Number 2 !!
Which, of course, means that I'll be reading Samuel Butler's Erewhon.
I'm happy with this choice because it's relatively short, and because of the tie-in with my last spin, Gulliver's Travels. Like Gulliver's Travels, its setting is a fictional place, and the book itself is a satire on Victorian society. I'm getting rather a good dose of satire over the last year or so, and have quite enjoyed it.
From Utopia to Gulliver's Travels to Erewhon, I should be able to make some intriguing comparisons.
How did everyone else do with their choices?
I know nearly as much about your spin pick as mine (Herman Melville's Piazza Tales) - that is to say, just about nothing! I look forward to learning more about both. Enjoy!
ReplyDeletePiazza Tales?! I didn't even know it existed. :-Z I still have to read Moby Dick so perhaps I mentally blocked other Melville's until I get to that one. ;-) Enjoy your spin book!
DeleteBefore your spin list, I only knew Erewhon as a brand of cereal. I hope that you enjoy the literary version!
ReplyDeleteLOL! It is, isn't it?! I hope to enjoy it. My first meeting with Samuel Butler was while reading a snippet of his translation of The Odyssey and he came across a little like a nutcase, so I hope this read changes that opinion. I really hope ....... ;-)
DeleteI got Cold Mountain. :)
ReplyDeleteSUCH a good book!!
DeleteOkay, I'm glad that you're going first. I've eyed this book but haven't had the courage to try it. I'll be looking for your opinion on it. You have at least one enthusiastic comment so that's positive.
DeleteI got "A Girl of the Limberlost" by Gene Stratton-Porter!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one! I loved it as a child but as an adult, I'm not so sure. I will get to it one day. Happy reading!
Deletethe only work of Samuel Butler that I read is "The Way of All Flesh" and it is in my top all time favorite books! He is such a witty, sarcastic and humane writer ...it was/is a pleasure reading him again and again! Hope you enjoy Erewhon...and then hopefully I will follow your suit soon! :)
ReplyDeleteOooo, now I'm interested. Thanks for the recommendation. When I read his translation of The Odyssey, I felt like I was reading mostly Butler and very little Homer, but those larger than life personalities can work well in certain circumstances and poorly in others. I own The Way of All Flesh, so if I like Erewhon, it will be moved up my list!
DeleteLate to every party that ever existed on the face of the earth, I am not familiar with your "spin" concept. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by what other people are reading and saying. My current reading plan includes dozens of stories, poems, and novels in Harold Bloom's _How to Read and Why_. Perhaps I should apply the "spin" strategy rather than reading Bloom's recommendations in the order listed in the book. I will now "research" the "spin" procedures in anticipation of your next "spin." Now, though, in my feeble attempt to participate in spirit if not within the rules, I will tell you that my next reading selection -- chosen because of the author's birthday today -- from the Bloom book recommendations is William Wordsworth's "A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal," a poem about which I will have more to say in a day or so at Beyond Eastrod.
ReplyDeleteI own How To Read and Why, so I should read it sometime. As you perhaps know, I'm not fond of Bloom but that doesn't mean he may not have an interesting idea here and there. I'd like to see his reading list.
DeleteHave fun with your reading list. I can't wait to read your poetry posts. I'm just delving into poetry lately and feel very amateurish, so I'm thrilled when I can learn from those who know more than me.
I know that some of the book is based on Butler's time in New Zealand which means I should have read it.......but I haven't. Hope you will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's interesting! I looked him up and it seems like he wrote about his experiences in New Zealand, so that would be an intriguing read. Erewhon is a book that I never had a overwhelming desire to read, but always thought that I should read it, so now's my chance!
DeleteI just bought this book recently! I hope you enjoy it :) I'm hoping I'll get to it this year.
ReplyDeleteI got The Life and Letters of Leslie Stephen - quite scary!
Ooooo! Is it a large volume? I'm thinking of my C.S. Lewis Letters (three large volumes), and if it's as big as even one of those, I can understand your trepidation!
DeleteErewhon sounds like a really interesting Spin book! I accidentally saved my post to my drafts and forgot to post it (I blame my student brain) but I'll still be reading #2 on my list - the Divine Comedy.
ReplyDeleteThe Divine Comedy! Wow! One of my favourites but I'd probably have to take more than a month to read it. Enjoy your time with Dante! It will be well-spent. :-)
DeleteI have never even heard of this one before, nor is the author familiar to me. I didn't participate in the spin because I have failed to follow through with any of them.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it!
Samuel Butler is a little more obscure than some other authors, but I am familiar with a couple of his books.
DeleteWell, you're in good company, because I'm failing with my Little Women Read-Along, my reading schedule for Notes From the Underground (I'm still reading What is To Be Done), and I'm behind in my planned read of The Canterbury Tales. I'm trying not to think about it. I need to do my taxes and, of course, that will take away more of my reading time. Just the thought makes me want to cry. So, for now, I will ignore reality and keep pushing on ..... ;-)