Better than me--I hadn't posted a word in the Lawrence thread until yesterday.Originally Posted by Dark Muse
Better than me--I hadn't posted a word in the Lawrence thread until yesterday.
"Par instants je suis le Pauvre Navire
[...] Par instants je meurs la mort du Pecheur
[...] O mais! par instants"
--"Birds in the Night" by Paul Verlaine (1844-1896). Join the discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...5&goto=newpost
Oh good, Quark, I will join in for certain. Timing is good. I like that story very much. I think we will discover more about it, as we discuss the various elements and imagery in the story. I thought it was well constructed. I will listen to the narration this week; probably a few times over.
"It's so mysterious, the land of tears."
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Is this story text on this site, Quark? I can probably find it on Project Guttenberg. They seem to have everything. I will go and look right now. Great - looking forward to your introduction. Will you have a picture accompany it; you know how I like those illustrations!
You mean the coffee-stained book? haha - that's not very big. You should see the books my father left me; those are massive and heavy to hold up to read, especially since I prefer to read in bed. Yes, that part of the 'coffee' book does have some good criticisms in it; I noticed that. Thanks again! Glad you spilled you Starbucks that day.Funny, but I probably wouldn't put that thing on my coffee table. Those Norton editions look so massive and studious. I would try to get something more accessible. The coffee book is great for discussion, though, since it's got so many stories and there's criticism right in the back on the stories.
Quark, I am looking forward to it so much. I actually missed Chekhov. I have been meaning to read his play "The Cherry Orchard". I was on a streak of reading plays, but now I switched to short stories. I was attempting to read all the Lawrence ones I have not yet read. I have read more than half by now, maybe 3/4's. He sure wrote a lot of stories!Just to clarify, I'll try to get the thread going again sometime next week. I might post an intro to the story this weekend and see what happens.
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
It is, but I want to read over a few different translations before I post a link to one. When Dark Muse and I read over "Sleepy" we noticed how different one translation was from another, and the different slant each can give to the story. My favorite translations had the line "that foe was the baby"--really, the climax of the story--as a separate paragraph, and I thought that made a big difference. Seeing that line alone draws attention to it, and makes it more chilling. When it's lumped in with the rest of the text, the story loses a lot of its shock. I assume that I'll find something similar when I read through different translations of "The Trousseau," so I'd like to find the best one before I tell everyone to go to a certain page. If you want a text to work with for the moment, though, there is one on the author page here on Lit Net.
Later, I'll post a link to the text when I introduce the story this weekend.
I already have at least one, but the intro is going to be so long that I might use multiple.Will you have a picture accompany it; you know how I like those illustrations!
Yeah, I've been wanting to get back to this for a while. Right now, I'm trying to educate myself a little more about Chekhov's biography and Russian history. For as much Russian Lit as I read you would think I would know more about the country and the writers, but I'm remarkably unaware.
I think the short stories are his best, but I'd like to do a play eventually. Maybe we'll build up to that.
Apparently. How long have you been reading Lawrence?
"Par instants je suis le Pauvre Navire
[...] Par instants je meurs la mort du Pecheur
[...] O mais! par instants"
--"Birds in the Night" by Paul Verlaine (1844-1896). Join the discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...5&goto=newpost
Oh, good, that makes sense. We leave it up to your decretion then; in here, you are the leader. Whichever one you pick, we will be fine with that. Thanks for all your hard work, Quark!
Great!Later, I'll post a link to the text when I introduce the story this weekend.
Truly? or are you just joking?...haha...don't give too much of the story away...I already have at least one, but the intro is going to be so long that I might use multiple.
Here I thought you were a regular Russian Lit expert!Yeah, I've been wanting to get back to this for a while. Right now, I'm trying to educate myself a little more about Chekhov's biography and Russian history. For as much Russian Lit as I read you would think I would know more about the country and the writers, but I'm remarkably unaware.Well, good for you, studying more of the Russian history!
Well, I didn't particular mean to discuss; I just have wanted to read it for ages. I bought a book of several Russian author's plays. I am anxious to read those soon. They are just from Dover, so I don't know how good the interpretation is. That's the thing with reading works other than our own native language. I never used to think about it before but since I joined on here, I feel I own a lot of inferior translations. Pity, cause I have a lot of classic books, many from my father. But then again, I am not that much of a purest.I think the short stories are his best, but I'd like to do a play eventually. Maybe we'll build up to that.
Since about 1979, 80...seriously, I think that is when I discovered him.Apparently. How long have you been reading Lawrence?Were you even born yet? Someone told me about his books and I read "Women in Love" first. I loved the book and some of my short story paperbacks are from that era, too. I only discovered when I joined here, that they did not contain the entire collection of SS's; that's in the 3 volumes. Now I am checking off (in pencil) ones I've read, in that edition; since it lists all three volumes, even though it's only Volume III. Then, I read "The Rainbow", "Aaron's Rod", "Lady Chatterly's Lover", "Sons and Lovers", and mostly all of the novellas. Recently, I read "The White Peacock" (his first novel), "The Trespasser" (his second novel), "Kangaroo", "The Plumed Serpent", and his collaboration "The Boy in the Bush"; and I got into his biographies in the last 10 yrs. I have even read many of the novels and stories twice, thrice. Even though I feel, that I read a great deal of Lawrence, I know there is still a great deal more to read. The author was super prolithic! I have a book of his posthumous writings and many books of his critical analysis, and his letters, not to mention his philosophy books. I did read one of those. Did I mention all the films I own based on his work? You could say I have a full Lawrence collection by now, and I keep my eye out for more. I even have a book on the works of Lawrence on film. It's fascinating.
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I have never read any of Chekhov. Which story are you planning to discuss soon here? Let me read it so that I can decide whether to join in or not. I have only one week before going back to a full load of work.
Do you know Wikipedia gives a very good description of Chekhov?
I got this quote from the site: "Medicine is my lawful wife," he once said, "and literature is my mistress."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Chekhov
I think I will be a reader of your discussion since I haven't read any of his work besides I may not have time then anyway.
Last edited by jinjang; 05-21-2009 at 09:17 PM.
Walk, meditate, forget - Victor Hugo
Life is bigger than literature - Michael Cunningham
Hi Jinjang, I am on to you; you edited, didn't you? haha..I was in here reading your post earlier. It's up to you but at least you may be able to read the story and add something from time to time. The story, I am fairly certain, will be 'The Trousseu.' Not sure I spelled that correctly. Anyway, read Quark's post above. He explains he will post the text and direct us to the online text that is the best translation. I have this particular story on a set narrated by the actor Kenneth Branagh and it's wonderful. I loved the story. It's different, too. All of Chekhov's are that.
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Today I picked up a book of Chekhov's stories. I've read the first two out of the following:
The Confession
He Understood
At Sea
A Nincompoop
Surgery
Ninochka
A Cure for Drinking
The Jailer Jailed
The Dance Pianist
The Milksop
Marriage in Ten or Fifteen Years
In Spring
Agafya
The Kiss
The Father
In Exile
Three Years
The House with the Mansard
Peasants
The Darling
I very much enjoyed The Confession for its humor and dry wit.
The salvation of the world is in man's suffering. - Faulkner
You caught me but I always edit. I do not think there is any posting of mine without editing.
After reading Chekhov's biography here and Wikipedia, I thought it best to observe your discussion first and I was tiptoeing away, hoping nobody has seen me here.
Last edited by jinjang; 05-22-2009 at 01:03 AM.
Walk, meditate, forget - Victor Hugo
Life is bigger than literature - Michael Cunningham
Quark's Self-Congratulatory 1000th Post!
Now I'm only 5,802 behind Janine. Nonetheless, though, it feels good to reach quadruple digits.
I so do
Anyway, let me respond to some posts.
It is going to be a long intro. I might have to break it up into two posts.
No, not quite. I don't think I discovered Lawrence until I was in my late teens--early 2000's.Since about 1979, 80...seriously, I think that is when I discovered him.
Apparently. Were you aware of this when you set out to read the entire Lawrence canon? I would think it would be a little daunting.
We're reading "The Trousseau" next week. It's only a few pages long, so it shouldn't be that difficult to read through.
Yeah, Chekhov's time was split between medicine and writing. He could have supported himself by writing alone, but he always felt a connection to medicine and science. Chekhov didn't see these pursuits as opposites, though, and what he learned from one profession he would use in another. Through his patients, Chekhov gained a wider knowledge of people, and through his scientific training he gained a respect for observation and honesty. He would later say in 1899 "I have no doubt that the study of medicine has had an important influence on my literary work; it has considerably enlarged the sphere of my observations ... Familiarity with the natural sciences and with scientific method has always kept me on my guard, and I have always tried where it was possible to be consistent with the facts of science, and where it was impossible." He wanted to tell "the absolute and honest truth" and not a fantasy about "only honest mayors, high-minded ladies, and virtuous railway contractors." Many of the people around him thought he should stop dividing his attention, but Chekhov thought that all his different pursuits were integral to the person he was.
That's understandable. It's best not to try too many things at once. If you get time later on, feel free to post something. I'm sure we'll do more than one story.
That's an odd list. There are some pretty obscure stories they threw in there. I don't know if I've even read "The Jailer Jailed" and "He Understood." I'll have to check them out. Were they some of his earlier, more humorous works? So far in the thread we've read a lot of the tragic stories, so it would be a good change of pace to read something a little more lighthearted.
Last edited by Quark; 05-22-2009 at 03:07 PM.
"Par instants je suis le Pauvre Navire
[...] Par instants je meurs la mort du Pecheur
[...] O mais! par instants"
--"Birds in the Night" by Paul Verlaine (1844-1896). Join the discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...5&goto=newpost
They're very funny so far.
The salvation of the world is in man's suffering. - Faulkner
That's great, Quark! Afterall, you have a job and I don't! 1000 post is to be very proud of. CONGRATULATIONS! Excuse me, for not quoting you above in 7 point size!
You will never catch up to me and Virgil! haha...hey, maybe we could celebrate my 6000, when I hit that landmark...doesn't look too far off. If we leave it to me, it will pass right by me, and I won't even take notice. You better remind me.Now I'm only 5,802 behind Janine. Nonetheless, though, it feels good to reach quadruple digits.[/SIZE]
I so do
This was worth reposting! hahaha....I love it!
About time....Just kidding with you.....Anyway, let me respond to some posts.
Why is that? The actual story is so short. Does it involve a biographical background? I can't wait now to read your intro.It is going to be a long intro. I might have to break it up into two posts.
No, not quite. I don't think I discovered Lawrence until I was in my late teens--early 2000's.
I don't remember if I was aware or not. I certainly didn't realise it in 1980; but when I get back to the author, a few years back, then I did realise there was a great deal of work out there. Believe me, it would take a lifetime to read it ALL. Also, I have picked up some great spin-off books with critical analysis of his works or exploring his life from different perspectives. I am always looking for more, can you believe that? I love discovering more to add to my collection; but some books are out of rage pricewise - check out Amazon and you will see what I mean. Some are truly rare. For instance, I got the first two books of the Cambridge series on his life. Now the third on "The Dying Game" is incredibly expensive. I suppose I will never get that one, unless I stumble across it at a fleamarket or yardsale - highly unlikely, but you never know.Apparently. Were you aware of this when you set out to read the entire Lawrence canon? I would think it would be a little daunting.
I am really looking forward to that. I love the way Chekhov describes the house/the yard. It is like it is a character itself in the story.We're reading "The Trousseau" next week. It's only a few pages long, so it shouldn't be that difficult to read through.
That's interesting, Quark, I didn't know all of this exactly. I like to hear anything biographical that will shed light on his writing; that goes for all authors.Yeah, Chekhov's time was split between medicine and writing. He could have supported himself by writing alone, but he always felt a connection to medicine and science. Chekhov didn't see these pursuits as opposites, though, and what he learned from one profession he would use in another. Through his patients, Chekhov gained a wider knowledge of people, and through his scientific training he gained a respect for observation and honesty. He would later say in 1899 "I have no doubt that the study of medicine has had an important influence on my literary work; it has considerably enlarged the sphere of my observations ... Familiarity with the natural sciences and with scientific method has always kept me on my guard, and I have always tried where it was possible to be consistent with the facts of science, and where it was impossible." He wanted to tell "the absolute and honest truth" and not a fantasy about "only honest mayors, high-minded ladies, and virtuous railway contractors." Many of the people around him thought he should stop dividing his attention, but Chekhov thought that all his different pursuits were integral to the person he was.
That's understandable. It's best not to try too many things at once. If you get time later on, feel free to post something. I'm sure we'll do more than one story.
I know this is to Dr. Hill, but I was thinking the same thing. I guess this is not the book I own. I will see if I have any of these in my father's old book. These sound interesting. Would be nice to read lighter ones, too, just for a change from time to time.That's an odd list. There are some pretty obscure stories they threw in there. I don't know if I've even read "The Jailer Jailed" and "He Understood." I'll have to check them out. Were they some of his earlier, more humorous works? So far in the thread we've read a lot of the tragic stories, so it would be a good change of pace to read something a little more lighthearted.
Last edited by Janine; 05-22-2009 at 06:00 PM.
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You can't get away without me noticing...tiptoeing, eh?After reading Chekhov's biography here and Wikipedia, I thought it best to observe your discussion first and I was tiptoeing away, hoping nobody has seen me here.
Last edited by Janine; 05-25-2009 at 04:39 PM.
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I don't see them in any of the books I have, but I'm sure I could find them online somewhere.
Unless I pick up the pace, no, I probably won't. I'm okay with that, though. It's these people who joined last week and already have more posts than I do that make me feel inferior. Seriously, I think there are some who signed up a couple of months ago and have something like fifteen hundred posts! Twenty or thirty posts a day! How does that happen?
In any case, we'll have a party when this thread reaches 1000. It's so close. Maybe Virgil will give us a geode--or maybe even two geodes. No, now I'm getting greedy. I'd take just one geode.
You mean 7000, right? You've already crossed 6000.
There is some background to this story, as the story has something to do with class. Really, though, I'd like to post a long intro to indicate the official start of the thread. Nothing says start like a long post with illustrations.
I'd like to do something like that with Chekhov. As I read biographies, it's hard to separate what Chekhov was actually like from the mythology that the biographer is trying to create. Different perspectives would help.
One thing I already notice is how different from Lawrence Chekhov is. They really seem like opposites in a lot of ways. I'll talk more about this later.
Actually, I could procure this book for you if you wanted it. Having access to a university is a wonderful thing, and I believe mine has a copy of the book. Graduate students can check out books for over a year, too. If you want it, I could send it to you.
The house is right at the start of the story so it's probably the first thing we'll talk about.
"Par instants je suis le Pauvre Navire
[...] Par instants je meurs la mort du Pecheur
[...] O mais! par instants"
--"Birds in the Night" by Paul Verlaine (1844-1896). Join the discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...5&goto=newpost
Okay, there's some delay.
I'm think we should wait a little until the L thread starts to wind down. It's a little difficult trying to do two discussion at once.
"Par instants je suis le Pauvre Navire
[...] Par instants je meurs la mort du Pecheur
[...] O mais! par instants"
--"Birds in the Night" by Paul Verlaine (1844-1896). Join the discussion here: http://www.online-literature.com/for...5&goto=newpost
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
