^^ is Princess And The Goblin any good? I just got it out of the library

nice! haha. so is Oliver Twist nice?

you haven't read it? Yes it's a great book! I really really like it, though some content is a tad objectionable. It is kind of a nasty dark story...I've found it impossible to read without feeling heavy hearted and shedding tears now and then. It's really hard to read sometimes b/c the way people were treated then, and that it actually happened, but the ending is nice besides that

Spoiler

Oliver's friend Dick dies

It really is one of the most fantasies I've had the pleasure of reading, and so beautifully written, too.

ah yes I love it. Almost done. I had to take a break for some school books and P&P but I'm reading it again now .

but for me I've come to the point where the conclusion to this book wrests more joy than sadness from me.

wow really?! I was trying to listen the audiobook the other day and I had to stop it b/c I couldn't take it. The book is too disturbing and depressing for me, at least right now.

I'm reading Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman. This is one of the books Desmond had down in the Swan Hatch (on LOST). The book is a curiosity. It's not an easy read, the writing style is unusual, the narrative isn't clear but rather nonsensical and yet I feel compelled to continue. It's really unlike anything I've read before. Makes the Alice in Wonderland books seem run-of-the-mill in comparison.

The Third Policeman was completed by 1940 but every publisher O'Brien sent his story to, thought it too odd and rejected it. Once the author died, the manuscript was sent to the publishers and printed - in 1967.

Well this year I've picked up several books to read, I might have mention some way back in this thread- not sure.

I had wanted to see Dear John, so on new Year''s Day I picked up the book and loved it. I followed it with The Rescue and thought it was great. I followed that by The Guardian which was also good. And I followed that by a fourth Nicholas Sparks book, which I just finished reading- A Bend in the Road. I loved this last!

Ranking these 4:
A Bend in the Road
Dear John
The Rescue
The Guardian

all very good books IMO, (the only Sparks books I've read, although I have seen all the movies- except The Last Song so far). I have 3 other Sparks books currently waiting to be read, but I will hold them for later because I am returning to classic books. Two years ago I read Little Women and found it to be an amazing book. I finally picked up Little Men and will begin to read it shortly.

That was my first McKillip. I read it almost exactly two years ago, and I'm afraid I didn't like it ... it seemed too weird and confused to me, although I acknowledged the beauty of the prose (and was intrigued enough to go on to the awesome Riddle-Master trilogy). I've been thinking for some time I need to revisit it - your "review" definitely confirms that impression.

Were those quotation marks just a tiny bit sarcastic, Lys? I wouldn't call it her best work and the storyline was perhaps just a little too overcomplicated, but I still liked it. I thought the bits in the seaside town with the baker and her daughter were the best developed parts though and that they were the characters we got to know the best. Anyone else think she was somewhat referring to Childe Roland with all of the towers and the knight searching for them?

Look everyone! A real, actual book review written by me! On my blog where sooner or later I'll endeavor to post more book reviews!

is Princess And The Goblin any good?

Yes. I liked it quite a lot as a child, and so far I'm enjoying the first few chapters. It's probably the most accessible of his books that I've read, but it's still a little odd ... for the most part, you either love or hate MacDonald. I recently reread wisewoman's review of the book, and she commented on a certain coldness to the story, but I think that's one of the things that makes MacDonald different: there is a sort of loneliness and sadness to his writing exactly where you wouldn't expect it, a sense of danger as well. I can't explain it, but I like it.

Were those quotation marks just a tiny bit sarcastic, Lys?

Maaaaaaay---beeee...... Sorry, that was a little cold of me; I would have done better to have left the quotation marks out. Anyway, I think my favorite parts were the princes of Ysse, although the romance in the frame story was quite nice as well. Didn't like the bits with the baker as much, but I'm guessing that was mostly because

Spoiler

I just don't like selkies ... I've been disturbed by them ever since I saw part of The Secret of Roan Inish years ago. I don't have any good reason for it.

There may have been some Roland in there, but it's well known that McKillip's major influence going into Tower was The Lady of Shallot.

My knowledge of The Lady of Shallot is limited, so I wouldn't have recognized those references. I just know at some point she

Ly: You have been busy! Cold Comfort Farm intrigues me. A satire on rural Hardy-esque novels? That sounds like my kind of thing. Is it mostly a comedy?
*Is mum on the subject of Ginger Pye.* All I have are my memories from the 5th grade, but they are different from yours.
Re: Your spoiler:

I'm reading Mansfield Park now for the second time and I'm having an interesting time with it. The first time around, I was very fond of Fanny and I enjoyed the fact that the hero's name was Edmund. I've always felt that I would get on very well with Fanny. This time, however, I find her a little bit annoying. She's very pitiable, to be sure, but she's so weak, so timid, I can like her on the page, but I don't find her the same kindred spirit I thought I'd found last time. The book is just beginning to pick up and I know Fanny will begin to come into her own, but I'm disappointed to find that the book and heroine I considered my favorite don't measure up to my first reading.

I've been dying to try a McKillip for quite some time and after hearing all of the praise of The Bell at Sealey Head, I've a mind to read it. Is it a good McKillip to start with?

I picked up The Penderwicks at the library and I liked it very much. It had a distinct flavor of the older sweet family dramas (a la Nesbit), but with a firm footing in the present day. (They wear high tops!). I decided to put it down and read it with my 11 year old sister.

wow GTG, that's harsh, his friend dying. But I watched it already, wasn't it like made into a movie?? I know it was made, a musical one I think? Correct me if I'm wrong.

War and Peace is rather nervously on my reading list for this summer also. Maybe we can cheer each other on!

Why don't we three do a War and Peace read through this summer? I'm game for reading it again, and perhaps if there's two or three of us doing it everyone will have a more pleasant experience.

yes, I don't know if I'll read a book with you again . Just kidding .

*grin*

Well after I finish Sealey Head and TTT, I think I'm going to read either Mansfield Park, Daniel Deronda, Little Dorrit or Jane Eyre .

That sounds like a nice list you have there. I can vouch for all of them as ones I enjoyed, except the last, which I'm not saying anything more on until I read it again, to save myself embarrassment and whatnot.

I finished up Shirley, which I enjoyed immensely, and am now deep into Clementine Churchill, a biography by her [Mrs. Churchill's] daughter Mary. It is capital reading, and also honest too. The authoress doesn't hide the mention of her mother's faults, but she is not extra critical or harsh about them either. I must admit that was something I've often thought about- if children who have good, solid, relationships with their famous parents and write biographies about them attempt to, shall we say, keep back some information for the sake of privacy (something with which I think I'd be okay for the most part. There are some things and aspects of peoples' lives that I as the reader wouldn't want to intrude upon), or down play and excuse their faults, or how exactly they would handle it. I like the honest approach the authoress takes very much indeed.

I was never able to finish Mansfield Park for that very reason. The way Fanny just sat there and let things happen really annoyed me.
Right now I'm rereading Robin McKinley's The Blue Sword, first of the Damar books. It isn't quite as good as the prequel, The Hero and the Crown, but its still excellent. It's definitely not your typical medieval fantasy, as the climate and culture are based a lot on India, with people who are very like the British coming in and colonizing most of it. The native kings do have magic, but its very wild and out of control. The Hero and the Crown is set much earlier, in Damar's Golden Age, about a legendary figure from the past who played a large role in the first book. Its even better. I especially like how the heroines are strong, without being annoying. And the writing is really good.

Is it a good McKillip to start with?

it's my first and I think it's fantastic !

sandy: yeah it is sad . I cried. But yeah there are MANY movie adaptions. I've seen the musical version, and my sister actually preformed in a stage show of that musical .

That sounds like a nice list you have there...

I think I might go with Jane Eyre .

Ahaha this made me laugh! I do the same thing; and my favourite Stuck on an Island 101 (or Island living for Dummies) book would have to be Coral Island by R.M Ballantyne. I loved that book growing up and have some vague idea of how to make leather shoes from wild pig's hide (don't ask me how I am to catch and cook wild pig a la carte) and candle wax from a candlenut tree. And something about Indian rubber and paper. Btw, I'm glad you're enjoying Robinson Crusoe; and I know what you mean about the lack of conversation. Just don't read it straight after Austen.

Good to know I'm not alone or gradually becoming paranoid and insane. LOL, leather shoes from wild pig's hide? I'll keep that in mind just in case, you know... (I haven't read Coral Island, though; I guess I should!) Indian rubber I learnt courtesy of The Swiss Family Robinson. Yes'm! Although, as soon as

Spoiler

Friday pops into the picture, and soon the whole other crew, things lighten up!

You could always read Norm's Notes for Vegetables on the Go; I heard that one VeggieTales character (Mr. Lunt, actually) did so with War and Peace and it took him fifteen minutes.

But seriously, I think your idea of it being in four different volumes would actually help a lot of people not be so intimidated by the size of it, which I think can be half the battle sometimes.

Ehehe. There's one as such? I need to check that out! So he just summarizes it? Are there spoilers?

Indeed it can! The size of all, say, the Narnia books put together can be ominous but split up they're quite fine. (well, then again, they are 7 books and War and Peace isn't) Hopefully there could be such an existing copy!

Hmm, I think we've seen the 1986 version of The Secret Garden. To clarify, is it the one where

@Mal:

Hurrah, I'll have a fellow wayfarer in reading War and Peace! Cheering each other on sounds grand.
Seeing you and a few others mention your immense favour at Patricia McKillip's works, which would you reccomend for someone who's never read anything by her?

Liberty, in another favourable opinion of The Princess and the Goblin, it was a pleasant read! I hope you like it.
---
I finished Robinson Crusoe for Lit.! (faint cheer, "finally!") It isn't my favourite book, no, but it was an excellent read. I may or may not read it again. Maybe when I enter a mood to read a book as such. Now I have to take a test on it.. *chews nails*
And, I finished Agnes Grey! What a wonderful, sweet book! Simple, not outrageous, low-profile... I loved it. Maybe because I relate to Agnes on a great scale and it being in first person made me enjoy it even more. It was mostly a great book!

I checked out The Hobbit, VDT, HAHB, and LWW from the library and hope to enjoy those amiable rereads. Also, the last two in the AoGG series arrived alongised a Karen Kingsbury novel. I simply cannot wait to immerse myself in the rich world of Ingleside for the former, and for the latter, it looks pretty interesting; we'll see how I like it. I'm finding, though, that I do like the later AoGG less and less... I'll see how I like these though.

Spoiler

Levin...is doing something that I can't remember.

For whatever reason, this struck me as hilariously funny. Apologies to Levin for the levity.

And yes, you really should read 100 Cupboards. (Because then you can read Dandelion Fire! )

*is amused by lys's Drinkwater review* You know, if you want a story without the helpful hermit, may I suggest Jubal Sackett? It's post-Renissance, but if anyone needed a helpful hermit once or twice it was Jubal...

I indulged myself in an orgy of Dorothy Sayers last week. Murder Must Advertise, Lord Peter Views the Body (contains my two favourite short stories, baring Talboys), The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Clouds of Witness, and Gaudy Night. (I read Have His Carcass a few weeks ago. I shamefacedly admit that my eyes glazed over while they were figuring out the code--and I love codes and codebreaking.)

I also had an opportunity to read The Floating Admiral which was written serially by famous mystery authors. I'd only heard of three, but those three really brought their own touch to their chapters. Which, by meandering associations brings me back to a comment Kate made about Manalive. If you think it's not your thing from the first few chapters, you're probably right. On the other hand, he is a very surreal and visual sort of author and Manalive is a prime example of that touch. You might want to read Father Brown and then go back to Manalive because I think it really is worth reading, at least once. (Why, yes, G. K. Chesterton did write a chapter in The Floating Admiral. So did Agatha Christie.)

All right then...

The following I also posted in the Twue Wuv thread, but I think it can fit here too, although with a bit more emphasis on their fictional aspects than their real-life correlations.

Basically, what follows are my observations of what seem to be popular "classic romance stories", and why people like them. They come from no official source other than my observations and my hypotheses.

As a note, the following are intended to be set-ups based on characterizations and story settings. This list will not include "romance timelines"; for example, it will not include the very traditional, very "classic" set-up of "guy and girl meet and fall in love at first sight". While certainly appearing in far too many works to count (and arguably, far too many works), and while it does oftentimes capture the excitement of falling in love (at least, according to about 5 million fans of Twilight), there's nothing special about it. It's just falling in love. Any romance story involves falling in love. Rather, the following are more specific frameworks for that to happen.

There are, as of my current count, 12 basic setups for a romance story. These setups can occur individually, but more often than not, any given romance will involve multiple setups. And here they are:

1. Before they became a couple, the two involved had been good friends for a long time. This is the basic "childhood friend" setup, although it extends to any two people whose friendship, particularly a relatively lengthy one, is the basis of their romance. And, oftentimes, the biggest hurdle to actually starting said romance, since either one or both don't want to "ruin" the friendship, or one just sees the other as kind of like a sibling. However, once they are together, the friendship they previously had becomes a solid foundation for the volatile winds of romance, and these couples arguably have the best chance of not breaking up down the line in reality.
Why it is liked so much: A favorite of jaded romanticists everywhere who get sick of all the "love at first sight" stuff and know that real romance needs a foundation of friendship (whether said foundation is built before or after it begins). Also a general favorite of people as the story connects with a desire for a life-long relationship with someone who cares about us, which, when not viewed romantically, does sound an awful lot like a friend.

2. The couple previously met a long time ago, oftentimes as children. A long period of separation followed, but their reunion is the catalyst for the relationship. Sounds like #1, but distinct in that, in these stories, the focus isn't so much on the deep friendship built (which, in these stories, usually isn't there that much since they've been away from each other for a while), but rather on memories of the past. (That said, this one does co-exist with #1 a fair number of times.) In these stories, the theme of "change", and whether a person has changed or not from the last time the two knew each other, comes up a lot.
Why it is liked so much: Nostalgia for the past and for younger days, and desire for some things to never change, since change is oftentimes a stressful thing to deal with.

3. The popular guy, and the girl who sees through him for who he really is. (Can be gender-flipped too.) To say the least, girls going crazy for the coolest guy in school is nothing new. In these stories, though, there is oftentimes a theme that the popular guy/girl isn't all he/she is cracked up to be; he is actually a rather normal person underneath, or maybe he's even hiding some rather big insecurities with his mask of popularity. But never fear, for our plucky heroine will rise above the crowd and bring out his true self, and all will be good!
Why it is liked so much: Ignoring the obvious fantasy of being with the most popular guy/girl, oftentimes there is quite the connection with the popular guy himself, especially for those people who feel that they themselves have to hide their true selves in order to fit in an increasingly savage social world.

4. Guy and girl are forced into an arranged marriage. They manage to fall in love over time. A flip on the classic "fall-in-love-then-get-married" set-up but classic in its own way. The actual falling-in-love can happen in the marriage itself, or during the engagement period (if the latter, there's a decent chance the engagement itself will be called off as suddenly as it was set up).
Why it is liked so much: Everyone hates arranged marriages, but it's nice to see people make the most of being in a bad situation. Jaded romanticists like these stories to show how, really, commitment is more important than passion in romance. In general, it's popular as a unique view of romance with the order of events flipped and a fair amount of drama within.

5. Guy and girl are sworn enemies, or otherwise don't get along with each other that well. Or maybe, they do get along and are friends and all, but they nevertheless get into many fights and arguments. Can be called "Shasta and Aravis Syndrome", it later on becomes clear in this type of romance that reason they fight so much is because they care about each other so much that the other's less desirable aspects really get to them; otherwise, they wouldn't even bother with them. Oftentimes ends with the tough girl/guy showing a softer side to the other... when no one else is looking, of course.
Why it is liked so much: Various reasons. The character archetype of the "tough girl/guy with a softer side" is popular on its own, at least partially because we all know someone who is like that. Otherwise, with arguments and/or fights being relatively expected occurrences in relationships, it's nice to know that they are not indicative of loss of love in any way.

6. Either the guy or the girl (or both) defy their gender in some way. Girls in such romances will often be tomboyish and either feel they aren't girly enough to get a guy, or otherwise wants a guy who accepts her for who she is. To avoid truly morally ambiguous situations, for guys this involves being forced to dress as a girl for one or more reasons (against his will, generally), and the girl who finds out and nevertheless accepts him.
Why it is liked so much: Again, various reasons. For the girl, tomboys are fairly common enough that it's pretty easy to sympathize with her situation. For the guy's situation... well, usually, hilarity ensues. That's never a bad thing.

7. One or both of the couple is sick. Can be a general sickness or something life-threatening. The non-sick one, if there is one, can oftentimes be found taking care of the sick one or otherwise helping him/her enjoy life while he/she can, which is from where the romance oftentimes springs from. If the sickness is life-threatening, can oftentimes end in tragedy... but with the message of living life to the fullest while you can, because life can be short.
Why it is liked so much: If not particularly life threatening, it connects with our desire of having someone who takes care of us. If life-threatening, see aforementioned message.

8. Guy meets crazy girl who shakes up his life. Girl will oftentimes have magical powers of some sort and/or be from some alien world... or she'll just be plain crazy. Common in pseudo-fantastical stories in which the "normal world" gets a touch of abnormality infused into it. Can be gender-flipped.
Why it is liked so much: Mainly as fantastical wish-fulfillment of being able to escape boring, ordinary life.

9. One or both of the couple has a horrid, traumatic past, or some other sort of dark secret that has left them broken. Their wounds are healed by The Power of Love... one would hope. Depending on the nature of said past/secret, might not always be the case. They'll try, though. A common subset is the guy or girl whose previous experience with love has left them rather broken-hearted... but with this new girl/guy, maybe they'll find out what true love is. Or end up broken-hearted again.
Why it is liked so much: Oftentimes used in straight-up romances as a source of dramatic tension. In general, people like the idea that wounds can be healed with The Power of Love, especially those with their own wounds that need healing.

10. Girl meets "bad boy". Girl reforms "bad boy" with her love. Said "bad boy" may be a rebel, or maybe he's... pursued a fair number of girls before, but with this girl he will realize what love really is. Or maybe, the guy really isn't a "bad boy" and is actually a really nice guy, but appearances/circumstances make him look otherwise. Can be gender-flipped.
Why it is liked so much: Oftentimes, the "bad boy" is also the most popular (and good-looking) guy around, hence overlap with #3 and connecting with the same themes of feeling misunderstood. Other times, though, expect a lot of wish-fulfillment of the "I want my love to override the guy's bad qualities" sort.

11. The two involved are of rather disparate status in some form or another. One might be much older than another, or one might be the other's servant or employee (think master falling in love with his maid/her butler), or it could be social status (a princess falling in love with the farmer boy). In high-school romances, it can bear similarity with #3, with a popular girl dating a geeky guy or whatnot. Sometimes, the disparity is in appearance, and not necessarily of attractiveness; maybe the guy is much taller (or much shorter) than the girl. Whatever the case, this disparity will cause much drama and be a fairly big obstacle in the relationship.
Why it is liked so much: Aside from the source of drama, this type of romance is a symbol of overcoming outside circumstance and falling in love with who someone really is. Is oftentimes an inspiration to those who truly have fallen in love with someone outside their status.

12. Two people pursue a common goal or interest. Sometimes they are rivals that engage in friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition; sometimes they are teammates working together to defeat evil (or overcome some other challenge). Either way, this common goal/interest is what brings the two together. What is notable about this kind of romance is that it can commonly be found in stories where the romance isn't (or shouldn't be) the main focus of the story; for example, maybe the story is actually about a sport in which a character competes against many rivals, one of which happens to be the opposite gender and eventually a love interest. Or it can occur in a fantasy/sci-fi story where whatever the story's purpose is is the common goal of the love interests.
Why it is liked so much: Any psychologist can tell you that similarity is important in relationships, anyone in general can attest to how nice it is to have similar interests with a loved one, and any Biblical scholar can preach about how important it is to be yoked together and heading towards the same general goal. There is also the factor that this kind of romance is oftentimes the side story to a main story, so a strong main story oftentimes enhances the romantic side story while giving non-romance fans a reason to read said story.

So, question: which of these are your favorites, and which ones do your favorite fictional romances fall under? Also, in general, what are your thoughts about romance in books?