Bloodorange
I'm a GoodReads user testing new waters after the serious website changes. I mostly read fiction, usually Anglophone classics/ modern classics; I like nonfiction (mostly social and cultural history), good fantasy and graphic novels. For guilty pleasure, I read advice and how-to books.
I made at least two reading resolutions recently; 1. read less, live more; 2. read books which give me more pleasure. I have poor filters, and books I find stylistically pleasing tend to be depressing, so I need to do something about that; if you think you know a book that is very well written, but won't make me weep, please drop me a line.
Vanity Fair
1. I'm not sure how I feel about William Dobbin. (He gained my respect immensely when he finally understood it's time to Have a Talk with Amelia. I do realize he is supposed to be the epitome of love, fidelity and honesty, and that Amelia's circumstances were tough, but managing one's life to such extent? Really? I find that infuriating -but so I do Amelia herself.)2. Some things about it were absolutely delicious - I am probably quoting the same fragment as everyone else, but pleeease:
And she began, forthwith, to tell her story — a tale so neat, simple, and artless that it was quite evident from hearing her that if ever there was a white-robed angel escaped from heaven to be subject to the infernal machinations and villainy of fiends here below, that spotless being — that miserable unsullied martyr, was present on the bed before Jos — on the bed, sitting on the brandy-bottle.
3. It aged. Listening to the later chapters I kept trying to imagine what it felt like to read it in the middle of the 19th century, and how the situations described would translate into present-day reality. Any suggestions as to the possible modern counterpart? I probably should try Tom Wolfe, but I believe he's more Dickensian.
