Finished with Zuleika now onto Constance and Sophia

Zuleika Dobson was an interesting if not disturbing read. I was fascinated by the ending and was very engaged in most of the story. There were times, in several areas of the novel where I found my mind wandering, where I was not completely following the story line, but was able to catch up later on. This novel was much like a soap opera or a crime drama, even if a few episodes are missed the viewer (or in this case reader) can easily catch right back up.

Beerbohm created characters that were believable to a point, however each character continuously towed the line and became at times, unsympathetic simply because he lacked realism. Overall I enjoyed this tale, however I think this was simply due to the twist of the narrator part way through the story. It seems almost as if Beerbohm recognized that his tale was spiraling out control and used his omnipresent narrator to make up for this chaos.

Regardless it was a fun read and one to which, while I won't return to it soon, I will indeed return someday.

The next tale I am conquering is The Old Wives' Tale by Arnold Bennett. Originally published in 1908, this novel is broken into four books. The first has it's focus on the early years of the girls of the story, Constance and Sophia Baines. It paints a clear picture of the personalities of these girls and speaks to the opposite nature of siblings. The second book focuses on Constance, the elder sister and the route her life takes. The third book on Sophia the younger sister. In fact I'm eager to see if Bennett decides to tell what Sophia has been up to throughout the time he tells us about Constance, as neither sister exists in the same location as the other. It is almost as if the absent sister does not exist at all, at least in book two. The fourth and final book is entitled "What Life Is;" I am eager to get to this book as well.

Bennett himself was born in 1867 and lived until 1931. He was of English heritage, and was both a novelist, serialist, and journalist. I am indeed curious to see how his experiences come through in this novel, especially considering that Bennett himself is a contemporary of the novel which takes place from around 1840 to 1900.

YIKES!!!!

I just realized that it's been two months since my last post. In that time I have been reading, I can assure you of that. But since I've not been keeping up with my blogging, I'll just provide a brief overview of what I've read since the beginning of December, 2011.

Edith Wharton's The Custom of the Country was a great read. She always manages to create a character that the reader really enjoys disliking, there were several of those characters in this novel. Certainly one I'd recommend and one I will return to.

George Douglas Brown's The House With the Green Shutters (first published in 1901) was also a great read. The ending of this novel is truly remarkable. While I had trouble getting through the Scottish language in the novel, after about 100 pages or so it became easier. Another one that I would read again.

Jane Austen's Persuasion, first published in 1817, her last novel was another good read. It seems that by the end of her career Austen was moving away from the neat and tidy Victorian novel and as a result, this is by far my favorite of her novels that I have read. I was pleased and surprised by the turns within this novel and again it is one to which I would return.

And finally, I am half way through Zuleika Dobson, or, an Oxford Love Story by Sir Max Beerbohm. Again, I really do enjoy this writer. In this novel, the narrator is one who is omnipotent because of the of the Greek muse Clio's desire to experience history as it is happening, rather than after it has occurred. The narrator is placed into this point in history to "report" on what happens with Dobson's character, however he can neither interfere or change what is going to happen. It is a fascinating sketch about love and destiny that I am eager to get back to. Originally published in 1911 this was Beerbohm's only novel and yet was named the 59th best English language novel of the 20th century by the Modern Library.

That is all for now, I hope to be a better chronicler of my readings as the months and books progress.