tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post1508286015834732511..comments2024-03-28T15:49:23.639-04:00Comments on Shelf Actualization: First Line Friday!MacEvoy DeMaresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017894338443984921noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-31556843045280209172011-11-27T08:31:27.474-05:002011-11-27T08:31:27.474-05:00I can't help you either, Kyle. Moby Dick was t...I can't help you either, Kyle. Moby Dick was the first "classic" to meet me in Jr. High English. It was also my first experience in required reading avoidance. I have yet to go back and conquer it.<br /><br />But if you're looking for inspiration, you should check out this book first:<br />http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/10/18/141429619/why-read-moby-dick-a-passionate-defense-of-the-american-bible<br /><br />As for The Bros K., I seem to recall Orlando lugging a copy of that book around Eastern Europe a few years back. Of course, he never talked about it, so he may just have been trying to impress us. :) If he ever reads this chain he can tell us all about it.MacEvoyhttp://www.shelfactualization.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-36588360658172284722011-11-26T22:22:19.138-05:002011-11-26T22:22:19.138-05:00I've never read either of them. I've alwa...I've never read either of them. I've always heard that Moby Dick is not a spectacular novel, though.Tucker McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669402261761814260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-12672556097965337412011-11-26T13:09:56.455-05:002011-11-26T13:09:56.455-05:00The two long novels that I have been putting off r...The two long novels that I have been putting off reading until I feel I have the motivation/endurance to finish them are Moby Dick and Brothers Karamazov. What do y'all think about these if you have read them?Kylenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-87686231584443819802011-11-25T23:52:37.568-05:002011-11-25T23:52:37.568-05:00Phew! That would merit a giant post of its own. Th...Phew! That would merit a giant post of its own. The short version goes like this:<br /><br />I loved the book. <br /><br />If you can make it through "The Part About The Crimes" - a 300+ page cataloging of gruesome rapes/murders that are talked about tangentially in the other 4 books (there are 5 books all rolled into one volume) then you will be amazed how Bolano holds your interest in his neverending off-the-wall minutia, character dreams, dead-end plot lines etc.MacEvoyhttp://www.shelfactualization.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-61022393582124983272011-11-25T22:16:42.777-05:002011-11-25T22:16:42.777-05:00East of Eden is solid. Very solid.
MacEvoy . . ....East of Eden is solid. Very solid.<br /><br />MacEvoy . . . you've read Bolano's 2666? It's on my list. What are your thoughts?Tucker McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669402261761814260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-87655735269130283272011-11-25T21:18:31.934-05:002011-11-25T21:18:31.934-05:00@ Kyle: I have yet to read East of Eden, but it...@ Kyle: I have yet to read East of Eden, but it's definitely on the list.<br /><br />@ Laurie: Thanks for checking us out. My paperback Gatsby runs 182 pages, but they're some of the best 182 pages out there, bar none. To think he pulled that off at age 29 is sickening!MacEvoyhttp://www.shelfactualization.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-66120132467878561472011-11-25T21:03:07.476-05:002011-11-25T21:03:07.476-05:00Hi, I just found your site and I think I am going ...Hi, I just found your site and I think I am going to love it. I am a bit of a Fitzgerald freak, so I would have to say The Great Gatsby. I am not sure if it is under 120 pages, but I don't think I would get any arguments that is isn't a short novel. I am drawing a blank on books over 500. I do like Steinbeck and liked both Grapes and East. But being a chick I am all about Jane as well (OK maybe less than 500 pages).<br /><br />I look forward to seeing more.<br />-Laurie, a new followerAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13966538770293572551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4818215410689699213.post-69626134598536950622011-11-25T12:36:33.656-05:002011-11-25T12:36:33.656-05:00I agree on Crime and Punishment, but for a long St...I agree on Crime and Punishment, but for a long Steinbeck novel I prefer East Of Eden to Grapes of Wrath.Kylenoreply@blogger.com