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
- 1505 Views
Hey, now (copy/paste)
09/01/2010 07:48:56 PM
- 1053 Views
People should think about these things before recommending books.
09/01/2010 08:13:10 PM
- 1073 Views
Which is why I voted for Bulgakov's M & M.
09/01/2010 10:56:00 PM
- 1142 Views
Agreed. Madame Bovary is serious literature.
10/01/2010 01:02:34 AM
- 1003 Views
I disagree slightly
09/01/2010 09:07:12 PM
- 946 Views
Well, by that standard a Jackie Collins novel is worthy of debate.
10/01/2010 01:08:04 AM
- 1001 Views
Oh, I almost forgot
10/01/2010 01:11:50 AM
- 995 Views
Ooh...I'd love to hear them!!! What did Eco say to trash Dumas? *NM*
10/01/2010 01:19:43 AM
- 376 Views
Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
10/01/2010 01:39:28 AM
- 1062 Views
I love it. Strangely enough, though, he wrote an introduction to the book.
10/01/2010 01:54:24 AM
- 922 Views
Not really strange as Eco has long been fascinated by this book
11/01/2010 05:01:56 PM
- 951 Views
Did he mention it in his book on ugliness?
11/01/2010 05:12:55 PM
- 838 Views
Re: Here's the French translation from Eco's work on supermen
11/01/2010 03:49:15 PM
- 1046 Views
That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
11/01/2010 05:12:25 PM
- 871 Views
Re: That's fascinating. Of course, I disagree with Eco's praise.
11/01/2010 06:22:24 PM
- 1143 Views
I agree that abridging it would not work well.
12/01/2010 04:06:26 PM
- 1023 Views
I think there are plenty of things that can be discussed.
09/01/2010 10:00:06 PM
- 1201 Views
Discussed and put to rest in 5 minutes or less, perhaps.
10/01/2010 01:17:02 AM
- 1064 Views
Depends on who you are, one would imagine.
10/01/2010 08:16:11 AM
- 1118 Views
<pretentious>Well, why should we cater to the lowest common denominator?
11/01/2010 02:17:03 AM
- 1020 Views
I'd laugh...
11/01/2010 07:21:38 PM
- 798 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
- 1113 Views
It's frustrating though...
12/01/2010 04:18:37 AM
- 1073 Views
I think if you posted that (or something like it) people would reply to it.
12/01/2010 05:08:53 AM
- 1078 Views
Perhaps.
12/01/2010 05:26:38 AM
- 796 Views
Given the people who have read the Kushiel books, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised.
12/01/2010 05:58:33 AM
- 857 Views
You're not.
12/01/2010 02:16:09 PM
- 921 Views
Her next series sounds interesting
12/01/2010 02:20:17 PM
- 789 Views
It does, but the reviews I've seen aren't too enthusiastic.
12/01/2010 02:29:26 PM
- 831 Views
Yes, but how so?
12/01/2010 02:39:59 PM
- 930 Views
Well...
13/01/2010 07:03:08 PM
- 995 Views
Honestly...
13/01/2010 07:51:14 PM
- 972 Views
Absolutely.
14/01/2010 12:55:00 PM
- 1115 Views
Re: Absolutely.
14/01/2010 01:57:47 PM
- 945 Views
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
- 922 Views
I'm staying far, far away from Seneca.
15/01/2010 02:01:49 PM
- 1174 Views
Ah, yes. The Apocolocyntosis. Possibly the least amusing humor ever penned. I hate Seneca. *NM*
16/01/2010 02:14:32 AM
- 353 Views
I really don't think it would.
12/01/2010 07:49:32 AM
- 990 Views
I have tried before.
12/01/2010 01:59:24 PM
- 897 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
- 1070 Views
I'm quite enjoying it.
09/01/2010 10:40:30 PM
- 952 Views
A kid's book of adventure doesn't translate into a good book club discussion.
10/01/2010 01:21:11 AM
- 873 Views
I have to agree
11/01/2010 12:36:55 AM
- 1014 Views
How did you find deeper meaning (pun intended) in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? *NM*
11/01/2010 02:17:55 AM
- 382 Views