Decemeber / Sir Walter Scott Reading: 'Lady of the Lake'

[Scheherazade]

http://www.online-literature.com/authorpics/walter_scott.jpg

In December, we are reading Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scot.
And come he slow, or come he fast,
It is but death who comes at last.

Please post your comments and questions here.


Book Club Procedures (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?p=57103#post57103)

[Schokokeks]

This is so exciting, I just have to let you know :D:

I've just got hold of my copy of Lady of the Lake, which I borrowed from the university library. What the librarian told me that I did not know: The copy was stored in the library's cellar, and I am the first one to borrow it for almost 50 years now ! What is more, the copy was published in 1838 :eek2:! It's remarkably well preserved (leather binding), but no wonder if hardly anyone ever read it...A few lines on the first page scribbled in ink inform that it was a donation to the library by a professor of English who lectured here from 1852 - 1869. And what is best, he left notes and comments on the margins in the text regarding pronunciation, rhythym, references to other works, etc.
I can't wait to get started, I feel like reading with two minds now :D.

[Scheherazade]

The copy was stored in the library's cellar, and I am the first one to borrow it for almost 50 years now ! What is more, the copy was published in 1838 :eek2:! That sounds like an exciting find! :)

I have ordered my copy, which should be with me some time next week.

[kilted exile]

I thought I had a copy of this in my collection of Scott's Poetry. Unfortunately it turns out to be only selected sections, which is pretty useless.

[Rogers_68]

i found a copy at half price books yesterday for $4. it's from 1926 and it was published by allyn and bacon. it's small but it has nearly 100 pages of study material, like questions to ask about the text, scott's biography, the geography of scotland, etc. it's in very good condition. good find.

[Whifflingpin]

Yay - I've reached the end of Canto 1, which is further than I'd have got without this forum's encouragement.

(for English readers, Wordsworth Editions do a cheap volume of Scott's poems - should be easily available, although I borrowed mine from the public library.)

(Schokokeks, I can second, though by no means equal, your tale of the unreadness of Scott's works - I read the Waverley novels at school, simply because they had been in the school library and not taken out since 1932 (the year the school was opened) until I read them in 1965.)

[Nightshade]

guess which is the only one from the list of nomiantions NOT availble in cheshire public libraries??

[Whifflingpin]

"guess which is the only one from the list of nomiantions NOT availble in cheshire public libraries??"

Have you searched for, or requested, the complete poems of Scott?

[Virgil]

This is so exciting, I just have to let you know :D:

I've just got hold of my copy of Lady of the Lake, which I borrowed from the university library. What the librarian told me that I did not know: The copy was stored in the library's cellar, and I am the first one to borrow it for almost 50 years now ! What is more, the copy was published in 1838 :eek2:! It's remarkably well preserved (leather binding), but no wonder if hardly anyone ever read it...A few lines on the first page scribbled in ink inform that it was a donation to the library by a professor of English who lectured here from 1852 - 1869. And what is best, he left notes and comments on the margins in the text regarding pronunciation, rhythym, references to other works, etc.
I can't wait to get started, I feel like reading with two minds now :D.

Wow, I would be very careful with that. In fact I wouldn't be able to read it, I would be so nervous about doing something to it.

Oh, I wish I could read along with all of you, but unfortunately I can't this month. But I shall drop in and read your comments.

[Schokokeks]

Wow, I would be very careful with that. In fact I wouldn't be able to read it, I would be so nervous about doing something to it.
I think the reason why the book is still in such a good condition also has to do with the fact that back in 1838, no acid was used in the production of paper, whereas some library books from the seventies are already falling to pieces by today...
But yes, Uncle Virgil, I take very good care :D.

Oh no, that's bad luck, Night! Umm, maybe your uni library ? But you're probably on home vacation by now...?

[Nightshade]

Ha! found a online copy thankyou project gutenberg people!
Unfortunatley have an exam this week but I have sort of started ...sort of

[Scheherazade]

Started reading this yesterday and it is so slow going! Definitely not a book you can read while lying down. Will try to read a canto a day.

[Whifflingpin]

"Started reading this yesterday and it is so slow going!"

I found that too, to start with. It certainly became easier.

Maybe there is subject for a discussion - "Does Lady of the Lake start slowly, or is it that we are not used to reading C19th narrative poetry that makes it hard to start?" or something like that.

Happy reading.

.

[fran111971]

Hi , I am new to this forum. I will try to get this book from library and look forward to more in the future.:wave: :)

[Schokokeks]

I've finished it today. I agree, it was very slow going, but the last Canto is the best. However, I have a lot of plot and character questions left. I think I confused all the Chieftains and clans in the end, not so sure who fought whom :D

[Virgil]

Schoky, you've read Antony and Cleopatra and now Lady of the Lake all in about a little over a week. And English is not even your first language! You are quite a reader. :thumbs_up

[Schokokeks]

Schoky, you've read Antony and Cleopatra and now Lady of the Lake all in about a little over a week. And English is not even your first language! You are quite a reader. :thumbs_up
Why, thank you, Virgil :). Maybe I should add here that I spend one and a half hours on public transportation every day, and I wouldn't endure that without a book to occupy my mind :D. But of course, one week and a high reading pace isn't enough to "digest" a story, and I still have lots of dorky questions left. But I'll keep them until some more LitNetters have finished The Lady of the Lake :D.

[Virgil]

Why, thank you, Virgil :). Maybe I should add here that I spend one and a half hours on public transportation every day, .

Hey I used to do that too in college. Mine was an hour and half each way. I used to have to take the NYC subway every day all the way across town. Sort of like this but if only one got a seat. ;)

http://images.worldofstock.com/slides/TNY1407.jpg

http://www.parsons.com/about/press_rm/potm/06-2004/art_main/nyct-main.jpg

http://www.safran-arts.com/fine-art/subway.jpg

[Schokokeks]

Although my city is definetely not as big as New York City, these pictures look terribly familar...Except that I have to rely on crowded buses, and they are so slooow.
Reading really saves me, however, I get slightly sick when reading and sitting with my back in the direction the bus is driving. And sometimes I have annoying neighbours on the seat next to mine who wouldn't stop trying to read over my shoulder :rage:. They turned away quickly from The Lady of the Lake, however :p.

[Virgil]

Although my city is definetely not as big as New York City, these pictures look terribly familar...Except that I have to rely on crowded buses, and they are so slooow.
Reading really saves me, however, I get slightly sick when reading and sitting with my back in the direction the bus is driving. And sometimes I have annoying neighbours on the seat next to mine who wouldn't stop trying to read over my shoulder :rage:. They turned away quickly from The Lady of the Lake, however :p.

My wife takes the bus to work, and she tells me that people get on their cell phones and loudly chat away for the whole ride. She says it's too noisey to read.

Just noticed, Schoky, you've just turned 1000 posts. :)

[Schokokeks]

My wife takes the bus to work, and she tells me that people get on their cell phones and loudly chat away for the whole ride. She says it's too noisey to read.
...or puberty-striken teenages smashing each other's noses. Happened just yesterday :rolleyes:...


Just noticed, Schoky, you've just turned 1000 posts. :)
Oh, I hope it's quality, not quantity :p.

Anyway, how far is everyone ? I don't want to press, but isn't it Christmas soon ? :p