What are you currently reading?

[Elgarian]

It is not normally the sort of book I read, but I find it so well written, that detail of normality doesn't much seem to matter.

What strikes me about the quality of the writing is the remarkable combination of its natural flow (it's a very easy, comfortable read, as you're finding) with its richness (which only became fully apparent to me on subsequent readings). It's packed with simple sentences that convey a great deal more than they appear to at first sight. The words often seem almost perfectly chosen, with unusual resonances: so for instance, the name that the twins choose for the kitten - 'The Little Kitten of Death' - fits perfectly the circumstances in which they first see it, and introduces an element of gentle dark humour, but also develops a kind of prophetic character as the narrative unfolds. Then there are the insights into the way we behave, driven subconsciously - as when Robert observes how nothing that happened to him ever seemed quite real until he'd told Elspeth about it. That told me volumes about Robert and Elspeth, and also made me recognise an aspect of myself that I'd never quite seen clearly. Marvellous stuff.

[Karl Henning]

The catching of the kitten, in particular: an expert touch.

[Karl Henning]

All right! A book with the word "bloviating"! Hot diggity!

[Karl Henning]

The diaries as "unexploded ordnance": beautiful!

[Elgarian]

The diaries as "unexploded ordnance": beautiful!

You're definitely not bloviating, Karl.

[Karl Henning]

I may never before have used the expression hot diggity.

Just finished reading of Valentina's outing, and the subsequent dust-up with Julia.

[Brian]

You're definitely not bloviating, Karl.

I learned that word on The O'Reilly Factor. True story.

[Elgarian]

I learned that word on The O'Reilly Factor. True story.

Until I encountered the word in HFS, I was bloviationally ignorant.

[Bogey]

Decided to introduce myself to some Asimov.  Starting with this:

[Gold Knight]

Elizabeth Gaffney--Metropolis

[Karl Henning]

You're definitely not bloviating, Karl.

Just finished Part II. Damn, but this is mighty good, Alan!

[Elgarian]

Just finished Part II. Damn, but this is mighty good, Alan!

At the very least, it's unbloviational.

[Karl Henning]

It possesses that virtue, also.

The occasional borderline-bloviating narrative (The Sot-Weed Factor ?) I can get into, too, though . . . .

[Karl Henning]

Oh, well, I fear I have (or may have) done Jn Barth a disservice.

I don't think that The Sot-Weed Factor bloviates at all.  It is just an effusion of language, and an exultation in the twists of narrative.  Very different in make-up and tone to the rich economy of Her Tearful Mimicry.

[Opus106]

I'm not sure if you gents are revealing anything about the story as such, but I'd appreciate the occasional spoiler alert. Thanks.

[Karl Henning]

I'm trying to tread carefully, Nav.  This page is certainly safe! : )

[Elgarian]

I'm not sure if you gents are revealing anything about the story as such, but I'd appreciate the occasional spoiler alert. Thanks.

Nothing here to worry about Nav. We're giving nothing of significance away. (I should explain that my comment that the central theme of the book is concerned with the consequences of trying to hang on to those things that we should have let go of isn't a spoiler. In fact Niffenegger herself has said this many times in interviews, without in any way revealing what those consequences are.)

[Karl Henning]

And, much as I do like my Nook, Alan, I must thank you for speaking up for the hard copy edition.

For only one thing (and among the least of things), I am making use of a magnetic bookmark, which cannot be done with the Nook.  Not with any real chance of success . . . .

Was just speaking to a co-worker who likes The Time-Traveller's Wife very much.  I've given her to understand that, if anything, she will enjoy HFS yet more : )

[Opus106]

Thanks for the re-assurances. I'm a bit obsessive of not knowing or knowing very little of a literary work or film, even the most banal of them, let alone a good mystery or fantasy story. (This goes back to a traumatic incident nearly a decade ago: someone revealed to me the plot of The Sixth Sense just days before I watched it for the first time.  )

[DavidW]

Navneeth, the story isn't really about the plot but about the characters.  If you knew the entire plot, it still wouldn't spoil the story.