What are you currently reading?

[SimonNZ]

For such a seemingly uncomplicated read - 120 pages of at least superficially uncomplicated short sentences - it's really striking me that it's only on this third reading I'm feeling like I'm starting to get the full measure of the work.

[aligreto]

CS Lewis: The Screwtape Letters





I read this book with a smile on my face. It is a collection of letters written by Screwtape, a Senior Demon, to his nephew and trainee tempter Wormwood. Wormwood's job is to undermine the Faith of his subject and he submits regular reports on his progress but we do not see these reports. The premise of the book is the letters that Screwtape sends back to his nephew after reading each report offering insights into Human Nature and the benefits and effects of employing temptation as a means of leading the subject down the wrong path. Wormwood is clearly incompetent and failing in his job. The tone of the Screwtape responses can be quite amusing, caustic and astute. One senses the rising sense of Screwtape's frustration and infuriation with his nephew's incompetence as the letters progress.

[relm1]

[SimonNZ]

CS Lewis: The Screwtape Letters





I read this book with a smile on my face. It is a collection of letters written by Screwtape, a Senior Demon, to his nephew and trainee tempter Wormwood. Wormwood's job is to undermine the Faith of his subject and he submits regular reports on his progress but we do not see these reports. The premise of the book is the letters that Screwtape sends back to his nephew after reading each report offering insights into Human Nature and the benefits and effects of employing temptation as a means of leading the subject down the wrong path. Wormwood is clearly incompetent and failing in his job. The tone of the Screwtape responses can be quite amusing, caustic and astute. One senses the rising sense of Screwtape's frustration and infuriation with his nephew's incompetence as the letters progress.

John Cleese did a really good audio version of that.

[aligreto]

John Cleese did a really good audio version of that.

Now that would be interesting to hear!

[LKB]

Speaking of,

I'm currently re-reading So, Anyway..., John Cleese's memoirs. Recommended to anyone who might frequent a classical music BBS.

[aligreto]

Today is the 100th anniversary of the publication of James Joyce's Ulysses. The day is being marked well here in Ireland.


   





I am embarrassed to admit that it is a book that I have never finished despite having started to read it at least twice. It has been a long time since I have attempted it so this year, to mark the occasion, I will give it another go.

[vandermolen]

[aligreto]

O'Sullivan: Stories From The Deep





I like drinking water. I also like looking at bodies of it and occasionally being on it. However, I am largely averse to being in it except on a very rare occasion. Ken O'Sullivan, on the other hand, was born and bred near to and in the water near the south west coast of Ireland. He ultimately became a marine film maker.

The book opens with a wonderful statement of place and self; what it is to be a product of one's environment, upbringing and heritage. It then progresses to detail the hardships and the lean years  encountered in his early career. One near death experience stands out.

The book continues with his history of filming sharks, whales and exotic jellyfish off the coast of Ireland and all the way down to the Azores. I found it fascinating that such creatures lived in the waters of our coastline.

The book is eloquently and even poetically written [includes a few poems] in places, particularly on the topics which he is passionate about, most especially at the beginning and at the end of the book. It is an easy and engaging style reminiscent of an old Irish seanachaí [fireside story teller] relating a good story to you, personally.

[LKB]

I'm about a quarter of the way through Ian Toll's Pacific Crucible. I'm pretty impressed, and looking forward to the remaining books in the series.

[Mandryka]

Four months after starting it, I finished it. I can see a bit of Frederic in myself -- that's not good!

[SimonNZ]

Started:

[MN Dave]

Shirley Jackson Dark Tales

[Mandryka]

Errr - this is a bit different from Bovary and L'Education! It reminds me of the movement in modern French literature - which I may explore soon - called post-exoticism.

https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-exotisme

[vandermolen]

[Mandryka]

[Spotted Horses]

Shirley Jackson Dark Tales

Good stuff.

[Artem]

Books that I read over the past month. I'd recommend checking out Locos. The book about China was also interesting.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The Subterraneans, Jack Kerouac.

[vers la flamme]

The Subterraneans, Jack Kerouac.

I wrote a paper about that book freshman year of college  Haven't read it since. You liking it?