MobileRead Official MobileRead Book Club: Welcome thread/November's book choice thread - Page 8

desertgrandma · 11-10-2008, 05:18 PM

I'm at the very end, and yes, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to start the dialog on it.......

Tattncat · 11-10-2008, 10:23 PM

Hey, at two-thirds it actually gets better. At the moment, I'm enjoying it. It will be interesting what the general "take" is.

desertgrandma · 11-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leep

This book is really hard work! I may be dense, but it took me three trys at the first chapter before I started to get the hang of the book.

cheers

EXACTLY!!! I kept wondering what the heck was being said, but once I got into it, it just kept flowing nicely......

JSWolf · 11-15-2008, 05:23 AM

Well, normally, any book that is still dull and boring by chapter 15 I would normally stop reading. Now why are we torturing ourselves with this again? Is it too late to to move onto the next book and forget this one ever existed?

If people are really that insipid, I'd want to get as far away from them as I could as fast as I could.

winspiration · 11-16-2008, 07:42 AM

I've just started the book, so will have to get a move on before discussion week

My own fault for only spotting this thread about a week ago, then I wanted to finish what I was reading first as I prefer to only read one book at a time.

desertgrandma · 11-16-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Well, normally, any book that is still dull and boring by chapter 15 I would normally stop reading. Now why are we torturing ourselves with this again? Is it too late to to move onto the next book and forget this one ever existed?

If people are really that insipid, I'd want to get as far away from them as I could as fast as I could.

Jon, you are reading the book with today's standards and outlooks in mind. Try reading and immersing yourself in THAT time period, that culture, and try looking at things thru their eyes.

Reading the book through to the end will at least give you the legitimate right to state your dislikes.

JSWolf · 11-18-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Jon, you are reading the book with today's standards and outlooks in mind. Try reading and immersing yourself in THAT time period, that culture, and try looking at things thru their eyes.

Reading the book through to the end will at least give you the legitimate right to state your dislikes.

I have not given up on it. And I will make it to the end. But when does it actually get good?

I am up to chapter 23 at present.

Sparrow · 11-18-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have not given up on it. And I will make it to the end. But when does it actually get good?
I am up to chapter 23 at present.

I thought it got good well before chapter 23 - it was great by chapter 12!!

I loved the dialogue, the way Forster evokes different cultures, the layers of meaning - so much to enjoy.

Only Connect - and you will love it.

JSWolf · 11-18-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparrow

I thought it got good well before chapter 23 - it was great by chapter 12!!

I loved the dialogue, the way Forster evokes different cultures, the layers of meaning - so much to enjoy.

Only Connect - and you will love it.

I guess this is one book that is not a good fit for me. The characters seem to be caricatures. They lead terribly dull lives. And they all seem so fake.

Sparrow · 11-18-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I guess this is one book that is not a good fit for me. The characters seem to be caricatures. They lead terribly dull lives. And they all seem so fake.

It'd be great if you got through it, and contributed to the debate though; even if you're finding it is a bit of a chore.
We need to hear differing opinions; not just the cheerleaders - that'd be boring.

I expect we'll all encounter books we don't particularly enjoy in the months ahead; but that's part of the fun (in a weird sort of way

).

desertgrandma · 11-18-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I guess this is one book that is not a good fit for me. The characters seem to be caricatures. They lead terribly dull lives. And they all seem so fake.

Jon, I understand what you are saying. If I have to read Les Miserables or Wuthering Heights, I will beat myself about the head repeatedly doing so.
(And the characters DO lead terribly dull lives. Everything you did, said and thought was pretty restricted in those days, wasn't it?)

DixieGal · 11-18-2008, 11:20 AM

You guys are doing well. Just remember, a negative comment is as valuable as a positive comment about the text. As long as you can back up your opinion with reasons and quotes, then you have a valid argument. Question a post but don't attack the poster.

Just saying you like or dislike it isn't enough. Dig in there and explain what it is that you like or dislike about it, and don't just say because it was a downer. The book is immortal for a reason, even if it is a bummer. It has transcended the boundaries of the story and the author's intentions as well. It's up to us to decide what gives it life.

Think about things in terms of:

1. What is the meaning of the story as it translates to something in society today?

2. What can I, as the audience, learn about myself from this story?

3. What will make it current and living for the next generation to read it?

4. Does it bring to mind other books with similar dark themes?

Most importantly, have fun posting and picking apart others' posts without attacking the poster.

Tattncat · 11-18-2008, 01:50 PM

DixiGal, are you a teacher by any chance?

1) In my opinion, the book illustrates societal barriers both now and in the past. Hopefully we are getting beyond those barriers.

2) I found the social barriers, as portrayed, distasteful, and irrelevant. I don't play or participate in social games. As Popeye says "I am, what I am."

3) I points out clearly, the irrelevancy of such social snobishness as it shows up on both sides of the social fence.

4) To my mind, no.

P.S. I hope I am communicating my thoughts clearly. I am an artist not a communicator.

DixieGal · 11-18-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tattncat

2) I found the social barriers, as portrayed, distasteful, and irrelevant. I don't play or participate in social games. As Popeye says "I am, what I am."

(I was just tossing out examples of ways to think about what is being read, not trying to be bossy or anything. Those are some techniques that help me with literary criticism, made for some truly spectacular grades in college. I never even got a chance to start this particular book!)

Now I'm curious and want to pick your brain. Has the book changed the way you would respond to someone who shows prejudice? If yes, how has it changed?

pilotbob · 11-18-2008, 02:04 PM

You guys should move this discussion to the Passage To India discussion thread which was opened early accidentally. But there it is:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32136

BOb

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11-10-2008, 05:18 PM	#106
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	I'm at the very end, and yes, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Can't wait to start the dialog on it.......

11-10-2008, 10:23 PM	#107
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	Hey, at two-thirds it actually gets better. At the moment, I'm enjoying it. It will be interesting what the general "take" is.

11-15-2008, 05:23 AM	#109
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,970 Karma: 128903378 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Well, normally, any book that is still dull and boring by chapter 15 I would normally stop reading. Now why are we torturing ourselves with this again? Is it too late to to move onto the next book and forget this one ever existed? If people are really that insipid, I'd want to get as far away from them as I could as fast as I could.

11-16-2008, 07:42 AM	#110
winspiration Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 1305 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony Reader PRS-505, Kindle Fire HD	I've just started the book, so will have to get a move on before discussion week My own fault for only spotting this thread about a week ago, then I wanted to finish what I was reading first as I prefer to only read one book at a time.

11-18-2008, 11:20 AM	#117
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	You guys are doing well. Just remember, a negative comment is as valuable as a positive comment about the text. As long as you can back up your opinion with reasons and quotes, then you have a valid argument. Question a post but don't attack the poster. Just saying you like or dislike it isn't enough. Dig in there and explain what it is that you like or dislike about it, and don't just say because it was a downer. The book is immortal for a reason, even if it is a bummer. It has transcended the boundaries of the story and the author's intentions as well. It's up to us to decide what gives it life. Think about things in terms of: 1. What is the meaning of the story as it translates to something in society today? 2. What can I, as the audience, learn about myself from this story? 3. What will make it current and living for the next generation to read it? 4. Does it bring to mind other books with similar dark themes? Most importantly, have fun posting and picking apart others' posts without attacking the poster.

11-18-2008, 01:50 PM	#118
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	DixiGal, are you a teacher by any chance? 1) In my opinion, the book illustrates societal barriers both now and in the past. Hopefully we are getting beyond those barriers. 2) I found the social barriers, as portrayed, distasteful, and irrelevant. I don't play or participate in social games. As Popeye says "I am, what I am." 3) I points out clearly, the irrelevancy of such social snobishness as it shows up on both sides of the social fence. 4) To my mind, no. P.S. I hope I am communicating my thoughts clearly. I am an artist not a communicator.

11-18-2008, 02:04 PM	#120
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	You guys should move this discussion to the Passage To India discussion thread which was opened early accidentally. But there it is: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32136 BOb

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