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comment by humanodon
humanodon  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hubski Book Club: New Material* Selection

It's like everyone just forgot 2666 and The Fountainhead . . .





b_b  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

1000 pages isn't the issue with those books. It took me like a week to read 1Q84, because I was completely enamored. 2666? Could barely get through chapter 1 in a week! The Fountainhead I declined to even attempt.

humanodon  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It might be for some. Plus, something that one person finds absolutely enthralling is not at all guaranteed to have the same effect on another. I'd just like this round to get as much participation as possible, so it would be great to set this round up for success as much as possible, you know?

b_b  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Totally. I don't disagree with you, I was just making the point generally that 100 pages is a slog if the writing isn't captivating, while 1000 goes by like nothing when your interest is piqued. Swamplandia is 400 pages. My suggestion or Darkness at Noon is <300. Neither should be too herculean to tackle. After reading a bit about it, I'm pretty interested in reading Swamplandia. It's contemporary and popular, but by all accounts it's apparently also interesting and different. That all seems like good criteria for a book club book.

humanodon  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Ah ok, I see. Much as I'd love to give Infinite Jest a reading, it sounds like a good one to read on one's own time.

As an aside, maybe book clubs are like gyms: a lot of people like to join, but few people actually go.

AnSionnachRua  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Generally speaking, people are very keen to say they'll do things, whereas anything that actually requires voluntary effort is only done by a few.

thenewgreen  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I'd like to forget 2666, I wasn't a fan. The Fountainhead has it's flaws, but it was at least entertaining. I think people have forgotten about Jamrach's Menagerie.

humanodon  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Haven't read that one, but it looks interesting.

I was making a comment on the sheer length of the book in question rather than any comments about the material itself.

thenewgreen  ·  3975 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Got it. Jamrach was a long one too though... It would be nice to have a book we could all burn through and enjoy.