07-02-2012, 03:59 PM | #16 | |
languorous autodidact ✦
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Quote:
I actually forgot to add the parentheses to the category title in the first post that I used last year (that I've now edited in again after your comment reminded me of it) which is: (especially difficult or long works we may be hesitant to choose otherwise) I remember a year ago deciding whether the category should be "Highly Challenging" or simply "Challenging". I went with the former even at the risk of sounding over-emphatic because I thought it more accurate. "Highly Challenging" is even open to interpretation, but "Challenging" would be so open to interpretation as to possibly include most anything considered literary. To your specific question, I'd say both "heavy" books and books with challenging ideas could qualify, but anyone else can chime in with their thoughts on the matter if they'd like. Last edited by sun surfer; 07-02-2012 at 04:04 PM. |
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07-02-2012, 04:01 PM | #17 |
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Both probably apply. As long as it's challenging to understand or decipher because the language or ideas are difficult to grasp, rather than because it's just rubbish, then I think it qualifies.
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07-02-2012, 04:41 PM | #18 |
o saeclum infacetum
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Third Middlemarch, and that's my last nomination.
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07-02-2012, 06:50 PM | #19 |
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JSWolf has mentioned Ulysses by James Joyce. So I'll rise to the bait and use my last nomination to suggest that novel. By any standards Ulysses is one of the most intellectually challenging books of the twentieth century, Joyce claimed that it would keep critics busy for a hundred years--and it would seem that he may well be proven right.
The book covers one day in Dublin centering primarily on Leopold Bloom. But the entire structure and events mirror Homer's Odyssey. In some ways it is an epic of the ordinary but is far fron ordinary in its subtle structure, its phenomenally virtuosic use of language, and brilliant characterization. The 1922 first edition has long been available in the Public domain and is included in Project Gutenberg's library, but since January of this year, nearly all editions are now PD. If you really want a challenge you won't be disappointed with this astounding novel. Last edited by fantasyfan; 07-02-2012 at 06:56 PM. |
07-02-2012, 06:59 PM | #20 |
o saeclum infacetum
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I'm out of nominations, so all I can offer is moral support. Ulysses is a key work in appreciation of culture in the 20th century and while difficult, is not inaccessible to the reader who is willing to take it slowly. It well rewards the effort and it's a work that everyone should read, IMO.
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07-02-2012, 08:48 PM | #21 |
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I'll third Memoirs of Hadrian and Blood Meridian and second Ulysses.
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07-02-2012, 08:55 PM | #22 |
languorous autodidact ✦
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Third Ulysses.
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07-03-2012, 04:14 PM | #23 |
languorous autodidact ✦
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Less than half a day left for nominations.
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07-03-2012, 05:15 PM | #24 |
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yeah! definitely fourth Memoirs of Hadrian. Now mulling over it a little more for the rest of my nominations...
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07-03-2012, 05:22 PM | #25 |
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next one, I'll fourth Middlemarch, and keep thinking whether I can afford Ulysses, as this would close the nominations.
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07-03-2012, 06:27 PM | #26 |
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ok, if I am still in time, i'll fourth Ulysses.
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07-03-2012, 07:00 PM | #27 |
languorous autodidact ✦
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Yes, paola, you're still in time and that concludes it. We now have five fully nominated works and nominations are closed.
The poll will be up shortly. caleb72, I wanted to say both your nominations were interesting and both are books I'd like to read eventually. I've read The Road by McCarthy and he's a great writer, and I've never read Burroughs but I'd like to try him. |
07-10-2012, 04:52 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
I've never read this author, but I've read on a number of occasions that his prose is challenging (distinct lack of punctuation etc..) and given that his works receive literary acclaim I thought it would be a good fit for the theme and the club. |
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07-10-2012, 04:54 AM | #29 |
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Thanks for that. They were two authors that popped into my head when given the theme. I don't actually have any immediate plans to read either so it was less selfish than my usual nominations.
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07-10-2012, 05:26 AM | #30 | |
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