I'm ready to try again if anyone else would like. I hear you, Carl, on Lost Symbol but I've already read it. Let's discuss, though, if anyone else would like to be in.
How about a new book? I'm raring to read the Book Thief or a Vonnegut. What do you guys think?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A Confederacy of Dunces
I suppose if everyone has confederated against me as the (possibly) only GRMBCFM member who truly, wholeheartedly (or maybe only openly) enjoyed the book (does Jake's post count as a high endorsement?), and provided the rest of the club might be somehow classified as dunces (not likely in this crowd, but maybe someone could make the case), I think, using Swift's test, a true genius may have appeared. Yes. You may now line up to congratulate me. In return, I offer my consolations.
Granted, I found a few parts slower than others. But I suppose we might have expected as much from a Pulitzer Prize winner (anybody read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay? Good, but long.) In the immortal (?) words of Randy Jackson, "For me, for [it], for me" the length was appreciated, since I enjoyed the tangled web of characters and events which had me curious about how they'd eventually intertwine and conclude.
In anticipation of sharing my thoughts (finally), I have pulled out my copy to peruse anew. Seeing certain choice parts again--the searing letter to pants distributer I. Abelman, Mongoloid, Esq. ("Our loyal and dependable outlets can vend any trouser bearing the Levy label no matter how abominable their design and construction. You are apparently a faithless people."), the notebook signings from "Gary, your Militant Working Boy"/"Darryl, Your Working Boy"/"Tab, Your Pacifist Working Boy," and the deeply weird correspondence between Myrna and Ignatius--I'd like to reread the whole thing. I loved the New Orleans setting, the bizarre happenings, the oddly realistic characters. The Hungarian missionary in me appreciates the Night of Joy boy's line about Ignatius "flouncing around the streets like some sort of Hungarian Joan of Arc." He continues, "That earring. It's so Magyar." Yeah: I've met about a million Hungarians, but I could not tell you what a Magyar earring looks like. Still . . . .
As a teacher of British literature, I loved the references to medieval literature and art (although much of it was over my head.) And considering Ignatius's letters, I hope I'll never receive a one from "Zorro" informing me that "[my] total ignorance of that which [I] profess to teach merits the death penalty." But hearing such a line directed at others just makes me laugh. I wish I had a cold Dr. Nut right now. I'd just sit and sip its almondy goodness and snicker.
Granted, I found a few parts slower than others. But I suppose we might have expected as much from a Pulitzer Prize winner (anybody read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay? Good, but long.) In the immortal (?) words of Randy Jackson, "For me, for [it], for me" the length was appreciated, since I enjoyed the tangled web of characters and events which had me curious about how they'd eventually intertwine and conclude.
In anticipation of sharing my thoughts (finally), I have pulled out my copy to peruse anew. Seeing certain choice parts again--the searing letter to pants distributer I. Abelman, Mongoloid, Esq. ("Our loyal and dependable outlets can vend any trouser bearing the Levy label no matter how abominable their design and construction. You are apparently a faithless people."), the notebook signings from "Gary, your Militant Working Boy"/"Darryl, Your Working Boy"/"Tab, Your Pacifist Working Boy," and the deeply weird correspondence between Myrna and Ignatius--I'd like to reread the whole thing. I loved the New Orleans setting, the bizarre happenings, the oddly realistic characters. The Hungarian missionary in me appreciates the Night of Joy boy's line about Ignatius "flouncing around the streets like some sort of Hungarian Joan of Arc." He continues, "That earring. It's so Magyar." Yeah: I've met about a million Hungarians, but I could not tell you what a Magyar earring looks like. Still . . . .
As a teacher of British literature, I loved the references to medieval literature and art (although much of it was over my head.) And considering Ignatius's letters, I hope I'll never receive a one from "Zorro" informing me that "[my] total ignorance of that which [I] profess to teach merits the death penalty." But hearing such a line directed at others just makes me laugh. I wish I had a cold Dr. Nut right now. I'd just sit and sip its almondy goodness and snicker.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Red pill, or blue pill?
There have been a few book suggestions so far for what to read next, I'd like to throw the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol, into the hat for a fun read. Perhaps another poll Gavin?
But first of all- by show of hands: who is willing to both read and comment on a new book? It's ok if ya'll are too busy, unless your name is Scott. Sorry Scott, you don't have an option. That's right, I'm callin you out, Mr. Radio Silence. You are the common thread to this group, so man up to your call to team captain and lead some discussion!
But first of all- by show of hands: who is willing to both read and comment on a new book? It's ok if ya'll are too busy, unless your name is Scott. Sorry Scott, you don't have an option. That's right, I'm callin you out, Mr. Radio Silence. You are the common thread to this group, so man up to your call to team captain and lead some discussion!
Dunces Reborn
Since I know everyone has been secretly hoping to land the lead role in a screen adaptation of Confederancy of Dunces, I'm here to bring you the bad news: you're too late. Jon Heder's already beat you to it.
We innocently rented Mama's Boy last week, mainly to support our boy from Utah. Turns out, it's the same basic story set in modern times, with a Napoleon-ic Heder doing his version of the angry home-body scholar- that is except the obese part. I guess there wasn't room in the budget for a Big Mamma-esque fat suit.
In brief, I can't say I recommend the movie (suffering from the same strange humor as the book), but if you're curious what Hollywood would have done with it, here's your answer.
ps. Scott, you recommended the book, I think it's your duty to make some comments about it, so we can all feel some closure.
We innocently rented Mama's Boy last week, mainly to support our boy from Utah. Turns out, it's the same basic story set in modern times, with a Napoleon-ic Heder doing his version of the angry home-body scholar- that is except the obese part. I guess there wasn't room in the budget for a Big Mamma-esque fat suit.
In brief, I can't say I recommend the movie (suffering from the same strange humor as the book), but if you're curious what Hollywood would have done with it, here's your answer.
ps. Scott, you recommended the book, I think it's your duty to make some comments about it, so we can all feel some closure.
Hunger Games Triology
I know it is young adult literature.
I know it is so popular it makes your head hurt.
But I also know that both Jake and I read all 765 pages of the Suzanne Collins trilogy that we poses in our home in under 3 days.
I would suggest it for our next read.... but since it doesn't seem that we are doing that really. I will just suggest that you READ it.
I did not read- and still adamantly refuse to read Twilight. But I imagine The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are like if Twilight and Ender's Game had a baby. A very, very gruesome, baby.
It is the only book ever I have googled to see when I can get the next installment. Answer- Aug 24, 2010.
I know it is so popular it makes your head hurt.
But I also know that both Jake and I read all 765 pages of the Suzanne Collins trilogy that we poses in our home in under 3 days.
I would suggest it for our next read.... but since it doesn't seem that we are doing that really. I will just suggest that you READ it.
I did not read- and still adamantly refuse to read Twilight. But I imagine The Hunger Games and Catching Fire are like if Twilight and Ender's Game had a baby. A very, very gruesome, baby.
It is the only book ever I have googled to see when I can get the next installment. Answer- Aug 24, 2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)