I will respond to the other people who posted here, but I think we agree on what an interesting "book discussion" would or would not entail.
Master and Margarita is wonderful. I've read it three times and would happily do so again. Every time I read it I notice a new aspect that I hadn't focused on. The first time I was obsessed with it as part of Bulgakov's ongoing dialogue with Stalin, and how Pontius Pilate was equated with Stalin using the concept of the Ukrainian vertep theatre, where everything in Moscow has an analogue in Ershalaim. The second time I focused on the ideas of punishment - who was punished, how and why, and the commentary on the Terror that I saw in the book (I had sort of noticed it the first time but didn't try to track it). The third time I focused more on the relationship concepts, the idea of betrayal (which is very strong) and the comic aspects.
Master and Margarita is wonderful. I've read it three times and would happily do so again. Every time I read it I notice a new aspect that I hadn't focused on. The first time I was obsessed with it as part of Bulgakov's ongoing dialogue with Stalin, and how Pontius Pilate was equated with Stalin using the concept of the Ukrainian vertep theatre, where everything in Moscow has an analogue in Ershalaim. The second time I focused on the ideas of punishment - who was punished, how and why, and the commentary on the Terror that I saw in the book (I had sort of noticed it the first time but didn't try to track it). The third time I focused more on the relationship concepts, the idea of betrayal (which is very strong) and the comic aspects.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
The Count of Monte Cristo was a terrible choice for a book discussion.
- 09/01/2010 07:41:01 PM
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Hey, now (copy/paste)
- 09/01/2010 07:48:56 PM
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People should think about these things before recommending books.
- 09/01/2010 08:13:10 PM
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Which is why I voted for Bulgakov's M & M.
- 09/01/2010 10:56:00 PM
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Agreed. Madame Bovary is serious literature.
- 10/01/2010 01:02:34 AM
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I disagree slightly
- 09/01/2010 09:07:12 PM
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Well, by that standard a Jackie Collins novel is worthy of debate. 
- 10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
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- 10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
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Oh, I almost forgot
- 10/01/2010 01:11:50 AM
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Ooh...I'd love to hear them!!! What did Eco say to trash Dumas? *NM*
- 10/01/2010 01:19:43 AM
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Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
- 10/01/2010 01:39:28 AM
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I love it. Strangely enough, though, he wrote an introduction to the book.
- 10/01/2010 01:54:24 AM
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Not really strange as Eco has long been fascinated by this book
- 11/01/2010 05:01:56 PM
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Did he mention it in his book on ugliness?
- 11/01/2010 05:12:55 PM
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Re: Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
- 11/01/2010 03:49:15 PM
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That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
- 11/01/2010 05:12:25 PM
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Re: That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
- 11/01/2010 06:22:24 PM
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I agree that abridging it would not work well.
- 12/01/2010 04:06:26 PM
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I think there are plenty of things that can be discussed.
- 09/01/2010 10:00:06 PM
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Discussed and put to rest in 5 minutes or less, perhaps.
- 10/01/2010 01:17:02 AM
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Depends on who you are, one would imagine.
- 10/01/2010 08:16:11 AM
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<pretentious>Well, why should we cater to the lowest common denominator?
- 11/01/2010 02:17:03 AM
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I'd laugh...
- 11/01/2010 07:21:38 PM
862 Views
I don't get that. Well, of course I do from Tom, but let's put him aside for this discussion.
- 12/01/2010 03:35:21 AM
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It's frustrating though...
- 12/01/2010 04:18:37 AM
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I think if you posted that (or something like it) people would reply to it.
- 12/01/2010 05:08:53 AM
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Perhaps.
- 12/01/2010 05:26:38 AM
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Given the people who have read the Kushiel books, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
- 12/01/2010 05:58:33 AM
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You're not.
- 12/01/2010 02:16:09 PM
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Her next series sounds interesting
- 12/01/2010 02:20:17 PM
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It does, but the reviews I've seen aren't too enthusiastic.
- 12/01/2010 02:29:26 PM
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Yes, but how so?
- 12/01/2010 02:39:59 PM
993 Views
Well...
- 13/01/2010 07:03:08 PM
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Honestly...
- 13/01/2010 07:51:14 PM
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Absolutely.
- 14/01/2010 12:55:00 PM
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Re: Absolutely.
- 14/01/2010 01:57:47 PM
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In short, not a good name for a daughter. At least not one with an interest in Classics.
- 15/01/2010 05:32:35 AM
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I'm staying far, far away from Seneca.
- 15/01/2010 02:01:49 PM
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Ah, yes. The Apocolocyntosis. Possibly the least amusing humor ever penned. I hate Seneca. *NM*
- 16/01/2010 02:14:32 AM
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I really don't think it would.
- 12/01/2010 07:49:32 AM
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I have tried before.
- 12/01/2010 01:59:24 PM
958 Views
If it is well-written and defends the value of the book, I don't see why you shouldn't post it.
- 12/01/2010 05:12:58 PM
1134 Views
True, true.
I'm quite enjoying it.
- 09/01/2010 10:40:30 PM
1013 Views
A kid's book of adventure doesn't translate into a good book club discussion.
- 10/01/2010 01:21:11 AM
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I have to agree
- 11/01/2010 12:36:55 AM
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How did you find deeper meaning (pun intended) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? *NM*
- 11/01/2010 02:17:55 AM
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