Ribh's D'Coopage

[LozzyR]

I haven't tried that one. I tried the Grapes of Wrath, The Moon is Down ,& Of Mice & Men was a compulsory year 11 read. Three strikes & you're out. I didn't get very far with any of them.

I read Of Mice & Men in high school. I haven’t read the others.

I like Jules Verne as an author.

 

[MaryJanet]

I read Dostoyesvsky while still in High School. He suits a certain type of angst ridden teenage brain.


All my life I've had to work to `try & fit in with how other people think & do things. My brain really is scrambled differently.

As for Poe ~ I can't do things even slightly Gothic/horror. It gives me terrible nightmares so I just have to stay away. Needless to say there's quite a few classics I haven't, & will never, read.

I think that was a national curriculum thing: reading a trio of an author's books. I did DH Lawrence.

 

[MaryJanet]

It is a stunning country with lovely people. I was there when Fidel died - so I witnessed the early stages of the ceremonies around that and got to talk to people about it.
One of our party was taken ill and I was the 'person on the spot' as it were so I also got to experience their legendary healthcare system which included a very competent doctor showing up with the ambulance.
I also saw the stores with no food available for sale and the censorship.
The classic cars are really quite beautiful and simply everywhere, but unfortunately no multi-toed cats to be seen.
I was optimistic that the border would remain open but I believe visits from the US are once again not allowed - but if you are not in the US and get the chance to go you should take it. Strongly recommended!

When you say censorship are you referring to the press? Or some other format? Are individual people free to speak as they wish?

 

[RoyalChick]

When you say censorship are you referring to the press? Or some other format? Are individual people free to speak as they wish?

A bit unclear. Some were clearly nervous to talk but maybe they just had fear of outsiders.

 

[Ribh]

What you suggest as an important must read? Steinbeck?

I find Steinbeck & Hemingway both to have that dry, journalistic style which works very well for certain types of novels, like spy, murder mysteries, p0lice stories- that sort of thing- but far less well imo for other genres. I've already said I dont read for a straight story. I like beautiful language that evokes an emotional response so I loved How Green Was My Valley- the only book I've ever read where talk about food didn't infuriate me (Lewis! Tolkien!) & I like Rumour Godden for the same reason. Like Hemingway she is sparse but a far better wordsmith. Partly I think this preference is due to a steady diet of fantasy as a child, which relies heavily on evocative language. And, yes, I like Guy Gavriel Kay.

 

[MaryJanet]

I find Steinbeck & Hemingway both to have that dry, journalistic style which works very well for certain types of novels, like spy, murder mysteries, p0lice stories- that sort of thing- but far less well imo for other genres. I've already said I dont read for a straight story. I like beautiful language that evokes an emotional response so I loved How Green Was My Valley- the only book I've ever read where talk about food didn't infuriate me (Lewis! Tolkien!) & I like Rumour Godden for the same reason. Like Hemingway she is sparse but a far better wordsmith. Partly I think this preference is due to a steady diet of fantasy as a child, which relies heavily on evocative language. And, yes, I like Guy Gavriel Kay.

What do you make of Isabel Allende? And Gabriel Garcia Marquez?

 

[MaryJanet]

I find Steinbeck & Hemingway both to have that dry, journalistic style which works very well for certain types of novels, like spy, murder mysteries, p0lice stories- that sort of thing- but far less well imo for other genres. I've already said I dont read for a straight story. I like beautiful language that evokes an emotional response so I loved How Green Was My Valley- the only book I've ever read where talk about food didn't infuriate me (Lewis! Tolkien!) & I like Rumour Godden for the same reason. Like Hemingway she is sparse but a far better wordsmith. Partly I think this preference is due to a steady diet of fantasy as a child, which relies heavily on evocative language. And, yes, I like Guy Gavriel Kay.

I think I get what you're saying about Steinbeck and Hemingway. They don't leave much room for the reader's own imagination - am ion the right track?

 

[BY Bob]

I read Of Mice & Men in high school. I haven’t read the others.

I like Jules Verne as an author.

Jules Verne is very good.

 

[BY Bob]

I think I get what you're saying about Steinbeck and Hemingway. They don't leave much room for the reader's own imagination - am ion the right track?

I would agree with that. Linear story tellers as well. When you are stalking a lion, it actually adds to the tension. When telling a love story, it works naught.

 

[Ribh]

What do you make of Isabel Allende? And Gabriel Garcia Marquez?

While I recognize both names I'm sorry to say I've read neither of them. I read far less these days than I used to. My old eyes tire fast.