Books The BOOK thread

Has anyone else finished The Pale King yet?

It's hard for me to say much about it. I just love Wallace's writing. I actually find the physical act of reading his words to be enjoyable, which is something no other author or book has ever accomplished, so for me it doesn't really matter what he is writing about and so I'm a poor judge.

Some parts made me laugh. Others made me think a lot about my life and some of the larger questions he tackles in the novel. Never did I feel bored or like I wish he would get on with it but I'm sure some people will. I learned more about how the IRS works then I ever needed to know.

It's no Infinite Jest but I'm sure all his fans will love it. I did.
 
Reading Richard Ellmann's marvellous biography Oscar Wilde again.
 
brad-dyrak said:
Funny that. I was about to pick up "Enders Game" right after I finished my current book (The Russian Civil War), but you may have saved me the trouble.

Also, "The Brothers Karamazov" is my favorite book and have reread it a couple of times with different translations. Which translation do you have?
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For some reason I'm not able to get into the MacAndrew translation that I have. I know i would like this and I've enjoyed the first 100 pages or so but I can't find myself reading it at a stretch which is very odd for me. I think its the translation that's a little clunky, doesn't flow well at all. Will I be better of ditching this and getting the 'Pevear and Volokhonsky' one instead? Is there a big difference, would anyone here know?
 
There is lots of debate concerning the various translation's of Russian Literature, there is one whom seems to be considered the best by most scholars though and I'm not sure which, I think it's the one the Oxford World Classics series uses, but can't remember
 
letranger0 said:
Has anyone else finished The Pale King yet?

It's hard for me to say much about it. I just love Wallace's writing. I actually find the physical act of reading his words to be enjoyable, which is something no other author or book has ever accomplished, so for me it doesn't really matter what he is writing about and so I'm a poor judge.

Some parts made me laugh. Others made me think a lot about my life and some of the larger questions he tackles in the novel. Never did I feel bored or like I wish he would get on with it but I'm sure some people will. I learned more about how the IRS works then I ever needed to know.

It's no Infinite Jest but I'm sure all his fans will love it. I did.
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Yeah, finished it the other night. I thought it was excellent. The opening paragraph-and-a-half is about as good a descriptive passage as I've ever read.
 
So lads and ladies, thoughts on Herman Hesse?

Did he romanticise Buddhism and the far east?

Is Steppenwolfe worth reading?
 
Heardy said:
Not heard of Heresy - let us know if you read it and it's worth picking up.

Still not gotten round to picking up Heartstone, been real busy with work and haven't found time to start a new book, but it will hopefully be as good as Dissolution, Dark Fire and Sovereign (think Dissolution was my favourite, although it is very hard to call).

I thoroughly recommend POTE, although it's pretty long. My dad borrowed it off of me but couldn't break the first 100 pages and never picked it up again, but I urge you to soldier through the initial stages, and you will be in for a treat.
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Hiya mate, just finished Heresy, very good, definitely recommend it. Similar traits to the Shardlake novels, investigating murders, set in one city (Oxford), very good plot twists. Give it read if you get a chance.
 
TheGame said:
Hiya mate, just finished Heresy, very good, definitely recommend it. Similar traits to the Shardlake novels, investigating murders, set in one city (Oxford), very good plot twists. Give it read if you get a chance.
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Cheers mate, I've just won £50 worth of Amazon vouchers, so may well use them to grab a copy of Heresy amongst a few others.
 
My reading list is exceptionally long now - NJ1979 thanks for the advice.

So my list:
1.) Moby Dick
2.) Finish dostoevsky - The Idiot/Crime and Punishment.
3.) Lolita
4.) The Dark Tower Series

countless others I've mentioned in this thread and forgotten.

I'm fecked!

Anyone else got reading lists to post (whether academic ones or just personal enjoyment lists.)
 
AdZzUtd said:
My reading list is exceptionally long now - NJ1979 thanks for the advice.

So my list:
1.) Moby Dick
2.) Finish dostoevsky - The Idiot/Crime and Punishment.
3.) Lolita
4.) The Dark Tower Series

countless others I've mentioned in this thread and forgotten.

I'm fecked!

Anyone else got reading lists to post (whether academic ones or just personal enjoyment lists.)
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I think you should worry about getting through that list first. Will probably take you a while.
 
jveezy said:
I think you should worry about getting through that list first. Will probably take you a while.
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I even forgot to mention the works of Herman Hesse :lol: I had only posted about it a post or two up!

I'm a fairly quick reader, but it's a hefty list.

You got any reading planned Jveezy?
 
AdZzUtd said:
I even forgot to mention the works of Herman Hesse :lol: I had only posted about it a post or two up!

I'm a fairly quick reader, but it's a hefty list.

You got any reading planned Jveezy?
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As we speak I'm listening to David Copperfield (not exactly thrilled with it). I've got a few obscure books next on the list and then I'm going to find a way to get my audiobook file for A Game of Thrones to work. Right now it crashes my iPod every time it gets to the next chapter. :mad:

Probably Great Expectations after that. I really need to finish everything in my audiobook collection before I buy any more. I buy books as quickly as Livvie buys Kindle books but don't burn through them as quickly.
 
jveezy said:
As we speak I'm listening to David Copperfield (not exactly thrilled with it). I've got a few obscure books next on the list and then I'm going to find a way to get my audiobook file for A Game of Thrones to work. Right now it crashes my iPod every time it gets to the next chapter. :mad:

Probably Great Expectations after that. I really need to finish everything in my audiobook collection before I buy any more. I buy books as quickly as Livvie buys Kindle books but don't burn through them as quickly.
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I see, I've never tried audiobooks, a few friends swear by them - i'm convicned something is lost between the gap of reading and processing the words with the eyes! I've not read David Copperfield, I've heard similiar stories of people being bored by it, it's autobiographic of Dickens isn't it? Great Expectations is a a fantastic read, probably the greatest novel in the English Language, or at the very least quite close.

I can't recommend Great Expectations highly enough really.
 
AdZzUtd said:
I see, I've never tried audiobooks, a few friends swear by them - i'm convicned something is lost between the gap of reading and processing the words with the eyes! I've not read David Copperfield, I've heard similiar stories of people being bored by it, it's autobiographic of Dickens isn't it? Great Expectations is a a fantastic read, probably the greatest novel in the English Language, or at the very least quite close.

I can't recommend Great Expectations highly enough really.
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I believe it is. I just checked the Wikipedia article and it looks like it is. I also managed to spoil the ending, though I use the term "spoil" loosely since the ending is entirely predictable and I don't care all that much.
 
I never got around to reading any James Clavell books although I have always loved the Shogun and Noble House tv-series. Is anyone here a fan of his books? Where should I start?
 
AdZzUtd said:
My reading list is exceptionally long now - NJ1979 thanks for the advice.

So my list:
1.) Moby Dick
2.) Finish dostoevsky - The Idiot/Crime and Punishment.
3.) Lolita
4.) The Dark Tower Series

countless others I've mentioned in this thread and forgotten.

I'm fecked!

Anyone else got reading lists to post (whether academic ones or just personal enjoyment lists.)
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I strongly recommend you don't bother with the Dark Tower series. You'll get sucked in by the fact that the first book is excellent, but the series gets progressively weaker and the ending is a filthy big annoying copout.

The first three on your list are great, though.
 
AdZzUtd said:
I see, I've never tried audiobooks, a few friends swear by them - i'm convicned something is lost between the gap of reading and processing the words with the eyes! I've not read David Copperfield, I've heard similiar stories of people being bored by it, it's autobiographic of Dickens isn't it? Great Expectations is a a fantastic read, probably the greatest novel in the English Language, or at the very least quite close.

I can't recommend Great Expectations highly enough really.
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I know what you mean about audiobooks but I've been listening to them walking to work and the last couple have been pretty good (1984 and The Age of Innocence). The Wharton I downloaded from the freebee site Librivox. It has to be said that, as it's volunteers reading, some of the recordings are pants but some are really pretty decent and as they are free you can give them a go and just delete it if you are not enjoying it.

I agree about Great Expectations; it's a must read. I also have a real soft spot for Nicholas Nickleby - for all it's maudlin sentimentality, some of the crazed characters are just delicious.
 
wr8_utd said:
Has anyone read The White Spider by Heinrich Harrer?
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Yes I have. It's fantastic if you're into human experience and human spirit type literature in the form of real accounts. Very detailed background information and all in all an enlightening read.

Don't miss out Seven Years in Tibet by him either. Fascinating character was Heinrich.
 
NJ1979 said:
I strongly recommend you don't bother with the Dark Tower series. You'll get sucked in by the fact that the first book is excellent, but the series gets progressively weaker and the ending is a filthy big annoying copout.

The first three on your list are great, though.
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Thanks for the input, I must say I've been enjoying the first novel of the series very much but have heard similar stories of the series falling away. I'll heed this advice I think. Thanks

redhoop said:
I know what you mean about audiobooks but I've been listening to them walking to work and the last couple have been pretty good (1984 and The Age of Innocence). The Wharton I downloaded from the freebee site Librivox. It has to be said that, as it's volunteers reading, some of the recordings are pants but some are really pretty decent and as they are free you can give them a go and just delete it if you are not enjoying it.

I agree about Great Expectations; it's a must read. I also have a real soft spot for Nicholas Nickleby - for all it's maudlin sentimentality, some of the crazed characters are just delicious.
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I see, I suppose if you get a great articulator reading the novel it can be a great experience, perhaps I'll try one over summer. I've never read Nicholas Nickleby, but it does sound good 'crazed characters' Dickens couldn't help himself could he?

I doubt I've read a character I've enjoyed as much as Magwitch.

I thank ee. :D
 
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Reading Sally Beauman's Rebecca's Tale, an authorised sequel to the famous novel. So far, so bland.
The Guardian's Linda Grant claims that 'Beauman is a better prose writer than Daphne du Maurier'...which is a bit like saying 'Right Said Fred have more soul than Stevie Wonder.'
 
redspoony said:
Just got Pulp by Charles Bukowski from the library. Never read anything by him previously.
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I hate to say it, but that's probably about his poorest work. Don't judge him on that one. I reckon I've ready pretty much all his stuff, and would most recommend "Women" and "Post Office". Both of them were magnificent. He's a funny fecker. I actually quite liked "Hollywood" as well which was about the part he played in the making of "Barfly" (I really liked that movie as well). His short stories and poetry really hit the spot as well.

If you're familiar with Bukowski's work, or at least his style, you'll love this Bukowski styled "Peanuts" (Charlie Brown, Snoopy, etc) comic strip. Kills me every time - Peanuts, by Charles Bukowski
 
Got "Pompeii" by Robert Harris, on someone's recommendation here. I liked the fact how he has recreated a story in the event surrounding the explosion of Mt Vesuvius. The aqua augusta is a fascinating marvel to read about. However, I felt the story in itself did not do much justice. I love historical novels and in terms of imagination it does prod your imaginations in recreating the aqueduct, the villas and the scenery. However, on hindsight, I was well-off buying couple of classics for collections like the 'great expectations' and the like which combined together was available roughly for the same cost as the book 'Pompeii'. If you could find this one in the library, then its well and good and for a weekend, worth a read.

Any recommendations on similar themes?
 
The Nazis and the Occult. An astonishingly bad book which spends nigh-on 200 pages describing alleged Nazi 'black arts' activities...and then uses a 2-page Conclusion to state that there's virtually no evidence for such deeds. And the cover reminds me of a right-wing Rupert the Bear Annual.

nazis-occult-roland-paul-hardcover-cover-art.jpg
 
Right lads I'm off on a holiday in 2 days time which will involve a lot of travelling, so plenty of reading time. I've got bunch of books long overdue a read, I was hoping you could help rate them for me since most of these are pretty old and might not have aged very well:

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Dune
Catcher in The Rye
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Midnight's Children
 
kps88 said:
Right lads I'm off on holiday in 2 days which will involve a lot of travelling so plenty of reading time. I've got bunch of books long overdue a read, I was hoping you lot could help rate them for me since most of these are pretty old and might not have aged very well:

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Dune
Catcher in The Rye
Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Midnight's Children
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All very good. Not read the other 2.
 
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