What are you currently reading?

[Drasko]

My first venture into several Wodehouse worlds which I haven't explored this far: Blandings, golf, Mr.Mulliner and Ukridge.

Ukridge stories I didn't like at all, Mr.Mulliner and Drones Club ones so-so, Blandings is represented by one longer story 'Crime wave at Blandings' which is very good, but the ones I liked the most, somewhat unexpectedly, are the golf stories. I know next to nothing about the game of golf but it didn't matter. Wodehouse obviously had great affection for the game and it shows.

Now moving onto:



I've seen the movie Talented Mr.Ripley (both versions) but haven't read any of the books.

[Ghost Sonata]

Surprisingly readable and rewarding, so far :

[asin]0801499607[/asin]

[kishnevi]

Bought today at Barnes and Noble. Their own edition, not this one

The preface says that Wister started on a music career, studying piano and composition in Europe after Liszt told his family Wister had the necessary talent.

[Jo498]

Ukridge stories I didn't like at all, Mr.Mulliner and Drones Club ones so-so, Blandings is represented by one longer story 'Crime wave at Blandings' which is very good, but the ones I liked the most, somewhat unexpectedly, are the golf stories. I know next to nothing about the game of golf but it didn't matter. Wodehouse obviously had great affection for the game and it shows.

Now moving onto:



I've seen the movie Talented Mr.Ripley (both versions) but haven't read any of the books.

But you have to start with the first one, not one of the last ones!

I am not sure I have read any Ukridge story. Of the Wodehouse I read I think the Jeeves and Wooster series (I have read all) are the best by some margin (except a few late ones). The main reason for this is Bertie as narrator; most of the other stuff seems far more conventionally narrated (Although they are also superlative as far as characters go, only Lord Emsworth himself is as good as a whole bunch of the Jeeves/Wooster supporting cast.) Of the Blandings (I read most of them) some are almost as good (even the very first one where Lord Emsworth is quite different from the later character is surprisingly good) but the later ones are considerably weaker (I quite dislike his "aged rake" characters like Galahad and Uncle Fred). I have read a few more standalones and short stories and they are generally weaker, I think.

[SimonNZ]

I've seen the movie Talented Mr.Ripley (both versions) but haven't read any of the books.

Two movies? Investigating this I see there's a version called Plein Soleil with Alain Delon from 1960. You've seen this? If so, what's it like?

Which reminds me: there's a 2005 film of Ripley Under Ground which has still not made it out my way in any format.

[Drasko]

But you have to start with the first one, not one of the last ones!

Ripley Under Ground is only the second one, right after The Talented Mr.Ripley, which I thought to skip on account of already seeing the movie.

I am not sure I have read any Ukridge story.

He is this rather annoying schemer whose only preoccupation is how to swindle some money, mostly from his rich aunt. Tiresome.

[Drasko]

Two movies? Investigating this I see there's a version called Plein Soleil with Alain Delon from 1960. You've seen this? If so, what's it like?

It's leaner and tauter than more baroque and lavish Minghella film. It's a decent film, worth seeing on its own but I don't prefer it to the Minghella one. I find it bit hard to buy Delon with his looks and charisma as someone who needs to scheme, con, assume others identities in order to succeed in life. 

[Jo498]

I still think it is better to start with the first novel despite the movies (in my recollection it is the best one although the others are all pretty good while mainly repeating very similar plots/tropes but it's been almost 20 years that I read them)

I don't think I ever saw the movie with Delon; I did not like the newish one very much and it has considerable changes vs. the book.

[NikF]

La Placa del Diamant/In Diamond Square by Merce Rodoreda.

[asin]1844087379[/asin]

The weather has picked up, although I'm not sure how long for. But while the going is good I'm off to the park with a book.

[aligreto]

La Placa del Diamant/In Diamond Square by Merce Rodoreda.

[asin]1844087379[/asin]

The weather has picked up, although I'm not sure how long for. But while the going is good I'm off to the park with a book.

It is Wimbledon fortnight after all 

[NikF]

It is Wimbledon fortnight after all 

I forgot about that. But you're right.

[nodogen]

Comrade Corbyn
by Rosa Prince.

When I bought this book not long ago I thought I'd be reading about someone who was about to have his political career terminated.

"A week's a long time in politics."

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I think this is my first time reading Thomas Mann. The satire in the opening chapter is absolutely hilarious.

[André]

Big Mann fan, but I never read that one ! Must locate a copy. Thanks for the tip !

[Jo498]

It is comparably short and light.
It was something like a "bridal gift" to Katia. The millionaire's daughter shares some features with her, among others she is also a student of maths and there is an  brilliant description how algebra lecture notes look to someone who has absolutely no clue about what they are supposed to be.

[milk]

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Having finished Julius Caesar, now reading King John.

[Todd]

Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World, by Thomas Madden.  A short/medium length history of Istanbul (358 text pages), Madden's book zooms right through the ancient city's historical highpoints with just enough depth and a quick reading style.  Reading it, I have once again resolved to read more on the ancient eastern empires, and maybe this time the resolve will amount to something.

[kishnevi]

For the Byzantines, Gibbon is still the best read. Norwich's three decker about the Byzantine Empire is possibly the best modern one, but not quite as good as his history of Venice. (He did a one volume history of Byzantium, but I haven't read that: I assumed it was an abridgement of the three volume work.). His one flaw is that he loves his subjects too much.

I remember reading Lord Kinross's history of the Ottomans and thinking it good, but there are alternatives there I don't remember reading.

Speaking of Norwich, I am reading this at the moment.