I'm about to go away for a few days - offline - and have raided the local library for reading matter to keep me occupied as the weatherman warns it's going to pish down. I've already started Run by Ann Patchett, and I'm loving it. Then I have The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold, and Salt River by James Sallis. Plus, to re-read, The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, whose earlier novel, Carol, I gave up on after part one. I hate to give up on a book but I found the characters so uninteresting and the whole enterprise indulgent, especially when compared to the terrific discipline she demonstrates (and inspires) via Ripley. So - what are you all reading? And have you given up on a book recently (or ever) and if so which one and why? I'd love to know.
Monday 27 July 2009
Have you ever..?
I'm about to go away for a few days - offline - and have raided the local library for reading matter to keep me occupied as the weatherman warns it's going to pish down. I've already started Run by Ann Patchett, and I'm loving it. Then I have The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold, and Salt River by James Sallis. Plus, to re-read, The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith, whose earlier novel, Carol, I gave up on after part one. I hate to give up on a book but I found the characters so uninteresting and the whole enterprise indulgent, especially when compared to the terrific discipline she demonstrates (and inspires) via Ripley. So - what are you all reading? And have you given up on a book recently (or ever) and if so which one and why? I'd love to know.
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I found your blog after reading "A Shanty for Sawdust and Cotton." Interesting characters--the blind boy and old man with arthritic hands. As for reading material: I'm almost finished with "Best of the Web 2009" and still have this years Pushcart Anthology. Also, Jaye Wells is sending me her first novel, "Red-Headed Stepchild."
I just finished a really provocative book called The 19th Wife. Of particular interest to me since I love history and particularly American West history. Also am fascinated by the Morman religion (not to convert but because it's fascinating). Now I'm reading Michael Connelly's The Scarecrow which I'm disappointed in which makes two in a row if I include The Lincoln Lawyer. I want my Harry Bosch back!
I finished THE HELP by Kathryn (sp?) Stockett and just loved it. It takes place in Mississippi in 1962 and the three pov characters (2 maids and a young white woman with literary aspirations) - all the characters, actually - are wonderful. Highly recommended!
Also, on a much different note, I'm reading COLUMBINE by Dave Cullen. It is a 'mesmerizing' and thorough account of what happened there, including the media's role, the investigation etc.
Though it isn't recent, my most dramatic experience of giving up on a book was Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship, by Goethe. I picked it up from a charity shop; it was really old, an edition printed in 1917 ... from an English translation done in 1824. Here's a line from it, verbatim (I kept the thing): " 'I must have a care,' she cried, 'that you don't get into pantaloons again, if I mean to be sure of my life! Come, doff you!' "
At the end of Book One, Wilhelm was languishing in a nervous fever. By then I was so sick of the book that I was rooting for him to die. He lived, so I never read any of the rest of it. To give Goethe the benefit of the doubt, I'm sure the book is much better in German (or at least a more modern translation).
I gave up about five times on Cormac Mccarthy's 'The Road'. Just couldn't get into it, found the lack of forward momentum hard to break through in the early pages.
Then about six weeks ago I had a long flight planned. And I took some books. Picked up 'The Road' at the last minute vowing to give it one more go, but then I would leave it on the plane or at the hotel if I found I couldnt hack it again.
I could not put it down. I read two thirds on that journey, found myself still immersed in the world he created, then opted to miss a walk-about in San Francisco in order to finish it.
I cried at the end.
It made me think - how many books have I given up on that, read in different circumstances, different mood, preoccupations... I might have loved?
Vanessa's comment made me think of a book I once gave up on for years, then revisited and finished, and now it's something I recommend to people all the time: in college I tried to read At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien. At the time I couldn't get into it and only made it to about Page 100. It seemed too convoluted to me then. The bookmark was in that same place forever; then later, after I'd graduated, I gave it another go. And I thought it was brilliant. Hilarious, inventive, and wonderful dialogue, and Flann O'Brien became one of my favorites.
I don't remember if I had any trouble getting into "The Road" at first, but I liked it a lot. I'm a sucker for anything post-apocalyptic/dystopian.
Thanks for your kind comments, JR, I'm glad you liked the characters in "Shanty". You have some excellent reading material there - have fun!
Gay, I keep meaning to try me some Bosch. What do you think of the Kellermans? I enjoy Jonathan's recent crime novels, and quite liked his son's A Brutal Art. Can't get into Faye's though.
Ooh, I like the sound of both of those, Madeline, thanks for the recommendations!
Erin, Goethe in the original German? I might leave that for a rainy day, I think! It was brave of you to attempt it in translation and from the examples you gave I'm not champing at the bit to read it for myself!
Yes, Vanessa, your comment had me thinking exactly that:
"It made me think - how many books have I given up on that, read in different circumstances, different mood, preoccupations... I might have loved?"
Mood matters so much, doesn't it?
Erin, that Swim Birds book sounds lovely!
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