Friends – Activity – Jonathan

Daedalus replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum September Song 9 months, 1 week ago

I finally managed to read Ulysses earlier this year after numerous failed attempts over several decades (Middlemarch likewise). So I’m going to make the most of it!

Athelstone replied 9 months, 1 week ago

Good to know that other Denizens have issues reading classic works. I remember the professor of philosophy at university remarking that there were a few books that every educated person should read. One of them was “The Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann. Took me 40 years and 2 translations to become educated 😁
Libby replied 9 months, 1 week ago

Congratulations on finishing Ulysses. I’ve never even tried.
The thought of reading The Magic Mountain crosses my consciousness from time to time. But Ath, did the philosophy professor explain why it should be read?
- Athelstone replied 9 months, 1 week ago
  
  Not directly – or any of the other books on his list. I only remember a few. I suppose it was on his list because it gives an insight into how people think about life and death and some other major philosophical issues. My difficulty stems from myself, I think. I sometimes find it hard to read something that I’ve been told I ought to read. On…[Read more]
  - Daedalus replied 9 months, 1 week ago
    
    I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t heard of it, but a lot of non English language literature is not on my radar. As far as Ulysses is concerned, I can see why it is important, and I enjoyed parts of it very much, but it was a tough read because with the style constantly changing, I couldn’t settle into it the way I generally can sooner or later. Middl…[Read more]
    - Silver replied 9 months, 1 week ago
      
      Haha, Rosamund Vincy really is the worst! Even worse than the executives indeeed. But so memorable! I found the political bits in Middlemarch hard to get through personally, but yes the introspection can be pretty lengthy too.
    - Athelstone replied 9 months, 1 week ago
      
      I read Middlemarch very quickly when I was 19 and still had the habit of reading 2 or 3 books every week. MM took me a whole week. I have no recollection of how I felt about it afterwards, because, in my usual way I was onto the next book. Parts of it have sort of emerged into my mind, and, if I’m honest my writing over the years. The book that…[Read more]
      - Libby replied 9 months, 1 week ago
        
        I enjoyed Middlemarch when I read it some years ago. I like politics in novels – didn’t mind those parts. As for Rosamund Vincy: poor Lydgate. The mistakes we make.
        The classic that’s had most impact recently is Wuthering Heights. I had to reread it for a book group or else wouldn’t have bothered. Teenage memories of a depressing story of a grim…[Read more]
Athelstone replied 9 months ago

Merle Oberon wasn’t the finest Catherine either. But Larry, dear Larry, was hopelessly miscast.
- Libby replied 9 months ago
  
  She did look as though she’d never been on a moor in her life.
  Here’s Larry, wondering if he’s done the right thing
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuthering_Heights_(1939_film)#/media/File:Laurence_Olivier_-_1939.jpg

Daedalus replied to the topic Choices in the forum September Song 9 months, 1 week ago

Snow

Ulysses

Daedalus joined the group September Song 9 months, 1 week ago

September Song

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Sandra replied to the topic Chit Chat in the forum September Song 9 months, 1 week ago

I pulled half a dozen titles from my shelves, in the hope they’d inspire me with characters and plot. In the end the one I chose hung around longest; re-reading it reminded me why it felt so memorable.