What Are You Reading

[Harp]

There are passages in that book that I think about regularly - fantastic read - enjoy.

I read Simon Leys' chapter on Hugo in The Hall of Uselessness the other day on the train-then The Hunchback
appeared as if by magic at the office; so faster than you could say "Esmerelda", I snatched it.

 

[Fading Fast]

I read Simon Leys' chapter on Hugo in The Hall of Uselessness the other day on the train-then The Hunchback
appeared as if by magic at the office; so faster than you could say "Esmerelda", I snatched it.

This won't be giving anything away if you are not familiar with the story (and might make you smile when you get to the passage), but my girlfriend and I will shout "sanctuary" periodically when a situation comes up where someone needs protection from dark forces, etc. It's all tongue and cheek fun, but does speak to the power of the Hugo as a writer that he basically imprinted that scene on us as a template.

 

[Harp]

... but does speak to the power of the Hugo as a writer that he basically imprinted that scene on us as a template.

Baudelaire, Proust, Malraux, and Gide would all concur. :coffee:

 

[DNO]

I've seen the movie several times, but never read the book. How does it compare to the movie (assuming you've seen the movie)?

Like you, I had never read the book either. I didn't even know I had it!

The book describes a number of incidents that were featured in the film, which makes sense considering that the book was the basis of the movie. Typically, there is much more detail in the book. It interesting to read how they went about obtaining and forging the various documents that were needed and the manner in which they coerced and manipulated the guards and 'ferrets'. Brickhill, himself, was a participant in the escape. He was apparently in charge of the 'stooges' who guarded the forgers. Like most of the participants, however, the escape was discovered before he had a chance to go through the tunnel. In typical English fashion he does not mention his own role at all.

 

[1mach1]

The Killing Joke

 

[Harp]

Sophie's World, Jostein Gaarder

 

[Harp]

The Abbess of Andalusia; Flannery O'Connor's Spiritual Journey, Lorraine V. Murray

 

[dh66]

The Abbess of Andalusia; Flannery O'Connor's Spiritual Journey, Lorraine V. Murray

I need to look into this. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jamespowers]

The Killing Joke

View attachment 21342

Nice one!

 

[Harp]

I need to look into this.

Within Southern Gothic literature lies a challenge to grasp the elusive and severe truths that haunt rational perspective,
and, in the case of Flannery O'Connor to accept the realm of conscience with its callousness; beneath which are hid the mystery
and the terror and beauty of supernatural grace. Poe comes to mind when considering O'Connor; whose poetry focused upon
the human heart as did her prose and delved the depths of the soul. She remains largely misunderstood within secular academe
and those lost souls caught inside the maze of inner doubt.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

"An Unfinished Life..." By Robert Dallek. Gripping bio on JFK.

 

[Historyteach24]

Reading the rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

 

[scottyrocks]

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

 

[hatguy1]

They Called Him Stonewall: A Life of Lt. General T.J. Jackson, C.S.A.
Book by Burke Davis

 

[cw3pa]

Rereading "Wolfshead" a collection of short stories by Robert E. Howard. First read this when I was in high school. Written during the mid-20s early 30s. The cover art alone is worth the 60 cent admission.

 

[Fading Fast]

"The Chaperone" by Laura Moriaty. It's historical fiction based on a trip pre-fame silent-film star Louise Brooks took to New York with a chaperone from her home town of Kansas. So far so good - decent page turner and some good historical facts woven in about the times.

Also, just started an old Robert Harris book "Fatherland" that explores an alternate history if Hitler had negotiated a peace with the U.S. and U.K. to end WWII. The novel is set in 1964 and, so far, is a good page turner. I only picked this up because I enjoyed Harris' "An Officer and a Spy" which is a historical fiction account of the Dreyfus Affair.

 

[Harp]

Narcissus and Goldmund by Hesse

 

[Fading Fast]

Narcissus and Goldmund by Hesse

Starting the year with some light stuff I see.

 

[rocketeer]

Richard Jeffries. The Gamekeeper at Home + The Amateur Poacher

A look at country life in England during the Victorian era.
Brilliant

 

[Harp]

Starting the year with some light stuff I see.

I am not a Hesse fan and thought I was finished with him after Siddhartha, but the paperback cover is salacious as hell.