Though it has been a while sense my reading of Rainbow, and I no longer have a copy of the book, I throughly enjoyed it, and will look forward to partaking in a discussion of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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Though it has been a while sense my reading of Rainbow, and I no longer have a copy of the book, I throughly enjoyed it, and will look forward to partaking in a discussion of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Great! I will let you know. I have to re-read it myself. I bought a new copy recently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
Ok, then Tues would be even better for me. I have that big baby shower on Sunday.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Well, that explains it - two factors - the made you read it and second you were a bit young to appreciate it entirely. I think a second reading, maybe even later in life would change your mind about the novel. Same with "Women in Love" - one has to be in the right frame of mind and right time in one's life to appreciate some novels. I have found this entirely true. I started to read S&L when I was younger and actually hated it. I had to abandon it until years later when I knew more about Lawrence and his actually life story. Then it gained appeal for me. It also stands quite alone as nothing I have ever read before. The second reading of WIL on this site was phenomenal for me and now the audiofile I am listening to is wonderful and I am actually noticing things I had not previously noticed, in two readings! strange, isn't i?Quote:
Janine I can see my dislike for "Sons and Lovers" sparked a new discussion... :p I think one of the problems was I had to read it for a university english course, and that usually lessens my ability to like a story... I've had it happen several times with books I later ended up really liking... I read "sons and lovers" when I was 21 I think so three years ago now, and it's not that I intensely disliked it, I just didn't enjoy it.. but at the same time, outside of school I was reading "Love Among the Haystacks and other Stories" and I just loved it... It is one of my favourite collections of short stories..
I too read those books when younger - the shorter novellas - 'Love Among the Haystakes' was and is still one of my favorites - sort of in the Thomas Hardy pastoral style. I loved 'The Fox', and others I can't recall now. I plan soon to re-read all of them.
More and more I am appreciating his short stories and short fiction. I didn't think much about it before though I had read some and liked those stories very much. 'Things' is one of my favorites of Lawrence's SS's. I am impressed, Islandclimber....I did not know you read all those Lawrence novels. I read all of those also and a few more this past year. Discussion groups greatly enhance the understanding of these novels. We will be discussion WIL soon and maybe you could join in as well. I think you would see things you had not previously observed in the text. I surely hope I do so.Quote:
..though I know Lawrence is better known for his novels I like his short stories more... I did enjoy "the rainbow" though when I read it a couple years ago, and "Aaron's Rod" as well... and "Women In Love" was pretty good, again not my favourite of his...
Even a bit later perhaps - maybe when you are about 30. Yep, so many books to read in one little lifetime; I agree.Quote:
...but I think if I went back to "Sons and Lovers" now I would most likely enjoy it, it is just there are so many books and so little time as you have said before...
Wow, I would imagine Dicken's short stories would be good. I haven't read the other authors you mentioned. I did purchase some Dostoevsky novels from a sale recently - now I am well stocked and ready to read his works. He will be next after L. I tend to read all that one author has written or at least a good portion of it. I will start with the short ones - "Notes from the Underground" is super short.Quote:
... right now, besides Chekhov and now the Lawrence short story thread... I'm rereading Borges' "Labyrinths" and I'm reading Dickens "Short Stories" which for another writer predominately known for novels (in fact I did not know he wrote short stories) are fantastic, at least some of them... I'm always somewhere or other in Pablo Neruda's "Residence on Earth" I just can't put it down, and it has been 4 and a half years since I got it, and I'm still reading it over and over... and then I'm reading the only one of the five major Dostoevsky novels I have not read for some strange reason, "A Raw Youth" though I find it to be his poorest work of his later career so far..
I love Hardy - about 5 years back I read most of his work. I used to belong to the Hardy site online and learned some there but more from a person I connected with there who is making Hardy his lifetime study. He loves "Return of the Native" but oddly enough, I did not appreciate it till much later and now I like it very much. My favorites are "Mayor of Casterbridge", "Jude the Obscure", "The Woodlanders", "Tess of the D'Urbervilles", and "Far From the Madding Crowd" - well, that is a lot of favorites and a great deal of his work! I plan to re-read all of them eventually and I have read some of the lesser novels of Hardy also and liked those. I own about 20 Hardy books. Ever see any of the adaptations? There are some fine ones out there. I can list them for you, if you want. I listed them in another for someone reading Hardy for the first time.Quote:
....oh yeah and Thomas Hardy's "Return of the Native", which is his, poorest work so far in my eyes.. I loved "Tess of the D'urbevilles, it is my favourite tragic love novel probably, and 'Jude the Obscure" and the Mayor of Casterbridge" and his almost comic happier "Far From the Madding Crowd"... But "return of the native" is so mediocre in comparison I find... but to get back to the point, I should read "sons and lovers" again and am sure I would enjoy it if I did, but well, time...
NOT!:lol: That would drive people away!;)... sorry Q!Quote:
Quark, I saw you suggested "Quark's Awesome Chekhov Club" for a thread title... that is so much better, let's have that as our title!!!:D
That's what I assumed. I think if I had to compel someone to read a Lawrence book it would be Women in Love. From what I've heard it's quite good. I just haven't gotten around to reading it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
When are you going to start your Rainbow discussion? I'll try and post some things when I get time.
The discussion begins officially on Tuesday, but I may post something earlier anyway. Janine, if you want to start early feel free to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
"A Raw Youth" is considered one of his major novels? I haven't even bothered to look at that one. What's it about? I'm starting to read The Possessed actually. I'm expecting it to be quite good. I've wanted to read it for some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
I never made it all the way through Tess. It sort of bored me, although it did give me one of my favorite lines. When the one brother wants to go join the party, and one of his dull, pedantic siblings goes, "But we have to read another chapter of Counterblast to Agnosticism!" Whenever someone tries to pull me away from work to go do something fun, that's always my comeback. "But I have to read another chapter of Counterblast to Agnosticism!"Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
I know. I should have made that at least the subtitle. I just didn't think the admins would go for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Well sense I have already read the story, that would be fine with me if anyone posted early.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Oh, like DarkMuse I am finished the story, well all three stories again, so whenever you want to start if it is okay with Janine, please do...Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
DarkMuse if you want a little more to read, the two stories leading up to this story with the same characters, give you a better understanding of where this is coming from... they are first The Man In A Case and Gooseberries second.. and they are both on here.. and not any lengthier than this one... just a quick read will get you the background to this story, though as Quark mentioned before, they are not essential... someone could post a brief synopsis of them as a lead up to About Love as well I guess, what do you think Quark?
Janine isn't it great that Dostoevsky's short stories are still about 100 pages or longer... more like novellas i would say.. though he does have a couple short ones... But when you begin reading him, let me know, I would love to read along again and discuss any of his works, at a nice relaxed pace, or whatever suits you:)
Thanks for the suggestion, I just might decide to look into those two stories.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
I would like to look into those additional stories too, but it is inconceivable that I can start posting, till next week. If anyone does post now, please don't give away endings. I hate that. I want to work up to the ending, all by myself. If you need to discuss the end, then do so, but please post a big bold 'spoiler' before it.
Go ahead and post, but I really can't do so until next week. I am tied up for the next few days. I guess I can catch up.
Well if we wait it will give me more time to read up those other two stories, but if Quark or anyone else does want to post early I can do that as well.
I'll wait for you Janine!!! No leaving you on the sinking ship!!! We all go down together in this thread!! :D but, seriously, I am content to wait a few days... I just read a most interesting book through the night last night as I could not sleep... and then went to work.. ahhh... insomnia is god... i mean good... but "Sanine" by Mikhail Artzybashev is just a fascinating novel... I was shocked at how good it was considering I had never heard of it, and you can only get used copies as it has fallen out of print... so good and now I need a day or two to mull over the originality and uniqueness of this story... :D
Oh, if you insist. No, really, that probably would be a good idea, although someone might object. Should I post a summary? What do you guys think?Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
I won't post until Tuesday, but other people can go ahead. I'll probably just answer other people's posts until I start posting chunks of the story on Tuesday. It would be a good idea if everyone alerted each other to spoilers before the actual beginning of the discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Hi Everyone,Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Here I was thinking maybe my last post sounded a little rude or perturbed, so I was going to modify it and sound a little more friendly. I am just stressed out at the minute, and not feeling well again. Sorry, if I did come off to all of you as being rude. Fact is, I was hoping for a little time; I am still in the midst of picking out the Lawrence story and have not decided yet, so I have to re-read them. Pressure, pressure, pressure and you, Quark, were the one who kidded me before, about having no time to sleep!:(
islandclimber, you are sweet saying you will wait for me. I like your sinking ship analogy...;) :lol: made me laugh. I wanted to thank you for your nice comment in that other thread, too. That really made me feel good, like my time is not wasted on all my loooong 'drawn-out' posts and my countless hours of research. I am so glad they helped you in the L thread.
Hummm...."Sanine" - gee, just one letter different than my name. I will have to look into that book, but you say it is out of print. How did you find it?
Well, if you all can wait till next week, I would be eternally grateful. I need this time to: wrap gifts tomorrow/buy cards; attend a baby shower Sunday; do some laundry, I need my clothes(!); read more L stories, so I can pick a good one everyone will like; and now read two additional Chekhov stories, plus this one; oh and yes, complete my reading of "Camille", before I forget the book and what is happening. That is all I have to do in the next few days!
I didn't think you came off as rude. I know you have stuff to do--lots apparently (have fun at the shower). We're just getting restless in this pause between stories.
Islandclimber, I don't know the book you're talking about, much less the author. Oddly enough, though, we have talked about Hardy novels on this thread in the past. In fact, I remember bringing up that tear-jerker scene from Jude the Obscure before. Somehow the conversation always comes back to that.
Quark, what - 'restless'?....it is almost the weekend; don't you guys ever have dates? Weekends are for the youth to go out and raise a ruckess and have fun with their friends. I am an old lady, becoming stodgy and inert; sometimes I just want to stay in the house, and be warm until spring comes. "Staying in makes Johnny a dull boy.:( "Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Thanks, about the shower, Q - it will be great fun. I can't wait. I haven't seem my pregnant daughter-in-law since Christmas, just my son, he stops by on his way home from work. It will be a good reunion and with other people I have not seen now for awhile.
Warning - this could be a Hardy Spoiler!Quote:
Islandclimber, I don't know the book you're talking about, much less the author. Oddly enough, though, we have talked about Hardy novels on this thread in the past. In fact, I remember bringing up that tear-jerker scene from Jude the Obscure before. Somehow the conversation always comes back to that.
Did he refer to Hardy? I missed something......duh? Quark, do you like Hardy? Just curious. Did you know the story of the children in Jude actually came from a true life event? That is a scary thought, isn't it? There were many tear-jerker parts in "Jude, the Obscure". Good book, but devastating.
Hehe well the little misanthope that I am, I do not go out really. I do not attend socical events. Go to the movies sometimes but mostly I spend my time just reading anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
And the few friends I do have including my boyfriend live in different states.
Well....sorry DM, should have put "and makes Jane a dull girl" too....hahheehe. I am just kidding with all of you. I have been there and done it, with the boyfriend in another state; three times now. I hope it works out better for you, DM, than for me. I hope the state is close by, anyway. Still those bridge/highway tolls are murder.:(Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
How 'bout relaxing and watching movies or reading, any hobbies? You must have computer :eek2: blindness, by now. I thought I was bad, but I always see you online, DM.Now that statement made a lot of sense - since I am also online to see you online...hahhe:lol:
For me, I am soon going to retire to my sofa to watch a film. Quess which one? Actually, an early play (on DVD), of Lawrene's, I just bought from Amazon called "The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd." I anticipate the play is very much like the short story 'Odour of Chrysanthamums'....we discussed that story in this thread awhile back. It was a good one, so the play should be very interesting. Then I will read, read, read, before I go to bed! Promise.....
Unforutnately we are on oppisites sides of the state, and obscatles have remained presisistently in our way, but we do the best that we can for now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Hehe acutally I am not as bad as I use to be about the computer. I spent the good deal of my day reading, I am reading an insane amount of different things right now. Though in the evenings I tend to just stay on the computer untill I go to bed. During the day I genreally just pop on for a few minitues now and than just to check mail and such than go back to reading.
But my classes for spring quarter will be starting up soon.
Yes, I well know about those obstacles. My guy was only across a river, but you would think it was a universe. Well, traffic was a big factor and so was the hassle and the bridge toll, constantly going up, never down. Hope you have better luck than me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
Well, spring is coming and depending on where you live, it will be here not too long from now. You should cart your books out to a nice park and read. The fresh air will do you a world of good. I need to do the same. I definitely have cabin-fever by now. I try to go out but the weather is still so iffy and damp somedays I long for home not long after I am out. But I am old and getting stoggy that way. You are young and should take in the world, even though you are a bookworm. Everyone needs socialization now and then. Classes sound great. Where do you go to school - college or university? What classes are they? sorry being 'curious Janine' again? It is just that I really like people and they always interest me.Quote:
Hehe acutally I am not as bad as I use to be about the computer. I spent the good deal of my day reading, I am reading an insane amount of different things right now. Though in the evenings I tend to just stay on the computer untill I go to bed. During the day I genreally just pop on for a few minitues now and than just to check mail and such than go back to reading.
But my classes for spring quarter will be starting up soon.
Well, thanks islandclimber, for posting those two preceeding stories to this one. I just looked them up and yikes, Quark, one is 7 pages and one is 9 pages and that is after I reduced the type size/font.....so another 16 pages of ink and paper....eek....or I could go smaller on the font size and use a magnifying glass to read it. :lol:
I figure if I do print them, I can read one a night. That should catch me up, until we start on the first (1st) of April, right? Thanks for holding up the ship for me - I will be there to board ontime...promise. Bon Voyage!
islandclimber, Yes, about Dostesevky(sp?), you are right - his short stories are novellas. I will start with "Notes from the Underground"; isn't that what you advised earlier and we can discuss it when I finish. It won't be soon but may be I can fit it in in the next month sometime.
Quark, my answer to spell-check is (sp?) after a word I don't know how to spell or question.:lol: Let's lobby for a spell-check on Lit Net, Virgil! ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Hehe well one of our biggist problems right now, is neither one of us drive. He cannot becaue his vision is imparied, and I do not have my lisence and cannot currently afford driving lessons to get it.
When we first met we was planning to move out my way, and for a while was trying to find a job here, but nothing turned up.
I have been trying to find a job for myself to try and get things more in order, but so far nothing has turned up.
Hehe I am not that bad, though I do not socilize I do go out on my own now and then, though usually I prefer to go out when it is cold.
I am like the oppisite of a bear, I wish I could hibernate through summer.
:lol: this laughter is not directed at anyone, I am just watching Monty Python at the moment and it is too funny for words... plus I haven't slept in a couple days and it is beginning to wear the frayed threads of my sanity... but that is neither here nor there... :lol:
it is funny though how we almost post more in between stories... :D
well on to your posts... Quark I think I may just begin with you... a summary of the first two stories is a good idea, but if everyone wants to read them now, I guess it is unneccessary... does everyone want to read all three (they are not too long)??
It doesn't surprise me that hardy would come up in a Chekhov thread.. both were quite into the tragic, is known for novels, and Chekhov for plays and stories... but they are both quite pastoral, and write more of the poor peasants, the downtrodden... they fit together, though I do believe it is Dickens that Chekhov is usually compared to of the English writers.. I just find he is more of a fit with Hardy...
"Sanine" by Artzybashev, is not a very well known novel so I wouldn't expect many to know it... But is an interesting one, in the fact that it was banned by many countries immediately upon publishing and when the Bolshevists came to power it was banned in Russia from what I recollect as well, and Artzybashev was seen as an irreconciliable enemy of the Bolshevist regime... which I find fascinating.. but it is a very selfish, cynical, pessimistic, hedonistic type of novel, though the philosophy behind it and within it is interesting and fascinating... no spoilers here though.. Janine I hope this looking into this book isn't just because of the title's close association to your name.. *suspicious look in whatever direction Janine might be* :D ... I found it on here a while ago.... they have this one of his on here, and a short story of his, which is also good... although he considered his best work to be "Death of Lande" ... but it is impossible to find.. but back to how I got it.. you can order it on amazon, form one of the used dealers that I guess they deal with... it just took a while to get here... but it was worth the $20 and the wait... watch which copy though.. some of them are being sold for $60 to $150... it is crazy what people think they can get for used books.. not a good way to promote reading...
Janine you sound entirely too busy... but I am happy what I said made you feel good... I was being honest... you are a wonderful person to discuss stories with... and you did convince me to jump into the Lawrence thread and you and Virgil, Quark, Dark Muse, all made me feel welcome even while jumping in right at the end of a story to throw my two cents in... so Thank you all...
you know Janine Tess of the D'Urbevilles and Jude the Obscure are two of the most tragic and depressingly sad novels ever written I would say.. if you like this kind of writing there is an indo-canadian writer named Rohinton Mistry who wrote a book called "A Fine Balance" and it is one of my favourite books of the 20th century.. especially the latter half... it is so beautiful, yet so utterly and completely tragic... it had me in tears... much like Hardy's aforementioned works... the scene with Little father time was almost too much to bear, after everything else that goes on in the novel, you almost want to drop it right then, and try to forget this was based on a real occurence... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I read the ending of Tess had some basis in reality too... I absolutely got very teary at the end of Tess, and in reading her letter to Angel after he had spurned her... How can the words not move you to tears...
Quote:
The daylight has nothing to show me, since you are not here, and I don't like to see the rooks and starlings in the field, because I grieve and grieve to miss you who used to see them with me. I long for only one thing in heaven or earth or under the earth, to meet you, my own dear! Come to me—come to me, and save me from what threatens me!—
Your faithful heartbroken
Tess
I'm kind of out of the going out and causing a ruckus scene now... I just turned 24 a few weeks ago.. I had my time when I was a little too wild, and got myself into more trouble and gave myself more problem than I want to think about... but I find so many of the people who I end up around to be quite lacking in terms of originality or uniqueness, or even in being okay with who they are inside... I mean, I know some people like cars, and like to party.. but can anyone seriously say those are the passions of their lives... without sounding absurd.. well at least they do to me... Party as what they are passionate about.. well that is a good recipe for alcoholism and drug addiction I guess. and not to be a hypocrite for I did to a degree enjoy it myself for a couple years, and even now on a rare occasion I will let loose with some old friends when I drink a little too much, but I have nothing in common with most of these people because they hide what's truly inside them I believe... they put on a mask that says blatantly this is how society wants me to appear, so I appear this way... so I am inert.. I do a fair bit of climbing, go snowboarding on occasion, I love to just sit down with some sort of classical music, or celtic, or gregorian, and just read or write, have a glass of wine... play guitar badly, etc... I just have no desire to go out and party and get drunk... I also love movies, especially old movies.. classics... and silent films are a particular passion of mine... I love them....
So I am glad I've found this site as a way to have interesting discussions, and to talk with interesting and unique, and wonderful people like in this thread... :)
and sorry for this ridiculous and long rant and rave about nothing in particular...:D
Have fun at the baby shower Janine
What are you taking in school DM???
Right now I am taking two different english classess, haha probably will not come much as a shock
The British Novel from 1914 to 1945
and
American Fiction to 1914
okay so that post took me so long two posts appeared while I was writing it...:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
DM and Janine, I know about the long distance thing too... mine was 3000 miles though... we had been together for only a few mths when I had to move from Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada to just north of toronto in Ontario here for work... and then we didn't see each other all that often for the next 8mths when she moved in with me.. but I think being so consistently far apart, we didn't knwo what to do living together, so we broke up about 4 mths ago now... so i wish you much better luck DM.. and I am interested in the school/university thing too... Sorry to be nosy.. :D
yep.. Janine.. if you don't make it on time, I'll perform acts of sabotage in the engine room to hold up our departure, or if this is a sail boat, I will slash all the sails, and throw the rigging over board, until I see you running along the pier, arms filled with pages and pages of notes, and printed off stories, along the pier to leap on board... and off we go!!!!!!:p
We may want to discuss Notes From the Underground as we read it,.. not wait till the very end... it is a very dense 100 pages... in fact filled with information and things that make it hard to recall where you read something, in what order, etc, etc... you get the picture... some books are best meant to be discussed as you go, so you have a discussion to look back upon, to jog the memory.... and make final comments, and conclusions...
well, more Monty Python for me... I hope you are all having wonderful friday nights...:D
Ok islandclimber - I better start with this one first:
Which one are you watching?!!! OMG - I love Monty Python and my library has the TV series set, too. I recently, again watched "The Holy Grail" and "The Life of Brian". Just listening to Brian's mom's high voice, cracks me up. I am rolling with laughter :lol: I can be 2 rooms away and hear her and I am laughing - same with the series, which I must resume soon, the male's playing females is what makes me laugh the most, but then again - there are so many stellar moments!Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
:lol: yes, just social i z i n g and getting to know everyone better....that is cool, don't you think? ;)Quote:
it is funny though how we almost post more in between stories... :D
Not long??? you kidding. Add them all together and you have a novella or short novel. I was feeling kind of like overwhelmed already. I also have to be reading these Lawrence stories now to be picking one for Tues. It is rather taxing on my end. I read super slowly, and it is against my religion to skim.Quote:
well on to your posts... Quark I think I may just begin with you... a summary of the first two stories is a good idea, but if everyone wants to read them now, I guess it is unneccessary... does everyone want to read all three (they are not too long)??
That is an interesting comparison or (s).Quote:
It doesn't surprise me that hardy would come up in a Chekhov thread.. both were quite into the tragic, is known for novels, and Chekhov for plays and stories... but they are both quite pastoral, and write more of the poor peasants, the downtrodden... they fit together, though I do believe it is Dickens that Chekhov is usually compared to of the English writers.. I just find he is more of a fit with Hardy...
Is "Sanine" a woman? Is she racy or a prostitude, courtesan? Haha - I love banned books. :lol: I read Lawrence, don't I?;) Lawrence sounds mild compared to this "Sanine" book. Is the book long?Quote:
"Sanine" by Artzybashev, is not a very well known novel so I wouldn't expect many to know it... But is an interesting one, in the fact that it was banned by many countries immediately upon publishing and when the Bolshevists came to power it was banned in Russia from what I recollect as well, and Artzybashev was seen as an irreconciliable enemy of the Bolshevist regime... which I find fascinating.. but it is a very selfish, cynical, pessimistic, hedonistic type of novel, though the philosophy behind it and within it is interesting and fascinating... no spoilers here though.. Janine I hope this looking into this book isn't just because of the title's close association to your name.. *suspicious look in whatever direction Janine might be* :D
On here - do you mean the text is on Lit Net? or someone mentioned it in a post? Is it a French novel? Yes, those prizes are a bit steep; silly people think they can sell books that are falling appart for that much. I saw a L book listed and they want $2000. for it! Ridiculous. I really wanted that book, too. The posthumus(post death -I need spell-check:( ) papers of Lawrence. I think I have to wait a bit to look into buying that book. I have all these Dostevesky books to read, you know, and at least 10 more Lawrence books to read that I bought from Amazon.Quote:
... I found it on here a while ago.... they have this one of his on here, and a short story of his, which is also good... although he considered his best work to be "Death of Lande" ... but it is impossible to find.. but back to how I got it.. you can order it on amazon, form one of the used dealers that I guess they deal with... it just took a while to get here... but it was worth the $20 and the wait... watch which copy though.. some of them are being sold for $60 to $150... it is crazy what people think they can get for used books.. not a good way to promote reading...
Totally too busy; but I do it to myself! :bawling: The things I mentioned are only the tip of the iceberg. There is tons more I have to do and starting next week. I procrastinated way too long already.Quote:
Janine you sound entirely too busy... but I am happy what I said made you feel good... I was being honest... you are a wonderful person to discuss stories with... and you did convince me to jump into the Lawrence thread and you and Virgil, Quark, Dark Muse, all made me feel welcome even while jumping in right at the end of a story to throw my two cents in... so Thank you all...
What you said made my night. It was so sweet and I think the nicest compliment or one of them I have gotten from a forum member. I really did feel I had accomplished something from my hardwork. See hard work does pay off, maybe not monetarily but in more important ways. That is how I feel about it. I value a good opinion and appreciation far more than anything money can buy. I am so glad you are going to try the Lawrence thread. I think you will definitely enjoy it and get a lot out of the discussions. :( I just hope I pick a good story everyone likes this time.
Don't I know that but you are talking to someone who thrives on watching "Hamlet" at least once a month. I like tragedy better than comedy - go figure and I am not a depressed person at all, ever. I don't want to waste time being depressed. I don't know - are any babies, kids, puppies killed in that new book you suggested? I have to refrain currently from those type tragedies. If adults want to kill each other that's fine with me just not not kids or baby animals,*expectant grannie speaking again*.:)Quote:
you know Janine Tess of the D'Urbevilles and Jude the Obscure are two of the most tragic and depressingly sad novels ever written I would say.. if you like this kind of writing there is an indo-canadian writer named Rohinton Mistry who wrote a book called "A Fine Balance" and it is one of my favourite books of the 20th century.. especially the latter half... it is so beautiful, yet so utterly and completely tragic... it had me in tears... much like Hardy's aforementioned works... the scene with Little father time was almost too much to bear, after everything else that goes on in the novel, you almost want to drop it right then, and try to forget this was based on a real occurence... Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I read the ending of Tess had some basis in reality too... I absolutely got very teary at the end of Tess, and in reading her letter to Angel after he had spurned her... How can the words not move you to tears...
Glad to hear it islandclimber! You obviously have your feet on the ground and you have come to that stage of maturity. I know my son went through the 'going out too late and drinking too much' stage and I was crazy at the time, over worry. I think he wised up a little later than you, but still glad he hit the mature stage finally. Now he is going to be a daddy, so he must slow up even more and his wife truly loves him and keeps his feet on the ground. He is not a literature type guy but he loves working with his hands and he is very clever and smart. He renovated his whole house and he is always building something.Quote:
I'm kind of out of the going out and causing a ruckus scene now... I just turned 24 a few weeks ago.. I had my time when I was a little too wild, and got myself into more trouble and gave myself more problem than I want to think about... but I find so many of the people who I end up around to be quite lacking in terms of originality or uniqueness, or even in being okay with who they are inside... I mean, I know some people like cars, and like to party.. but can anyone seriously say those are the passions of their lives... without sounding absurd.. well at least they do to me... Party as what they are passionate about.. well that is a good recipe for alcoholism and drug addiction I guess. and not to be a hypocrite for I did to a degree enjoy it myself for a couple years, and even now on a rare occasion I will let loose with some old friends when I drink a little too much, but I have nothing in common with most of these people because they hide what's truly inside them I believe... they put on a mask that says blatantly this is how society wants me to appear, so I appear this way... so I am inert.. I do a fair bit of climbing, go snowboarding on occasion, I love to just sit down with some sort of classical music, or celtic, or gregorian, and just read or write, have a glass of wine... play guitar badly, etc... I just have no desire to go out and party and get drunk... I also love movies, especially old movies.. classics... and silent films are a particular passion of mine... I love them....
No, I am very proud of you and that you didn't follow along with the crowd. As Frost said "I took the road less traveled, and it has made all the difference" - I think I quoted that right. You are truly a nice young man and know the genuine value of things that are important in life. You came to the right place here to meet up with similar thinking people. Hey, I went through the same stage, when I was younger - I know, it wears out fast - that bar scene/partying. The good things in life are everlasting.
I too, love old movies and new movies and Monty Python! ;) :lol: I love art and I love music and I love reading and I love nature - what more can a person ask for? We are all so blessed but many just don't realise it.
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So I am glad I've found this site as a way to have interesting discussions, and to talk with interesting and unique, and wonderful people like in this thread... :)
Have fun at the baby shower JanineQuote:
and sorry for this ridiculous and long rant and rave about nothing in particular...:D
You kidding ? - a person after my own heart. I am constantly rambling on; I have bored many a poster on Lit Net, I am sure....:lol: Just kidding, you are not boring me at all. I find your posts totally entertaining. We actually have a lot incommon. Wish I was younger; I would give you a run for your money, oops - will I be reprimanded for that remark? I wasn't stalking you, IC:lol: You know I am joshing with you!;) I am about to be a grannie.
Ok, this is the second one I am answering - so don't miss the one before this:
Happens to me all the time!.... us long-winded folk.:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Yeah, it makes it hard. I also once had a relationship 3000 miles away. Wow, that one died out fast, although maybe I made it more of a relationship than it was because we had known each other when we were kids and we wrote all the time, after we meet back in later life. Well, at least I got a nice trip to Washington state - actually two and a great time there, I must add. I love the place and the mountains are wonderful. Ever been there islandclimber?Quote:
DM and Janine, I know about the long distance thing too... mine was 3000 miles though... we had been together for only a few mths when I had to move from Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada to just north of toronto in Ontario here for work... and then we didn't see each other all that often for the next 8mths when she moved in with me.. but I think being so consistently far apart, we didn't knwo what to do living together, so we broke up about 4 mths ago now... so i wish you much better luck DM.. and I am interested in the school/university thing too... Sorry to be nosy.. :D
:lol: :lol: This part made me laugh so hard.....:lol: very clever writing. If I don't make the boat just toss me a life saver!:lol: I will drift behind until I catch up.Quote:
yep.. Janine.. if you don't make it on time, I'll perform acts of sabotage in the engine room to hold up our departure, or if this is a sail boat, I will slash all the sails, and throw the rigging over board, until I see you running along the pier, arms filled with pages and pages of notes, and printed off stories, along the pier to leap on board... and off we go!!!!!!:p
eeeeekkkkkkk.....not for awhile.....I promised Manolia I would read "The Rainbow" next and discuss it with her - I promised that a year ago. I have to come through soon; maybe in May. When we do discuss it we can do so as I read it. I will let you know when I can find the time. Seriously, it may be awhile.Quote:
We may want to discuss Notes From the Underground as we read it,.. not wait till the very end... it is a very dense 100 pages... in fact filled with information and things that make it hard to recall where you read something, in what order, etc, etc... you get the picture... some books are best meant to be discussed as you go, so you have a discussion to look back upon, to jog the memory.... and make final comments, and conclusions...
Wish I had some MP to watch tonight. Getting late - I better go and watch the rest of that Lawrence play. Enjoy your laughing fits with MP!Quote:
well, more Monty Python for me... I hope you are all having wonderful friday nights...:D
Oops! almost forgot:
Quote by DarkMuse:
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Right now I am taking two different english classess, haha probably will not come much as a shock
The British Novel from 1914 to 1945
and
American Fiction to 1914
DM,I should have guessed.:lol: that is great! Keep up the good work. You came to the right place here.
oh i need 5 characters outside the quote.. hey and now i have them.. i am so good at this:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
DarkMuse what do you have to read for those courses???
islandclimber, You last two posts were a riot! I will comment more on them tomorrow. I was thoroughly entertained, while reading those! There is a lot to answer there. Your form seems a little Monty Pythonish! hahaaha :lol:
I just finished watching the Lawrence play. It was very intense and great acting; yes, I liked it very much and L wrote it early on I believe. It was very much like the short story 'Odour of Chrysanthamums'. I felt it had one element not included in the short story - another man. This made it quite interesting. I will have to read up on this play and see just what Lawrence had in mind when he wrote it and also the origins of the idea. I felt the other man was very Lawrence-like, but I could be wrong.
Well, I don't have insomnia and I did not reading tonight - naughty me. I was too tired out to read. I can catch up tomorrow. So, anyway - off to bed it is for me. I need sleep!
See you all tomorrow!
The Brit Lit. Class I do not know, the teacher has not posted the syllabes online for the class, or any info about it, so I will have to wait tell I go to class which will be Thursday to find out.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
The American Fiction class, we are reading short stories by:
Poe
Melville
Henry James
Stephen Crane
and two novels
The House of Mirth, By Edith Wharton
The Blithedale Romance By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Well I know we have not offically started dicussing it yet, but sense some people have already finnished About Love, there was one thing I noticed in the story that I was currious about, that I do not think really has so much to do with the content of the story, but I just found it odd, so it was nagging at me. So I was wondering if anyone could explain.
When Alehin was telling his story, within the story he is refered to as Parvel Konstantinovitch
So I was wondering where did the name Alehin come from?
The friends refer to him as Alekhin, but the characters in the his story call him Pavel Konstantinovitch because it's more formal. I'm not sure which name Alekhin is, though. I've talked/complained about this earlier in other discussions on Russian Lit. The characters have four names and you never know which they're going to use. There's first, middle, and last, but then there's also a nickname. So who knows which Alekhin is?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
Oh, and I can't possible comment on everything that was said last night--so many posts. I would just say that if you're going to read Notes from the Underground let me know so we can make a thread. Also, I would suggest any Monty Python fans to youtube it. There are some great bits online. Hope the classes go well, DM. With a name like American Fiction to 1914, though, you don't really know what you're going to get. Hopefully you'll do Moby Dick so we can talk about it. I wrote my grad writing sample on it, and it's still on my mind.
Ahh ok, thanks for clearing that up for meQuote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Hello Everyone!
SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!! It is me again and I actually read the first story last night 'The Man in the Case'....I surprised myself; ofcourse, I think I got to sleep at 5AM! I seem to think I can do it all, but then I sleep super late - not good.:(
I have two impressions of the story - won't give anything away at all. Firstly, it is a 'frame story', and now I take it the one we will be discussing is also a 'frame story'? Am I right, DM, Quark?....and second I also noticed the multiple name thing cropping up, as DM did; which also confuses the heck out of me in Russian novels...*groan groan*. Maybe this is why I have avoided some so far; it is sometimes a struggle for me to read them. Some of us just can't process all those names for one person. I personally, can't keep them straight (any suggestions?) so I think I may have difficulty, as well, with all of these stories. Now I am determined to read the second story working up to the one will will discuss; possibly this event will take place tonight or tomorrow night; then onward to the story, we will be offically discussing. I should be able to board the ship by Tues, as I promised. No need to throw me a life preserver!:D
Ok, I liked that story very much. Only comment - I think the guy was a 'case' himself! ;) :lol:
Oh, we have a few Monty Python fans here - cool! After Chekhov :bawling: we need a bit of humor! :D :lol: ;) I will check out your youtube, Quark. Somehow I had not pictured you as a MP fan. I thought you were too tragic for that. On my, I am already pretty addicted to youtube. It is endless what one can find on there! I love the celebrity interviews and concert clips and trailers and........
Quark, don't worry about answering all those late night posts of ours. Mostly we all were just social i z i n g.....getting to know each other better. Sorry you missed the fun. By the way, I have two of the CD sets made so far; one for you and one for Virgil. I have yet to complete them, adding disc 3. That should be no problem and can complete when watching a DVD. Computer is just a few feet from my TV and couch.
islandclimber I am back again. Hope you did get some sleep, Mr. Insomnia! :eek:
Oh my gosh! I have not been to Vancouver Island, but close. My friend did Navy training there. He was in the reserves - Navy Air. I guess the furthest north we went was Rialto Beach - I just loved it there and think about it all the time. Although one night we camped right across from Victoria, Canada, that may have been more North. We could see the lights across the harbour - amazing and so beautiful. I never saw so many stars before this. The plan was this: fly into Seattle, visit with friends of his (one weekend) and then take off, with only a two man tent, and tour the Olympic Pennisula. It was amazing crossing the Pudget Sound and the going North. North is always good in my book; well if the weather is not too harsh that time of year. The coastline got prettier and prettier. It is awesome there in Rialto Beach area. I took some great photos of the drift wood (whole trees) and the sea-stakes. I loved those the best and actually brought back some of the rounded stones. On the way back we went to the rainforest and some other beaches and saw the mountains from a distance till we made it to my friend's house in Yakama. Then in the following week we made day trips and to Mt. Rainer - which range is that mountain in? Is that considered the coastal or cascade? While on the Pennisula one outstanding place was this lake - can't recall it's name now (have to review my tourist books) but it was formed by a crater and at one time they did not know the depth of it. All I know is swimming there was mighty frigid....brrrrr :cold: So which range of mountains would that be - coastal, I would guess. I better stop this babbling. We may be disrupting this thread too much. I should scan some of my photos (pre-digital days) and post on the photo thread and then we can talk more about the coastline. I have been up and down the whole of West Coast and seen the coastline several times. My sister lived in Northern CA.Quote:
I lived only a hundred miles up the coast from Washington... on Vancouver Island... well on a little island called Mistaken Island, off Vancouver Island actually... I've been to Washington State a few times.. if you were by the coast of washington State you would have been in the coastal and cascade mountain ranges which go right through oregon and washington up into british columbia.. the whole pacific coast is so so so beautiful.. the old growth rainforests also add to this...
No need now; I think I may make it on time to climb the gang-plank (?) to the ship. If not just throw me a rope! I will tread water.Quote:
so we better arrange this for a tropical place... so you aren't liable to catch hypothermia
5 yrs sounds about right! :lol: No just kidding; I think I may be able to fit it in, sometime prior to that. I will let you all know......Quote:
take as long as needed, i am in no hurry... I wasn't trying to suggest we do it soon.. just someday.. even if it's 5 years from now!!!
Hard to believe we are discussing MP on the Chekhov thread...:lol: What a switch! I loved the TV shows - my son and I always watched them together and then later the films. Those are good episodes. I must get back to watching the ones from my library - I better hurry before someone steals them - believe me it happens!Quote:
I'm actually just watching episodes of the show... the movies are amazing, but the show is just so so so good... if your interested in voting in a little poll I put up a Monty Python's Flying Circus thread in General Chat, but no one seems interested... we must have unique taste ... but I love so many of the sketches... The Argument Room, The Ministry of Silly Walks.. my my, how does it get better than john Cleese complaining about how the government spent more on defense than on developing silly walks!!!!!!! Dead Parrot sketch or Four Yorkshire Men, or for those with literary tastes The Oscar Wilde sketch... all the famous sketches you can watch on youtube.. but I found the entire tv series online a couple years ago... so I'm set for life...
Well the theory of mine goes: if you have a good friendly atmosphere on these threads, they will ultimately be much better in the discussion period. I think Quark mentioned this to me recently and we agreed upon it. We all need a little 'human' conversation/contact and a chuckle once in awhile.;) Last night we were in a lull and needed some 'down' time or social time. It was great.Quote:
I think it is one of the best parts... it would be no fun discussing with complete strangers... and getting to know everyone is tons of fun...
Let me finish the rest of your post later.....
Well if it is any consolation Janine, I read Gooseberries today, and I do not recall that story having multipiles names used within it.
And yes About Love is set up in the same way.
Bascialy each of the three stories, Is a different story told by one of the characters.
The Man in the Case was Burkin's story
Gooseberries was Ivan's story
and About Love is Alekhin's story.
And each of the different stories, seems to me, to tell of a different aspect of human nature
Thanks, Dark Muse, that was really insightful and I liked the way you outlined that for me. I will read "Gooseberries" next. Moving right along.......:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
With everyone reading all three stories we may have to make this discussion longer than just a month. I guess we'll see how it goes. What did you think of "The Man in the Case?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yeah, each of them is a story told within a story. The three characters (one of which isn't introduced yet in "The Man in a Case") have their own tale which they tell in the story.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Well hang in there. Sorry to make you read three stories.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I was waiting for someone to make that joke.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Oh no, I love Monty Python. It's just out of the Chekhov stories I like the tragic ones. Chekhov did write a lot of goofy, comic stories earlier in his career. In fact, most of his stories probably fall under that category, but the jokes are so topical and Russian that we wouldn't get them. That's why I cleave more to the darker stories.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I'm done with my extra Chekhov book, too. I'll email you tomorrow and we can swap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Well it's good that you've met a fellow insomniac in island.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yeah, the story discussion usually doesn't take the whole month, so there's this down time at the end. Some casual chat at the end of the month is a good way to end.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
That's an interesting interpretation. You'll have to explain more later.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
When we offically begin disucssion, I shall elaborate more upon my viewpointQuote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Quark, I had the same thought. I don't know what I think of it tonight. I am too worn out to think (12:27AM here) and I have been going back and forth for hours between this thread and the L thread. Soon I have to head for bed, since I have to get up early tomorrow - something I am not at all used to:bawling: eek. I should be ironing my clothes now for tomorrow, but I am goofing off on here instead. Not good but more fun!Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
A 'frame-story' like "Ethan Frome"....interesting....and I noticed the first story was not in the present tense, was it?Quote:
Yeah, each of them is a story told within a story. The three characters (one of which isn't introduced yet in "The Man in a Case") have their own tale which they tell in the story.
Not complaining because I can see the ship now and I will make it onboard on-time. Ahoy, anchors away!Quote:
Well hang in there. Sorry to make you read three stories.
Figures I would. It seemed to be a 'given'...I was not far into it and thought it. I kept thinking maybe this guy had a disorder, like the one when you can't go out anywhere - forget the name of it - acrophobia, is it? or agoraphobia...something like that? Or maybe he wished to live in an bubble...maybe he was OCD and afraid of germs. At anyrate, I did feel he needed to see a psychiatrist. Something wasn't right there. I felt the poor man needed help. I wonder if Chekhov based the story on a real man? OR, seriously, do you think he fabricated him as a sort of fable type character, not quite real, just to get his idea across? He certainly was eccentric. Of course, the funny part was the thought that he might indeed get married. Also, what woman would go for someone like that? One thing for certain - he did not seem to be a very tolerant or happy man. He seemed terrible strick and stodgy and unreasonable. The bike riding took the cake!Quote:
I was waiting for someone to make that joke.
Unbelievable, our tragic Quark loves MP! :lol: but then again I have noticed some sick or goofy senses of humor in you at times. Was that when Chekhov was young and really good looking? I have a few photos, I found online, of which, I think the guy is pretty cute. I found this wonderful photo of him, in a book I own of different authors, and I will scan and post soon. He was pretty young in this one, too and looked very moody. You will like it. How can I put it - it is very Russian looking - his clothing and shirt and all.Quote:
Oh no, I love Monty Python. It's just out of the Chekhov stories I like the tragic ones. Chekhov did write a lot of goofy, comic stories earlier in his career. In fact, most of his stories probably fall under that category, but the jokes are so topical and Russian that we wouldn't get them. That's why I cleave more to the darker stories.
Oh good, the one with the interesting coffee stain on it. Maybe it will tell my future - do you read coffee grounds? :lol: I can burn that last CD soon and then send them off.Quote:
I'm done with my extra Chekhov book, too. I'll email you tomorrow and we can swap.
No, I am not one! Hardly. I don't sleep well at night though due to medical problems, but I can fall asleep with no problems. Usually I just don't want to go to bed - too much to see and do - life is too exciting! So much to do so little time. Wish we got an age and we didn't have to sleep or eat. Maybe humans will develop into that state someday. Their brains will take over.Quote:
Well it's good that you've met a fellow insomniac in island.
I like the chit chat sometimes - we are only humans aferall. Nice to end on a pleasant happy note, even if Chekhov is usually tragic.:bawling:Quote:
Yeah, the story discussion usually doesn't take the whole month, so there's this down time at the end. Some casual chat at the end of the month is a good way to end.
Yes, I will wait to hear that also when we begin. The ship leaves the docks on Tues, right?Quote:
That's an interesting interpretation. You'll have to explain more later.
Hi all! So many posts pop up in a day of absence :lol:... I am going to have to see if I can declare abstinence from this site for a whole 24 hours sometime.. with my computer nearby... I think it may be impossible :p
Yes, the multiple name thing is one of the more confusing parts of Russian lit... but the good thing is that after a thorough grounding in it, and much reading you become very good at following the names... It has taken me awhile though... Almost all of Dostoevsky, alot of Chekhov, of Tolstoy (not my favourite), some Turgenev, Gogol, Kuprin, Pushkin, Lermontov, Bulgakov, Gorky (a great short story writer too), Solzenitsyn, Sholokov(who I despise), Bely, Artybashev, Goncharov, and Bunin (who is probably one of the best Russian short story writers of all and the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize)... but once you're through about all that you finally begin to follow the names without even thinking about it :D :lol: just kidding, it isn't quite that bad,.. I'm sure Quark knows the feeling...
Janine, I'll send you a PM about the pacific coast as it appears we are closing in on the story... *ben zips his mouth shout, and makes a serious face, no more silly talk from him*
I look forward to the discussion of these stories within stories! it is like Anton Chekhov's " The Three Russian Days!!!!" :D (sorry about the terrible joke)
Is that really possible? I have tried, but I have not achieved that goal yet. Someone actually emailed Logos and begged her to ban them from the site. They said they were 'helplessly addicted'. She posted some of the funniest email requests she ever received. That one topped them all, but I could relate.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Yikes! No wonder I have avoided most of those authors. I have read Turgenev, Tolstoy and now Chekhov. I am impressed with your reading list. You sure do like the Russian novelists. Even after reading all those, I would still have to think hard just who is who, with multiple names....some look entirely different from each other.Quote:
Yes, the multiple name thing is one of the more confusing parts of Russian lit... but the good thing is that after a thorough grounding in it, and much reading you become very good at following the names... It has taken me awhile though... Almost all of Dostoevsky, alot of Chekhov, of Tolstoy (not my favourite), some Turgenev, Gogol, Kuprin, Pushkin, Lermontov, Bulgakov, Gorky (a great short story writer too), Solzenitsyn, Sholokov(who I despise), Bely, Artybashev, Goncharov, and Bunin (who is probably one of the best Russian short story writers of all and the first Russian to win the Nobel Prize)... but once you're through about all that you finally begin to follow the names without even thinking about it :D :lol: just kidding, it isn't quite that bad,.. I'm sure Quark knows the feeling...
Good idea. I got a little carried away. Get me talking about my trips West and that is what happens. I also had something to discuss and to ask you. *now ben is super curious*;)Quote:
Janine, I'll send you a PM about the pacific coast as it appears we are closing in on the story... *ben zips his mouth shout, and makes a serious face, no more silly talk from him*
Yes, I am looking forward to them too, but I did make it to the reading of "Gooseberries" last night. Hope I can do that tonight. I was on the computer too late and I woke up super early and could not go back to sleep...*groan...yawn* - I caught you and Quark's insomnia. You two jinks me!:bawling:Quote:
I look forward to the discussion of these stories within stories! it is like Anton Chekhov's " The Three Russian Days!!!!" :D (sorry about the terrible joke)
I'm going through it right now as I'm reading The Possessed. Try to keep Stepan Trofimovich Verkhovensky separate in your mind from Pyotr Stepanovich Verkhovensky. Those two names are pretty tricky, but apart from them you also have to remember Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin, Maria Timofeevna Lebyadkin, and of course Mavriky Nikolaevich Drozdov. By chapter five, I'm pretty lost. Eventually I get them straight. It just takes much reiteration. I still groan when new characters are introduced, though. I particularly hate it when Dostoevsky tells me the complete name of a character and then gets rid of him. It's a total waste of my nominal memory. At least with Chekhov there aren't so many characters.Quote:
Originally Posted by islandclimber
Agoraphobia is the fear of open places, and Belikov--with his umbrellas, upturned collars, and protective layers--may have suffered from it. He isn't obsessive or compulsive, though. He's just defensive. As for where Chekhov came up with the idea, I think you're closer when you call him a fable-type character. He isn't based on any one person. At least I don't think so. Belikov is simply the protagonist of Burkov's story. Chekhov probably came up with him to give Burkov's reflections more focus.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
The stain sort of looks like an inkblot test, so I'm sure your interpretation of it would tell volumes about your psychological state.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Aren't Americans eating more rather than less? Everyone I know seems to be moving toward an increasingly bloated and somnolent lifestyle. In my town a McDonalds opened up, and now the drive-through has a line of cars wrapping around the building at all hours. The late night LitNet habit doesn't appear to be one that's going to catch on--well, not here at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yeah - 'It just takes much reiteration' and perserverance! :bawling:Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Quark, Thanks for clearing that up. I do think he was suffering from that disorder. This story is really funny, near where I live, actually in the suburbs of Philadelphia there was this infamous man who everyone spoke of - instead of covering himself up all the time he wore shorts in all weather, even snow! The said his legs were bright red and it did not seem to bother him one bit -talk about eccentric. Here is the clincher - he always carried an umbrella!...rain of snow or ice or sun...didn't matter. When I started to read this story, I thought of this guy.Quote:
Agoraphobia is the fear of open places, and Belikov--with his umbrellas, upturned collars, and protective layers--may have suffered from it. He isn't obsessive or compulsive, though. He's just defensive. As for where Chekhov came up with the idea, I think you're closer when you call him a fable-type character. He isn't based on any one person. At least I don't think so. Belikov is simply the protagonist of Burkov's story. Chekhov probably came up with him to give Burkov's reflections more focus.
Well, my impression of Belikov, is that he was hiding from the world, and did not care to be 'touched' by it, or anyone for that matter, in anyway. He was like someone hiding behind a disguise. I can't concieve of the fact, that he ever could entertain the thought of getting married and having physical contact with his wife, being so protective of his physical self. Maybe he would have married, but remained celebate and distant, who knows? I guess love surpasses all bounds. I still think he might have been hiding an element of 'obsessive compulsive' behavior. They usually form a fear of many things and it sounds like he had that fear. Back then, they did not diagnos these disorders and therefore, there was no drug to help control these symptoms. OCD people do form relationships, unbelievably, and definitely fall in-love.
Because it is a 'frame' story, it certainly does give focus to this odd man and his story, which ends up being a very tragic and sad tale.
Quark, that is exactly what I was thinking. I might read something 'ominous' in the mark, or something forseeing a good thing to happen to me, soon. I hope it is not so warped it won't fit into my bookcase - of course, that has reached it's maximum, anyway. I am glad to get the book, truly I am, and I appreciate you offering it to me. The one I bought of Lawrence, Volume 2 of short stories, is now in pieces. I wonder if I can sew, glue or punch holes in it and put it back together in a folder. It was thrown in free with the other one, I bought from that seller, so I really can't complain. It still reads - that is all that is important to me:DQuote:
The stain sort of looks like an inkblot test, so I'm sure your interpretation of it would tell volumes about your psychological state.
Well, oddly enough, as one ages you seem to eat less. This is true of me, anyway. Yes, as a general rule Americans do eat way, way too much food, especially at restaurants, which serve double portions. I usually bring food home and get two or even three meals out of it. Stay clear of McDonalds! Ever see the calorie/fat count in those burgers? Yikes!!! What is the 'late night Lit Net habit' anyway? For me, if on the computer, I usually don't munch - sticky keys you know...ick. If watching a DVD, I tend to want to eat something though. I try to stick to things not too fattening, but guess what? The less I seem to eat, the more pounds I seem to put on; does that make sense? I guess being a 'computer addict' and a 'couch potato' does not help. Come spring, I swear, I must begin a walking routine. I will start next week, right?;) Yeah right..... :lol:Quote:
Aren't Americans eating more rather than less? Everyone I know seems to be moving toward an increasingly bloated and somnolent lifestyle. In my town a McDonalds opened up, and now the drive-through has a line of cars wrapping around the building at all hours. The late night LitNet habit doesn't appear to be one that's going to catch on--well, not here at least.
OK, good news and bad news! First, I did finish reading "About Love" last night, before nodding off. I found the story very sad and depressing, actually; but it was good, very well written, as usual. I hoped to read "Gooseberries" at brunch today, but my eyes were too blurry, from left over sleep. I will try and read it tonight. I need to finish my novel tonight, too - "Camille" before I totally forget what I read so far. I only have two short chapters to go, for heaven sake.
So, considering I finished my reading, of this current Chekhov story, EVERYONE, feel free to post away!
I won't need that life preserver, after all, or the tow rope. The ship can sail! yeah....Bon Voyage! :lol:
I just wanted to start off by saying that I really enjoyed this story. In fact I enjoyed all three of the stories, and found that each of them offered a rather interesting persepctive, and I look forwad to this discussion.
It's April 1st, and that means the beginning of another Chekhov discussion. This month we're reading:
"About Love" http://www.online-literature.com/anton_chekhov/1291/
It's the last of a three story cycle which examines similar themes through the stories of each of its main characters. But, like I said before, each story is quite distinct, and you don't have to read all three to understand just one of them. For summary, I'll try to stay vague so as not give anything away. "About Love" is told mostly by Alekhin who is entertaining two guests when the topic of love comes up. The host comments on the mysteries surrounding love and then breaks into a very revealing personal narrative. Alekhin charges his story with both philosophy and feeling to create something that's more than just an answer to questions brought up earlier in the conversation, but also an entertaining and moving experience for the listeners. Beyond that I can't say much without giving it away. If it goes over well, maybe we'll read the other two stories that are linked with this one.
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Introduction out of the way, let's get to the story. Feel free to make any comments you want, but I think I'll start at the beginning. "About Love" starts with Alekhin's description of Pelegea and Nikanor's tempestuous relationship:What's the purpose of this story? It leads into Alekhin's argument well, but how similar is it really to Alekhin's love affair? Alekhin avers that we should "individualize" each affection, but clearly there's some connection between the two couples. What is the connection?Quote:
Alehin told us that the beautiful Pelagea was in love with this cook. As he drank and was of a violent character, she did not want to marry him, but was willing to live with him without. He was very devout, and his religious convictions would not allow him to "live in sin"; he insisted on her marrying him, and would consent to nothing else, and when he was drunk he used to abuse her and even beat her. Whenever he got drunk she used to hide upstairs and sob, and on such occasions Alehin and the servants stayed in the house to be ready to defend her in case of necessity.
We began talking about love.
"How love is born," said Alehin, "why Pelagea does not love somebody more like herself in her spiritual and external qualities, and why she fell in love with Nikanor, that ugly snout -- we all call him 'The Snout'
Alright, I know I've been holding you guys back for the past few days, but now you can post away. It's good you enjoyed the story, though. It is one of my favorites.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark Muse
Every city has its one weather-oblivious guy. I always wonder what these people are trying to prove. That their nerve endings are damaged? Put on some pants!Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yeah, that's the idea. But, the question is why, and what effect does his hiding have on the people around him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Hey, I'm getting something in return, aren't I? Thanks are nice, but I can't put them in my CD player.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I've got a book like that. I've found that tape works best for book repairs--particularly electrical tape. For aesthetics, try to find tape that's thin and matches in color.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Or, maybe the lesson from that is to eat more. I devour food ravenously yet I've always been thin as a rail. I sometimes wonder what fat even feels like. Is it like wearing a vest?Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine