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Reading the 20th Century discussion

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message 51: by Haaze (new)

Haaze | 146 comments Roman Clodia wrote: "I love the idea of sequential but am never quite that organised in real life. I started with a re-read of The Portrait of a Lady which I loved even more this time round, and have mov..."

Hmmm, good to know, Roman. I have a Delphi Classics compilation on my Kindle, but I am a sucker for "real" books. However, the digital realm is helpful considering how many books he wrote (including short stories, essays and travel sketches). Especially so since my bookshelves have no more room! Nooooooo!!!!


message 52: by jonah (new)

jonah Hi all, I'm Svalberd. I am definitely looking forward to exploring the realm of 20th century literature in all its aspects with the rest of you. Literature is brimming with enlightenment and imaginative thought, and most often I find myself thinking after a read. I favor more complex wording and sentences over the simple, so literature is a vast source of this. I most certainly need to read more literature, as I find my to-read pile growing by the second!

I have started to grow a stronger interest in history and the major events and movements in the 20th century, particularly the wars that took place. Overall, I am open to most history-oriented books. I enjoy both Russian and European literature a great deal, as there is much adventure and pensive thought involved in the novels.

I have an obsession with birds and birding, and very much love the natural realms that surround us. I am interested in conserving these realms in order for a better future.

Thanks for creating the group. I look forward to voyaging forth with the rest of you. :)




message 53: by Lady Clementina (new)

Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore | 507 comments Ivan wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Greetings. My name is Natalie. I really love modernist poetry, such as TS Eliot and Yeats. For the Americans I like Frost and Wallace Stevens.
My favourite fiction writers include ..."


I love Pym as well


message 54: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Hi to all our new members - so pleased to see so much interest in our new group. I am sure that, in future, we can have a poetry section and 'buddy reads,' for people to suggest anything they may wish to suggest reading with other members. One of the reasons why we did not set up too many topics yet was to respond to suggestions from members, so that's great. Tell us what you want to see and we will try to include it.


message 55: by Judy (new)

Judy (wwwgoodreadscomprofilejudyg) | 4838 comments Mod
Welcome, Svalberd - good to meet you, and looking forward to voyaging forth too.


message 56: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
There is a new poetry thread open, for all you poetry lovers, plus a 'Buddy Read,' thread, should anyone wish to look for some reading company for a particular author, book, poem, etc.


message 57: by Pip (new)

Pip | 15 comments Hello! I'm Pip - originally a Bristolian who's lived in northern Spain for more years than are healthy to remember ;-)

I read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, and am looking forward to discovering some more 20th C literature, especially from the first half of the century. Looking forward to getting to know you all, and to some interesting discussion!


message 58: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Welcome Pip. Great that you joined us :)


message 59: by Pip (new)

Pip | 15 comments Susan wrote: "Welcome Pip. Great that you joined us :)"

Thanks, Susan! It's great to be in at the start of a new little community - here's to its success :-)


message 60: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Thank you, Pip!


message 61: by Mark (new)

Mark Rubenstein Hello from Manhattan... so good, they named it once. I'm stumbling in from Nigel's Patrick Hamilton Group.

I work as an art director at Warner Bros, and since 1998, have juggled a career as a rock musician, which has taken me around the world, most recently spreading mirth, joy and partial hearing loss amongst the youth of Europe and Japan.

My areas of literary interest, in general, focuses on English fiction from the Interwar era, as well as late 50s - early 60s kitchen sink, grim up north sort of fiction. Not a big fan of American writers, apart from Nelson Algren, Hubert Selby Jnr and Raymond Chandler.


message 62: by Susan (last edited Oct 24, 2017 03:04AM) (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Hi Mark - how wonderful to be a New York rock musician who loves 'grim up North' angry young men novels! Welcome to the group :)


message 63: by Judy (new)

Judy (wwwgoodreadscomprofilejudyg) | 4838 comments Mod
Welcome Mark, great to meet you. I'm sure we will be reading some kitchen sink books here!


message 64: by Mark (new)

Mark Rubenstein Judy wrote: "Welcome Mark, great to meet you. I'm sure we will be reading some kitchen sink books here!"

Thanks, Judy... nice to meet you, as well.

I've got a feeling that I'm probably either wrong [at worst] or very liberal [at best] when I use the term "kitchen sink"... but you've got to commend me for not claiming to have "a sinking feeling" about it.

The past couple of years I've been picking up whatever I can find by writers like Alan Sillitoe, John Braine, Nell Dunn, Stan Barstow and a few others. I've just scooped up a battered old Pan paperback of Cathy Come Home by Jeremy Sandford. If it stacks up against Ken Loach's adaptation for the BBC, I'll be quite pleased.

Away from the sink, I've also been ravenously consuming anything and everything that I can find [without jeopardising rent] by Keith Waterhouse and Frank Norman.


message 65: by jonah (new)

jonah Thanks, all! Glad to be welcomed. Let's begin this thoughtful journey!


message 66: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Good morning,
Unlike most people I've met in writing/reading groups, I was never born into a literary heritage. When in education I played sport too much and chased girls too much to become an academic. I wrote my first novel in 2012 () and within three months it was optioned for a $30 million film. It never made it to the big screen because of distribution. Nonetheless, I did receive five-thousand pound for the five-year rolling option! I enjoyed the journey of country-wide Waterstones book signings and a live prime television slot.
I carried on writing spy, murder, mystery novels, novellas and short stories and last month, at the age of sixty-eight, I signed a new publishing contract. My books were under the name of--Danny Kemp but now they are under the name of Daniel Kemp.


message 67: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Hi Daniel, welcome to the group. We do have a discussion thread for promoting books, so please feel free to post there.


message 68: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Ah, thank you, Susan! Should I not have put that link to my book in the above post?


message 69: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
It's fine, Daniel, but I am sure we'd all be interested to know more, so feel free to post the details in the thread for all our members who are authors. well done on your success so far too, let's hope your book gets optioned :)


message 70: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Thank you once more,
I'll force myself to write some flattering drivel on your promotion page. (lol)


message 71: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Hope you enjoy the group, Daniel.


message 72: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) If they are all as welcoming as you, Susan, then I'm sure I will.


message 73: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Sorry to be a pest but in the self-promotion page--Promote your book, there's a message saying the page is frozen.


message 74: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Ah, sorry, Daniel! We are a very new group! I think I have un-frozen it now, but let me know if you still can't post.


message 75: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) I will, thanks.


message 76: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) It worked, Susan, thank you.


message 77: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Good to hear, Daniel. Thanks for letting me know.


message 78: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Thanks again for your help, Susan.


message 79: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
As the group is off to such a flying start, we thought it might be a nice idea to have a buddy read for next month. So, in November, if anyone would like to join in, we are planning to read The Loved One The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh by Evelyn Waugh

This novella length (127 page) read is a great introduction to the writing of Evelyn Waugh.

Synopsis: Following the death of a friend, British poet and pets' mortician Dennis Barlow finds himself entering the artificial Hollywood paradise of the Whispering Glades Memorial Park. Within its golden gates, death, American-style, is wrapped up and sold like a package holiday. There, Dennis enters the fragile and bizarre world of Aimée, the naïve Californian corpse beautician, and Mr Joyboy, the master of the embalmer's art...

A dark and savage satire on the Anglo-American cultural divide, The Loved One depicts a world where love, reputation and death cost a very great deal.

The thread for The Loved One will open in November. We hope lots of you join in and, even if you don't get the chance to read along, then come and join in the discussion anyway!


message 80: by Judy (new)

Judy (wwwgoodreadscomprofilejudyg) | 4838 comments Mod
Looking forward to this, Susan. I've read a few books by Waugh, but this will be a new one for me.


message 81: by Pages (new)

Pages | 112 comments Hi everyone,

My name is Farrah from UK and I was kindly invited to the group by Susan.

I read all sorts. Comfort reading often takes me back to Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Greek mythology. I am currently reading 20th century authors Steven Kings IT and Amy Tans Joy Luck Club.

I am rereading IT after 18 years. I loved the TV movies and recently went to the cinema to watch it. It was wonderful and made me want to throw myself back to Derry.

My last 20th century 5 stars went to Daphne du Mauriers My Cousin Rachel. It was brilliant and engrossing and I can’t gush about it enough. I’m going to give Jamaica Inn a go. I liked Rebecca a lot.

Anyway- hello!


message 82: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Hi Farrah, welcome to the group :)


message 83: by Judy (new)

Judy (wwwgoodreadscomprofilejudyg) | 4838 comments Mod
Welcome Farrah, good to meet you. I also like Daphne du Maurier, especially Rebecca.


message 84: by Ivan (new)

Ivan | 90 comments The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier is one of my favorites.


message 85: by Roman Clodia (new)

Roman Clodia | 11083 comments Mod
Frenchman's Creek for me - you can't beat a sexy French pirate!


message 86: by Pages (new)

Pages | 112 comments I have Frenchman’s Creek actually. Maybe I can try that one next and let you know how I get on.


message 87: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Just to let everyone know that I have opened a new, general chat thread. I hope that Pip doesn't mind, but I have moved her comment over there. Then we have somewhere to chat about general stuff and can keep this thread to welcome new members.


message 88: by Lady Clementina (new)

Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore | 507 comments Farrah wrote: "Hi everyone,

My name is Farrah from UK and I was kindly invited to the group by Susan.

I read all sorts. Comfort reading often takes me back to Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Greek mythology. I am c..."


A fellow Eb fan- what fun!


message 89: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
How many of us are readers due to Enid Blyton, I wonder, Lady?!


message 90: by Lady Clementina (last edited Oct 24, 2017 10:17PM) (new)

Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore | 507 comments Susan wrote: "How many of us are readers due to Enid Blyton, I wonder, Lady?!"

A lot I think :) May be you could set up a thread where we discuss our favourites. I've been toying with the idea of reading all teh findouters books - in order- never done this before.

Have you seen the new EB cookbook that someone's just released?


message 91: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Yes, looks fun. By the way, I opened a new 'General Chat,' thread, Lady, so we can talk about things, just like this :)


message 92: by Daniel (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) Farrah wrote: "Hi everyone,

My name is Farrah from UK and I was kindly invited to the group by Susan.

I read all sorts. Comfort reading often takes me back to Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl and Greek mythology. I am c..."
Hello there, pleased to make your acquaintance, Farrah. I read Jamacia Inn whilst at school, and as that was a million years ago I have forgotten it! We also read Conrad's The Rover so I guess our Lit tutor came from Cornwall.


message 93: by CQM (new)

CQM Hello,
CQM here, here being a very wet South London.
I love fiction ranging from the Victorian period through to the 1960's although that doesn't mean books from before or after that time are ruled out.
Occasionally read non fiction but it becomes rarer by the year.
My other great passions, beer and family aside, are films from the silent period up to the 70's and music from the silent period up to the late 90's.
Rock on!


message 94: by Daniel (last edited Oct 26, 2017 09:24AM) (new)

Daniel Kemp (goodreadscomdanielkemp) CQM wrote: "Hello,
CQM here, here being a very wet South London.
I love fiction ranging from the Victorian period through to the 1960's although that doesn't mean books from before or after that time are rule..."
Hello CQM, I'm on the south-east edge of London just into Kent where it's drizzling slightly. I hope you find what you're after on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.


message 95: by Nigeyb (new)

Nigeyb | 15439 comments Mod
Greetings CQM. Greetings everyone else who has popped up to say hello.

Overcast here in Good Old Sussex By The Sea


message 96: by Susan (new)

Susan | 13883 comments Mod
Raining in North London too, CQM :) Welcome to the group.


message 97: by LindaH (last edited Oct 26, 2017 02:16PM) (new)

LindaH | 16 comments Hi, I’m Linda. I’m American (half Norwegian though) and an avid reader. I was a children’s book editor living in NY for 30 years.

Things I have in common with all of you in this thread:

I want to read more fiction and history from the twentieth century.
I tend to fade away when a book discussion turns to movie versions.
I like the mystery genre but avoid romance and horror.
I am currently (and briefly) obsessing about Henry James.
Wodehouse and Agatha Christie have been favorite authors since my twenties.
In anyone’s house, I gravitate to the bookcase.
I hail from California (but the best bagels and cream cheese are in NYC.
My favorite fiction writers include Iris Murdoch and Virginia Woolf.
I love old black and white movies from the 30s and 40s.
I’m looking forward to learning of new books here.


message 98: by Judy (new)

Judy (wwwgoodreadscomprofilejudyg) | 4838 comments Mod
Welcome, Linda and CQM - glad you have both joined. Linda, that's an intriguing selection of facts - I gravitate to the bookcase too.


message 99: by Ivan (new)

Ivan | 90 comments LindaH wrote: "Hi, I’m Linda. I’m American (half Norwegian though) and an avid reader. I was a children’s book editor living in NY for 30 years.

Things I have in common with all of you in this thread:

I want to..."


Welcome to both CQM and Linda


message 100: by Pages (new)

Pages | 112 comments Hi everyone new,

I’m bookcase hoverer too :) It’s really interesting to see what types of books people read and how it ties into their personalities.


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