The "Those of us who frequent this forum" thread

[speed]

Originally Posted by infoterror

Literature

I have read, and am not fond of, Bellow and Amis; I consider both to be postmodernists for a number of reasons.

I recommend you re-read Naked Lunch. More beautiful language in that than most operas. Of course, it is also obscene, but so is "Gravity's Rainbow."

The only Pynchon I like these days is "The Crying of Lot 49." The rest really is crap -- trendy crap. He's skilled though. I'm not fond of postmodernism, but I think you're up a creek about Thomas Wolfe; he's a bit wordy, but he gives meaning to those words.

Rushdie is simply mediocre.

We're just going to have to agree to disagree. We like totally different things. Dont care for Thomas Wolfe at all, I share your assessment of Pynchon.

Who's your favorite author infoterror? If you havent noticed, mine is Nabokov.

[speed]

Originally Posted by Final_Product

Classical literature aside, I am a complete dumbass when it comes to things to read.

Could either one of you fine gentleman (if you can be bothered ) recommend a short list of books I simply must read?

I have a long period off soon, and I'd very much like to engage some good writing.

Well it really depends on what you are looking for. I always read something by an author, and then read his collection later. My first recs would be Pale Fire, Lolita, and Madame Bovary. Then, I'd recommend Petersburg by Andrei Bely and The Overcoat by Gogol. And of course, I am nearing completion.

[Blaphbee]

Originally Posted by speed

Who's your favorite author infoterror? If you havent noticed, mine is Nabokov.

You know (sorry to butt in like this), I read The Eye based on an ex-girlfriend's recommendation, and found it horribly mediocre. What do you see in him?

Have you read The Master and Margarita, assuming Russkie authors are your thing? Fantastic book.

[speed]

Originally Posted by Blaphbee

You know (sorry to butt in like this), I read The Eye based on an ex-girlfriend's recommendation, and found it horribly mediocre. What do you see in him?

Have you read The Master and Margarita, assuming Russkie authors are your thing? Fantastic book.

Oh come on, you are going to attack Nabokov now? I wont stand for it. List one author who could hold a candle to Lolita or Pale Fire?

Yes, Master and Margarita is one of my favorites.

And, we need like a literature thread here.

[Blaphbee]

I'm not attacking him, I just don't see what's so shit-hot about him. Hence my question. Haven't read the other two books you mention.

[speed]

Originally Posted by Blaphbee

I'm not attacking him, I just don't see what's so shit-hot about him. Hence my question. Haven't read the other two books you mention.

Please do. Every writer has so-so pieces. Read Lolita. Lovely book. Depressingly good.

But have you read Bulgakov's short pieces and stories? Heart of a Dog, Fatal Eggs, etc?

[derek]

Originally Posted by speed

Well it really depends on what you are looking for. I always read something by an author, and then read his collection later. My first recs would be Pale Fire, Lolita, and Madame Bovary. Then, I'd recommend Petersburg by Andrei Bely and The Overcoat by Gogol. And of course, I am nearing completion.

I shall hold off reading those chapters until you are done then. Where I may print out, read, enjoy (and then destroy) the draft

[infoterror]

Nabokov... I liked Pale Fire, haven't read Lolita. However, he's kind of a one-pony show, like DeLillo. Pynchon to some degree too. The more experienced I get, the less I care at all about the postmoderns.

I'd consider Faulkner and Marquez to be a better style than the postmoderns.

Favorite author? Fitzgerald. Or Melville, based on yesterday's reading. Soft spot for Burroughs and Hemingway too.

[speed]

Originally Posted by infoterror

Nabokov... I liked Pale Fire, haven't read Lolita. However, he's kind of a one-pony show, like DeLillo. Pynchon to some degree too. The more experienced I get, the less I care at all about the postmoderns.

I'd consider Faulkner and Marquez to be a better style than the postmoderns.

Favorite author? Fitzgerald. Or Melville, based on yesterday's reading. Soft spot for Burroughs and Hemingway too.

Yeah, your favorites I think are hacks (but I am not insulting you or anything, I just have different taste). I dont care for Fitzegerald-he's a enjoyable read and a good author, but there is no depth in his writing, no challenge, no rhythmic word-play, no change in form. So, I can see you really may have a American literature degree. Why do I say this? Well, I argue with American literature degree having persons about Hemingway, Faulkner, Fitzgerald, Wolfe, Roth, Bradbury, etc, all the time.

I would get in arguments in the few college lit classes I actually took, because well, I am a big reader, and I have (and this is my one big big skill) exceptional reading comprehension-- to the point I can read a 300 page book written by a difficult author in less than 5 hours. All other things, i highlight my lack of expertise. Anyway, I am very put off by American writing, which I see as terribly symbolic and autobiographical, as opposed to Russian, French, and British and Irish Literature (and some German), which is more about characterization, prose, and form--the things that I am interested in.

[speed]

Originally Posted by Final_Product

I shall hold off reading those chapters until you are done then. Where I may print out, read, enjoy (and then destroy) the draft

Hehe. Well, it wont be long before I finish. I doubt it will be picked up by someone as I am a newbie, and its not a spy-thriller, its largely a whimisical satirical book.

But as for recs, you know, its all about subjective taste-- thats the beauty of literature. But I know you were going to try some Camus; if you do, go for the Plague and THe Fall (my fave from him) His play Caligula is first rate as well. I like to read the inspirations or the influences of favorite writers--thats how I read everything I do. For instance, Camus, as an author, was largely influenced by Dostoevksy and Andre Gide. So, Im sure your familiar with Fyodor, but as for Gide, the Immoralist is a wonderful wonderful book. His Ecologues and Theseus are wonderfully written as well. However, as he was a noted homosexual, his books (although terribly well-written) have a strain of Nietszchean homosexuality running throughout. Just a warning. But his prose is quite similar to Flaubert: flowing, poetic, lyrical.

Oh, and on a philosophical note, I'd say Kafka's The Castle may be the best to read. It is an incredibly trying book however.