What are you currently reading?

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

James Joyce: Ulysses

This is my second go-round, but I'm not actually reading it. I'm listening to the spectacular large-cast recording of it, made by RTE in Joyce's 100th anniversary year, 1982.

To my mind, this is the ideal way to experience Ulysses. Since it's one of the most poly-stylistic books ever written, and can be exhausting when you confront it on the page, hearing it read out by multiple voices (with the major characters each getting their own voice), and enhanced by sound effects, really brings it to life.

If you want to sample it, it starts here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1E-NqPcP0&t=5s

[aligreto]

Gabriel García Márquez: Love in the Time of Cholera





I thought this a very good read. It had strong characters and a good plot. However, I thought that it was over long and could have done with some constructive editing; insertion of shorter chapters to break up the sometimes rambling, wandering storytelling [which was, in itself, very good]. The conclusion, literally the last two pages, was  ridiculous in the context of such a detailed novel; perhaps he had a Hollywood film in mind when he concluded it.

[aligreto]

James Joyce: Ulysses

This is my second go-round, but I'm not actually reading it. I'm listening to the spectacular large-cast recording of it, made by RTE in Joyce's 100th anniversary year, 1982.

To my mind, this is the ideal way to experience Ulysses. Since it's one of the most poly-stylistic books ever written, and can be exhausting when you confront it on the page, hearing it read out by multiple voices (with the major characters each getting their own voice), and enhanced by sound effects, really brings it to life.

If you want to sample it, it starts here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1E-NqPcP0&t=5s

You are quite correct, of course. I also believe that it is a much more meaningful book when it is heard as opposed to read. Some of the Joyceans in my country believe that if one is reading it one should read it aloud to oneself.

[SimonNZ]

knocked off a few quickies:



and started:

[aligreto]

I must look out for that one.

[AlberichUndHagen]

James Joyce: Ulysses

Speaking of Ulysses, I have almost finished it. Only about 20 pages more to go. I'm at the last chapter which describes Molly Bloom's thoughts. This is often thought of as one of the most difficult chapters of the book but I find it rather easy. The only minor annoyance so far has been the lack of punctuation and extremely long paragraphs. However, that has not been the most baffling thing about Ulysses. The most baffling thing is understanding every single reference in stream of consciousness of the characters, varying from extremely easy to spot to extremely obscure and unknown. And this chapter is easy to understand. My hat's off to anyone who understands only half of the numerous allusions in this book without cheating. I believe Joyce himself said that he had put in so many enigmas that critics are gonna debate this forever and that's the only way to immortality. You can believe I was pissed off when I learned after several hundred pages of reading that there is an annotated translation in existence. Although if I had picked that one, I wouldn't probably be even halfway through.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

You are quite correct, of course. I also believe that it is a much more meaningful book when it is heard as opposed to read. Some of the Joyceans in my country believe that if one is reading it one should read it aloud to oneself.

I think they are probably right. In addition to this RTE version, I also sampled the Naxos audiobook, read by Jim Norton. He does a really good job with it, but it's still only one voice. I think it would be wearying to listen to one voice for 27 hours. Still, I'm glad he's available for comparison.

Speaking of Ulysses, I have almost finished it.

I think the key to enjoying it is not to worry about the whole mess of allusions, references, minutiae and so forth, but rather to let the style and characterization take control of your mind. That said, it's also helpful to be familiar with Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, because many of the characters in Ulysses make their first appearances in those books.

[aligreto]

Speaking of Ulysses, I have almost finished it. Only about 20 pages more to go. I'm at the last chapter which describes Molly Bloom's thoughts. This is often thought of as one of the most difficult chapters of the book but I find it rather easy. The only minor annoyance so far has been the lack of punctuation and extremely long paragraphs. However, that has not been the most baffling thing about Ulysses. The most baffling thing is understanding every single reference in stream of consciousness of the characters, varying from extremely easy to spot to extremely obscure and unknown. And this chapter is easy to understand. My hat's off to anyone who understands only half of the numerous allusions in this book without cheating. I believe Joyce himself said that he had put in so many enigmas that critics are gonna debate this forever and that's the only way to immortality. You can believe I was pissed off when I learned after several hundred pages of reading that there is an annotated translation in existence. Although if I had picked that one, I wouldn't probably be even halfway through.

Yes, but you are enjoying it nonetheless. Well done for staying with it.

[SimonNZ]

I must look out for that one.

A short story collection, and like most a mixed bag, though I's still recommend it. The first four of the seven I thought especially good.

Only one story I thought was a total misfire, the one which is Kafka's Metamorphosis in reverse, but others may like the gimmick there.

[vers la flamme]

Gabriel García Márquez: Love in the Time of Cholera





I thought this a very good read. It had strong characters and a good plot. However, I thought that it was over long and could have done with some constructive editing; insertion of shorter chapters to break up the sometimes rambling, wandering storytelling [which was, in itself, very good]. The conclusion, literally the last two pages, was  ridiculous in the context of such a detailed novel; perhaps he had a Hollywood film in mind when he concluded it.

The rambling, highly detailed nature of the book stalled me; I had to put it down about halfway through. Hopefully I will pick it up and finish it before the end of the year. I really loved his 100 Years of Solitude; this one seemed to be of a different caliber.

[aligreto]

Johnston How Many Miles To Babylon?





A short but wonderfully written book which really brings characters and landscapes to life. It was a real pleasure to read.

[aligreto]

A short story collection, and like most a mixed bag, though I's still recommend it. The first four of the seven I thought especially good.

Only one story I thought was a total misfire, the one which is Kafka's Metamorphosis in reverse, but others may like the gimmick there.

Cheers and thank you.

[aligreto]

The rambling, highly detailed nature of the book stalled me; I had to put it down about halfway through. Hopefully I will pick it up and finish it before the end of the year. I really loved his 100 Years of Solitude; this one seemed to be of a different caliber.

I can understand that. Despite the quality of the book it was sometimes a tortuous read. As I have already mentioned, serious editing should have been employed.

[Wendell_E]

I think they are probably right. In addition to this RTE version, I also sampled the Naxos audiobook, read by Jim Norton. He does a really good job with it, but it's still only one voice. I think it would be wearying to listen to one voice for 27 hours. Still, I'm glad he's available for comparison.

I got that Naxos version recently. Actually, it's two voices, since Marcella Riordan does the female characters' lines. And, as you might expect, Norton varies his voice from character to character. I've only heard the first 4 of 22 discs so far.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I got that Naxos version recently. Actually, it's two voices, since Marcella Riordan does the female characters' lines. And, as you might expect, Norton varies his voice from character to character. I've only heard the first 4 of 22 discs so far.

I plan to keep doing some comparative listening with that one. Norton was very engaging in the bits I listened to.

[aligreto]

Somerset Maugham: Liza of Lambeth





As a young man I was an avid reader of Maugham's Novels and short stories. His writing style is so simple and flowing and his characters are very human, believable and engaging. I am embarking upon a renewed acquaintance.

[Mandryka]

Just finished it, I read it in English 25 years ago and now in French. There's this extraordinary feeling of being immersed in something that really merits a lifetime's attention -- suddenly there's a bit of philosophical reflection which breaks in which is hard, the sort of thing that could be the basis of an academic seminar. A theme caught my attention most, which is to do with knowing people, what it is to get to know someone, their essence, what makes them unique.

The second part, Nom de pays - le pays left the strongest mark on me.

I had forgotten how wonderful the writing is when Marcel first arrives at Balbec, his description of the crowd, the social interactions of the people. And of course the internal turmoil caused by the new scenery -- a break with his habit.

Such a pleasure to meet the band of pubescent girls again! They're so full of life!

Who was Elstir? I mean, in real life.

Anyway, on to Le Cote de Guermantes.

[AlberichUndHagen]

Starting a couple of books on the old west, and revisiting some old favorites in Nero Wolfe -- re-read the first four in the series over the past week, great stuff..

Late response but Roughing it is one of my personal favorites from Twain. My first exposure to Twain's books was in elementary school when I read Tom Sawyer, which I didn't like (and still don't). In middle school I read Huckleberry Finn which I liked a lot more. Roughing it however is even better. One of the most amazing descriptions of Wild West I've ever read. I don't  mind the fragmentary style of the book, I think it fits the tone perfectly and Twain is extraordinarily droll. I'm pretty sure though that Twain has more than a little bit exaggerated the facts...

[AlberichUndHagen]

The second part, Nom de pays - le pays left the strongest mark on me.

Same here. The writing of Balbec section is absolutely gorgeous.

Guermantes way was imo stronger on its first half - although I do appreciate the increasing dialogue. I still haven't read anything after Guermantes way but before Guermantes way I thought there was curiously little dialogue. The narrator hardly talks. I realize that this must be intentional.

Perhaps one reason why I don't like Proust as much as say Hugo, Dumas or Balzac is that I appreciate witty dialogue and I think the overall design should be more balanced in favor of both dialogue and ruminative passages equally (as I consider the aforementioned writers to do more than Proust). In Proust the ruminative passages are a bit too long and dialogue kept at minimum. Of course I am only roughly halfway through In Search of lost time so maybe things will change, I don't know.

[Florestan]

Same here. The writing of Balbec section is absolutely gorgeous.

Guermantes way was imo stronger on its first half - although I do appreciate the increasing dialogue. I still haven't read anything after Guermantes way but before Guermantes way I thought there was curiously little dialogue. The narrator hardly talks. I realize that this must be intentional.

Perhaps one reason why I don't like Proust as much as say Hugo, Dumas or Balzac is that I appreciate witty dialogue and I think the overall design should be more balanced in favor of both dialogue and ruminative passages equally (as I consider the aforementioned writers to do more than Proust). In Proust the ruminative passages are a bit too long and dialogue kept at minimum. Of course I am only roughly halfway through In Search of lost time so maybe things will change, I don't know.

Ruminative passages in Dumas?  Care to give some examples