Aerothorn on 3/9/2006 at 05:32
Okay, sorry for the indecision. I'll nominate Only Begotten Daughter - while Towing Jehovah had some mixed reviews, I could find only one negative OBG review that wasn't "I AM AN OFFENDED CHRISTIAN" (and for what it's worth, I don't think it's a Christian-bashing book or anything, some people just take offense at biblical fiction). Will keep Mr. Pynchon waiting in the wings for when we have a shortage (HAH) of 'literary' works and/or when OBG inevitably fails miserably at the polls. Wee!
Kyloe on 3/9/2006 at 10:29
Can't find
The Wasp Factory. Seems I must order this one from Amazon.
A serious suggestion this time: After some twenty years, Bernd Eichinger has finally lifted his ass off the script to Das Parfum. The film will be out soon and I wanted to reread the book for a long time.
Inspired by an article in
Der Spiegel about personal hygiene in 18th century France (which was brilliant IIRC), Das Parfum - Die Geschichte eines Mörders by Patrick Süskind, is the story of a bizarre outsider. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a fishmonger's bastard, has an absolute sense of smell, but no smell of his own. People don't notice his presence, if they don't see or hear him.
He is on his way to become the greatest parfumeur of all times, using the scent from young girls, whom he murders, to create the perfect perfume. His real drive though is to create an authentic smell for himself. (
http://www.amazon.com/Perfume-Story-Murderer-Vintage-International/dp/0375725849/sr=8-1/qid=1157278752/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5898350-8534316?ie=UTF8&s=books) Amazon.com link
Scots Taffer on 3/9/2006 at 12:29
That last one sounds like the protagonist is essentially a gay Buffalo Bill.
lomondtaffer on 3/9/2006 at 17:33
Can't wait to discuss The Wasp Factory - and to re-read it - that book actually shocked me in my salad days. Alas, I'm old and jaded now.....
I submit David Mitchell's Ghostwritten for November.
ercles on 5/9/2006 at 08:44
Dirt Music By Tim Winton is one incredible novel, best to come out of Australia in a long time
Fafhrd on 5/9/2006 at 12:42
Quote Posted by Aerothorn
Okay, sorry for the indecision. I'll nominate Only Begotten Daughter - while Towing Jehovah had some mixed reviews, I could find only one negative OBG review that wasn't "I AM AN OFFENDED CHRISTIAN" (and for what it's worth, I don't think it's a Christian-bashing book or anything, some people just take offense at biblical fiction). Will keep Mr. Pynchon waiting in the wings for when we have a shortage (HAH) of 'literary' works and/or when OBG inevitably fails miserably at the polls. Wee!
imo "Towing Jehovah" is superior in almost every way to "Only Begotten Daughter," but they are both excellent books. I still need to replace my copy of Bible Stories for Adults, too.
Schattentänzer on 5/9/2006 at 14:00
Ok, I'll nominate a classic. I'll pick two books that I haven't read yet, and I pick two because I don't know if one of them might be basic school material in US or UK; you can't get through school in germany without having read Goethe, and I figure it'll be the same for Shakespear in english speaking countries. Anyways, I don't want to nominate something everybody has already read in school.
So, Stitch / Ig, pick the more uncommon:
Divine Comedy
or
Don Quixote
My personal fav would be Dante.
ignatios on 5/9/2006 at 14:50
Well Schatts, the reading curriculum over here varies from school to school so I can't speak for everyone, but I haven't read either. Since they're 'classics' though it wouldn't surprise me if many have, at least in part.
My personal feeling with both of those books is that at ~1000 pages each, they're a little lengthy and I have doubts as to whether I'd be able to read either in a month. For what it's worth however, I have more interest in Dante.
At the end of the day, it's up to the community; my opinion doesn't hold any more weight than anyone else's. I can vote for a book and either participate or not for any given month, just like everyone else.
Nominate as you will, mein <strike>Führer</strike> Freund!
Fingernail on 5/9/2006 at 14:51
is the system so rigid that it couldn't be stretched over two months were a longer title to win?
Stitch on 5/9/2006 at 15:19
Quote Posted by Schattentänzer
So, Stitch / Ig, pick the more uncommon:
From now on I'm ignoring multiple suggestions from one poster. It's really not my place (or ignatios') to be speaking for the community and picking which book will survive and be placed on the poll. We started the club, we're keeping it organized, but we shouldn't have any more control over book selection than the rest of you.
If you're having trouble narrowing it down to just one suggestion, ask for input from the community.
Post ignatios edit: haha, EYE TO EYE with my man. Power to the people!
Quote Posted by Fingernail
is the system so rigid that it couldn't be stretched over two months were a longer title to win?
The system is what the community wants it to be. If the community wants to read the bible over six months of Sundays, so be it.
Personally, I think we've had so many great candidates thus far with this book club that the last thing we need to do is tie up two months with one selection.
