Seriously, talking about how a book is devoid of value is not really all that fun. It can maybe generate a modicum of discussion, but that's it.
Here, I can sum up the entire discussion quickly:
Dumas was popular in France at the time and wrote fast-paced (for the time), fun stories about French history, feeding into notions of the French national psyche. He wrote in the Nineteenth Century, the era of the great novel, and so his name gets thrown in with other Nineteenth-Century authors and elevated to a level that he himself would probably not have aspired to.
The End. It was the best summer ever.
Here, I can sum up the entire discussion quickly:
Dumas was popular in France at the time and wrote fast-paced (for the time), fun stories about French history, feeding into notions of the French national psyche. He wrote in the Nineteenth Century, the era of the great novel, and so his name gets thrown in with other Nineteenth-Century authors and elevated to a level that he himself would probably not have aspired to.
The End. It was the best summer ever.
I mean the trashing of a book that several will gush over (without saying much in the way of import) has the potential for a nice "debate" that ends with "you poopyhead!", which would be as much in-depth as what I expect most of the comments to be in such threads.
Then again, I'm just jaded after a few dozen of these over the years. But if there is a Bulgakov one, I will participate. These two? Not likely, despite the coincidence of me picking up the French original.
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie
Je suis méchant.
Je suis méchant.
The Count of Monte Cristo was a terrible choice for a book discussion.
09/01/2010 07:41:01 PM
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Hey, now (copy/paste)
09/01/2010 07:48:56 PM
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People should think about these things before recommending books.
09/01/2010 08:13:10 PM
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Which is why I voted for Bulgakov's M & M.
09/01/2010 10:56:00 PM
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I disagree slightly
09/01/2010 09:07:12 PM
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Well, by that standard a Jackie Collins novel is worthy of debate.
10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
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I think you misunderstand my intent
10/01/2010 01:10:57 AM
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Oh, I almost forgot
10/01/2010 01:11:50 AM
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Ooh...I'd love to hear them!!! What did Eco say to trash Dumas? *NM*
10/01/2010 01:19:43 AM
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Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
10/01/2010 01:39:28 AM
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I love it. Strangely enough, though, he wrote an introduction to the book.
10/01/2010 01:54:24 AM
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Not really strange as Eco has long been fascinated by this book
11/01/2010 05:01:56 PM
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Did he mention it in his book on ugliness?
11/01/2010 05:12:55 PM
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Re: Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
11/01/2010 03:49:15 PM
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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
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I agree that abridging it would not work well.
12/01/2010 04:06:26 PM
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I think there are plenty of things that can be discussed.
09/01/2010 10:00:06 PM
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Discussed and put to rest in 5 minutes or less, perhaps.
10/01/2010 01:17:02 AM
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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
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I'd laugh...
11/01/2010 07:21:38 PM
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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
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It's frustrating though...
12/01/2010 04:18:37 AM
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I think if you posted that (or something like it) people would reply to it.
12/01/2010 05:08:53 AM
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Perhaps.
12/01/2010 05:26:38 AM
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Given the people who have read the Kushiel books, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
12/01/2010 05:58:33 AM
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You're not.
12/01/2010 02:16:09 PM
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Her next series sounds interesting
12/01/2010 02:20:17 PM
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It does, but the reviews I've seen aren't too enthusiastic.
12/01/2010 02:29:26 PM
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Yes, but how so?
12/01/2010 02:39:59 PM
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Well...
13/01/2010 07:03:08 PM
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Honestly...
13/01/2010 07:51:14 PM
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Absolutely.
14/01/2010 12:55:00 PM
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Re: Absolutely.
14/01/2010 01:57:47 PM
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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
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I'm staying far, far away from Seneca.
15/01/2010 02:01:49 PM
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Ah, yes. The Apocolocyntosis. Possibly the least amusing humor ever penned. I hate Seneca. *NM*
16/01/2010 02:14:32 AM
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I really don't think it would.
12/01/2010 07:49:32 AM
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I have tried before.
12/01/2010 01:59:24 PM
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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
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I'm quite enjoying it.
09/01/2010 10:40:30 PM
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A kid's book of adventure doesn't translate into a good book club discussion.
10/01/2010 01:21:11 AM
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I have to agree
11/01/2010 12:36:55 AM
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How did you find deeper meaning (pun intended) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? *NM*
11/01/2010 02:17:55 AM
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