Coursera: Fantasy and Science Fiction (Summer 2012) discussion

So I'm ashamed to admit this, but I haven't read ANY of the books that will be discussed for the course. Yes, I grew up with Grimm's Fairytales and yes, I've read or seen things about Dracula or Frankenstein. But I've never actually sat down and read the books. So with at least 1 book to read for class every week I've got my work cut out for me.

I'm wondering if I should try and get a headstart, read (some of) these books in advance. How about the rest of you? Have you read these books before? Will you be reading them again? Will you read in advance or will you read the books as we go?

Also, does anyone know if we're supposed to read Grimm's Fairytales before the first lecture or are we supposed to watch the lecture and then read the book?

I've read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, A Princess of Mars and some of the Poe stories (back in High School, though). The only one I might not re-read is A Princess of Mars, I read it right before the movie came out.

I haven't decided if I want to read ahead. It looks like we'll be writing a brief essay on the reading - but I'm not sure if he's going to provide a topic or if it's just our own reactions. I have terrible long-term comprehension when it comes to reading, so I'm worried if I start too early I'll have to double back to take notes for the essays. But it is a lot (for me) to read every week.

The Reading Advice section on the course page basically says it's up to you to choose when to read.

I've read Carroll and Stoker in translation, also read "Frankenstein" in English since it was public domain.

I wonder if it's better to read them as the course goes 'and' in the original, whenever possible?

I've read Frankestein, Dracula, Alice and Little Brother...I'll probably aim to read them all again where I can, but try not to get too stressed about it.

Guess I should get organised and get hold of the Kindle versions for all these!

I am reading Grimm now. I think if i dont read at least a little ahead, I am going to get very behind

Vicky wrote: "The Reading Advice section on the course page basically says it's up to you to choose when to read.

Ah, they updated the page! Totally missed that :) Thanks for pointing that out.

I think I will at least try and read Grimm before the start of the course. Depending on the first lecture and the assignments I'll decide how to continue. The first 3 weeks of the course or so will be hectic for me, that's when I have most overlap with other courses I'm taking. Thank God for weekends.

I'm 63% done with the first book (I'm taking notes along the way and highlighting via Kindle) and I have to say, when I get through this book I might not ever want to read another fairy tale! This may or may not bode well for my future children....

For those of you who are reading ahead, how are you enjoying this first book?

I'm reading ahead a little just because I can.
So far I've read most of Grimm's fairy tales (although I was familiar with most of them anyhow) and Herland (which I really enjoyed and bought the rest of Gilman's Herland trilogy). I'm listening to audiobooks of Carroll while I'm commuting etc. I've started reading Martian Chornicles (not sure what to make of it yet). I have read most of Frankenstein and Dracula before and they're not my favourites so I will probably only skim through them as needed when it comes to the lectures.
I've got the LeGuin book and am especially looking forward to that one.

Did you get Martian Chronicles/Left Hand of Darkness as ebooks? They don't seem to be available on Kindle UK. If they're on the .com site I'll faff about and get hold of them that way.

I buy paperbacks, I mostly use kindle for free books (if which there are plenty that I want to read).

Ah, fair enough. I don't buy paperbacks any more for myself.

Caroline wrote: "Did you get Martian Chronicles/Left Hand of Darkness as ebooks? They don't seem to be available on Kindle UK. If they're on the .com site I'll faff about and get hold of them that way."

They're not available on Amazon.com either. There are ebooks available but you'd have to resort to the less legal way, which I of course would never ever advise anyone ;)

On another note, I think the Course Information was updated again. There's now a link to the Work Expectations, http://spark-public.s3.amazonaws.com/... - the essays are supposed to be submitted before watching the unit videos.
Up until now I've always been (for the most part) a casual reader. I'm actually getting a little scared here... Guess it's a really good thing we have this group for support.

Patricia wrote: "the essays are supposed to be submitted before watching the unit videos."

I think there is the intro video, then you read and submit essays and then there's another video. Am I reading it wrong?

No, you're not, I was paraphrasing. My mistake. :)
But as I read it the intro vid is just that, only an introduction, no discussion or lecture on the book. I'm in panic mode, is it obvious? haha

It might give us a direction to go with our essays. As it says in the cover of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "Don't Panic!"

Besides, we have each other!

You're absolutely right, on all counts :) thanks!

For those still looking for good e-versions, there's links up on the course website now to recommended versions that look really good!

I have downloaded Kindle versions of the reading materials from those links and they seem completely fine.
I have read let's say half of the books already, but I'll definitely re-read all of them: pen, paper, making notes and so on. I'm just a bit freaked out about essay. I haven't written anything in English (in this form, I mean) in ages. :/

I have 120 notes on my Kindle for Dracula already and I'm barely 50% through. Oh dear...!

Thanks goodness I have read "Dracula" before... still, there is a lot to take notes of, so I just copy paste the text in the doc so far :-s