The Classics Club: Question for February February 20, 2013

What classic has most surprised you so far, and why?

 

I believe it has to be Three Men in a Boat.

Mom had this book in her shelf for years and years and I never bothered to pick it up because…well…three men in a boat doesn't really sound like much fun. For one thing, I know nothing of boats. For another, a story about three men confined in one space? How boring!….or so, I had thought until I finally picked up this book.

I cannot tell you what prompted me to read it finally. I hadn't a clue what it was about, save for what the title said…and that it was humorous — though I was quite skeptical about that. (I had conveniently forgotten having read essays by Jerome K Jerome and finding them hilarious.)

However, having once picked it up I found myself laughing so much (more than I have done over a book in a very very long time!), nodding in agreement with much of J K Jerome's little snippets of life-sayings, and being quite blown away by how wonderfully, and beauteously poetical Jerome was prone to get. I was also quite startled to find that it was actually a creative travelogue of a journey down (or was it up?) the River Thames. Had I known this, again, I might never have touched this book. But having learnt of it only on the reading, I was really glad of it, and it has actually inspired me to pick up and read other creative travelogues! My first book in 2013 was Around India in 80 Trains, and I am hoping to read some William Dalrymple in the near future, plus I have also been inspired to give Around the World in 80 Days a go.

So, there you have it! In a nutshell — Three Men in a Boat which turned out to be a fun romp down the R. Thames and inspired me to start reading other creative travelogues.

Have any of you read Three Men in a Boat? What did you think of it? Do you read travelogues? What's your take on this non-fiction genre?

 

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Books I wish I could get for Christmas. December 5, 2012

I say ‘could’ in the title to this post because most of my gifts are already in, and I suspect if anyone else is giving me anything it most certainly won’t be a book. A strange fact about my life and books: until about four or five years ago almost all the books I owned were gifts. In other words almost all my gifts during birthdays and Christmases were books. Since then the only person who has gifted me books is my best friend. Sad but true. However, I have been very generous about keeping me constantly supplied with books…something that is the despair of my husband!

Anyway, here’s a wishlist that I hope to get at some time or an other.

1. Anna Karenina (the movie tie-in edition) by Leo Tolstoy — I’ve heard the translation is good and this is one movie cover I would very much like to own. I think it looks incredibly pretty. I love the richness of those colours!
2. Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh — After having read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome, and having some minor ambitions of my own about a travelogue of some kind, I have found I am interested in reading travel books and would definitely like to read a good one about my country. This one sounds like it might be a treat.
3. The Artist of Disappearance by Anita Desai — It’s a book of three novellas. Apart from that I can’t say much except that I have heard good reports of Desai and this sounded like a good introduction to her. I’ve had this sitting in my wishlist for nearly two years now.
4. The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart — The first book in this trilogy, The Crystal Cave, is the first book I read when getting out of my five-year reading slump. It was fantastic! ….beautifully written with a tight plot and interesting characters.
5. The King Raven trilogy by Stephen R Lawhead — Ah! Lawhead is one of my favourite writers and his TheSong of Albion is among my all time favourites. I’m currently reading the second book in his Pendragon Cycle series and am enjoying it. King Raven is another I’m sure I will love. It is Lawhead’s take on the legendary Robin Hood.
6. The Robe by Lloyd C Douglas — I’ve watched the Richard Burton movie based on this book, several times as a child. When I later learnt of the existence of the book I decided I wanted to read it. I liked the movie very much. I’m hoping to love the book.
7. The African Trilogy by Chinua Achebe — I’ve been wanting to read Things Fall Apart for a long while now. And then last year I discovered a copy that includes the two sequels. I want!!
8. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky — Since the release of the movie I have been reading a great deal about his book and am now very curious.
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern — Another book I have read so much about. The premise for the whole story sound very intriguing.
10. The Complete C S Lewis Signature Classics – I’ve been wanting to read Mere Christianity for over a year now. And while I hadn’t quite thought of picking up Lewis’ other religious works I kinda jumped at the chance of getting them all in one when my husband asked me what I’d like him to get me for Christmas. Whether I get it or not is quite another matter altogether!

This list was prompted by Top Ten Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by the The Broke and Bookish.

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The Classics Club: Question for November November 7, 2012

What Classic piece of literature most intimidates you and why? Or are you intimidated by the Classics, and why? And has your view changed at all since you joined The Classics Club?

I grew up on children’s classics, gradually moving on to the more adult ones. And yet, it has only been in the last three years that I have been willing to really and truly explore the canon. I have had my classic bogies that have prevented me from reading much even when I was studying literature. The four major intimidating factors that have prevented me from reading many classics are the following:

• Russian literature – for some reason I have always been terrified of the Russian works. I’ve never been able to really pin down the reason. Perhaps the expected grandioseness of it all has always made me nervous. Not to mention how much I’ve hated reading unhappy stories, which I came to expect of the Russians. That leads me to my next point of intimidation…
• Unhappy stories – the way I used to see it…I read to escape into a world of fantasy and good will. So when my reading was to be marred with tear-jerkers I figured it was not for me (I hate having to cry over a book however good it might be). I could never read books that were full of adultery. That was always a major putt-off for me.
• Classic verse – the likes of The Iliad and The Odyssey have most certainly intimidated me because of their verse format. Much as I have always wanted to read them I have been skeptical of gleaning much from verses.
• Books with pages over 700 – I am a very slow reader. Therefore, any book that has more than a certain number of pages gives me pause. How long will I have to spend on this novel again? It takes me ages to finally give in to reading anything more than 700 pages long.

  That’s a LOT to intimidate me, isn’t it? However, you will have noticed, that my first three reasons have been written in the past tense — I used to be terrified of the Russian writers, I used to avoid unhappy stories, I used to be nervous of verse. However, over the last three years I’ve been trying to conquer these barriers to my literary growth, and I am slowly yet steadily succeeding. Although I have as yet to read one complete Russian novel, my brief glimpse into War and Peace and the several reviews I’ve been reading on the likes of Anna Karenina and The Brothers Karamazov have me rather excited about trying them. I’ve also reached a mature stage in my reading wherein I am not afraid to try anything that pulls me out of my comfort zone and makes me feel. And as I’ve currently begun reading Dante’s Commedia: Inferno I am pleased to find that verse does not intimidate me as much as it did before. In fact, I have Paradise Lost, The Canterbury Tales and Homer all eagerly lined up and waiting for a read. As to looooong novels….I think I would still think twice before picking up those volumes….mainly in order to figure out how long it would take me to complete them. But I doubt the sheer size will hold me off entirely.

  On an aside, three books I never thought I’d read but am now so looking forward to doing so because of all the great reviews I’ve been reading on them by other classic lovers, are War and Peace, Les Miserables and Moby Dick.

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The Classics Club: Question for October October 2, 2012

The Happy Accidents of the Swing by Jean-Honore Fragonard (1768)

Why are you reading the classics?

I read some classics for the warmth they bring me. I read some classics for the experience of another time, another era and lifestyle. I read some classics to satisfy the old fashioned-ness that is in me. I read some classics to expand my knowledge and horizon. I read some classics because if I should teach again some day I know that these will stand me in good stead.

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Reading M R James for ‘Gothic in October’. October 1, 2012

This is a sticky post until the end of this month.

Macbeth Sees the Ghost of Banquo by Chasseriau (1854)

It hadn't been my intention to take part in any of the gothic challenges and events taking place this month. There were especially two that I liked that I had to force myself to keep out of considering time constraints and my not knowing how things will be during the second half of October. However, Jean at Howling Frog Books, who has gone Gothic in October is hosting a month long read-along of M R James ghostly short stories wherein participants read one assigned short story each day and hop in over at her blog to discuss them.

I had never heard of James until Jean announced the event. Like I mentioned above, I had had no intention of being a part of it. But now, I think, I just might read along with a few stories. I think I can manage it well enough up until the 10th or twelfth of this month. Ten out of thirty-one can't be too bad, can it?

I've decided to use this very post to summarise and note down my reaction to the short stories I manage to read this month along with the dates in which the read-along was done. If you'd like to join just hop on over to the blog where it is happening and take part! I've also decided to count these readings towards the October Short Story Initiative hosted by Nancy.

1 October — “Canon Alberic's Scrap-book” (online text)

Today's story is a short narrative (and James' first short story as Jean has pointed out) about an English gentleman who visits the chapel of St Bertrand de Cumminges along with a rather nervous looking sacristan as guide. A couple of odd things happen till it is time to leave. The sacristan, seeing that the Englishman is interested in art, history and books invites him over to his place where the mystery of the little man's odd behaviour begins to unfold.

While I did not find this story particularly creepy or even eerie, I thought it was well told. There is, however, much left to the reader to imagine…gaps that need to be filled by the reader's sense of reasoning and creativity with what the writer has given out. I cannot say that I have been hooked by this story. But I am interested in reading James further. Let's see what tomorrow's short story brings us!

2 October — “Lost Hearts” (online text)

Stephen Elliot is an orphan whose 'fortune' changes when his elderly cousin, Abney, decides to house him. However, strange things are up with cousin Abney and his house. The only normal person seems to be the housekeeper who begins to dote on Stephen. Stephen learns that his cousin has always had a kindness towards lost, young souls but has sadly been repaid only by their disappearances. Of course, we learn why by the end of this story.

Hmmm…I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. There seemed to be something lacking in this particular piece. While I am always relieved that a scary story does not turn out as scary as you thought it might, one does feel that the piece does not achieve its purpose if it does not manage to creep you out…just a wee bit. On the whole, I felt this story was extremely predictable. Right from Abney's first greeting of Stephen and the tale of the two children expounded by the housekeeper I knew what the end was going to be which completely got rid of the element of suspense. Will have to see how tomorrow's story pans out.

3 October — “The Mezzotint” (online text)

Today's story is about a mezzotint of a house that is sent to a museum curator by the name of Williams. Williams is not much impressed with the rather rough looking sketch of a manor whose identity is not even clear. But as the evening progresses and different people take a look at the mezzotint strange things are observed as the pictures seems to take on a life of its own.

I am beginning to get used to James' style and the fact that his ghost stories are not as scarily narrated as they could be. This particular one's narrative seemed quite watered down since it is told by someone who knows someone who knows the curator who narrated his strange experience with this unusual mezzotint. However, it was very interesting, and unlike the previous story, I was unable to guess what was to happen next.

4 & 5 October — 'The Ash Tree' and 'Room 13'

I wish I could summarise these for you folk as I did the first three, but I really don't feel upto it. For one thing, after all my complaining that James wasn't scary at all, I got a little freaked out by these. Secondly, my mind is a bit hazy right now to put the story facts together. However, I can say this, after getting used to James' reporting style and imagining an oral rendition of his ghost stories, they become quite effective. I see that James' demons/ghosts are all hairy armed creatures. Spiders or spider-like maybe?

I've decided to stop with M R James at this point. In three more days we're expecting the newest addition to our family, and I'm in no mood for darkness and horror. I'm more in the mood for fluff and good will stories. Perhaps, sometime next year, I'll continue with these stories.

So, I'm done with this read-along. I'd intended reading the first 10 stories, but I've decided to stop at 5.

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I’ve been reading some Saki. September 27, 2012

 

By the Open Window by Konstantin Makovsky c. 1910

It’s nearly the end of the month, and I finally had the inclination to read a handful of short stories. Thanks mostly, I think, to Jay for his pointing out a rather handy short story ereader app. I was going through it and coming across some Saki shorts I decided to read them. Two were stories I had read a long while ago, and two were rather new to me. The new-to-me ones were rather unlike the other Saki I have read before, though it felt rather Saki-ish, if you know what I mean. Here they are in the order I read them this evening:

The Music on the Hill

Sylvia Seltoun is feeling rather triumphant about getting her husband, Mortimer, to remove to their country house away from the evils of the town. But her triumph is rather short-lived when she scorns the existence of the god Pan and his power in the woods of Yessney.

This is a very short story, about 4 pages long, but rather eerie. I don’t really know what else I can say without giving the story away. Only this remark I have to make, if you believe in good you must necessarily believe in evil and vice versa.

The Peace of Mowsle Barton

Mowsle Barton goes into the country for some peace and quiet, only to find himself witness to the old, irritant feud between two withered old witches. His initial disbelief turns to conviction and then to his scooting back to town to find peace midst the bustle of town life.

This was a rather amusing piece, in a way, and if found myself chuckling in a place or two. It strikes me, while reading these Saki shorts, that the writer is rather skeptical about country life and sees much there to shudder at as in town life. Perhaps he’s saying peace in the country is overrated? Perhaps not everyone is made up for peace in the country? I could relate to that in a way. While I love the idea that surrounds a little cottage in the hills with a lovely garden in the outskirts of a forest, I would long for the sounds of heavy laden truck and traffic filled roads in a matter of a day or two!! Sad…but true.

The Open Window

This was simply hilarious and one I’ve read twice or thrice before. A young man, again off to the country to cure his nerves, comes to visit a Mrs Sappleton. The first person to greet and meet with him is the niece of the household, a highly imaginative little girl who sends her guest running for his life! There isn’t much else I can say about it except, that in looking for a picture to put into this post I came across a blog that analyses this short story of about 4 pages, rather deeply. I didn’t go through it completely save to notice that the blogger mentions how Saki turns the symbol of the open window, which ought to have stood for openness and honesty, into a symbol of deception. Interesting, no?

Tobermory

I’ve read this one once before. A Mr Appin claims to have taught the cat of his hosts how to talk. Lady Blemley, Sir Wilfrid and their guests are skeptical about this claim, and Tobermory is soon brought in to demonstrate his powers of speech. The novelty of it all soon turns to unease and horror and the cat begins to spill out everyone’s secrets.

This, too, is a highly amusing tale, and a true satire about that strata of society…the hypocrisy and falseness involved in high society’s “friendships”. I think it’s also a rather milder take on the theme that surrounds the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – leave well alone or we create our own monsters.

I’ve been reading these for the Short Story Initiative hosted by Nancy.

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The Short Story Initiative: September (a fresh start!) September 5, 2012

The Short Stories on Wednesdays weekly event that Nancy Cudis of Simple Clockwork has been running for the last few months, has now been converted to a monthly event called The Short Story Initiative. The aim, as it has always been, is to encourage folk to read short stories, whether it be just one a week (now one a month) or many. Nancy has organised it so that there is a Mr Linky open each month for as many links to as many short story reviews as one might have. She intends consolidating the lot at the end of each month. She also has monthly themes for anyone who would love to participate but are not too sure where to begin. For the rest, she very flexible about how the participants work out their short story reading.

 

As I’ve said, the only aim of this event is to encourage folk to read a much often neglected literary form — the short story.

 

This month’s theme is all about getting to know the participants. Here are a few questions Nancy has asked us to answer.

 

1. Why do you want to join The Short Story Initiative?

I have a few short story collections that I would like to read and this seems good incentive to pick them up and complete  them if possible.

 

2. What kind of short stories do you read? Is there a specific genre or culture or nationality you would like to explore through short stories?

At the moment I have some classics shorts to read by famous writers like O Henry, Saki, Conrad, Fitzgerald, L M Montgomery, Chopin, Mansfield, Poe and Murakami. When reading for the weekly event before, my choices used to be rather random as I picked things from off the net. Perhaps I prefer humour and something homely. But after I read all the afore mentioned writers my idea of what I like might be more fixed?… let’s see…

 

3. Who is your favorite short story writer? Why?

I don’t know that I have a favourite short story writer. I know that I have enjoyed works by O Henry and Saki. But my short story reading has been too sparse to form an informed opinion.

 

4. What is the most memorable short story you have read?

Surprisingly, this one is an easy answer for me — “Who Slays the Giant, Kills the Beast” by Mark Chadbourne. It’s a fantasy short that mixes history with the eerie world of faerie. The title comes from Sidney Spencer’s  Faeirie Queene and the main character of the short story is Spencer himself.

 

5. What is your experience with short stories in the past? Is it a good or bad experience?

Some have been good. Some have been okay. But I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad experience with short stories. I have found it a really good way to get introduced to new writers and get a feel of their style before plunging into their novels or plays. In the last one year I was introduced to Woolf, Chekov and Willa Cather in this manner.

 

6. Share one book confession when it comes to short stories?

I find it very hard to pick up a short story. Once I begin I am hooked. But there is always this fear that when I pick a short story to read, it will not be enough. I might be left wanting something more. The whole experience might be incomplete. Like I’ve said, though, I’ve never really felt these things after reading shorts.

 

7. Share something about yourself that has nothing to do with short stories.
I like doing some needlework every now and then. Nowadays, it’s my only other option for relaxation besides reading and blogging.  

 

So, are you participating in The Short Story Initiative as well? If not, would you like to? Do you like reading short stories? Would you like to try them? Tell me!