title

It was bound to happen. It was high time and well past due. I had come to believe I was entitled and this SHOULD be a part of my life experience. The wife just shook her head and smiled--quietly taking a more then passing interest in the event.

I thought it would never happen. I had been waiting years for it. On and off--as the subject would come to mind and roam up and down the brain stem giving pleasure at the thought. Truly the Bible is correct when it says the desire accomplished is sweet to the soul.

By now Becca KNOWS Logos didn't call simply because the blog title isn't filled with asterisks or titled Happy Happy Joy Joy.

So what's the big deal what's left of my readership and their patience is wondering at??!! God help him if it's all about adding more Avengers to his collection. Well maybe if Litnetters got on e-bay with a community spirit of Let's Make Mtpspur's Dream Come True campaign there wouldn't BE so much about the Avengers. Did I mention an upcoming movie in 2012?? Not all that happy about that since prices on back issues will go up--sigh.

To the point (with respect to Ellen). With the computer down and time on my hands about once a year I read an actual book. Not pulps, not mysteries, not comics but a dyed in the wool classic. That way I can show my face here on Litnet month after month with a clean conscience and a veneer of respectability. Last year was Pride and Prejudice. Two weeks ago I finally took a shot at


DRUM ROLL


Where are those cute icons when I need them??


Lew Wallace's Ben Hur. Spurred on just a bit by Litnet not having it available and I asked real nice too. Come to think of it --NONE of my requests have ever been posted here. Would like to try some more Harold Lamb for instance.

Circa 1960 I had tried to read Ben Hur on a dare from my brother but failed to get past the first chapter. My general rule of thumb is that a book has to hold my attention for at least the first chapter to give me incentive. To my memory only Sinclair Lewis's Babbitt rewarded a second and successful attempt to finish it when I figured out the secret to reading it--treat it like a satire and it all falls together.

Borrowed it Thursday week before last from the local library and finished it five days later. I hadn't read a book of that length (549 pages) so fast in a long time. Been back patting myself for days now. But that first chapter was still a killer.

Sadly I must confess the movie (Charlton Heston version) gives a much better accounting of the quarrel between Ben Hur and best friend Messala then the novel. You see the love they once shared for each other and the bitterness of the changes each perceives in the other since their last time together.

To be blunt from the book Messala is telling him how great being a Roman is and lucky Ben Hur can ride his coattails to the top. A quick "Get over yourself" would have made for a short book but a whole lot of pain and suffering.

But I'm glad I read it. Ben Hur is a bit more respectful of the Messiah in the book then the hard time he had being won over in the movie.

There was also an unexpected love interest that would have been interesting to get more background on. Almost a Rider Haggard type lady. Minor quibbles would simply be the ease in which difficulties are overcome and the story lacks suspense as a result.

Now I wonder what to read in 2011.