After the shameful failure to finish Reading Project Book 7, I’ve moved right on to Book 8, Pnin, by Vladimir Nabokov.
Why I own this book: L gave it to me for Christmas in 2000.
Why I haven’t read it: If you can believe it, I haven’t read anything by Nabokov, and, again, wasn’t sure I’d like him.
Why I still own it: Gift! With a sweet note inscribed by L on the title page that says, in part, “This is a good book. Read it. I have programmed it to self-destruct at 12-25-01, so get a move on.”
The verdict: Although I did not take L’s advice, I was lucky it didn’t self-destruct, because I really love this book! Although not very much happens (it’s basically just a character study, with a little academic satire and reflections on the immigrant experience), Nabokov’s painstakingly detailed style is a treat to read. I definitely plan to read more by him (perhaps next year’s Project will be to read the further works of authors I have enjoyed in the past?). Maybe Pale Fire, because I’ve heard Pnin has a cameo in it, hee.
Monday, July 17, 2006
WOMEN IN LOVE
I embarked on Book 7 of the Project, Women in Love by D.H. Lawrence, a few weeks ago. (Somehow I completely neglected to write about Book 6, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, but a belated thumbs up—it was hard to get into, but I found myself intensely involved in the second half and very moved by the ending.)
Why I own this book: L gave it to me, many years ago.
Why I haven’t read it: Have never read anything by Lawrence, wasn’t sure I’d like him.
Why I still own it: Well, it was a gift, and L said she liked it...
But the verdict is that this book and I, we didn’t get along. I tried, I really did, but the characters seemed to have no personality, everyone made long, dull speeches about abstract ideas, and the writing style was overwrought. I have a hard time with books that seem to have no particular details. I followed the Nancy Pearl Life’s Too Short Rule (subtract your age from 100, and that is the number of pages you need to read before you quit a book), got to page 71, and shut the book. I think I’ll give it to Goodwill. (Sorry, L.) It felt like a failure for the Project, until I remembered that the whole point of the endeavor is to make sure I only own books I like. Now I know I don’t like Women in Love. I’m willing to believe things really get grooving around page 110, and maybe I’d like a different Lawrence book someday, but for now I’m not looking back.
Why I own this book: L gave it to me, many years ago.
Why I haven’t read it: Have never read anything by Lawrence, wasn’t sure I’d like him.
Why I still own it: Well, it was a gift, and L said she liked it...
But the verdict is that this book and I, we didn’t get along. I tried, I really did, but the characters seemed to have no personality, everyone made long, dull speeches about abstract ideas, and the writing style was overwrought. I have a hard time with books that seem to have no particular details. I followed the Nancy Pearl Life’s Too Short Rule (subtract your age from 100, and that is the number of pages you need to read before you quit a book), got to page 71, and shut the book. I think I’ll give it to Goodwill. (Sorry, L.) It felt like a failure for the Project, until I remembered that the whole point of the endeavor is to make sure I only own books I like. Now I know I don’t like Women in Love. I’m willing to believe things really get grooving around page 110, and maybe I’d like a different Lawrence book someday, but for now I’m not looking back.
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