Every so often, especially after reading for vocational reasons a lot of things in a similar genre or subject, I like to take a break and read something wildly in another direction, usually an epic work from some unfamiliar but attractive place.

So I found myself picking up a copy of a true classic, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, translated by Royall Tyler. (Published by Penguin Classics, copyright 2001 Royall Tyler, ISBN 014243714X.) Since it is unabridged and at over a thousand pages I may be at this one for a while. :)

Nevertheles, first impressions: the translation is gorgeous and preserves what I take to be much of the original style as much as one can from medieval Japanese to modern English. It also validates an observation James Agee made years ago about why a story (be it a book or movie) gets boring. It is sometimes not because things go by too slowly but that they go too quickly and thus do not stay long enough to engage. This book seems perfectly paced and definitely engages.

mcarthur wrote:

Scott,
I will let you know in a few days.

Scott,
I would recommend that you read American Lion
The picture was taken on Kaanapali Beach, in Maui

mcarthur wrote:

mcarthur wrote:
[quote
Scott,
I will let you know in a few days.

Scott,
I would recommend that you read American Lion
The picture was taken on Kaanapali Beach, in Maui[/quote]

Thank you, Uncle. I had resolved to do so, but your endorsement seals the deal.

Enjoy your stay,

Scott

Naval Gent wrote:

mcarthur wrote:

mcarthur wrote:
[quote
Scott,
I will let you know in a few days.

Scott,
I would recommend that you read American Lion
The picture was taken on Kaanapali Beach, in Maui

Thank you, Uncle. I had resolved to do so, but your endorsement seals the deal.

Enjoy your stay,

Scott[/quote]

Nephew,
Thank you
Have you been to the Hermitage?

mcarthur wrote:

Nephew,
Thank you
Have you been to the Hermitage?

Years and years ago. But I pass by the Hermitage interstate exit at least once a month. I've got a feeling another visit is in the cards very soon.

I'm enjoying American Lion so far.

Scott

Naval Gent wrote:

mcarthur wrote:

Nephew,
Thank you
Have you been to the Hermitage?

Years and years ago. But I pass by the Hermitage interstate exit at least once a month. I've got a feeling another visit is in the cards very soon.

I'm enjoying American Lion so far.

Scott

Nephew,
It only gets better

I wanted a quick easy read this week: The Hobbit was a perfect fit.

LOVE the Hobbit. I re-read that and LOTR every five years or so. Great stuff. I also have the box set of all of the movies on DVD and the last two times I was home sick, I watched them all back-to-back-to-back.

I started and was enjoying John O'Hara's "Appointment in Samarra". Interesting and well written so far.



I am in a new book club with my siblings and we are meeting this Saturday, so I begrudgingly had to put down "AIS" and read "Three Cups of Tea" which a a true story about a mountain climber who goes on to try and build schools in the poor mountain towns of Karakoram, Pakistan. It's pretty interesting so far, but not my usual cup of tea (pardon the pun).

Finished Anna Karenina a little over a week ago. Then read The Collector by John Fowles, which was disturbing. I've just begun Airborne by William F. Buckley, about his first sailing trip across the Atlantic. Very well-written and very funny so far. I'm planning to charter a boat in Greece late this summer and the book makes me look forward to it even more.

I read both Airborne and Atlantic High. Terrific books, even if you're not into sailing. Buckley's love for his family and friends is so palpable.

Sartre wrote:

I read both Airborne and Atlantic High. Terrific books, even if you're not into sailing. Buckley's love for his family and friends is so palpable.

I also bought Atlantic High, which I'll also read before my trip. Airborne is terrific so far, especially in how he combines practical sailing advice with the personal anecdotes. I love Christopher's references to WFB's "18 blue Lacoste shirts."

Ivory's Ghosts, by John Frederick Walker.

I am interviewing him Saturday morning and unlike most reviewers I am actually reading the book, not glancing at it, or skimming it, but reading it.

And for this stellar effort I expect a parade.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ivorys ... 0871139955

Haven't posted here in a while.


Hoo-rah for journalistic integrity!;)

Now that I am taking the train to Boston every day, I am enjoying much more reading time. I do work reading on the 35 min. AM trip in and read for fun on 45 min. trip home.

I finished

• Appt. in Samarra

. Very good. 4.5 clips. A great slice of life of 1930s upper middle class suburban life. Lots of interesting period details. A quick read.

Also read a Wilbur Smith "bromance"

• The Triumph of the Sun

- a historical male bodice- ripper about the Madhi's take-over in the Sudan and the brave English who made a last stand in the 1890s.
A great airplane or beach read. 3 clips for merit, 4.5 clips for rollicking sexy action

Read Jeannette Walls' (MSNBC society/gossip columnist) astounding biography

• The Glass Castle

about her amazingly appalling childhood with her two intelligent but absurdly crazy parents. 4.5 clips for amazement generation.

Am reading

• New England White

- a novel set at in a fictional Massachusetts town with a fictional ivy league university. Deals with the racial issues of successful black people in a predominantly white society in the context of a murder mystery. It is okay so far. Some of it is a bit ham-handed and preachy. 3.5 clips.

That is all for now.

Best American Crime Writing 2008, Jonathan Kellerman (ed)

Takes the reader from the comical (a guy who impersonates members of the Pittsburg Steelers) to the horrifying (serial killers who prey on young girls). Nothing sensational, just good, solid reporting. Y'all check it out, hear?

Re-reading The Fountainhead. Next up...Jimmy Breslin's I Don't Want to Go to Jail.