But, it looks like it wasn't much fun anyway. For what its worth, I did enjoy this book. No time for discussion though; I need to go shopping for a pink cardigan 
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Book Club now open!
- 25/01/2010 10:54:37 PM
2668 Views
Les characters.
- 25/01/2010 10:56:23 PM
1546 Views
Why does the book have enduring appeal?
- 25/01/2010 10:57:37 PM
1514 Views
Or rather, does this book share any traits in common with pornography?
- 25/01/2010 11:14:01 PM
1649 Views
I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:04 AM
1580 Views
Re: I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
- 26/01/2010 11:12:19 AM
1613 Views
In that case, the "release" is quite unsatisfying.
- 27/01/2010 01:42:28 PM
1714 Views
Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 02:06:58 PM
1616 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
1511 Views
Oh, and your point on revenge - that's just reading too much into the text.
- 27/01/2010 02:16:05 PM
1449 Views
There is no such thing
- 27/01/2010 02:18:46 PM
1491 Views
I fundamentally disagree with your post-modern take on the novel.
- 27/01/2010 02:25:25 PM
1545 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
- 27/01/2010 03:40:36 PM
1500 Views
Maybe it's of the same importance as the Lost Symbol.
- 27/01/2010 03:44:55 PM
1548 Views
I think one important question to ask is...
- 26/01/2010 12:00:17 AM
1597 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
1434 Views
I'm fairly certain I read the unabridged version. It was 1500 pages. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 02:36:10 AM
809 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
1555 Views
I have read both
- 27/01/2010 01:37:00 AM
1620 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
1614 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
1546 Views
Re: I got here too late, so I offer Umberto Eco's thoughts on the matter:
- 22/02/2010 06:59:13 PM
1716 Views
The book was very childish.
- 26/01/2010 03:05:01 AM
1662 Views
Granted, The Master and Margarita is also very much a fantasy book. *NM*
- 26/01/2010 03:07:45 AM
829 Views
No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 03:10:08 AM
1608 Views
You know, this is a problem.
- 26/01/2010 03:43:14 AM
1582 Views
Thank God, I've never even heard of "Skol". Popov, yes, but Skol?
- 26/01/2010 03:49:08 AM
1562 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
1469 Views
There's really nothing I can say to this that Greg didn't just say above.
- 26/01/2010 06:32:02 AM
1650 Views
Re: No, it really isn't.
- 26/01/2010 10:57:19 AM
1524 Views
Having Camilla concur with me on literary matters is very encouraging.
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1556 Views
- 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
1556 Views
I do not agree with your complete dismissal of The Count of Monte Cristo, though
- 26/01/2010 04:58:58 PM
1540 Views
You make some rather odd claims here, Tom
- 27/01/2010 12:43:41 AM
1612 Views
My claims are far from odd. In fact, they're quite common.
- 27/01/2010 01:57:41 AM
1568 Views
In some circles; in others, they're rather antiquated nowadays
- 27/01/2010 02:21:03 AM
1513 Views
If you were trying to write literature, wouldn't the label sting for you?
- 27/01/2010 01:25:14 PM
1555 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
1620 Views
Allow me to clarify: I'm talking about authors' reactions to their books being so labelled.
- 27/01/2010 03:08:47 PM
1666 Views
But yet their reactions vary widely
- 27/01/2010 11:33:25 PM
1548 Views
My fundamental premise is that genre has the most utility when applied to derivative fiction.
- 28/01/2010 09:39:17 PM
1526 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
1450 Views
I like my definition of science fiction better than the one you quoted.
- 29/01/2010 05:16:36 AM
1506 Views
I think estrangement is a key element, though
- 30/01/2010 11:00:19 PM
1527 Views
I don't think estrangement is a necessary element.
- 30/01/2010 11:47:07 PM
1665 Views
I mean it as a literary effect, that of creating a distance between text and reader
- 31/01/2010 12:03:34 AM
1497 Views
Even if that's the meaning, I still disagree.
- 03/02/2010 12:49:58 AM
1479 Views
Depends on how you view SF, I suppose
- 03/02/2010 04:20:56 AM
1324 Views
I thought that was what we were mulling over
- 03/02/2010 04:38:35 AM
1484 Views
Your unscientific anecdotal evidence sounds very odd to me.
- 28/01/2010 12:15:10 AM
1541 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
1611 Views
- 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM
1611 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
792 Views
*NM*
- 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
792 Views
I'm not through it quite yet, but I do have a question
- 26/01/2010 12:24:14 PM
1490 Views
Wait...you VOTED for this book?
- 26/01/2010 01:41:00 PM
1538 Views
I honestly can't remember.
- 26/01/2010 01:55:39 PM
1496 Views
Doctor Zhivago is one of the best novels ever written.
- 26/01/2010 02:12:35 PM
1531 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
1519 Views
The problem was that the suggestions were generally not that good.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:50 PM
1569 Views
You really are ignornant of what A.S. Byatt writes, aren't you?
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1556 Views
- 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
1556 Views
Oh, I fucking hate epistolary novels. Thank you for warning me.
- 27/01/2010 02:00:34 AM
1446 Views
It's funny because I think it's a question of taste level.
- 26/01/2010 02:32:08 PM
1595 Views
Curious George is a tale of many layers, as told by Werner Herzog
- 26/01/2010 02:34:27 PM
1664 Views
On what basis?
- 26/01/2010 02:51:40 PM
1614 Views
It's a children's book. Get over it. Democracy failed.
- 26/01/2010 02:55:03 PM
1611 Views
Usually does, when those who know better keep silent.
- 26/01/2010 02:57:54 PM
1497 Views
Regarding comfort zones
- 26/01/2010 05:08:50 PM
1598 Views
Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 05:40:08 PM
1648 Views
Re: Camilla, let's be honest here...
- 26/01/2010 09:10:47 PM
1584 Views
If that's your goal, Camilla, you failed.
- 27/01/2010 01:35:52 PM
1661 Views
Possibly
- 27/01/2010 01:38:39 PM
1508 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
1535 Views
Re: I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
- 27/01/2010 01:53:28 PM
1524 Views
I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:26:12 PM
1654 Views
Don't you get it? We bring this place down.
- 27/01/2010 02:42:32 PM
1486 Views
Heh heh heh. Pink cardigan-wearing suburban cul-de-sac. I like it. *NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
780 Views
*NM*
- 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
780 Views
Re: I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
- 27/01/2010 02:43:11 PM
1502 Views
While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus.
- 27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM
1507 Views
why is it a bonus?
- 27/01/2010 02:52:58 PM
1479 Views
I said see above. You should have before the thought police, Rebekah, started to delete.
- 27/01/2010 02:59:07 PM
1752 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
1495 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones
- 27/01/2010 11:57:03 AM
1588 Views
So. I really liked it.
- 26/01/2010 08:57:02 AM
1664 Views
Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:04:23 PM
1509 Views
Re: Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
- 26/01/2010 11:49:03 PM
1568 Views
We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:14:21 AM
1650 Views
Re: We were talking about this last night.
- 27/01/2010 11:37:04 AM
1650 Views
If you do that, I'm posting on the deeper meaning of Dan Brown.
- 27/01/2010 01:46:35 PM
1629 Views
Feel free to.
- 27/01/2010 01:51:23 PM
1596 Views
Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:28:56 PM
1523 Views
Re: Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
- 27/01/2010 02:45:41 PM
1584 Views
I'm not setting up a straw man. I'm challenging your touchy-feely approach.
- 27/01/2010 03:15:00 PM
1458 Views
My touchy-feely approach?
- 27/01/2010 05:09:04 PM
1513 Views
Yes...using passing references in the text to justify a deeper analysis.
- 27/01/2010 05:16:10 PM
1514 Views
Doesn't touchy-feely mean that it is steeped in or based on emotion?
- 27/01/2010 06:40:31 PM
1508 Views
I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 07:01:08 PM
1466 Views
Re: I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
- 27/01/2010 08:29:32 PM
1557 Views
See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 08:57:18 PM
1608 Views
Re: See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
- 27/01/2010 09:09:47 PM
1525 Views
Er. Whose position are you arguing - mine or yours?
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1410 Views
- 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
1410 Views
Mine. Which is more complicated than a simple rejection. That is what I am saying.
- 01/02/2010 12:53:58 PM
1413 Views
Do it. I'd read that.
- 27/01/2010 01:55:23 PM
1658 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
1562 Views
I call bullshit. I have been conducting the debate in a measured fashion.
- 27/01/2010 04:50:35 PM
1528 Views
And ANOTHER THING
- 27/01/2010 05:05:17 PM
1430 Views
Not everyone has finished reading it yet *NM*
- 27/01/2010 05:12:10 PM
859 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
1592 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
1553 Views
We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 07:30:49 PM
1481 Views
In the interest of discussing Dumas' intentions...
- 27/01/2010 08:03:24 PM
1641 Views
Re: We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
- 27/01/2010 08:30:19 PM
1613 Views
The text doesn't warrant "close attention" any more than Dan Brown's works do.
- 27/01/2010 09:10:45 PM
1481 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
1512 Views
What discussion?
- 27/01/2010 06:42:32 PM
1545 Views
I said that we couldn't discuss the book on its own terms.
- 27/01/2010 07:35:32 PM
1624 Views
Which I still think we can.
- 27/01/2010 08:35:35 PM
1502 Views
Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:06:59 PM
1594 Views
Re: Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
- 27/01/2010 09:12:22 PM
1542 Views
I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 27/01/2010 10:40:36 PM
1523 Views
Re: I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
- 01/02/2010 12:56:03 PM
1447 Views
Deary me.
- 27/01/2010 05:19:58 PM
1737 Views
By "respect" do you mean that you want me to drop my debates?
- 27/01/2010 05:24:03 PM
1497 Views
Not at all.
- 27/01/2010 05:35:34 PM
1630 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
1556 Views
On the nature of the "Book Club"
- 28/01/2010 09:23:23 PM
1401 Views
Any chance of seeing some shorter suggestions?
- 28/01/2010 10:20:59 PM
1658 Views
Yes, shorter would be good.
- 28/01/2010 10:23:28 PM
1454 Views
Well, you should have known better!
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1506 Views
- 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
1506 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
755 Views
*NM*
- 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM
755 Views
Well I'm late to the party
- 29/01/2010 06:21:18 AM
1484 Views
No, you're early
- 01/02/2010 01:26:10 PM
1356 Views
I still have yet to see that discussion, Camilla. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 12:46:24 AM
815 Views
Interesting way of dismissing what has already been discussed about the book
- 03/02/2010 04:22:26 AM
1607 Views
Nah, there's been discussion, here and there inbetween the fighting. *NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
764 Views
*NM*
- 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
764 Views
An interesting quote from the book - does it jibe with your experience?
- 29/01/2010 11:23:54 PM
1502 Views