Books - What are you reading?
Discussion
I completed 'Homage to Catalonia' by Orwell yesterday.
I really enjoy his style, and it was very interesting to read the perspective of someone present in Barcelona in the early days of the revolution. An entire chapter devoted to the political wranglings of the various socialist/anarchist/Marxist/Soviet influenced communists is hard work, but insightful. Much as the histories I have read have portrayed it.
It is refreshing to read, in these days where every writer and publication and news report is focussed on pushing their personal or corporate agenda, at the end Orwell finishes;
"It is difficult to be certain about anything except what you have seen with your own eyes, and consciously or unconsciously everyone writes as a partisan. In case I have not said this somewhere earlier in the book I will say it now: beware of my partisanship, my mistakes of fact, and the distortion inevitably caused by my having seen only one corner of events. And beware of exactly the same things when you read any other book on this period of the Spanish war."
The effects of this war, and how it was portrayed in the main stream press and the revolutionary press at the time had dire consequences.
The popular belief that the socialist government was in the 'right' and that the fascists must be defeated at all costs (a quite correct view in my opinion as well I might add), seems to have given many people at the time a distorted view that communism was not such a bad thing, in much the same way Stalin was over popularised during the second world war because he was (for that short time) our ally, and prevented the press and commentators from focussing (and the information was already available for them to find cause to do so), on the evils being perpetrated by the Bolsheviks on their own people.
It will cause some people no doubt to become apoplectic when they read Orwell describing the Soviet backed communists as 'right wing', and as doing everything they could to stop the socialist/anarchist revolution that could have led to the removal of a corrupt ruling class, (which Franco also wished to restore), and indeed supported the return to the status quo of pre-war Spain with a right wing communist government under the influence of the USSR.
His hatred for fascism constantly shines though, and little doubt this period assisted on his journey to find as much fault with and dislike for communism as he had for fascism.
Animal Farm is an allegorical polemic of Stalinist Russia, but his descriptions in '1984', aside from the obvious visual similarity between Big Brother and Stalin could have been either sort of totalitarianism.
And so, for the next few days I am 'Down and Out in Paris and London', again compliments of Mr. Orwell
I really enjoy his style, and it was very interesting to read the perspective of someone present in Barcelona in the early days of the revolution. An entire chapter devoted to the political wranglings of the various socialist/anarchist/Marxist/Soviet influenced communists is hard work, but insightful. Much as the histories I have read have portrayed it.
It is refreshing to read, in these days where every writer and publication and news report is focussed on pushing their personal or corporate agenda, at the end Orwell finishes;
"It is difficult to be certain about anything except what you have seen with your own eyes, and consciously or unconsciously everyone writes as a partisan. In case I have not said this somewhere earlier in the book I will say it now: beware of my partisanship, my mistakes of fact, and the distortion inevitably caused by my having seen only one corner of events. And beware of exactly the same things when you read any other book on this period of the Spanish war."
The effects of this war, and how it was portrayed in the main stream press and the revolutionary press at the time had dire consequences.
The popular belief that the socialist government was in the 'right' and that the fascists must be defeated at all costs (a quite correct view in my opinion as well I might add), seems to have given many people at the time a distorted view that communism was not such a bad thing, in much the same way Stalin was over popularised during the second world war because he was (for that short time) our ally, and prevented the press and commentators from focussing (and the information was already available for them to find cause to do so), on the evils being perpetrated by the Bolsheviks on their own people.
It will cause some people no doubt to become apoplectic when they read Orwell describing the Soviet backed communists as 'right wing', and as doing everything they could to stop the socialist/anarchist revolution that could have led to the removal of a corrupt ruling class, (which Franco also wished to restore), and indeed supported the return to the status quo of pre-war Spain with a right wing communist government under the influence of the USSR.
His hatred for fascism constantly shines though, and little doubt this period assisted on his journey to find as much fault with and dislike for communism as he had for fascism.
Animal Farm is an allegorical polemic of Stalinist Russia, but his descriptions in '1984', aside from the obvious visual similarity between Big Brother and Stalin could have been either sort of totalitarianism.
And so, for the next few days I am 'Down and Out in Paris and London', again compliments of Mr. Orwell
Original Post
Finished Ian Davidson's 'The French Revolution: From Enlightenment to Tyranny', which has been a reasonable primer on the subject. Certainly I know more about the Revolution now than after playing through 'Assassin's Creed Unity', but I understand also the criticism made in an Amazon review about it having only 'scant history' even if I do not totally agree.
That someone has managed to write a structured history of the French Revolution in 250 pages including figures more obscure to the layman, like Jean-Baptiste Carrier, is an achievement in itself. I won't pretend I know these figures intimately for in-depth assessment of their actions and motivations in such limited space would be difficult if not impossible. Davidson's writing is relatively dry but functional, and I again find myself acknowledging it as reflective of the book's limited length.
In order to fully realise the conclusions Davidson has drawn I will likely have to find more coverage of the Revolution with which to continue learning. I have other books I'd like to read before doing this, so it may take some time before I revisit Revolutionary France. If anyone is more familiar with the subject, I would not be adverse to reading from the perspective of a Robespierrean. I see few reasons not to despise Robespierre so a contrary viewpoint will only broaden my understanding.
In the meantime, I've ended up in my local library gathering another few books which will doubtless rearrange my reading list once again. First is 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles, which is described as both a 'coming-of-age' story and as an 'American classic'. As I've already read a few of American literature's most holy texts, I may as well strike this one off the list too. The Amazon reviews make for some entertaining reading, with some hailing it as a masterpiece and others expressing such disgust as to warrant negative points on the scoring scale.
Second Post
(As nobody else has added to the thread since)
I finished reading 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles just now. It's not bad, but it's neither the best book I've read nor the best American novel I have read. Some of the description is quite vivid and I can see why it would appear on American curricula; you could compare narration and structure to 'The Great Gatsby' if not quite the era for example, but it is not as good a work as the latter. Though I haven't read 'Lord of the Flies' I know its general concept and could imagine seeing the two alongside each other. Discussions of homoerotic undertones in the story also lend it to the 'queer theory' field of critical studies, although Knowles himself has disavowed this reading of the story.
Next up, it's 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. I've seen the film and have heard that the novel is much more demented, featuring scenes we didn't get to see. In its own way I suppose you could argue it to be an American classic too, if not one frequently used in a high school environment. Based only on having seen both films it reminds me of Palahniuk's 'Fight Club', with both having massive cultural endurance.
You have inspired me to hunt through my local charity shops when I next get a chance. The best 'find' I can recall was a collection of Shakespeare's works some two years ago. Hindsight says I should have bought it, but foresight was lacking at the time. Were it not for the fact that the shop has since closed, its complete lack of foot traffic would not have ruled out the book's still being there. In an ideal world it would have been on the shelf alongside a complete edition of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', of which I am ashamed to admit I have only read 'The Pardoner's Tale'.
It is interesting that your local breed of beer enthusiasts enjoy any variant of Tennent's other than Super, that Scottish alternative to Carlsberg's Special Brew. At 9% ABV, it takes only a few cans to transform the dodgiest kebab in the land into a thing of beauty, but I believe a connoisseur of inebriation could wax lyrical about Buckfast, its almost syrupy consistency resting easily on the palate if not on the wallet. It should come as no surprise, then, that I don't own a formal hat at all, and that I can't remember wearing a tie for anything other than school and interviews.
Finished Ian Davidson's 'The French Revolution: From Enlightenment to Tyranny', which has been a reasonable primer on the subject. Certainly I know more about the Revolution now than after playing through 'Assassin's Creed Unity', but I understand also the criticism made in an Amazon review about it having only 'scant history' even if I do not totally agree.
That someone has managed to write a structured history of the French Revolution in 250 pages including figures more obscure to the layman, like Jean-Baptiste Carrier, is an achievement in itself. I won't pretend I know these figures intimately for in-depth assessment of their actions and motivations in such limited space would be difficult if not impossible. Davidson's writing is relatively dry but functional, and I again find myself acknowledging it as reflective of the book's limited length.
In order to fully realise the conclusions Davidson has drawn I will likely have to find more coverage of the Revolution with which to continue learning. I have other books I'd like to read before doing this, so it may take some time before I revisit Revolutionary France. If anyone is more familiar with the subject, I would not be adverse to reading from the perspective of a Robespierrean. I see few reasons not to despise Robespierre so a contrary viewpoint will only broaden my understanding.
In the meantime, I've ended up in my local library gathering another few books which will doubtless rearrange my reading list once again. First is 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles, which is described as both a 'coming-of-age' story and as an 'American classic'. As I've already read a few of American literature's most holy texts, I may as well strike this one off the list too. The Amazon reviews make for some entertaining reading, with some hailing it as a masterpiece and others expressing such disgust as to warrant negative points on the scoring scale.
Second Post
(As nobody else has added to the thread since)
I finished reading 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles just now. It's not bad, but it's neither the best book I've read nor the best American novel I have read. Some of the description is quite vivid and I can see why it would appear on American curricula; you could compare narration and structure to 'The Great Gatsby' if not quite the era for example, but it is not as good a work as the latter. Though I haven't read 'Lord of the Flies' I know its general concept and could imagine seeing the two alongside each other. Discussions of homoerotic undertones in the story also lend it to the 'queer theory' field of critical studies, although Knowles himself has disavowed this reading of the story.
Next up, it's 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. I've seen the film and have heard that the novel is much more demented, featuring scenes we didn't get to see. In its own way I suppose you could argue it to be an American classic too, if not one frequently used in a high school environment. Based only on having seen both films it reminds me of Palahniuk's 'Fight Club', with both having massive cultural endurance.
Goaty Bill 2 said:
'A' for Agreement. I'll accept that. Better than 'B' for b
ks in any case 
Oh, there is some terrible wastes of good pulp (I grew up in a paper mill town), in those shops too, believe me.
It's just a case of finding the gems.
University/college towns are the best, especially if they have a known focus on English literature. The second hand book shop in Englefield Green near Holloway was an absolute treasure trove. Sadly, closed shop and is entirely on line now, focussing on rare prints and a few very odd first editions.
On a good day I've come away with 8-10 books for less than £15. On a bad day, a single old paperback of Trotsky bullst
Interesting to note that this 1968 reprint of a 1960 publication specifically states "Paperbacks for the study of Communism and Marxism". In other words - to be read as one would read a book on Greek mythology; interesting, but not to be taken seriously.
Sadly for my book collection, the local intelligentsia don't 'pop off' quickly enough (pre-supposing any remain - see below) to keep me fully supplied, though I much appreciate the supplementary benefits (of books) that I do come across.
I have no idea where this strange breed of well read people are located, or if they make forays into the town or not, or if they have indeed all passed by now.
Certainly I have never met any of them in my travels locally. I am quite convinced it cannot be the sporters of kaleidoscopic hair styles that attend the 'university', nor the quaffers of Tennent's Extra thatinfest congregate in the town square most days.
It is probably somewhat prejudicial of me to exclude anyone who asks "going somewhere special", presumably on the basis that I am wearing a jacket, tie and fedora, though I do make every effort to give a civil and friendly response, and say "of course, have one of mine (cigarettes)".
Perhaps today there will be something interesting...
I wasn't kidding when I said I'd be a terrible teacher!ks in any case Oh, there is some terrible wastes of good pulp (I grew up in a paper mill town), in those shops too, believe me.
It's just a case of finding the gems.
University/college towns are the best, especially if they have a known focus on English literature. The second hand book shop in Englefield Green near Holloway was an absolute treasure trove. Sadly, closed shop and is entirely on line now, focussing on rare prints and a few very odd first editions.
On a good day I've come away with 8-10 books for less than £15. On a bad day, a single old paperback of Trotsky bulls
t Interesting to note that this 1968 reprint of a 1960 publication specifically states "Paperbacks for the study of Communism and Marxism". In other words - to be read as one would read a book on Greek mythology; interesting, but not to be taken seriously.
Sadly for my book collection, the local intelligentsia don't 'pop off' quickly enough (pre-supposing any remain - see below) to keep me fully supplied, though I much appreciate the supplementary benefits (of books) that I do come across.
I have no idea where this strange breed of well read people are located, or if they make forays into the town or not, or if they have indeed all passed by now.
Certainly I have never met any of them in my travels locally. I am quite convinced it cannot be the sporters of kaleidoscopic hair styles that attend the 'university', nor the quaffers of Tennent's Extra that
It is probably somewhat prejudicial of me to exclude anyone who asks "going somewhere special", presumably on the basis that I am wearing a jacket, tie and fedora, though I do make every effort to give a civil and friendly response, and say "of course, have one of mine (cigarettes)".
Perhaps today there will be something interesting...
You have inspired me to hunt through my local charity shops when I next get a chance. The best 'find' I can recall was a collection of Shakespeare's works some two years ago. Hindsight says I should have bought it, but foresight was lacking at the time. Were it not for the fact that the shop has since closed, its complete lack of foot traffic would not have ruled out the book's still being there. In an ideal world it would have been on the shelf alongside a complete edition of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', of which I am ashamed to admit I have only read 'The Pardoner's Tale'.
It is interesting that your local breed of beer enthusiasts enjoy any variant of Tennent's other than Super, that Scottish alternative to Carlsberg's Special Brew. At 9% ABV, it takes only a few cans to transform the dodgiest kebab in the land into a thing of beauty, but I believe a connoisseur of inebriation could wax lyrical about Buckfast, its almost syrupy consistency resting easily on the palate if not on the wallet. It should come as no surprise, then, that I don't own a formal hat at all, and that I can't remember wearing a tie for anything other than school and interviews.
Edited by Levin on Friday 25th August 23:21
Reference previous notes on 'Of Mice and Men', I came across Steinbeck's letter to Claire Luce, which I'd not seen or read before.
Oddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
Finished 'Down and Out in Paris and London' yesterday.
Brilliant piece of story telling, simply yet elegantly written, and again very revealing of Orwell's character and politics.
In combination with 'The Road to Wigan Pier', 'Homage to Catalonia' and this, you can not help but admire his toughness and strength of character.
People will never understand how fortunate we are today by comparison until they have read something like this.
Every country, every half century needs an Orwell to keep people grounded, and help them to see how much better life constantly becomes, (so far).
Oddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
Finished 'Down and Out in Paris and London' yesterday.
Brilliant piece of story telling, simply yet elegantly written, and again very revealing of Orwell's character and politics.
In combination with 'The Road to Wigan Pier', 'Homage to Catalonia' and this, you can not help but admire his toughness and strength of character.
People will never understand how fortunate we are today by comparison until they have read something like this.
Every country, every half century needs an Orwell to keep people grounded, and help them to see how much better life constantly becomes, (so far).
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Reference previous notes on 'Of Mice and Men', I came across Steinbeck's letter to Claire Luce, which I'd not seen or read before.
Oddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
Had to read it for my GCSE'sOddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
i have no love for that book due to being forced to read it lol
that and Educating Rita. <shudder>
SystemParanoia said:
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Reference previous notes on 'Of Mice and Men', I came across Steinbeck's letter to Claire Luce, which I'd not seen or read before.
Oddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
Had to read it for my GCSE'sOddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
i have no love for that book due to being forced to read it lol
that and Educating Rita. <shudder>
Goaty Bill 2 said:
SystemParanoia said:
Goaty Bill 2 said:
Reference previous notes on 'Of Mice and Men', I came across Steinbeck's letter to Claire Luce, which I'd not seen or read before.
Oddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
Had to read it for my GCSE'sOddly enough, it isn't far off how I would have characterised Curley's wife, though dramatisations I've seen have appeared considerably less sympathetic towards her.
I also understand very clearly why George had issues with her 'type', even if his assessment of her motivations were harsh and unfair.
And that's my blow struck for feminism this week.
i have no love for that book due to being forced to read it lol
that and Educating Rita. <shudder>
@SystemParanoia
I must pick up and re-read a copy of Lord of the Flies - my personal school days nemesis.
I think I disliked the film more than the book itself.
But what, if anything, does a 12/13 year old boy know about anything? So another chance it will have...
Recent foray into the local charity shops produced 'The Human Situation - Lectures at Santa Barbara, 1959' by Aldous Huxley, a first edition sixth impression hardback 'August 1914' by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (£1.49!), which I purchased as a reading copy to 'protect' my first/first, only to be reminded upon arrival at home that I have a first impression expanded second edition hardback (can you have a first edition of a second edition?), and 'The Insulted and Injured' or 'Insulted and Humiliated' by Fyodor Dostoevsky - Garnett translation..
After making, what I consider to be, a brave attempt on Trotsky I have to admit, I don't really understand how anyone can read anything by that man. Narrow minded pseudo-intellectual. What a complete arse. No proof, no provable evidence, simply a long string of statements of opinion. We owe comrade Stalin precisely one historical "thank you" for having this man liquidated.
At least Marx used reasoning, argument and examples.
So Dostoevsky, 'The Insulted and Injured' it is...
I must pick up and re-read a copy of Lord of the Flies - my personal school days nemesis.
I think I disliked the film more than the book itself.
But what, if anything, does a 12/13 year old boy know about anything? So another chance it will have...
Recent foray into the local charity shops produced 'The Human Situation - Lectures at Santa Barbara, 1959' by Aldous Huxley, a first edition sixth impression hardback 'August 1914' by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (£1.49!), which I purchased as a reading copy to 'protect' my first/first, only to be reminded upon arrival at home that I have a first impression expanded second edition hardback (can you have a first edition of a second edition?
), and 'The Insulted and Injured' or 'Insulted and Humiliated' by Fyodor Dostoevsky - Garnett translation..After making, what I consider to be, a brave attempt on Trotsky I have to admit, I don't really understand how anyone can read anything by that man. Narrow minded pseudo-intellectual. What a complete arse. No proof, no provable evidence, simply a long string of statements of opinion. We owe comrade Stalin precisely one historical "thank you" for having this man liquidated.
At least Marx used reasoning, argument and examples.
So Dostoevsky, 'The Insulted and Injured' it is...
I have just finished reading "Ten years of motors and motor racing 1896-1906" by Charles Jarrot. Written and published in 1906 it was reprinted in 1912, 1928 and 1956, I read the 1956 impression. A fascinating and well written account of his love of the open road races of those early years. Some of the phrasing gives an added interest in the way language has changed in the following 110 years. He takes you right into the action. How any of them survived I cannot tell. Recommended.
I've just finished the first NYPD Red book, which isn't bad for what it is. I've already read one as I buy them second hand and can't always stick to the running order, so one of the suspense bits wasn't. I've also done the new Michael Connelly book "The Late Show", with a new lead character.
I'm on "Ashes to Ashes" now, which is another Heckenbug book by Paul Finch, which is good so far. After that I've got a few Stephen Booth I haven't done, another three NYPD Red (or two if I can remember which one I've already done and skip it) and at least two Clive Cussler. Maybe a Simon Kernick, but the titles are so similar that I'm losing track of which I've read.
I'm on "Ashes to Ashes" now, which is another Heckenbug book by Paul Finch, which is good so far. After that I've got a few Stephen Booth I haven't done, another three NYPD Red (or two if I can remember which one I've already done and skip it) and at least two Clive Cussler. Maybe a Simon Kernick, but the titles are so similar that I'm losing track of which I've read.
Equilibrium25 said:
Now reading Blue Highways - A Journey into America by William Leaf-Moon.
Autobiographical account of a trip around the US, visiting small towns and using back roads/avoiding interstates where possible. Published in 1982.
Utterly immersive and really captures the feel of what those small towns were like back then. It's teaching me a lot of US-English too! Loving it, makes me want to hire a car and travel some of the same roads.
Wonderful book I have re-read several times.It's William Least Heat- Moon btw .River Horse is a more ambitious book and if not as accessible as Blue Highways is still excellent. Autobiographical account of a trip around the US, visiting small towns and using back roads/avoiding interstates where possible. Published in 1982.
Utterly immersive and really captures the feel of what those small towns were like back then. It's teaching me a lot of US-English too! Loving it, makes me want to hire a car and travel some of the same roads.
On The Road - a seminal book I read over British GP fri and sat (raceday then ) in 1977 and loved. And no , nothing much did happen , but that's just fine by me. I prefer style to plotting -but both ideally .
Goaty Bill 2 said:
@SystemParanoia
I must pick up and re-read a copy of Lord of the Flies - my personal school days nemesis.
I think I disliked the film more than the book itself.
But what, if anything, does a 12/13 year old boy know about anything? So another chance it will have...
Its going onto my list I must pick up and re-read a copy of Lord of the Flies - my personal school days nemesis.
I think I disliked the film more than the book itself.
But what, if anything, does a 12/13 year old boy know about anything? So another chance it will have...
Just got these through the post... free!
Luckily its relevant to me and Hopefully its not too dry ... i also hope the author is the Ian Livingstone i remember from the Choose your own adventure books
Edit :
Found one
Edited by SystemParanoia on Friday 1st September 15:15
Popped in to bring the conversation down from the Russian masters to something more lowbrow: Michael Connelly's new one, The Late Show.
It introduces a new lead character, Rene Ballard. It is though in every way a Bosch book, including the bordering on dull over-descriptive passages of operational minutiae.
Clearly Bosch is running out of road as he gets to 70, so Ballard in her 30's restarts the franchise in today's timeline.
Like Bosch? You'll like this.
It introduces a new lead character, Rene Ballard. It is though in every way a Bosch book, including the bordering on dull over-descriptive passages of operational minutiae.
Clearly Bosch is running out of road as he gets to 70, so Ballard in her 30's restarts the franchise in today's timeline.
Like Bosch? You'll like this.
Those of you into Ian Livingstone might enjoy this article I read in the Spectator recently.
2/3rds of the way through Soldier Spy by Tom Marcus, his account of working as a surveillance operator in MI5.
+ assuming no embellishments, it's a fascinating and scary insight into a world most don't even realise exists
- I can't warm to the guy. I know it takes a certain type of confidence and person to do a job like that but his constant bleating about his "special set of skills" and inference that all non-direct MI5 employees, plod, special branch etc. are beneath him wears a bit thin.
+ assuming no embellishments, it's a fascinating and scary insight into a world most don't even realise exists
- I can't warm to the guy. I know it takes a certain type of confidence and person to do a job like that but his constant bleating about his "special set of skills" and inference that all non-direct MI5 employees, plod, special branch etc. are beneath him wears a bit thin.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff