Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Nov 2, 2007 7:14:05 GMT -5
My book finally came!!
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bookworm148
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of a sky of a tree called life."
Posts: 671
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Post by bookworm148 on Nov 2, 2007 14:21:01 GMT -5
Yay!!
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oureternity
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
bam.
Posts: 1,568
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Post by oureternity on Nov 14, 2007 2:03:29 GMT -5
I won't be able to make it
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sagedautumn
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
You Might Need This!
Posts: 1,509
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Post by sagedautumn on Nov 14, 2007 8:01:33 GMT -5
oh! Maybe next time. I know i had to backdown for the Middlesex reading
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Post by Hazy on Nov 14, 2007 16:29:36 GMT -5
Random story: I had the date November 16 stuck in my head, and was sure that I had some sort of assignment due, or perhaps an exam. I was panicking looking through my course notes trying to figure out what it was. Turns out it's just the date to start discussing this book. *smacks forehead*
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rosemint
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
Posts: 879
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Post by rosemint on Nov 14, 2007 16:39:17 GMT -5
Haha, at least you remembered it I will be able to make it because I finished my tests then! *yeah!* But I'm still studying my butt off
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sagedautumn
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
You Might Need This!
Posts: 1,509
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Post by sagedautumn on Nov 14, 2007 17:31:26 GMT -5
You'll do fine!
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oureternity
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
bam.
Posts: 1,568
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Post by oureternity on Nov 15, 2007 2:29:37 GMT -5
I hope I'll be joining next time! I haven't even started reading Middlesex lol.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Nov 15, 2007 8:40:36 GMT -5
Random story: I had the date November 16 stuck in my head, and was sure that I had some sort of assignment due, or perhaps an exam. I was panicking looking through my course notes trying to figure out what it was. Turns out it's just the date to start discussing this book. *smacks forehead* ;D ;D ;D
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Bina
First novel published
Posts: 2,472
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Post by Bina on Nov 15, 2007 12:40:30 GMT -5
I´ll start reading tomorrow and hopefully be able to keep up.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Nov 16, 2007 9:39:35 GMT -5
Time to start the discussion, yay!
Part 1: I read somewhere that when Virginia Woolf wrote Mrs. Dalloway, she no longer cared about critics and/or success, and this is how she managed to ignore all the rules to create a novel that was unique and creative. She introduced new writing techniques and a completely new style that still fascinate readers today.
The first thing I noticed and loved about the novel is how we are taken inside the characters’ minds. As Clarissa was walking down the streets of London, I couldn’t help but picture myself on my way to the shopping center, thinking about a whole bunch of different things – past, future and present. I often find myself thinking about something insignificant that happened in the past, something I’m sure everyone has forgotten about, and yet I can remember the exact words that were said and how I felt about it. So right away I felt a connection with Clarissa, because she does the same thing.
I also like how Clarissa is sort of an anti-hero; Woolf describes her as a woman who’s not very pretty, who’s got good qualities but plenty of flaws as well. It’s also rather unusual for a main character to be a woman in her 50’s. It makes you wonder about what can go on in the life of a 50-year-old woman that would be interesting enough to be at the center of a novel. She’s married, and although it’s not a happy marriage there’s no sign indicating that it is a total failure, her daughter is pretty much all grown up, she’s known her friends for a long time… is throwing parties really all she can do now?
Another thing I was fascinated with was all the minor characters that were suddenly introduced – it’s hard to tell at this point what their role will be in the story but again, because it’s not a technique I’m used to, my attention was definitely drawn to it. It does take a lot of concentration to follow the flow of everyone’s thoughts, but so far I’m really enjoying the novel. Can’t wait to read more!
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Kristie
Novel turned into BBC miniseries
"If a book is well written, I always find it too short."
Posts: 7,214
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Post by Kristie on Nov 16, 2007 14:48:29 GMT -5
Part One
I have to agree with Jefie about the use of a 50-year-old woman as a main character in a novel. I don't think I've read any books centered on a person with such normal duties of a wealthy housewife. I think it's interesting, too, how the story focuses on routine activities. Of course, unexpected things can always happen on a normal day, like the car with the Queen or Prince of Wales or PM stopping on the street.
I will admit that I wasn't to fond of Woolf's style at first because I just couldn't process it correctly. I might've had other things on my mind, but I had to read the first 10 pages or so three times before it made sense. I think Clarissa's flashback just confused me because I didn't realize it was a flashback and you can see how that would mess the rest of the reading up. But I'm getting used to it now, and I'm really interested in the story.
My favourite scene was in the park, starting with Lucrezia and Septimus. I liked how Woolf naturally wove the story and moved the narrative from Rezia to the Scottish Maisie to Mrs. Dempster and then to Mr. Bentley. It just flowed really well, and, again like Jefia, I'm wondering if these minor characters will have any role in the future story.
The stopping point really made me anxious! I really want to see what's going to happen between Clarissa and Peter, although I'm guessing already
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sagedautumn
Collection of short stories bought by Random House
You Might Need This!
Posts: 1,509
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Post by sagedautumn on Nov 16, 2007 15:17:29 GMT -5
I actually found Woolfe's style exhillerating! It was nice to see from the perspective of things from people's mind where you know you are getting the character's true feelings and emotions. Although I must admit the Prince of Wales thing kind of derailed me. I thought that it might play a more vital role but it didn't. You got the reactions of the different characters but it wasn't like the Prince of Wales actually graced them with his presence or anything. The Septimus/Lucrezia relationship I find very interesting because she is an Italian immigrant living in a strange land living with an Englishman who is unable to distinguish the differences between reality and fantasy. I think Septimus is schizophrenic and it is interesting that the Dr. thinks that he is "perfectly fine" even though he is clearly having delusions. All in all, I love the books richness. Some of the stuff she is describing I can literally see with my own eyes or as Jefie said see myself doing that!!
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Bina
First novel published
Posts: 2,472
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Post by Bina on Nov 18, 2007 15:24:15 GMT -5
I heard so many people complain that the stream of consciousness was awful to read but I´m glad I gave it a chance. At first it was a bit confusing but now that I´ve gotten used to it, it´s great to get to know the characters so intimately.
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