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Didn't know a sitar could do that, or that accidently sitting on ghost was so uncomfortable, or that Oklahoma wasn't the only OK. Good reading. Just into the last of the five stories now and hoping for a grand finale.

The Musician of Kahani totally grabbed me and wouldn't let go. It goes through some changes that caught me off guard. Good job!!

Hoping to find a reason to read more of Rushdie's work from this one. Tried years ago and failed. Maybe I've aged enough by now to appreciate his books.
Read through the first story. It's not about the American south 1950s era. That's a win right off. The character conflict is almost funny. Almost. Didn't see the ending coming but somehow it worked. That's why he's called an author and I'm not.

Liking this. Mostly. Still in scenes scattered across time, a few of which had some rather graphic descriptions of the action taking place. Currently in the recent present with the women cutting each others' hair and just sharing a good time together. Then the sun set allowing the shadows to swallow them. So much for the gaiety just a few lines before. Good work from the author to move so smoothly between moods.

Not sure what I think yet. Each chapter or essay or story-whatever it's official nomenclature might be- is different. The progression is faintly linear so far. Memories either real or imagined, present action dreams, hintermingled, dreams. Well written. Some of it reminds me of Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek in tone.

Yes, another how to write book. And one I find more encouraging than the others I've read. His opening chapters cover the freedom a writer has and avoids all the rules. Sort of sit down and relax, find out who you are and what you want before you start the greatest work ever written or whatever.

Pretty strange story so far. Shades of the book, Heart of Darkness, that even I can recognize and I've not read that myself. I'd probably put this down except it's short enough I can pr
endure the rest of it. Readable, but not pleasant at all for some reason.

Just finished a chapter that really sums up the historical existence of man as want. And the author makes that stick. Lots of dreamy chapters though too. Quite a read so far.

Just getting started, but can feel the newness, strangeness portrayed. Beginning to float with the crew.

Read about this in the book Umberto Eco on Litrature and had to check it out after reading his lengthy discussion. Is about an individual or France? Or both?

Written simply and with some excellent exercises to work thru. I'd suggest taking more time with those exercises. Also, a trusted person to talk some of it over as you work with it. That's my plan for this, anyway. Reading it with Renovaré book club.

Another read for this one. Couldn't put it down until now. Yes, it has held me that well.

Good reading! Loved the arguments between Settembrini and Naphta. But moving on in the text , Joachim has left the facility now against the doctor's advice. Good parting scene between him and Hans.

Great fun listening (reading) Hans's musings about life and the cosmos. Surprisingly modern. Didn't know they had discovered as much as he mentions at that time.

Do you think the author is making a few statements about several areas of concern to him?

This book is hypnotic. The descriptions so real you can almost join Hans in it. Good stuff!

Reading this one again. So smooth.

Shifted gears and location now. More serious and moved underground. Didn't seeing that coming or I missed something along the way.

This is a kind of fun read that you let ramble on. You relax and wonder what's next. Yes, there's a plot line that gets advanced in between all the side trips. How does someone write this sort of thing is my question?

OK. I tried. Just not working for me at this time. Maybe some other moment.
DNF

What a nice change! The author has returned to Woolf. Much more upbeat than the previous few pages. She's writing, they've been whining.

Slow forward motion. Nearly as slow as getting Eliot published. I cannot understand why people stood by him given his treatment of them, but they did. Different time then.

D.H. Lawrence in this latest reading. He's quite a character in his own way. The chapter ends with him headed for Taos, maybe. Or Ceylon? Haven't read any of his writing. Maybe take a peak later.

D.H. Lawrence introduced to me via the latest reading now. Another author whose psyche was as unusual.as the others except in his own way. But, what was considered normal apparently applied to upper middle fo

I like the reading, but it is a slow pace for me. I'm learning a new sort of reading with this one. The introductions to Woolf, Eliot, and Forster are done, and now it's on to Lawrence. The units (chapters) are long enough to get acquainted and remember who's who and what they're about. I suspected the cycle to continue in a similar manner, but will discover that later.

Have gotten to the reviews. Not so thrilled with them. Most of them review works I've not read, and after the reviews, I'm not likely to pick them up. The glossary before them was much more fun.

I am genuinely enjoying this book!