What are you currently reading?

[Florestan]

Just started Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, or The Evening Redness in the West.



This book is insane. To start with, it's riddled with so many vivid descriptions of extreme violence that if I didn't know better, I'd have expected McCarthy to be an avid death metal listener. Then there is the prose. Everyone who's read two pages of McCarthy knows that he writes in a highly individual, mannered style, but here, it's taken to an almost parodistic extreme. The book is set roughly 170 years ago, in the aftermath of the Mexican-American war, and it could be said that McCarthy's use of archaic language is an attempt to evoke the language of the time, but more truthfully, this reads like something biblical: like the events of this book could have taken place immediately before the great flood. In any case, the writing, though occasionally frustrating, is as ornate and detailed as a Gothic cathedral. I'm only about a quarter of the way into the book and looking forward to reading on. These two polarizing factors aside, it's a classic, epic adventure story after the example of Moby Dick or The Odyssey.

Looks like a very intriguing book. A quick search and lo and behold! it was translated in Romanian.



On the wishlist it goes, then. Thanks for the tip.

TD



Two chapters in Greene's The Power and the Glory --- the atmosphere, topic and style seem rather similar to Silence. A very promising start.

[Ganondorf]

Returning to Pride and Prejudice... While for the most part the book is surprisingly modern-feeling in its views there is one major issue. And that is the whole Wickham-Lydia sideplot. The book and every character condemns Lydia, poor naive teenager for being manipulated and molested by the scumbag Wickham who is about twice her age and everyone in the book thinks that instead of doing the reasonable thing and hauling Wickham's creepy ass in jail, they think the best solution is to marry poor Lydia to that creep. I am well aware that the book written in the beginning of 19th century usually would express such sentiments but I don't think that makes the book immune to criticism when judged from a modern age perspective.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Rich Boy, Fitzgerald. Glamour and loneliness in high life.

[vers la flamme]

Looks like a very intriguing book. A quick search and lo and behold! it was translated in Romanian.



On the wishlist it goes, then. Thanks for the tip.

TD



Two chapters in Greene's The Power and the Glory --- the atmosphere, topic and style seem rather similar to Silence. A very promising start.

Would love to hear your thoughts on Blood Meridian when you get around to it. It's a completely insane book. Something that occurs to me over and over again is just how difficult it would be to translate this book into another language; written in such labyrinthine and archaic English, I reckon it would take a gifted translator to get the feeling of this book to come off in other languages. Glad to see it's been translated into Romanian. It is a very difficult book but a major aesthetic achievement.

Also glad you are enjoying The Power and the Glory. I am overdue for a reread of that book as I've been exploring some of Greene's other "Catholic" novels. I also bought The Quiet American which I will try and read sometime over the summer.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, McCullers. Loneliness and Deep South.

[vers la flamme]

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, McCullers. Loneliness and Deep South.

I have been thinking about reading this author. She hails from my adopted home state of Georgia and seems to have some things in common with the author I am currently reading...:

Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find & Other Stories



I purchased this book after listening to Bessie Smith sing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" while in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee where my girlfriend and I were traveling a couple weeks back—I was reminded of O'Connor's story, namesake of this her first short story collection, which I read for a short story composition class in college and loved at the time. Well, it took me until now to explore any of her other work and I'm kicking myself for it. She's a brilliant writer, and it's always a small victory for me to discover a female writer whose work I can appreciate, in light of my shamefully male-centric literary knowledge and collection. She writes a lot about the city I call home, which seems to represent to her everything that the "big city" stands for, especially in comparison to the rural countryside where many of these stories are set. Death and destruction are themes that loom large in her work, but so are grace and redemption; she was above all a Catholic writer, one with a seemingly keen understanding of the suffering of the world. Deceptively simple, fascinating small portraits of my great and terrible homeland, the American South. Reading McCarthy and now O'Connor, I can foresee myself embarking on a bit of a "Southern Gothic" kick over the next couple months...

Also read a bit of the Book of Daniel today (in the King James Version): the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which was referenced by one of O'Connor's stories, called "A Circle in the Fire"; and the famous Daniel in the lion's den.

P.S. In case I haven't already mentioned it, I finished Blood Meridian a couple of days ago. What a crushing experience that whole book was. I suspect I'll read it again and again over the years, as I feel like I've only begun to appreciate the tip of the iceberg, as it were. There were bits I couldn't make heads or tails of. Blood Meridian marks the 50th book I've read since New Year's Day. I don't know whether I ought to be proud or terribly embarrassed for how much of my valuable time I've sunk into reading (mostly fiction) this year; currently I'm leaning toward the latter feeling. Anyway, I purposely picked a book I thought would make a big impact to ring in this milestone, and I was right to choose it.

[bhodges]

I have been thinking about reading this author. She hails from my adopted home state of Georgia and seems to have some things in common with the author I am currently reading...:

Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find & Other Stories



I purchased this book after listening to Bessie Smith sing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" while in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee where my girlfriend and I were traveling a couple weeks back—I was reminded of O'Connor's story, namesake of this her first short story collection, which I read for a short story composition class in college and loved at the time. Well, it took me until now to explore any of her other work and I'm kicking myself for it. She's a brilliant writer, and it's always a small victory for me to discover a female writer whose work I can appreciate, in light of my shamefully male-centric literary knowledge and collection. She writes a lot about the city I call home, which seems to represent to her everything that the "big city" stands for, especially in comparison to the rural countryside where many of these stories are set. Death and destruction are themes that loom large in her work, but so are grace and redemption; she was above all a Catholic writer, one with a seemingly keen understanding of the suffering of the world. Deceptively simple, fascinating small portraits of my great and terrible homeland, the American South. Reading McCarthy and now O'Connor, I can foresee myself embarking on a bit of a "Southern Gothic" kick over the next couple months...

Also read a bit of the Book of Daniel today (in the King James Version): the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which was referenced by one of O'Connor's stories, called "A Circle in the Fire"; and the famous Daniel in the lion's den.

Big fan of Flannery O'Connor. First discovered her after seeing the film version of Wise Blood (1979, dir. John Huston), and liked it so much that I read the book. Then came the book above. She is fierce! Haven't read anything by her in far too long (I've been a bit novel-challenged lately), but I admire her style, which is as you say, "deceptively simple."

--Bruce

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I have been thinking about reading this author. She hails from my adopted home state of Georgia and seems to have some things in common with the author I am currently reading...:

Flannery O'Connor, A Good Man is Hard to Find & Other Stories


I purchased this book after listening to Bessie Smith sing "A Good Man is Hard to Find" while in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee where my girlfriend and I were traveling a couple weeks back—I was reminded of O'Connor's story, namesake of this her first short story collection, which I read for a short story composition class in college and loved at the time. Well, it took me until now to explore any of her other work and I'm kicking myself for it. She's a brilliant writer, and it's always a small victory for me to discover a female writer whose work I can appreciate, in light of my shamefully male-centric literary knowledge and collection. She writes a lot about the city I call home, which seems to represent to her everything that the "big city" stands for, especially in comparison to the rural countryside where many of these stories are set. Death and destruction are themes that loom large in her work, but so are grace and redemption; she was above all a Catholic writer, one with a seemingly keen understanding of the suffering of the world. Deceptively simple, fascinating small portraits of my great and terrible homeland, the American South. Reading McCarthy and now O'Connor, I can foresee myself embarking on a bit of a "Southern Gothic" kick over the next couple months...

Also read a bit of the Book of Daniel today (in the King James Version): the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, which was referenced by one of O'Connor's stories, called "A Circle in the Fire"; and the famous Daniel in the lion's den.

P.S. In case I haven't already mentioned it, I finished Blood Meridian a couple of days ago. What a crushing experience that whole book was. I suspect I'll read it again and again over the years, as I feel like I've only begun to appreciate the tip of the iceberg, as it were. There were bits I couldn't make heads or tails of. Blood Meridian marks the 50th book I've read since New Year's Day. I don't know whether I ought to be proud or terribly embarrassed for how much of my valuable time I've sunk into reading (mostly fiction) this year; currently I'm leaning toward the latter feeling. Anyway, I purposely picked a book I thought would make a big impact to ring in this milestone, and I was right to choose it.

I am (mostly) sure you will like the Lonely Hunter very much. The story and atmosphere in the book is very Deep South. There are race, poverty, hate, violence, corruption, love, dignity, trust, elegance, etc. in the story. The movie adaptation is great as well, and you could possibly start with the movie. I will look for A Good Man and Blood Meridian. I am thinking about making a thread of 10 best books read in 2021 at the end of the year (Good idea or bad idea?). Would you consider listing the books and others?  As for female writers, it seems to me that you enjoyed some works by Japanese female authors. If you are interested, I would like to recommend Green Wheat by Colette, Garden Party/Her First Ball by Mansfield, and Tale of Genji by Shikibu Murasaki (Lady Purple).

I am glad I read many books when I was young. However, I regret I didn't read science books at that time. Also, I went to clubs/bars with some girls, partied and danced almost every night. The economy was great and I had money. But now, I am not sure if I really had fun or not.

P.s. I love Chattanooga, TN. Elegant and sophisticated city.

[Florestan]

In the book's presentation Meyrink is described as a sort of Austrian Poe ---and indeed, so far, so good Gothic. The atmosphere is dark, mysterious, menacing, the characters are strange and the setting in Prague's Jewish Ghetto with its narrow alleys and eerie houses* only adds to the lugubrious feeling. Yet despite the doom & gloom, it's a page turner.

* been there, seen that 

[Florestan]

Blood Meridian marks the 50th book I've read since New Year's Day.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's remarkable and impressive! Congratulations! I envy you, I really do!

I don't know whether I ought to be proud or terribly embarrassed for how much of my valuable time I've sunk into reading (mostly fiction) this year; currently I'm leaning toward the latter feeling.

I say you should be proud*. If anything, your quick reading pace has been an inspiration to me, to pick up where I left many years ago and become again the avid reader I used to be. Thank you, good sir!

* As an 18-th century Romanian historian put it: There is no more beautiful and useful pastime in a man's whole life than the reading of books. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miron_Costin)

[vers la flamme]

I am (mostly) sure you will like the Lonely Hunter very much. The story and atmosphere in the book is very Deep South. There are race, poverty, hate, violence, corruption, love, dignity, trust, elegance, etc. in the story. The movie adaptation is great as well, and you could possibly start with the movie. I will look for A Good Man and Blood Meridian. I am thinking about making a thread of 10 best books read in 2021 at the end of the year (Good idea or bad idea?). Would you consider listing the books and others?  As for female writers, it seems to me that you enjoyed some works by Japanese female authors. If you are interested, I would like to recommend Green Wheat by Colette, Garden Party/Her First Ball by Mansfield, and Tale of Genji by Shikibu Murasaki (Lady Purple).

I am glad I read many books when I was young. However, I regret I didn't read science books at that time. Also, I went to clubs/bars with some girls, partied and danced almost every night. The economy was great and I had money. But now, I am not sure if I really had fun or not.

P.s. I love Chattanooga, TN. Elegant and sophisticated city.

I appreciate the detailed reply, DBK. Definitely excited to read McCullers' Lonely Hunter. It sounds excellent and the author seems like a fascinating character.

I would absolutely participate in such a thread! Great idea. There are some definite front runners for the year that I have in mind already, but then we still have another 7 months of the year, so we'll see what changes.

I'll have to check out those books you mentioned; I know nothing of Colette. Mansfield I have been curious about ever since you or another poster here brought her up a few months back and I'll seek out that book. Tale of Genji has the great esteem of being known as the first novel, and that it was written by a woman (a Japanese woman, no less) is an awesome thing in my book.

Sounds like you spent your 20s well; there's always the rest of your life for science books (something I'd love to read more of myself; while I am a medical professional and passionate about the healthcare field, I spend very little of my time reading full-length books on the natural sciences). I reckon I've done well with my young years so far, but who knows how I'll feel 10, 20, 30 years down the line. I got partying out of my system for the most part in my early 20s; I feel like I've done enough binge drinking, pot smoking and psychedelic drugs for a lifetime, though I am not opposed to returning to this lifestyle if the feeling takes me. This voracious reading thing is kind of a new thing for me in the covid era; I've always been a reader, but never near this pace. I suspect I'll always be an introvert, and what better introverted pastime than books and music.

My girl and I loved Chattanooga, she halfheartedly tried to convince me that we ought to move there. Absolutely beautiful place, very clean, very green, and as you say, very elegant and sophisticated for a city of its size in the South. Reminded me a bit of Tallahassee, Florida where we went to school. Lots of history in that Chattanooga. Then there is Lookout Mountain, the great Tennessee River, etc. I'd love to spend more time in the state of Tennessee.

Sorry to derail the thread so much, but it's always great to talk to you and the other intelligent and sympathetic people of this thread, even if the conversation is not directly related to books.

[vers la flamme]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's remarkable and impressive! Congratulations! I envy you, I really do!

I say you should be proud*. If anything, your quick reading pace has been an inspiration to me, to pick up where I left many years ago and become again the avid reader I used to be. Thank you, good sir!

* As an 18-th century Romanian historian put it: There is no more beautiful and useful pastime in a man's whole life than the reading of books. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miron_Costin)

Thanks, man. I've found your attitude toward life an inspiration myself, especially the passion for great music and literature that you wear on your sleeve.

I like the Costin quote. I'm not sure whether I totally agree, my love for music and nature is so deep in my bones that literature could not possibly hope to usurp them, but the reading of books has brought immense joy to my life and will continue to do so, hopefully for many years to come.

[Florestan]

Sorry to derail the thread so much, but it's always great to talk to you and the other intelligent and sympathetic people of this thread, even if the conversation is not directly related to books.

That's one of the greatest pleasures of being a GMGer: there's really no genuine off-topic. Everything is related to everything.

[Florestan]

I've found your attitude toward life an inspiration myself, especially the passion for great music and literature that you wear on your sleeve.

Thank you too.

I like the Costin quote. I'm not sure whether I totally agree, my love for music and nature is so deep in my bones that literature could not possibly hope to usurp them, but the reading of books has brought immense joy to my life and will continue to do so, hopefully for many years to come.

Well, literature has been my very first love --- I even dabble(d) in it myself, mostly poetry. That's probably the reason why I love Lieder so much.

[vers la flamme]

Thank you too.

Well, literature has been my very first love --- I even dabble(d) in it myself, mostly poetry. That's probably the reason why I love Lieder so much.

Nice! While I've kept a journal for several years and occasionally dabble in poetic writing, I can't say I've ever written much with the aim of creating something for others to read. I do however write and sing songs, but the lyrics are always secondary to the music in my case.

That's one of the greatest pleasures of being a GMGer: there's really no genuine off-topic. Everything is related to everything.

Agreed!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I appreciate the detailed reply, DBK. Definitely excited to read McCullers' Lonely Hunter. It sounds excellent and the author seems like a fascinating character.

I would absolutely participate in such a thread! Great idea. There are some definite front runners for the year that I have in mind already, but then we still have another 7 months of the year, so we'll see what changes.

I'll have to check out those books you mentioned; I know nothing of Colette. Mansfield I have been curious about ever since you or another poster here brought her up a few months back and I'll seek out that book. Tale of Genji has the great esteem of being known as the first novel, and that it was written by a woman (a Japanese woman, no less) is an awesome thing in my book.

Sounds like you spent your 20s well; there's always the rest of your life for science books (something I'd love to read more of myself; while I am a medical professional and passionate about the healthcare field, I spend very little of my time reading full-length books on the natural sciences). I reckon I've done well with my young years so far, but who knows how I'll feel 10, 20, 30 years down the line. I got partying out of my system for the most part in my early 20s; I feel like I've done enough binge drinking, pot smoking and psychedelic drugs for a lifetime, though I am not opposed to returning to this lifestyle if the feeling takes me. This voracious reading thing is kind of a new thing for me in the covid era; I've always been a reader, but never near this pace. I suspect I'll always be an introvert, and what better introverted pastime than books and music.

My girl and I loved Chattanooga, she halfheartedly tried to convince me that we ought to move there. Absolutely beautiful place, very clean, very green, and as you say, very elegant and sophisticated for a city of its size in the South. Reminded me a bit of Tallahassee, Florida where we went to school. Lots of history in that Chattanooga. Then there is Lookout Mountain, the great Tennessee River, etc. I'd love to spend more time in the state of Tennessee.

Sorry to derail the thread so much, but it's always great to talk to you and the other intelligent and sympathetic people of this thread, even if the conversation is not directly related to books.

Just like other fancy cities, the cost of living in Chattanooga seems to be high.  Still it is a nice city with good education.

Since you are in medical field, you may read The Sea and Poison by Shusaku Endo in a perspective different from that of other readers. It is a half fiction-half nonfiction based on a real incident of vivisection of American POW by "ordinary" Japanese people. Endo explicitly suggests that the Japanese mass has no conscience. While his Silence is very good, the Sea and Poison is solid and equally challenging.

@Florestan, you too, may like the book, which is not less than Silence IMO.

[Florestan]

Just like other fancy cities, the cost of living in Chattanooga seems to be high.  Still it is a nice city with good education.

Since you are in medical field, you may read The Sea and Poison by Shusaku Endo in a perspective different from that of other readers. It is a half fiction-half nonfiction based on a real incident of vivisection of American POW by "ordinary" Japanese people. Endo explicitly suggests that the Japanese mass has no conscience. While his Silence is very good, the Sea and Poison is solid and equally challenging.

@Florestan, you too, may like the book, which is not less than Silence IMO.

Thanks for the rec. I looked for it but it hasn't been translated in Romanian. I found this instead:



The Samurai

Have you read it?

[Florestan]

Nice! While I've kept a journal for several years and occasionally dabble in poetic writing, I can't say I've ever written much with the aim of creating something for others to read.

My case exactly. I wrote what little I wrote for my own pleasure and because I felt inspired to write, that's all. When I was in elementary school, though, I really dreamt of becoming a writer. 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Thanks for the rec. I looked for it but it hasn't been translated in Romanian. I found this instead:



The Samurai

Have you read it?

I haven't read it, but the book has a good reputation. If available in Romanian edition, you may like A Life of Jesus. I haven't read it either, but my friends in North America like it.

[Florestan]

I haven't read it, but the book has a good reputation. If available in Romanian edition, you may like A Life of Jesus. I haven't read it either, but my friends in North America like it.

There are only three Endo books available in Romanian: Silence, The Samurai and The Scandal. I'm quite tempted by the latter two.

Also on my wishlist:



Thousand Cranes and The Sound of the Mountain

In the same vein: what Mishima novels should I look for?

Speaking of Jesus, I've read and greatly enjoyed Papini's Story of Christ and Renan's Life of Jesus.