man now I am trying to think of my first proper tragedy. I think The Chronicles of Prydain, though not an out-an-out tragedy, had my first "realistic" ending; Outlaws of Sherwood has that same kind of dissatisfaction that I yet love. My first proper tragedy was probably a film, not a book; but I can't for the life of me think of what it was.
The Shining Company, though, is definitely in a class of its own.
and Anachred put my reaction more eloquently than I could.
Also, thanks for reminding me-- could you recommend a 30s/40s/50s era Grant or Hepburn or Tracy or Bergman movie-- you know, something classicish-- that would be good for a feminist film screening + discussion? It doesn't have to be a feminist film, but the idea is for it to be thought-provoking.
(Also we're-- or I am-- thinking of screening an Avatar episode or three as well. Now that I delve into the world of media sexism!fail I realize just how remarkable that show is-- it has, like, MULTIPLE FEMALE CHARACTERS on BOTH SIDES and they have CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Any particular recommendations?)
Oh and I read the first Ranger's Apprentice and remember liking how one of the subplots turned out, but that's about it. I don't remember which subplot. But when I saw all the sequels I kind of steered clear of them, figuring it was that kind of series.
Seconded! That movie is fantastic. I also remember Holiday (with Grant and Hepburn) being good, though I haven't seen it for years. And My girl Friday had witty dialogue IIRC. And the Bachelor and the bobby-soxer stars a female lawyer!
Hm...may have to track down that one set in Scotland some day. *Scotland love*
I just bought a Rosemary Sutcliff book the other day 'cause so many people have talked them up on Sounis. I don't even know which one it is. It said "Sutcliff" and I bought it. lol
I haven't been able to get into anything since I reread Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Have I recommended that to you before? Because I should have. It's so good. SOOOOO good. I mean, it is slow. Very slow. Like, if this book raced a snail, the snail would definitely win. But you just have to know that going in because it's epic. Fairies. The Duke of Wellington. Lord Byron. The Revival of English Magic. Talking stones. Venice. This book is seriously one of my favorites ever. Read it!
Seconding Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel. Just, the way some things are said--you're not reading the plot, which IS slow, you're reading the words. And the plot IS good, in its plodding way, and while it's a bit dark it definitely has its humor as well.
oh I do too, don't get me wrong. I am just...loling about the way it's marketed, still a little peeved about the way Disney treated Princess and the Frog, and overall sad about the state of 2D animation in the world.
Also yes do, it is wonderful, and so very Scottish.
Also that is why I picked up this book, and it was SO GOOD. So I suspect all her other books are too.
maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan I have had that book for three years, and not yet actually read it. One of these days. Maybe during next year's commute.
I love Quest for A Maid. Leslie tells me she has several other books, I think all Quest for Something, but The Maid ... she's so perfectly wonderful I don't even NEED more books by the same author. which is very strange for me.
The Norwegian king (prince? been too long) in the story is the grown up baby saved by the Birkebeiners and immortalized with the Norwegian and American Birkebeiner Ski Races. (trivia tidbit for today)
I loved reading the entire series of Sutcliff books connected by the dolphin ring. And Mark of the Horse Lords was both wonderful and creepy. Can't argue the ending but ... say it's not so!
oh yes, I understand! I felt the same way when I saw some of her other books mentioned. I didn't get the vibe that they would have the same perfect magical combination that Maid has.
For this I thank you muchly. I wasn't really interested in the Rangers Apprentice books, because none of the people who I trust for Good Book Recs have mentioned them, but they were so popular when I worked in the bookstore I was a bit curious. I'm not sure why I never looked at the first sentence though... I'm one of those horrible people who won't give a book a chance after a first sentence like that, unless I really trust the person who recommended it.
You're feelings about Book of a Thousand Days were very like mine.
Zel, Quest for a Maid and the Shining Company are on the TBR list. The foreverlong TBR list. Actually, I think years ago I checked out Quest for a Maid from the library and didn't finish it for some reason, I can't for the life of me remember why though.
I mean, that first line just had SO MANY ridiculous things in it, I was like, either the author is a) supremely confident, b) having a poke at the fantasy genre, or c) not good, and since two of those things are sometimes good things, I gave it a shot. (The answer is C.)
they seem to be echoed throughout everyone else, and so I am glad to know that a book that had so many little details that I thought were theoretically so awesome and yet within the novel were merely interesting coming off flat is not something I alone am facing.
(seriously though. I can't figure out why Shannon Hale won't mesh for me. With something like Graceling, it was really easy to pinpoint, but Shannon Hale's books are just...all right for me, and I don't understand why
( ... )
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Because it ended so badly. And it was so beautiful.
Maybe my first proper tragedy, actually.
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The Shining Company, though, is definitely in a class of its own.
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and Anachred put my reaction more eloquently than I could.
Also, thanks for reminding me-- could you recommend a 30s/40s/50s era Grant or Hepburn or Tracy or Bergman movie-- you know, something classicish-- that would be good for a feminist film screening + discussion? It doesn't have to be a feminist film, but the idea is for it to be thought-provoking.
(Also we're-- or I am-- thinking of screening an Avatar episode or three as well. Now that I delve into the world of media sexism!fail I realize just how remarkable that show is-- it has, like, MULTIPLE FEMALE CHARACTERS on BOTH SIDES and they have CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! Any particular recommendations?)
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Hm...may have to track down that one set in Scotland some day. *Scotland love*
I just bought a Rosemary Sutcliff book the other day 'cause so many people have talked them up on Sounis. I don't even know which one it is. It said "Sutcliff" and I bought it. lol
I haven't been able to get into anything since I reread Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Have I recommended that to you before? Because I should have. It's so good. SOOOOO good. I mean, it is slow. Very slow. Like, if this book raced a snail, the snail would definitely win. But you just have to know that going in because it's epic. Fairies. The Duke of Wellington. Lord Byron. The Revival of English Magic. Talking stones. Venice. This book is seriously one of my favorites ever. Read it!
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Also yes do, it is wonderful, and so very Scottish.
Also that is why I picked up this book, and it was SO GOOD. So I suspect all her other books are too.
maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan I have had that book for three years, and not yet actually read it. One of these days. Maybe during next year's commute.
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The Norwegian king (prince? been too long) in the story is the grown up baby saved by the Birkebeiners and immortalized with the Norwegian and American Birkebeiner Ski Races.
(trivia tidbit for today)
I loved reading the entire series of Sutcliff books connected by the dolphin ring. And Mark of the Horse Lords was both wonderful and creepy. Can't argue the ending but ... say it's not so!
Reply
I NEED TO FIND THOSE.
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For this I thank you muchly. I wasn't really interested in the Rangers Apprentice books, because none of the people who I trust for Good Book Recs have mentioned them, but they were so popular when I worked in the bookstore I was a bit curious. I'm not sure why I never looked at the first sentence though... I'm one of those horrible people who won't give a book a chance after a first sentence like that, unless I really trust the person who recommended it.
You're feelings about Book of a Thousand Days were very like mine.
Zel, Quest for a Maid and the Shining Company are on the TBR list. The foreverlong TBR list. Actually, I think years ago I checked out Quest for a Maid from the library and didn't finish it for some reason, I can't for the life of me remember why though.
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they seem to be echoed throughout everyone else, and so I am glad to know that a book that had so many little details that I thought were theoretically so awesome and yet within the novel were merely interesting coming off flat is not something I alone am facing.
(seriously though. I can't figure out why Shannon Hale won't mesh for me. With something like Graceling, it was really easy to pinpoint, but Shannon Hale's books are just...all right for me, and I don't understand why ( ... )
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