While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus.
The Shrike Send a noteboard - 27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM
That's "focusing on the response" rather than addressing the worthlessness of the novel.
I have been addressing the novel quite a bit. It is only being replied to with "no, it is shit". I am growing tired of it, and I would certainly not be encouraged to join in the discussion if I did not feel I had to.
And it warms my heart to think that comments like "potentially damaging to the continuation of the club", are scaring away people.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Book Club now open!
- 25/01/2010 10:54:37 PM
2789 Views
Les characters.
- 25/01/2010 10:56:23 PM
1663 Views
Why does the book have enduring appeal?
- 25/01/2010 10:57:37 PM
1622 Views
Or rather, does this book share any traits in common with pornography?
- 25/01/2010 11:14:01 PM
1753 Views
I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:04 AM
1675 Views
Re: I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 11:12:19 AM
1708 Views
In that case, the "release" is quite unsatisfying.
- 27/01/2010 01:42:28 PM
1837 Views
Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 02:06:58 PM
1709 Views
He would not have known the book would be ruined by water. He thought he was being buried.
- 27/01/2010 02:15:02 PM
1606 Views
Oh, and your point on revenge - that's just reading too much into the text.
- 27/01/2010 02:16:05 PM
1550 Views
There is no such thing
- 27/01/2010 02:18:46 PM
1609 Views
I fundamentally disagree with your post-modern take on the novel.
- 27/01/2010 02:25:25 PM
1662 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 03:40:36 PM
1613 Views
Maybe it's of the same importance as the Lost Symbol.
- 27/01/2010 03:44:55 PM
1671 Views
I think one important question to ask is...
- 26/01/2010 12:00:17 AM
1706 Views
I like it, but it is purely on the adventure story level, and I've read the unabridged version.
- 26/01/2010 12:03:01 AM
1520 Views
I'm fairly certain I read the unabridged version. It was 1500 pages. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 02:36:10 AM
860 Views
I have read the abridged version a couple of times. I am reading the unabridged version this time.
- 26/01/2010 03:25:50 AM
1668 Views
I have read both
- 27/01/2010 01:37:00 AM
1720 Views
I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general.
- 27/01/2010 01:44:46 AM
1702 Views
Re: I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general.
- 27/01/2010 01:48:11 AM
1653 Views
Re: I got here too late, so I offer Umberto Eco's thoughts on the matter:
- 22/02/2010 06:59:13 PM
1830 Views
The book was very childish.
- 26/01/2010 03:05:01 AM
1786 Views
Granted, The Master and Margarita is also very much a fantasy book. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 03:07:45 AM
881 Views
No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 03:10:08 AM
1697 Views
You know, this is a problem.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:14 AM
1694 Views
Thank God, I've never even heard of "Skol". Popov, yes, but Skol?
- 26/01/2010 03:49:08 AM
1669 Views
I've not tried it, but every time I go into liquor stores, it sits on the bottom shelf.
- 26/01/2010 03:57:03 AM
1564 Views
There's really nothing I can say to this that Greg didn't just say above.
- 26/01/2010 06:32:02 AM
1756 Views
Re: No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 10:57:19 AM
1630 Views
Having Camilla concur with me on literary matters is very encouraging. 
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1679 Views
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1679 Views
I do not agree with your complete dismissal of The Count of Monte Cristo, though
- 26/01/2010 04:58:58 PM
1673 Views
You make some rather odd claims here, Tom
- 27/01/2010 12:43:41 AM
1709 Views
My claims are far from odd. In fact, they're quite common.
- 27/01/2010 01:57:41 AM
1673 Views
In some circles; in others, they're rather antiquated nowadays
- 27/01/2010 02:21:03 AM
1627 Views
If you were trying to write literature, wouldn't the label sting for you?
- 27/01/2010 01:25:14 PM
1634 Views
I think it's easier to think of stories fitting into genre(s) than to think the same of authors
- 27/01/2010 02:40:29 PM
1725 Views
Allow me to clarify: I'm talking about authors' reactions to their books being so labelled.
- 27/01/2010 03:08:47 PM
1764 Views
But yet their reactions vary widely
- 27/01/2010 11:33:25 PM
1634 Views
My fundamental premise is that genre has the most utility when applied to derivative fiction.
- 28/01/2010 09:39:17 PM
1630 Views
And yet that term is mostly used as a non-loaded term that doesn't attempt to ascribe quality levels
- 29/01/2010 02:49:20 AM
1551 Views
I like my definition of science fiction better than the one you quoted.
- 29/01/2010 05:16:36 AM
1605 Views
I think estrangement is a key element, though
- 30/01/2010 11:00:19 PM
1632 Views
I don't think estrangement is a necessary element.
- 30/01/2010 11:47:07 PM
1749 Views
I mean it as a literary effect, that of creating a distance between text and reader
- 31/01/2010 12:03:34 AM
1591 Views
Even if that's the meaning, I still disagree.
- 03/02/2010 12:49:58 AM
1568 Views
Depends on how you view SF, I suppose
- 03/02/2010 04:20:56 AM
1414 Views
I thought that was what we were mulling over
- 03/02/2010 04:38:35 AM
1591 Views
Your unscientific anecdotal evidence sounds very odd to me.
- 28/01/2010 12:15:10 AM
1642 Views
It might. I'm not purporting to speak for all of humanity (at least on this point). 
- 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM
1708 Views
- 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM
1708 Views
approve of this message.
So, what you're saying is that watching the 2002 movie was sufficient? Good! *NM*
- 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
848 Views
*NM*
- 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
848 Views
I'm not through it quite yet, but I do have a question
- 26/01/2010 12:24:14 PM
1601 Views
Wait...you VOTED for this book?
- 26/01/2010 01:41:00 PM
1645 Views
I honestly can't remember.
- 26/01/2010 01:55:39 PM
1585 Views
Doctor Zhivago is one of the best novels ever written.
- 26/01/2010 02:12:35 PM
1639 Views
Right, so now we all know that if we'd just listen to me more often, the world would be better.
- 26/01/2010 02:20:56 PM
1600 Views
The problem was that the suggestions were generally not that good.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:50 PM
1666 Views
You really are ignornant of what A.S. Byatt writes, aren't you?
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1653 Views
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1653 Views
Oh, I fucking hate epistolary novels. Thank you for warning me.
- 27/01/2010 02:00:34 AM
1551 Views
It's funny because I think it's a question of taste level.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:08 PM
1719 Views
Curious George is a tale of many layers, as told by Werner Herzog
- 26/01/2010 02:34:27 PM
1782 Views
On what basis?
- 26/01/2010 02:51:40 PM
1699 Views
It's a children's book. Get over it. Democracy failed.
- 26/01/2010 02:55:03 PM
1721 Views
Usually does, when those who know better keep silent.
- 26/01/2010 02:57:54 PM
1614 Views
Regarding comfort zones
- 26/01/2010 05:08:50 PM
1697 Views
Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 05:40:08 PM
1749 Views
Re: Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 09:10:47 PM
1681 Views
If that's your goal, Camilla, you failed.
- 27/01/2010 01:35:52 PM
1766 Views
Possibly
- 27/01/2010 01:38:39 PM
1606 Views
I have not been ranting and raving. I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
- 27/01/2010 01:45:05 PM
1631 Views
Re: I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
- 27/01/2010 01:53:28 PM
1615 Views
I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:26:12 PM
1772 Views
Don't you get it? We bring this place down.
- 27/01/2010 02:42:32 PM
1601 Views
Heh heh heh. Pink cardigan-wearing suburban cul-de-sac. I like it. *NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
821 Views
*NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
821 Views
Re: I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:43:11 PM
1617 Views
While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus.
- 27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM
1612 Views
why is it a bonus?
- 27/01/2010 02:52:58 PM
1579 Views
I said see above. You should have before the thought police, Rebekah, started to delete.
- 27/01/2010 02:59:07 PM
1856 Views
Well, you wouldn't grow tired of us calling a novel shit if you chose a novel that wasn't shit.
- 27/01/2010 03:11:57 PM
1581 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones
- 27/01/2010 11:57:03 AM
1710 Views
So. I really liked it.
- 26/01/2010 08:57:02 AM
1781 Views
Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:04:23 PM
1607 Views
Re: Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:49:03 PM
1674 Views
We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:14:21 AM
1746 Views
Re: We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:37:04 AM
1771 Views
If you do that, I'm posting on the deeper meaning of Dan Brown.
- 27/01/2010 01:46:35 PM
1730 Views
Feel free to.
- 27/01/2010 01:51:23 PM
1704 Views
Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:28:56 PM
1612 Views
Re: Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:45:41 PM
1700 Views
I'm not setting up a straw man. I'm challenging your touchy-feely approach.
- 27/01/2010 03:15:00 PM
1536 Views
My touchy-feely approach?
- 27/01/2010 05:09:04 PM
1609 Views
Yes...using passing references in the text to justify a deeper analysis.
- 27/01/2010 05:16:10 PM
1619 Views
Doesn't touchy-feely mean that it is steeped in or based on emotion?
- 27/01/2010 06:40:31 PM
1607 Views
I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 07:01:08 PM
1572 Views
Re: I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 08:29:32 PM
1662 Views
See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 08:57:18 PM
1709 Views
Re: See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 09:09:47 PM
1617 Views
Er. Whose position are you arguing - mine or yours?
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1514 Views
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1514 Views
Mine. Which is more complicated than a simple rejection. That is what I am saying.
- 01/02/2010 12:53:58 PM
1539 Views
Do it. I'd read that.
- 27/01/2010 01:55:23 PM
1759 Views
All righty, that's enough of that. For Tom, Greg, and... no, pretty much just you two.
- 27/01/2010 04:33:00 PM
1673 Views
I call bullshit. I have been conducting the debate in a measured fashion.
- 27/01/2010 04:50:35 PM
1631 Views
And ANOTHER THING
- 27/01/2010 05:05:17 PM
1535 Views
Not everyone has finished reading it yet *NM*
- 27/01/2010 05:12:10 PM
915 Views
Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing.
- 27/01/2010 05:17:51 PM
1696 Views
Re: Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing.
- 27/01/2010 06:41:11 PM
1646 Views
We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 07:30:49 PM
1590 Views
In the interest of discussing Dumas' intentions...
- 27/01/2010 08:03:24 PM
1748 Views
Re: We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 08:30:19 PM
1719 Views
The text doesn't warrant "close attention" any more than Dan Brown's works do.
- 27/01/2010 09:10:45 PM
1595 Views
Also, do you think a good book would have generated this level of discussion? Of course not.
- 27/01/2010 05:21:45 PM
1632 Views
What discussion?
- 27/01/2010 06:42:32 PM
1644 Views
I said that we couldn't discuss the book on its own terms.
- 27/01/2010 07:35:32 PM
1726 Views
Which I still think we can.
- 27/01/2010 08:35:35 PM
1593 Views
Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:06:59 PM
1694 Views
Re: Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:12:22 PM
1633 Views
I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 27/01/2010 10:40:36 PM
1620 Views
Re: I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 01/02/2010 12:56:03 PM
1560 Views
Deary me.
- 27/01/2010 05:19:58 PM
1839 Views
By "respect" do you mean that you want me to drop my debates?
- 27/01/2010 05:24:03 PM
1603 Views
Not at all.
- 27/01/2010 05:35:34 PM
1739 Views
I'm sorry as well - if I had any kind of willpower, it wouldn't have gotten that far.
- 27/01/2010 06:29:43 PM
1667 Views
On the nature of the "Book Club"
- 28/01/2010 09:23:23 PM
1501 Views
Any chance of seeing some shorter suggestions?
- 28/01/2010 10:20:59 PM
1754 Views
Yes, shorter would be good.
- 28/01/2010 10:23:28 PM
1573 Views
Well, you should have known better!
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1598 Views
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1598 Views
All I can say is The Master and Margarita better be one by March. WE WAS ROBBED. *NM*
- 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM
810 Views
*NM*
- 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM
810 Views
Well I'm late to the party
- 29/01/2010 06:21:18 AM
1580 Views
No, you're early
- 01/02/2010 01:26:10 PM
1466 Views
I still have yet to see that discussion, Camilla. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 12:46:24 AM
873 Views
Interesting way of dismissing what has already been discussed about the book
- 03/02/2010 04:22:26 AM
1722 Views
Nah, there's been discussion, here and there inbetween the fighting. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
811 Views
*NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
811 Views
An interesting quote from the book - does it jibe with your experience?
- 29/01/2010 11:23:54 PM
1590 Views