Okay, our last read was called My Antonia, by Willa Cather. I enjoyed it, but quite honestly, I don't have all that much to say. I'm glad I read it, but wouldn't necessarily call it a 'meat and potatoes' book, nor would I want to read it again. However, this was an excellent choice for a book club...one of the things I've noticed over the course of the last year is that many of the books we read were not something I would have picked up. I'm also sure that had some of the books not been "required," I would not have continued past the first chapter. That being said, I'm glad that read almost every book on our Year One List. I have to say almost, because Moby Dick was a complete waste of my time. I'm very sure that there are many people out there (somewhere...) that disagree, but this is my blog and I'll post what I want.
Our next book discussion will be centered around The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. So far, I'm loving it, but more on that when I'm finished with it.
6 comments:
I have only met 1 person that liked Moby Dick. The search continues for more
Moby Dick is a tough read. I am curious though, do you really feel as if you gained nothing from the experience?
My Antonia is a much easier read, though the characters are no less complex - should you ever decide to read it again (although to be honest, I don't know that I would either...been there, done that) consider as you do the manner in which Jim and Antonia react towards each other. They're like magnets, either attracting or repelling each other, and altering the courses or each others lives simply by their mere presense.
There's also a strong case for considering Jim's sexuality as a reason for their never having more than just a friendship, but to regard the book only from that angle would be reductive to the point of insulting. That being said, think about Jim returning to visit Antonia after 20 years, and his reaction after watching all the children emerge from the root cellar...
Wow! I have comments from people who aren't related to me! It's an exciting day for Respectfully Sassy.
Rachael - I'm glad you've found the one person who liked Moby Dick...I'd like to meet him. Am I presuming too much when I say "him?"
Brian - We actually had a very interesting discussion about My Antonia at our meeting...I didn't mean to infer that I didn't get anything out of the book.
Also, we didn't think that Jim's sexuality was the one that needed questioning...we did discuss Willa Cather's, however, and without knowing anything about the author prior to reading the book, I assumed that she was a lesbian...do you think I assumed too much?
Oh - what do you think of our Year One Book list?
No, you pretty much hit it on the head with Willa Cather; she destroyed all her letters and personal correspondence, but she had a female companion with whom she lived and traveled for years. She did not write many of her characters from this kind of perspective (contrary, I think, to what many people believe when generally speaking of homosexual writers) but I do think her sexuality comes through with regards to Jim Burden. (ask: what is Jim’s Burden, anyway?) Consider the fact that Jim fails to realize any of his relationships in the manner which typifies a male/female relationship. His wife is mentioned in passing only, part of that 20 years that just gets lost. No kids. The closest thing he has to a sexual relationship in the novel is with another man (when whatshisname comes home and climbs into bed with him, thinking he’s Antonia). He feels faint when witnessing all of Antonia’s children emerging from the root cellar (a strong birth metaphor). During their childhood, he kills the snake that confronts the two of them…the list goes on.
I didn’t mean to imply that you (& your group) got nothing out of the novel. Like I said, I would probably not choose to re-read this particular novel myself, but there are some fantastic complexities deep within the text about people, sex, ethnic diversity, sexuality, duty, responsibility, etc. should you ever choose to revisit it. If you ever wanted to check out Cather again, either The Professor’s House or A Lost Lady are very subtle, but EXTREMELY deep.
I’m still curious whether you really, truly thought that Moby Dick was beyond redemption? (It’s ok if you do…I never finished it myself). As a parable I think it works, though.
The only thing off your year one list that I read was Night. (It is beyond amazing). The writers are all good, though, so I’m sure you had some great discussions.
Brian - You would make an excellent addition to our book club. We are a group of women who love to read, but definitely lack some of the perspective that you would bring, not only as someone who formally studies literature, but as the male yang to our yin. I will continue to post about the books we read, so that you can give us some of your insight (if you so desire).
Hmmm...Moby Dick?? Yes, for me it was beyond redemption...truly torturous reading.
Yes, the person who likes Moby Dick is a guy. His name is Brian, and he's an excellent scientist. He's not much of a reader... the last book he read for fun had to do with finance. His nickname at work is "all business", which isn't completely accurate, but he is very focused. Maybe, if you're lucky, you can meet him some time.
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