Seriously, this is really ridiculous, but in my defense I've not stopped reading, I've just stopped formally recording my musings on my readings. There are legitimate reasons behind this lack of thought documentation, however I feel like I may be finally settled enough to resume my scribblings, or rather tappings.
So... since April, 2013, 19 months ago, I've covered a wide swath of literature. So the last book I mentioned reading was Ford Maddox Ford's The Good Soldier. Since my last writing I finished that piece, which I remember enjoying, though I do not remember specifics. I have also read through the following titles, I do not remember the order.
I returned to Joseph Conrad at some point over the past 19 months reading The Secret Agent A Simple Tale. I certainly liked this piece more than the first Conrad I read. This novel was originally published in 1907 and was a well told tale of espionage and terrorism.
Returning to the ever popular high school reading list, I also picked up Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage. I can see why it's a choice for summer reading for most high schoolers. The presentation of both political commentary and historical fiction is compelling and would serve double duty in any English class. This novel was originally published as a serial in newspapers in 1894 and then later published in it's entirety in 1895.
A novel that caused me to think about sailing again was Richard Henry Dana's Two Years Before the Mast. Dana's description of life on a board a trade ship in the mid-1800's is based on his own actual two year voyage aboard two separate ships. Dana captures the experiences of the sailor vividly and his style is pleasant to read while it oftentimes transports the reader to the deck of the ship with Dana himself. I will certainly reread this book at some point.
Tackling Dickens is never easy, but it is always worth the time and effort. While dense and sometimes a bit confusing, Nicholas Nickleby proved an entertaining read, one that I feel would adapt well to the screen. I will most certainly search Netflix for some adaptation. Originally published as a serial between 1838 and 1839, it became Dickens' third published novel.
An incredibly entertaining novel and one that made a terrific PBS minseries is The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy. I found this story to have terrific depth and thoroughly enjoyed the intertwining through-lines of each character. In fact this novel was indeed heavily character driven. This piece was originally published as a collection of three novels in 1922.
I went on a bit of a Thomas Hardy binge, reading Jude the Obscure (1895 - originally a serial) and Far From the Madding Crowd (1874 - originally a serial). I enjoyed Hardy's style but feel that for the most part these novels borrow heavily from Victorian literature's formula.
D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow was a novel I completed a considerable number of months ago. As such. I do not remember much about it except, like all of Lawrence's work, I relished each word. I do remember visualizing the setting of this novel to be an easy task, thus leading me to believe this story would also make a fine film. Published in 1915.
Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham is one I really don't remember well. I do know that I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but cannot remember specifics. This novel was originally published in 1919.
Like my Hardy binge, I also had a Twain binge. I LOVE Mark Twain. My husband had taken a Twain course just before I read The Tragedy of Pudd'nhead Wilson (serialized in The Century Magazine 1893-1894; published as a novel 1894) and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1889). I really think that today Twain would be writing for The Daily Show or something similar. If you've never read any Twain, stop what you're doing and go read some now!
Finally there was Edith Wharton's House of Mirth. Like other Wharton novels this piece of American Naturalism presents early 20th century life through the lens of various strata of society. The novel was originally published in 1905 and is considered Wharton's first novel of importance.
I am now moving on Herman Melville's Moby Dick; or, The Whale. So far I'm in love. I feel like Ishmael has such a strong voice, I am eager to see what happens once the boat sets sail. I'm anxious and nervous of these characters and can't wait to see what happens! This piece was originally published in 1851.
