Ruth’s Comments (group member since Nov 15, 2023)

Ruth’s comments from the 24 Classics for 2024 group.

How did you find the book Mark ? I will say that one of my favorite things about Anne of Green Gables is not solely the characters themselves (although I love them), but mostly the positive outlook that Anne and the setting has on life. It is quite interesting, because even though it is a feel good book, it deals with a lot of real/dark topics.

This book is mostly good vibes. Vibes that I will definitely need after Perfume.

Super quick read!

Have you read this yet?

Infidelity
Classism
Death
Injury/Injury detail
Physical abuse
Adult/minor relationship

Murder
Death
Incest Cannibalism Pedophilia
Animal cruelty
Infidelity
Torture
War
Sexism

i've noticed that the books were not the problem, it was school lol

I believe some of these are repeats:

Fahrenheit 451
1984

The Outsiders
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Ableism
Alcohol (underage)
Assault
Blood
Death
Depression
Diarrhea
Emesis
Homophobia
Institutionalization (implied)
Pedophilia (implied)
Prostitution
Racism
Rape (implied)
Robbery
Sex
Sexism
Sexual harassment
Shooting/gun violence
Slurs/outdated terms (racial, ethnic, homophobic)
Smoking (underage)
Suicide
Suicide ideation
Violence
Violent fantasies

Cheating
Death
Family Separation
Forced Pregnancy
Hanging
Oppressive Government
Prostitution
Rape
Sexism

It's been a couple of days and I was wondering what people thought about Grete, Gregor's sister. Do you see her as an antagonist?

At the beginning of the second section of the book I was touched by her effort to care for Gregor even though it was objectively gross. However, towards the end of the story I didn't really know how to feel. Part of me felt like she acted selfishly. The other part of me felt like their family was grieving the loss, but I can't decide whether they were grieving the loss of Gregor's help, or the loss of Gregor as part of their family.

Either way, the only thing that I am settled on is that he loved and cared for them more than they did.

Second: Anyone have any thoughts as to the timing of the revelation of names. We get Grete's name halfway through the story, but only get his parents' names at the end of the story. I already returned the book copy to the library, but I'm almost certain that Kafka did not share their names until then. Am I wrong? Even if Kafka introduced their names at the beginning, why only bring them up again until the end?

Hello!

I am looking for an additional moderator. Just found out that I got into graduate school, so I am going to be busier in the following months. Send me a direct message (My profile -> More -> Message) if you are interested, and a couple of sentences as to why you want to do it.

This person would help me with changing the books every month, and making discussion posts.

Looking forward to hearing from you :)

Found this story recently and maybe some of you have heard of it but I wanted to share.

At 40, Franz Kafka (1883-1924), who never married and had no children, walked through the park in Berlin when he met a girl who was crying because she had lost her favourite doll. She and Kafka searched for the doll unsuccessfully. Kafka told her to meet him there the next day and they would come back to look for her.
The next day, when they had not yet found the doll, Kafka gave the girl a letter "written" by the doll saying "please don't cry. I took a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures."
Thus began a story which continued until the end of Kafka's life. During their meetings, Kafka read the letters of the doll carefully written with adventures and conversations that the girl found adorable.
Finally, Kafka brought back the doll (he bought one) that had returned. "It doesn't look like my doll at all," said the girl.
Kafka handed her another letter in which the doll wrote: "my travels have changed me." the little girl hugged the new doll and brought her happy home.
A year later Kafka died. Many years later, the now-adult girl found a letter inside the doll. In the tiny letter signed by Kafka it was written:
"Everything you love will probably be lost, but in the end, love will return in another way."

I would like to note that this is the first time that I have not read any of the books on this list. These books have similar themes to April's reads, and have active reviews.

- Animal cruelty
- Feeling excluded
- Helplessness
- Humiliation
- Indifference
- Pessimistic thinking
- Solitude

- Graphic child sexual abuse
- Rape
- Beheading
- Murder
- Gun violence
- Imprisonment

- Classism
- Misogyny
- Alcohol

- Animal abuse
- Animal murder
- Death
- Suicide
- Violence

A month late but I know some people have been reading out of order. Here are the alternatives for March:

1984
The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts

Emma
Sense and Sensibility

Can't believe we are starting April in a matter of days! Year is going by so quickly!

Anyway, if you are not feeling our reading list for April here are some alternatives:

Doctor Thorne
Les Liaisons dangereuses

The Nose
The Stranger

(view spoiler)[Second time around and I am so sad to read Boxer's death again. It is heartbreaking because of what he represents: a loyal and faithful servant who is betrayed by corrupt leaders.

The exploited working class, dedicated and sometimes with naive trust in those in power. It's sad because he works hard with the belief that he will also benefit from the work of his labors. He was used more by the pigs than he ever was by Mr. Jones.

I definitely see his death as the turning point in the story. What events do you see that Boxer's death launched? (hide spoiler)]

How do you guys feel about Austen's work?