Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Please join us as we read the works of the Nobel Prize winning Spanish author, Camilo José Cela .
I have read a number of his works and found that each was unique in style and content.
My favourite is La colmena/The Hive.

Happy reading everyone!

I have to admit that I'd never heard of him, and he probably wouldn't have been my first choice - but I've just bought a copy of The Family of Pascual Duarte, and I'm looking forward to starting it in the next day or two.

It is quite a book!

I’ll be reading The Family of Pascual Duarte also. The Hive wasn’t available at my library.

Glad you can join in, Kathy.

John wrote: "I have to admit that I'd never heard of him, and he probably wouldn't have been my first choice - but I've just bought a copy of The Family of Pascual Duarte, and I'm looking forward t..."

I've got the same one. I'm starting it soon as well!

I love his inscription...
I dedicate this 13th and definitive edi­tion of my Pascual Duarte to my enemies, who have been of such help to me in my career.

I like it too, Jazzy. It shows he has a sense of humour as well as being a good writer.

The libraries in Glasgow are still closed due to the virus, but they only have one of his books - The Hive - and even that is only available at the main reference library - not to borrow.

I read The Family of Pascual Duarte about 8 years ago in school and I remember I was fascinated by it. But it was one of the first classic I had ever read so I would like to see what is my opinion now after having read more. And I would also like to read The Hive, but unfortunately I don't think I have time right now. I will try to read them later in the year and come back to the thread.

We will respond whenever you decide to post your comments, John and Jesus-and any other members too, of course!

This author wrote at least one non-fction book, Journey to the Alcarria: Travels through the Spanish Countryside, for those who enjoy non-fiction.

Rosemarie wrote: "I like it too, Jazzy. It shows he has a sense of humour as well as being a good writer."

I'm glad because it gives me something to look forward to!

From the little I had read about the author, I was quite prepared to dislike this book, but I enjoyed it almost from the start and finished it in a couple of sittings (it's admittedly a pretty short book). Although overall it's quite dark, there are flashes of humour, and its fairly thought-provoking. I enjoyed it enough to want to read some more from Cela, although not that much of his output seems to have been translated into English.
I'm not convinced by comparisons with The Outsider; although its a while since I read Camus, this book didn't seem to me to be in that league.

I've read both The Family of Pascual Duarte and the Camus novel and really don't see how they compare to each other-at all.

I finished The Family of Pascual Duarte. I can't say I "enjoyed" it as it's dark and violent, but I was strangely compelled by the story and the writing.

I read that it compares to the Camus novel The Stranger, which I'll be reading with the group in October. So I have no comparison as yet.

I don't see the comparison myself, since The Stranger has much less violence. But there is that sense of alienation.

Cela has a different mood for each novel, so if you read another book by him, Kathy, you will be pleased to find less violence!

That's good to know, Rosemarie. I hope to read The Hive sometime.