What are you currently reading?

[SimonNZ]

1/3 of the way into:



King's nonfiction freewheeling history and analysis of the horror genre. It's a pity he doesn't write more nonfiction, as this, like On Writing and some few scattered essays I've found is excellent. And, frankly, I'd be quite willing to trade away half of his fiction for one more more nonfiction (though the best of his fiction can be very good indeed).

I don't actually have the edition above, I just liked the author portrait. The one I have is an update with an additional chapter that includes much praise for The Blair Witch Project.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Rubáiyát. Omar Khayyám

[vers la flamme]

Rereading Alexander Pushkin's Tales of Belkin for, I think, the third time.



Pushkin was, of course, one of Russia's greatest writers, and though this is perhaps not one of his more profound works (I wouldn't know as I haven't read much else by him), great writers are meant to be read and reread. Much to admire in these stories; very humane writing. I would love to read some of his poetry, though I've heard it's well nigh untranslatable. Maybe someday I'll learn Russian, but it's not my highest priority at the moment.

[Artem]

Vladimir Nabokov translated Pushkin's Eugene Onegin. I haven't read it in English myself, but I bet it is a curious read.

[SimonNZ]

I used to have that. One slim volume of the poem and one big fat volume of his commentary.

[Mandryka]

I used to have that. One slim volume of the poem and one big fat volume of his commentary.

Like Pale Fire! I must dig that out and look at it again.

[vers la flamme]

Just started Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness



I found a copy of this Penguin Classics edition for $1 at a Goodwill thrift store earlier today and figured I'd give it a try. I know very little about Conrad except that he is extremely highly regarded by many, and in particular it seems he's something of a writer's writer. This is my first time reading anything of his. My first impression is that he is quite wordy, and that there is something about the protagonist, Marlow, that rubs me the wrong way. Can't say I'm quite hooked yet, but I will persist—it's a short book, in any case, at just over 100 pages.

[Artem]

I rarely leave books unfinished, but that one by Conrad I stopped reading after 30-40 pages or so.

Recently finished this book. It's my second by Drndic. It's a kaleidoscope kind of novel, with world/country/personal history mixed in one. I have mixed feelings about it, but Drndic is a great author. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[vers la flamme]

I rarely leave books unfinished, but that one by Conrad I stopped reading after 30-40 pages or so.

Afraid I'm about to do the same thing. It's a tough slog. I'd better leave it and return in a better state of mind.

[vers la flamme]

Last night I started William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying



So far, I'm really enjoying this. Though I may not always understand everything that's happening, it's not nearly as difficult as I was expecting.

[aligreto]

Jennifer Egan: Manhattan Beach





This is a good story that is well told. It is a well constructed and a well written book. The plot is straightforward and credible and there are not too many characters involved and this allows for very adequate character development. The story is based in New York before and during WWII. One develops a strong affinity with the main character and her father, this relationship being the core of the work. There are moments of both violence and tenderness to be experienced here. It is all set amid a backdrop of crime. A most entertaining and enjoyable read.

[vandermolen]

Niklas Frank: 'The Father - A Revenge'.
A most extraordinary work. Many years ago I saw this most impressive German journalist and his Oxford educated daughter interviewed about being, respectively, son and grand-daughter of Hans Frank - 'The Butcher of Poland' (executed at Nuremberg). In the book the author imagines visiting his father in Hell where, seated on a throne, he is surrounded by the blood of all his victims:

[foxandpeng]

Niklas Frank: 'The Father - A Revenge'.
A most extraordinary work. Many years ago I saw this most impressive German journalist and his Oxford educated daughter interviewed about being, respectively, son and grand-daughter of Hans Frank - 'The Butcher of Poland' (executed at Nuremberg). In the book the author imagines visiting his father in Hell where, seated on a throne, he is surrounded by the blood of all his victims:

Sounds harrowing stuff. I find the examination of human nature and its relationship to structuralists views of history, really interesting. Enjoy seems the wrong word, but I hope you profit greatly from it!

[vandermolen]

Sounds harrowing stuff. I find the examination of human nature and its relationship to structuralists views of history, really interesting. Enjoy seems the wrong word, but I hope you profit greatly from it!

Many thanks - I'm sure that I will. 

[Mandryka]

Afraid I'm about to do the same thing. It's a tough slog. I'd better leave it and return in a better state of mind.

Much the same experience with Heart of Darkness and indeed Nostromo. I quite enjoyed The Secret Agent though.

[Mandryka]

Last night I started William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying



So far, I'm really enjoying this. Though I may not always understand everything that's happening, it's not nearly as difficult as I was expecting.

By coincidence I started to read this today, having thoroughly enjoyed making some sort of sense of The Sound and the Fury.

[André]

Last night I started William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying



So far, I'm really enjoying this. Though I may not always understand everything that's happening, it's not nearly as difficult as I was expecting.

By coincidence I started to read this today, having thoroughly enjoyed making some sort of sense of The Sound and the Fury.

By coincidence I just finished John Grisham's The Reckoning. It's set in 1950. There's a scene in which one of the main characters dines in a restaurant in Oxford, Mississippi. Knowing it's Faulkner's favourite haunt, he has taken with him books to be signed by the great man (As I lay Dying and « his latest », Intruder in the Dust ). Faulkner of course gracefully obliges. Intruder is one of my favourite books by Faulkner.

The Reckoning is a rather dark opus by Grisham. Nothing good happens to the character - everything goes from bad to worse. It's still captivating though.

[vers la flamme]

By coincidence I started to read this today, having thoroughly enjoyed making some sort of sense of The Sound and the Fury.

Very interesting coincidence. Do let me know what you think. I haven't even tried The Sound & the Fury yet; something told me As I Lay Dying might be an easier place to start.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Yukio Mishima, Modern No (Noh) Plays. As always, elegant, paradoxical, and sharp.

[Spotted Horses]

Last night I started William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying



So far, I'm really enjoying this. Though I may not always understand everything that's happening, it's not nearly as difficult as I was expecting.

I also started reading this book in the last few days. I've read it before, maybe twice before. I've read all of Faulkner's major works and have a goal of reading them again in the next few years. Although I own the hardcover volume my immediate motivation is that the kindle edition was on deep sale last week, and it is much easier to find time to read when I can use my iPad or iPhone.

I don't have. To get to the end to give my opinion. Like all of Faulkner's work, it is brilliant.