The MR Literary Society - Page 5

beppe · 05-19-2011, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andanzas

I think I understand what beppe is saying. The Road also recreates a very harsh world, but then there is that tender relationship from the father and his son. They are fighting to have a better life. There are brief reasons for hope. In Blood Meridian the characters themselves are the main reason the world is so brutal. They don't fight against their circumstances; they make everything worse. Even the kid doesn't seem to be different.

I have no doubt this guy is a great novelist, but I won’t be in any hurry to read any other of his books.

You understand it very well.

I found a similar effect of total negativeness and despair in the short Wyoming stories of E. Annie Proulx, with the famous BrokenMountain. The Shipping News, although knitted with the stories of born losers, has registers that are mostly sunny, and a happy ending

It is a good book that I reread several times. It is written with generosity of details and several characters are given full depth, with well crafted writing art. There are episodes and details, from far away "places", that activate the readers' imagination, through a mixture of strange facts and quasi dreams with the hard life of Newfoundlanders. Often the inhabitants of harsh places develop a sense of magic and arcane like a yeast to leaven their hardships, and somehow to be detached by the unavoidable material pains and sufferances. An antidote to despair and frustration. The novel catches this with humor and literary grace.

I find it very entertaining, at every reread.

poohbear_nc · 05-19-2011, 08:49 AM

I was pleasantly surprised to see others enjoying Jane Gardam's works - IMHO she's one of the finest "minimilast" writers today - how she can pack so much of an emotional punch into her spare unadorned prose just amazes me ... She deserves to be much more widely known & read in the US.

and speaking of unreliable narrators it was fascinating to compare the story lines in "Old Filth" with "The Man in the Wooden Hat" - what a difference a point of view makes.

straygator · 05-19-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beppe

Often the inhabitants of harsh places develop a sense of magic and arcane like a yeast to leaven their hardships, and somehow to be detached by the unavoidable material pains and sufferances.

The Shipping News is a personal favorite as well, partly for the writing, partly for the reasons you mention – its drawing on local legend and tradition to create a sense of myth-in-the-making, with the harsh environment and unexpected situations acting as catalysts for positive change within the characters. Seemingly hopeless characters find hope in spite of themselves, usually because of inner resources they didn’t realize they had.

GeoffC · 05-19-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I was pleasantly surprised to see others enjoying Jane Gardam's works - IMHO she's one of the finest "minimilast" writers today - how she can pack so much of an emotional punch into her spare unadorned prose just amazes me ... She deserves to be much more widely known & read in the US.

and speaking of unreliable narrators it was fascinating to compare the story lines in "Old Filth" with "The Man in the Wooden Hat" - what a difference a point of view makes.

eee by 'eck - a yorkshire lass ....

FlorenceArt · 05-19-2011, 02:10 PM

I just finished The Savage Detectives on the train home, and all I can say is: read it! It's indescribable but definitely a great book. Though it took me some time to "get into it" because of all the different stories, people and viewpoints (I am easily confused and find it hard to keep track of characters, who's who and who did what), but that's what makes it a great book I think. All those different stories that somehow intersect and somehow make sense, but never completely. A true slice of life, with all the attendant frustration and mystery.

TGS · 05-19-2011, 02:57 PM

[QUOTE=FlorenceArt;1545186]I just finished The Savage Detectives on the train home, and all I can say is: read it!/QUOTE]

Will definitely give it another go.

SeaBookGuy · 05-19-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I was pleasantly surprised to see others enjoying Jane Gardam's works - IMHO she's one of the finest "minimilast" writers today - how she can pack so much of an emotional punch into her spare unadorned prose just amazes me ... She deserves to be much more widely known & read in the US.

and speaking of unreliable narrators it was fascinating to compare the story lines in "Old Filth" with "The Man in the Wooden Hat" - what a difference a point of view makes.

I really liked the character of Albert Ross (or "Loss" with his Chinese accent). Filth mentions that Betty loathed him, so that ought to be interesting, if explored.

poohbear_nc · 05-19-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I really liked the character of Albert Ross (or "Loss" with his Chinese accent). Filth mentions that Betty loathed him, so that ought to be interesting, if explored.

Yes! I'd love to see a third book from his point of view - observing the marriage!

FlorenceArt · 05-20-2011, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

I just finished The Savage Detectives on the train home, and all I can say is: read it! It's indescribable but definitely a great book. Though it took me some time to "get into it" because of all the different stories, people and viewpoints (I am easily confused and find it hard to keep track of characters, who's who and who did what), but that's what makes it a great book I think. All those different stories that somehow intersect and somehow make sense, but never completely. A true slice of life, with all the attendant frustration and mystery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGS

Will definitely give it another go.

To be honest it wasn't until about halfway through the book that I started to really love it. Before that it was OK, but I was wondering what all the fuss was about. But your mileage may vary I'm sure.

coderserdar · 10-27-2011, 04:32 AM

i wanna be a member of this
what should i do ?

John F · 10-27-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coderserdar

i wanna be a member of this
what should i do ?

There is a one week initiation process. Strip to your skivies, take a picture, and make it your avatar.

coderserdar · 10-27-2011, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

There is a one week initiation process. Strip to your skivies, take a picture, and make it your avatar.

according to entry i am ready

issybird · 10-27-2011, 09:05 AM

Go confirm Hamlet53's selection for November!

ETA: Seriously, since you asked, all are welcome; just jump in. Go to the Book Club subforum (link above) and youll find the threads relating to the literary book club. And while you're there, confirm the book for November.

coderserdar · 10-27-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

Go confirm Hamlet53's selection for November!

ETA: Seriously, since you asked, all are welcome; just jump in. Go to the Book Club subforum (link above) and youll find the threads relating to the literary book club. And while you're there, confirm the book for November.

is it a general club, or you are reading just mystery and crime books
because
i am reading just mystery and crime books about ten years...

HomeInMyShoes · 10-27-2011, 09:47 AM

...removed...

10-27-2011, 09:05 AM	#73
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,124 Karma: 234185759 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	Go confirm Hamlet53's selection for November! ETA: Seriously, since you asked, all are welcome; just jump in. Go to the Book Club subforum (link above) and youll find the threads relating to the literary book club. And while you're there, confirm the book for November. Last edited by issybird; 10-27-2011 at 09:15 AM.

10-27-2011, 09:47 AM	#75
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	...removed... Last edited by HomeInMyShoes; 11-21-2011 at 10:34 AM.

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05-19-2011, 08:49 AM	#62
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 62,715 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I was pleasantly surprised to see others enjoying Jane Gardam's works - IMHO she's one of the finest "minimilast" writers today - how she can pack so much of an emotional punch into her spare unadorned prose just amazes me ... She deserves to be much more widely known & read in the US. and speaking of unreliable narrators it was fascinating to compare the story lines in "Old Filth" with "The Man in the Wooden Hat" - what a difference a point of view makes.

05-19-2011, 02:10 PM	#65
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	I just finished The Savage Detectives on the train home, and all I can say is: read it! It's indescribable but definitely a great book. Though it took me some time to "get into it" because of all the different stories, people and viewpoints (I am easily confused and find it hard to keep track of characters, who's who and who did what), but that's what makes it a great book I think. All those different stories that somehow intersect and somehow make sense, but never completely. A true slice of life, with all the attendant frustration and mystery.

05-19-2011, 02:57 PM	#66
TGS Country Member Posts: 9,058 Karma: 7676767 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Liseuse: Irex DR800. PRS 505 in the house, and the missus has an iPad.	[QUOTE=FlorenceArt;1545186]I just finished The Savage Detectives on the train home, and all I can say is: read it!/QUOTE] Will definitely give it another go.

10-27-2011, 04:32 AM	#70
coderserdar Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 37852 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Türkiye Device: Amazon Kindle 3 Wifi, İpod Touch 4th Generation	i wanna be a member of this what should i do ?