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[jlhoots]

Ramona Emerson: Shutter

[BillF]

[ejp626]

In the end, I felt The Ministry of Utmost Happiness veered dangerously close to the category of torture porn.  The first third was the most successful for me, probably not coincidentally that was the section that had almost nothing to do with Kashmir.  It's also a bit interesting that 9/11 is almost a blip to these characters.  The aftermath of the train burning (and riot) in Gujarat impacts several characters more, though it still is treated mostly off-screen, as it were.  I gather A Burning by Megha Majumdar is not based on this tragedy (as I had assumed) but is more of a fictional composite.  I've been thinking of reading A Burning and will move it up a bit on my list.

I'm not really enjoying Cosmopolis either, but at least it's short.  I've never been that interested in reading about people who think they are "masters of the Universe," even if their feet of clay are on display.  I am a bit curious if the character, Eric, is just as insufferable in the movie (likely so) but I'm not sure I am curious enough to find out.  However, I am curious if the movie of White Noise (a much, much better novel) is well-done, and I'll have a chance to watch it on Sunday.

[Bluesnik]

1 hour ago, ejp626 said:

The first third was the most successful for me

That is also always the case with me. All works of art follow one simple structure: presentation, conflict, resolution. And I always like the first best. The first part of a novel, film or anything is always the best.

[HutchFan]

My wife & I are planning to go to Madrid next summer, so:

[Bluesnik]

On 12/2/2022 at 7:58 PM, Bluesnik said:

Today I finished Ask the dust, in my opinion the standout novel from the quartet. And I still have the last to read.

Now I'm with the last novel, Dreams from Bunker Hill, which while not as good, is also interesting because it portrays the Hollywood studio world the writers live in. Amongst sycophants who pretend to be friends with all the stars, and a real crazy day to day live. It's really hilarious. Though admittedly it's not the best.

[Bluesnik]

On 8/13/2022 at 12:58 AM, Rabshakeh said:

I have it on my shelf waiting a reading. Looking forwards to it.

Exactly the same.

[Brad]

11 hours ago, HutchFan said:

My wife & I are planning to go to Madrid next summer, so:

It’s not bad. Perfect for what it is. All his other books on Spain are very good. 

[HutchFan]

13 hours ago, Brad said:

It’s not bad. Perfect for what it is. All his other books on Spain are very good. 

Brad,

If Spain is an area of expertise, are there any other books that you'd particularly recommend?

 

[Brad]

22 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Brad,

If Spain is an area of expertise, are there any other books that you'd particularly recommend?

 

I’d say it’s more an area of interest as I lived there when I was a teenager. It depends on what you’re looking for and where you’re going to be.  Historically, Tremlett’s book should do it for you. If you want to go more in depth about the Spanish Civil War, for example, I can make some recommendations.  A book I have always liked because it gives you a flavor of Spain is The Sun Also Rises, although it’s not just about Spain. 

[HutchFan]

25 minutes ago, Brad said:

If you want to go more in depth about the Spanish Civil War, for example, I can make some recommendations.

Yes, please.  I'd appreciate your recommendations on the Spanish Civil War very much. ... Another period that I'd like to dig more deeply into: The Islamic al-Andalus and the Christian Reconquest (8th–15th centuries).

 

25 minutes ago, Brad said:

A book I have always liked because it gives you a flavor of Spain is The Sun Also Rises, although it’s not just about Spain.

I'm a Hemingway fan, so I've read that one a few times.    For Whom the Bell Tolls as well. 

[Brad]

40 minutes ago, HutchFan said:

Yes, please.  I'd appreciate your recommendations on the Spanish Civil War very much. ... Another period that I'd like to dig more deeply into: The Islamic al-Andalus and the Christian Reconquest (8th–15th centuries).

 

I'm a Hemingway fan, so I've read that one a few times.    For Whom the Bell Tolls as well. 

SCW recommendations. A good one is Hugh Thomas’ book but it’s long  Written a long time ago but still holds up well. Ronald Fraser’s Oral History of the Spanish Civil War is incredible but, again, long  Adam Hochschild’s Spain in our Hearts is good but more focused on the International Brigades.  Hotel Florida by Amanda Vaill isn’t bad.  Lastly, Giles Tremlett’s Ghosts of Spain gives you a good look at the country and how it deals with the SCW.  Coming to grips with it more than 80 years after it ended is still contentious.  

Since you are going to be in Madrid, if you have access to a car, I’d recommend going to Sepúlveda for the roast lamb. It literally falls off the bone. It’s north of Madrid, an hour’s drive I think.  Also go to Segovia.  The Roman aqueduct still works. Meson de Cándido is a good restaurant. A little touristy but the food is good.  Avila is a walled city south of Madrid. Worth a visit.  Madrid has tons of restaurants.  A touristy spot but a very good restaurant is Casa Botín off the Plaza Mayor.  I love the place.

[Brad]

4 hours ago, HutchFan said:

Yes, please.  I'd appreciate your recommendations on the Spanish Civil War very much. ... Another period that I'd like to dig more deeply into: The Islamic al-Andalus and the Christian Reconquest (8th–15th centuries).

 

I'm a Hemingway fan, so I've read that one a few times.    For Whom the Bell Tolls as well. 

There’s a book on Islamic Spain that was well received when it came out called Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain by Brian Catlos.

If you like Hemingway you might enjoy the podcast One True Pod. I find it invaluable. 

[Bluesnik]

On 11/16/2022 at 3:56 AM, ejp626 said:

I have this same edition.  Been meaning to get to it forever...

I also had it since 2004, and only gave it a read now. But it's really good.

 

On 12/5/2022 at 7:53 PM, Bluesnik said:

Now I'm with the last novel, Dreams from Bunker Hill

Still with that one. And today I read a very hilarious account of a wrestling match between the Duke of Sardinia and something Lionheart. I dropped tears from laughing!

[Brad]

[HutchFan]

@Brad, thanks for the recommendation.  

 

[Brad]

12 hours ago, HutchFan said:

@Brad, thanks for the recommendation.  

 

Glad to help.

Just starting this:

 

[BillF]

[soulpope]

Gary Larson "The Complete Far Side" ....

[ejp626]

Just starting J.G. Farrell's Troubles, which is the first book in his loosely defined Empire Trilogy.

These books have gotten so much praise that it makes me a little leery, but I'm enjoying Troubles so far.  It's set in a very run down hotel just outside Dublin and takes place during the "Troubles" of the 1920s.  The novel focuses mostly on how the English ruling classes fail to adapt to said "Troubles."  I'm seeing some parallels to some of Molly Keane's early novels such as The Rising Tide or Two Days in Aragon.  Time After Time is more directly about the decaying English ruling class in Ireland, but was actually written over a decade after Troubles was published, so if anything the influence ran the other way in this case.

I'm hoping to get to the rest of the trilogy in Jan. and Feb., though I have a few other novels I'm working my way through, like Knut Hamsun's Hunger and Al-Aswany's The Yacoubian Building.

[soulpope]

Gary Larson "The Complete Far Side" ....

[ghost of miles]

[Aggie87]

Heads up for anyone interested, Barnes & Noble is having their annual 50% off all hardback books sale today (and yesterday).  Applies to all brick & mortar locations, not sure about online.

Picked up three books, wife picked up four more.  Almost grabbed the Bill Frisell Beautiful Dreamer book, but despite loving his music, I'm not sure how interesting a book about him would be.

 

[HutchFan]

[felser]