I am curious as to whether or not readers out there experience book guilt when they can not bring themselves to finish....or even begin a book.
I myself have struggled with this my entire life. I do my utmost to tell myself
"You should never feel like you HAVE to read a book as a point of duty or obligation or personal recrimination." But, alas, I find I still feel like I am making an orphan of a book when I stuff a book in my to come back to pile....while feeling that nagging knowledge that I don't really mean it with the sincerity I often place books in that pile with.
Do you think there are certain books that as a homage, or a duty, or as a point of respect to an author's life work or creation we should attend to, even if we find we are not enjoying the experience? Moby Dick? War and Peace? Is it a matter of respect to tackle the monoliths of literature.
perhaps....
I am indeed frightened the answer is yes. Still, why do I feel that way about any and all books that I exile to the shelves.
Thoughts?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
BOOK REVIEW - Mr. Timothy by: Louis Bayard
Book Review
Mr. Timothy by: Louis Bayard
I must confess, I went into this novel with mediocre expectations. I looked forward to a mystery with perhaps a sincere but brief nod towards the Dickens spirit and the language of old England. I encountered, to my immense delight, something far better. I found myself involved in an immensely satisfying novel.
The book takes us into the confidence of A Christmas Carol's Tiny Tim as a grown man known in his later years as "Mr. Timothy."
A complex man with a decidedly interesting back story, is our Mr. Timothy.
I was at once wrapped up in the world created, it nearly brought my senses to their knees. Wrapped up in a damp foggy air and assaulted with smells wood fires, burnt skin of butterscotch, pipe tobacco and the like, I loved the journey as much for the plot, which grows increasingly macabre in nature as it progresses, as for the language and dialogue used to bring the reader along for the ride.
The voice of Mr. Timothy and those he encounters is clever and witty and surprisingly funny.
Entertaining and recommended by yours truly. Be prepared to close the book, smile contentedly....and then almost at once start to fidget and begin to hunt for more of this authors work. ( I myself have already sought out and begun to read "The Pale Blue Eye" for which Bayard takes us into the company of a young Edgar Allan Poe.)
My book itch was indeed scratched.
Mr. Timothy by: Louis Bayard
I must confess, I went into this novel with mediocre expectations. I looked forward to a mystery with perhaps a sincere but brief nod towards the Dickens spirit and the language of old England. I encountered, to my immense delight, something far better. I found myself involved in an immensely satisfying novel.
The book takes us into the confidence of A Christmas Carol's Tiny Tim as a grown man known in his later years as "Mr. Timothy."
A complex man with a decidedly interesting back story, is our Mr. Timothy.
I was at once wrapped up in the world created, it nearly brought my senses to their knees. Wrapped up in a damp foggy air and assaulted with smells wood fires, burnt skin of butterscotch, pipe tobacco and the like, I loved the journey as much for the plot, which grows increasingly macabre in nature as it progresses, as for the language and dialogue used to bring the reader along for the ride.
The voice of Mr. Timothy and those he encounters is clever and witty and surprisingly funny.
Entertaining and recommended by yours truly. Be prepared to close the book, smile contentedly....and then almost at once start to fidget and begin to hunt for more of this authors work. ( I myself have already sought out and begun to read "The Pale Blue Eye" for which Bayard takes us into the company of a young Edgar Allan Poe.)
My book itch was indeed scratched.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
