Gayle’s Comments (group member since Oct 11, 2011)

Gayle’s comments from the Should have read classics group.

I like the conversational way Collins writes, it's like an old uncle has left a story written especially for you.
I've read only 'The Woman In White' before this. (as before not completely sure why I am not running out to the bookshop to buy everything else he wrote straight away!) I am assuming that this one will be told through different characters as well?? I don't want to waste that surprise for myself just yet, so I haven't flipped through to check!

Lisa wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "Cleo wrote: "Wow, it looks like I may not be able to participate in this one. All the library copies are in use and Amazon.ca has a ship date of 2-5 weeks. Blah! :-P I'm really di..."

Lisa wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "Cleo wrote: "Wow, it looks like I may not be able to participate in this one. All the library copies are in use and Amazon.ca has a ship date of 2-5 weeks. Blah! :-P I'm really di..."

I think this schedule idea is a great idea, I'm in another group that votes 3 months in advance at a time, therefor voting quarterly and that works really well and gives plenty of time to get organized with the books.

I love the way WK writes, it's like someone you know has written you a really long letter. The flow of his writing is so...well...flowing!

I'm so glad this one won! It's the first winner for a while I haven't already read. Loved 'Woman in White' plus there is the added bonus of already owning it!

I agree with you there! I could have chosen most of the books this month quite happily!!

I think this tie issue arose because there were simply not enough people voting, there were substantially less this time. I think this is why your poll email was good Lisa!! People may still be interested in the group reads even if they are not checking discussions regularly....they may have finished the group read by then or not be participating in that months book. I think it keeps people's interest and awareness up of the group.

Emily wrote: "I agree, three."

I agree new poll!!

What happens in a triple tie then? Revote?!

I am still snailing through this book. I like it, I want to finish it, but my interest wanes continually. I think Mr Hale is one on the most unlikeable characters ever created. I wonder if this was Gaskell's intention or if his character was a prop employed to show Margaret's "strength". I am up to his death now and can't help but think that Margaret will be so much better off without the burden of him.

Lisa wrote: "I try to stay out of the nominating and voting process, but I'm feeling like we should read Wilkie again!! I nominate The Moonstone."

Me too!!

Jim wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Greeneyedlady wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I hate to say it since it is heresy, but, I did not like The Catcher in the Rye, either. This is one book that maybe, due to my age in high school, ..."

I think catcher is a totally overrated book. I do not understand its classic status at all. I always have thought when people say it is their favourite book because it is the only book they have read and because of its supposed "cool" status".

How about 'Jude The Obscure' by Thomas Hardy?

Lisa wrote: "Gayle wrote: "I think we should vote again for January!! There was such a broad distribution of the votes on this poll. Stick the next top few eg Cholera, East of Eden, Zhivago etc in there and a ..."

Excellent!

I think we should vote again for January!! There was such a broad distribution of the votes on this poll. Stick the next top few eg Cholera, East of Eden, Zhivago etc in there and a few new ones for good measure! See what comes up in the poll.

Debbie wrote: "It seems that way too much responsibility is put on Margaret. She is only nineteen years old, and her father made her tell her mother about the move. Then when her mother got sick, she kept it fr..."

I agree. They treat her like she is the parent, and they are the children. Or do they just not like speaking to eachother? Considering how long she didn't live with them before, just how did Mr and Mrs Hale communicate without her?! Through the maid? Do they actually speak directly to each
other?? I was surprised to learn while they were house hunting (Margaret and father of course) that they did in fact share a bedroom!!

Ooh yes, Dr Zhivago, Portrait of Dorian Gray, or how about Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier??!!

Lisa wrote: "For those new members who are wondering why we have picked our group reads so far out. We started a book battle challenge in June and we are trying to intermingle those books in the group reads. ..."

I can't find a where you have picked the upcoming reads- where are they? I can't find anything past November!! I am excited to know!!

Heather, I would have to disagree with you, I don't think speaking to today's society has anything to do with reading the classics. They were written at that time, and today it is a glimpse into that time. If we can find something to relate to within the classics, then fantastic, but it's the story we are reading. As for being relevant to today's women, look at sex and the city, utter tripe, but it spoke to millions of women and all that was about was finding a husband and spending money!! Hardly female empowerment.
As for punctuation, maybe look at the Penguin versions of her books. Punctuation appears to be perfect in these, and there are definitely full stops (Australian for period!).
However if you just find them boring, well maybe they are to you!!
Emily, read Pride & Prejudice first, and see what you think!! I have most of them on my to-read list, as I think they are worth a revisit!

Hi, I'm Gayle. I have many many classics on my shelf yet to be read. The time is nigh!!