Each year, aside from all the other books I'm reading ( four at present) I like to choose a book to reread which represents a bit of a literary tussock - one of those 'Books to Read Before You Shuffle Off This Mortal Coil'. For instance, and I swear this to be true, my Everyman editions of Proust's 'Á La Recherche du Temps Perdu' are well thumbed! That was quite a year and one in which I didn't get much else done. (Note the literary snobbery I allow myself by not using the imprecise translation, 'Remembrance of Things Past'. Purveyors of petty literary snobbery are not a pretty sight, don't you think? Please read the 'The Times Literary Supplement' for further evidence.)
Another year I forced myself to reread 'Jude the Obscure' by Thomas Hardy. Bar Mr Hardy's poetry, he & I do not make for happy company. Scholarly study means that we are overly acquainted. When my library shelves are finally installed, I shall allot a space in D rather than H for Mr Hardy; the D stands for 'Dismal Old Goat'.
This year, inspired by the BBC's exquisite version of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford' which was broadcast before Christmas, I've settled upon another book which unveils a canvas of life in a C19th small town & have picked up George Elliot's novel, 'Middlemarch' again. Pleasure awaits, but given my ditzy brain, I'm wondering how many vast tracts I will have forgotten by the time I reach the page entitled 'The End'.
Who he? Rufus Sewell as Will Ladislaw.
(May I put in a good word for Mrs Gaskell? She's a superb writer & often overlooked, thanks in part to her biography about Charlotte & championship of the Brontë sisters. It's my belief that if you like the Venerable Jane (Austen), you will savour Mrs G's volumes with relish!)
Another year I forced myself to reread 'Jude the Obscure' by Thomas Hardy. Bar Mr Hardy's poetry, he & I do not make for happy company. Scholarly study means that we are overly acquainted. When my library shelves are finally installed, I shall allot a space in D rather than H for Mr Hardy; the D stands for 'Dismal Old Goat'.
This year, inspired by the BBC's exquisite version of Elizabeth Gaskell's 'Cranford' which was broadcast before Christmas, I've settled upon another book which unveils a canvas of life in a C19th small town & have picked up George Elliot's novel, 'Middlemarch' again. Pleasure awaits, but given my ditzy brain, I'm wondering how many vast tracts I will have forgotten by the time I reach the page entitled 'The End'.
Who he? Rufus Sewell as Will Ladislaw.
(May I put in a good word for Mrs Gaskell? She's a superb writer & often overlooked, thanks in part to her biography about Charlotte & championship of the Brontë sisters. It's my belief that if you like the Venerable Jane (Austen), you will savour Mrs G's volumes with relish!)
.jpg)
8 comments:
you are wonderful! xox me!
Jennie, if I had your imagination we would be identical! I too thought Amelie the sweetest and most memorable film I've seen for yonks, and Cranford was absolutely compulsive viewing for one who rarely remembers to switch on the set and has only just learnt how to work it properly (I've only been here 18 months after all!) It was superb in every detail. My friend read a book throughout the whole thing, which I found rather sad. I'm afraid you leave me very far behind though with your reading. Mine fills the days but is very mundane. I spent an awful lot of time looking at all those sites listed on your postcard competition. Hugely inspiring! cj
Rock CHICk™ - you're wonderful too!
Jennifer xox
Seejay, it's so wonderful to see you here :-)
Ladies & gentlemen, may I introduce you to Seejay who is our enchanting neighbour. She & her family have brought such magic into our lives - quite literally! One day, Seejay's daughter made the most beautiful bird rise up from the floor & dance towards Lula. We were so mesmerised by this fabulous creature & the way it moved that we forgot it was a marionette. The memory of this day has remained so vivid & is one of the reasons why Lula would like to live next door!
(I'm so sorry for misspelling your name all this time - it's so beautiful!)
Fabulous!! I too love reading - especially the classics which my son Jamie (another readaholic) claims in exasperation "Boring Boring Boring"!!! I argue many times with him but alas with todays fiction of computers and monsters I cannot persuade him to have a look at past writers.
IMy favourite has to be Jane Austin which I had to read for my English O level (many a moon ago).
Keep the blogs coming - I do so enjoy them all!
Love and many best wishes
Bev xxxx
Thank you very much Bev - you have warmed the cockles of my heart :-)
Jennifer xox
My, he's a handsome devil isn't he :)
oh yes, errr, your post, where was I. I am a terrible reader, takes FOREVER for me to get around to reading a book, to get into it. Not sure why, because once I get into it I LOVE it. Last semester my son took short stories (classics) course and I really enjoyed reading the stories and talking about them with him.
I could happily waste a lot of time with Rufus :-) He has a voice that's low & seductive - perfect for reading short stories out loud.
So...Rufus & maybe a little F.Scott Fitzgerald? I think I'm getting close to my idea of heaven :-)
Jennifer xox
Post a Comment