pontalba

Last night I started The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. Read it decades ago, don't remember a thing. Loving it.

Great review, frankie! Makes me want to pick up my copy.....I think I have it....

LOL, that's about it. Still haven't done it.......

Couldn't agree more! Book and character. I finally read it because I thought I should, and wanted to compare it to Jane Eyre. Hah!

That's one of the things I like about Barnes & Noble......you walk in and the coffee and pastry smells are lovely. Even if the coffee isn't so great. heh But I'm picky about coffee, and like my own best. Coffee and chicory. I know everyone talks about the smell of books........but, frankly, I don't get it. Maybe I just don't have a strong sense of smell.

I think I'm wrung out after two Faulkner's in a row, don't know what is next. Whatever falls off the closest stack, I suppose.

I've not read anything by Dahl, and love, love, love the poem you've posted, CG. Thanks. btw, the only thing that's on our TV would be DVDs we buy, or streaming. We're out in the country, so don't get very good reception via antenna. Years ago we had one of those satellite dishes, but good grief!, the junk that is on is just overwhelming. And what the heck?, why should there be booku commercials on when we are paying for the darned programming?? Grrrrr, pox on it!

That is a good review, Ruth. I've not read it, but have wondered if it was any good. My feeling was that it would be fairly preachy, and would annoy me. Glad to hear my vibes were on track.

Hah, I'll take the catfish and cornbread, but as far as the okra is concerned, I've never met one I could stand. Must be Un-Southern or something... No idea, but I've been dying for a roast beef po-boy.

Chocolate. Books. Coffee. Yup, I'll take it!

Arrrrrggggggg! Double Ditto on that one. Not only most unlikeable, but most hateable, IMHO.

I really think that the last one, The Unvanquished was pretty easy. It was straight through story, with a few twists. It didn't go back and forth, and the story line was easy to follow. I loved the characters, and the interplay between them. Then of course, there is Faulkner's prose. /sigh/

LOL, all great points. I think that if both parties are comfortable, that's great. Hah, the pine pollen is flying here too. Oick!

Ahh, re Scarlett's upbringing. Remember her mother was somewhat detached. The one good thing I remember about the book, Scarlett, was that it fleshed out the brief hints about Ellen's background and how she came to marry Gerald O'Hara. We know from GWTW, it was a mismatch, to say the least. I believe Ellen was actually grieving for her lost love for her whole life, and was unable to give her children or husband the love they needed. Not really her fault, that was the way she was built, but what a shame. Oh, yeah! I'd like that too!

Last night we watched the first 4 episodes of Rizzoli and Isles......it's ok, but nothing unique or special. I found it a bit awkward actually. Maybe they are just getting going, not sure. I do like that it's showing two women as buddies, instead of having the usual male/female thing going on. Building sexual tension and all that.

There is a lot to what you say, Virginia, but a lot of Scarlett's impatience was simply due to her youth. As far as all Southern women experiencing the same. You are right, the stories are all over the place. I've just finished, for example, The Unvanquished by Faulkner.....let me just say.....Granny! Stubborn and determined as the day is long. Didn't mind breaking the law, one bit. As far as Melanie is concerned, well remember that GWTW is basically Scarlett's story, the other characters are never really explored, not their inner thoughts and depths. We haven't seen Melly aside from being with Scarlett. Same for all of them, as I recall. So, we haven't seen their "bad" sides. We were only in Scarlett's head, IOW. I absolutely love that scene, both in the book and film! May be my favorite, or at least one of the favorites. I'd have to set and think about that a bit, but it's a good point....I can't think of any 'middling" characters. But, as I said above, we were only in Scarlett's head......not Melly or Mammy, or anyone else's. Excellent analogy. Well, Scarlett is my favorite, hands down. The woman had, er, testicles. More than some of the men around. I can love Melly for her sweetness, and her loyalty.....and as I've said above, we don't really know her inner workings because Mitchell didn't tell us those. Drat it! Frankie, the book, Scarlett isn't worth picking up with tongs, but the book Rhett's People is pretty good. IMO

Hah, sounds like "Overload"! I've often seen that sort of thing in tv episodes.........how on earth could all of that happened in one day??? Oick! Good review, Julie.

The Unvanquished by William Faulkner 5/5 This novel ties in with the rest of Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County stories. This one follows the Sartoris family through the American Civil War, and part of Reconstruction. The action is seen through the youngest son, Bayard, who is about 15 years old in the beginning and through a good segment of the action. Faulkner created both larger than life characters and the everyday, mundane details that make a story great. His lyrical and musical style flows with dignity and grace throughout. He captures, beautifully, the feelings of entitlement, innocence and deep friendship between Bayard and Ringo, who is actually a family slave. They were born at the same time, and nursed by the same breast. They are brothers in the best sense of the word. Their bond goes beyond friendship, it is a blood bond that cannot, and is not broken. Faulkner followed the basic advice that is given to writers, write what you know! He was of an age that heard the stories, from the original participants in some cases, and if not, the participant's children regarding the Civil War and it's terrible aftermath. He doesn't either glorify or condemn those participants. He simply tells their story. The story of the unvanquished. Highly Recommended.

poppy...meant to say, Yes!, Melanie was really everyone's favorite, in and out of the book. Rightly so. And, thinking about that, I remember how Melly defended Scarlett, and loved her with all her heart. So, really, I think Melly saw the real Scarlett...what she would have, could have been had the war not upturned her life and surroundings. Melly was truly a wonderful woman.

And.......don't forget The Unvanquished. And, A Pillar of Iron. Just sayin'................. /innocent whistling goin' on.../

I think one thing some people forget is that Scarlett was only 16 when the war broke out. Everything hit her at one time. Yes!, she was a spoiled brat to begin with, but she became very single minded to save her home. Of course it could be argued from now to the end of time whether she saved it for herself or her family. That'll never be settled to everyone's satisfaction. However, it is my opinion that those two things are really one and the same in her mind. She had to be single minded.....it was survival. I wonder just how much anyone can realize what it is to have an army come through your home and land, and tear it up, confiscate your belongings, all nice and legal. What would anyone do to survive?

Love it! That is what we are about to do, ourselves. It's in the talking stage right now, but we plan to move a wall at the time. I really did have my books organized, but when husband came down with his books.....! All organization went out of the window. And since, we've doubled our book count...it's helter skelter. Organization. It's a wonderful thing! I think you're doing fabulously!

Great pictures, Gaia! Well done! LOL you're getting up there with the TBR!

The Alan Bradley series about Flavia de Luce is great. The first one is good, and they progressively better and better. I think I read Alas, Babylon when I was a kid......hafta look it up again. ~ ~ Yup, and if you like this one, you will probably like Lucifer's Hammer by Larry Pournelle.

I don't think there is much that I refuse to read, or at least try once. That said, I don't read "horror", or typical "romance" novels. By romance, I mean those Harlequin mass market books put out by whoever. A particular author I can't think of at the moment. I don't read stories where animals are needlessly injured or killed. Yes, I used to cry at the Lassie movies.....when I saw them as a youngster. Won't watch now. CuriousGeorgette, I think I love dystopian novels because, while they are often times bleak, they show the indomitable strength of the human spirit, and how we as humans are able to overcome, in the end, the most awful circumstances. That does give hope, IMO. But, each to their own kettle of fish.