As American Tragedy is over 800 pages long, I wouldn't put it as a starter. The Intuitionist looks to be the shortest of the selections, and Amazon describes it as "genre-bending," which might be the type of thing to start out with since we can talk about what genres it bends, and from there, eventually read classics in said genres. Also, someone said they were dying to read it.
Question: Will hiding in a cavern with stockpiled chocolate goods be any part of this plan?
Xander ,'Get It Done'
The Buffista Book Club: the Harry Potter iteration
This thread is a focused discussion group. Please see the first post below for the current topic and upcoming book discussions. While natter will inevitably happen, we encourage you to treat this like a virtual book club and try to keep your posts in that spirit.
By consensus, this thread is reopened specifically to discuss Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It will be closed again once that discussion has run its course.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Polter-Cow - Jul 15, 2004 9:37:11 am PDT #235 of 3301
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Amy - Jul 15, 2004 9:37:35 am PDT #236 of 3301
Because books.
Ooh, I'd love to start with The Intuitionist, because it sounds like it has a lot of great stuff to chew on, and it's come so highly recommended by a few people I know. But if others want to start with a classic, I'd love to read An American Tragedy because I've only ever read Sister Carrie.
So there's my two cents.
Ack! If An American Tragedy is really that long, I'll vote no, simply because, for me, between writing deadlines and baby and two other kids, there's no possible way I'll finish it by August 15.
Typo Boy - Jul 15, 2004 9:39:38 am PDT #237 of 3301
Calli: My people have a saying. A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.Avon: Life expectancy among your people must be extremely short.
Waugh' s Loved One is a great starter too. Minor classic. And funny. Major snark, major character dysfunction. And short. IJS. Widely available.
DavidS - Jul 15, 2004 9:40:28 am PDT #238 of 3301
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Ooh, I'd love to start with The Intuitionist, because it sounds like it has a lot of great stuff to chew on, and it's come so highly recommended by a few people I know.
Me too. I'm less excited about Dreiser since that was a high school assigned novel, and I'm spoiled for it having seen the movie.
-t - Jul 15, 2004 9:49:47 am PDT #239 of 3301
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration
The bad news is the following books may have to be disqualified since they weren't available in the Montgomery COunty Public Library System (which is a pretty good indication that they're not readily available):
Rides of the Midway by Lee Durkey
Jaran by Kate Elliot
And there was only 1 copy of Available Light by Ellen Currie in my entire library system which probably means it's hard to get as well
Rides of the Midway and Available Light are both available through my public library. Jaran is not.
(ETA: Neither is House of Sleep )
Daisy Jane - Jul 15, 2004 9:59:40 am PDT #240 of 3301
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
Intuitionist sounds good to me. The Dreiser sounds interesting, but yeah 800+ pages might be a little ambitious for our first time out.
brenda m - Jul 15, 2004 10:19:33 am PDT #241 of 3301
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there
Intuitionist sounds like a good jumping off point to me.
Lilty Cash - Jul 15, 2004 10:26:32 am PDT #242 of 3301
"You see? THAT's what they want. Love, and a bit with a dog."
I would agree. I know nothing about it and haven't read it! I like it.
JenP - Jul 15, 2004 10:27:47 am PDT #243 of 3301
Intuitionist gaining momentum ...
(I was able to find all four in my library system)
Daisy Jane - Jul 15, 2004 10:28:00 am PDT #244 of 3301
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
Heh. I hate to be snotty, but from one of the only bad reader reviews
(2 stars) This is by far one of the boringest books I have ever read. I was laborious to read. THe reading does not flow well it jumps illogically in various parts. You don't really care for the characters or what happens to them you just want to put this book down. Also, I think it was poorly written.
Price at Amazon is as low as $1 used! Good Choice!