McCaffery 20th Century Greatest Hits Reading Group discussion
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New to the Group? Introduce yourself. :)
Hi, I'm Mark. I live with my wife and our 8 cats on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.I'm intrigued by any list that includes James Joyce's ULYSSES;
As I fantasize about making some sort of contribution to Joyce scholarship some day. :-)
Mod
I'm intrigued by any list that includes James Joyce's ULYSSES;
As I fantasize about making some sor..."
Last year I read 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was a powerful narrative, and I loved the style .
So, I am looking foward to reading 'Ulysses'. I can do 'difficult' if I can make sense of the words on a more abstract level. Maybe reading a commentary alongside the novel would help?
Laure wrote: "Manda wrote: "Mark wrote: "Hi, I'm Mark. I live with my wife and our 8 cats on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.I'm intrigued by any list that includes James Joyce's ULYSSES;
As I fantasize about m..."
If you liked Portrait then you will like Ulysses.
The best auxiliary resource is Gifford's Ulysses Annotated, for foreign words, historical references,....
The best book length study is Stanley Sultan's 1964 The Argument of Ulysses (has a very readable introduction)
Another excellent general reader introduction can be found in the Norton Anthology to English Literature, under Joyce (i use a 5th edition).
The best reading copy of Ulysses, at least in the U.S., is the 1961
Random House, and everything based on it; and as an alternative, the 2009 Dover reprint of the 1922 Shakespeare & Co. original is
cool too.
Manda wrote: "Mark wrote: "Hi, I'm Mark. I live with my wife and our 8 cats on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.I'm intrigued by any list that includes James Joyce's ULYSSES;
As I fantasize about making some sor..."
I read Ulysses for the first time when I was 37. I read it just for fun.
I didn't know much about it; my girlfriend had recommended it.
Mod
I'm intrigued by any list that includes James Joyce's ULYSSES;
As I fan..."
Great! Thank you very much for all the references. I will get one or two of these books when the time comes. You seem to know your Joyce! Looking forward to knowing more about him myself.
Hi!I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most, kind of. I speak Romanian - my mother's tongue. Then, I know Spanish, Russian and French ...
I'm 21. I'm studying medicine (4th year) so I have less and less time to read ... which is a pity :)
I don't remember loving books as a child, but I remember making up stories :D
I started to read in English when I was 12-13 ... or smth like that ... then I read for a while, then I stopped (don't ask why, I have no idea :D)
I started to read again a while ago, and I would read everything, If I had enough time. Still working on my time management skills ...
Mod
I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most, kind of. I speak Romanian - m..."
Your English is so good Daniela. Amazing that you know so many languages too. To know Russian would be great!
Laure wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Hi!I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most, kind of. I sp..."
I'm trying to improve :) Thank you so much!
Hi, I'm Annelies and I'm from Belgium. I'm single and live alone in an apartment with my parrot Kamiel. I studied musicology but now I'm working in the National Health Care. My passions are reading, on any spare moment I have. I always read a lot, even as a child. A few years back I started reading mostly in English but There are also very good flemish and dutch writers I like to read. I also studied painting during 8 years. I find I have not enough time now to paint or draw a lot but I still love art and visiting art exhibitions. Listening to music is also a passion but I find it very difficult to read and listen to music at the same time. English is not my native language. Reading is not a problem but my writing is not always correct so please forgive me for this. My literary taste changes according to the book I'm reading. I'm reading and meanwhile already thinking about the next book I will read. I hate that! But the passion remains...
Hi Annelies,Welcome!You truly have a wide range of interest!Nice to have you in the group:)
Thanks, Lovely to be in the group. I already enjoy it. Let's go for it!
Annelies wrote: "Hi, I'm Annelies and I'm from Belgium. I'm single and live alone in an apartment with my parrot Kamiel. I studied musicology but now I'm working in the National Health Care. My passions are reading..."Annelies,
Love your background in the visual arts and music. Interesting that you followed a career in the health services? I presume that it is hard to make a living in Belgium following the arts as a muse? Like you, while reading, I always sense other books approaching wanting to be read. It is kind of annoying, but it makes one dream and make connections with all these other stories waiting to be read!
Yes, After university I used to teach music for 2 years but it was difficult finding a full time job in music. So I made a career switch. Now I handle everything that concerns accidents and insurance for the Belgian National Health Care. It's an office job.
Annelies wrote: "Yes, After university I used to teach music for 2 years but it was difficult finding a full time job in music. So I made a career switch. Now I handle everything that concerns accidents and insuran..."I can relate to the job market issues. So you have a dual life? Health Care service during the day and a champion of the arts at night? :P
Daniela wrote: "Hi!I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most, kind of. I speak Romanian - m..."
Daniela,
So impressed with your linguistic skills and your career choice in medicine. I barely grasp that you have time to read literature in the midst of your fourth year? I was under the impression that a medical student literally lived at the hospital during that year with a constant lack of sleep and stress as constant companions? Is that true?
Yes Haaze, a dual life. Jekyll and Hyde!
Haaze wrote: "Daniela wrote: "Hi!I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most, kind of. I sp..."
Well, it is true. The lack of sleep and chronic stress brought me to a total breakdown during this summer (which was after my 3rd year). I have very little time to spare, but I try to accomplish as much as possible. I try to take thinks easy, not to worsen my current medical state, and reading helps me to escape. Yes. that's the word. Reading is a form of escaping from this 'mess'. Not literally, as I love what I do, but it can be overwhelming at times, that's true... And audiobooks are a blessing :D Really :D
Mod
I'm Daniela. I live in Moldova (Try find it on the map :D)
As you could have already guessed, English is not my first language, but is the language I use the most,..."
Daniela, sorry to hear about this - take care of yourself. Yes, books are my escapism too and audiobooks are a godsend. I listen to them on my way to and from work, and it is a great way to clear the mind.
Daniela wrote: "Well, it is true. The lack of sleep and chronic stress brought me to a total breakdown during this summer (which was after my 3rd year). I have very little time to spare, but I try to accomplish as much as possible. I try to take thinks easy, not to worsen my current medical state, and reading helps me to escape. Yes. that's the word. Reading is a form of escaping from this 'mess'. Not literally, as I love what I do, but it can be overwhelming at times, that's true... And audiobooks are a blessing :D Really :D "Life has these stressful obstacles for sure. Smart of you to find sustenance in literature. I suspect that many of us at GR use literature for nourishment and inspiration as we traverse life. Medicine and literature are such different realms - each with their own unique way of sustaining life and intellect. Medical school sounds like an incredible challenge in every way possible. I hope that you find your path through it all. :)
Hello everyone!! My name is Holly. I live in IL with my husband and two children. I look forward to meeting everyone and reading and discussing all of the books. :)
Holly wrote: "Hello everyone!! My name is Holly. I live in IL with my husband and two children. I look forward to meeting everyone and reading and discussing all of the books. :)"Hi Holly! I'm Mark. I really like your Lincoln quote! :-).
Nice to meet you on goodreads, Holly, and welcome.
Holly wrote: "Hello everyone!! My name is Holly. I live in IL with my husband and two children. I look forward to meeting everyone and reading and discussing all of the books. :)"Welcome Holly! I strongly suspect that we cannot live without books either! :)
Thank you for the welcome everyone! Thanks Mark; one of my favorite quotes.
Holly wrote: "Hello everyone!! My name is Holly. I live in IL with my husband and two children. I look forward to meeting everyone and reading and discussing all of the books. :)"nice to meet you Holly!
Thanks for the invite, Laure! I'm very pleased to see this group spring up! I've been a fan of McCaffery for a number of years now. As a critic he's been engaged with some of my favorite authors. I've been slowly working through his list now and again ; some greatgreat stuff on there. Just as a a general fyi, McCaffery is an excellent interviewer of writers. He has three volumes of collected interviews which I would highly recommend to everyone here interested in his more general interests and sort of how his aesthetics work.
Anything Can Happen: Interviews with Contemporary American Novelists
Alive and Writing: Interviews with American Authors of the 1980s
Some Other Frequency: Interviews with Innovative American Authors
He's pretty much one of my favorite critics.
oh and for those interested, here's a video of his talk "Aesthetics of the Literary Interview" from earlier this year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F6vr...
And there is supposedly a documentary about him in the works (for years now!) Here's a trailer ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Q2e...
And a little excerpt ::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBiYC...
Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Laure! I'm very pleased to see this group spring up! I've been a fan of McCaffery for a number of years now. As a critic he's been engaged with some of my favorite authors. I..."Welcome aboard Nathan! I suspect that you will be a core resource when it comes to McCaffery and his list! :)
Thanks for posting the links! I was not aware of that a film about McCaffery was in the works. The lecture (first link) looks very interesting so I will definitely check it out as soon as I get some time.
I am Hugh and I live in Nottingham, England. I see that a few of my friends are here already. I read a lot of literary fiction but have no literary qualifications. I have read about a quarter of this list. I am not sure how active I will be, given the number of groups I am already in, but I'll see how it develops...
Manda wrote: "Welcome Nathan, some great links there thanks!"Thanks. McCaffery's had a big impact on my reading, so just let me know when you need more links! ; )
Haaze wrote: "Welcome aboard Nathan! I suspect that you will be a core resource when it comes to McCaffery and his list! :)"
Happy to spread the good word!
Mod
Thanks Nathan for the links - I am sure to have a look at them in the near future. :)
Welcome Hugh! It is impressive that you already have read so much of the list! Feel free to join in whenever you feel like it. :)
Welcome Nathan. I have visited your FW group!Welcome Hugh. 25% of the McC list is impressive!
Having looked at the list in more detail, I am some way short of a quarter - I have read 25 of the books but because of all of the trilogies and other series, none of which I have read, the true percentage must be lower. I have read Ulysses, and will add a few comments to the discussion of that - I can't claim to have really understood it, but then that could be a lifetime's work...
Mod
Well, a quarter is an achievement in itself! I have read a few of those books, but not many. All to play for! :D
I'm looking forward to reading Ulysses next month. Will start next week. Some books need to be read several times befor they truly get them. :)
According to my tabulation, I seem to have done 48/102. On my shelves but yet unread I've got ::The Franchiser
The Beckett Trilogy
Libra
Up
The Making of Americans
Dhalgren
Always Coming Home
U.S.A.
Native Son
Legs
Waiting for the Barbarians
The Terrible Threes
and possibly a few more...
and just fyi, there is already a gr=Listopia for Larry's 100 (helps with keeping track) ::
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...
It lists 106 items, for reasons Hugh's pointed out.
Mod
The Franchiser
The Beckett Trilogy
Libra
Up
The Making of Americans
Dhalgren
Always Coming Home
U.S...."
Great thanks for the Listopia!
Hi! I'm Fabiola. I have a passion for books and reading ever since I was a child, in fact even before I could read I remember being so fond of this big blue hardcover tome which I secretly took from my mothers shelves and sat to read to my dolls. Of course it was made up nonsense as I couldn't read but made a promise that I would someday read that book. This year I finally fulfill that promise and read the book which was Don Quixote! Ulysses is next in my reading bucket list, it will be my third attempt and I'm feeling seriously excited in finally reading it!!! Very happy to join the group :) thanks Manda!
Oh I have two kitties and also like to knit and crochet when I'm not reading or working :)
Mod
Fab wrote: "Hi! I'm Fabiola. I have a passion for books and reading ever since I was a child, in fact even before I could read I remember being so fond of this big blue hardcover tome which I secretly took fro..."Any list with Dostoyevsky, Cervantes, and two kitties is a great list.
I know many of you already, and have been jumping into the McCaffery list every few months for new ideas and new buys. I just made a list of the books here to keep track. Right now I've read about 52 (but that isn't quite right because some of the trilogies/tetralogies I'm defaulting to individual books and others I'm counting as who units. But whatever.http://www.listchallenges.com/larry-m...
Nathan "N.R." wrote: "I got a 42/112 on that one."I got 52/112 on the one I just posted. I got 45/106 on the GR one.
I love how McCaffery made the list unsettled by introducing trilogies and tetralogies. One more way to fuck with us.
If brother McCaffery is serious: that Nabokov's "thriller" is the best English language book of the 20th century, reading through this list is going to be a grim business.I realize list making is very subjective and that literary critics have no imperative to tell the truth at all. And that the assaults on the old canonical lists have become more gender and generationally oriented as the old list makers fade away. That's fine. And probably good too.
But just saying here, your #1 is not enough, at least not for Pale Fire!
Mark wrote: "If brother McCaffery is serious: that Nabokov's "thriller" is the best English language book of the 20th century, reading through this list is going to be a grim business.I realize list making is ..."
If you don't dig Pale Fire, McCaffery's brand of fiction isn't going to hold much promise for you. But for those of us who do swing that way, he's got a lot of stuff here no one talks about. Muchmuch to discover. [If the list is ranked, I'd be sure to contend with Finnegans Wake for that #1 spot ; hands down!]
Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Mark wrote: "If brother McCaffery is serious: that Nabokov's "thriller" is the best English language book of the 20th century, reading through this list is going to be a grim business.I realize li..."
I feel that I have given Pale Fire every opportunity to entertain me, and I still have 55 pages to go, but so far it just hasn't worked very well.
But my critique here is aimed at Nabokov not McCaffery. M's job is to make people happy: authors, publishers, book sellers. N's job is to entertain readers. This is my first Nabokov read, so I can't make any comparisons. I'm ok with the structure, the hodgepodge plot, and the inclinations of his characters. What I haven't enjoyed is the way Nabokov writes. I find his similes obscure; his conjoined adjectives sophomoric; and his obsessive focus on the physical background trivial. (I realize all this may be intentional, but my lack of experience with N. makes it difficult for me to judge.)
As much as I love F.W. I'm always going to put U. first.
McCaffery 20th Century Greatest Hits Reading Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Avant-Pop: Fiction for a Daydream Nation (other topics)Anything Can Happen: Interviews with Contemporary American Novelists (other topics)
Alive and Writing: Interviews with American Authors of the 1980s (other topics)
Some Other Frequency: Interviews with Innovative American Authors (other topics)
I'm French but have been living in Scotland since 1989 - yep a long time. I married a Scot and I have two daughters (17, 20).
I teach French and Spanish in a local comprehensive, but that might change next year as I am looking at my options right now.
I read a lot when I was a teenager and in my early twenties - motherhood (and working full time) did something to my brain and I stopped reading on a regular basis for a long time.
I have gone back to reading a lot in the last few years and I do not intend to stop any time soon. :D
I also started writing poetry three years ago, and I am now writing the outline of my first novel, which I hope will be finished some time next year. Exciting times!