Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[Bodhitree]

I’ve been very much enjoying the video podcast The Book Club on YouTube… it’s been a pleasure going through detailed reviews, histories of the authors, historical criticisms and so on of both classics and new books. Recently they did “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas, and a few weeks earlier “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. Quite a contrast.

All the while, I am rereading “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien, at the leisurely pace of thirty pages a day. I inherited the edition illustrated by Alan Lee from my late stepfather, and thought I’d revisit it, to see just how much the book differed from the films. I haven’t read the actual text for a good 30 years.

 

[pachyderm]

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I’ve been very much enjoying the video podcast The Book Club on YouTube… it’s been a pleasure going through detailed reviews, histories of the authors, historical criticisms and so on of both classics and new books. Recently they did “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas,

Interesting.

and a few weeks earlier “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck.

An excellent and compelling work.

Quite a contrast.

All the while, I am rereading “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien, at the leisurely pace of thirty pages a day. I inherited the edition illustrated by Alan Lee from my late stepfather, and thought I’d revisit it, to see just how much the book differed from the films. I haven’t read the actual text for a good 30 years.

It will be interesting to see whether you think that the writings of Tolkien have aged well over the course of the thirty years since you last read the book.

Personally, I think that the saving grace of that book is the character of Bilbo Baggins.

 

[Bodhitree]

Interesting.

Yes, on the subject of ACOTAR, I had no idea it had sold in such massive numbers, some 19 million copies according to the reviewers. The whole romantasy subgenre seems to have become the biggest phenomenon in book publishing since the height of Harry Potter-mania. I’ve only recently started reading fiction again after a 10-year hiatus, so it’s interesting to see what all has changed.

 

[KaliYoni]

I’ve only recently started reading fiction again after a 10-year hiatus, so it’s interesting to see what all has changed.

Here are three books I enjoyed that, I think, have contributed to current aesthetics in fiction:

Real Americans (Khong)

Real Americans — Rachel Khong

www.rachelkhong.com

Homesick for Another World (Moshfegh)

Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh: 9780399562907 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of 2017 An electrifying first collection from one of the most exciting short story writers of our time "I can’t recall the last time I laughed...

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

Flights (Tokarczuk)

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk: 9780525534204 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

WINNER OF THE NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST FOR TRANSLATED LITERATURE A visionary work of fiction by "A writer on the level...

www.penguinrandomhouse.com

 

[Bodhitree]

It will be interesting to see whether you think that the writings of Tolkien have aged well over the course of the thirty years since you last read the book.

Personally, I think that the saving grace of that book is the character of Bilbo Baggins.

Yes, ‘The Hobbit’ is meant to be a children’s book after all. I’m now at the point where the company is about to open the secret door into the Lonely Mountain, and while I have enjoyed it, I have to say I think the films made some good additions to the story.

I’m less than convinced about the need for Azog as a villain, but I thought Bard the Bowman’s whole arc, the star turn of Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown, and the bits following Gandalf were excellent.

The text I’ve found rather spare and minimalist getting to the Lonely Mountain, and I think you’re right to say that if Bilbo himself wasn’t so engaging the book would miss out on much of it’s charm. Certainly in the movies the dwarves were a much more comedic and charming supporting cast for Bilbo, Gandalf and Thorin.

 

[pachyderm]

Personally, I think that the saving grace of that book is the character of Bilbo Baggins.

Same. I love The Hobbit. Not so much the trilogy.

I'm actually rewatching the Peter Jackson films... man there is a lot goin on.

I can't help but think how great it would have been if he'd had left out all the subtext that he added in...

 

[pachyderm]

Yes, ‘The Hobbit’ is meant to be a children’s book after all. I’m now at the point where the company is about to open the secret door into the Lonely Mountain, and while I have enjoyed it, I have to say I think the films made some good additions to the story.

I’m less than convinced about the need for Azog as a villain, but I thought Bard the Bowman’s whole arc, the star turn of Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown, and the bits following Gandalf were excellent.

The text I’ve found rather spare and minimalist getting to the Lonely Mountain, and I think you’re right to say that if Bilbo himself wasn’t so engaging the book would miss out on much of it’s charm. Certainly in the movies the dwarves were a much more comedic and charming supporting cast for Bilbo, Gandalf and Thorin.

Really, How many children can read a novel of that length?

IMHO Peter Jackson went out of his way so show how clever he is by adding all the other subtext. The original novel doesn't need all that. That's all the text he needed to make a great film, not this rambling epic that kills all the charm of the novel.

I'd rather watch the animated film from the '70's.

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

Really, How many children can read a novel of that length?

IMHO Peter Jackson went out of his way so show how clever he is by adding all the other subtext. The original novel doesn't need all that. That's all the text he needed to make a great film, not this rambling epic that kills all the charm of the novel.

I'd rather watch the animated film from the '70's.

It does annoy me that it takes longer to watch the Hobbit trilogy than to read the book.

 

[Bodhitree]

Really, How many children can read a novel of that length?

IMHO Peter Jackson went out of his way so show how clever he is by adding all the other subtext. The original novel doesn't need all that. That's all the text he needed to make a great film, not this rambling epic that kills all the charm of the novel.

I'd rather watch the animated film from the '70's.

Nooo… I love Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ films! There’s hardly ever a dull moment, the humour is great, there are nice action-ey bits, the dwarves are much more fleshed out than in the book and it’s this great adventure. It makes my inner child come alive.

Admittedly the book has more of a charm, with some quiet periods as well, but for me it was great to find out the backstory of the Necromancer, the links to The Lord of the Rings, even the bits involving Radagast. The only thing is that the Battle of the Five Armies does drag on a bit.

 

[Boil]

I made a mistake awhile back of (re)reading the Lord of the Rings and THEN The Hobbit...

As I (re)read The Hobbit, I was irked by the change in tone between the two books; yes, TWO books, the only reason LOTR was split into three publications was because of printing capabilities at the time; so anyway, after a bit I had to remind myself that The Hobbit was a book intended for kids (it was a story JRR made up to tell his kids at night) and LOTR was intended for an older audience...

I DO agree that there was a LOT added to The Hobbit movies to stretch it into a trilogy, but I don't mind so much, more Bilbo Baggins goodness to watch...!

Martin Freeman, acting in a trifecta of movie/tv renditions of classic British literature; Sherlock Holmes, Hitchhikers Guide, & The Hobbit...!

 

[pachyderm]

Nooo… I love Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ films! There’s hardly ever a dull moment, the humour is great, there are nice action-ey bits, the dwarves are much more fleshed out than in the book and it’s this great adventure. It makes my inner child come alive.

Admittedly the book has more of a charm, with some quiet periods as well, but for me it was great to find out the backstory of the Necromancer, the links to The Lord of the Rings, even the bits involving Radagast. The only thing is that the Battle of the Five Armies does drag on a bit.

I'm not a fan.

My favorite part of the book, The escape from Thranduil's dungeons, was completely ruined.

smh

 

[Bodhitree]

I'm not a fan.

My favorite part of the book, The escape from Thranduil's dungeons, was completely ruined.

smh

Understandable. I’ve come to view the book and the films as two different tellings of the same story. They both have pro’s and cons. I’ve come to prefer the book’s Smaug, while I think the films’ Azog is a very questionable plastic villain.

Having now finished the book, I much prefer the book’s handling of the Battle of the Five Armies and the whole aftermath. It takes much more of an overview, instead of following the action as the films do, and I enjoyed very much the brief account of Bilbo’s trip back with Gandalf through Beorn’s home and Rivendell. There is also the whole section where Bilbo repays the Elvenking for staying in his fortress, and is named an elf-friend. Loved it.

The importance of the thrush and the ravens carrying messages is lost, as is Bilbo’s discovery of the missing scale over Smaug’s heart. There are a number of these clever touches in the book, which are lost in the film in favour of sweeping cinematic moments.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Am completely - and currently - engrossed in, immersed in (and deeply impressed by) a terrific book by Tan Twan Eng - "The House of Doors".

 

[obeygiant]

The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

 

[pachyderm]

The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

One of my all time favorites!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Am completely - and currently - engrossed in, immersed in (and deeply impressed by) a terrific book by Tan Twan Eng - "The House of Doors".

"The House of Doors" by Tan Twan Eng was terrific, absorbing, beautifully written, and quite excellent.

Now, this morning, I started "Polar War: Submarines, Spies and the Struggle for Power in a Melting Arctic," by Kenneth R Rosen, which is a compelling and disturbing and unsettling read so far.

 

[VisceralRealist]

^I'd never heard of Tan Twan Eng, but I've added The House of Doors to my TBR list, as well as The Garden of the Evening Mists. I'm always looking to read more international literature. I read my first Malaysian novel--The South by Tash Aw--and I liked it, so I'm looking forward to reading Eng.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

^I'd never heard of Tan Twan Eng, but I've added The House of Doors to my TBR list, as well as The Garden of the Evening Mists. I'm always looking to read more international literature. I read my first Malaysian novel--The South by Tash Aw--and I liked it, so I'm looking forward to reading Eng.

Excellent.

I think that you will enjoy it; have you read "The Glass Palace" by Amitav Ghosh, or "The House of the Spirits" by Isabel Allende? I'd also recommend "Portrait in Sepia" and "Daughter of Fortune" - both also by Isabel Allende. All are strongly recommended.

Actually, - and this is interesting, having just read your post, - since completing - I read it over three days - "The House of Doors" very early this morning, (which I loved and which I strongly recommend - an intelligent, nuanced, thoughtful and thought-provoking, beautifully written novel, a fascinating story), by Tan Twan Eng, I have since ordered his earlier (and equally highly recommended) work, "The Garden of the Evening Mists", which I very much look forward to reading.

 

[pachyderm]

Reda this for the very first time yesterday. Loved it.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Reda this for the very first time yesterday. Loved it.

View attachment 2635209

If you liked The Pearl, might I suggest (strongly) that you take a look at East of Eden, which, to my mind, is by far the best thing that John Steinbeck ever wrote.

The movie of the same name, (starring James Dean), was based on the final third of the book, but I think that the earlier two thirds of the book are what gives the entire book (including the final third) its power and heft as a story.

 

[MacMorrison]

Ditto on East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Brilliant novel, my highest recommendation.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Ditto on East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Brilliant novel, my highest recommendation.

Agree completely.

I especially loved the utterly compelling dialogues between Samuel Hamilton and Lee (who was my favourite character by far - I adored Lee, formidably intelligent, yet wise, and wonderfully kind and compassionate).

 

[VisceralRealist]

@Scepticalscribe I have not read any Amitav Ghosh, but I would like to. I will add The Glass Palace to my TBR. I have read Isabel Allende, though, including The House of the Spirits and several other of her works. I read The House of the Spirits for a course on Latin American literature, but I read more of her works for my own research into specifically Chilean and Argentinian literature (already read a number of works by José Donoso).

 

[Scepticalscribe]

@Scepticalscribe I have not read any Amitav Ghosh, but I would like to. I will add The Glass Palace to my TBR. I have read Isabel Allende, though, including The House of the Spirits and several other of her works. I read The House of the Spirits for a course on Latin American literature, but I read more of her works for my own research into specifically Chilean and Argentinian literature (already read a number of works by José Donoso).

"The Glass Palace", by Amitav Ghosh, is one of my favourite books; I think it simply superb.

Actually, it is a book that I not only recommend but also give as a gift to friends and family.

Over the years, I have given it to my mother, my German sister-in-law, the very best student I ever taught (now a good friend), and another good academic friend - they all loved it - among others.

Amitav Ghosh has also written (this time, fact, as in history, not fiction), an excellent history of the opium trade, entitled "Smoke and Ashes", which I cannot recommend highly enough.

Other books I strongly recommend are The Regeneration Trilogy ("Regeneration", "The Eye In The Door", "Ghost Road") by Pat Barker, as well as Hilary Mantel's outstanding Thomas Cromwell trilogy, namely, "Wolf Hall", "Bring Up The Bodies", and "The Mirror and The Light".

Apart from Isabel Allende, on the subject of Chilean and other south American writing, I was very taken with "The Feast of the Goat", by Mario Vargas Llosa, which I thought excellent, and was also impressed by "One Hundred Years of Solitude", and "No One Writes To The Colonel", both written by Gabriel García Márquez.