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
- 1461 Views
Hey, now (copy/paste)
09/01/2010 07:48:56 PM
- 1007 Views
People should think about these things before recommending books.
09/01/2010 08:13:10 PM
- 1033 Views
Which is why I voted for Bulgakov's M & M.
09/01/2010 10:56:00 PM
- 1096 Views
I disagree slightly
09/01/2010 09:07:12 PM
- 904 Views
Well, by that standard a Jackie Collins novel is worthy of debate.
10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
- 959 Views
I think you misunderstand my intent
10/01/2010 01:10:57 AM
- 1012 Views
Oh, I almost forgot
10/01/2010 01:11:50 AM
- 946 Views
Ooh...I'd love to hear them!!! What did Eco say to trash Dumas? *NM*
10/01/2010 01:19:43 AM
- 357 Views
Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
10/01/2010 01:39:28 AM
- 1017 Views
I love it. Strangely enough, though, he wrote an introduction to the book.
10/01/2010 01:54:24 AM
- 880 Views
Not really strange as Eco has long been fascinated by this book
11/01/2010 05:01:56 PM
- 913 Views
Did he mention it in his book on ugliness?
11/01/2010 05:12:55 PM
- 796 Views
Re: Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
11/01/2010 03:49:15 PM
- 1000 Views
That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
11/01/2010 05:12:25 PM
- 829 Views
Re: That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
11/01/2010 06:22:24 PM
- 1100 Views
I agree that abridging it would not work well.
12/01/2010 04:06:26 PM
- 972 Views
I think there are plenty of things that can be discussed.
09/01/2010 10:00:06 PM
- 1158 Views
Discussed and put to rest in 5 minutes or less, perhaps.
10/01/2010 01:17:02 AM
- 1015 Views
Depends on who you are, one would imagine.
10/01/2010 08:16:11 AM
- 1077 Views
<pretentious>Well, why should we cater to the lowest common denominator?
11/01/2010 02:17:03 AM
- 977 Views
I'd laugh...
11/01/2010 07:21:38 PM
- 756 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
- 1067 Views
It's frustrating though...
12/01/2010 04:18:37 AM
- 1033 Views
I think if you posted that (or something like it) people would reply to it.
12/01/2010 05:08:53 AM
- 1033 Views
Perhaps.
12/01/2010 05:26:38 AM
- 753 Views
Given the people who have read the Kushiel books, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
12/01/2010 05:58:33 AM
- 813 Views
You're not.
12/01/2010 02:16:09 PM
- 882 Views
Her next series sounds interesting
12/01/2010 02:20:17 PM
- 749 Views
It does, but the reviews I've seen aren't too enthusiastic.
12/01/2010 02:29:26 PM
- 789 Views
Yes, but how so?
12/01/2010 02:39:59 PM
- 885 Views
Well...
13/01/2010 07:03:08 PM
- 954 Views
Honestly...
13/01/2010 07:51:14 PM
- 931 Views
Absolutely.
14/01/2010 12:55:00 PM
- 1076 Views
Re: Absolutely.
14/01/2010 01:57:47 PM
- 904 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
- 884 Views
I'm staying far, far away from Seneca.
15/01/2010 02:01:49 PM
- 1130 Views
Ah, yes. The Apocolocyntosis. Possibly the least amusing humor ever penned. I hate Seneca. *NM*
16/01/2010 02:14:32 AM
- 334 Views
I really don't think it would.
12/01/2010 07:49:32 AM
- 943 Views
I have tried before.
12/01/2010 01:59:24 PM
- 856 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
- 1031 Views
I'm quite enjoying it.
09/01/2010 10:40:30 PM
- 908 Views
A kid's book of adventure doesn't translate into a good book club discussion.
10/01/2010 01:21:11 AM
- 828 Views
I have to agree
11/01/2010 12:36:55 AM
- 967 Views
How did you find deeper meaning (pun intended) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? *NM*
11/01/2010 02:17:55 AM
- 365 Views