I will respond to the other people who posted here, but I think we agree on what an interesting "book discussion" would or would not entail.
Master and Margarita is wonderful. I've read it three times and would happily do so again. Every time I read it I notice a new aspect that I hadn't focused on. The first time I was obsessed with it as part of Bulgakov's ongoing dialogue with Stalin, and how Pontius Pilate was equated with Stalin using the concept of the Ukrainian vertep theatre, where everything in Moscow has an analogue in Ershalaim. The second time I focused on the ideas of punishment - who was punished, how and why, and the commentary on the Terror that I saw in the book (I had sort of noticed it the first time but didn't try to track it). The third time I focused more on the relationship concepts, the idea of betrayal (which is very strong) and the comic aspects.
Master and Margarita is wonderful. I've read it three times and would happily do so again. Every time I read it I notice a new aspect that I hadn't focused on. The first time I was obsessed with it as part of Bulgakov's ongoing dialogue with Stalin, and how Pontius Pilate was equated with Stalin using the concept of the Ukrainian vertep theatre, where everything in Moscow has an analogue in Ershalaim. The second time I focused on the ideas of punishment - who was punished, how and why, and the commentary on the Terror that I saw in the book (I had sort of noticed it the first time but didn't try to track it). The third time I focused more on the relationship concepts, the idea of betrayal (which is very strong) and the comic aspects.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
The Count of Monte Cristo was a terrible choice for a book discussion.
- 09/01/2010 07:41:01 PM
1883 Views
Hey, now (copy/paste)
- 09/01/2010 07:48:56 PM
1405 Views
People should think about these things before recommending books.
- 09/01/2010 08:13:10 PM
1472 Views
Which is why I voted for Bulgakov's M & M.
- 09/01/2010 10:56:00 PM
1475 Views
Agreed. Madame Bovary is serious literature.
- 10/01/2010 01:02:34 AM
1328 Views
I disagree slightly
- 09/01/2010 09:07:12 PM
1307 Views
Well, by that standard a Jackie Collins novel is worthy of debate.
- 10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
1368 Views
- 10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
1368 Views
Oh, I almost forgot
- 10/01/2010 01:11:50 AM
1328 Views
Ooh...I'd love to hear them!!! What did Eco say to trash Dumas? *NM*
- 10/01/2010 01:19:43 AM
544 Views
Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
- 10/01/2010 01:39:28 AM
1429 Views
I love it. Strangely enough, though, he wrote an introduction to the book.
- 10/01/2010 01:54:24 AM
1285 Views
Not really strange as Eco has long been fascinated by this book
- 11/01/2010 05:01:56 PM
1298 Views
Did he mention it in his book on ugliness?
- 11/01/2010 05:12:55 PM
1221 Views
Re: Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
- 11/01/2010 03:49:15 PM
1499 Views
That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
- 11/01/2010 05:12:25 PM
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Re: That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
- 11/01/2010 06:22:24 PM
1549 Views
I agree that abridging it would not work well.
- 12/01/2010 04:06:26 PM
1412 Views
I think there are plenty of things that can be discussed.
- 09/01/2010 10:00:06 PM
1550 Views
Discussed and put to rest in 5 minutes or less, perhaps.
- 10/01/2010 01:17:02 AM
1419 Views
Depends on who you are, one would imagine.
- 10/01/2010 08:16:11 AM
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<pretentious>Well, why should we cater to the lowest common denominator?
- 11/01/2010 02:17:03 AM
1373 Views
I'd laugh...
- 11/01/2010 07:21:38 PM
1145 Views
I don't get that. Well, of course I do from Tom, but let's put him aside for this discussion.
- 12/01/2010 03:35:21 AM
1508 Views
It's frustrating though...
- 12/01/2010 04:18:37 AM
1438 Views
I think if you posted that (or something like it) people would reply to it.
- 12/01/2010 05:08:53 AM
1459 Views
Perhaps.
- 12/01/2010 05:26:38 AM
1152 Views
Given the people who have read the Kushiel books, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
- 12/01/2010 05:58:33 AM
1216 Views
You're not.
- 12/01/2010 02:16:09 PM
1258 Views
Her next series sounds interesting
- 12/01/2010 02:20:17 PM
1152 Views
It does, but the reviews I've seen aren't too enthusiastic.
- 12/01/2010 02:29:26 PM
1192 Views
Yes, but how so?
- 12/01/2010 02:39:59 PM
1278 Views
Well...
- 13/01/2010 07:03:08 PM
1359 Views
Honestly...
- 13/01/2010 07:51:14 PM
1355 Views
Absolutely.
- 14/01/2010 12:55:00 PM
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Re: Absolutely.
- 14/01/2010 01:57:47 PM
1357 Views
In short, not a good name for a daughter. At least not one with an interest in Classics.
- 15/01/2010 05:32:35 AM
1274 Views
I'm staying far, far away from Seneca.
- 15/01/2010 02:01:49 PM
1518 Views
Ah, yes. The Apocolocyntosis. Possibly the least amusing humor ever penned. I hate Seneca. *NM*
- 16/01/2010 02:14:32 AM
512 Views
I really don't think it would.
- 12/01/2010 07:49:32 AM
1347 Views
I have tried before.
- 12/01/2010 01:59:24 PM
1241 Views
If it is well-written and defends the value of the book, I don't see why you shouldn't post it.
- 12/01/2010 05:12:58 PM
1431 Views
I'm quite enjoying it.
- 09/01/2010 10:40:30 PM
1370 Views
A kid's book of adventure doesn't translate into a good book club discussion.
- 10/01/2010 01:21:11 AM
1270 Views
I have to agree
- 11/01/2010 12:36:55 AM
1384 Views
How did you find deeper meaning (pun intended) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? *NM*
- 11/01/2010 02:17:55 AM
556 Views

True, true.