But ever since then, somewhere in my head I’ve automatically separated all books into Mom-approved vs. Me-approved. It doesn’t matter that they’re mostly the same, some books just scream “Mom-approved”. These, I will read eventually, but only when I have nothing left to read and will usually be borrowed from a library; to be bought only when I end up loving them, which happens about 80 percent of the time.
Here’re five awaiting their turn:
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
How can I resist a book in which the main characters are named Gabriel Oak and Bathsheba Everdene? Yet somehow I’ve managed this astonishing feat.
Not only does its plot sound right up my alley (although to be honest, there is precious little that isn’t) but it is part of a literary period that I generally like. Not adore, like say, the early 19th century, but certainly like a great deal. In addition, the odd bits and pieces of Hardy that I’ve read over the years seem pretty good to me. Once, I even took it out of the library – and neglected it in favor of a Bronte re-reading orgy. Put Jane Eyre in front of me and I become a zombie that must feed on all things Bronte. Note to self: next time, borrow it along with some Anne Rice, I’d read anything to avoid reading Rice.
How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn
Welsh misery. No, no, that’s not my opinion of it, that’s the plot. I’ll freely admit that the sad stories aren’t my favorite. Not that I live to only read about cute li’l bunnies on uppers but as I’ve said before, I suspend my disbelief very easily. And the Welsh have a justly deserved reputation for beauty mixed with sadness.
You give me beauty mixed with sadness and by the end of the day all you’ll find a huddled husk of a human being under a sodden handkerchief. I mean, I saw the movie and Maureen O’Hara had me in tears. Last week, I read a Cold War thriller and bawled my head off reading about a fictional orphaned little boy who got exactly one paragraph in a novel full of violence and torture. Someday I’m going to give in, read this book and die of dehydration. I just know it.
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!
2 - dyrkness
To read in a couple of years:"Remembrance of Things Past" by Marcel Proust- Just to brag that you've done it.
"Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole- If you want a huge laugh.
"Jude the Obscure"by Thomas Hardy- If you like Hardy.
Buy a copy of "Being and Nothingness" by Jean Paul Sartre-You'll never read it ,but your mother WILL be impressed.
3 - Rodney Welch
John Ford did not direct The Old Man and the Sea. It was directed by John Sturges, with an uncredited assist from Fred Zinnemann and Henry King.
4 - Amrita
Natalie - really? Thank you!
Thanks for the suggestions, Dyrkness, I've read two of those: Confederacy of the Dunces and Jude the Obscure. the Proust and the Sartre I will buy and put on my bookshelf for my mother to view. They can join Simone de Beauvoir, another one of Ma's favorites.
Rodney - so he did, thanks for pointing it out. Now you know just how much attention I was paying to it :)
5 - Katie McNeill
'Far From the Madding Crowd' isn't bad. It is a little hard to read because Hardy is very wordy, not Jane Austen wordy, something WAY past that. But worth the read, it's a good book.
6 - Dawn
What a great post. Despite our separation by many an ocean, your childhood experience closely matched my own.
It's a good thing you didn't go to school in states, Old Man And The Sea was required reading. Nancy Drew though, I read them all!
7 - Amrita
Katie - I think I'd like Far from the Madding Crowd. Its just that I can't make myself take that final plunge. I don't have a problem with the prose. Just the image :)
Dawn - thanks! I guess I'd have flunked it then :) You just hit upon why I love fiction in all its forms - coz a story is never completely culture specific. You can always relate.