http://wiredforbooks.org/images/GuenterGrass2.jpg
In October, we will be reading The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass.
Please post your comments and questions in this thread.
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http://wiredforbooks.org/images/GuenterGrass2.jpg
In October, we will be reading The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass.
Please post your comments and questions in this thread.
I saw the movie based on this book a few months ago and it was really good. I'll start reading the novel as soon as i finish the one i am currently reading ;)
As of this afternoon, in terms of the way I am feeling, I confess I do not feel like starting the novel over again, for two reasons. I am on another reading schedule, one, and two, I'd argue that Grass makes gratifying demands on the reader, but to do them justice would throw me further off my own plotted points more than I'd like, so that I nearly finished it a year and a half ago, as I mentioned during the nominating phase, I will leave as a fait accompli.
What I may do is riff through certain notable and extraordinary passages which remain with me, when the rest of you get to them, and see if you can help me solve some puzzles.
I think it is one of the greatest novels ever written, even if Nazism in some way necessitated that someone like Grass would have to have been brought into existence to write it, if he had not already existed to write it anyway.
Oy!:alien:
I am heavy into reading "The Idiot", so I don't know if I can start another novel right now; also a few of us in that thread plan to continue discussing it. It requires more time to do so.
One question for now, is "The Tin Drum" a long novel?
Hi manolia, I want to see the film also. I heard it was good and glad to hear you second that idea.
Janine:
It runs about 560 pages, depending on the translator, I suppose, or the original German, for the fluent--but it is a dense read, and the average American would probably do well to have a study guide. I have six years of university behind me, and I want a good critical analysis to take me by the hand as a companion text for it.
Damn! I don't read live writers...
Thanks so much Jozanny, for the information. In that case, I think I shall pass for this month. I don't own the book and actually I want to read some critical analysis on "The Idiot" when I am done reading it. I can't really read too super heavy (dense) books back to back anyway. I need a bit of a break in-between. Plus I would still like to read the Shakespeare play for the fall or this month "Merry Wives of Windsor". I may catch up eventually.
I do not want to seem overly strident on this matter, and I hope no one will take it this way, especially as my participation will most likely not be full fledged, but I think, having read the novel once, that if Sche or any member can find a free access teaching guide, it would assist a great deal. I spent the last 15 minutes looking, and can't find significant guides except for a few passages here .
I will keep trying. Maybe it is not that important, but it is to me because I know I could not grasp all the conceits Grass tosses at the reader. It is akin to a game of Twister with a devil.:p
Should I cross over my principles because of this book? :) Help!
After 50 pages, I've learned that every second sentence in 'The Tin Drum' is barbed in some way. So reading is slow.
It has begun as a personal history lesson. I'm not yet hooked, although the Dostoevsky I read last month, 'The Insulted and Injured', dragged for a hundred pages before daylight. I remain optimistic.
And like you, Bazarov, I rarely 'read live writers'.
The Tin Drum has been on my TBR list for a long time, I've made up my mind to read it for this month.
I'm wondering if those of us who are reading it in English all have the same translator, mine is Ralph Manheim.
My library is having trouble with their computers, which means no online access to their database... So I could only today go to the library and order a copy. Hopefully it will be available by next week and I will be able to start reading.