Wow! What an invitation! I love your description and reasoning! I personally have read the book as a teenager but I remember nothing other than it being a great book. When I was young, I was reading tons of classics, and I studied English and American literature including many of the authors you mention. Funny fact- back in communism, such literature was available because it was showing what they would call "the decaying capitalism" 😂. Then in the last years- I went into other type of reading and I don't go back to the classics. There is a part of me that longs for that, and for poetry, and I know that you are spot on with this invitation. Such literature cannot be compared with any other reading.... So, let's see... I am not fully ready to dive in but maybe you are shifting something... I will report how I do on that.
It’s so funny you know because although I grew up in America, my kids are growing up in Australia, and yet in high school they are reading some of the same classics I did. To kill a Mockingbird. Slaughterhouse five. Even the grapes of wrath! it was so weird when my Australian stepchildren were talking about Lenny and George … that’s when I realised that that’s what they were reading in their English class in year 10. Since this is the second time recently that this novel has appeared on my radar, I reckon it’s a sign to reread it, so thank you!
That's great! I had also thought to mention Slaugherhouse Five. Also Fahrenheit 451!
I'm glad they're reading these books, Michelle. And I hope American teachers continue to assign them, too... I wonder if American kids are reading any Aussie novels? Thorn Birds? ;-) Kidding!
thanks for this i have wanted to read war and peace by tolstoy for some time, but the book is so huge that i cannot hold it. looking for a paperback in three volumes.
I hear you, Lois! I have wanted to read that, too. And Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky eventuallement. Thank you. And I hope you find the 3 volumes.
I read War and Peace after having graduated from college with a BA in Russian Literature without ever having read it! What?! (Just goes to show how many incredible Russian writers there are.) I bought the paperback and cut it up into small sections and read it on my dinner breaks at work. I know - sacrilege. But I never would have started it let alone finished it if I hadn't done that. Hopefully, Tolstoy cares more that I took the time to read it than that I mangled the book. Even in translation, the sweeping beauty of the writing comes through.
What a great idea, Ellen! It reminds me of chopping up my huge India Lonely Planet which was 1000 pages and was more of a doorstop than anything after a while... I'm impressed you read it and wow - that is a wild story about graduating with a degree in Russian Lit too! Impressive! (You'd have something in common with journalist Matt Taibbi, who you might know of, of course. Matt became a russophile after falling in love with Russian writers specifically humor and absurdity and ended up going to college there while still under Soviet rule...)
Lol about the doorstop and cool about Matt Taibbi. I didn't know that. I studied there for a semester after I graduated, also during Soviet times but during the transition. In fact, my program was pushed back a semester due to the unrest. Wish I could say I'm fluent but I'm not and never was (though spending time there helped improve my baseline at the time). But I haven't practiced speaking for decades.
Just seeing the photo of “The Migrant Mother” took me to the photos of the massive planetary migrations today. Pain, suffering, hunger, hopelessness all emanating from the tent. Not a breath of aliveness to shift the stagnant pool of despair
Wow! What an invitation! I love your description and reasoning! I personally have read the book as a teenager but I remember nothing other than it being a great book. When I was young, I was reading tons of classics, and I studied English and American literature including many of the authors you mention. Funny fact- back in communism, such literature was available because it was showing what they would call "the decaying capitalism" 😂. Then in the last years- I went into other type of reading and I don't go back to the classics. There is a part of me that longs for that, and for poetry, and I know that you are spot on with this invitation. Such literature cannot be compared with any other reading.... So, let's see... I am not fully ready to dive in but maybe you are shifting something... I will report how I do on that.
It’s so funny you know because although I grew up in America, my kids are growing up in Australia, and yet in high school they are reading some of the same classics I did. To kill a Mockingbird. Slaughterhouse five. Even the grapes of wrath! it was so weird when my Australian stepchildren were talking about Lenny and George … that’s when I realised that that’s what they were reading in their English class in year 10. Since this is the second time recently that this novel has appeared on my radar, I reckon it’s a sign to reread it, so thank you!
That's great! I had also thought to mention Slaugherhouse Five. Also Fahrenheit 451!
I'm glad they're reading these books, Michelle. And I hope American teachers continue to assign them, too... I wonder if American kids are reading any Aussie novels? Thorn Birds? ;-) Kidding!
If you read Grapes of Wrath, do let me know.
thanks for this i have wanted to read war and peace by tolstoy for some time, but the book is so huge that i cannot hold it. looking for a paperback in three volumes.
I hear you, Lois! I have wanted to read that, too. And Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky eventuallement. Thank you. And I hope you find the 3 volumes.
please call my lolo. really need to change my name on line. lois does not live here anymore!!!! old incarnation. love to you lolo
You bet, Lolo!
I read War and Peace after having graduated from college with a BA in Russian Literature without ever having read it! What?! (Just goes to show how many incredible Russian writers there are.) I bought the paperback and cut it up into small sections and read it on my dinner breaks at work. I know - sacrilege. But I never would have started it let alone finished it if I hadn't done that. Hopefully, Tolstoy cares more that I took the time to read it than that I mangled the book. Even in translation, the sweeping beauty of the writing comes through.
What a great idea, Ellen! It reminds me of chopping up my huge India Lonely Planet which was 1000 pages and was more of a doorstop than anything after a while... I'm impressed you read it and wow - that is a wild story about graduating with a degree in Russian Lit too! Impressive! (You'd have something in common with journalist Matt Taibbi, who you might know of, of course. Matt became a russophile after falling in love with Russian writers specifically humor and absurdity and ended up going to college there while still under Soviet rule...)
Lol about the doorstop and cool about Matt Taibbi. I didn't know that. I studied there for a semester after I graduated, also during Soviet times but during the transition. In fact, my program was pushed back a semester due to the unrest. Wish I could say I'm fluent but I'm not and never was (though spending time there helped improve my baseline at the time). But I haven't practiced speaking for decades.
Amazing!!!
Just seeing the photo of “The Migrant Mother” took me to the photos of the massive planetary migrations today. Pain, suffering, hunger, hopelessness all emanating from the tent. Not a breath of aliveness to shift the stagnant pool of despair
yes, I know. The one positive is the compassion evoked and the inspiration to reduce any suffering little by little. Thank you, Anne. Much love.
Hey there Erin, I couldn't agree with you more. I just read "great expectations" by Charles Dickens. It is fabulous !! as is "Madame Bovary"
Thank you, Dana! I just picked up Bovary from a free box - it's on my list! And I'll keep my eye out for a copy of Expectations, too.