April / Novel of Manners Poll

[Janine]

I was just going to say that! You voted for Hardy!

I am glad you liked the movie because I think I will watch it after I reading the book (even though it does not look likely that it is going to win the poll).

Scher, I am sorry; I guess I was too rash about voting. I should have read the thread entries first to see which way the voting was going. I wouldn't have voted for the Hardy book if I knew I was the only one wanting to read it. I would have gone for the James book instead. Now ages ago I read "The Awakening". I thought that was considered a short story; true it is a long short story or novella. I guess if that is chosen I will read it since I can knock that off in a few nights' time. I have that on hand in a book of Kate Choplin short stories.

Now did you see "The Bostonians" - the movie? It is a wonderful movie with great performances. Vanessa Redgrave gives the performance of a lifetime in that film - very impressive. Did everyone hear about the tragic death of her daughter, Natashia Richardson, today? I feel so sad and devasted about it. She was a very fine actress and wonderful human being. I can't believe she died so suddenly and in such a freak skiing accident. I feel for Liam Nieson and there two young sons. I just saw her in a BBC production of Ibsen's "Ghosts" and she was wonderful. It is too sad to think about. She will be greatly missed.

[Virgil]

The Wiki defines "novel of manners" as:Again from Wiki re.The Awakening's themes:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_(novel)

So, without reading the book itself, I think it sort of fits.

It would be nice to bring up any objections earlier during the nomination stage, though.

I was just asking. It's been a long time since I read it, but I don't really remember it concerning manners. i guess in a broad definition of manners almost anything can fit. I envision a novel of manners to be more like a Jane Austen novel. I have to back off participating while I catch up. I still need to finish Kim and I haven't started Persuasion and I do want to read that.

[optimisticnad]

Why do people nevr vote for gaskell.

As Scheherazade said - sentimental, soooo predictable - but likeable.

The Wiki defines "novel of manners" as:Again from Wiki re.The Awakening's themes:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_(novel)

So, without reading the book itself, I think it sort of fits.

It would be nice to bring up any objections earlier during the nomination stage, though.

So you quote from wiki then say 'without reading the book itself, I think it sort of fits' ? That's made my day.

When is the winner announced?

Uh oh - does this mean that every single copy of the awakening (or the winner) will be out of the bookshop and library?

Whatever happened to superman by the way?

[Scheherazade]

I was just asking. It's been a long time since I read it, but I don't really remember it concerning manners. i guess in a broad definition of manners almost anything can fit. I envision a novel of manners to be more like a Jane Austen novel. I have to back off participating while I catch up. I still need to finish Kim and I haven't started Persuasion and I do want to read that.

I agree that in a broad way many books might fit...

I gave up on Kim because I could not pass page 30 despite my best intentions. Might give it another try in future.

As for Persuasation, you are not missing much in my opinion but you need to read and see for yourself, of course

So you quote from wiki then say 'without reading the book itself, I think it sort of fits' ? That's made my day.

I have never claimed to have read all the books that are nominated or read by the club so I need to rely on some source. However, I am glad that that made your day.

When is the winner announced?

The end date is clearly stated at the top of the poll.

Whatever happened to superman by the way?

Could you be more specific, please?

[Dark Muse]

IAs for Persuasation, you are not missing much in my opinion but you need to read and see for yourself, of course

I am glad someone else agrees with me on that. I keep hearing people talk about how much they liked that book and I don't get it. I know for a fact I read it, but if you were to ask me what it was about I would just stare at you with a blank face. It left 0 impression on me.

The only thing I could tell you about that book is well it was probably about some girl falling in love with some guy.

[Scheherazade]

I am glad someone else agrees with me on that. I keep hearing people talk about how much they liked that book and I don't get it.

*high fives DM*

[Virgil]

As for Persuasation, you are not missing much in my opinion but you need to read and see for yourself, of course

Well, I think every serious reader should read most of Jane Austen's work and I've only read two. This will make my third.

[Scheherazade]

Yes, of course, as I said in my post too, you should read and see for yourself.

After having read all of Austen's books, in my opinion, Persuation is one of the bottom three.

[Amethyst2010]

The Wiki defines "novel of manners" as:Again from Wiki re.The Awakening's themes:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Awakening_(novel)

So, without reading the book itself, I think it sort of fits.

It would be nice to bring up any objections earlier during the nomination stage, though.

I read The Awakening very quickly once last year, and it is a book that I want to re-read. I don't know exactly what "novel of manners" means, and looking at its definition in Wiki, I do not think The Awakening fits very well with the given definition. This is because the social conventions in the book is not just the conventions of a single class at that time, in my opinion. But I do agree with the second Wiki explanation on what is said about The Awakening.

I will also like to read Emma soon. This book is an assigned reading for a short course that I am taking. I look forward to seeing the poll result. I'm sorry for not having the time to read Kim and Persuasion yet.

[Scheherazade]

I read The Awakening very quickly once last year, and it is a book that I want to re-read. I don't know exactly what "novel of manners" means, and looking at its definition in Wiki, I do not think The Awakening fits very well with the given definition. This is because the social conventions in the book is not just the conventions of a single class at that time, in my opinion. But I do agree with the second Wiki explanation on what is said about The Awakening.

I will also like to read Emma soon. This book is an assigned reading for a short course that I am taking. I look forward to seeing the poll result. I'm sorry for not having the time to read Kim and Persuasion yet.

Thanks for your input, Amethyst.

And please do not worry about reading other books; join whenever you can and whenever you like.

[optimisticnad]

I have never claimed to have read all the books that are nominated or read by the club so I need to rely on some source. However, I am glad that that made your day.

I think perhaps you've got the wrong end of the stick. I simply meant that wiki is hardly reliable and to say based on what you read there you thought the book might fit was hillarious - especially if, for example an extreme case, we read the book based on what wiki said, found out it was completely different and irrelevant to the topic at hand. I wasn't aware I gave the impression that I thought you had read all the books that were nominated etc. Sorry about the confusion, if there is any.

Superman - just a joke earlier on in this thread.

And yes, thank you, I must have missed that 1st of April deadline at the top. CONCENTRATE!

I am glad someone else agrees with me on that. I keep hearing people talk about how much they liked that book and I don't get it. I know for a fact I read it, but if you were to ask me what it was about I would just stare at you with a blank face. It left 0 impression on me.

The only thing I could tell you about that book is well it was probably about some girl falling in love with some guy.

Harsh.

Maybe a second attempt might change your view? I've read a countless number books I've looked over or neglected at first only to come back it with fresh eyes and different perspective.

It's not rocket science, it's not one of Austen's best books. I think the reason why some people here talk about it so much - including me - is because of the character of Captain Wentworth. Also I really believe that unlike pride and prejudice which everyone can more or less relate to Persuasion is a novel which wil strike a chord depending on your life experiences, it's more mature than all that flirting and light banter in Pride and Prejudice\.

Men, books and shoes - they either fit or they don't. No biggie.

[Scheherazade]

Sorry about the confusion, if there is any.

Misunderstandings do happen.

As for Wikipedia, even though I am acutely aware of Wiki's limitations and shortcomings, it is a general reference source and I, personally, have no problem refering to it while settling matter of little consequence.

[Dark Muse]

Harsh.

Maybe a second attempt might change your view? I've read a countless number books I've looked over or neglected at first only to come back it with fresh eyes and different perspective.

It's not rocket science, it's not one of Austen's best books. I think the reason why some people here talk about it so much - including me - is because of the character of Captain Wentworth. Also I really believe that unlike pride and prejudice which everyone can more or less relate to Persuasion is a novel which wil strike a chord depending on your life experiences, it's more mature than all that flirting and light banter in Pride and Prejudice\.

Men, books and shoes - they either fit or they don't. No biggie.

Well it is a bad sign that whenever I think of the book I draw a complete blank about it. I usually can remember the books I read. Even books I did not care for at least leaves some impression on me. I could remember books I read all the way back when I was a kid. The fact that I cannot bring anything into recollection for this book and it was not THAT long ago since I read it does not bode well. It was like forgetton as soon as it was over.

[Gladys]

It's not rocket science, it's not one of Austen's best books. I think the reason why some people here talk about it so much - including me - is because of the character of Captain Wentworth. Also I really believe that unlike pride and prejudice which everyone can more or less relate to Persuasion is a novel which will strike a chord depending on your life experiences, it's more mature than all that flirting and light banter in Pride and Prejudice

Rather harsh?

Having recently read, Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse' I can see, in the mindset of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth, a foreshadowing of the understated alienation between a young Lily Briscoe and William Bankes. A decade and The Great War later, Lily has unexpressed regrets. 'He liked her. There had been some talk of her marrying William Bankes once, but nothing had come of it.' Lily remembers the late, beautiful Mrs Ramsey with irritation: 'Mockingly [Lily] seemed to see [Mrs Ramsey] there at the end of the corridor of years saying, of all incongruous things, “Marry, marry!” (sitting very upright early in the morning with the birds beginning to cheep in the garden outside). And one would have to say to her, It has all gone against your wishes. They’re happy like that; I’m happy like this. Life has changed completely'. In the words of Leonard Cohen:

Ah, they'll never, they'll never ever reach the moon,
at least not the one that we're after;
it's floating broken on the open sea, look out there, my friends,
and it carries no survivors.
But lets leave these lovers wondering
why they cannot have each other,
and let's sing another song, boys,
this one has grown old and bitter.

Despite a fairy tale ending, the heart-rending predicament of an alienated Anne Elliot has counterparts in the private experience of us all, in a life too short. 'Persuasion' is before its time in existential insight, whereas the ironic 'Pride and Prejudice' is little more than a masterpiece of humour.

I'm hoping Emma, which I haven't read, gets up. And, Optimisticnad, I did appreciate your subtle but harmless Wiki joke first up.

[Virgil]

Misunderstandings do happen.

As for Wikipedia, even though I am acutely aware of Wiki's limitations and shortcomings, it is a general reference source and I, personally, have no problem refering to it while settling matter of little consequence.

Wiki is no different than any other encyclopedia. You would be amazed at the errors they have in them. And with Wikipedia it can easily get corrected, while once a hard book is published it remains fixed until the next publishing. A book feels more authoritative than a virtual website, but it's the information that counts, not the feel.

I have found Wikipedia to be fairly accurate. The only time I leave doubt in my mind is when it's a controversial subject, things concerning politics or things that are passionately debated.