What are you reading now?

[richardfinegold]

Just about to start 'Overlord', which is one of the few books by Max Hastings that I have not yet read. His integration of the experiences of individuals into the larger picture and his detailed yet commendably clear explanation of the latter are masterly.

I enjoy most Hastings books, although I can’t remember anything about Overload that particularly separates it from other accounts, such as Anthony Berber or Stephan Ambrose D-Day.
On the subject of WW II I am reading Guadalcanal Diary, I book that I have seen referenced repeatedly but never got around to reading.
Also somewhat OTT I am in Lyon today and just toured the Resistance Museum. An interesting place but one that doesn’t address the issues of French Collaboration or or sort out the differing roles of the Communists (and their initial passivity until Hitler attacked Stalin) and the De Gaulle affiliated groups. As for the British operatives who worked with the Resistance there isn’t a mention.

[DracoM]

'Marches' / Rory Stewart.

[vinteuil]

.

... Wilhelm Raabe, Stopfkuchen. In an English translation, Tubby Schaumann.

It'll be the third time I read it : each time I get more out of it.

At the age of 72, I suppose I have half-a-dozen major regrets in life : bigly among them, not having acquired German. I would love to be able to read Raabe, Storm, Stifter, Fontane, &c in the original. Precious few of their works are available in English : fortunately quite a lot have been done into French, and I can get some of them that way ...

.

[smittims]

Turgenev, A Month in the Country.

A favourite play which I can now read in Isaiah Berlin's splendid translation, which I found yesterday after many years searching . I've long regarded it as one of the most lovable and profound works of literature, and indeed it is internationally-acclaimed as one of the finest plays ever written, yet curiously Turgenev himself repeatedly disparaged it in correspondence .

[french frank]

Once done that idea couldn't very well be used again!

There was some anger and cries of "cheating' from people reading "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" for the first time. My idea was more of a cliché: the story within a story to induce readers into making false assumptions about what they were being told. I don't have much interest in straightforward fiction (that's for factual narrative). But then, I've never had any of my fiction accepted for publication

[LMcD]

Just about to start 'Overlord', which is one of the few books by Max Hastings that I have not yet read. His integration of the experiences of individuals into the larger picture and his detailed yet commendably clear explanation of the latter are masterly.

[Pulcinella]

Just finished The other Bennet sister, by Janice Hadlow, her take on Mary's life after the death of Mr Bennet and the entail on the house coming into effect.
Perhaps a bit long for its content, but some splendid language and put downs.
I loved it when Lady Catherine, having criticised both the grocer and the cook on a visit, helped herself to another piece of the despised cake.

Now just started Amnesty, by Avarind Adiga (winner of the Man Booker Prize with The White Tiger).

[Petrushka]

I'm sure there is great scope for a short story, or a novel, in that synopsis 8o, but I'm not the man for it. My contribution to the theme of hidden narrators is to refer to Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (was it?) where the first person narrator was them what dunnit.
I'll get my coat.

Once done that idea couldn't very well be used again!

[Padraig]

....I think I'd sell my soul....to be able to eat cornish pasties, pies and belgium buns again....let alone walk up a hill....

I'm sure there is great scope for a short story, or a novel, in that synopsis 8o, but I'm not the man for it. My contribution to the theme of hidden narrators is to refer to Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (was it?) where the first person narrator was them what dunnit.
I'll get my coat.

[HighlandDougie]

Well, I may be in a very contrary mood but that doesn't stop me from recommending, "Cahokia Jazz", by Francis Spufford. Sort of - but not really - a police procedural. An imaginative triumph.

[eighthobstruction]

....I think I'd sell my soul....to be able to eat cornish pasties, pies and belgium buns again....let alone walk up a hill....

[vinteuil]

re : 'narrator identity'. I have just been re-reading Death in Venice , this time in the Norton critical edn, translated by Clayton Koelb. The novella itself takes up about 60 pages, the rest of the 230 pages comprises notes and essays, including an interesting piece by Dorrit Cohn, 'The Second Author of Death in Venice' - which tries to disentangle which parts of the book are narrated by Mann, which by 'the narrator', and which by Aschenbach. I think I need to reread the essay...

And I think it's time to try again with Dr Faustus. Years back I read the Lowe-Porter translation (struggled, but eventually enjoyed). A friend has recommended the more recent translation by John Woods.

[AuntDaisy]

In this case a narrator who is apparently identifiable but may actually be another of the characters; so the 'point of view' aspect is not clear. I gave up on my idea of telling a story in which there were no characters at all. I can't remember who the 'narrator' was, if anyone. It all got a bit convoluted. I also took an idea from Borges y yo about the 'narrator' meeting himself on a park bench. I have a feeling that's the one I submitted to Stand magazine and they just returned the covering letter with the word 'No' written on it. I think there might be a short story in all of this

Thanks, that helps. As does a "Borges & I" translation (courtesy of Wikipedia).
BTW, I misread that as Strand magazine, Holmes.

[french frank]

Not sure what a "narrator identity puzzle" is, exactly.

In this case a narrator who is apparently identifiable but may actually be another of the characters; so the 'point of view' aspect is not clear. I gave up on my idea of telling a story in which there were no characters at all. I can't remember who the 'narrator' was, if anyone. It all got a bit convoluted. I also took an idea from Borges y yo about the 'narrator' meeting himself on a park bench. I have a feeling that's the one I submitted to Stand magazine and they just returned the covering letter with the word 'No' written on it. I think there might be a short story in all of this

[AuntDaisy]

Over lunch in the caff: Henry James short story The Lesson of the Master. Moderately interesting where the style doesn't obscure meaning; and I there and then determined that I WILL complete my collection of short stories based on narrator identity puzzles. (I don't believe I shall as I find writing very difficult.)

I haven't read the Henry James short story, but have heard a radio adaptation.
Not sure what a "narrator identity puzzle" is, exactly. But, I'd guess that some forum posts might fit the bill...
Good luck with the writing.