A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

[Nikki]

No, I'm not put off - I just feel some of my comments will be rather superficial without much background knowledge.  Wish I could read Christopher and His Friends but the library hasn't got it and it's pretty expensive on Amazon.  It does have A Meeting by the River though (I realise it's unrelated) - might try that.

Cally, I've read some of your comments in other threads and they are far from superficial.  In the past booik clubs here, Michael and/or others have referred to relevant books or posted links to readings that enhanced the discussion.  You'll be great!

[tfferg]

My copy of the book has arrived. Now I just have to read it.

Good! Isherwood's style makes it clear and very accessible.

[killersmom]

Got my book over the weekend and have started reading it, but just a few pages so far.
Hope to get more of it read over the weekend.

[michaelflanagansf]

Hi Jess and Linda - I'm actually getting more out of it as I read it a second time (we should ask Rob if that holds true for the third and fourth  ).

[Dave Cullen]

i love christopher isherwood. i'll have to see if i can get this read in time.

[Cally]

Cally, I've read some of your comments in other threads and they are far from superficial.  In the past booik clubs here, Michael and/or others have referred to relevant books or posted links to readings that enhanced the discussion.  You'll be great!

Oh, Nikki - thank you .
Sara

ETA I've just managed to find a cheap paperback of Christopher and his Kind on Amazon uk and have ordered it.

[CellarDweller115]

Hello book clubbers!

I'm going to Georgia this Friday, so I went to the Barnes & Noble by me, and got a copy of "A Single Man" to read in the airport and on the ride there and back.

I'm good to go!

[killersmom]

It's going to be my read for the weekend too, Chuck.

[dejavu]

Hi Jess and Linda - I'm actually getting more out of it as I read it a second time (we should ask Rob if that holds true for the third and fourth  ).

I have made a couple of passes through parts of it, so I have some impressions about this.

The first time, I read parts closely and skimmed or skipped over parts.  Now I'm reading in more detail from the beginning, still concentrating on the first half of the book.

First impression is that it's a very easy book to read, in terms of the language used, the style, etc., and it's short.  BUT, on second reading (of those parts I've been through twice) I'm finding that it is full of ideas, thoughts, impressions, that need to be explored further.  So speaking just for the first half of the book (where I've been concentrating) I would say yes, I'm getting a lot more out of it on second reading.  I will probably read these sections for a third and fourth time as the time comes to discuss each section.

[michaelflanagansf]

Welcome Dave!  I hope you have time to join us.

First impression is that it's a very easy book to read, in terms of the language used, the style, etc., and it's short.  BUT, on second reading (of those parts I've been through twice) I'm finding that it is full of ideas, thoughts, impressions, that need to be explored further.  So speaking just for the first half of the book (where I've been concentrating) I would say yes, I'm getting a lot more out of it on second reading.  I will probably read these sections for a third and fourth time as the time comes to discuss each section.

Exactly, Debbie.  I must admit that I was somewhat worried when I divided up the book that there would not be enough material to come up with 10 questions each time.  Now that I reread it, I can see that there will not be a problem with that.

You're right, it's a very easy book to read - but when you go back and look at it there are lots of attitudes and moods in the book.  It's heavily layered - I find myself thinking (on the second read), 'why is he thinking that?'

I'm even more impressed with Isherwood's writing the second time around.

[Nikki]

I've been rereading 'Palimpsest' by Gore Vidal.  He's wonderfully witty and bitchy, and knew everyone who was anyone in the arts and politics, but he never hesitated to comment negatively or positively about those whom he liked or disliked.  This passage about meeting Isherwood, I thought, was interesting:

I introduced myself to Isherwood.  Thus began a friendship that was to last for the rest of his life.  The common denominator in the rare friendships that I have had with other writers is laughter.  With Christopher and the Bird (Tennessee Williams), I laughed a great deal.  The Bird's humor ran to the grotesque, Christopher's to shades of meaning, often involving colliding class systems, which he could play upon like a comic virtuoso at the xylophone.  We would make extravagant statements; and then develop them.  Vidal describes how they would create parodies, Vidal improvising like a later Henry James and Isherwood like Edgar Wallace.

 He writes that he sent Isherwood the manuscript of 'The City and the Pillar,' and was grateful for Isherwood's praise.

[michaelflanagansf]

I love the picture of Don Bachardy drawing Christopher Isherwood here:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/Film?Film=oid%3A683676

[Cally]

It's nice, isn't it?

I'm trying to get hold of 'Chris and Don' but it doesn't seem to be available thyough my dvd rental.

[Rob in Puyallup]

I've got to keep an eye open and record 'Chris and Don' next time it's on cable. I've bumped into a couple times, have never seen the whole of it, though.

Don is an excellent artist, too!

[Cally]

Will try google images.