Have you read Candide by Voltaire? That book is hysterical.
The last book I finished was The Fall by Albert Camus
Amaazing book. I thought I going to hate it (especially after not-so-fond memories of The Stranger in high school, but this one's a keeper that I definitely intend to read again).
Whatcha reading???
-
TripExistence
- donkey
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:00 am
- Are you human?: Not likely
- Contact:
-
Chozon1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22806
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
- Contact:
Deception by Randy Alcorn.
Didna think I was going to like it, but really, I love it. I enjoy when that happens.
This dude makes sense to me. XD He's a cop pushing 50, who speaks much of the time in lines and phrases...which is an unashamed throw back. He also has several guns lying within reach of him anywhere he sits in his house. He eats all the time, and is actually a good guy, trying to get justice through maybe shady means.
Didna think I was going to like it, but really, I love it. I enjoy when that happens.
This dude makes sense to me. XD He's a cop pushing 50, who speaks much of the time in lines and phrases...which is an unashamed throw back. He also has several guns lying within reach of him anywhere he sits in his house. He eats all the time, and is actually a good guy, trying to get justice through maybe shady means.
-
Chozon1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22806
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
- Contact:
Gulliver's Travels.
Interesting book. I read it originally when I was somewhere around 13 summers. Enjoyed it OK, but thought it was perverted. As I was reading it now...I actually still thought that. Took me awhile to realize it was supposed to be a parody of the typical travelers tales of the day, and as such required the obligatory "embarrassing" parts. That, oddly, are still in travel documentaries today. The fact he was able to treat the fantastic 'nonsense' as reality is actually impressive. It is, at parts, much like a science journal than a work of fiction. Descriptions of things I didn't want to know and all.
On a deeper note, it's depressing how much hasn't changed in 300 years. Science wise, he was ahead of his time, I think. But descriptions and complaints revolving around political and human circles is...the same. O_o Literally, you could change all the ye olde English words into modern spekkin' and you'd have a valid, if satirical, account of modern poliktiks. And that scientists and inventors often work backward with broken logic, or attempt to better the things which have no need of fixing. And then considered the one man who stayed with the "old outdated" ways to be a hater of science and generally an idiot. I loved the poor dude who was trying to take poo, sort it, and turn it back into food. XD Or the guy who claimed that the studying of poo could allow you to determine what someone was thinking or planning, as men do their most serious thinking and planning on the turlet. Something else that hasn't changed in 300 years.
Odd book. You'd think someone would have stood up and said "no" by now.
The ending left me confused, though. I get that Gulliver is supposed to be a gullible character that takes on the feelings and thoughts of his host nation, but really...to decry all humanity in favor of Vulcan horses? Their society, ruled by reason, sounded as boring as watching paint dry. No love, no emotion, just stale kindness and dry brotherhood to all Houyhnhnms.
I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. A logical progression of sorts. Pride and power at his towering over the tiny lilliputians, then being over powered and treated as a toy by the giant Brobnagians, not even being shown basic respect, much like he failed to show the lilliputians. Followed by his feeling wiser and more logical than the Laputans (who worked the reverse science and did all types of stupid stuff, applying mathematics but not logic), teaching them, helping them, and maybe even condescening a bit, followed by being considered a foul, animalistic beast by wise, completely logical horses.
Maybe?
Either way, his sense of superiority and hatred of humanity, claiming they're depravity and being...some other word, grated on me by the end. Yeah, humanity is totally depraved, I won't argue it. But separating yourself and claiming superiority by being "logical" about everything doesn't solve it, only hides it. Even going so far as to deign (DEIGN I SAY) to teach and endure the presence of his own wife who, I might add, consistently greeted his sorry "I'm-a-really-bad-husband" self with love EVERY TIME he came back from sea. Even though she was against his going after the first time.
And, considering he left her and his childrens (who he later considered foul spawn he had created out of uncontrolled lust) rich after his every departure, and she still did not want him to go? Yeesh. Dillweed.
Interesting book. I read it originally when I was somewhere around 13 summers. Enjoyed it OK, but thought it was perverted. As I was reading it now...I actually still thought that. Took me awhile to realize it was supposed to be a parody of the typical travelers tales of the day, and as such required the obligatory "embarrassing" parts. That, oddly, are still in travel documentaries today. The fact he was able to treat the fantastic 'nonsense' as reality is actually impressive. It is, at parts, much like a science journal than a work of fiction. Descriptions of things I didn't want to know and all.
On a deeper note, it's depressing how much hasn't changed in 300 years. Science wise, he was ahead of his time, I think. But descriptions and complaints revolving around political and human circles is...the same. O_o Literally, you could change all the ye olde English words into modern spekkin' and you'd have a valid, if satirical, account of modern poliktiks. And that scientists and inventors often work backward with broken logic, or attempt to better the things which have no need of fixing. And then considered the one man who stayed with the "old outdated" ways to be a hater of science and generally an idiot. I loved the poor dude who was trying to take poo, sort it, and turn it back into food. XD Or the guy who claimed that the studying of poo could allow you to determine what someone was thinking or planning, as men do their most serious thinking and planning on the turlet. Something else that hasn't changed in 300 years.
Odd book. You'd think someone would have stood up and said "no" by now.
The ending left me confused, though. I get that Gulliver is supposed to be a gullible character that takes on the feelings and thoughts of his host nation, but really...to decry all humanity in favor of Vulcan horses? Their society, ruled by reason, sounded as boring as watching paint dry. No love, no emotion, just stale kindness and dry brotherhood to all Houyhnhnms.
I dunno. Maybe I'm missing something. A logical progression of sorts. Pride and power at his towering over the tiny lilliputians, then being over powered and treated as a toy by the giant Brobnagians, not even being shown basic respect, much like he failed to show the lilliputians. Followed by his feeling wiser and more logical than the Laputans (who worked the reverse science and did all types of stupid stuff, applying mathematics but not logic), teaching them, helping them, and maybe even condescening a bit, followed by being considered a foul, animalistic beast by wise, completely logical horses.
Maybe?
Either way, his sense of superiority and hatred of humanity, claiming they're depravity and being...some other word, grated on me by the end. Yeah, humanity is totally depraved, I won't argue it. But separating yourself and claiming superiority by being "logical" about everything doesn't solve it, only hides it. Even going so far as to deign (DEIGN I SAY) to teach and endure the presence of his own wife who, I might add, consistently greeted his sorry "I'm-a-really-bad-husband" self with love EVERY TIME he came back from sea. Even though she was against his going after the first time.
And, considering he left her and his childrens (who he later considered foul spawn he had created out of uncontrolled lust) rich after his every departure, and she still did not want him to go? Yeesh. Dillweed.
-
ChickenSoup
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 3291
- Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:00 am
- Are you human?: Yes!
- Location: the doomed ship HMS Sinkytowne
- Contact:
And, considering he left her and his childrens (who he later considered foul spawn he had created out of uncontrolled lust) rich after his every departure, and she still did not want him to go? Yeesh. Dillweed.
Are you criticizing her not wanting him to go on long trips in light of the fact that he made her rich? Cause... dewd. Waifs b missin der husbins
My name is ChickenSoup and I have several flavors in which you may be interested
-
Chozon1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22806
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
- Contact:
Actually, I'm not criticizing her at all. I'm (apparently not very clearly. :\ ) railing on Gulliver for leaving a wife (and childrens) that actually loved him, not just his money, and were more happy to have him back safe than to have him back rich.
To leave someone who begs you not to go--even when going would make them richer--because they love you and care for your safety, to satisfy a lust for adventure is...callous, to say the least.
Poo-headed to say it like a 12 year old.
To leave someone who begs you not to go--even when going would make them richer--because they love you and care for your safety, to satisfy a lust for adventure is...callous, to say the least.
Poo-headed to say it like a 12 year old.
-
Orodrist
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 7831
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:38 pm
- Location: Surrounded by blood and bathed in fire on a frozen lake
- Contact:
A Dissertation Upon Roast Pig - Charles Lamb.
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do - Robert A Heinlein
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
-
Chozon1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22806
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
- Contact:
Hero: 2nd Class.
Hero vs. villain parody. So far, hilarious.
Hero vs. villain parody. So far, hilarious.
-
Drewsov
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 4455
- Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:00 am
- Location: In a place not unlike his own.
- Contact:
Reading Just After Sunset by Stephen King.
Within it, I just finished N., which is one of the more terrifying stories of insanity and something... else.
And Oro, if you're listening, it's also a direct homage to Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan, which inspired Lovecraft. So there's that.
Within it, I just finished N., which is one of the more terrifying stories of insanity and something... else.
And Oro, if you're listening, it's also a direct homage to Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan, which inspired Lovecraft. So there's that.
http://exculpate.wordpress.com - Updated 2.10.12
You were telling him about Buddha, you were telling him about Mohammed in the same breath. You never mentioned one time the Man who came and died a criminal’s death...
You were telling him about Buddha, you were telling him about Mohammed in the same breath. You never mentioned one time the Man who came and died a criminal’s death...
-
Orodrist
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 7831
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:38 pm
- Location: Surrounded by blood and bathed in fire on a frozen lake
- Contact:
If I get a chance this summer, I'll look into it.
Finished Faulkner's As I Lay Dying.
It was good.
Finished Faulkner's As I Lay Dying.
It was good.
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do - Robert A Heinlein
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
-
Orodrist
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 7831
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:38 pm
- Location: Surrounded by blood and bathed in fire on a frozen lake
- Contact:
Read a few Lovecraft short stories, including The Outsider and The Quest of Iranon. Also read Camus' The Stranger, and started the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do - Robert A Heinlein
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
-
Chozon1
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22806
- Joined: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:00 am
- Location: In the shadows. Waiting for an oppurtune moment to create a dramatic entrance.
- Contact:
I'm about to star the Annotated Firebird.
*Squeals*
So. Happeh.
*Squeals*
So. Happeh.
-
TripExistence
- donkey
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:00 am
- Are you human?: Not likely
- Contact:
A little over halfway through The Shining. Things are starting to get a little more terrifying..
-
Orodrist
- CCGR addict
- Posts: 7831
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:38 pm
- Location: Surrounded by blood and bathed in fire on a frozen lake
- Contact:
Just read all of Dunsany's Gods of Pegana. I think he had too much time on his hands. It was good though.
Also started Algernon Blackwood's John Silence stories and M. R. James' Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. Pretty awesome as well.
EDIT: Correction, Blackwood has an extremely irritating tendency to over explain everything through his characters, and James' stories are some of the best ghost stories ever written. Seriously. Probably because the antiquarianism is pretty much exactly what I like, with old books, ancient cursed treasure, and the whole lot.
Also started Algernon Blackwood's John Silence stories and M. R. James' Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. Pretty awesome as well.
EDIT: Correction, Blackwood has an extremely irritating tendency to over explain everything through his characters, and James' stories are some of the best ghost stories ever written. Seriously. Probably because the antiquarianism is pretty much exactly what I like, with old books, ancient cursed treasure, and the whole lot.
I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do - Robert A Heinlein
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
Courage ~ Discipline ~ Fidelity ~ Honor ~ Hospitality ~ Industriousness ~ Perseverance ~ Self Reliance ~
-
JOJ650s
- Forum Moderator
- Posts: 1630
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:08 pm
- Are you human?: Yes!
- Contact:
I am not reading right now,
but I have read/heard some great books not to log ago...:
Black, Red, (never did get to White yet.)
Sir Gibbie, The Shepherd's Castle, and The Hobbit.
Great storys they all are,
but Sir, Gibbie and The shepherd's castle, start slow.
I knew the story of the Hobbit along time ago, just have not read the book for some time.
but I have read/heard some great books not to log ago...:
Black, Red, (never did get to White yet.)
Sir Gibbie, The Shepherd's Castle, and The Hobbit.
Great storys they all are,
but Sir, Gibbie and The shepherd's castle, start slow.
I knew the story of the Hobbit along time ago, just have not read the book for some time.
Be part of the answer, not part of the problem.
1 Corinthians 13; remember it always.
1 Corinthians 13; remember it always.
-
TripExistence
- donkey
- Posts: 2546
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:00 am
- Are you human?: Not likely
- Contact:
Still haven't finished The Shining, that book is sitting in my suitcase, waiting for me to cautiously pick it up again (before I scream).
Recently read a couple of other books:
Every Man for Himself - So, ten short stories about 'being a guy.' k cool. Only about two of them were worth reading.
The Opposite of Music - Janet Ruth Young: Interesting, well-written, but not gripping
and
I Am the Cheese - Robert Cormier: Good book, if not a little depressing. It's a shame I read Shutter Island first because this similar book came yeears before..
Recently read a couple of other books:
Every Man for Himself - So, ten short stories about 'being a guy.' k cool. Only about two of them were worth reading.
The Opposite of Music - Janet Ruth Young: Interesting, well-written, but not gripping
and
I Am the Cheese - Robert Cormier: Good book, if not a little depressing. It's a shame I read Shutter Island first because this similar book came yeears before..