What book are you reading?

KyriakosCH · Mon 06/04/2020 21:41:12

If there already is such a thread, please unite this with it

As for myself, I am reading Ubik, by P.K. Dick.

I am generally focused on niche writing (symbolism/allegory), and rarely go over the ww2 mark... But K. Dick is somewhat of a variation of Borges, albeit in different scope (and very different personality), so I have read a few of his works.

Sinitrena · Mon 06/04/2020 22:11:50

In Germany, we have a publisher that specialises in very cheap, low quality (thin paper, no proper cover, small, doesn't survive reading more than two times) editions of classic (mostly german) literature, usually used in schools because they are so cheap. When my mother stopped teaching, I "inherited" a whole collection of them and for half a year now I've been reading one after the other. Currently, I'm reading Immensee by Theodor Storm.

In general, I prefer fantasy, light reading to distrect myself from the world.

KyriakosCH · Mon 06/04/2020 23:23:33

Quote from: Sinitrena on Mon 06/04/2020 22:11:50
In Germany, we have a publisher that specialises in very cheap, low quality (thin paper, no proper cover, small, doesn't survive reading more than two times) editions of classic (mostly german) literature, usually used in schools because they are so cheap. When my mother stopped teaching, I "inherited" a whole collection of them and for half a year now I've been reading one after the other. Currently, I'm reading Immensee by Theodor Storm.

In general, I prefer fantasy, light reading to distrect myself from the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS91p-vmSf0

milkanannan · Tue 07/04/2020 20:24:12

Oh wow I haven't heard Erlkonig in a very long time. Every time I hear it I can't help but hope it ends differently.

I posted this to another group, but I'm reading one of the Discworld entries.

(Cool idea for a thread, KyriakosCH.

)

KyriakosCH · Tue 07/04/2020 21:20:09

Thanks

Of what I have read from Goethe, it is my favorite. But I can't read him from the german text, so I have to suppose it was why I didn't like Faust (part 1) much, other that some scenes.

I now read Ubik. It is interesting, but I can't say I liked it that much. Same deal with Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Maybe because, unlike with Borges, there isn't any center of the labyrinth.

Blondbraid · Tue 07/04/2020 21:37:06

I haven't found it in traditional printed form, but I've read most of the short stories that make up The King in Yellow via Wikisource, and hope to get around to read the last of them during Easter.

Quite atmospheric, and they have stood the test of time well. Anyone fond of the works of Edgar Allan Poe should read them.

Crimson Wizard · Wed 08/04/2020 01:55:05

Quote from: Blondbraid on Tue 07/04/2020 21:37:06
I haven't found it in traditional printed form, but I've read most of the short stories that make up The King in Yellow via Wikisource, and hope to get around to read the last of them during Easter.

Quite atmospheric, and they have stood the test of time well. Anyone fond of the works of Edgar Allan Poe should read them.

Thank you for reminding, I was planning to read this at some point, so why not now

.

Coincidentaly I only learnt about this book recently (or maybe remembered again after a long time, it's hard to tell), after listening to this piece on youtube (although it's a Lovecraft-inspired rather than based on original): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CEpRkapZn0

KyriakosCH · Wed 08/04/2020 01:58:50

^I have read a couple of the King in Yellow stories. Including the main one (with the casket carrying car and the watchman of the graveyard).
I read those years ago and I recall that while the central idea (the book, the yellow sign etc) was cool, the actual story was imo rather underwhelming.

Blondbraid · Wed 08/04/2020 09:42:43

Quote from: KyriakosCH on Wed 08/04/2020 01:58:50
^I have read a couple of the King in Yellow stories. Including the main one (with the casket carrying car and the watchman of the graveyard).
I read those years ago and I recall that while the central idea (the book, the yellow sign etc) was cool, the actual story was imo rather underwhelming.

Yeah, while I can see the influence and similarities to Lovecraft's writing, I'd say the stories I've read so far feels more like poetic dramas
with supernatural elements to them rather than the cosmic horror the titular King in Yellow have been associated with in pop culture,
which would certainly be disappointing for a reader hoping for Lovecraftian horror.

Laura Hunt · Wed 08/04/2020 10:04:09

My favourite part of The King in Yellow is the collection of short prose "poems"/fragments titled The Prophets' Paradise. They are so creepy and evocative that the actual stories pale (hehe) in comparison. Actually, there is a small reference/homage to this section in If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers: https://twitter.com/deadidlegames/status/1204425833026347010

Blondbraid · Wed 08/04/2020 14:37:43

Quote from: Laura Hunt on Wed 08/04/2020 10:04:09
My favourite part of The King in Yellow is the collection of short prose "poems"/fragments titled The Prophets' Paradise. They are so creepy and evocative that the actual stories pale (hehe) in comparison. Actually, there is a small reference/homage to this section in If On A Winter's Night, Four Travelers: https://twitter.com/deadidlegames/status/1204425833026347010

Indeed, and it's all the more impressive that most of the poems manage to do so while being very symmetrical in structure and repeating the same phrases in a way that really makes you ponder the meaning of the very words.

Mandle · Wed 08/04/2020 15:09:55

Just finished re-reading (for the fifth time) "Boy's Life" by Robert R. McCammon, who is better known for deliberate (and fun) sci-fi schlock like "Stinger" and "Swan Song".

"Boy's Life" (nothing to do with the Robert DeNiro movie "A Boy's Life") is a wonderful book about the magic of life in a 1960's American small town seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy. In the town of "Zephyr" everything that we believed in and wished was real as children, even the stuff that scared us, is real. "Old Moses", the local legend monster that lives in the river, exists, the Voodoo queen "The Lady" and her husband "The Moonman" have magical powers, and the ghost of a tragic hotrodder still drives his car along the twists and turns of the out-of-town backroads around October, to mention just a few of the many, many subplots. Despite the story wandering through so many little stories, everything is perfectly tied together in the finale of the central plot, which is a murder investigation with the feel of a Hardy Boys novel. Of course, such a story would not be complete without the "coming of age" and "losing the innocence of childhood" theme, which is handled perfectly.

One of my favorite books of all time, which I have dreamed of turning into an adventure game many times but the sheer work of doing so is just too daunting.

I'm amazed that there isn't a movie. Right now would be the perfect time, with nostalgia being a huge seller.

TheFrighter · Mon 13/04/2020 18:24:35

Uh, have I post only books translated in english? I mostly read italian writers.

_

KyriakosCH · Mon 13/04/2020 19:15:24

^You can post about any writer.

I am thinking of reading Foucault's Pendulum, in english. I once tried reading it in greek, but the first chapter was very boring. I generally know the plot too, but it may be interesting

Edit: And so I started reading it. Currently read 1/10.

KyriakosCH · Wed 15/04/2020 22:14:38

Hm, now read 90 of 309 pages of Foucault's pendulum. Will read the whole book. It is quite slow in its development, and can't say I am enthusiastic about the actual way of development, but since I now more or less the plot I will keep reading

Mandle · Thu 16/04/2020 08:04:48

Quote from: KyriakosCH on Wed 15/04/2020 22:14:38
Hm, now read 90 of 309 pages of Foucault's pendulum. Will read the whole book. It is quite slow in its development, and can't say I am enthusiastic about the actual way of development, but since I now more or less the plot I will keep reading

I've read that... Don't want to give any spoilers but... I've read that...

KyriakosCH · Thu 16/04/2020 21:52:05

I am on page 109 and would have abandoned the book if I didn't recall a friend telling me 5 years ago that she was ready to abandon it at a similar point (later on said it was the best novel she ever read).
But in my case... I am rather disgusted by Eco's writing on the brazilian adventure.

I have to suppose that Borges* and Kafka wouldn't have approved either. Likely neither would Pessoa.

*Borges, a writer Eco mentions a lot of times, certainly wrote far more pitiful melodramatic passages, but - to his obvious and poignant defense - almost entirely after he collapsed as a writer in the mid 50s and became a parody of what he once was. Foucault's Pendulum, on the other hand, is supposed to be Eco's greatest work, so disgust should not be as easily caused by it.

KyriakosCH · Fri 17/04/2020 22:07:29

While I am continuing my attempt to read Eco (and still feeling disgusted), I read this nice short story by Leopold Lugones: https://www.erbzine.com/mag18/yzur.htm

KyriakosCH · Sat 18/04/2020 09:12:02

Half-way through now.
The more I read, the more I am surprised this is a famous book. Granted, it may still become interesting or impressive, but... most colossoi aren't really able to stand on feet of clay.

In particular I am surprised by the women in the book. They seem to be just one person, playing the same ridiculous role, which might as well have been entirely omitted.

Snarky · Sat 18/04/2020 10:20:09

Maybe wait until you're finished to give your thoughts? Liveblogging it is not, in my opinion, necessary. (I read the book a long time ago. I thought it was pretty good.)

For those who are going a little stir-crazy stuck at home, I can recommend the J.G. Ballard short story "The Enormous Space" (available in War Zone and The Complete Stories).