The Library

[Frybabe]

The Library Our library  is open 24/7; the welcome mat is always out. Do come in from daily chores and spend some time with us.

I finished Garden of Evening Mists yesterday evening. The ending was a bit different than I would have guessed. It was a good ending, still leaving one to wonder what might have happened. The book was so interesting that it kept me from flip-flopping back and forth between it another SciFi, no small feat. Now I am going to have to read Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng's first novel, The Gift of Rain. Both novels are set in Malaysia before, during, and after the Japanese invasion and occupation.

I saw that it was made into a movie, but IMDB has incomplete information on it. I understand it was made in conjunction with HBO Asia as well as another group and is now complete. John Hannah and David Oakes are in it. Don't know if or when it might be released here.

[bellamarie]

Frybabe,  I read a summary on the book you just finished, and it sounds very interesting.  I may put it on my TBR list.

Jonathan,  Pg. 162  "Je suis enceinte!"  she said in a low and deliberate voice.

Rut oh!!!  Vronsky's day just went from bad to worse, the poor ole sap, lost the horse race, and his horse has broken it's back and must be put down.  Now, I can barely put this book down. 

[Frybabe]

Now on to The Gardens of Versailles by Alain Baraton who is Gardener-In-Chief of the Versailles Gardens. He is a regular on France's public radio station, France Inter, and also produces show for them.

He starts his narrative by describing the devastation created by the huge storm of 1999. The kind of storm, he says, that is very unusual for France. He reports that a total of 18,000 trees (including some around or over 300 years old) were outright destroyed (around 10,000) or were too damaged to save. I don't remember this.  Do any of you?  Unfortunately, the book has no photos or illustrations of the the gardens. But fear not, there are plenty on the net, including pix of the storm devastation (Getty Images, IMO, has the best shots). In some places, it looks like all the trees were completely flattened. The next few chapters go back to his childhood and then goes on to his being hired and so on. I am just now starting Chapter 3.

[PatH]

Frybabe, I do remember that storm, not so much for Versailles as for some of the chateaux, with long aisles of large mature trees.  There was huge damage, with horrifying news pictures.

[Jonathan]

I must look for The Gardens of Versailles. Thanks, Frybabe. I'll never forget the day my wife and I spent in the gardens. The fountains, the statues, the parterres, the vistas. Overwhelming.

Bellamarie, you've got me smiling with your enthusiasm. What a book! Yes, yes, I was mistaken about Anna's husband. He has strong feelings about his wife's infidelity. I'm tearing along, missing a lot, I'm sure, but I'll be rereading it when I get to the end. Part Four, Chapter 10 has interesting things to say about women's emancipation. In Chapter 9, I found this:

'There was, it would seem, nothing unusual in what she had said, but for him what a meaning there was, inexpressible in words, in every sound and every movement of her lips, her eyes, and her hands as she said it! There was a prayer for forgiveness, and trust in him, and a caress - a tender, timid caress, and a promise, and hope, and love for him in which he could not but believe and which suffocated him with joy.'

Some time ago you said in a post you would enjoy another 19th century novel. Isn't this the greatest!

[bellamarie]

Oh Jonathan,  I find myself going back and forth, and back and forth with my feelings about Anna.  I am at Part IV, Chapter 5, pg. 326.  Aleksei Aleksandrovitch her husband has decided to punish her and Vronsky for their infidelity, by not giving her a divorce, so they will not be allowed to live happily ever after together.  Vronsky, seems to have mixed feelings, even though he pronounces his love for her, he sure seemed a bit uncertain about giving up his single life, when she had approached him on it.  Anna, who in the beginning of the book detested any one using the word "love" in her presence, now seems to be over the hills in love with Vronsky.  It truly does seem as if these characters can not make up their minds completely, or shall I say, their hearts are misleading.  Now, Anna has told Vronsky about this dream, of her dying in childbirth, which has me really concerned.  How is it possible the protagonist, such an important character as Anna, could be taken from the story so soon?  I pray NOT!

You are so further ahead than I am in reading and knowledge.  So many different issues are being dealt with in this 19th Century period, you mention Emancipation, there is also industrialization, modernization, Revolutionary society Land and Liberty splits; People's Will and Black Reparation formed. Levin seems to be trying to get his workers to use machinery, but they are resisting, and are breaking the machines, as quickly as he purchases them, due to their unwillingness to learn to use them properly.  I am NOT a History buff, I failed History in high school, and so even trying to understand and discuss this, is over my pay grade.  My hubby and neighbor, who are History buffs, are helping me muddle along here.  I am more focused on the relationships between the characters, more so, than the economic and political part of this story. 

Okay, well we are having a cloudy, cool, and somewhat rainy day today, so, after I got out of church, I came home, planted some flower bulbs in my garden, and now intend to read throughout this afternoon.  I'm already not wanting this story to end.  Does that even make sense, because I can't wait to see how it ends.   

[Frybabe]

Ginny, I finally finished listening to Goldsworthy's Caesar. It was more interesting than his Augustus, IMO. The thing that surprised me the most, at the end, was that there is controversy over whether or not Caesarion was actually Caesar's son (I did know Rome refused to recognize him as legitimate). I also thought he was younger when he was murdered. Well, I have always wrinkled my nose up at that episode of Caesar's life and that of Anthony's affair with Cleopatra. I could say the same for the likes of Caligula and Nero. I guess I saw too many sensationalized historical speculation and historical fiction surrounding them when I was young. It must be extremely difficult for historians, at times, to tease out actual facts from rumors, lies, and facts twisted to serve an ancient opponent's or earlier author's agenda.  There are still lots of holes to fill in and incorrect notions to correct.

[Frybabe]

Here is something to think about. Tariffs set to hit imports of books printed in China. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/80392-looming-tariffs-cloud-printing-picture.html I for one would not mind seeing the book printing industry revived here in the US even with the difficulties stated in the article.

I am slightly biased after having worked for almost 20 years in the printing industry. Of course, I realize it would never come back to what it used to be what with the digital revolution and all. Then again, printed book tariffs could just push book printing even more toward extinction.

[bellamarie]

Frybabe, I agree. I think it is counter productive to place tariffs on printed books, while they are already in decline, due to digital books. 

Jonathan,  Well, Kitty and Levin have finally gotten married, and  Aleksei has allowed Anna to go off and be with Vronsky, even though she insisted on him not divorcing her.  Now we shall see if these couples can find their happily ever after. 

[ANNIE]

What’s the title of our book for the mini discussion?  Maybe I can get it in LP from my library.

[ANNIE]

Large print is coming on July 1!

[bellamarie]

Annie,  The name of the book is The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Jonathan,  I don't know about you, but Anna, Kitty, Vronsky and Levin have exhausted me.  The nerve of Anna to walk into the house to see her son with NO prior notice, NO permission, and to sneak in and deceive the new employees, was a despicable act.  She never once considered what her actions and presence would have on her now nine year old son, who has not seen her for four years.  She is a woman who wants what she wants, when she wants it and to hell with anyone else.  I didn't agree with telling the boy, his mother was dead, but I also didn't agree with Anna deciding to have an affair with Vronsky, knowing she would be tearing apart her family.  As if it weren't enough already, then she goes to the theater without thought or care in how it will affect others.  She is one selfish, self centered woman.  Oh me, oh my, I am so over her selfish acts.

[Jonathan]

Bellamarie, I enjoy reading your posts. Doesn't Tolstoy make it lively! He seems to see things from every angle. Can you imagine what his readers have found in his stories. Perhaps I've become a sentimental old guy, but after coming away from Kitty and Levin's wedding I got out the wedding album and admired my beautiful wife. May she rest in peace. Kitty, too, was radiant; but with such psychological turmoil. Will it last.

I can't make up my mind. Is this book superlative soap-opera, or is it a sermon? And if it isn't  enough excitement, my reading has taken a back seat to the ongoing NBA playoffs. Toronto is going wild over its Raptors.

'What a darling the bride is, like a lamb decked for the slaughter...So chattered the crowd of women who had managed to get inside the church.' p454

Meanwhile: [b Vronsky and Anna had already been travelling together in Europe for three months.[/b] Anna may be selfish but she is very unhappy.

[bellamarie]

Jonathan,  Yes, Kitty and Levin's wedding was absolutely wonderful.  I loved that Tolstoy gave the readers so much of the details, prayers, the suspense of Levin being late to the ceremony, everything was so beautiful.  I think it's wonderful you can admit to being a sentimental guy, and looked back through your memories of the day you married your dear wife.  Hmmm....superlative soap-opera or sermon??  Well, I can tell you this much... it has frustrated me at times I have wanted to say, ENOUGH!  I think when you have to destroy another person/relationship/friendships, in order to have what you want, you will never be completely happy in your future.  Anna is truly unhappy, and Vronsky is growing tired of her secrets and selfish behavior.  He is now seeing how it feels to have her sneaking around behind his back.  It was okay while he was the one she was sneaking around with, not so fun when he's the one she is leaving out, to wonder what she is up to.

My eleven yr old grandson spent the night last night, and was rooting for Toronto to win the game and championship.  I asked why would he root against his country's team, and he said, "Because it will be make history, a first for Toronto, and the Raptors have won too many times."  I like his spirit.  Good Luck, I am rooting for Toronto!! 

[Jonathan]

It is indeed history in the making. And isn't it great to have your grandson, and you, rooting for the Raptors. Could I try getting you some tickets to game 7? We've had many other distinguished guests. President Obama was here for the first game. Sports make good neighbors.

What an amazing book. It was a lovely wedding. And then this:

'Altogether, the honeymoon - the first month of their marriage, from which Levin had expected so much - was not delightful, but remained in both their recollections as the most oppressive and humiliating time of their lives.... Only in the third month of their married life...did their life begin to run more smoothly.' p480

We're spared the details. But not so when it comes to brother Nicholas's death. What a scene. It brings out all the best in Kitty. And overwhelms Levin. He's horrified...at the inscrutability, nearness, and inevitability of death...but now, thanks to his wife's presence, that feeling did not drive him to despair; in spite of death, he felt the necessity of living and loving. He felt that love had saved him from despair, and that love under the menace of despair grew still stronger and purer.'

And then another mystery. 'The doctor confirmed their supposition about Kitty. Her illness was pregnancy.'

What a lovely way to get out of Chapter 20, Part 5!!!!

[bellamarie]

Jonathan, Oh how generous you are, to even offer to attempt to get us tickets.  Neighbborly love indeed!  I suspect you are hoping there will be no game 7, if the Raptors win tonight. 

Kitty sure did surprise Levin, with her insisting she accompanies him to help his sick brother.  How could Levin not fall even more in love with his wife, after witnessing her love and compassion for his brother, who was on his death bed.  Kitty showed what real strength and Christianity is.  Yes, what a lovely way to get out of Chapter 20, Part 5, but here I am on Chapter 4, Part VII, and still Kitty has not given birth to their baby. 

I rather enjoyed the parts on politics, the conniving ways the parties go about getting the person they want elected.  Levin was a fish out of water, and Vronsky was in full command, so it seems.  Such a strong difference in these two men, I am satisfied they each ended up with the woman who best suits them.  Poor Anna, she just can't seem to find her happily ever after.  I can't even imagine having to feel torn between my two children, feeling you can't love one, because you can't be with the other.  She is proving to be a woman destined to suffer from her own actions.  Needing to take morphine to sleep at night.  She has the man she loves, yet questions his love for her, she has all the materialistic things any one could ever wish for in life, yet can't go out in society among the people she so longs to be included with.  She has a baby daughter by the man she loves, yet can only think of the son she has left behind, with the man she despises. 

Pg. 553  Anna talking with Dolly about asking Alexei Alexandrovich for a divorce, so she can legally marry Vronsky.

"Suppose I should try,"  she said.  What does it mean?"  she asked, evidently express a thought which she had gone over in her own mind a thousand times and had learned by heart.  "It means that I, who hate him, and who have nevertheless confessed my guilt to him__I believe in his magnanimity__that I humiliate myself to write him. . . Well!  Suppose I make the effort; suppose I do it.  I shall receive either an insulting answer or his consent.  Good, I get his consent . . ."  Anna at this time was in the farthest end of the room and stopped there to arrange a widow-curtain.  "I get his consent. . . by my s-son?  You see he will not give him to me!  No, he will grow up despising me, living with his father, whom I have left.  Just think, I love these two almost equally, both more than myself; these two, Serozha and Aleskei.  "These two only I love, and the one excludes the other.  I cannot bring them together, and yet  this is the one thing I want. 

"I am miserably unhappy.  If there is one unhappy, it is I . . ." said she, and turning away, she began to weep.
   
"Oh what a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive."   by: Sir Walter Scott

[Judy Laird]

I have the book remains of the day. As I remember it was very good book

[ANNIE]

When do we start Remains of the Day? 
Judy so glad you have the book!🤓❤️💕💕💕

[bellamarie]

Jonathan,  I finished Anna Kerenina, last night.  Tolstoy is a magnificent writer/storyteller!  This book will stay with me for awhile, but I can tell you, it was not up there with the top best books I have ever read.  I think the best part of the book for me was the last chapters, where Levin struggles with understanding life, death, love, purpose, faith, politics, and God.  I like his conclusion:

Part VIII Chapter 19 pg. 699 

"The relations of human belief to God must, for me, remain unfathomable; to search them out belongs not to me."

As for Anna Kerenina, in my opinion, she was a paradox.  I tried to like her, I tried to sympathize with her, I tried as a mother myself, feel her struggle living without her son, as a wife, I tried to understand how she could not remain living in a loveless marriage,  I tried to have compassion for her when she was ostracized, by society.  But.... even up to the last of her actions, which I felt were yet one more self centered, selfish act, I could not justify her choices.  It's obvious, in the end, her desire to control and possess Vronsky, her depression and her loneliness, overcame her will to live, but to plan to avenge her lover, by such a definite, cruel act, I could not and will not sympathize with her.  And, for this writer to have Anna commit this final act, was so contradictory, to how he portrayed her throughout the book.  Taking the opium, lying down in her bed, and being found in a peaceful death, made more sense, than the brutal way she throws herself under a train.  And then we have Vronsky marching off to volunteer in a war that has no even been declared.  Are we to assume it's his death wish? 

I so loved Levin & Kitty, they were more the story for me, than A.K.

I can't wait to hear your final thoughts. 

I am ready for a beach book, although our temps are no where near lying by beach or my pool.  Brrr... it's cold today.
CONGRATULATIONS!! to your Raptors for winning the NBA Championship and making history!!!

[ginny]

Judy, how nice to see you here! How are you doing? The Remains of the Day IS a lovely book, you are right. It's quiet like most of our lives but resonant where it matters. They also serve who only stand and wait type of thing.  I am very excited about our new discussion of it, come join us.

Ann, the new Mini Discussion will begin on June 19, next Wednesday. Can't wait, we'll have a site for it soon.

Frybabe, when I read your post,  I reread Goldsworthy on Caesarion, and then some other sources, they do seem quite muddled, and of course the reason was the Romans hated Cleopatra and whether or not the child was truly Caesar's,  which seems kind of iffy, he was doomed from the outset as any sort of possible  heir to Rome, and it was Augustus who ordered him killed.  His siblings however lived on.  It's a shame, no fault of his own, another body to add to Augustus's long list.

I finished Reliquary, such a powerful book and now am starting Come, Tell Me How You Live, Agatha Christie's autobiography. It's old, and I hope it's stood the test of time PC wise; I'm about to find out.   I remember it as  funny and fascinating, about her accompanying her second husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan, on an archaeological dig, they went by the Orient Express, starting out with the difficulties she had in finding travel clothes at  her size which alone is worth the price of the book: absolutely hilarious.   She always said he  liked her because he liked old things.  hahaha

I'm ready for some fun armchair travel memoirs, and hope it fits the bill.

[bellamarie]

For anyone interested in reading and participating in the mini discussion starting June 19th, of the book, The Remains of the Day, here is a link to the book online. 

https://epdf.pub/the-remains-of-the-day5432cca46b2ef2aacd17a6de48471e2a84368.html

I am actually enjoying reading it online, much more so than listening to the audio book online through my Libby app.

[ginny]

Oh that's lovely, thank you, Bellamarie! I'm glad somebody has their act together today and something is working! I'll put that in the heading of the new Mini discussion when it goes up.

Yes I do agree it's a book I would rather read, too.   (I find the narrator can make or break a book recording for me, too, but that may just be me).  I can really love a book and the narrator can ruin it for me. The best one I ever heard was Hugh Fraser,  who played Hastings on the PBS Poirot series. He can do ANY voice and he can "do"  Suchet as well as  David Suchet who plays Poirot in that series, it's like listening to an old radio show to hear him read any of the Christie books.

[ginny]

 And The Remains of the Day Mini Discussion is now open, thanks to Jane!


http://seniorlearn.org/forum/index.php?topic=5347.msg365725#msg365725

Come on by, if you like.

[PatH]

Judy and Annie, it's so good to see you here.  Looking forward to the discussion.

[Frybabe]

I am now listening to Carthage Must Be Destroyed by Richard Miles, and the Great Courses audio book on Einstein's Theory of Relativity and Quantum physics. The other physics Great Courses book, I returned for credit. I just couldn't get used to the professor's manor of speech, not to mention the chapters I picked through all seemed to be stuff I already knew. This other one, by a different professor, is likely to do a lot of historical background that I already know, and he speaks in a very rushed way, but I think I can handle it.

Last night I started reading The Song of Achilles (finally). Unlike Madeline Miller's Circe where the narrator is Circe, this story is seen through the eyes of Patroclus who is Achilles' good friend and companion who was killed during the Trojan War. It will be interesting to see how the ending is treated since he died before Achilles did.

[bellamarie]

Jonathan, I am wondering if you have finished the book, and what your thoughts are.  Can't wait to hear from you.

[Jonathan]

No, Bellamarie, I haven't finished the book. Too many distractions have put me behind in my reading, and kept me away from my computer. And the Raptors' parade downtown this morning.

Your conclusions and feelings about the book are most interesting. And very discerning. Was it an agony to write, do you think? There was much rewriting in the process. It's a melancholy book, don't you think. Love doesn't last, except for Kitty and Levin. Thanks for putting me onto the book. It was fun sharing the experience.

[bellamarie]

Jonathan,  Yes, indeed, I would consider this a very melancholy book.  So little happiness, sprinkled into so much unhappiness and despair.  It's interesting how you mention there was much rewriting in the process.  I can almost see Tolstoy having Anna take the opium, lying down in her bed, slowly agonizing with her paranoia thoughts, of Vronsky with another younger more beautiful woman, and drifting off into her death.  And yet.... he decides to continue writing, and have her plunge herself into the oncoming train instead.  I wonder, if his wife Sophie liked the opium suicide, and Tolstoy wanted more dramatic effect, so he went with the train instead.  I guess we'll never know, but one can speculate.  I want to hear your thoughts once you have completed the book. I thank you for sharing this experience of Anna Karenina with me.  I may never have read it, had I not had you discussing it with me in our mini discussion. It was a tough book to stay with to the end, and had it not been for Levin and Kitty, I may have said, ENOUGH!   

How exciting to attend the parade, a well deserved Victory of your Raptors.

I just finished, The Remains of the Day, as we are embarking on a new discussion format tomorrow, with Ginny leading the way.  I can honestly say, I would NOT have ever read this book, had it not been for discussing it with this group.  One more melancholy book after another.  Now I am for sure ready for some light read beach books!

[ginny]

That's the thing about The Remains of the Day. I don't find it melancholy at all.    It's a perfect book to talk with somebody about.

[bellamarie]

Ginny,  I can't wait to hear how each person reacts to The Remains of the Day.  It's possible me coming off of A.K., it had a more melancholy feel to it, than it does to others. 

[ginny]

 I really am looking forward to it and already a new person (to the Books) has sent in a question, so hopefully she can get off Jury  Duty and join but that gave me  hope for the new Mini idea. A LOT of people say it's melancholy and that's something that quite frankly did not occur to me and I just wonder what that says about a lot of things today, you know?  I've even heard it called a tragedy. It's not, to me.  What fun this will be!

[Frybabe]

Ginny, I just yesterday discovered that Amazon Video has six seasons worth of Horrible Histories.

[bellamarie]

Jonathan,  I wanted to share this with you on Leo Tolstoy.  Do you have these books mentioned?  He wrote and published his semi-autobiographical trilogy ‘Childhood,’ ‘Boyhood,’ and ‘Youth’ (1852-1856).


Pictured above are Leo Tolstoy and his wife Sophia Tolstaya on September 23, 1910. Born as Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy on September 8, 1828, but most commonly referred to as Leo Tolstoy, was a highly regarded Russian writer who has been described by many as one of the greatest authors of all time.
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Tolstoy was born to an aristocratic Russian family in 1828 and is best known for his novels titled ‘War and Peace’ (1869) and ‘Anne Karenina’ (1877), which have often been cited as the peak of realist fiction. He first became well-known during his 20s after he wrote and published his semi-autobiographical trilogy ‘Childhood,’ ‘Boyhood,’ and ‘Youth’ (1852-1856).
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Due to his great works, Tolstoy received multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature every year between 1902 and 1906. He also received nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in years 1901, 1902, and 1910 (when the picture above was taken), and his miss of the prize each year, has been considered a major Nobel Prize Controversy.

https://www.facebook.com/HistoryInPictures/photos/a.1417075835221721/2358766607719301/?type=3&theater

[ginny]

I'm very much enjoying our current Mini discussion of anther Nobel Laureate, in Remains of the  Day, but I have to say I'm  having second thoughts on Educated, slated for July 19.

I had forgotten how desirable it is to be able to quote from the text in order to discuss a book.

My  issue with Educated is that I no longer have the book (left it on a hotel kiosk/ library in the English section) in France, and do not plan to ever reread it or look at it again. The entire world, however, IS discussing it.

And I'm not sure it would count as even a Mini discussion to talk about why she wrote the book, or other summary...or would it? That would really be Mini.

What are your thoughts?  I could do Mending Wall as a Mini, or another  poem instead? I think everybody,  if they can stomach it should read Educated, but I'm not sure my  own stomach could take much in the way of recalling the details of it.

[PatH]

Ginny, I find that I need the book available even when I'm not quoting, to check little details, make sure I don't have something wrong, or even minor things like getting the spelling of a character's name right.  I wouldn't dare lead a discussion without the book available.

[ginny]

I appreciate your opinion, and I agree with it. The issue may be demand for it, that's why I've posted here.

[Frybabe]

Hi Everyone!

I finished Madeline MIller's The Song of Achilles last night. For some reason, I didn't care for it as much as I liked Circe, but it sure does make me want to reread the Iliad. There are some elements (nuances?) of Homer's epic that I had forgotten or missed. According to Miller the myth of Achilles' heel being the only vulnerable spot on his body was not part of the original story. Which means I need to look into the evolution of the mythology surrounding Achilles.

As for the Educated mini-discussion, I am not interested in reading the book at this time. However after reading a review, I realize that it is not exactly what I thought it would be about. So, it is on my list for later when I can spend a little more time with it.

We were posting at the same time Ginny. Yes, what a fun discovery. I am delighted.

[ginny]

 hahaha, Oh and here I am restoring it!

Frybabe, what a discovery! I noticed to my shock in London that one of the TV channels are  running them, too! They are new episodes, too, apparently they've kept making them, but some of the oldest ones are classics.

I did not realize they were all jammed together, all the different ages in one program!

 Thank you so much for that, because I've been watching ones I've never seen!

Yes, on Educated,   it's something else, it really is, but that's not the title I would have given it.

[ginny]

The Iliad never gets old.

[PatH]

Indeed it doesn't.  I've thought of some minor relevance to our mini-discussion.