Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?

[yaxomoxay]

Re Dune, I must say that while I thought the first book excellent, as the series progressed, I liked it less and less, and stopped reading after the fourth book.

Yes, it gets worse... I think that I am still in love with the Duniverse because it reminds me of the comfort of my youth as a reader. I still remember the days I read the first books in my bedroom. I finished the original Dune in two or three days, and I was so moved by the experience that I immediately began reading the next volume... and then the next.

The only two other novels that caused so much stir in my soul are Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" and "Focault's Pendulum"

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Yes, it gets worse... I think that I am still in love with the Duniverse because it reminds me of the comfort of my youth as a reader. I still remember the days I read the first books in my bedroom. I finished the original Dune in two or three days, and I was so moved by the experience that I immediately began reading the next volume... and then the next.

The only two other novels that caused so much stir in my soul are Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" and "Focault's Pendulum"

Ah, yes, Umberto Eco: "The Name of the Rose" I thought outstanding - I have the first hardback translation that was published in English, and yes it works as a novel, a study of medieval society, an intellectual thriller, a detective story, and also as a work of philosophy.

However, I was considerably less impressed by "Foucault's Pendulum".

 

[rhett7660]

Just snagged this post and put in my note program! Thank you very much. Truth be told, I didn't think the series was that old. I was picturing the 1980's, prior to the film coming out. I am not a fast reader and read for about an hour ever night so I have a feeling given the length of the book, I will be reading it for a few weeks!

Thank you again!

Dune came out in 1965! I didn't think it was that old!!!

 

[yaxomoxay]

Ah, yes, Umberto Eco: "The Name of the Rose" I thought outstanding - I have the first hardback translation that was published in English, and yes it works as a novel, a study of medieval society, an intellectual thriller, a detective story, and also as a work of philosophy.

However, I was considerably less impressed by "Foucault's Pendulum".

Foucault's Pendulum is not for everyone, meaning that it deals with a particular topic. I was already reading and enjoying weird stuff from alchemy, Fulcanelli's work, and such that Eco's book had an easy fish to catch with me as a reader...

You might envy me a little as I shared neighborhood with Eco. I used to meet him relatively often, either at a newsstand or in a local shop/bar. For a while we even shared the same maid lol. Very nice person, very approachable, and certainly very knowledgeable. I had many disagreements with him but I always listened to what he said/wrote with deep attention and respect. Oh, you might love his book Baudolino, a funny - yet full of knowledge - novel based in the Middle Ages.

Here something that will make you dream. A one minute tour - by him - of the personal library in his office:

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Foucault's Pendulum is not for everyone, meaning that it deals with a particular topic. I was already reading and enjoying weird stuff from alchemy, Fulcanelli's work, and such that Eco's book had an easy fish to catch with me as a reader...

You might envy me a little as I shared neighborhood with Eco. I used to meet him relatively often, either at a newsstand or in a local shop/bar. For a while we even shared the same maid lol. Very nice person, very approachable, and certainly very knowledgeable. I had many disagreements with him but I always listened to what he said/wrote with deep attention and respect. Oh, you might love his book Baudolino, a funny - yet full of knowledge - novel based in the Middle Ages.

Here something that will make you dream. A one minute tour - by him - of the personal library in his office:

Envy you, no, but rather impressed, yes. It would have been fun to have met him, and chatted with him; I would have enjoyed that.

Once upon a time, I actually taught medieval history - while it was not my area of expertise, I did find it very interesting and learned a lot.

Thanks for the link showing the tour of his 'personal library'; while there are four rooms with floor to ceiling bookcases in my mother's house, we have nothing such as was depicted in your clip.

 

[obeygiant]

In the blink of an eye. by Walter Murch

 

[Alrescha]

I am (re)reading the Robot series by Isaac Asimov (now reading The Robots of Dawn). Wishing I was off-planet.

A.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I am (re)reading the Robot series by Isaac Asimov (now reading The Robots of Dawn). Wishing I was off-planet.

A.

What a great series, and I love how it ended up tying in somewhat with the Foundation series!
Asimov's was afraid of open spaces and of flying, he spent most of his life in a room, writing... but his imagination made for it quite well!

 

[ThisBougieLife]

Just started The Complete Short Novels by Anton Chekhov:

I've never read any Chekhov, so I am looking forward to these, even if his shorter stories are more well-known.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Just started The Complete Short Novels by Anton Chekhov:

I've never read any Chekhov, so I am looking forward to these, even if his shorter stories are more well-known.

Enjoy; some of them are excellent.

 

[takao]

Oh, you might love his book Baudolino, a funny - yet full of knowledge - novel based in the Middle Ages.

total thumbs up on Baudolino.
It's definetly a totally different book in tone compared to "name of the rose" or "foucault's pendulum" which very likely was the reason why it was reviewed less enthusiastic. (let's be honest here: literary critics very often don't rate "fun" books very high). Compared to them it's an easier read but still full of stuff referencing not only history but also tales from then on how the world was imagined beyond "the known world".

 

[Scepticalscribe]

..... Very nice person, very approachable, and certainly very knowledgeable. I had many disagreements with him but I always listened to what he said/wrote with deep attention and respect. Oh, you might love his book Baudolino, a funny - yet full of knowledge - novel based in the Middle Ages.

total thumbs up on Baudolino.
It's definetly a totally different book in tone compared to "name of the rose" or "foucault's pendulum" which very likely was the reason why it was reviewed less enthusiastic. (let's be honest here: literary critics very often don't rate "fun" books very high). Compared to them it's an easier read but still full of stuff referencing not only history but also tales from then on how the world was imagined beyond "the known world".

You have both persuaded me that "Baudolino" is worth looking at; in an earlier life, I used to teach medieval European history, as well as Renaissance and Reformation (and Counter-Reformation), and I must confess that I love fun stuff (that is still historically solid) that is set in the Middle Ages.

 

[takao]

You have both persuaded me that "Baudolino" is worth looking at; in an earlier life, I used to teach medieval European history, as well as Renaissance and Reformation (and Counter-Reformation), and I must confess that I love fun stuff (that is still historically solid) that is set in the Middle Ages.

then it might be up your alley It is written in the structure of a picaresque novel(main character from lower social class goes through story by wit/lying etc. written in a semi-autobigraphic style) and uses a lot of the myths of the medieval times but also involves non-fiction characters.

 

[yaxomoxay]

You have both persuaded me that "Baudolino" is worth looking at; in an earlier life, I used to teach medieval European history, as well as Renaissance and Reformation (and Counter-Reformation), and I must confess that I love fun stuff (that is still historically solid) that is set in the Middle Ages.

ah, you won't regret it. Baudolino is a fun, crazy book, especially if you think that the author is Umberto Eco. It's a crazy voyage in medieval mythology, a trip outside of the ordinary. As with most books by Eco I've read both the Italian edition (actually handed to my by Eco himself ), and the English translation. Albeit something is lost in the translation, the translators did an egregious job. Just don't expect The Name of the Rose ... @takao knows what I mean

You might be interested to know that Eco published a beautiful book which contains much of the historical research he did for Baudolino and for other works. It's a beautiful non-fiction book, with amazing illustrations (as one reviewer on amazon says, "The illustrations alone can keep one happy for hours.") and stories from the epoch. You are an historian, there is no way that you're not going to enjoy this book:

[doublepost=1489759975][/doublepost]

literary critics very often don't rate "fun" books very high)

I think that Baudolino is one of those books that will become a classic with the passing of time. Critics - esp. in Italy - always expected the next Name of the Rose, which is something that Eco refused to do. With Baudolino, Eco was able to accomplish what he failed at with 'The Island of the Day Before', that is to write about an adventure at the edge of the world. Baudolino is a smart, fun, romantic way at a world that is long gone by. And Baudolino (the character) is a simple minded, partially ignorant person. By writing the book using "easy" language, Eco made this story somewhat... credible !
What I enjoyed in particular is that there is not a single sentence that could be attributed to contemporary thinking but it is historically accurate - and not condescending -even on the description of the thought process of the Middle Ages.

 

[MLVC]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Read it before years ago, and loved it. Reading this (and it's sequel World Without End) again as Ken Follett is releasing the third book in this series, A Column of Fire, in September.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Read it before years ago, and loved it. Reading this (and it's sequel World Without End) again as Ken Follett is releasing the third book in this series, A Column of Fire, in September.

To my mind, Pillars of the Earth is by far the best thing that Ken Follett has ever written. It worked extremely well as a story, as a study of medieval society, and how cathedrals are built, and as an exploration of class, feudalism, religion, war (and indeed gender) - and was populated by credible characters - many of whom were exceptionally well drawn.

The sequel - while interesting - was, unfortunately, nowhere nearly as good as Pillars of the Earth. While I'll admit to some interest as to how the third book will turn out, I shall try not to get my hopes too high.

 

[Alrescha]

Asimov's was afraid of open spaces and of flying, he spent most of his life in a room, writing... but his imagination made for it quite well!

I suspect that Clarke, Asimov, and Heinlein had more influence on me than the American educational system.
Wikipedia suggests he was a lover of small spaces, which is not quite the same thing as an agoraphobic. But I do know what you mean. I remember his short story "It's such a beautiful day" very fondly.

A.

 

[JamesMike]

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Read it before years ago, and loved it. Reading this (and it's sequel World Without End) again as Ken Follett is releasing the third book in this series, A Column of Fire, in September.

Look forward to the third book.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Look forward to the third book.

I must say that The Pillars of the Earth grabs one from the very beginning; the prologue - describing what was essentially the judicial murder of a gifted singer was utterly gripping, and the book sustained a superb narrative from that spell-binding opening.

A brilliant story - with terrific (and credible) characters, excellent world building and some well researched and pretty solid history. It helps that I love medieval cathedrals - and loved them long before I ever came across The Pillars of the Earth.

If this story is half as good as The Pillars of the Earth, I shall rest content.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I finished "Baseball between the numbers". Good book if you like the subject.

After watching Cal Newport's TED speech on why follow you passion could be bad advice, I decided to read his "Deep Work."

TED speech:

 

[0388631]

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

I'm already a tidy and efficient person, but I could always learn something new.

Edit: I've started and gave up on Dune so many times in my life. I simply can't finish it. It's a torture test.

 

[jeremy h]

I really enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth. There was a TV adaptation shown a while ago here... It was probably a multi national joint production thingy so I'd have thought you could get to see it in the States etc

On the subject of collapsing and non collapsing cathedrals - there's also the Spire by William Golding... A bit heavier.

The Cadfael series (Ellis Peters) is also good fun and spawned a whole publishing genre... (And was also adapted for TV)

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I really enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth. There was a TV adaptation shown a while ago here... It was probably a multi national joint production thingy so I'd have thought you could get to see it in the States etc

On the subject of collapsing and non collapsing cathedrals - there's also the Spire by William Golding... A bit heavier.

The Cadfael series (Ellis Peters) is also good fun and spawned a whole publishing genre... (And was also adapted for TV)

From what I could see, the TV adaptation of The Pillars of the Earth was excellent, and had a first rate cast.

Always liked Brother Cadfael (and have long been a huge fan of Derek Jacobi, - ever since I saw the outstanding "I, Claudius" - what a simply superlative actor), but I also think that The Name Of The Rose (by Umberto Eco) may have been what set off this whole 'medieval murder mystery' school of story telling.

 

[JamesMike]

From what I could see, the TV adaptation of The Pillars of the Earth was excellent, and had a first rate cast.

Always liked Brother Cadfael (and have long been a huge fan of Derek Jacobi, - ever since I saw the outstanding "I, Claudius" - what a simply superlative actor), but I also think that The Name Of The Rose (by Umberto Eco) may have been what set off this whole 'medieval murder mystery' school of story telling.

'I, Claudius' is excellent.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

'I, Claudius' is excellent.

I saw the TV series (spellbinding, what a superb cast, - a cast that includes Derek Jacobi, Sian Phillips, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, - among many others - superlative script, stunning acting, awareness of historical context) and have read the books (by Robert Graves) and loved them both.