What good book have you read lately? (New or old)

[fofol]

Glad you enjoyed it debbie. Whenever I read Dickens, I feel that I need a pencil to make notes in the margin or endpapers so I can keep everyone straight. 

That's the only problem with Dickens - everyone's straight.

[Cally]

Even without Sandy's help...

[canmark]

Just finished Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. I thought it was good, but I actually preferred the movie version: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/neverletmego/

[Sandy]

Even without Sandy's help...

Let me work on a new intepretation of Oliver Twist. 

[Cally]

Jack's little cousin?

[janjo]

Please Ennis, can I have some more?

[Tony_]

 Well, my seeking refuge in 19th century novels has had mixed results.  I love Dickens, but am exhausted, there.  So, am reading "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, which I had, for whatever reason, avoided before.  And it's been tranquilizing, in its own way.  Where Dickens is baroque, she is crisp and clear.
 IMO, though, she has Rochester's dialogue too much as a romantic woman would have him speak. A mistake Jane Austen never would have made.
 Oh, well, am getting the latest DVD, in hopes that a film version corrects  this flaw.

[killersmom]

I agree at your difference between Brontë and Austen, Tony. I love them both, but much prefer Jane Austen.

There are LOTS of Jane Eyre movies out there. The newest one out there from last year, 2011, has Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender in it. I saw it on the big screen, and I really liked it, but I have liked most versions out there.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/

[Tony_]

 Yes, there are lots, Linda.  I asked for the most recent, from the bookmobile, so, it will probably be the one you saw.

Next up, staying in the 19th century, "Cranford", but this time, I've already seen the BBC show, so, now, the reverse, to the book  !!!!

[Cally]

It's a long time since I read it, but I very much enjoyed Gaskell's Wives and Daughters, Tony.  I should read it again.

[janjo]

My mother in law was a Miss Austen, (before she married) from Kent, (an English County), so we suspect she might have connections with Jane Austen somewhere if you go back far enough, but I can't say I have seen any evidence of writing talent on that side of the family. She comes rom a strongly Royal Navy family, which also applied to a lot of the Austen family, but that is as far as I've got with my researches.

[Tony_]

It's a long time since I read it, but I very much enjoyed Gaskell's Wives and Daughters, Tony.  I should read it again.

 I had never heard of this one, Sara, but went to Wikipedia, and it looks like what I want - period pieces, to escape the present times.  Thanks  !!!!!

********
 Am stuck, now, on Jane Eyre.  Have to finish it, but am now sure she was wallowing in Shelley, Keats, and Lord Byron. The Romantic age.  And she lays in on thick  .

*******
  Jess, the collateral connection with Jane Austen sounds very likely !  Try Ancestry.com, or check with their family.  Meanwhile, keep a sharp eye out for any cool, gentle, literary tendencies amongst any children you might have, or nephews and nieces  .  Actually, this is very neat and I hope you pursue !!!!

[Cally]

Tony, I've never felt that Jane Eyre was over-Romantic - but tastes differ! Hope you'll finish it anyway.

And have you read Middlemarch by George Eliot - another great Victorian novel?  It's massive, and I'm not sure I could embark on it again, but when I did read it I was glad I'd made the effort.

[Tony_]

 Middlemarch sounds like a possible.  Will check it out on Wikipedia, and then it will probably go into the waiting line.  Gosh I could have Victorian era for months !  Thanks, Sara  !

 I do need these books because I just can't handle the modern world, lately.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Because of the anniversary, I was looking up recent and soon to be
published books about Titanic and I came across this, which initially
sounded kind of fascinating.



But then I discovered it's not what it says, really. It's untold
because it's basically porn slash, heh.