sirinrob

On to Part 3 of 'The Quiet girl' by peter H

Kell, you expressed my feelings about Fanny very well. Henry had already caused Maria and Julia much upset, as Fanny observed. He for me was a libertine, unfortunately they got away with alot then. Mary I equate with Maria, both spoilt and vain. The Mrs Norris departure to Marie I really enjoyed, serve the meddling old hag right. Edmund I felt was a man of principle, blinded by Mary's ways. I'm glad he saw sense and married the woman he really loved.

No - since its poorly provisioned and the local populace seem determined that 'reality' television is the height of intellectual prowess, besides Bingo

I'm not sure, but seems we have a dialogue developing Why not add to the discussion?

Thats how I found it. I'd read so far and try to do something else, but somehow I ended reading it again Nearly finished the second part of 'The quiet girl' by Peter H

Yes that's a telling quote. To my mind , despite Macbeth's descent into tyranny, he remains a man. In contrast Lady Macbeth is inhuman, given her believe she is possessed and her contempt for Macbeth's humanity and her intent on tainting that humanity.

I agree he might have let destiny take its own course, but in opposition to that consider the aside 1 iv 48 -53, made after he learns that Malcolm is heir to the throne. There seems to be this constant ambiguity in Macbeth that makes him so interesting and a tragic hero.

This is the last of the six novels I've read. I preferred it over Sense and Sensibility. I found Fanny Price to be a quiet, but shrewd person. By staying in the background she was able to observe the others and see what was really going on. The most odious of the characters were the Crawfords and the despicable Mrs Norris ETA In many ways , fanny acts as an impartial narrator for the most part. She does express her views, which often go unheeded, but often she is proved right.

Re-reading Act 1 last night and found myself at some points referring back to earlier scenes. The main example is the aside in Act 1 sc3 lines 130 - 142. he seems to have a mental conflict relating to the Wyrd sisters prophesies. At this stage he seems to be shrugging off the possibility of murder, but does have ambitions. It could be the birth of guilt as well and overall seems to refer back to his start at the Wyrd sisters prophecies (Act 1 sc 3 51). his next speech admits that chance may make him king without him having to do anything 'If Chance will have me King , why , Chance may crown me , without my stir'.

To judge the veracity of the text I believe we need BJ on the case. I'm a mere amateur....

bilious

Yes mine does and Wyrd was the term used for Fate, certainly up to Will's time. The Wyrd was regarded as a weaving together of various threads which determined fate. The Norns in Norse mythology were a personification of this concept. By the time Will wrote this play, such notions were at best disregarded or worst seen as evil, hence the switch to the Witch and the attendant Witchhunts. Bear in mind James I was a keen witch hunter, so Will had to cast the Wyrd sisters as evil, anti church etc and also the line of Kings after Banquo was meant to be James I ( the one with the glass =mirror), as flattery to James I (otherwise Will's plays could not be performed)

This is a strong novel, written with care and felicity. The background of Germany under Nazi control is certainly a grim prospect, but bittersweet humour and cameos of humanity leaven the whole. I related to all of the main characters and was moved by the final meeting between Max and Liesel. There were many poignant moments in the novel such as the response of Rudy to the dying pilot, the Mayor's wife's solicitude to Liesel, Rosa's hidden, but obvious feeling For Hand and Liesel and Liesels's humanity. The novel is well paced and is an easy read - too easy almost, but as it progresses many subtleties are shown and the last chapters are very moving. Highly recommended

Having read so far 5 of Jane Austen's novels, I'm struck by the formulaic writing at times. From the start we know of one couple who will win through, and have to guess at the other. I admired Elinor and Edward in this. Found Marianne for the most part a spoilt brat, though she did partly redeem herself, by eventually accepting Brandon ( though I felt that was family pressure). Edward's family in my eyes were despicable, valuing wealth and rank above humanity. The insight Jane brought to the novel is commendable, but it will never eclipse Persuasion or P&P. For those that consider such social attitudes presented in the novel are long dead I can vouch that they are not, from personal experience as an observer

Interesting and gratifying to see a range of views on the play. I freely admit I was torn between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as my favourite character. Like BJ I'm reading the Arden edition, as its interesting to see the disputes/emendations made. My interest has really concentrated on the linguistic side, so the difference between the last appearance of the Wyrd Sisters (noting the use of Wyrd - doesn't make them witches;) and their earlier scenes rests on metre and language use for me.

Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting, it is a most sharp sauce. (Romeo and Juliet)

nyctalopia

Also dropped Monaco

I don't mind sex in books so long as it fits the plot and isn't gratuitous. One of the reasons I dislike Junot Diaz's debut novel 'The Brief Wondorous Life of Oscar Wao' is that sexual references are simply put in to titillate, and end up being extremely boring.

This year started in great style - discovered some authors that I really like and others to maintain as 'keepers'. the new ones I met were Thomas Wharton, Markus Zusak, Steve Toltz, Peter Hoeg, Tove Jansson and continued with Jasper FForde. There were a couple of disappointments - Junot Daiz - debut novel should never have been debuted and Abraham Vergheze - tedious

Finished 'Shades of Grey' yesterday, on second read of Macbeth and nearly finished 'The Book Thief'.

As to favourite character, given the subject of the play, that is a difficult choice, but for me it was Macbeth. He knew he was doing wrong and fought it but others made sure he did the dastardly deed and he paid for it. I enjoyed the last scene with the witches - I could easily see them dancing round the cauldron and enjoying themselves ( being it was a Witches Sabbath). The metre of the verse was dancelike and great fun to read after the horrors of school Shakespeare, this reading I really enjoyed and I'm looking out other of his plays. There were no parts I struggled with, attentive reading eased the way and I revelled in the use of language. Really enjoyed reading this, on my second read now I can see the argument for seeing plays to be seen, but I can visualize the scenes in my minds eye and derive much enjoyment from that. Reading a play to me is the same as work of fiction, you interact with the text to create the work. I read all the indicators and the notes and the text. I recognized many expressions that are used today, which was interesting just from a linguistics point of view. I didn't visualize any specific actor for any of the characters, just let my imagination lead the way. Not seen a production of Macbeth, and not likely to. I find the theatre too artificial, for both plays and opera. I'd rather use my imagination, its more interesting

This for me was an odd reading experience. The expose of social mores and politics was interesting, but the characters were an embarrassment. All of them came across as parodies, with the possible exception of Mr Knightley who seemed at least able to seemed to keep control. Of the rest the least annoying I found was Mrs Weston. This novel is below par for Austen.

Finished reading 'Shades of Grey'. Jasper has excelled himself. The world he has created is well thought out, the characters are sharply drawn and there is the the expected humour and eccentricity. He has created a sinister dystopia in which creative thought is discouraged, absolute obedience to the rules is demanded except if you are in a position to bend them, corruption is rife. Technology has been steadily cut back by a process called Leapback, each Leapback involving a regression to an earlier technology. The places mentioned in the novel relate to existing places after some deduction I've worked out two of them so far I rate this highly and look forward to the next in the series 'Painting by Numbers'

I recommend 'Creole' by Jos