Reading the 20th Century discussion

Are you reading a good book at the moment - or a not-so-good one? Or have you just finished a book you'd like to discuss with others?

This is a thread to talk about our current reads - both 20th-century books and those which fall outside the period. (This is a new thread - the old one has been archived because it was getting a bit long and there is higher risk of long threads developing bugs.)

I'm reading Michel Houellebecq's "Interventions 2" (which is pretty good so far) and Françoise Rey's "La femme de papier" (which is slightly bizarre so far).

Thanks SnobMaynard. I've only read one Houellebecq but I was intrigued enough to want to try some more. Just got to find the time

Which one did you read?

I have read a couple of Houellebecq's as well and he is a good writer in my opinion, who explores some interesting ideas. I also think he goes out of his way to be controversial at times, which is probably why I have not read as many of them as I might have done.
Submission and The Map and the Territory are the ones I have read so far.

'Submission' was my one and only Michel Houellebecq so far.


I was slightly disappointed by it, but still interested enough to try some more by him.

Here’s my review of Submission for more information on what I liked and what I was less convinced by

I've also watched 'The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq' (2014) dir by Guillaume Nicloux - which is a lot of fun

Nigeyb wrote: "'Submission' was my one and only Michel Houellebecq so far.

My guess is Michel Houellebecq likes to court controversy and this "satire" is his attempt to be provocative."

Yes, my guess too, as you can see above.
You might prefer The Map and the Territory.

Splendid opening paragraph Val....


I had put off reading Michel Houellebecq until I felt in the mood for reading something misanthropic, nihilistic and definitely not politically correct. I did not expect to find his book quite so funny.

Sounds right up my street too...

Recommended for fans of Amis, pere et fils, Irvine Welsh or for anyone who enjoys a well written, idea-stuffed book and does not want a rosy, feel-good glow at the end of it.

Thanks Val

Click here to read Val's review

Which is your favourite Houellebecq of the ones you have read so far SnobMaynard?

Of his novels, I think my fave is "Platform", its at least the one I read the most often, 5-6 times.

Aside from "Map and Territory" which was quite a drag, I pretty much love all of his novels.

I'm now slowly checking out his essays which are pretty good either.

Thanks SnobMaynard. This conversation has made me want to read more by him, so I will try that one next.
"Map and Territory" did not drag for me, but I read quite quickly.

Have you seen the film SnobMaynard?


'The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq' (2014) dir by Guillaume Nicloux

It's really enjoyable. Very, very French.

Well, whatever works :) it's not as rough as his other books, that's why it didn't work for me quite as well. But I plan to re-read it sometime this year.

Yes, quite hilarious flick! In case you're interested, I can recommend two more works by Nicloux, "Valley of Love" and "The End", both fascinating movies.

Thanks SnobMaynard


"Valley of Love" and "The End" added to my films to watch list

I tried to read Platform and while I can see that he is a talented author I just couldn't get past the horrible way he wrote about women in that book. I felt like I needed a shower after reading about 50 pages.

You should have continued reading. It goes into a completely different direction later on, especially regarding to women.

Currently reading The Golden House by Salman Rushdie.

Since I last posted an update on the old thread, I have reviewed one more:
Mikhail and Margarita by Julie Lekstrom Himes: My review

Thanks Hugh. I was considering reading that one, since The Master and Margarita is one of my favourites too (and one of my daughter's favourites).

Val wrote: "Thanks Hugh. I was considering reading that one, since The Master and Margarita is one of my favourites too (and one of my daughter's favourites)."

Me too

Contrarian view (what else might you expect) is that I set aside The Master and Margarita.

You will be even less interested in reading Mikhail and Margarita then, I suspect.

Val wrote: "You will be even less interested in reading Mikhail and Margarita then, I suspect."

Even if I'd liked the Bulgakov, I wouldn't be interested after reading Hugh's review.

Quite.

Hugh wrote: "Currently reading The Golden House by Salman Rushdie.

I liked The Golden House. Haven't read much Rushdie, but I really enjoyed that one.

I have completed Elizabeth and Her German Garden by Elizabeth von Arnim. I enjoyed it very, very much.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. I am hoping the stories hang together. I have read nothing by the author, whom so many praise. It is about time I give it a chance.

Chrissie wrote: "I have begun Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. I am hoping the stories hang together. I have read nothing by the author, whom so many praise. It is about time I give it a chance. "

I hope you like it. I have read everything by this author and this is my favorite by her.

I am not thrilled how she changes time-frames.

There are a few authors where I like their writing, but don't really like their books. Elizabeth Strout is one of them, Deborah Levy is another and I could include Rachel Cusk as well. I will continue to read any of their books which make the Booker or Women's Prize lists, but am unlikely to pick them up otherwise.

Susan wrote: "I liked The Golden House. Haven't read much Rushdie, but I really enjoyed that one."
I have read all of his other fiction apart from the childrens' books, and I don't think it is his best work, but it is interesting and quite funny in places. Certainly a lot better than Fury, the only previous one that was mostly set in America...

I have read the first three stories of Olive Kitteridge. I feel like shaking these characters ad telling them to do something with their lives. They are all so darn resigned, willing to accept a life that dissatisfies them. Of course people do have such lives and Elizabeth Strout captures their lives well. Their attitude is so negative. I am wondering if Strout will give us at least one story where the central character has at least some sense of fulfillment. This book and its characters are a huge contrast to Elizabeth in Elizabeth and Her German Garden. Elizabeth, despite her wealth, did not have an easy life either. I didn't realize that Elizabeth von Arnim was the cousin of Kathrine Mansfield! You cannot help but compare their writing styles.

Chrissie wrote: "I am not thrilled how she changes time-frames."

Not everyone likes inter-connected stories. And certainly Olive herself is hard to like.

I have started Evelyn Waugh: A Life Revisited. Interesting so far, but looking forward to moving on to his adult life and career.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am not thrilled how she changes time-frames."

Not everyone likes inter-connected stories. And certainly Olive herself is hard to like."

I am one of those people you are speaking of! Neither do I usually read dysfunctional family stories. I read all the time so I am willing to try books I am not so sure I will like.

At the moment I am laughing a bit--Olive had to go pee immediately and demanded that Henry stop at the hospital,but the story just took a weird twist and I do not know if I will like that.

There are good/realistic dialogues.

started with Henry Miller's "Sexus". First 40 pages are already brilliant.

Keep us posted please Snob

I have a few really good reads on the go at the moment. Alongside the brilliant, Stalingrad I am reading:
Neverworld Wake
Nobody Walks
Miss Pym Disposes
An Honest Man and
Missing Person

Val wrote: "There are a few authors where I like their writing, but don't really like their books. Elizabeth Strout is one of them, ."


I am coming around to your pov.......I cannot possibly say I like Olive Kitteridge. I cannot say I even like the author's writing, but I have to admit that in her ability to upset readers, that is to say me, she succeeds in getting her message/s across. An author can write well and still you do not necessarily like their books.

I am so very happy to be reaching its end. Phew, this has been exhausting and SO depressing.

I like both Strout's writing style, which I think is excellent, and her well-drawn characterizations. These are the elements of a book that are important to me. If plot is important to your reading, Strout is probably not the author for you.

Elizabeth, like you I enjoy Strout’s writing. I especially enjoyed My Name is Lucy Barton and the sequel Anything’s Possible. I’m look forward to Olive, Again to be published in the fall.

Chrissie, she’s probably not for you. If you don’t like Olive Kittridge , I’d guess that you might not like the others .

I suspect the inter-connected stories format doesn't work well for audio.

Elizabeth and Angela, I just finished Olive Kitteridge. I took it all the way to the end. It ripped me apart. It made me TOTALLY miserable. How do I rate a book such as this? On one hand a writer that can do this to its readers has to be extremely good. ..........

I am not good with stories about dysfunctional people/families. I come to care TOO much and can do nothing to fix things and some problems can scarcely be fixed. Such stories often make me miserable, and this one did it in spades.

I haven't read Olive Kitteridge, but this is what I said about My Name Is Lucy Barton in 2016:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Val wrote: "I haven't read Olive Kitteridge, but this is what I said about My Name Is Lucy Barton in 2016:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Love the last lines of this!

It might have been one of the things Lucy resented more than I thought reasonable, Elizabeth.

Val wrote: "It might have been one of the things Lucy resented more than I thought reasonable, Elizabeth."

I didn't remember that part of her story. I will always remember her attending the writing retreat and the lecturer told her not to worry about story. You have only one story to tell and you will tell it in many ways. Not that I don't remember other parts.

I have completed Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. It is emotionally draining but I still recommend it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I could not have gotten through the book had I not been able to let of steam as I read. Thank you to those of you who helped me along.

I have just begun In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette by Hampton Sides. I like the author.

Good review Chrissie.

Val wrote: "Good review Chrissie."

I could not manage more.

Just finished The Grand Duke and Mr Pimm and I would definitely recommend it. It was quite a fun little story that reminded me a little bit of a P.G. Wodehouse story. I could see it making a really fun movie as well.

Read The City Game: Triumph, Scandal, and a Legendary Basketball Team
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...