Got 2 gold stars on fridge now to go with the one I receved aged 5 for being the quietest pupil in the class on "quiet day"
From the moment I picked up your book until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it.
Groucho Marx in the blurb for S J Perelman "Dawn Ginsberg's Revenge"
Nice one, a.b.d. will come over to games soon.
Hi,
Been listening to Mark Twain Book of the week Radio 4.As well as previously mentioned,have now listened to accounts of hols spent at Uncles farm,his early years as a journalist/duelling,and speeches he made and there relevance at the time and years to follow.
Also the last two short stories,about the crib and croup,and a visit to Niagra and American indians(irish men dressed up).
To sum him up from the extracts ive listened to.He thinks ahead of his time,the observations he makes and discriptions of all that he mentions linger on the taste buds.Constant throughout is a large amount of Wit,tongue in cheek and comical situations.The attempt to kick the Cat in the crib story even had my Sons laughing(i listened to that in the car).In the Niagra story his description of being whacked on the head,he described as"a thump on the head that would hold Coffee like a saucer".These are hurried observations,i could go on and on.
Does it encourage me to buy the Autobiography,definitely.I will be able to give a more educated opinion then.
Happy reading
Titan.
Been listening to Mark Twain Book of the week Radio 4.As well as previously mentioned,have now listened to accounts of hols spent at Uncles farm,his early years as a journalist/duelling,and speeches he made and there relevance at the time and years to follow.
Also the last two short stories,about the crib and croup,and a visit to Niagra and American indians(irish men dressed up).
To sum him up from the extracts ive listened to.He thinks ahead of his time,the observations he makes and discriptions of all that he mentions linger on the taste buds.Constant throughout is a large amount of Wit,tongue in cheek and comical situations.The attempt to kick the Cat in the crib story even had my Sons laughing(i listened to that in the car).In the Niagra story his description of being whacked on the head,he described as"a thump on the head that would hold Coffee like a saucer".These are hurried observations,i could go on and on.
Does it encourage me to buy the Autobiography,definitely.I will be able to give a more educated opinion then.
Happy reading
Titan.
Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. A scarey book. He states that people who do puzzles/quizes only think that they are using their brain, but to read a book allows the brain infinite scope
Thanks to:
a) titans descriptions of the short stories by Mark Twain
b) listening to "Sketches by Boz" (R7 of course) and the home library sevice for
c) John Harvey "A Darker Shade of Blue" Short stories
I think I may have stumbled across the answer to my reading frustration.
Doesn't have to be long to be great
I remember "The Old Man And The Sea"
I was never a lover of Short Stories, but I am beginning to appreciate them
Angela Carter, Graeme Greene, Joyce Carol Oates,J.D. Salinger, F.Scott-Fitzgerald.
And there must be so many more that I do not think of as "short story" writers
I shall put away "War and Peace" & return to John Harvey (my favourite crime novelist)
a) titans descriptions of the short stories by Mark Twain
b) listening to "Sketches by Boz" (R7 of course) and the home library sevice for
c) John Harvey "A Darker Shade of Blue" Short stories
I think I may have stumbled across the answer to my reading frustration.
Doesn't have to be long to be great
I remember "The Old Man And The Sea"
I was never a lover of Short Stories, but I am beginning to appreciate them
Angela Carter, Graeme Greene, Joyce Carol Oates,J.D. Salinger, F.Scott-Fitzgerald.
And there must be so many more that I do not think of as "short story" writers
I shall put away "War and Peace" & return to John Harvey (my favourite crime novelist)
can i just add that mark twain's essay on the moro massacre was the best thing i ever heard on the radio. it was very moving and beautifully written. hopefully the full autobiography will come out on audio book.
ps it has
The Autobiography of Mark Twain. Pt 1
Hope some of you caught the radio extracts last week. Each segment was very different , and a range of emotions experienced by the listener.
Thanks to Titan for his informative pieces , I think many of us listening were struck by the relevance of Twain's words spoken so long ago , yet they had a resonance with the world as it is today.
The Autobiography of Mark Twain . Pt 1 was published three days ago on 15 th November. So should be in the shops very soon.
It's on my Christmas list, meanwhile, I'm reading, for the first time : The Adventures of Tom Sawyer !
Happy reading.
Hope some of you caught the radio extracts last week. Each segment was very different , and a range of emotions experienced by the listener.
Thanks to Titan for his informative pieces , I think many of us listening were struck by the relevance of Twain's words spoken so long ago , yet they had a resonance with the world as it is today.
The Autobiography of Mark Twain . Pt 1 was published three days ago on 15 th November. So should be in the shops very soon.
It's on my Christmas list, meanwhile, I'm reading, for the first time : The Adventures of Tom Sawyer !
Happy reading.
Hi all. I have read all of your posts with great interest. My hus finds reading hard but likes his newspaper. For me the effects of Head Injury make reading difficult but I love it. So would like to join in with this thread.
It has taken me two years to read five novels:
We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver. Hard going, chilling and worst of all I guessed the ending before finishing book. Nevertheless, brilliant.
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd. Hate discrimination of any kind, therefore found this very moving.
A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine and We Are All Made of Glue - Marina Lewycka - Utterly hilarious fantastic literary skills of writer, positively made me glow. (could'nt absorb Papa's techno descriptions however)
The Thirteenth Tale - Dianne Setterfield - The one I could put down the least. Spellbinding mystery.
I've been in the process of writing an autobiography. Initially it was hopefully a mixture of funny, sometimes sad accounts of my five head injuries and their effects combined with my years of animal rescue. It took me five months to write, as it all poured out like from a fractured pipe, then a year to edit out the mistakes. The agent liked it but told me to tweak it if I wanted it to sell. Sex it up and add a lot of swear words.
Swearing is fine, I find it cathartic (in adult company) but sex - mine. Oh no!
Anyway. Since joining the forum, gleaning so much information and now realising that my hus has likely had this thing(checked with medics)from late teens have had another idea. I'm combining the two for the last twenty five years. The time we've known one another.
It has taken me two years to read five novels:
We need to talk about Kevin - Lionel Shriver. Hard going, chilling and worst of all I guessed the ending before finishing book. Nevertheless, brilliant.
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd. Hate discrimination of any kind, therefore found this very moving.
A Short History of Tractors in the Ukraine and We Are All Made of Glue - Marina Lewycka - Utterly hilarious fantastic literary skills of writer, positively made me glow. (could'nt absorb Papa's techno descriptions however)
The Thirteenth Tale - Dianne Setterfield - The one I could put down the least. Spellbinding mystery.
I've been in the process of writing an autobiography. Initially it was hopefully a mixture of funny, sometimes sad accounts of my five head injuries and their effects combined with my years of animal rescue. It took me five months to write, as it all poured out like from a fractured pipe, then a year to edit out the mistakes. The agent liked it but told me to tweak it if I wanted it to sell. Sex it up and add a lot of swear words.
Swearing is fine, I find it cathartic (in adult company) but sex - mine. Oh no!
Anyway. Since joining the forum, gleaning so much information and now realising that my hus has likely had this thing(checked with medics)from late teens have had another idea. I'm combining the two for the last twenty five years. The time we've known one another.
Hi Lorna and annebernadette,
It is you who should be thanked or developing such an interesting thread.The Mark Twain week on BBC 4 was a revelation.The autobiography will be a xmas prsent to me off my family.
In relation to the Moro massacre mentioned by turnip.I have to agree,it made my mind come to conclusions concerning the Autobiography and Twains instructions for such a long delay.I assume he did not make his views public concerning the reports and cover up following the massacre.Along with other views he had,that may have been controversial at the time.Is the delay on his true thoughts in the Autobiography solely to protect himself and his family at the time and for their future,by not releasing them at the time.Maybe i'll find out in the book.
When listening to the programme my thoughts turned to those who have trouble reading for various reasons,how relaxing it as to be read to.My eldest two children have dyslexia to varying degrees and needed help with reading in school.How much is this a hinderance in life,or does anybody avoid this thread because problems with reading.Does anybody visualise words as they are spoken as i do,and is this a factor in reading and spelling ability.
Happy reading
All the best
Titan
It is you who should be thanked or developing such an interesting thread.The Mark Twain week on BBC 4 was a revelation.The autobiography will be a xmas prsent to me off my family.
In relation to the Moro massacre mentioned by turnip.I have to agree,it made my mind come to conclusions concerning the Autobiography and Twains instructions for such a long delay.I assume he did not make his views public concerning the reports and cover up following the massacre.Along with other views he had,that may have been controversial at the time.Is the delay on his true thoughts in the Autobiography solely to protect himself and his family at the time and for their future,by not releasing them at the time.Maybe i'll find out in the book.
When listening to the programme my thoughts turned to those who have trouble reading for various reasons,how relaxing it as to be read to.My eldest two children have dyslexia to varying degrees and needed help with reading in school.How much is this a hinderance in life,or does anybody avoid this thread because problems with reading.Does anybody visualise words as they are spoken as i do,and is this a factor in reading and spelling ability.
Happy reading
All the best
Titan
It would seem that there is divided opinion amongst MT scholars (the notes have been available at Berkeley) Some say he wanted to be able to express religious & political ideas unacceptable at the time, others that he was protecting friends & reations & their descendants. Apparently in the last volume of the trilogy he is pretty vitriolic about some people. Some cynics say it was his way of ensuring he was in the public mind 100 years after his death or as the publisher put it, an excellent way to get people to buy a book.
I don't visualise words, rather I say them aloud in n my head. Even then I do not conjure up a picture, the meaning is somehow just there. My interpretation of the words must be instictive & perhaps modified by thought.Not sure about this, just thinking aloud or rather atyping
I don't visualise words, rather I say them aloud in n my head. Even then I do not conjure up a picture, the meaning is somehow just there. My interpretation of the words must be instictive & perhaps modified by thought.Not sure about this, just thinking aloud or rather atyping
does anyone use audible.co.uk ? Its hard to see if its a good deal from the small print. or does anyone have another source of downloaded audio books?
thanks for any advice.
thanks for any advice.
Thanks annebernadette for the information.I thought it had to be along those lines.It just shows you what a complex man he was.It should make for an interesting read.
About the visualising words as they are spoken.I have not come across anyone else that does.I was in a pub night quiz years ago.There was a draw and a play off,i was chosen for the play off.A long sentence of long words was read out.The first to give the correct number of letters won.Visualised as she spoke and won.The other fella was still counting on his fingers.
About the visualising words as they are spoken.I have not come across anyone else that does.I was in a pub night quiz years ago.There was a draw and a play off,i was chosen for the play off.A long sentence of long words was read out.The first to give the correct number of letters won.Visualised as she spoke and won.The other fella was still counting on his fingers.
sorry titan, I misunderstood. I thought you meant that when you read or heard , for e.g. the word sun,that an image of that big yellow star in the sky popped into your mind. But you actually "see" the word? That is very interestng. I know that some people (A very few) have a similar sort of ability when it comes to numbers. For them there is none of the messing about converting numbers to words & back again - they just work with the numbers. You have me intrigued
Hi Turnip
Re Audible.com, I signed up for a free book and then tried to cancel the memebership - it wasn't that easy to do and I ended up being debited £7.99 a month for 2 months. I couldn't be bothered with the arguments so have just said to myself that the book wasn't free and cost £16! It reminded me of postal book clubs which are a total swiz, they send you books you don't want and then charge you. Having said that, if you wanted to downloads books regularly its probably the market leader. Just beware if you only want a one-off!
Re reading with PD, my dad reads nothing now, it seems to be a concentration thing. Plus he says after a few lines the words start 'flying off the pages'.
Lyn
Re Audible.com, I signed up for a free book and then tried to cancel the memebership - it wasn't that easy to do and I ended up being debited £7.99 a month for 2 months. I couldn't be bothered with the arguments so have just said to myself that the book wasn't free and cost £16! It reminded me of postal book clubs which are a total swiz, they send you books you don't want and then charge you. Having said that, if you wanted to downloads books regularly its probably the market leader. Just beware if you only want a one-off!
Re reading with PD, my dad reads nothing now, it seems to be a concentration thing. Plus he says after a few lines the words start 'flying off the pages'.
Lyn
thanks Lyn, i suspected as much.
i think a lot of the reading problem is control of the eye muscles. i am going to see my optometrist for a chat but i doubt there is anything that can be done.
cheers
i think a lot of the reading problem is control of the eye muscles. i am going to see my optometrist for a chat but i doubt there is anything that can be done.
cheers
FAO WITW fans. I was unaware that William Horwood had written several sequals. I am actually enjoying the R7 serialization of The Willows In Winter read by David Suchet
For Abd. I had to read that three times before i believed you are actually ENJOYING Wind in the Willows ! Miracles do happen ! David Suchet would be good walker ? He could walk and tell you the story at same time !
Hi to everyone who used to like reading,
I've been trying to find an interesting topic for us to discuss. How about some observations about 'Round Robin ' circular letters which will be arriving on our door mats in the next few weeks. Do you love them , or hate them ?
They're always up beat , aren't they. They're sent to cheer us , to celebrate wonderful achievements, but do they?
Do we really need to know the actual grades of Ben's fourteen G.C.S.E.s ? We're relayed a list of all the animals Rachel saw on her gap year safari trip last summer. Well I suppose we could make some sort of animal card game out of this information , but really , I don't think I'll bother.
There's news of pay rises, top grades in A-levels, and amazing musical accomplishments by gifted children.
Some writers tell of the difficulties of taking a £15,000 harp around to all the Christmas concerts it's little angel is performing at. We don't have an answer to that one.
I don't mind the increasingly wonderful achievements , i'm a mum and have wanted to express my pride in an achievement also. It's just that there should be some balance, some sensitivity to the recipient.
Right , I've jumped off my soap box , and it's over to you. Have I been too harsh ? Honest comments , please !
I've been trying to find an interesting topic for us to discuss. How about some observations about 'Round Robin ' circular letters which will be arriving on our door mats in the next few weeks. Do you love them , or hate them ?
They're always up beat , aren't they. They're sent to cheer us , to celebrate wonderful achievements, but do they?
Do we really need to know the actual grades of Ben's fourteen G.C.S.E.s ? We're relayed a list of all the animals Rachel saw on her gap year safari trip last summer. Well I suppose we could make some sort of animal card game out of this information , but really , I don't think I'll bother.
There's news of pay rises, top grades in A-levels, and amazing musical accomplishments by gifted children.
Some writers tell of the difficulties of taking a £15,000 harp around to all the Christmas concerts it's little angel is performing at. We don't have an answer to that one.
I don't mind the increasingly wonderful achievements , i'm a mum and have wanted to express my pride in an achievement also. It's just that there should be some balance, some sensitivity to the recipient.
Right , I've jumped off my soap box , and it's over to you. Have I been too harsh ? Honest comments , please !
I have always disliked round-robins. They seem so impersonal and send a subliminal message (to me)that the author has far too many friends and is far too busy to make individual contact. My lack of self esteem takes a further knock when these missives arrive in my in-box rather than through the letter box and the heading makes it clear that I am just one of many recipients.
I am always happy to hear news of friends & their children but, being a bit of a nosy parker, I would prefer a natter.
I first encountered RR's in a work situation where they serve a purpose. I had no idea they would become part of our social interaction
Having said all that I know that some busy people find RR's a good way to keep in touch (my sister swears by them) & I would rather receive one than lose all contact.
And, whatever happened to "thank-you" letters- those mis-spelt, hand-written (wobbly) letters interspersed with drawings that told you more about your neice/nephew/godchild than a report from their parent could possibly convey
I am always happy to hear news of friends & their children but, being a bit of a nosy parker, I would prefer a natter.
I first encountered RR's in a work situation where they serve a purpose. I had no idea they would become part of our social interaction
Having said all that I know that some busy people find RR's a good way to keep in touch (my sister swears by them) & I would rather receive one than lose all contact.
And, whatever happened to "thank-you" letters- those mis-spelt, hand-written (wobbly) letters interspersed with drawings that told you more about your neice/nephew/godchild than a report from their parent could possibly convey