tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post4292501796650404861..comments2024-03-17T23:08:28.960-07:00Comments on Raybeard: 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' - Re-experiencing literary classics (for the last time?).Raybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-3065852151151227882014-06-10T02:03:46.017-07:002014-06-10T02:03:46.017-07:00Yes, it's a good, solid read, Walt - and even ...Yes, it's a good, solid read, Walt - and even though I'd only first read it on becoming adult, and in spite of another read later, I found that third time round I'd already been planting false memories of the book. Good to have them corrected - but will my mind revert to creating or resurrecting more false memories? I think that a lot of people 'suffer' from this syndrome, though it's not nice to admit to having it.<br /><br />the book is chilling in its depiction of a tyranny which is, in reality, not that far away for any of us, despite the fall of Communism (well, largely anyhow) and large-scale international fascism. But I think anyone who thinks it only alludes to these is deluding him/herself.<br />I'd like to read it yet another time - if the fates allowed me to.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-23524024112995093762014-06-10T01:11:09.678-07:002014-06-10T01:11:09.678-07:00I enjoyed my second read of that novel a couple of...I enjoyed my second read of that novel a couple of years ago. I found it online for free and read it on my desktop screen. Since I was in high school when I read it first, There was much detail I had forgotten (or didn't really understand then) and I'm really happy to have read it again. What is really chilling to me is how much of that "fiction" seems to fit today's reality.wcshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00551283829616757577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-19413757263160139662014-06-02T23:50:57.260-07:002014-06-02T23:50:57.260-07:00Points noted, Sol. All I need now is the money, Wi...Points noted, Sol. All I need now is the money, With no exaggeration, it really is a day-to-day hand-to-mouth existence for me. If my TV or my computer went down anytime (the latter getting increasingly likely) I'd have to survive without those until God knows when. At the moment a Kindle is a luxury too far, particularly as it's not a necessary addition to my life, but I do pick up your enthusiastic recommendation for which I thank you.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-87352708072775123282014-06-02T13:16:34.108-07:002014-06-02T13:16:34.108-07:00buy a kindle Ray. Seriously, I had a kindle and t...buy a kindle Ray. Seriously, I had a kindle and then I got a paperwhite a month ago. The paper white is excellent. it is fantastic to read at night with. My father really gets on well with his. You can change the font size and even listen to it, read the book out to you.<br /><br />It is very easy. if you can save to your desktop and drag things around you can put things on a kindle.<br /><br />I think last time I looked there are 3000 free to download titles. <br /><br />I have found lots of self published ebooks by some people who blog exceptional. so well written and all on things I am really interested in.<br /><br />Try one in a shop like currys etc. the staff will show you how to work itSolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518631542782309728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-83788511999265364322014-06-02T07:18:34.072-07:002014-06-02T07:18:34.072-07:00Interesting that you should have found '1984&#...Interesting that you should have found '1984' too reality based. It was written in 1947/48 just after the horrors of WWII when knowledge of what had really been going on behind the Third Reich's facade became generally known and before the West got to know the truth about Stalin's Russia when it still had major high-profile champions on this continent and in America. If what you say is true - and it might well be - it must mean that we don't learn our lessons.<br /><br />I've been sorely tempted to buy a Kindle but it's not just the initial cost that's put me off but I'd need instruction on how to download books being still, despite the possession of my current contraption, pretty much computer illiterate. But you make a strong case for it.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-62953500189525564672014-06-02T02:52:33.125-07:002014-06-02T02:52:33.125-07:00I bought an e-reader (Kindle) less than 3 years ag...I bought an e-reader (Kindle) less than 3 years ago and discovered that many of the classics are free. So, I started doing the same thing. I just finished re-reading "1984" a few months ago, and found it powerful, interesting, and a bit too reality based. I've yet to pick up Animal Farm (I'm not sure if it's free on Kindle; so I may have to pay for it).Moving with Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12954028272162285597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-64288393392235674392014-06-02T00:35:29.913-07:002014-06-02T00:35:29.913-07:00I've been looking for the Aldous Huxley for a ...I've been looking for the Aldous Huxley for a re-read but can't place my hand on it. I only ever read it the once, a good 40 years ago, and felt then that it wasn't really of the same excellent quality as the Orwell. But I could well change my mind if I can find it - or buy another used paperback of it. <br />The only other Huxley I've read was 'Eyeless in Gaza', which I remember as quite heavy-going.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-71769527544905271322014-06-02T00:30:49.137-07:002014-06-02T00:30:49.137-07:00Absolutely, C. More than with films, I think that ...Absolutely, C. More than with films, I think that re-experiencing books nearly always brings to the surface qualities one hadn't appreciated on an initial read. That first time probably the plotline was the most important thing. But once that expectation has been removed it's like seeing with fresh eyes. Though I also agree that the added years one has experienced must alter one's own perspective, usually for the better, certainly affording greater insight. Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-48990316776410512462014-06-02T00:24:29.232-07:002014-06-02T00:24:29.232-07:00Sol, Austen was one of those writers whom I didn&#...Sol, Austen was one of those writers whom I didn't 'get' until middle age - when I discovered that the fault was mine in trying to read her too fast. She writes in language to be savoured and rolled around in the brain - and she is now one of my very favourite writers of all. <br />I've read all her novels at least twice and they make for excellent re-reads. Difficult to pick out just one but her final one, 'Persuasion', does take some beating for sheer beauty of prose, if nothing else.<br />Of course all this admiration of her writing talent was put into uestion a few years ago when it was revealed (or theorised) that a lot of the credit given to here should also be accorded to her publisher who edited and corrected her grammar and spelling and added more than a few touches of his own in expanding descriptions of various characters. But I'd rather not think too deeply about that. All the Austen's are certainly on my 'bucket list' to read again - and I'll make sure they pop up here in postings as and when I read them (as will the Brontes).<br /><br />It hadn't occurred to me that you might not have a TV. I got a cheapo big-screen one (an LG, then about £250) about 3 years ago but it's done me well, though I can't play DVDs - and can't even play them on this old computer either. <br /><br />In your last para "read along" - did you mean "read-athon"?. Whatever, as I say to Paul (below) I'll probably do a posting of each of the 'classics' I re-read as I finish them.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-51565072802548710282014-06-02T00:09:40.898-07:002014-06-02T00:09:40.898-07:00Paul, it's been a fairly arid time at the cine...Paul, it's been a fairly arid time at the cinema, though still with the occasional quality release. It'll get very flat when the long school hols start here in about 6 weeks time.<br /><br />'The Normal Heart' was on TV here just last night, BUT only on satellite, which I don't have, and also on very late (for me) in any case, so I probably wouldn't have watched it. It's not being given a theatrical release here. If it's repeated on one of the more accessible channels at a more reasonable time then of course I'll give it a view, not least because of the sizzling presence of Mark R.<br />I did actually see the play on the London stage with Martin Sheen about 30 years ago. The entire climate around the subject has changed dramatically since then (that being the heartless Reagan era) though it must still carry a punch, which I guess will be more than just an historical one.<br /><br />Earlier this year I finished 'Leaves of Grass' for the third time, reading one poem per day. I must say that on each reading W.W.'s putting down in words what dared not be said aloud re same-sex attraction, even though understandably veiled by today's standards, was an extremely courageous thing to do. However I do find that rather too many of his poems contain 'lists' which seem to be something of a self-congratulating display of knowledge, dulling the impact of what he's trying to say.<br />I know very little about the author as a man, apart from his being reviled in some quarters, those same people who today would demand that he be removed from public libraries. I'd be interested in putting more flesh on what I know about him so thank you for suggesting that book that had been recommended to you.<br /><br />Likewise I know very little about Barrymore, even less than I do for W.W. The Plummer film/programme has, as far as I know, not surfaced here.<br /><br />I'd often though about posting reviews of books as I do for films, after I've finished them. But there's a lack of topicality on the subject which cinema does have. (I can't afford to buy newly-published books while they are still 'hot' and talked about.) But I can certainly post about my re-reads of 'classics' as each one is ticked off. I'm pleased that this particular post has had such a positive response.Raybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424095016313843883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-79223280572668397462014-06-01T15:36:42.623-07:002014-06-01T15:36:42.623-07:00I haven't entered a movie theater in almost tw...I haven't entered a movie theater in almost two months. There is nothing there that interests me. That is not to say that I haven't seen any movies - I have, but on television. I saw Larry Krammer's heartbreaking "The Normal Heart" and oh, what a punch it packed! I'm glad that it was entrusted to HBO (who gave us "Candelabra") as they are the only ones who could do it justice - not having to worry about filling movie theaters and trying to please the homophobes. Although it was shown on television in the US, I hope it is brought to you across the pond on the big screen so you can experience the brave people who fought to bring the reality of the disease to an uninterested people. <br /><br />I have also been doing some re-reading. I am now enjoying Whitman's "Leaves Of Grass" again, coupled with Walt Whitman: A Gay Life" (thanks to blogger, Stephen for informing me of this book)<br /><br />I recently watched "Barrymore" with Christopher Plummer. and that inspired me to take my biography of John Barrymore off of my bookshelf and re-read it.<br /><br />I am delighted that you are posting about books again. It should inspire some some lively discussions.<br /><br />paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02085842904367441128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-34168579242637828582014-06-01T15:13:33.784-07:002014-06-01T15:13:33.784-07:00I remember reading this book in concert with Brave...I remember reading this book in concert with Brave New World. Both were chilling in their own way. Ur-spohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237644452200889946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-44173635627236424222014-06-01T08:56:14.683-07:002014-06-01T08:56:14.683-07:00I've also found that in re-reading some of the...I've also found that in re-reading some of these (now in my later years) that there are fragments and nuances that were missed the first time round. Or, perhaps, age gave me more insight. the cajunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10905358111623645338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-926347286766677626.post-56281846265577787982014-06-01T08:01:22.168-07:002014-06-01T08:01:22.168-07:00Ohhhh Ray, you have spurred me on. I have just fi...Ohhhh Ray, you have spurred me on. I have just finished reading Emma, Jane Austen. I have her other books but I was going to read some of the Bronte sisters. maybe I need to read this again.<br /><br />We still don't have a television. We cant agree on what size or if it should be one of these new curved screen ones. it is too much on offer and too little funds. I keep watching dvds on my laptop.<br /><br />Maybe you should do a read along? you list the books and others read them and then the comments should be good... makes it all more enjoyable?Solhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518631542782309728noreply@blogger.com