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 for 2020 to talk about our current reads - both 20th-century books and those which fall outside the period.

I’m currently reading Less by Andrew Sean Greer and loving it so far. Very arresting use of imagery right from the start and as funny as I’d been expecting.

I have started The Rations Challenge: Forty Days of Feasting in a Wartime Kitchen

I have begun Evelina by Frances Burney.

I am (as always) reading several books simultaneously. On audio, I'm listening to Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar by Simon Sebag Montefiore, in paper form, Airs Above the Ground and The Wild Places, and on Kindle finally getting towards the end of Orley Farm.

I think only one of those is a 20th century book ...

I hope you're liking Orley Farm, Rosina. I'm a huge fan of Anthony Trollope!

I am reading A Modern Instance by William Dean Howells in my challenge of reading books from Bloom's Western Canon.

I am a fan too - but I lost impetus with Orley Farm about a quarter of the way in, and turned to lighter books. I am now back with it, and as the trial approaches am eager to see where Trollope takes it.

My last Trollope was He Knew He Was Right, which I also left midstream for some months (it wasn't really suited to poolside reading ...), and then finished at a furious gallop, rather like Trollope's hunting men.

Rosina wrote: "I am a fan too - but I lost impetus with Orley Farm about a quarter of the way in, and turned to lighter books. I am now back with it, and as the trial approaches am eager to see where Trollope tak..."

Trollope tends to be longish, and I can see how easy it would be to set him aside for a short time. I'm so happy to see another pick up his work, though, and I'll watch to see what else you choose to try.

New Year. New books.
Today I will start Typhoon and just started the second volume of They Were Found Wanting, the second volume of Miklós Bánffy's Transylvania Trilogy (aka The Writing on the Wall).
My only regret is that I waited 10 months to start volume 2 and I find myself forgetting details from the first book, which seems to lack readily available plot summaries. I planned to read Volume 3 at the end of 2020 and may have to move it up in view of my mind's increasingly shorter memory span.

Trollope I like so much more than Dickens. He showed me Victorian books can be good. I read a bunch and then stated getting bored by them, His books are kind of similar. W. Somerset Maugham's books aren't that way at all--so I like him much more.

Chrissie wrote: "Trollope I like so much more than Dickens. He showed me Victorian books can be good. I read a bunch and then stated getting bored by them, His books are kind of similar. [author:W. Somerset Maugham..."

While I'm a major Trollope fan, he is so prolific that some of the plots and characters are similar. I think Orley Farm and He Knew He Was Right have some elements different from other Trollopes, though. My most recent Trollope was The Claverings which, while good, did have very familiar plot and characters.
On the other hand, Trollope's familiarity is what I enjoy about him. I use him as 'a comfort read, like I do a Wodehouse. I use him as others use a favorite mystery or other series - its easy to settle back into the book's world.

While I don't like Maughan's stories as well as Trollope's, I do find them more varied. Maugham's writing style is one of the best there is.

Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Trollope I like so much more than Dickens. He showed me Victorian books can be good. I read a bunch and then stated getting bored by them, His books are kind of similar. [author:W...."

I have just checked out the two Trollopes. They're different, but did you also like them?

ETA I forgot to say, I think he does women VERY well, and for being a an that is rather exceptional.

What I like about Maugham is his writing. Each of his books are so different, and each are done well. You might not guess you have even the same author. I like variety, and he gives that to me.

Clare wrote: "I’m currently reading Less by Andrew Sean Greer and loving it so far. Very arresting use of imagery right from the start and as funny as I’d been expecting."

I want to get to that one some time, I've heard good things about it.
I recently finished Pigeon Pie by Nancy Mitford, not her best but very enjoyable. I'm now reading Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters and I will be starting The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark soon.

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Trollope tends to be longish, and I can see how easy it would be to set him aside for a short time. I'm so happy to see another pick up his work, though, and I'll watch to see what else you choose to try."

I already have both the Pallisers and the Barchester novels under my belt, and a handful of standalones. With both Orley Farm and He Knew he was Right, I gave up at the point where Trollope left the main story on one side while looking at very peripheral characters (the Main Female Character's sister's admirer's aunt's friends and their love interest, or the commercial travellers encountered by the sneaky lawyer on his travels). By the time the books are concluded, these sub-plots knit in well, but at the time they did distract me, and drive me to other books.

I have Is He Popenjoy? in my queue, so that will probably be next.

I've just finished....


The Shepherd's Life: A People's History of the Lake District by James Rebanks

A fascinating look at a timeless world

Here’s my review

4/5

Chrissie wrote: ".I have just checked out the two Trollopes. They're different, but did you also like them?."

I liked them both, but Orley Farm a bit more than He Knew He Was Right, probably because the main protagonist in HKHWR is frustrating, athough he is intended to be so.

Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: ".I have just checked out the two Trollopes. They're different, but did you also like them?."

I liked them both, but Orley Farm a bit more than He Knew He Was Right, probably becau..."

OK, I will note down what you have said. My problem is that the HKHWR bok has a terrible narrator. I am talking about the audiobool version. Thanks for your help.

Nigeyb wrote: "I've just finished....


The Shepherd's Life: A People's History of the Lake District by James Rebanks

A fascinating look at a timeless world

Here’s my review

4..."

Oh yes, I thought that was very good too! I was even considering giving it five stars, but then decided on four. The writing was excellent,and that means a lot to me.

Chrissie wrote: "My problem is that the HKHWR bok has a terrible narrator. I am talking about the audiobool version. Thanks for your help."

Not Timothy West, I assume. I don't know if I'd have read so many Trollope's if he hadn't been the narrator for most of them.

Chrissie wrote: "My problem is that the HKHWR bok has a terrible narrator..."

Then I wouldn't bother. While I liked HKHWR, it is one of my least favorite Trollope novels and at 900+ pages, makes for a long time to listen to a terrible narrator.

Chrissie wrote: "I thought The Shepherd's Life: A People's History of the Lake District by James Rebanks was very good too! I was even considering giving it five stars, but then decided on four. The writing was excellent,and that means a lot to me

Thanks Chrissie - I agree

It was on sale at Audible so I took a chance

I'm glad I did

Rosina wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "My problem is that the HKHWR bok has a terrible narrator. I am talking about the audiobool version. Thanks for your help."

Not Timothy West, I assume. I don't know if I'd have rea..."

Orley Farm is for me only available read by Flo Gibson. There is also a dramatized version--but these I dislike and such versions are in fact abridged.

Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "My problem is that the HKHWR bok has a terrible narrator..."

Then I wouldn't bother. While I liked HKHWR, it is one of my least favorite Trollope novels and at 900+ pages, makes f..."

The terrible narration is the Orley Farm one. Considering what you have just said, I think HKHWR will be moved down to my maybe shelf.

And Rosina, you dumped it! Doesn't sound all that good.

I wanted to try some Georgian literature. Evelina by Frances Burney was supposed to be funny so I gave it a try.

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

I have begun The Saga of the Volsungs.

I am glad to have read The Saga of the Volsungs by the Anonymous.

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

Now I will try another Georgian classic--The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith. I am a bit nervous--please cross your fingers for me.

Chrissie wrote: "I am glad to have read The Saga of the Volsungs by the Anonymous.

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

Now I will try another Georgian classi..."
That was one of the first books I bought when I first got my kindle in 2012, and I still haven't read it. Your comments are making me see how silly I have been.

Jill wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am glad to have read The Saga of the Volsungs by the Anonymous.

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

Now I will try anothe..."

It is not an easy read, for the reasons I mention, but as you get into it it gets easier. There are parts where the prose has a special feel to it. I am glad to have tasted this.

I'm under way with several group reads at the moment. Still reading Life and Fate, which is wonderful but I need to somehow give more time to.

I'm also reading Lusitania: Triumph, Tragedy, and the End of the Edwardian Age, which I would really recommend if anyone is tempted - the writing style is very readable, and there is lots of interesting information about life on an ocean liner at that time.

I've also started God is an Englishman, ready for our forthcoming buddy read - not very far along with this one as yet, though.

Judy wrote: "I've also started God Is an Englishman, ready for our forthcoming buddy read - not very far along with this one as yet, though."

That's great news Judy

I feel as though I've been reading God Is an Englishman forever (actually since early December). I think it's got plenty to enjoy and appreciate. I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days.

I've just finished...


Postcard From The Past

Postcard From The Past is the book of the Twitter account and podcast.

If you know the Twitter account then you'll know what to expect from this book: a selection of fascinating sun bleached postcards from the second half of the twentieth century, mainly the 60s and 70s, and the message contained on the back. The messages are where the fascination lies: sometimes funny, sometimes weird, but always intriguing. The accumulation of these disparate voices provides a magical glimpse into past lives.

Here's my review

4/5

I am reading The Overstory for my fiction selection and Self Portrait in Black and White for my non fiction. They are both great books. Usually my fiction selection is the faster reading but not the case with these two.

I have completed the Georgian classic The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith.

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

Now I want to get my teeth into some non-fiction. I have begun We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese by Elizabeth M. Norman. I am reading this because I found her and her husband's book Tears in the Darkness: The Story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath exceptionally good.

Nigeyb wrote: "I feel as though I've been reading God Is an Englishman forever (actually since early December). I think it's got plenty to enjoy and appreciate. I'm hoping to finish it in the next few days."

I'm nearly a third of the way through - certainly a hefty read! I think there is a lot that's interesting and look forward to our discussion of this one.

Postcard From The Past sounds really interesting.

Have you come across Boring Postcards by the artist Martin Parr? This is rather different, as there are no messages, but it's a collection of postcards including motorway service stations, holiday camps etc - not really "boring" but pieces of history. I also saw a display of some of these which was included in an exhibition of Parr's work in Colchester a while back.

No Judy, I've not come across that one. I'll seek it out. Thanks

I have started The Hungry and the Fat

I know Val once nominated Look Who's Back, by the same author, and I never got around to reading it. However, I am really drawn into this novel, which I came across on NetGalley, so I am pleased I gave it a try.

Thanks Susan - I'll investigate


I really enjoyed Look Who's Back so would be interested to try another book by Timur Vermes

I like the writing style very much. It is very engaging.

Finally, a totally wonderful book. My first of the year--We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese by Elizabeth M. Norman.

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

I have begun my third Georgian classic for the year. This try will be Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe. I am not in love with the prose style, but you do begin to understand the situation Moll is in, as stated in the complete, informative and lengthy title. Moll Flanders is the short version of the title.

My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):

Abigail by Magda Szabó   My review

Tenth of December by George Saunders   My review

Loop by Brenda Lozano   My review

There There by Tommy Orange   My review

Hugh wrote: "My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):"

and the last three of 2019:

Stillicide by Cynan Jones. My Review

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson. My Review

Lala by Jacek Dehnal. My Review

Hugh wrote: "My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):
Abigail by Magda Szabó   My review"

Thanks for the suggestion Hugh. It looks like one to read.
I'm currently reading the second of the Transylvanian Trilogy by Miklós Bánffy. I plan to also read the 3rd volume of the Trilogy, Skylark by Dezső Kosztolányi and Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb during 2020.
So, if I add Ms. Szabo's Abigail, I'll have five 20th Century Hungarian classics for this year, none of which I had heard of 3 years ago. Magda Szabó's The Door seems to have its fans too.

Brian wrote: "Hugh wrote: "My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):
Abigail by Magda Szabó   My review"

Thanks for the suggestion Hugh. It look..."

Thanks for reminding me of these, Brian. I had 3 of them on my wishlist already!

Brian wrote: "Hugh wrote: "My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):
Abigail by Magda Szabó   My review"

Thanks for the suggestion Hugh. It look..."
All of Szabo's books are well worth reading (at least all of the 4 that have been translated so far). Journey by Moonlight is great too, and Szerb's other novels (The Pendragon Legend and Oliver VII) are entertaining but a bit lightweight in comparison. I have never read anything by Banffy or Kosztolanyi.

Hugh wrote: "My first four reviews of the new year (taken together, a very good start):

Abigail by Magda Szabó   My review ..."

I read Katalin Street recently. Abigail sounds even better.

I read somewhere that The Door was the third in a trilogy and that Katalin Street was the first book, followed by Iza's Ballad and then The Door? I haven't read Magda Szabo, but I have loved everything I have read by Szerb.

They don't appear to share characters or chronology, so probably don't need to be read in order if they are a trilogy. The original order of publication (using translated titles) is:
"Iza's Ballad", 1963
"Katalin Street", 1969
"Abigail", 1970
"The Door", 1987
I've only read one, so Hugh could give a better answer.

I've only read one by Szerb too, "Journey by Moonlight", but that one is lovely.

It is only a trilogy in the sense that there is a similar thematic historical background to all three. They are very different books, and they have no common characters. Iza's Ballad is not part of the "trilogy", but Abigail is (the second part).

Thanks Hugh.

Interesting, thanks. Another author that I really do need to get to.