I haven't seen a thread like this since my return on the org...

So, what is it?

I'm reading "Confessions of Zeno" by Italo Svevo. I don't have enough time to read a lot lately but I think the part I've read is almost superb !

MarieLouise said:

Ooohh! Let me know how it is! I have a copy of that and have been meaning to read it.

James Joyce was a big fan of Svevo's and I think he might even have modeled Leopold Bloom on him.

I've started reading Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

P.S. Shutup, Nero.



[Edited 9/13/05 9:31am]

I've just finished this :



I'm speechless. Simply one of the most amazing book i've ever read.

Spelling edit
[Edited 9/13/05 9:33am]

2the9s said:

You didn't finish it.

2the9s said:

The cover says Joyce was his teacher. But I don't know how literal that should be taken. I don't know too much about Joyce's biography, only that the day he met his wife must have been special.

Nero said:

It's currently in a hold pattern.

2the9s said:

A tear just rolled down my right cheek.

A couple of nights ago i was drawn back to a book i have not opened in a while to look up a reference. I'm still enjoying it. It's the works of William Shakespere

mdiver said:

Shakesphere is cool.

just starting it.

MarieLouise said:

Yeah an awsome collection

mdiver said:

I just had a friend of mine called John read me Shakespeare over the phone about three weeks ago. John studies linguistics, and we had a long talk about how Shakespeare would've sounded more like a coal miner from eastern Kentucky than the modern-day British. Anyway, he put on his best attempt at a southern accent - John's from Seattle - and went to town reading me Macbeth.

Nero said:

He's one of the writers I'm so glad about we read him at university -guided by the knowledge of a specialist I mean. His shit is very funny, but you have to know where to find it.

MarieLouise said:

I remember when I first read Shakespeare, in high school. I had dreaded the idea, but you're entirely right. Sometimes it takes a lot of thinking to get what's being said just right, but sometimes it's damn funny.

Not one of my preferences to just sit about and read, but I can appreciate it now.

Oh, my bit of participation: Aztec Blood by Gary Jennings.

Nero said:

Then it should have been a Scottish accent doughnut

MarieLouise said:

Yeah and he sure could write a tradegy

mdiver said:

That's right...

For as long as they don't destroy the Romeo in my head (powerful, romantic, arrogant and delicious) by putting DiCaprio's whiny face on it.

mdiver said:

Ehem. Yes and no, I suppose.

He started reading me Hamlet, but I couldn't be bothered. Macbeth is my favorite. Anyway, I guess he should've slapped on a Danish accent for that.

Anxiety said:

ooooohhhhh, ohohohohoh I forgot this book was out! I have to go get it.

Nero said:

In secondary school we played MacBeth in English class, a simplified version that is. It was a puppet play, the teacher had created the puppets himself, just great. He offered me the role of Lady MacBeth but I decided to be the first Witch. Those ladies were just more intriguing at the age of 14. I'm not sure who I would choose now.

bluesbaby said:

they're selling the hardcover for 7.99 at the local bookstore in my neighborhood.

MarieLouise said:

Yeah I know although I thought the film was a good interpretaion but DiCaprio was poo

mdiver said:

I agree. I can't say I hated the film. It was good.

MarieLouise said:

I saw Sir John Gielgud (sp) in Macbeth with the RSC and damn, it was mind blowing

mdiver said:

That must be so great about living in the U.K.

Well I'm not reading anything quite as sophisticated ans Shakespeare, I am reading a very interesting book called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See.

MarieLouise said:

Yeah i am just outside London so we nip up to the rebuilt globe a couple of times a year

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen and The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

jillybean said:

I read that a few months ago. Pretty cool book.

Although I really hated most of the people in it

mdiver said:

I am soooo jealous right now

Altho, I probably shouldn't go see a live performance of MacBeth
since I inevitably come all over myself when he does his "unto
the last syllable of recorded time" bit.

I watched Orson Welles' movie adaptation of it again the other
week (I have it on dvd) and it just gives me goosebumps.

Most of Shakespear's work I find to be nice but it doesn't do
anything for me, except for MacBeth which astounded me first
time I read it and keeps compelling me, even after having read
it and watched it at least 50 times now