05-12-2014, 12:23 PM | #1 |
languorous autodidact ✦
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Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad
This is the MR Literary Club selection for May 2014. Whether you've already read it or would like to, feel free to start or join in the conversation at any time! Guests are also always welcome.
Some free ebook availability- MR Library- EPUB of the complete works of Joseph Conrad Amazon- Australia Canada UK US Kobo- US Some paid ebook availability- Amazon- US-Penguin edition with introduction by an editor of the UK journal of the Joseph Conrad Society, the Conradian ($2.85) So, what are your thoughts on it? Last edited by sun surfer; 05-13-2014 at 12:47 PM. |
05-12-2014, 07:20 PM | #2 | |
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I look forward to reading this book. I bought the Penguin edition for $2.85 since it had introductory text written by one of the editors of the Conradian, the journal of the Joseph Conrad Society (UK).
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Western-.../dp/B002RI9MZW The introduction of this edition mentions the website Conrad First. I picked the first month of serialization, and it was interesting to look at the ads and other works in the magazine to get in the mindset of that time period. http://www.conradfirst.net/conrad/home Quote:
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05-12-2014, 07:32 PM | #3 |
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You are great at finding these interesting sites, Bookworm_Girl. Thanks very much.
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05-13-2014, 03:39 AM | #4 |
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05-13-2014, 03:58 AM | #5 |
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I believe it's also over at Feedbooks as a stand alone book if someone doesn't want to load the whole Joseph Conrad collection up at once.
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05-13-2014, 09:31 AM | #6 |
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05-13-2014, 12:48 PM | #7 |
languorous autodidact ✦
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You do often provide us with some very interesting sites to peruse that add to the reading experience, Bookworm_Girl, so thanks from me too. Also thanks for the nomination; Heart of Darkness is one of my faves and I'm looking forward to finally reading another Conrad.
Even though your post is just after the original, I've added your link to Amazon to the availability section so that it won't be left out. crich, if you want to provide a Feedbooks link I'll add that one too. |
05-13-2014, 07:30 PM | #8 |
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Thanks for the kind words! I work in a scientific field so my nature is to research. I like to break things down and then build them back up, sort of resynthesize the reading experience into something immersive for me. It's great that we have such a variety of people in our club to offer their unique perspectives and make for a more interesting discussion.
My mother was reading Heart of Darkness when she came to visit last autumn and enjoying it! That's what influenced me to nominate a Conrad book. |
05-16-2014, 11:24 AM | #9 |
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05-16-2014, 02:29 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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05-16-2014, 09:01 PM | #11 |
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The Penguin edition also has annotated footnotes which are helpful.
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05-19-2014, 11:38 PM | #12 |
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I just started this one today. Was getting through Anathem by Neal Stephenson, a bit of a monster book. Now I need to do some catch-up.
Had trouble with the first 10%, but I was very tired this morning travelling in to work and was lacking the focus I probably needed for Conrad's writing. |
05-20-2014, 01:37 AM | #13 |
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I started the book while jetlagged. Must've read the narrator introduction three or four times!
Keep going just a little bit further. I experienced a shift in clarity. It becomes more plot-like and engaging. You also adapt to the style. |
05-20-2014, 01:50 AM | #14 |
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I am about 50 pages in. What strikes me is how very Russian it seems - even though Conrad was Polish of course! But I suppose he would have had a feel for their literature.
It's a long time since I read Crime and Punishment but I keep being reminded of it - all the internal anguish and near hysteria perhaps. Am I imagining it, or have others noticed it too? |
05-20-2014, 11:38 AM | #15 | |||
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Quote:
Quote:
What I am most enjoying about the book is the view of Russia and the discussion of the nature of revolutions. Here is an interesting quote: Quote:
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