I don't read for hours at a time anymore, so I move more slowly than I used to through a book. But it's still wonderful.
Lotte continues on in Mann's usual convoluted style. It's a bit more pastiche-y than his other work since it's set in the early 19th C. and often I want to slap the characters and shout "Will you just get on with it, please?" But I'm already liking Lotte a great deal. She's a sweet, but not simple woman, and that rather appeals. Alas, she's surrounded by awful people, which of course is normal in Mann's work, but usually everyone is hideous or stupid or both. She's neither.
Have you read any of Mann's short stories or novellas? I have a particular fondness for "The Blood of the Walsungs" which is almost overwhelming when you consider the implications of the time in which it is set.
I don't often have hours at a time to read, and when I do read, I read much more slowly than I used to. Which is still fairly quick reading by some standards, but still. It takes me a while to get through a book now.
I read several Mann stories and at least one novella when I was a student - Death in Venice for sure, I'm not sure of the titles of the others. Found them vaguely depressing but extremely interesting. Preferred Dostoyevsky, though. Not that I mean to make any thematic connection, just that I read them about the same time, and found both kind of dark, but with interesting characters.
I read several Mann stories and at least one novella when I was a student - Death in Venice
There is a book by Gilbert Adair about the real Tadzio who inspired Thomas Mann to write the novel:The Real Tadzio: Thomas Mann's Death in Venice and the Boy Who Inspired It (Paperback)
I've read it, is quite interesting. I lived in the same city and in the same time with the real Tazio! (polish Baron Wladyslaw Moes).
Here is the link on the amazon.com for the book: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Tadzio-Thomas-Venice-Inspired/dp/0786712473/ref=sr_1_14/105-4796641-3801240?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1188370517&sr=8-14
Listening to books while you get other things done can increase your reading time exponentially. As well as making those other things much more of a pleasure to do.
I do like listening to books, especially while working in the kitchen. But it isn't quite the same experience; I generally enjoy books more when I read them on paper, rather than listen to them.
I do love listening to books I've already read, especially when they are well read. I particularly enjoyed The Vor Game, which I've listened to at least twice, and will probably check out and listen to again. Sadly, the library doesn't have the rest of the Bujold novels on CD. Not yet. And I wish they had the Dunnett novels. Hmm - I wonder if they have Dickens?
I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted, and of course I couldn't renew it - there was a long waiting list. Maybe it's time to try again.
I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted
I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...
[Error: Irreparable invalid markup ('<small</i>') in entry. Owner must fix manually. Raw contents below.]
<i>I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted</i>
I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...
<small</i>I am not really here. No, really. I'm actually in bed, sleeping off the after effects of overdoing it yesterday and today at work and at home, and recharging my batteries for another demanding day tomorrow. If I get through the week without a migraine, it'll be a miracle. *sigh*</small>
You could upload it, you mean? That would be wonderful. I'd love to listen to the rest of it.
he bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player.
If it's not too much trouble for you - I think it would be worth a try. I thought the reading of the story was charming.
I am not really here.
Heh. Me neither. I was on my way to bed half an hour ago. I'm dead tired.
Don't have a migraine. I can think of much better things for you to do.
I particularly enjoyed The Vor Game, which I've listened to at least twice, and will probably check out and listen to again. Sadly, the library doesn't have the rest of the Bujold novels on CD.
Um, may be able to be more helpful with this problem via email..
Currently in the middle of The Vor Game myself in the current re-listen.
Currently in the middle of The Vor Game myself in the current re-listen.
How wonderful! I love that book - and that reading. I particularly love the scenes with Aral in them - but that's just my quirk. Also love all the scenes with Gregor. And Miles isn't half bad either.
Heh. If you like Aral in The Vor Game (Michael Hanson gives him the world's most swoonworthy voice, IMHO), wait till you hear him in Shards and Barrayar.
"You," he said hoarsely, "are not a hallucination." [sigh]
I like the voice Hanson gives Miles, but I don't find it particularly sexy. Aral, however...
I like what Gardner (the new Blackstone audiobooks) does with Miles, though. Very nice.
Because "lady of my own domain" doesn't sound inclusive enough. I did think of saying 'empress' but it has the wrong connotations. Queen? Master? Controller? Champion? "Lord" was best I could think of to fit my meaning of satisfied autonomy.
Find me a gender-neutral word that fits the bill (in any language!) and I'd use it. It's annoying how all the real toppy nouns are masculine, and the feminine equivalents are comparatively wimpy.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 04:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:43 pm (UTC)Forbidden Planet is the most wonderful place.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 05:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:43 pm (UTC)Let me know what you think of "Lotte in Weimar" when you've read it all - it sounds intriguing!
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 03:42 pm (UTC)Lotte continues on in Mann's usual convoluted style. It's a bit more pastiche-y than his other work since it's set in the early 19th C. and often I want to slap the characters and shout "Will you just get on with it, please?" But I'm already liking Lotte a great deal. She's a sweet, but not simple woman, and that rather appeals. Alas, she's surrounded by awful people, which of course is normal in Mann's work, but usually everyone is hideous or stupid or both. She's neither.
Have you read any of Mann's short stories or novellas? I have a particular fondness for "The Blood of the Walsungs" which is almost overwhelming when you consider the implications of the time in which it is set.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 03:57 pm (UTC)I read several Mann stories and at least one novella when I was a student - Death in Venice for sure, I'm not sure of the titles of the others. Found them vaguely depressing but extremely interesting. Preferred Dostoyevsky, though. Not that I mean to make any thematic connection, just that I read them about the same time, and found both kind of dark, but with interesting characters.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 06:53 am (UTC)There is a book by Gilbert Adair about the real Tadzio who inspired Thomas Mann to write the novel:The Real Tadzio: Thomas Mann's Death in Venice and the Boy Who Inspired It (Paperback)
I've read it, is quite interesting. I lived in the same city and in the same time with the real Tazio! (polish Baron Wladyslaw Moes).
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 06:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 01:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 05:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 06:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 06:17 pm (UTC)I do love listening to books I've already read, especially when they are well read. I particularly enjoyed The Vor Game, which I've listened to at least twice, and will probably check out and listen to again. Sadly, the library doesn't have the rest of the Bujold novels on CD. Not yet. And I wish they had the Dunnett novels. Hmm - I wonder if they have Dickens?
I checked out the audio version of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and was loving it, but it was too long to finish in the time allotted, and of course I couldn't renew it - there was a long waiting list. Maybe it's time to try again.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 09:02 pm (UTC)I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...
I have this in mp3 format, if you want it. Haven't listened to it all, because the bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player. And based on what I heard of it, it was extremely well done. So let me know if you want the files...
<small</i>I am not really here. No, really. I'm actually in bed, sleeping off the after effects of overdoing it yesterday and today at work and at home, and recharging my batteries for another demanding day tomorrow. If I get through the week without a migraine, it'll be a miracle. *sigh*</small>
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 09:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 09:21 pm (UTC)::exerts huge amount of willpower AND ACTUALLY GOES TO BED::
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 01:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 01:27 am (UTC)You could upload it, you mean? That would be wonderful. I'd love to listen to the rest of it.
he bit rate is so low that my portable mp3 player won't play the files, but I seem to remember that they played ok on my pc using Windows media player.
If it's not too much trouble for you - I think it would be worth a try. I thought the reading of the story was charming.
I am not really here.
Heh. Me neither. I was on my way to bed half an hour ago. I'm dead tired.
Don't have a migraine. I can think of much better things for you to do.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:41 am (UTC)Um, may be able to be more helpful with this problem via email..
Currently in the middle of The Vor Game myself in the current re-listen.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-30 04:10 am (UTC)How wonderful! I love that book - and that reading. I particularly love the scenes with Aral in them - but that's just my quirk. Also love all the scenes with Gregor. And Miles isn't half bad either.
Forensic plumbing. Heh.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-30 05:00 am (UTC)"You," he said hoarsely, "are not a hallucination." [sigh]
I like the voice Hanson gives Miles, but I don't find it particularly sexy. Aral, however...
I like what Gardner (the new Blackstone audiobooks) does with Miles, though. Very nice.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-30 05:48 am (UTC)I can hardly wait to hear "Shards of Honor"! Sounds yummy.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-30 05:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 09:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:37 pm (UTC)Because "lady of my own domain" doesn't sound inclusive enough. I did think of saying 'empress' but it has the wrong connotations. Queen? Master? Controller? Champion? "Lord" was best I could think of to fit my meaning of satisfied autonomy.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 03:02 pm (UTC)still, I think it is a shame you need a male word to describe that. But the feeling is nice, I think I recognize the one you meant :)
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 03:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 06:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 01:27 am (UTC)