwoman of the judges says it is:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15361273
So, Congratulations, Mr. Barnes! I look forward to reading your book - in about 11 months time!
It sounds like a potentially depressing read, to me anyhow, but I'm sure it's beautiful. The chairwoman of the judges says it is:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-15361273
So, Congratulations, Mr. Barnes! I look forward to reading your book - in about 11 months time!
2011 Man Booker Prize
T-minus 4 hours and counting till the announcement of the 2011 Prize winner!! I'm excited, how about you?
This years shortlist was announced September 6th, but if you missed it here it is
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/prize/thisyear/shortlist
Naturally, I haven't read any of the nominees yet, so I can't even guess about which will win. However, I'm kind of hoping it's 'The Sisters Brothers' because it looks like a lot of fun, and I want to read it anyway!
I'll post again this evening with an update on this weeks book, and of course this years winner!
This years shortlist was announced September 6th, but if you missed it here it is
http://www.themanbookerprize.com/prize/thisyear/shortlist
Naturally, I haven't read any of the nominees yet, so I can't even guess about which will win. However, I'm kind of hoping it's 'The Sisters Brothers' because it looks like a lot of fun, and I want to read it anyway!
I'll post again this evening with an update on this weeks book, and of course this years winner!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Stay On Target, Stay On Target!
'The Siege of Krishnapur' was much darker, and far more intense than I had anticipated. It was still full of comic moments but it is more a gallows humour than the light social wit that I was expecting. That having been said, I still really enjoyed this novel. I don't feel the need to own a copy, but I would read it again and I feel safe recommending it to other readers.
I am deeply impressed by how alive Farrell's characters were in this novel. The character arcs were fascinating, although I would have liked to have been returned to the view point of one of the ladies towards the end of the novel, as they were primarily observed during the closing chapters. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but I was very impressed with how the three main ladies managed under the circumstances. Farrell had a very astute view of women, and his female characters all feel very True, which is fantastic. The jealousy, vanity and pettiness of a group of women is all there, but also the tenderness, insecurity and ultimate strength of women really shines through. I just would have liked to have spent some time 'with them' during the darkest moments of the story.
The debates over religion, philosophy, politics, science and medicine were also fascinating. We debate many of the same subjects now, although the exact questions and issues may have changed, and I found the arguments alluded to today's debates. I had to frequently remind myself that the novel was written nearly forty years ago, and the actual topics being debated were contentious over one hundred and fifty years ago - it's shocking how fresh they seem! For all our technology, I guess we haven't really advanced much at all.
I suppose the most chilling part of Farrell's writing is the fact that it is based, in large part, on fact. 'Troubles', with all it's distanced and imaginary violence, felt almost farcical but 'Siege of Krishnapur' was quite blunt and even horrific. I'm curious to read some of the factual documents cited in the afterword, but I'm concerned that they may be even more graphic. Perhaps the Victorian sensibilities of the authors kept them more palatable, but I rather doubt it.
Anyway, tomorrow I start a new book! Always a good day! I took another look at my calendar tonight and given my initial estimate of eight days per book, with today being Day 33, I'm only one day behind. I keep telling myself as long as I'm finished the last book by September 11th 2012 "it's a win!" but I still hope I can finish the next book a couple days early to get back on course!
I am deeply impressed by how alive Farrell's characters were in this novel. The character arcs were fascinating, although I would have liked to have been returned to the view point of one of the ladies towards the end of the novel, as they were primarily observed during the closing chapters. I'm trying to avoid spoilers, but I was very impressed with how the three main ladies managed under the circumstances. Farrell had a very astute view of women, and his female characters all feel very True, which is fantastic. The jealousy, vanity and pettiness of a group of women is all there, but also the tenderness, insecurity and ultimate strength of women really shines through. I just would have liked to have spent some time 'with them' during the darkest moments of the story.
The debates over religion, philosophy, politics, science and medicine were also fascinating. We debate many of the same subjects now, although the exact questions and issues may have changed, and I found the arguments alluded to today's debates. I had to frequently remind myself that the novel was written nearly forty years ago, and the actual topics being debated were contentious over one hundred and fifty years ago - it's shocking how fresh they seem! For all our technology, I guess we haven't really advanced much at all.
I suppose the most chilling part of Farrell's writing is the fact that it is based, in large part, on fact. 'Troubles', with all it's distanced and imaginary violence, felt almost farcical but 'Siege of Krishnapur' was quite blunt and even horrific. I'm curious to read some of the factual documents cited in the afterword, but I'm concerned that they may be even more graphic. Perhaps the Victorian sensibilities of the authors kept them more palatable, but I rather doubt it.
Anyway, tomorrow I start a new book! Always a good day! I took another look at my calendar tonight and given my initial estimate of eight days per book, with today being Day 33, I'm only one day behind. I keep telling myself as long as I'm finished the last book by September 11th 2012 "it's a win!" but I still hope I can finish the next book a couple days early to get back on course!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Almost Completely Unrelated to the Booker
I have the coolest job in the world.
I work in a used bookstore, and a major part of my job is entering books into our store database. This means that I spend more than half of my work day looking at books. How cool is that?
Today, while entering books I came across one titled 'Ten Poems To Change Your Life' by Roger Housden. Curious as to whether I had read any of these poems, I took a look at the contents and discovered My New Favourite Poem, "Ode To My Socks" by Pablo Neruda.
I get frequent requests for the poetry of Neruda, but I've never read any before. I'm also an avid knitter, with a particular passion for socks. Obviously, I was meant to read this poem. You should also take a few minutes to read it.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-my-socks/
I really relate to that urge to save precious items for 'special occasions' and Neruda reminded me that the beauty of anything is in the use of it, not in it's mere existence. Use the good china. Write on your souvenir paper (I can't be the only person with souvenir paper...). Love with all your heart. Wear your hand knit socks. It's all about living life rather than waiting around. Beautiful, inspiring stuff. I'm looking forward to reading some more Neruda - after I finish knitting my new socks.
Back to the Booker business.
I am exactly one month into my Booker challenge. I should have finished Siege of Krishnapur today but I didn't, I still have 80 pages to go, which means that I am for the first time behind schedule. I'm not actually concerned about this. I probably should be, but I'm not. I don't have the next book in my possession yet (it's coming home from the library tomorrow) and I should be able to finish SoK on the way into work, so I'll be able to start the new book either tomorrow evening or on the way to work Friday. Tonight instead of reading I spent the evening knitting. I think you know why.
I feel pretty good about it.
I work in a used bookstore, and a major part of my job is entering books into our store database. This means that I spend more than half of my work day looking at books. How cool is that?
Today, while entering books I came across one titled 'Ten Poems To Change Your Life' by Roger Housden. Curious as to whether I had read any of these poems, I took a look at the contents and discovered My New Favourite Poem, "Ode To My Socks" by Pablo Neruda.
I get frequent requests for the poetry of Neruda, but I've never read any before. I'm also an avid knitter, with a particular passion for socks. Obviously, I was meant to read this poem. You should also take a few minutes to read it.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-my-socks/
I really relate to that urge to save precious items for 'special occasions' and Neruda reminded me that the beauty of anything is in the use of it, not in it's mere existence. Use the good china. Write on your souvenir paper (I can't be the only person with souvenir paper...). Love with all your heart. Wear your hand knit socks. It's all about living life rather than waiting around. Beautiful, inspiring stuff. I'm looking forward to reading some more Neruda - after I finish knitting my new socks.
Back to the Booker business.
I am exactly one month into my Booker challenge. I should have finished Siege of Krishnapur today but I didn't, I still have 80 pages to go, which means that I am for the first time behind schedule. I'm not actually concerned about this. I probably should be, but I'm not. I don't have the next book in my possession yet (it's coming home from the library tomorrow) and I should be able to finish SoK on the way into work, so I'll be able to start the new book either tomorrow evening or on the way to work Friday. Tonight instead of reading I spent the evening knitting. I think you know why.
I feel pretty good about it.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Just A Shorty
Day 28 - 153 pages into book 4, "The Siege of Krishnapur". Feeling a little guilty for not posting recently, so I figured I'd fire off a quick one before settling in to read for the night!
I'm enjoying this novel almost as much as I thought I would. It's very much like "Troubles" but a slightly more difficult read for me, mainly because I'm not familiar with some of the Indian phrases. But I'm managing. I'm not finding it as witty as "Troubles" was either, however I suspect that's due to the slightly darker subject matter. While it's true that both novels deal with a small group of British 'colonists' living under the threat of a 'native uprising' while trying to maintain appearances and uphold their British moral superiority (ha! Haha!) the actual threat is much more Real in this novel than it was in the situation in "Troubles". In that novel, the violence was usually a few steps removed and sometimes just the result of over-active imaginations, but here there is actual blood in the drawing room (that's a bit of a lie, but I'm trying to avoid any Spoilers!) so the humour of the situation is slightly lessened.
Other interesting similarities between the two novels include main characters being referred to by title rather than name, the location (country and building) as a rich character in their own right, and to a certain extent the portrayal of the female characters. At first, I admit, I was slightly disappointed by these similarities, especially since "Troubles" struck me as such a unique story. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised since these are the first two novels of Farrell's so-called 'Empire Trilogy' which implies a certain amount of continuity, and now that I'm nearly half-way through I don't even mind it anymore. The writing is top notch, and the setting and action are sufficiently different that it is a highly entertaining read.
Speaking of which, this was meant to be a short post. Thank you for reading, I'm off to do the same!
I'm enjoying this novel almost as much as I thought I would. It's very much like "Troubles" but a slightly more difficult read for me, mainly because I'm not familiar with some of the Indian phrases. But I'm managing. I'm not finding it as witty as "Troubles" was either, however I suspect that's due to the slightly darker subject matter. While it's true that both novels deal with a small group of British 'colonists' living under the threat of a 'native uprising' while trying to maintain appearances and uphold their British moral superiority (ha! Haha!) the actual threat is much more Real in this novel than it was in the situation in "Troubles". In that novel, the violence was usually a few steps removed and sometimes just the result of over-active imaginations, but here there is actual blood in the drawing room (that's a bit of a lie, but I'm trying to avoid any Spoilers!) so the humour of the situation is slightly lessened.
Other interesting similarities between the two novels include main characters being referred to by title rather than name, the location (country and building) as a rich character in their own right, and to a certain extent the portrayal of the female characters. At first, I admit, I was slightly disappointed by these similarities, especially since "Troubles" struck me as such a unique story. In retrospect, I shouldn't have been surprised since these are the first two novels of Farrell's so-called 'Empire Trilogy' which implies a certain amount of continuity, and now that I'm nearly half-way through I don't even mind it anymore. The writing is top notch, and the setting and action are sufficiently different that it is a highly entertaining read.
Speaking of which, this was meant to be a short post. Thank you for reading, I'm off to do the same!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
I Finished My Berger, May I Have Desert Now?
Day 23, another book completed, I'm still on schedule (in fact, slightly ahead!) and I'm feeling pretty good about that! Tomorrow I start reading 'The Siege of Krishnapur' by J.G. Farrell which I'm really, really looking forward to. I loved 'Troubles' (have you read it yet? What are you waiting for! Go get yourself a copy, I'll wait here. Got it? Good. Let's continue) and after the disaster that was 'G.' I could really use an enjoyable piece of fiction. My book shelf has been mocking me with it's stacks of delicious urban fantasy, steampunk, romance, and mystery, but I haven't given in! I will stay strong!
I was actually surprised by the final section of 'G.' which turned out to be the most coherent part of the entire novel, and was almost lyrical in parts. The scene at the ball, in particular, had a lovely rhythmic flow to it that was almost beautiful. Not only was the phrasing more appealing, I felt for the first time in the entire book that the "principle protagonist" was more than just a politicized penis, that he was a character with intentions and (dare I say it?) emotions. I actually Felt Something for the character. It was oh so brief, and in no way redeemed the book for me, but I was relieved that the past eight days of reading weren't a complete waste. Not as relieved as I am that I will never have to read another book by Berger for the rest of my life, but relieved.
I was actually surprised by the final section of 'G.' which turned out to be the most coherent part of the entire novel, and was almost lyrical in parts. The scene at the ball, in particular, had a lovely rhythmic flow to it that was almost beautiful. Not only was the phrasing more appealing, I felt for the first time in the entire book that the "principle protagonist" was more than just a politicized penis, that he was a character with intentions and (dare I say it?) emotions. I actually Felt Something for the character. It was oh so brief, and in no way redeemed the book for me, but I was relieved that the past eight days of reading weren't a complete waste. Not as relieved as I am that I will never have to read another book by Berger for the rest of my life, but relieved.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Like Pulling Teeth
I was all ready to make comparisons between pulling teeth and reading deconstructionist fiction following my wisdom tooth removal today - but, the dental appointment was so much easier and more pleasant than reading 'G.'!
I love reading, and I've never really understood how someone could not enjoy it - fiction takes you out of your everyday life, while affirming your connections with the rest of humanity. It's a beautiful experience to read a book. Someone has imagined these characters, this world, these events and through the written word they have re-created their ideas within your own imagination - it is really an incredible feat, bordering on magic!
This novel is not providing anything even close to that. It's driving me a bit crazy. The story itself is not bad, but I simply cannot enjoy it with the constant interruptions of Berger writing about his writing. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I hate this novel. I had a moment of panic this afternoon when I decided that I would never read another book by Berger, and couldn't remember whether he had two Booker winners! Thankfully, another 124 pages and it's done. Plus, my next book is 'The Siege of Krishnapur' by J.G. Farrell, so things are looking up!
I love reading, and I've never really understood how someone could not enjoy it - fiction takes you out of your everyday life, while affirming your connections with the rest of humanity. It's a beautiful experience to read a book. Someone has imagined these characters, this world, these events and through the written word they have re-created their ideas within your own imagination - it is really an incredible feat, bordering on magic!
This novel is not providing anything even close to that. It's driving me a bit crazy. The story itself is not bad, but I simply cannot enjoy it with the constant interruptions of Berger writing about his writing. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I hate this novel. I had a moment of panic this afternoon when I decided that I would never read another book by Berger, and couldn't remember whether he had two Booker winners! Thankfully, another 124 pages and it's done. Plus, my next book is 'The Siege of Krishnapur' by J.G. Farrell, so things are looking up!
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