tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post7714063521195494788..comments2024-03-29T03:04:00.853-05:00Comments on Wuthering <br>Expectations: The guilty occupation of a life - or, Wuthering Expectations is four years oldAmateur Reader (Tom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-45173940278621490442012-01-03T16:17:28.845-06:002012-01-03T16:17:28.845-06:00I am often very judgmental about authors' choi...I am often very judgmental about <i>authors'</i> choices and motivations. Characters are puppets; I admire the puppet-makers and puppeteers.<br /><br />French to Victorian, hmm? Good, good. I am going to give you some links to a valuable resource, me writing on that subject:<br /><br /><a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-rejoiced-to-plunge-into-book-again-at.html" rel="nofollow">Stevenson on Dumas</a><br /><br /><a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/02/there-are-few-people-more-given-to.html" rel="nofollow">Stevenson's Villon</a><br /><br />I could go on but will not. <br /><br />Comparing all literatures is my project, one for which a lifetime will have to be adequate.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-88615564721905139942012-01-03T15:48:54.097-06:002012-01-03T15:48:54.097-06:00Hmm, a cold-hearted reader. That's interesting...Hmm, a cold-hearted reader. That's interesting. I think, in a way, I am as well, in that I can often be very judgmental about characters' choices and motivations; still, that doesn't prevent me (like most women, it appears) from falling in love with literary characters. <br /><br />As for Comparative Literature, comparing all of the literatures does sound quite nice, but as I've realized, I will be alive for a limited time and thus actually have to make choices I'm focusing on 19th century French literature (inspired by my love of Dumas, of course). I also love Victorian literature, especially Oscar Wilde and the like, and am actually hoping to write my BA thesis on the links between 19th century French literature and its influences on Victorian literature. <br /><br />Also, thanks for checking out my blog and adding it to your reader!Anastasia Klimchynskayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291253915193996900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-50413232966929275072012-01-02T21:21:57.671-06:002012-01-02T21:21:57.671-06:00Anastasia, thanks so much, and welcome. I do not ...Anastasia, thanks so much, and welcome. I do not believe that we disagree about Dumas as much as you think, except perhaps in the matter of love for him. I am a cold-hearted reader.<br /><br />Thanks for the link to the blog; I have plopped it into the old blog reader.<br /><br />Which 19th century literatures are you comparing? May I recommend: all of them.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-46306351643232158112012-01-02T13:00:53.077-06:002012-01-02T13:00:53.077-06:00Just stumbled upon this blog recently and I love i...Just stumbled upon this blog recently and I love it! I'm a Comparative Literature major (19th century literature), and your blog is exactly the right thing for me - I love the in-depth thoughts you give about the works you read, as well as their links to other books of the period, literary movements, and whatnot! (although I strongly disagree with your judgment on Dumas, and posted a relevant comment on one of your Count of Monte Cristo posts). <br /><br />Also, is there any chance you could add a link to my blog on your list of blog links? I've recently started a book/literary blog where I hope to post thoughtful analyses of the things I read (many of them classics), like the ones you do. <br /><br />Anastasia<br />The Itinerant Bookworm: http://bookwormhermy.blogspot.comAnastasia Klimchynskayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291253915193996900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-57278565205751138782011-09-24T21:27:08.377-05:002011-09-24T21:27:08.377-05:00Thanks a lot. Writing the Wilder pieces was a gre...Thanks a lot. Writing the Wilder pieces was a great experience. Just giving the books the respect they deserved, based on what was on the page in front of me.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-51270361267325947582011-09-24T16:24:15.619-05:002011-09-24T16:24:15.619-05:00Way behind on the reading this week, so I'm la...Way behind on the reading this week, so I'm late to the party to congratulate you on four years! Your Little House series is one of my favorites, simply for the way it looked at some of my favorite books from growing up in a completely different manner than I ever would. (Then again, you look at everything differently than I do...which is why I keep reading.) Looking forward to many more interesting posts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-42246893940598498462011-09-20T16:21:51.505-05:002011-09-20T16:21:51.505-05:00Ah, everyone is so nice. I do not really feel so ...Ah, everyone is so nice. I do not really feel so guilty, although a Ruskinian self-examination of the assumptions of one's life is always in order. Regardless, I keep trying here - my way of kicking against the pricks, although that sounds so violent. Cultivating my garden, maybe. Trying to write interesting sentences.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-44926113956752362442011-09-20T15:21:28.329-05:002011-09-20T15:21:28.329-05:00The past few years reading your work have been bew...The past few years reading your work have been bewilderingly rich, and enriching. Thank you so much. Higher up and further in!Jennyhttp://shelflove.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-10578788962548035002011-09-20T10:43:24.974-05:002011-09-20T10:43:24.974-05:00Trade your guilt for pride!
And I love the phrase...Trade your guilt for pride!<br /><br />And I love the phrase Prairie Sublime--perfect for me....Shelleyhttp://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-33269714739063667232011-09-20T09:28:01.012-05:002011-09-20T09:28:01.012-05:00Four years from now, I will reveal the initial of ...Four years from now, I will reveal the initial of my surname.<br /><br />That first name is still pretty anonymous, I figure, and might not even be my real name, except that some people who stop by here know me and know that it is. I could reveal my entire name and still be pretty well hidden on the internet. A lesser Tom Jones, for example, would be hard to track down.<br /><br />mel - look at this crazy <a href="http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/resources/archival_&_special_collections/the_collections/digital_collections/john_galt/galt_list/" rel="nofollow">Galt archive</a>! Neat. "The Howdie" I was thinking of is the 27 page story within the collection also titled <i>The Howdie</i>. Glacing at the story, I can say with confidence that I do not remember it well. <i>The Provost</i>, <i>The Entail</i>, even the bizarre and amazing <i>Ringan Gilhaize</i>, now those I remember.<br /><br />And thanks to everyone for the good wishes.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-47830399413862177372011-09-20T07:45:55.061-05:002011-09-20T07:45:55.061-05:00Happy anniversary/birthday to you and your blog, A...Happy anniversary/birthday to you and your blog, Amateur Reader. I should celebrate with you by finally making those beans!Lisa C. Haydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10139281544357167953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-73755868950352412582011-09-20T03:37:01.522-05:002011-09-20T03:37:01.522-05:00"The Howdie: An Autobiography,"-is there..."The Howdie: An Autobiography,"-is there are part I and II-I ask as I could find a Part I online but no part II-thanks for the responseMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-12071547547570324832011-09-20T02:22:23.272-05:002011-09-20T02:22:23.272-05:00Amateur Reader (Tom?),
Congratulations! Here'...Amateur Reader (Tom?),<br /><br />Congratulations! Here's hoping for many more years.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10233846613173866140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-29272816863776533372011-09-19T23:22:12.342-05:002011-09-19T23:22:12.342-05:00Amateur Reader (Tom), so do we get a real name rel...Amateur Reader (Tom), so do we get a real name released every four years or what? Noticed this over at my blog today also. I'm so confused about your secret identity now!<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Richard (Richard)Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-49787938531694031232011-09-19T23:04:06.250-05:002011-09-19T23:04:06.250-05:00mel - a good question with no good answer. Galt&#...mel - a good question with no good answer. Galt's short stories, in my experience, are weak compared to the remarkable cluster of novels he started writing in the 1820s. An exception might be "The Howdie: An Autobiography," a curious story of a midewife, but I will warn you that it is a no-kidding-around Scotch dialogue story.<br /><br />Anna - thanks so much. Your slogan ("Keep writing, friends") is inspirational.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-22591104123506545072011-09-19T21:52:45.018-05:002011-09-19T21:52:45.018-05:00John Galt wrote some short stories-where do you su...John Galt wrote some short stories-where do you suggest I start-does he have some for sure best short stories-I checked a bit and could not find the answer to this question-thanksMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-1377141914010908702011-09-19T21:17:20.166-05:002011-09-19T21:17:20.166-05:00So exciting! Congratulations for keeping the readi...So exciting! Congratulations for keeping the reading and writing going for 4 years! Here's to the next 4-Cheers.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00961332983813359209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-29938223486857459642011-09-19T17:19:45.323-05:002011-09-19T17:19:45.323-05:00Ah, Verlaine's forest clowns! And later Jules...Ah, Verlaine's <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/02/scaramouche-and-pulchinella-making-evil.html" rel="nofollow">forest clowns</a>! And later Jules Laforgue thinks "Beautiful but <i>not beautiful enough</i>," so he moves <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/04/moon-clowns-of-jules-laforgue.html" rel="nofollow">the clowns to the moon</a>.<br /><br />I strongly considered those posts - the <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2011/05/bolano-aira-and-argentinean-literature.html" rel="nofollow">Argentinean Literature of Doom</a>, too. My week with Oliphant's <i>The Perpetual Curate</i> is solid - another book that, once I got writing on it, I flatter myself that I really "got." But all of that linking wore me out.<br /><br />I also considered asking people for favorite posts, but the egomania of that idea seemed all too plain, although on birthdays one should forgive a little self-congratulation.<br /><br />As for everyone else's congratulations, thanks so much! Onward and upward!<br /><br />PS - She has an actual mummified cat in her living room! That's prime turnip fertilizer going to waste.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-11205131314566219232011-09-19T17:03:46.133-05:002011-09-19T17:03:46.133-05:00Congratulations on four years-here is to many more...Congratulations on four years-here is to many more yearsMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-82302045360666109692011-09-19T15:27:23.253-05:002011-09-19T15:27:23.253-05:00Here's another selfish wish for more guilt. I ...Here's another selfish wish for more guilt. I mean long life.<br /><br />And I'll add another congratulations!Dwighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13688525659034403580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-71319268498346303482011-09-19T15:27:15.541-05:002011-09-19T15:27:15.541-05:00Thank you for your efforts, may I put in a word fo...Thank you for your efforts, may I put in a word for your Trollope, Scott, and Oliphant posts all of which I've found most useful (and enjoyable).Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-11420753057773224532011-09-19T14:58:21.267-05:002011-09-19T14:58:21.267-05:00Congratulations! An excellent list; I am particula...Congratulations! An excellent list; I am particularly glad to see Galt and Wilder on it (and <em>Clarel</em>!). I will selfishly wish you many happy returns.nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17532641082944082516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-72729491635459373462011-09-19T13:05:59.596-05:002011-09-19T13:05:59.596-05:00I'm quite late to the party, having just disco...I'm quite late to the party, having just discovered your blog very recently, but it looks like catching up will be immensely enjoyable and rewarding (and for what it's worth, you had me at "mummified cat," as I have a friend who has an actual mummified cat hanging in her living room). I already have 35 books out of the library at the moment, but it looks like I need to head over there now to pick up something Senegalese and something by John Galt, for starters - Scottseraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-21106074451293924202011-09-19T12:46:02.671-05:002011-09-19T12:46:02.671-05:00Like Richard's, my "most thought about&qu...Like Richard's, my "most thought about" post of yours from the past few years (Verlaine's frolicking clowns) doesn't appear here. You just provide so much food for thought, it can't all fit into one post. Congratulations on four years of blogging!Emilyhttp://www.eveningallafternoon.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-54336946057078215842011-09-19T11:53:32.885-05:002011-09-19T11:53:32.885-05:00Congrats on the long life of your excellent blog, ...Congrats on the long life of your excellent blog, Amateur Reader! Curiously enough, I just today linked for the second or third time this year to one of my favorite recent posts by you--and I see that post of yours doesn't even show up in this post's highlights. I guess I have a knack for being out of step, even among "colleagues" whose work I enjoy!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.com