Hi, this is Gary.
I guess I'll be the first to comment. Well, well, well.... Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm at a loss for words.
First of all, I can't figure out why this would be Kacie's or anyone's favorite book. It's very complex and a little dry. Kacie also liked two great masterpieces, Atlas Shrugged and Great Expectations, so I really don't see the appeal here but maybe things will improve when we get into the other chapters.
There are two interesting characters here that obviously are very intelligent in most aspects of life but have a real problem relating to women. The flow of the story seems to be a little predictable. Obviously, they will see the error of their ways and smarten up or die of heartbreak. I'm guessing there will be a happy ending and they will change their ways.
Bellows is obviously a bright guy and obviously I am not so for me to really understand what's going on I would have to constantly consult a dictionary and encyclopedia.
I'll have a lot more to say I'm sure after reading the next two chapters but for now I'd like to hear what the rest of you have to say. Everybody likes a good love story but this seems a little strange and depressing. How about if we read Great Expectations next?
Please post this weekend.
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Hello, sorry for not keeping up with everyone lately, we just moved out of our trailers and into tents for the last couple of weeks that we are here.
I am with Gary on the first two chapters. I was really confused and not really sure where the writer was going. Actually, this was with a lot of Kacie's favorites, I didn't understand them. I did like some of the descriptive writing but with a lot of the book, I had to consult dictionary.com to understand what he was talking about.
The firt chapter of the book
was difficult for me to follow but the second chapter seemed easier to read and understand. Kacie always told us about Saul Bellow, but ive never read any of his books. Im hoping the rest of the book will keep getting better. The story seems predictible but it might suprise you. I wonder how she became so interested in this author and how she was introduced to his writings?? Sorry i never asked her.
Hi Jeff, good hearing from you.
Yes it is a little bit of a difficult read. The surprising thing is .... is the book was written in 1987. The style it is written in reminds me of a much older book. There are parts of the book that have made me chuckle a little bit. I don't know how Kacie found out about Saul Bellow. Perhaps she just liked the title of the book and then after she read this one she read others of his. I think Kacie liked this book because of its very involved vocabulary. Kacie always liked finding new words. I always went to Kacie to edit my college papers or grad school applications. She was like a human thesaurus. I also think that this book has a bit of dark humor that Kacie enjoyed. Although sometimes it dragged out and most people would not find it funny, the few that had that sense of humor did. Lets discuss more next weekend. It has been a long time since I read Great Expectations. I think I read it in middle school. Would love to revisit that book next.
Looking ahead, maybe the next book should be Atlas Shrugged. This book is so incredibly written and powerful that you won't be able to put it down. This book will not only entertain you, but it will change your life. It has great relevance for what's happening in the world today. I encouraged Kacie to read it because I knew that she would love it as everyone has. There are actually Ayn Rand clubs around the world that meet on a regular basis to discuss this book.
Charles Dickens' masterpiece, Great Expectations, is probably the best written book that I've ever read and I also encouraged Kacie to read it. My guess is that all of you have already read it at one time or another so would it be a good idea read something new like Atlas Shrugged? You won't be displeased and will be captivated by Ayn Rand.
I would love to read Atlas Shrugged next instead of Great expectations. cant wait.
Attention fellow book club members-
I've read about half of chapter 3 and it's starting to become interesting. Hang in there. Kacie liked this book for some reason that we're about to discover.
sorry I haven't been here too much...i don't have as good an excuse as Jeff though...one of the people I work with was fired recently, and I've been picking up some of the slack....not nearly as good as living in a tent!
I am in total agreement about the first two chapters. I found myself having to read them in little bursts because I would get bored very quickly. Despite that though, there are some lines that I come across that I just think are beautifully written. Such as:
[talking about love] "The question then is: So why does everybody persist? If love cuts them up so much, and you see the ravages everywhere, why not be sensible and sign off early?"
"because of immortal longings," I said. "Ot just hoping for a lucky break."
I've been a terrible book club member too, it always takes me too long to get into books, but I will catch up soon. The first couple of chapters are so much description its hard to keep reading without a plot, Im sure it will get better.
I may have an answer as to how Kacie found the book.
We used to spend hours at a time wandering around Barnes and Noble when we were bored. Erin, Kacie, and I would frequently sit in the fiction section and pick out books with good titles or cover artwork. I have a feeling that this title in particular stood out to her, once she read this one she probably picked up more by Bellow.
I dont know it for a fact, but its a good guess.
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