But, in the interest of providing a starting point, I think the way we went has worked out just fine.
In all the many different approaches we took at wotmania, everything eventually returned to that 10% participation level. That was the truly frustrating thing, especially as those people who participated would just as likely have read a better or more interesting selection rather than the mass voted on one.
Even after all this time, I believe that the Book Club is inherently a good idea. That's the reason that we persist in this. (Probably goes back to that definition of insanity)
In all the many different approaches we took at wotmania, everything eventually returned to that 10% participation level. That was the truly frustrating thing, especially as those people who participated would just as likely have read a better or more interesting selection rather than the mass voted on one.
Even after all this time, I believe that the Book Club is inherently a good idea. That's the reason that we persist in this. (Probably goes back to that definition of insanity)
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Book Club now open!
25/01/2010 10:54:37 PM
- 2383 Views
Les characters.
25/01/2010 10:56:23 PM
- 1247 Views
Why does the book have enduring appeal?
25/01/2010 10:57:37 PM
- 1226 Views
Or rather, does this book share any traits in common with pornography?
25/01/2010 11:14:01 PM
- 1332 Views
I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
26/01/2010 03:43:04 AM
- 1256 Views
Re: I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak.
26/01/2010 11:12:19 AM
- 1320 Views
In that case, the "release" is quite unsatisfying.
27/01/2010 01:42:28 PM
- 1415 Views
Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
27/01/2010 02:06:58 PM
- 1303 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
- 1207 Views
Oh, and your point on revenge - that's just reading too much into the text.
27/01/2010 02:16:05 PM
- 1139 Views
There is no such thing
27/01/2010 02:18:46 PM
- 1191 Views
I fundamentally disagree with your post-modern take on the novel.
27/01/2010 02:25:25 PM
- 1242 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting
27/01/2010 03:40:36 PM
- 1184 Views
Maybe it's of the same importance as the Lost Symbol.
27/01/2010 03:44:55 PM
- 1245 Views
I think one important question to ask is...
26/01/2010 12:00:17 AM
- 1289 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
- 1157 Views
I'm fairly certain I read the unabridged version. It was 1500 pages. *NM*
26/01/2010 02:36:10 AM
- 659 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
- 1236 Views
I have read both
27/01/2010 01:37:00 AM
- 1317 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
- 1296 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
- 1235 Views
Re: I got here too late, so I offer Umberto Eco's thoughts on the matter:
22/02/2010 06:59:13 PM
- 1414 Views
The book was very childish.
26/01/2010 03:05:01 AM
- 1353 Views
Granted, The Master and Margarita is also very much a fantasy book. *NM*
26/01/2010 03:07:45 AM
- 651 Views
No, it really isn't.
26/01/2010 03:10:08 AM
- 1300 Views
You know, this is a problem.
26/01/2010 03:43:14 AM
- 1283 Views
Thank God, I've never even heard of "Skol". Popov, yes, but Skol?
26/01/2010 03:49:08 AM
- 1279 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
- 1182 Views
There's really nothing I can say to this that Greg didn't just say above.
26/01/2010 06:32:02 AM
- 1345 Views
Re: No, it really isn't.
26/01/2010 10:57:19 AM
- 1198 Views
Having Camilla concur with me on literary matters is very encouraging.
26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM
- 1276 Views
I do not agree with your complete dismissal of The Count of Monte Cristo, though
26/01/2010 04:58:58 PM
- 1222 Views
You make some rather odd claims here, Tom
27/01/2010 12:43:41 AM
- 1298 Views
My claims are far from odd. In fact, they're quite common.
27/01/2010 01:57:41 AM
- 1262 Views
In some circles; in others, they're rather antiquated nowadays
27/01/2010 02:21:03 AM
- 1196 Views
If you were trying to write literature, wouldn't the label sting for you?
27/01/2010 01:25:14 PM
- 1255 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
- 1322 Views
Allow me to clarify: I'm talking about authors' reactions to their books being so labelled.
27/01/2010 03:08:47 PM
- 1360 Views
But yet their reactions vary widely
27/01/2010 11:33:25 PM
- 1238 Views
My fundamental premise is that genre has the most utility when applied to derivative fiction.
28/01/2010 09:39:17 PM
- 1224 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
- 1132 Views
I like my definition of science fiction better than the one you quoted.
29/01/2010 05:16:36 AM
- 1198 Views
I think estrangement is a key element, though
30/01/2010 11:00:19 PM
- 1178 Views
I don't think estrangement is a necessary element.
30/01/2010 11:47:07 PM
- 1376 Views
I mean it as a literary effect, that of creating a distance between text and reader
31/01/2010 12:03:34 AM
- 1173 Views
Even if that's the meaning, I still disagree.
03/02/2010 12:49:58 AM
- 1177 Views
Depends on how you view SF, I suppose
03/02/2010 04:20:56 AM
- 1048 Views
I thought that was what we were mulling over
03/02/2010 04:38:35 AM
- 1169 Views
Your unscientific anecdotal evidence sounds very odd to me.
28/01/2010 12:15:10 AM
- 1247 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
- 1292 Views
So, what you're saying is that watching the 2002 movie was sufficient? Good! *NM*
26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM
- 617 Views
I'm not through it quite yet, but I do have a question
26/01/2010 12:24:14 PM
- 1184 Views
Wait...you VOTED for this book?
26/01/2010 01:41:00 PM
- 1250 Views
I honestly can't remember.
26/01/2010 01:55:39 PM
- 1203 Views
Doctor Zhivago is one of the best novels ever written.
26/01/2010 02:12:35 PM
- 1219 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
- 1233 Views
The problem was that the suggestions were generally not that good.
26/01/2010 02:32:50 PM
- 1274 Views
You really are ignornant of what A.S. Byatt writes, aren't you?
27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM
- 1236 Views
Oh, I fucking hate epistolary novels. Thank you for warning me.
27/01/2010 02:00:34 AM
- 1145 Views
It's funny because I think it's a question of taste level.
26/01/2010 02:32:08 PM
- 1333 Views
Curious George is a tale of many layers, as told by Werner Herzog
26/01/2010 02:34:27 PM
- 1350 Views
On what basis?
26/01/2010 02:51:40 PM
- 1287 Views
It's a children's book. Get over it. Democracy failed.
26/01/2010 02:55:03 PM
- 1281 Views
Usually does, when those who know better keep silent.
26/01/2010 02:57:54 PM
- 1197 Views
Regarding comfort zones
26/01/2010 05:08:50 PM
- 1317 Views
Camilla, let's be honest here...
26/01/2010 05:40:08 PM
- 1297 Views
Re: Camilla, let's be honest here...
26/01/2010 09:10:47 PM
- 1293 Views
If that's your goal, Camilla, you failed.
27/01/2010 01:35:52 PM
- 1358 Views
Possibly
27/01/2010 01:38:39 PM
- 1221 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
- 1228 Views
Re: I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification.
27/01/2010 01:53:28 PM
- 1211 Views
I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
27/01/2010 02:26:12 PM
- 1348 Views
Don't you get it? We bring this place down.
27/01/2010 02:42:32 PM
- 1192 Views
Heh heh heh. Pink cardigan-wearing suburban cul-de-sac. I like it. *NM*
27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM
- 613 Views
Re: I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg.
27/01/2010 02:43:11 PM
- 1208 Views
While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus.
27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM
- 1206 Views
why is it a bonus?
27/01/2010 02:52:58 PM
- 1172 Views
I said see above. You should have before the thought police, Rebekah, started to delete.
27/01/2010 02:59:07 PM
- 1447 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
- 1202 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones
27/01/2010 11:57:03 AM
- 1264 Views
So. I really liked it.
26/01/2010 08:57:02 AM
- 1333 Views
Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
26/01/2010 11:04:23 PM
- 1220 Views
Re: Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand.
26/01/2010 11:49:03 PM
- 1253 Views
We were talking about this last night.
27/01/2010 11:14:21 AM
- 1344 Views
Re: We were talking about this last night.
27/01/2010 11:37:04 AM
- 1332 Views
If you do that, I'm posting on the deeper meaning of Dan Brown.
27/01/2010 01:46:35 PM
- 1316 Views
Feel free to.
27/01/2010 01:51:23 PM
- 1277 Views
Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
27/01/2010 02:28:56 PM
- 1246 Views
Re: Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit.
27/01/2010 02:45:41 PM
- 1263 Views
I'm not setting up a straw man. I'm challenging your touchy-feely approach.
27/01/2010 03:15:00 PM
- 1156 Views
My touchy-feely approach?
27/01/2010 05:09:04 PM
- 1172 Views
Yes...using passing references in the text to justify a deeper analysis.
27/01/2010 05:16:10 PM
- 1226 Views
Doesn't touchy-feely mean that it is steeped in or based on emotion?
27/01/2010 06:40:31 PM
- 1186 Views
I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
27/01/2010 07:01:08 PM
- 1199 Views
Re: I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here.
27/01/2010 08:29:32 PM
- 1256 Views
See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
27/01/2010 08:57:18 PM
- 1303 Views
Re: See my reply to Tom for clarification, then.
27/01/2010 09:09:47 PM
- 1213 Views
Er. Whose position are you arguing - mine or yours?
27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM
- 1093 Views
Mine. Which is more complicated than a simple rejection. That is what I am saying.
01/02/2010 12:53:58 PM
- 1074 Views
Do it. I'd read that.
27/01/2010 01:55:23 PM
- 1335 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
- 1261 Views
I call bullshit. I have been conducting the debate in a measured fashion.
27/01/2010 04:50:35 PM
- 1223 Views
And ANOTHER THING
27/01/2010 05:05:17 PM
- 1134 Views
Not everyone has finished reading it yet *NM*
27/01/2010 05:12:10 PM
- 681 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
- 1285 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
- 1242 Views
We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
27/01/2010 07:30:49 PM
- 1168 Views
In the interest of discussing Dumas' intentions...
27/01/2010 08:03:24 PM
- 1331 Views
Re: We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults.
27/01/2010 08:30:19 PM
- 1300 Views
The text doesn't warrant "close attention" any more than Dan Brown's works do.
27/01/2010 09:10:45 PM
- 1175 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
- 1212 Views
What discussion?
27/01/2010 06:42:32 PM
- 1243 Views
I said that we couldn't discuss the book on its own terms.
27/01/2010 07:35:32 PM
- 1322 Views
Which I still think we can.
27/01/2010 08:35:35 PM
- 1201 Views
Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
27/01/2010 09:06:59 PM
- 1312 Views
Re: Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all.
27/01/2010 09:12:22 PM
- 1262 Views
I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
27/01/2010 10:40:36 PM
- 1228 Views
Re: I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on.
01/02/2010 12:56:03 PM
- 1137 Views
Deary me.
27/01/2010 05:19:58 PM
- 1414 Views
By "respect" do you mean that you want me to drop my debates?
27/01/2010 05:24:03 PM
- 1165 Views
Not at all.
27/01/2010 05:35:34 PM
- 1358 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
- 1248 Views
On the nature of the "Book Club"
28/01/2010 09:23:23 PM
- 1080 Views
Any chance of seeing some shorter suggestions?
28/01/2010 10:20:59 PM
- 1304 Views
Yes, shorter would be good.
28/01/2010 10:23:28 PM
- 1157 Views
Well, you should have known better!
29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM
- 1200 Views
I do.
29/01/2010 08:31:30 PM
- 1189 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
- 584 Views
Well I'm late to the party
29/01/2010 06:21:18 AM
- 1137 Views
No, you're early
01/02/2010 01:26:10 PM
- 1038 Views
I still have yet to see that discussion, Camilla. *NM*
03/02/2010 12:46:24 AM
- 643 Views
Interesting way of dismissing what has already been discussed about the book
03/02/2010 04:22:26 AM
- 1304 Views
Nah, there's been discussion, here and there inbetween the fighting. *NM*
03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM
- 586 Views
An interesting quote from the book - does it jibe with your experience?
29/01/2010 11:23:54 PM
- 1223 Views