I recommend:
“Ireland: A Social and Cultural History” by Terence Brown
“Paddy & Mr. Punch” by RF Foster
What are You Reading Now?
- Thread starter jpmcwjr
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“Ireland: A Social and Cultural History” by Terence Brown
“Paddy & Mr. Punch” by RF Foster
My favorite contemporary author. I'm sorry he's passed away because I can't find a living writer I like as much.
Just finished Mill on the Floss by George Elliot. Like all her novels, it's filled with brilliant insights into human nature but I found the ending unsatisfying.
He’s one of my favorites as well. He’s certainly one of the most prolific and versatile writers of his generation.
I enjoyed the book but like you, found the ending somewhat unsatisfying if not disappointing.
Churchill's Marlborough series, just finished vol. 1.
churchill's Marl
churchill's Marl
Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence.
I just started reading this wonderfully comprehensive examination of Sherlock Holmes that starts with Conan Doyle's idea and goes through all the various incarnations in media up to his recent appearance as Sherlock. Everyone who enjoys the books, radio, movie, TV, and other versions of the character, in short, every Sherlockian, should get a copy.
Henry Fielding, History of Tom Jonrs, a Foundling.
I've been gifted two of his books but haven't picked them up yet, what's your thoughts on him?
I’ve only read “bonfire of the vanities “, “the painted word,” and this one. I think bonfire is a truly great novel. “The kingdom of speech “ is interesting for its argument about linguistics but it’s written in a jokey exaggerated style that falls flat for me sometimes (in part because it’s been imitated so much). That said, I’m enjoying it
A (generally) gently and affectionately satirical look at love, ecclesiastical affairs and controversies in the Established Church in England in the 1850s.
I suppose the scheming Low Church chaplain Obadiah Slope (one of a long line of English literary villains cut of a similar bolt of cloth — Uriah Heep is another, so perhaps is Steerpike of Castle Gormenghast) might offend a very devout Evangelical but it is a charming book if clerical hypocrisy is an acceptable subject.
I suppose the scheming Low Church chaplain Obadiah Slope (one of a long line of English literary villains cut of a similar bolt of cloth — Uriah Heep is another, so perhaps is Steerpike of Castle Gormenghast) might offend a very devout Evangelical but it is a charming book if clerical hypocrisy is an acceptable subject.
I just finished Ian M Banks “The Algebraist” Great science fiction.
History of the Peloponnesian War - Thucydides
I have also embarked on an exploration of poets and currently I am reading a poem a night by Robert Frost
I am also slowly working my way through "Drawing with the Right Side of the Brain" - Edwards
I have also embarked on an exploration of poets and currently I am reading a poem a night by Robert Frost
I am also slowly working my way through "Drawing with the Right Side of the Brain" - Edwards
I’ve been reading and re-reading Trollope for many years. Wonderful re-creation of English life with very realistic and human characters except possibly for some of his near perfect heroines.
I could not agree more, at least as far as the Chronicles of Barset go. I have never gotten round to starting on the Palliser novels — I know I have them somewhere in the house and must start on them after this one.
The first Palliser book - Can You Forgive Her- is not one of my favorites but still worthwhile. The Phineas Finn books and the Eustace Diamonds are especially good. The selfish, scheming Lizzie Eustace in the latter is wonderful.