What are you currently reading?

[vers la flamme]

'Zola, or the pleasure of stinking.' (Nietzsche)
The picture confirms it for me.

I can't get the Balzac photo you posted to display but that is a great photo of Zola.

The horses in the coal mine in Germinal are just unforgettable. Some of the best non-human characters I've ever encountered in a book.

[Henk]

I can't get the Balzac photo you posted to display but that is a great photo of Zola.

The horses in the coal mine in Germinal are just unforgettable. Some of the best non-human characters I've ever encountered in a book.

This one is more or less the same, seem the original photo of the painting I posted:

[vers la flamme]

This one is more or less the same, seem the original photo of the painting I posted:

Thanks. Man, I need to read more Balzac, too! I've only read Père Goriot. But I think I'll be exploring more of his disciple Zola first.

[Henk]

Thanks. Man, I need to read more Balzac, too! I've only read Père Goriot. But I think I'll be exploring more of his disciple Zola first.

I have 'Lost Illusions' on the shelves. Hope to get to it some day.

[Mandryka]

Thanks. Man, I need to read more Balzac, too! I've only read Père Goriot. But I think I'll be exploring more of his disciple Zola first.

and Houellebecq-- the 21st century Zola.

[Henk]

and Houellebecq-- the 21st century Zola.

Not a fan of him neither.

[AnotherSpin]

and Houellebecq-- the 21st century Zola.

Emile Zola was highly regarded in the USSR and was frequently published. It seems that he fought against something or condemned something. I definitely read him when I was a teenager, but I don't remember anything, probably for the best.

The comparison with Houellebecq is interesting, I think I know what you mean.

[Papy Oli]

Finished H.G. Wells - The Island of Dr Moreau. A great read.

A couple of short stories as well:

Washington Irving - Rip Van Winkle
D.H. Lawrence - Odour of Chrysanthemums

The second Lawrence's story that really hit the mark after The Prussian Soldier. One to pursue further

[Henk]

Finished H.G. Wells - The Island of Dr Moreau. A great read.

A couple of short stories as well:

Washington Irving - Rip Van Winkle
D.H. Lawrence - Odour of Chrysanthemums

The second Lawrence's story that really hit the mark after The Prussian Soldier. One to pursue further

Lawrence is a fine writer indeed. Deleuze was idolate of him. Still have to finish 'Women in Love'.

[Mandryka]

Emile Zola was highly regarded in the USSR and was frequently published. It seems that he fought against something or condemned something. I definitely read him when I was a teenager, but I don't remember anything, probably for the best.

He supported Dreyfus.

[Henk]

Maybe I should change my mind on Zola, whose work I have not read. But the book by Balzac 'Lost illusions' is enough for me. I read on Wikipedia about Balzac. Remarkable character, very ambitious and I think still relevant problematics he treats.

[vers la flamme]

I would just say to anyone with prejudices about what Zola is like to read Germinal, because it completely shattered my (very loaded) expectations, and was not at all what I thought it would be. What a book.

@Mandryka I have not read Houellebecq, but am interested in The Elementary Particles and Submission. I have loaded expectations for him too, he seems to represent everything that annoys me about the French

[JBS]

Emile Zola was highly regarded in the USSR and was frequently published. It seems that he fought against something or condemned something. I definitely read him when I was a teenager, but I don't remember anything, probably for the best.

The comparison with Houellebecq is interesting, I think I know what you mean.

J'accuse is perhaps the most famous op-ed in history.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J'Accuse...!

[Mandryka]

I would just say to anyone with prejudices about what Zola is like to read Germinal, because it completely shattered my (very loaded) expectations, and was not at all what I thought it would be. What a book.

@Mandryka I have not read Houellebecq, but am interested in The Elementary Particles and Submission. I have loaded expectations for him too, he seems to represent everything that annoys me about the French

The one to read is Extension du domaine de la lutte- which seems to have been translated as "Whatever" - which is actually a better title. Submission verges on Islamophobia. Elementary Particles has some good things in it. But basically for me it's all downhill after  Extension du domaine de la lutte. The great thing about Houellebecq is that he's brilliant at characterising male  losers, people whose lives are a total void. And he uses social commentary to make his characters seem plausible,  real (like Zola.)

I went off him a bit a couple of years ago when I leaned that he likes the high life - he's a socialite. I want to read hermits!

There's a good film of Germinal with Depardieu. I like the bit where they cut the grocer's dick off most,

[AnotherSpin]

He supported Dreyfus.

Is it a praise or complain?

[AnotherSpin]

J'accuse is perhaps the most famous op-ed in history.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J'Accuse...!

Oh, yes.

[Henk]

I would just say to anyone with prejudices about what Zola is like to read Germinal, because it completely shattered my (very loaded) expectations, and was not at all what I thought it would be.

I have no time for it unfortunately and already much on my list.

[vers la flamme]

The one to read is Extension du domaine de la lutte- which seems to have been translated as "Whatever" - which is actually a better title. Submission verges on Islamophobia. Elementary Particles has some good things in it. But basically for me it's all downhill after  Extension du domaine de la lutte. The great thing about Houellebecq is that he's brilliant at characterising male  losers, people whose lives are a total void. And he uses social commentary to make his characters seem plausible,  real (like Zola.)

I went off him a bit a couple of years ago when I leaned that he likes the high life - he's a socialite. I want to read hermits!

There's a good film of Germinal with Depardieu. I like the bit where they cut the grocer's dick off most,

That was a jarring moment in the book! I will check out Extension du domaine de la lutte.

I have no time for it unfortunately and already much on my list.

In that case I can only suggest to keep whatever prejudices you have about any writers, it'll keep your list shorter

[SimonNZ]

Starting:



Possibly/potentially topical.

[NumberSix]

I always have a number of books going at once because I get distracted or just want variety.

One of my current books-in-progress is the first volume of Shelby Foote's Civil War trilogy. It really does read more like a novel than an academic history book.

He was a lovely writer, though I wish it had more maps in it.