Kylie Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 Awesome everyone! I can't wait to read Everything is Illuminated. In the meantime, I have started on Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I wouldn't say I'm laughing out loud, but it's a light, mildly amusing read, and that's good enough for me. Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 I've downloaded Everything Is Illuminated to my Kindle, so I'm all set for February! Kylie, I'm making a start on Me Talk Pretty One Day today, so I'll let you know how I get on. Quote
lauraloves Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 I'm in process of getting Everything is Illuminated, and trying not to add anything else to my book order! Quote
page turner Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 I'm holding out until tomorrow - if I can't pick up the book tomorrow when I meet my mum for lunch ( I need supervision in bookstores ) the I will bite the bullet and order online when I get home. Quote
Lucybird Posted January 11, 2011 Posted January 11, 2011 I'm just looking to see if they've got Everything is Illuminated at the library. If they do I'll get it at some point this week. Quote
chesilbeach Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 Finished Me Talk Pretty One Day - not bad, but not earth shatteringly funny like the blurbs on the cover would lead you to believe! Entertaining and humorous, I'd rate it 3/5. Quote
frankie Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 I'm getting worried about getting Everything Is Illuminated, the current customer was supposed to return the book on 29.12.2010 but they're still holding on to it, I wonder if they've just forgotten to return it or if they are really slow readers and don't mind paying the penalty fees Quote
Kylie Posted January 13, 2011 Posted January 13, 2011 Can you ask the library to chase them up Frankie? Quote
frankie Posted January 14, 2011 Posted January 14, 2011 I don't know what the policy over at the library is. I'm sure the customer must've gotten the usual 'please return this book' noticement but apparently it hasn't had any effect. Quote
page turner Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I'm getting worried about getting Everything Is Illuminated, the current customer was supposed to return the book on 29.12.2010 but they're still holding on to it, I wonder if they've just forgotten to return it or if they are really slow readers and don't mind paying the penalty fees Hey Frankie any luck yet getting hold of it? I'm excited to start reading it, it will be the next one after my current read Quote
frankie Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Hey page turner and everyone, I have good news: I found a copy of Everything Is Illuminated at a library in BF's town, and now I can join you guys When's everyone starting this? I'll need to start reading the book as soon as possible because it would be good if I finished it before Sunday when I'm going back home. Yay, I'm so excited about our February challenge read Quote
Lucybird Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 Yay Frankie. I am going to see if I can get it from the library too, although when I last checked it was out on loan, I think until tomorrow. Quote
page turner Posted January 25, 2011 Posted January 25, 2011 I have a copy now so once I finish my lastest read I can get started Quote
Kylie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I have three books on the go but I'm hoping to finish them all in the next week so I'll hopefully start Everything is Illuminated around 1 Feb. Quote
frankie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I started this last night and was having problems already on the first page! Worry not, it's to do with the translation so it doesn't affect you guys. Could one of you guys do me a favor and check your copy and tell me which verb is used when the narrator is talking about all the different names he's been called? And if anyone is already reading the book, could you tell me if the narrator, whose mother tongue is not English, is telling the story in English, which affects his story telling? Because either the Finnish translator is incompetent or he's trying to mimic the way the narrator is speaking a foreign language. I truly hope it's the latter, otherwise I'm going to be really pissed. Quote
Kylie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 The original English version uses the verb 'dub'. It seems that the narrator has a rather 'unique' way of speaking English. For example, one sentence on page two reads 'This was a very majestic thing I did because my instructor was having sh!t between his brains.' (Excuse me for picking a 'naughty' sentence.) Does that help? Quote
frankie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 The original English version uses the verb 'dub'. It seems that the narrator has a rather 'unique' way of speaking English. For example, one sentence on page two reads 'This was a very majestic thing I did because my instructor was having sh!t between his brains.' (Excuse me for picking a 'naughty' sentence.) Does that help? OMG, that helps soooo much. I thought the translator was going bananas but apparently he adapted the style of the narrator. I'm so relieved, thanks Kylie Would you also say that the choice of adjectives is pretty weird as well? Quote
Kylie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 Yes, it looks like it. It should be an interesting read seeing as it's using such a different style. Quote
frankie Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 The adjectives were really confusing me, I thought that the translator was trying to be really quirky, like re-writing the story himself, him maybe being an aspiring writer himself. I'm so happy that's not the case, it'll be so much easier for me to read the book now. Thanks for your help. I'm thinking it'll be a really curious and interesting read! Quote
Lucybird Posted January 26, 2011 Posted January 26, 2011 I managed to pick up a copy of this in the Oxfam bookshop this afternoon. I just finished Beauty so I will probably start it later today. Quote
frankie Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I've now read about 100 pages of the book and I'm really getting into it, eventhough I had so much trouble with it in the beginning, and even if I had some problems with the narrative. I still find it sometimes hard to read, the historical bit at least, but I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying it! Does anyone know if there's an existing thread for this novel or the author? I tried looking but I'm having problems with the search on this new forum, I can't quite make it out Quote
Kylie Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I can find a thread for one of Safran Foer's books, but not Everything is Illuminated. I think it's safe for you to start a new thread. I'm glad you're enjoying it more now. Quote
lauraloves Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I really want to make a start on Everything is Illuminated but I'm making myself finish my current read first! Quote
Lucybird Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I'm a bit up and down with Everything is Illuminated, I love Alex's bits, I was trying so hard not to laugh on the bus last night when I was reading the bit in the restaurant. Quote
frankie Posted January 30, 2011 Posted January 30, 2011 I'm a bit up and down with Everything is Illuminated, I love Alex's bits, I was trying so hard not to laugh on the bus last night when I was reading the bit in the restaurant. The Alex bits are so much fun I've had loads of giggles. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.