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Oh, that's terrible! Such a shame. I do think I had read he'd been in ill health, but I thought whatever it was, he overcame it. I recently purchased the "sort of" sequel to The Meaning of Night, but I haven't read it yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by wessexgirl
Thank you for posting the news, sad though it is.
Can we bribe people to vote for Katherine? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
I dunno - I find Scott to be boring, and as for the historical novel going strong, it has come a very, very long way, to the point where I don't think a serious author can write historical realism anymore, and must rely on metaficticious elements (Kroetsch), or intense satire (Saramago).
Generally though, history, as represented in novels, has seriously changed. It went from being a form of escapism, to a form of identity and pride, and then nostalgia, and then to something which is constantly undercut and manipulated.
What is interesting to note about Scott, is the power he had in establishing the 3 volume novel as the standard form, which prevailed in England up until the time Vizetelly completely destroyed the publishing world by tossing out 2 and a half shilling copies of Zola (of which, we now have the pleasure of viewing on this website, though the translations are supposedly beyond mediocre). In terms of publishing, Scott was perhaps the most central figure in transforming the way people accessed books, and the way people read novels.
As a writer though, well, he is interesting in places. He's an interesting poet too though.
It seems though, that this selection is pretty masculine, all things considered, and it would have been interesting to have some feminist texts dealing with history, like perhaps Anne Hebert's great Gothic historical novel Karmouraska, or Willa Cather's My Antonia (or some other text). In truth, it seems a bit limited to have 3 novels by the same author.
I hate to break this to you, Virgil, but I think "Waverly" is a whole set of novels by Scott. I just looked it up online and on Ebay someone is selling the whole set. It would take all year to study "Waverly". I would prefer the more managable "Ivanhoe". It's a really good novel; I read it years ago. I don't know much about "Rob Roy", only that I saw the movie version with Liam Neeson years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Virgil
The name refers to the novel Waverley as well as the collection of novels that make up his entire opus (though the term usually refers to the ones set in Scotland).Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Oh thanks for clearing that up, JBI, I didn't know about the difference. Is "Waverley" a very long novel and what is it about?Quote:
Originally Posted by JBI
Waverly is Sir Walter Scott's first novel. It's set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and centers around Edward Waverly, who leaves his aristocratic home in southern England and journeys to Scotland to restore the "rightful" monarchy. Waverly is often called "the first historical novel."
I read it in school. It's good, but Sir Walter Scott can be tedious at times. He's not for everyone, but then, who is?
Here, Janine. In post #34, I wrote very, very briefly what Waverly is about.
Personally, I didn't like the book at all, but it just wasn't to my taste. It's fairly long, and personally, I found it boring. I'm sure many people do like it.
Here is Waverley on Amazon, Janine:
http://www.amazon.com/Waverley-Sixty...9085534&sr=8-3
They have Ivanhoe and Rob Roy as well as single books. Not expensive at all.
Who nominated 'Julian' by Gore Vidal, and why?
Here is a coincidence. An hour ago I sent messages to Janine and Virgil regarding Henrik Ibsen's favourite play, Emperor and Galilean, concerning the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate.
The polymath Julian - last direct relative of Constantine the Great - strived to diminish the influence of the Christian church, bringing back Graeco-Roman gods, but died at 33 after only three years as emperor.
NOOOOO!!! That was awful. Honestly. Trust me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Virgil
Would the name of the rose be historical fiction? Have we had too much of this book on this forum? :lol:
I agree with you. I found all of Sir Walter Scott's books to be awful to read. I give him credit where credit is due, but he's not an interesting writer.Quote:
Originally Posted by optimisticnad
:lol: I read Ivanhoe about 25 yrs ago. Maybe back then, I was really inexperienced to know what good literature was. Besides, it was just after adorable Anthony Andrews (of the Brideshead Revisited fame) played the role in the made-for-TV film version. Anyone ever see the production? I am sure I totally imagined him in the role; so being young and starry-eyed back then, no doubt, I didn't notice the book was boring or poorly written. Maybe today, I would hate the book; but that movie sure was good. Wish I could see it again. I found it on Amazon one day but it was quite expensive.Quote:
Originally Posted by MissScarlett
At anyrate, "Waverley" sounds like a complete bore! ugh....*thumbs down*
We have already got the 10 nominations needed, Nad.Quote:
Originally Posted by optimisticnad
:)
It's spelled Waverley, not Waverly, for those confused.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
I thought I double posted here with my earlier post about w. scott's novel - but apparently not...am i going mad?
Hi Janine. I saw it and have an old video of it. I loved Anthony Andrews too, but I preferred Sam Neill as the baddie, wow he was lovely, (and Andrews reminds me of my ex, :flare:). I love SN, (and used to have a picture of him inside my wardrobe like a teenager) and think had I been in Rebecca's situation I probably wouldn't have argued too much ;)! Stuart Wilson was lovely too, (another baddie), what am I saying here? Anyway, I think I should watch it again too. I read the book around the same time, and I really liked it. The one jarring thing in the film was Rowena.....she was rubbish. The Beeb did a version a few years later, but it wasn't a patch on this one, the hero wasn't fanciable in my eyes.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Don't beat yourself up Janine. You read the book and liked it. It is good literature, but even if it wasn't, you enjoyed it, that's the main thing. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you like :).
I don't think you were inexperienced, Janine. I think it's just a case of different people liking different things. Taste varies. Just because I don't like something, or someone else didn't doesn't mean it isn't good literature. I feel sure you've always been a good judge of good literature. After all, you love Lawrence! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Hi wessexgirl, haven't seen you around here lately; maybe we were on different threads. I would die to own that production of "Ivanhoe" with Anthony Andrews. I know what you maean about ex's looking like an actor. After I got my divorce I had this adversion to certain types of men who resemble him. Wonder if Youtube has any cuts from that productions; I will have to check and also check the other production with Sam Neill. He was very attractive when younger; still is, I believe. I just recall that awful scene in "The Piano" and then I had this adversion to Sam Neill for awhile; that is silly I know, since he was playing a character. Yes, Rowena was a pain, was she not? I didn't know there were that many productions of "Ivanhoe".Quote:
Originally Posted by wessexgirl
Ahhh..you are sweet saying this. I wouldn't imagine someone as famous as Scott would be considered 'bad' literature actually. But, I have not read this book for maybe 20, 25 yrs....yes, I am that old! :( Therefore, my full recollection of the text eludes me, but I did enjoy the story very much. Right; that is the main thing! :)Quote:
Don't beat yourself up Janine. You read the book and liked it. It is good literature, but even if it wasn't, you enjoyed it, that's the main thing. Don't let anyone make you feel bad about what you like :).
Here you are Janine, enjoy.....;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNf2i...eature=related
As far as I know there have been 3 versions. The old one with Robert Taylor and Eliabeth Taylor, this one with Anthony Andrews and Sam Neill and the newer one with Steven Waddington and Ciaran Hinds. This is the best.
The liam neeson film has nothing to do with the scott novel. Storyline completely differentQuote:
Originally Posted by Janine
wessexgirl, I am one step ahead of you; but thanks for the link just the same. I watched these this afternoon and I found the DVD is soon to be released on Amazon; you can preorder, so I guess you know what landed in my shopping cart. It's not that much $ either. I am thrilled; I have wanted this film for a long time. Now, I also looked up other obscure things on Youtube. I hadn't even realised that Sam Neill played in that Ivanhoe. How great is that? Now I have a double interest in it and I always thought that Olivia De Hussy(sp?) was just amazing and so pretty. I am trying to find something else to add to the cart to get "Super-Saving Shipping".Quote:
Originally Posted by wessexgirl
Kilted, that's good to know, since I wasn't crazy over that film. I guess I liked it well enough, back then when it came out in theaters; but now, it would not appeal to me at all. Glad to hear the book is much better; but I still don't have a burning desire to read that novel.
Who nominated 'Julian' by Gore Vidal, and why?
Julian is one of Gore Vidal's "historical fictions"... and the emphasis must surely be placed upon the word fiction. Vidal begins with a Post-Modernist structure... the novel being essentially conveyed through the fictive journals of the emperor Julian which are edited and tampered with by two *****y ancient editors who insert catty remarks, comic comments, dirty jokes, gossip, etc... The novel is at once historically accurate... painting a clear picture of the various intrigues, power struggles, and sexual escapades of the Roman Empire... yet it tears the same history... as it has been commonly passed down... completely apart. The novel recalls Robert Graves, I, Claudius... but without the reverence. Vidal is far more satirical and humorous... clearly falling within the tradition of Cervantes, Sterne, Rabelais, and Kafka as opposed to the writers of "serious" historical narratives. Vidal's Myra Breckenridge is a comic masterwork and I had started to read Julian last year and loved it... as far as I got... but somehow never finished as other things got in the way.
I'll soon finish Ibsen's ironic and elaborate treatment of the apostate Emperor Julian, therefore the Gore Vidal appeals to me. Julian, second only to Marcus Aurelius as thinker and writer, is fascinating. Besides, I love Kafka and Cervantes.Quote:
Originally Posted by stlukesguild
Does Vidal write as well as he speaks?
I hope a direct reply is the correct procedure here? Anyways...I nominate
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
and I second the nomination!
Thanks for your nomination but we have already got the 10 nominations we needed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Quixote Jr
Maybe next month!
Hi Gladys, I have been trying to get to your email reply; I suddenly got swamped. Sorry for the delay. I love this painting. Do you know who did it? The colors are very appealing - simply beautiful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gladys
And a five-way tie!
:D
not anymore its not
:lol: And I just did too.Quote:
Originally Posted by kilted exile
There is still time to vote. You never know which way it might go.....
*mutters something about it only being a fair deal*
*Vote for sale*
Wondering why I didn't nominate Master and Commander...
I might still go ahead and read one of those.
The usual or something different?Quote:
Originally Posted by papayahed
:D
Last month I read American Pastoral by Roth and wouldn't mind giving The Plot Against America a try either.
Noo Ive tracked down a 19th centurey edition of rob roy in original binding, I want an excuse to book that out of the library and read that...so Rob roy has to win! :nod:
I probably will not be reading Rob Roy if it wins.
I will mostly have finished both my work and assignments, come June; so I am really looking forward to picking up my reading.
Ah. I'd love to join in, but I'm like a broken record with the same old problems (sigh). It would be far easier for me to one click the winner @ Amazon than to economize and attempt to rattle this bucket to the library, and I would always splurge on books, even unwisely, but I am still trying to unpack myself down to my writing comfort level, and until I get there I'd rather not buy even used editions.
I am still unsure when my uncle's company will have rebuilt my Quickie, a model in which I'm secure enough, of course, for library dashing. I will yank my hair in mock exasperation and think about it a day or two, because I am into historical fiction of late. I like Vidal's wit, but at the moment, don't know what I'd want. Virgil could be a dear and let me borrow his dog to put my books back the right way in my diminished closet space, assuming the dog doesn't want ten dollars an hour ;). Aren't I simply horrid?:D:D
Have talked to your library about the issue at all? They might have postal delivery services? Or maybe a relative can collect the book for you if you place an order for it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
Hey Jozanny,Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
I dont know about the states but since it is the best practise model I am assuming they offer it too, but here in teh UK all libraries provide a housbound/ books on wheels service. You could probably join tempporarily and ring them up and go I want such and such and such a book, its actually really helpful when people on this service doo this because otherwise you are sort of guessing blind as to what people want. Also they might be wiling to give you more books and for an extenede tie without fines. ( and by the way if anyone reads this and you live in the uk they pretty much HAVE to give this to you because of DDA ) or like shcer said ring up orser a whole bunch of boks and get a realtive to pick them up :nod: :D
Jeez Sche, you jogged my memory, they do have a handicapped services division. I'll check and see if the mayor's budget cuts would make it whatever for me to sign up, but they are on 9th & Walnut. I was going to do voice tapes for them years ago. I'll make some calls this week. Thanks!:p (I really forgot.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
You're not horrid. If I can take you out to lunch one day shortly I will be glad to help you with what i can. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Jozanny
would it be unethical to post 40 times really fast in order to vote in this poll? hehe.
I voted for Philip Roth because I haven't read anything of his yet...Haven't read Gore Vidal either so I'll be happy if one of those two win the vote...fingers crossed! :)