Lynda > Recent Status Updates

Reading this the second time around since 2014. Still very good and insightful.

So glad to have discovered this author. Will definitely read his other novels. The Romantic is just what I needed for an educational and sophisticated escape.

'Moonlight' by Liu Cixin is one of the best short stories I've ever read. He could finally be the author who inspires me to read more sci-fi. Netflix's 'Three Body Problem' has made me want to read the novel too.

Finally! I have found an engaging fiction book to read after a long hunt. Jives with my interest in Korea and Japan and in historical fiction.

Did not continue. If you read 'Wild Swans' and 'Mao; The Unknown Story', both by Jung Chang, you probably would find this book rather dry in writing style and its story-telling technique weak in comparison. The cover photo of 'Out of the Gobi' was taken by the author's friend and this is one rare instance in my experience where the book cover is much more enticing that the contents of the memoir.

I’m so delighted to find Dostoyevsky so readable! I’m really into the story so far and I concur with some of the comments from other readers that compared to Dickens, Dostoyevsky’s style is more accessible. I’m reading the translation by Constance Garnett, who needs no introduction of course.

Already splendid and will likely finish. CS Lewis is a brilliant writer.

Dry. Skimming paragraphs to get the key points. Will revisit and finish later. On to fiction.

Right. I am quoting David Lodge from his 'The Art of Fiction', page 18: "For American novelists 'skaz' was an obvious way to free themselves from the inherited literary traditions of England and Europe." Skaz being the Russian word for a narrative in the manner of a person speaking. Is this novel in the league of literary pantheons? Ah...no.