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Talk to me Ghavrel. Tashmere Send a noteboard - 30/01/2010 12:09:24 AM
The Master and Margarita has only dropped into my radar in the last month or so.

I am afraid to read the reviews in case there are spoilers. What I want to know is your opinion of it and how you think I will react to it. If it is relentlessly dark, depressing and violent then it probably isn't something that would be good for me to read. On the other hand when I said something about that to my husband he reminded me that I liked George RR Martin and Erickson. The difference there is there are honorable characters, comic relief and multiple points of view revealing various possibilities and motives of the characters. Those books are not what I would call relentlessly dark and depressing.

Can you give me your spoiler free review of the book?

Thanks!

:)
Tash
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The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas - Book Club now open! Rebekah - 25/01/2010 10:54:37 PM 2446 Views
Le plot. Rebekah - 25/01/2010 10:55:26 PM 1211 Views
Plot: demarcation, plan, complot... Camilla - 26/01/2010 11:48:19 PM 1343 Views
Les characters. Rebekah - 25/01/2010 10:56:23 PM 1299 Views
The good, the bad and the ugly. Camilla - 26/01/2010 10:54:38 AM 1318 Views
Hmm. snoopcester - 27/01/2010 03:58:31 PM 1237 Views
Re: Hmm. Camilla - 27/01/2010 04:59:12 PM 1306 Views
Re: Hmm. snoopcester - 28/01/2010 01:40:34 PM 1249 Views
Re: Hmm. Camilla - 01/02/2010 12:49:06 PM 1457 Views
Why does the book have enduring appeal? Rebekah - 25/01/2010 10:57:37 PM 1283 Views
Or rather, does this book share any traits in common with pornography? Larry - 25/01/2010 11:14:01 PM 1411 Views
I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak. Tom - 26/01/2010 03:43:04 AM 1318 Views
Re: I think the revenge plot is actually fairly weak. Camilla - 26/01/2010 11:12:19 AM 1368 Views
In that case, the "release" is quite unsatisfying. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:42:28 PM 1476 Views
Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:06:58 PM 1363 Views
He would not have known the book would be ruined by water. He thought he was being buried. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:15:02 PM 1266 Views
He would still have to swim, being on an island Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:37:26 PM 1440 Views
Oh, and your point on revenge - that's just reading too much into the text. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:16:05 PM 1196 Views
There is no such thing Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:18:46 PM 1250 Views
I fundamentally disagree with your post-modern take on the novel. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:25:25 PM 1301 Views
It isn't a postmodern take on it Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:41:32 PM 1270 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting snoopcester - 27/01/2010 03:40:36 PM 1244 Views
Maybe it's of the same importance as the Lost Symbol. Tom - 27/01/2010 03:44:55 PM 1309 Views
If I ddin't know better, I might think you a trifle petulant snoopcester - 27/01/2010 04:19:57 PM 1369 Views
I'm never petulant Tom - 27/01/2010 04:55:56 PM 1241 Views
Re: Which is precisely part of what makes the book interesting Camilla - 27/01/2010 04:47:37 PM 1340 Views
I think one important question to ask is... Legolas - 26/01/2010 12:00:17 AM 1353 Views
I like it, but it is purely on the adventure story level, and I've read the unabridged version. Rebekah - 26/01/2010 12:03:01 AM 1203 Views
I'm fairly certain I read the unabridged version. It was 1500 pages. *NM* Tom - 26/01/2010 02:36:10 AM 683 Views
I have read the abridged version a couple of times. I am reading the unabridged version this time. Tashmere - 26/01/2010 03:25:50 AM 1295 Views
the potentially removable part... Camilla - 26/01/2010 11:24:16 AM 1358 Views
I have read both Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:37:00 AM 1376 Views
I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general. Legolas - 27/01/2010 01:44:46 AM 1359 Views
Re: I actually didn't mean the people here on the site so much as readers in general. Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:48:11 AM 1298 Views
The abridged versus the unabridged Ryan - 28/01/2010 06:32:22 AM 1290 Views
Re: Why does the book have enduring appeal? Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:16:47 AM 1416 Views
Re: Why does the book have enduring appeal? Dar Valon - 30/01/2010 09:12:22 AM 1302 Views
Re: I got here too late, so I offer Umberto Eco's thoughts on the matter: Danae al'Thor - 22/02/2010 06:59:13 PM 1476 Views
I'm watching right back, Big Brother. *NM* The Shrike - 25/01/2010 11:44:30 PM 660 Views
*NM* Rebekah - 25/01/2010 11:45:27 PM 645 Views
The book was very childish. Tom - 26/01/2010 03:05:01 AM 1413 Views
Granted, The Master and Margarita is also very much a fantasy book. *NM* Ghavrel - 26/01/2010 03:07:45 AM 679 Views
No, it really isn't. Tom - 26/01/2010 03:10:08 AM 1362 Views
You know, this is a problem. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 03:43:14 AM 1334 Views
Thank God, I've never even heard of "Skol". Popov, yes, but Skol? Tom - 26/01/2010 03:49:08 AM 1339 Views
I've not tried it, but every time I go into liquor stores, it sits on the bottom shelf. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 03:57:03 AM 1236 Views
There's really nothing I can say to this that Greg didn't just say above. Ghavrel - 26/01/2010 06:32:02 AM 1401 Views
People tend to forget one thing about Tolkien Tom - 26/01/2010 01:36:06 PM 1329 Views
Re: No, it really isn't. Camilla - 26/01/2010 10:57:19 AM 1265 Views
Having Camilla concur with me on literary matters is very encouraging. Tom - 26/01/2010 01:37:23 PM 1335 Views
I do not agree with your complete dismissal of The Count of Monte Cristo, though Camilla - 26/01/2010 04:58:58 PM 1291 Views
I'll admit the only Lem I've read is Solaris... Legolas - 26/01/2010 01:52:02 PM 1351 Views
Read His Master's Voice Camilla - 26/01/2010 04:52:31 PM 1267 Views
You make some rather odd claims here, Tom Larry - 27/01/2010 12:43:41 AM 1353 Views
You place undue importance on academic degrees. Ghavrel - 27/01/2010 01:19:40 AM 1342 Views
You misread totally what I said, I see... Larry - 27/01/2010 01:52:59 AM 1269 Views
My claims are far from odd. In fact, they're quite common. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:57:41 AM 1323 Views
In some circles; in others, they're rather antiquated nowadays Larry - 27/01/2010 02:21:03 AM 1258 Views
If you were trying to write literature, wouldn't the label sting for you? Tom - 27/01/2010 01:25:14 PM 1313 Views
I think it's easier to think of stories fitting into genre(s) than to think the same of authors Larry - 27/01/2010 02:40:29 PM 1376 Views
Allow me to clarify: I'm talking about authors' reactions to their books being so labelled. Tom - 27/01/2010 03:08:47 PM 1419 Views
But yet their reactions vary widely Larry - 27/01/2010 11:33:25 PM 1295 Views
My fundamental premise is that genre has the most utility when applied to derivative fiction. Tom - 28/01/2010 09:39:17 PM 1286 Views
And yet that term is mostly used as a non-loaded term that doesn't attempt to ascribe quality levels Larry - 29/01/2010 02:49:20 AM 1196 Views
I like my definition of science fiction better than the one you quoted. Tom - 29/01/2010 05:16:36 AM 1255 Views
I think estrangement is a key element, though Larry - 30/01/2010 11:00:19 PM 1227 Views
I don't think estrangement is a necessary element. Tom - 30/01/2010 11:47:07 PM 1433 Views
I mean it as a literary effect, that of creating a distance between text and reader Larry - 31/01/2010 12:03:34 AM 1233 Views
Even if that's the meaning, I still disagree. Tom - 03/02/2010 12:49:58 AM 1230 Views
Depends on how you view SF, I suppose Larry - 03/02/2010 04:20:56 AM 1107 Views
I thought that was what we were mulling over Tom - 03/02/2010 04:38:35 AM 1228 Views
True Larry - 03/02/2010 05:11:19 AM 1163 Views
Nice tie-in! Tom - 03/02/2010 01:55:33 PM 1215 Views
Larry - 05/02/2010 06:06:23 AM 1300 Views
Your unscientific anecdotal evidence sounds very odd to me. Legolas - 28/01/2010 12:15:10 AM 1301 Views
It might. I'm not purporting to speak for all of humanity (at least on this point). Tom - 28/01/2010 09:43:40 PM 1352 Views
The approve of this message. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 03:34:49 AM 1334 Views
So, what you're saying is that watching the 2002 movie was sufficient? Good! *NM* everynametaken - 26/01/2010 06:34:53 AM 642 Views
I'm not through it quite yet, but I do have a question nossy - 26/01/2010 12:24:14 PM 1240 Views
Wait...you VOTED for this book? Tom - 26/01/2010 01:41:00 PM 1310 Views
I honestly can't remember. nossy - 26/01/2010 01:55:39 PM 1266 Views
Doctor Zhivago is one of the best novels ever written. Tom - 26/01/2010 02:12:35 PM 1277 Views
Right, so now we all know that if we'd just listen to me more often, the world would be better. nossy - 26/01/2010 02:20:56 PM 1283 Views
The problem was that the suggestions were generally not that good. Tom - 26/01/2010 02:32:50 PM 1330 Views
Possession is not "purely a romance novel". Legolas - 26/01/2010 02:57:17 PM 1448 Views
Which basically proves my entire point. nossy - 26/01/2010 03:00:20 PM 1322 Views
Which is purely a romance novel? Rebekah - 26/01/2010 02:59:38 PM 1326 Views
Fair enough, it might be a bit tricky to discuss. *NM* Legolas - 26/01/2010 03:04:58 PM 656 Views
In your opinion nossy - 26/01/2010 03:07:12 PM 1329 Views
Exactly why I avoid suggesting modern books Tom - 26/01/2010 03:10:09 PM 1312 Views
You really are ignornant of what A.S. Byatt writes, aren't you? Larry - 27/01/2010 12:51:00 AM 1299 Views
Oh, I fucking hate epistolary novels. Thank you for warning me. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:00:34 AM 1205 Views
Ha! Larry - 27/01/2010 02:22:00 AM 1257 Views
Perhaps I would like it. I still hate epistolary novels. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:26:43 PM 1291 Views
Indeed. *NM* Rebekah - 26/01/2010 02:01:22 PM 599 Views
It's funny because I think it's a question of taste level. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 02:32:08 PM 1388 Views
Curious George is a tale of many layers, as told by Werner Herzog Tom - 26/01/2010 02:34:27 PM 1409 Views
I don't care if this validates your opinion of me. Tashmere - 29/01/2010 11:06:18 PM 1192 Views
On what basis? nossy - 26/01/2010 02:51:40 PM 1343 Views
It's a children's book. Get over it. Democracy failed. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 02:55:03 PM 1347 Views
Usually does, when those who know better keep silent. nossy - 26/01/2010 02:57:54 PM 1250 Views
I didn't keep silent, though. The Shrike - 26/01/2010 04:46:48 PM 1332 Views
You're ignoring what we've been discussing. nossy - 27/01/2010 11:11:44 AM 1297 Views
Regarding comfort zones Camilla - 26/01/2010 05:08:50 PM 1368 Views
Camilla, let's be honest here... Tom - 26/01/2010 05:40:08 PM 1356 Views
Re: Camilla, let's be honest here... Camilla - 26/01/2010 09:10:47 PM 1351 Views
If that's your goal, Camilla, you failed. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:35:52 PM 1411 Views
Possibly Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:38:39 PM 1278 Views
I have not been ranting and raving. I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:45:05 PM 1279 Views
Re: I've been highly critical of the book, with much justification. Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:53:28 PM 1268 Views
I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:26:12 PM 1401 Views
Don't you get it? We bring this place down. The Shrike - 27/01/2010 02:42:32 PM 1252 Views
Heh heh heh. Pink cardigan-wearing suburban cul-de-sac. I like it. *NM* Tom - 27/01/2010 03:11:25 PM 643 Views
Re: I was wondering how long it would take for you to blame me and Greg. Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:43:11 PM 1265 Views
While that was not the intent, that is an added bonus. The Shrike - 27/01/2010 02:48:47 PM 1259 Views
why is it a bonus? Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:52:58 PM 1230 Views
I said see above. You should have before the thought police, Rebekah, started to delete. The Shrike - 27/01/2010 02:59:07 PM 1513 Views
I did Camilla - 27/01/2010 04:40:25 PM 1298 Views
Well, you wouldn't grow tired of us calling a novel shit if you chose a novel that wasn't shit. Tom - 27/01/2010 03:11:57 PM 1251 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones nossy - 27/01/2010 11:57:03 AM 1326 Views
Re: Regarding comfort zones Camilla - 27/01/2010 11:59:31 AM 1278 Views
Halfway nossy - 27/01/2010 12:07:14 PM 1273 Views
Re: Halfway Camilla - 27/01/2010 12:09:02 PM 1290 Views
Re: The book was very childish. Dar Valon - 30/01/2010 09:56:29 PM 1297 Views
I read it in French Larry - 30/01/2010 10:54:34 PM 1179 Views
So. I really liked it. Nebhead - 26/01/2010 08:57:02 AM 1394 Views
Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand. Rebekah - 26/01/2010 11:04:23 PM 1272 Views
Re: Yes, fearless leader, this is where I stand. Camilla - 26/01/2010 11:49:03 PM 1311 Views
We were talking about this last night. nossy - 27/01/2010 11:14:21 AM 1394 Views
Re: We were talking about this last night. Camilla - 27/01/2010 11:37:04 AM 1393 Views
If you do that, I'm posting on the deeper meaning of Dan Brown. Tom - 27/01/2010 01:46:35 PM 1368 Views
Feel free to. Camilla - 27/01/2010 01:51:23 PM 1339 Views
Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit. Tom - 27/01/2010 02:28:56 PM 1303 Views
Re: Your post-modern take on the novel is shit, shit, shit. Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:45:41 PM 1325 Views
I'm not setting up a straw man. I'm challenging your touchy-feely approach. Tom - 27/01/2010 03:15:00 PM 1208 Views
My touchy-feely approach? Camilla - 27/01/2010 05:09:04 PM 1229 Views
Yes...using passing references in the text to justify a deeper analysis. Tom - 27/01/2010 05:16:10 PM 1281 Views
Doesn't touchy-feely mean that it is steeped in or based on emotion? Camilla - 27/01/2010 06:40:31 PM 1251 Views
I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here. Legolas - 27/01/2010 07:01:08 PM 1258 Views
You summed up my reasons for using "touchy-feely" quite well. Tom - 27/01/2010 07:27:45 PM 1242 Views
Glad to hear it. Legolas - 27/01/2010 07:39:20 PM 1132 Views
Re: I think between the two of you I agree more with Tom here. Camilla - 27/01/2010 08:29:32 PM 1311 Views
See my reply to Tom for clarification, then. Legolas - 27/01/2010 08:57:18 PM 1354 Views
Re: See my reply to Tom for clarification, then. Camilla - 27/01/2010 09:09:47 PM 1271 Views
Well, so what will it be? Tom - 27/01/2010 09:14:53 PM 1227 Views
Er. Whose position are you arguing - mine or yours? Legolas - 27/01/2010 10:33:01 PM 1154 Views
Mine. Which is more complicated than a simple rejection. That is what I am saying. Camilla - 01/02/2010 12:53:58 PM 1130 Views
Do it. I'd read that. nossy - 27/01/2010 01:55:23 PM 1393 Views
Re: Do it. I'd read that. Camilla - 27/01/2010 02:10:04 PM 1292 Views
Right then. nossy - 27/01/2010 02:15:04 PM 1261 Views
All righty, that's enough of that. For Tom, Greg, and... no, pretty much just you two. Nebhead - 27/01/2010 04:33:00 PM 1324 Views
I call bullshit. I have been conducting the debate in a measured fashion. Tom - 27/01/2010 04:50:35 PM 1279 Views
And ANOTHER THING Tom - 27/01/2010 05:05:17 PM 1191 Views
Not everyone has finished reading it yet *NM* Camilla - 27/01/2010 05:12:10 PM 705 Views
Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing. Tom - 27/01/2010 05:17:51 PM 1340 Views
Re: Okay, so you'll get one or two stragglers in a week to a month. It changes nothing. Camilla - 27/01/2010 06:41:11 PM 1299 Views
We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults. Tom - 27/01/2010 07:30:49 PM 1222 Views
In the interest of discussing Dumas' intentions... Legolas - 27/01/2010 08:03:24 PM 1393 Views
It was mildly interesting. Tom - 27/01/2010 09:04:03 PM 1345 Views
I think you're misreading that... Legolas - 27/01/2010 10:18:11 PM 1361 Views
Re: We are discussing this book. We're discussing its faults. Camilla - 27/01/2010 08:30:19 PM 1363 Views
The text doesn't warrant "close attention" any more than Dan Brown's works do. Tom - 27/01/2010 09:10:45 PM 1230 Views
fine. *NM* Camilla - 27/01/2010 09:12:44 PM 642 Views
Also, do you think a good book would have generated this level of discussion? Of course not. Tom - 27/01/2010 05:21:45 PM 1267 Views
What discussion? Camilla - 27/01/2010 06:42:32 PM 1295 Views
I said that we couldn't discuss the book on its own terms. Tom - 27/01/2010 07:35:32 PM 1380 Views
Which I still think we can. Camilla - 27/01/2010 08:35:35 PM 1259 Views
Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all. Tom - 27/01/2010 09:06:59 PM 1369 Views
Re: Perhaps you shouldn't be breaking things down at all. Camilla - 27/01/2010 09:12:22 PM 1313 Views
You have yet to show any utility for breaking things down. Tom - 27/01/2010 09:19:29 PM 1378 Views
I haven't tried to show any "utility" for it. Camilla - 01/02/2010 01:06:35 PM 1223 Views
I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on. Legolas - 27/01/2010 10:40:36 PM 1280 Views
Re: I apologize if I'm part of the reason you feel ganged up on. Camilla - 01/02/2010 12:56:03 PM 1200 Views
Deary me. Nebhead - 27/01/2010 05:19:58 PM 1471 Views
By "respect" do you mean that you want me to drop my debates? Tom - 27/01/2010 05:24:03 PM 1224 Views
Not at all. Nebhead - 27/01/2010 05:35:34 PM 1406 Views
Okay, I'm cool with that. Tom - 27/01/2010 05:44:54 PM 1376 Views
Thank you. Nebhead - 27/01/2010 05:48:05 PM 1794 Views
Please ban me, then. The Shrike - 27/01/2010 06:44:55 PM 1240 Views
I'm sorry as well - if I had any kind of willpower, it wouldn't have gotten that far. nossy - 27/01/2010 06:29:43 PM 1306 Views
Nods Roland00 - 18/02/2010 05:06:44 PM 1720 Views
Oh man, I love this thread. *NM* Ghavrel - 28/01/2010 01:17:58 AM 628 Views
On the nature of the "Book Club" Jacob - 28/01/2010 09:23:23 PM 1140 Views
Any chance of seeing some shorter suggestions? Wibble - 28/01/2010 10:20:59 PM 1364 Views
Yes, shorter would be good. Rebekah - 28/01/2010 10:23:28 PM 1215 Views
Oh i'm not complaining Wibble - 28/01/2010 10:33:48 PM 1219 Views
Sure sounded like it. Rebekah - 28/01/2010 10:38:27 PM 1279 Views
No for reals, shorter is good. Darth_Katie - 29/01/2010 01:08:26 AM 1254 Views
Absolutely. Jacob - 29/01/2010 03:33:15 AM 1191 Views
Agreed snoopcester - 29/01/2010 11:26:34 AM 1283 Views
Well, you should have known better! Larry - 29/01/2010 01:29:40 AM 1255 Views
I do. Jacob - 29/01/2010 08:31:30 PM 1241 Views
Thought you did Larry - 29/01/2010 08:38:39 PM 1224 Views
Jacob - 29/01/2010 08:51:42 PM 1261 Views
All I can say is The Master and Margarita better be one by March. WE WAS ROBBED. *NM* Ghavrel - 29/01/2010 02:31:48 AM 609 Views
That is the other one that I am considering. *NM* Jacob - 29/01/2010 03:32:02 AM 625 Views
I'll re-read Zhivago or Master if either is chosen Tom - 29/01/2010 05:26:02 AM 1212 Views
Talk to me Ghavrel. Tashmere - 30/01/2010 12:09:24 AM 1163 Views
Well, I haven't finished it yet. Ghavrel - 30/01/2010 02:21:08 AM 1220 Views
Re: On the nature of the "Book Club" nossy - 29/01/2010 12:33:03 PM 1215 Views
I didn't read it for the Book Club AgentOrange - 29/01/2010 12:40:22 AM 1227 Views
Well I'm late to the party John - 29/01/2010 06:21:18 AM 1193 Views
No, you're early Camilla - 01/02/2010 01:26:10 PM 1098 Views
I still have yet to see that discussion, Camilla. *NM* Tom - 03/02/2010 12:46:24 AM 669 Views
A few comments John - 04/02/2010 06:39:18 AM 1540 Views
If I kept you from participating, that's your fault. Tom - 04/02/2010 01:01:46 PM 1181 Views
Interesting way of dismissing what has already been discussed about the book Larry - 03/02/2010 04:22:26 AM 1358 Views
Nah, there's been discussion, here and there inbetween the fighting. *NM* Legolas - 03/02/2010 04:39:24 PM 613 Views
An interesting quote from the book - does it jibe with your experience? Tashmere - 29/01/2010 11:23:54 PM 1271 Views
Sure. Jacob - 01/02/2010 03:23:59 PM 1234 Views
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