The Books/Reading Thread
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Zephyrus
Tyrants and Slaves
Thoth-Amon
Hypochondriac
- Apr 4, 2006
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Zephyrus
Tyrants and Slaves
Winter.
Member
Currently reading "Geisha" by Liza Dalby.
It's really interesting if you're into Japanese culture. She is the only non-Japanese woman to ever have become a geisha and the book opens up their world to the reader.
It's really interesting if you're into Japanese culture. She is the only non-Japanese woman to ever have become a geisha and the book opens up their world to the reader.
Thoth-Amon
Hypochondriac
- Apr 4, 2006
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that would be awesome... he'd probably be cursing up a storm in german and throwing shit all over the place too
Einherjar86
Active Member
So, I've recently begun reading a book titled House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and creative books I've ever read. The book has been called a "satire on academic criticism" by some scholars, and its narrative style is extremely intricate. The book itself is an "edition" of a book by a fictional young man named Johnny Truant, which in itself is an edition of a book written by a fictional enigmatic character named Zampano, which ultimately is an academic essay written about a videotape recorded by a fictional photojournalist named Will Navidson, called The Navidson Record. The book is littered with footnotes by Zampano, Truant, and the ambiguous editors who've reissued Truant's edition. Some footnotes reference works/essays or authors/scholars that don't exist. Some pages contain full text, while others contain only one line of text, the rest of the page being blank. Some pages offer upside down footnotes and footnotes within strange window-like boxes, in which the text appears backwards on the opposite page. Furthermore, there are two storylines in House of Leaves (ultimately the name of the book). The main story (or what seems to be the main story) involves the videotapes of The Navidson Record. An underlying story is detailed in Truant's footnotes, recording recent events in his life (mostly times when he got laid). However, Truant is a very unreliable narrator and readers have to question everything he tells them. Furthermore, his footnotes detail what clearly seems to be (almost immediately) a descent into insanity. I'm currently only a quarter way through the book or so, so I can't say for certain where it's going. I'm extremely excited though.
Also, lastly and regarding the videotapes of The Navidson Record. It is one of the creepiest plot lines I've ever read, and it has succeeded in freaking me out on more than one occassion. Basically, it is unknown within the story whether The Navidson Record is truly a documentary or a genius fraud. Either way, the story is horrifying. A family comes home one day to find that their house has changed. Its inner dimensions continue to grow while on the outside it remains the same; a phyiscal impossibility. The main horror comes when a doorway suddenly appears in their living room wall... which is located directly next to their backyard. However, while their backyard appears normal and untouched, the doorway itself leads down a dark corridor, about ten feet long; but there is no protrusion into their lawn. Somehow, the corridor leads into somewhere impossible. And it doesn't stop. It continues to grow. The Navidson Record is Will Navidson's photojournalistic portrayal of the exploration into the cause and nature of this strange corridor, and what lies beyond.
That's basically the outline for the book. Is anyone is in the mood for a challenging, intriguing, confusing, amusing, and at times terrifying book, I definitely recommend it.
Also, lastly and regarding the videotapes of The Navidson Record. It is one of the creepiest plot lines I've ever read, and it has succeeded in freaking me out on more than one occassion. Basically, it is unknown within the story whether The Navidson Record is truly a documentary or a genius fraud. Either way, the story is horrifying. A family comes home one day to find that their house has changed. Its inner dimensions continue to grow while on the outside it remains the same; a phyiscal impossibility. The main horror comes when a doorway suddenly appears in their living room wall... which is located directly next to their backyard. However, while their backyard appears normal and untouched, the doorway itself leads down a dark corridor, about ten feet long; but there is no protrusion into their lawn. Somehow, the corridor leads into somewhere impossible. And it doesn't stop. It continues to grow. The Navidson Record is Will Navidson's photojournalistic portrayal of the exploration into the cause and nature of this strange corridor, and what lies beyond.
That's basically the outline for the book. Is anyone is in the mood for a challenging, intriguing, confusing, amusing, and at times terrifying book, I definitely recommend it.
Vegard Pompey
ALLY TO GOOD, NIGHTMARE TO YOU
Currently reading Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. Only 250 pages into it, but I have faith in this series.
Zephyrus
Tyrants and Slaves
Just finished Caligula's biography and deciding whether to continue to Claudius or go back to Herodotus and read Book VI.
Einherjar86
Active Member
The first book isn't bad, but don't have too much faith. Jordan's a terrible writer, in my opinion. If you want truly incredible fantasy, read George R.R. Martin and R. Scott Bakker.
cookiecutter
Proceed to Ultraslamming
I got through Book 5. You will need serious perseverance to get through the series. As others have said, Jordan has some serious failings as a writer. All his female characters are insufferable and he writes them in an uncomfortably erotic way (the aformentioned "plunging neckline", "crossing arms beneath their breasts" etc.) Also after the first book the pace slows down considerably.
Einherjar that book sounds really interesting.
unknown
fuck ftagn
you're obviously not a tr00 MZD fan because you didn't type House in Houseof Leaves blue.
and if you want even more of a mindfuck, check out his latest work, Only Revolutions...christ.
but yeah. House of Leaves is a phenomenal book. Too bad MZD won't let it get turned into a movie
Einherjar86
Active Member
Haha, true, I forgot to color the font blue. Man, I'm really digging this book.
Honestly, I was considering what a movie adaptation would be like. Despite the fact that much of the book is told from the point of view of video cameras, I think it would be extremely difficult to do.
When I finish House of Leaves
cool I'll definitely check out Only Revolutions. Thanks for the recommendation!
Honestly, I was considering what a movie adaptation would be like. Despite the fact that much of the book is told from the point of view of video cameras, I think it would be extremely difficult to do.
When I finish House of Leaves
cool I'll definitely check out Only Revolutions. Thanks for the recommendation!
unknown
fuck ftagn
Only Revolutions is tough. It's a tough read. I think if House of Leaves were to be adapted to film, I would just want The Navidson Record to be adapted...Johnny Truant's bit got a bit annoying at times
"Whoa man, I'm freaking out reading this...I just totally banged this hot chick and I work at a tattoo parlor, but fuck dude I'm paranoid as hell."
"Whoa man, I'm freaking out reading this...I just totally banged this hot chick and I work at a tattoo parlor, but fuck dude I'm paranoid as hell."
Cythraul
Active Member
- Dec 10, 2003
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I've been reading quite a bit lately. Recently finished The Elements of Moral Philosophy by James Rachels. I reread Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche for the thousandth time. Now I'm reading Truth by Simon Blackburn and German Myths and Legends by Donald MacKenzie.
Einherjar86
Active Member
Haha, that's true. Truant's a very unreliable narrator though, which is why I find all his footnotes extremely interesting. Basically Danielewski is doing one giant character study on Truant. He's one fucked up guy.
And an adaptation of The Navidson Record would be awesome; and creepy as hell.
no country for old wainds
Active Member
- Nov 23, 2002
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