Originally posted by Richard Tarleton
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What are you reading now?
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Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View PostFor creepy - Our Mutual Friend
For comedy - Pickwick Papers
But. of you haven't read Middlemarch yet, I'd pause Dickens amnd treat yourself to that, instead. (In fact, for realistic portraits of women - rather than the simpering saints, doddering old dears, and hard-faced harridens that spoil Dickens' works, I'd put Eliot and Gaskell as a priority among the Victorian novelists.)
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Originally posted by Bella Kemp View PostYes! Stop everything and read Middlemarch. It is not only a novel of many deep and involving stories, but also touches on the pressing social issues of the day such as the Reform Bill and the coming of the railways - such things help give us perspective on our present situation. George Eliot's prose can sometimes be tricky to navigate and sometimes you may have to accept a compromise between what she meant and what you can actually understand, but press on and the reward will be great.
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Originally posted by Bella Kemp View PostYes! Stop everything and read Middlemarch. It is not only a novel of many deep and involving stories, but also touches on the pressing social issues of the day such as the Reform Bill and the coming of the railways - such things help give us perspective on our present situation. George Eliot's prose can sometimes be tricky to navigate and sometimes you may have to accept a compromise between what she meant and what you can actually understand, but press on and the reward will be great.
If I am allowed but one novel when they cart me off to the home for the permanently bewildered (many years from now) it will be Middlemarch.[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]
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Originally posted by johncorrigan View PostThere was a great bit in Neil MacGregor's recent series on BBC Radio 4 on how others see us. The first programme was about Singapore and very interesting it was. In it there was a very enthusiastic Singaporean woman who talked about the two greatest writers in the English language - Richmal Crompton and George Eliot - she said she didn't read Crompton nowadays, but Eliot was the most wonderful and she still read 'Middlemarch' occasionally. It's the nearest anyone got to persuading me to read it, I have to say...maybe one day! Probably more likely to go and read some more William if I think about it!
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I agree that 'Middlemarch' is the great Victorian novel and will be re-reading it once I have finished 'Our Mutual Friend'. Some way lower down the slopes of Parnassus is 'Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour'. I have to confess a fondness for Surtees' world, which Kipling described as 'Dickens and horse-dung.'Barbatus sed non barbarus
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Originally posted by vinteuil View Post... yes, I think I prefer Trollope (and early Thackeray) to Dickens.
If asked for Dickens recommendations I wd go along with Our Mutual Friend, Bleak House, Dombey and Son, Little Dorrit. His journalism is well worth reading.
I remember thinking, after my two readings of Bleak House over the years, that it is possibly the greatest of all.
This year however marks my arrival in the world of Trollope. Utter joy.
I’d read The Warden when a youth and not ‘got’ it... But then listened earlier this year on 4extra to the wonderful dramatisation of the final Barset novel with Maggie Steed magnificent as Mrs Baxter (nla, alas - hope others for the series appear in the schedules in due course).
It made me think: I have to read this stuff.... and I’ve revelled in the first two books of the series so far this year. Perfection.
Originally posted by Alain Maréchal View PostI am now reading Les Rougon-Macquart in order. I've reached L'œuvre so don't stop me now!
I read three when living in France in the early ‘80s and loved them - indeed Le docteur Pascal is one of the few books (possibly the only book) I’ve turned back to page 1 immediately on finishing, to read again.
Having used eBay, alibris etc. to find all the series in the same attractive late 70s/early 80s “Livre de Poche” edition, I’m gradually making my way through (although Mr Trollope has currently barred the way somewhat).
.... And Middlemarch... One of my oldest friends (and an occasional contributor here) gave me a lovely edition of it as a retirement present. Haven’t got round to it yet but I will (especially after reading this thread).
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Originally posted by un barbu View Post'Dickens and horse-dung.'
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]
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Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View PostUseful for Rose Maylie in Oliver Twist - or, indeed
https://www.styleroses.co.uk/buy-pla...kens-bush-roseBarbatus sed non barbarus
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Hunter Davies - 'Happy Old Me - How to Live Long and Really, Really Enjoy It'
A joy to read!Last edited by Stanfordian; 19-09-19, 11:47.
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Originally posted by Bella Kemp View PostAnd Juliet Stevenson has recorded Middlemarch.
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Originally posted by un barbu View PostThey are a joy. I was given 'Ulysses' read by John Lee for my 70th this year and it is a great delight.
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Originally posted by Maclintick View PostThey are indeed a joy.
I’m also a fan of Michael Jayston reading the unabridged Le Carré novels. (He of course played Peter Guillam in the BBC dramatisations, and he definitely yet subtly channels Alec Guinness when reading Smiley’s lines...)"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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