Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
p1doc said:
it just meanders around subject with no real interesting information-lots of background very disappointing
A shame. I'll keep it on my to-read list but I'll keep your thoughts in mind. Do you know of any other (better) books on the subject? I've been reading more than I've been posting again, following a run to the library for a few more books. First on the reading list was "Motherland" by Jo McMillan, a mother-daughter story set in the late 1970s and early 1980s across England and East Berlin. It's not an especially long novel (I read it cover to cover in one day) but it certainly captures the period before the Soviet Union came tumbling down. The ending was a little lacklustre but I enjoyed the descriptions of the East, and the idea of revisiting Germany seemed more appealing in the hours and days afterwards.
Second, and the book I'm just after finishing, was "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. I've never read the Beats before, but I've tried to find out more to better understand their attitudes and beliefs. I have seen a great many references to "On the Road" online, to the point where I had thought it required reading in parts of America.
All this, and I can't decide whether I liked it or not. I love the idea of being able to drop everything and simply travel on a whim. Given the choice, right now, I'd be in Germany adventuring from Aachen to Zwickau and back again. Yet I wouldn't do it with Kerouac's posse of friends and acquaintances, whom I largely found unlikeable.
Next: "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Erich Maria Remarque. Depending on how closely you read my posts you'll remember I read "Under Fire" by Henri Barbusse beforehand, and both books are cut from the same cloth as contemporary WWI fiction.
Levin said:
Second, and the book I'm just after finishing, was "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac. I've never read the Beats before, but I've tried to find out more to better understand their attitudes and beliefs. I have seen a great many references to "On the Road" online, to the point where I had thought it required reading in parts of America.
I tried reading this when I was 16 or so and just couldn't get on with it - it's been sat on my shelf ever since, I really should give it another try... K50 DEL said:
I tried reading this when I was 16 or so and just couldn't get on with it - it's been sat on my shelf ever since, I really should give it another try...
If you find "On the Road" a struggle to read, you could try treating it as a collection of novellas. Given that it's structured as five distinct parts (with Part Four and Part Five being the only two very closely connected), it could make it more palatable. Each part is about sixty pages long, depending on the edition you're reading. Looking at it that way, Part Two was my favourite.I'm after finishing "All Quiet on the Western Front". In case it's worth mentioning, I read the newer translation by Brian Murdoch as opposed to the earlier Wheen translation. I'm not sure how much they differ, but the Afterword in the Murdoch translation is tremendous. Given how few forewords/afterwords are read, I hope that underlines how satisfying it was to read. There are similarities between "Under Fire" by Henri Barbusse and this, similarities I would imagine are inherent to WWI fiction, but together they make a satisfying combination.
Next up is "Heart of Darkness", by Joseph Conrad. I know very little about it, or about Conrad. Again, it's considered a classic so I may as well educate myself as to why.
You'll probably know that HoD was the template for 'Apocalypse Now ' . Conrad's first language wasn't English and you will encounter examples of his sometimes odd usage this in the book- the one I learned was that whilst we'd say 'a long dark shadow ' Conrad would say 'a dark , long shadow' which gives it a different nuance of meaning .
coppice said:
You'll probably know that HoD was the template for 'Apocalypse Now ' . Conrad's first language wasn't English and you will encounter examples of his sometimes odd usage this in the book- the one I learned was that whilst we'd say 'a long dark shadow ' Conrad would say 'a dark , long shadow' which gives it a different nuance of meaning .
You're absolutely right, I did notice some unusual language in the book, but it's still quite beautifully written. It falls into a similar spot as Machiavelli's "The Prince", I think, as many of their core elements have since become more familiar to modern audiences, even if the original works aren't known. As you've pointed out, "Apocalypse Now" uses Conrad's book as a template (believe it or not, I've never seen it!). "Far Cry 2", a game released in 2008, also uses it as a template. I wish I had known that at the time, for while I thought the game was a bit crap, it gives it a bit more appeal. All in all, it's one I'm not sure I enjoyed, but I'm glad to have read it.
I've since moved on to a book entitled "The First Nazi: Erich Ludendorff", authored by Will Brownell and Denise Drace-Brownell (with Alex Rovt). It makes for exceedingly easy reading... which worries me. Many of the Amazon reviews are critical, and the opening paragraph frames the outbreak of WWI in a very odd light - Franz Ferdinand is referred to as a 'mere archduke'. It's a line I have seen repeated elsewhere, and it never ceases to raise an eyebrow. Ferdinand was heir (presumptive) to the throne, after all, not an obscure member of the nobility.
I'm not sure. I'll keep going.
Two weeks on hols,managed:
Walking On Glass - Iain Banks
The Player Of Games - Iain M Banks
The Bridge - Iain Banks
Use Of Weapons - Iain M Banks
Sweet Little Lies - Caz Frear (debut, nice sardonic narrative voice, many cliches, but a good first effort.
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Running Wild - Michael Morporgu - brilliant.
Gods Without Men - Hari Kunzru - genius (nearly).
Walking On Glass - Iain Banks
The Player Of Games - Iain M Banks
The Bridge - Iain Banks
Use Of Weapons - Iain M Banks
Sweet Little Lies - Caz Frear (debut, nice sardonic narrative voice, many cliches, but a good first effort.
Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Running Wild - Michael Morporgu - brilliant.
Gods Without Men - Hari Kunzru - genius (nearly).
Levin said:
You're absolutely right, I did notice some unusual language in the book, but it's still quite beautifully written. It falls into a similar spot as Machiavelli's "The Prince", I think, as many of their core elements have since become more familiar to modern audiences, even if the original works aren't known.
As you've pointed out, "Apocalypse Now" uses Conrad's book as a template (believe it or not, I've never seen it!). "Far Cry 2", a game released in 2008, also uses it as a template. I wish I had known that at the time, for while I thought the game was a bit crap, it gives it a bit more appeal. All in all, it's one I'm not sure I enjoyed, but I'm glad to have read it.
I've since moved on to a book entitled "The First Nazi: Erich Ludendorff", authored by Will Brownell and Denise Drace-Brownell (with Alex Rovt). It makes for exceedingly easy reading... which worries me. Many of the Amazon reviews are critical, and the opening paragraph frames the outbreak of WWI in a very odd light - Franz Ferdinand is referred to as a 'mere archduke'. It's a line I have seen repeated elsewhere, and it never ceases to raise an eyebrow. Ferdinand was heir (presumptive) to the throne, after all, not an obscure member of the nobility.
I'm not sure. I'll keep going.
I recall some time in the distant past, having just read 'Lord Jim' (Conrad), and was on a blind date of sorts with a young lady who had a phd for the very same location and time period as the book. Of course I eventually worked into the conversation that I had read the book (a base attempt to pretend to a level of intellectualism to which I had no real claim), to which she smugly cut me dead by declaring "Conrad was a fAs you've pointed out, "Apocalypse Now" uses Conrad's book as a template (believe it or not, I've never seen it!). "Far Cry 2", a game released in 2008, also uses it as a template. I wish I had known that at the time, for while I thought the game was a bit crap, it gives it a bit more appeal. All in all, it's one I'm not sure I enjoyed, but I'm glad to have read it.
I've since moved on to a book entitled "The First Nazi: Erich Ludendorff", authored by Will Brownell and Denise Drace-Brownell (with Alex Rovt). It makes for exceedingly easy reading... which worries me. Many of the Amazon reviews are critical, and the opening paragraph frames the outbreak of WWI in a very odd light - Franz Ferdinand is referred to as a 'mere archduke'. It's a line I have seen repeated elsewhere, and it never ceases to raise an eyebrow. Ferdinand was heir (presumptive) to the throne, after all, not an obscure member of the nobility.
I'm not sure. I'll keep going.
king racist".It was some few years later that I finally understood that her critical approach was post-modern deconstructionist nonsense and that her 'understanding' of the subject would be as useful as a 2-ply tissue rain coat in a hurricane.
It's the only Conrad I have read, so far, but (as long as it's been in between books), will not be the last having 'Heart of Darkness', 'Victory' and 'The Secret Agent' in my 'to read' pile.
Screw her (No. I didn't. Even at that tender age I had some standards.), he's a good writer and story teller!
Sadly the GoodReads reviews of 'The First Nazi' are not favourable either.
It is a shame. Accurate, detailed and interesting histories of that so critical period of the late 19th to early 20th century are far too rare, and the period is sadly ignored by documentary film makers. The events and ideologies of that time that brought about the First war, the rise of German National Socialism and the terror of the Bolsheviks are critical to understanding so much of our world today.
I expect I will will give that one a miss.
I'm glad you provided the opportunity for me to look that one up before I had blindly grabbed it off the shelf of a book store.
TheChampers said:
Two weeks on hols,managed:
'Read a lot of Iain / Ian M Banks'
Mr. Banks is truly missed.'Read a lot of Iain / Ian M Banks'
What a wonderfully twisted mind he had!
I had the double shock of learning of both his death and that of David Gemmel on the same day (though Gemmel had passed some considerable time before), while in the local Waterstones.
The realisation that I had already read all of each of their works, excluding only at the time, Banks's 'swan song' 'The Quarry', was quite distressing. I could never again read a new book by either. I was 'on a downer' all week.
DickyC said:
For Whom The Bell Tolls - Hemingway.
Just wonderful. The word you read in reviews of his work is 'Gripping.' It is that.
If the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War seems too much, try The Old Man And The Sea or Islands In The Stream.
Ahh, another old time incorrigible Just wonderful. The word you read in reviews of his work is 'Gripping.' It is that.
If the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War seems too much, try The Old Man And The Sea or Islands In The Stream.
A truly brilliant story teller and all great reads.
The Spanish civil war is crucial to early to mid 20th century politics.
The socialists and the Soviet backed Marxists being (rightly) seen as the underdogs defending justice and democracy against a anti-democratic and brutal revolutionary enemy.
The support offered by so many famous volunteers from the US and UK, skewed the perceptions, and levels of support for communist states at a critical time in history. Though it planted the seeds of truth and doubts about communism in Orwell's mind.
'For Whom The Bell Tolls' is not to be missed, both for it's literary and historical value.
For my own part, I have just completed 'Foma Gordyeeff' (several spellings of the last name are common) by Gorky.
Well written and well translated (as it seems to me), it was an easy read (especially for a Russian novel
), but my interest waned shortly after the middle as it seemed to become a bit 'samey', lacking any real progress or enhancement.
The outcome, though it could be extrapolated earlier, only becomes fully evident in the final chapter. Sadly though it begins in a surprising fashion, the outcome is unsurprising and lacking, in my opinion, of any useful lesson or 'moral'.
So yes, Gorky wrote well and descriptively, in apparently easy though (as one should expect) moderately formal language. The dialogue flows well, and the issues/concerns of the protagonist are readily comprehended, and to a degree he is to be admired for asking 'his question', however I don't believe the answer is so illusive as Gorky portrays it to be. Nor does he, again in my opinion, provide a hint in the direction to look for an answer.
I don't plan to avoid Gorky in the future (aside from his Soviet era propaganda), but as far as I can tell, a Dostoevsky he was not.
I remain open to criticism on that point however.
One of my finds in the local charity shops was an enormous John Steinbeck anthology (950 pages), including 'The Grapes of Wrath' (previously read), 'East of Eden', 'Cannery Row', 'The Moon is Down' and 'Of Mice and Men'.
I've never read 'Of Mice and Men', so I thought it was well past time that I did so. I have seen several excellent film versions, so the story is familiar enough.
Steinbeck is an excellent writer and a real pleasure to read. For anyone who thinks the Russians had cornered the market in depressing novels; I offer you 'The Grapes of Wrath'. As fine an inducement to cutting ones own throat as exists in the literary world
Well written and well translated (as it seems to me), it was an easy read (especially for a Russian novel
), but my interest waned shortly after the middle as it seemed to become a bit 'samey', lacking any real progress or enhancement.The outcome, though it could be extrapolated earlier, only becomes fully evident in the final chapter. Sadly though it begins in a surprising fashion, the outcome is unsurprising and lacking, in my opinion, of any useful lesson or 'moral'.
So yes, Gorky wrote well and descriptively, in apparently easy though (as one should expect) moderately formal language. The dialogue flows well, and the issues/concerns of the protagonist are readily comprehended, and to a degree he is to be admired for asking 'his question', however I don't believe the answer is so illusive as Gorky portrays it to be. Nor does he, again in my opinion, provide a hint in the direction to look for an answer.
I don't plan to avoid Gorky in the future (aside from his Soviet era propaganda), but as far as I can tell, a Dostoevsky he was not.
I remain open to criticism on that point however.
One of my finds in the local charity shops was an enormous John Steinbeck anthology (950 pages), including 'The Grapes of Wrath' (previously read), 'East of Eden', 'Cannery Row', 'The Moon is Down' and 'Of Mice and Men'.
I've never read 'Of Mice and Men', so I thought it was well past time that I did so. I have seen several excellent film versions, so the story is familiar enough.
Steinbeck is an excellent writer and a real pleasure to read. For anyone who thinks the Russians had cornered the market in depressing novels; I offer you 'The Grapes of Wrath'. As fine an inducement to cutting ones own throat as exists in the literary world
Coming to the last few pages of Robert Harris' Conclave. I like most of his books, Fatherland & Pompeii in particular but this one was a disappointment. The style is the same as all the others as you would expect & he spins a reasonable yarn out of thinnish subject matter but my oh my is it signposted. You'd have to be Mr Magoo not to see what's coming from about a third of the way through. I'll probably give Munich a go at some point but this one isn't among his best by a long chalk.
Eddie Strohacker said:
Coming to the last few pages of Robert Harris' Conclave. I like most of his books, Fatherland & Pompeii in particular but this one was a disappointment. The style is the same as all the others as you would expect & he spins a reasonable yarn out of thinnish subject matter but my oh my is it signposted. You'd have to be Mr Magoo not to see what's coming from about a third of the way through. I'll probably give Munich a go at some point but this one isn't among his best by a long chalk.
Call me Mr Magoo then - I didn't see that final twist coming!Not his best book, but I'm a sucker for Harris so I enjoyed it anyway. If you haven't read it, "An Officer and a Spy" is really good - very interesting retelling of the Dreyfus affair
I'm on my phone so quoting is an ordeal, but great find on that Steinbeck anthology! 'The Moon is Down' is the single Steinbeck book I've been especially keen to read, and it is not easily found.
Still plodding through 'The First Nazi' as well, but having read the reviews my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened.
Still plodding through 'The First Nazi' as well, but having read the reviews my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened.
Levin said:
I'm on my phone so quoting is an ordeal, but great find on that Steinbeck anthology! 'The Moon is Down' is the single Steinbeck book I've been especially keen to read, and it is not easily found.
Still plodding through 'The First Nazi' as well, but having read the reviews my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened.
Sadly, as I think I've said in past posts, locating many works is becoming more and more difficult as publishers seem reluctant to publish reprints in paper form.Still plodding through 'The First Nazi' as well, but having read the reviews my enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened.
Weirdly I found on the same day, in a different shop on the same street, a similar Orwell anthology of 925 pages, including 'Animal Farm', 'Burmese Days', 'A Clergyman's Daughter', 'Coming up for Air', 'Keep the Aspidistra Flying' and '1984'.
(Of course, I've already read 'Animal Farm' and '1984', which form 1/3 of the book, but what can you do?)
Both ultimately compiled and published by Secker & Warburg, in the late 70s - early 80s.
I have to admit, these are somewhat unwieldy, being in 9.5 x 6 inch hardback format. But a steal at £3 each and in excellent condition (including the dust covers).
Similarly to 'The First Nazi', I picked up a book called 'The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz' by Denis Avey with Rob Broomby, which sounded fascinating, only to find it heavily criticised by a number of journalists and reviewers claiming it to be a fake story or at best a fantasy of exaggeration.
I have considerably less interest in spending my time on it after reading their critiques.
I must get around to creating a specific post asking for opinions from others on it.
There are a considerable number of war history fanatics on PH.
Recently completed, "I am Pilgrim" by Terry Hayes in which a smart Alec from US "intelligence" goes on a globetrotting tour to avert a catastrophe on US soil. During said journey he pretty much ticks every box when it comes to the Alf Garnet school of racial stereotyping...organised Germans, corrupt Italians, crazy Turks....you get the idea. First quarter of the book ( or so ) was fine.....the rest was woeful. 1/5
Also...."Wool" by Hugh Howey. In two minds about this book, I kind of liked the main setup of planet earth in survival mode after some kind of post cataclysmic event. The various factions, initially seemed interesting, but...the symbology was too heavy handed...the story itself kind of morphed into a "Hunger Games" style fight against the oppressors. In the end I was just turning the pages to get it over with. Disappointed. 2/5
Halfway through "We are Legion" by Dennis Taylor.....jury still out....
Also...."Wool" by Hugh Howey. In two minds about this book, I kind of liked the main setup of planet earth in survival mode after some kind of post cataclysmic event. The various factions, initially seemed interesting, but...the symbology was too heavy handed...the story itself kind of morphed into a "Hunger Games" style fight against the oppressors. In the end I was just turning the pages to get it over with. Disappointed. 2/5
Halfway through "We are Legion" by Dennis Taylor.....jury still out....
TheChampers said:
Gods Without Men - Hari Kunzru - genius (nearly).
I always like finding new stuff, and this sounds, sort of, up my library aisle. This, and I've just noticed "White Tears". Not familiar with this author, and some mixed reviews about "Gods Without Men" (apparently due to poor ending) - but there's not many reviews around - any further comment you could bring?
Goaty Bill 2 said:
I don't plan to avoid Gorky in the future (aside from his Soviet era propaganda), but as far as I can tell, a Dostoevsky he was not. I remain open to criticism on that point however.
No criticism on the point as I've not read Gorky. Despite enjoying both Russian and German history, I'm very much on a diet of German history at the moment. That said, why not read some of his Soviet era propaganda? I would imagine that it might make an interesting point of reference for the future, with different historical events being contorted to fit the Soviet worldview.For much the same reason I'd like to read 'How the Steel Was Tempered', one of the socialist realist novels written in the 1930s. The Wikipedia article doesn't make it sound like an especially exciting read but propaganda is never boring. The Stakhanovite movement and parable of Pavel Morozov are testament to propaganda's success in the USSR, receiving a media frenzy I would imagine a new Gorky article or socialist realist novel would not. Gorky is meant to be the progenitor of socialist realism and, on more than one occasion, I've been tempted to buy Sholokov's 'And Quiet Flows the Don', itself a piece of socialist realist history.
K12beano said:
TheChampers said:
Gods Without Men - Hari Kunzru - genius (nearly).
I always like finding new stuff, and this sounds, sort of, up my library aisle. This, and I've just noticed "White Tears". Not familiar with this author, and some mixed reviews about "Gods Without Men" (apparently due to poor ending) - but there's not many reviews around - any further comment you could bring?
I think it is well worth a read, given the above.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff