A minor accomplishment (or a major one, when trying to complete it along with job hunting, tending to children, etc.) today when I completed my reading of Sophie's Choice. I hadn't read it before and hadn't seen the movie (although it's now on my Netflix list), and A. had repeatedly asked me during the course of my reading whether I wanted to know what "the choice" was (naturally, I refused, not wanting to have the crucial part of the story given away). Needless to say, I was extremely surprised when I got to that point in the novel, and I can only imagine how difficult it was for Sophie to make the decision which she did.
Not only was it a great read, but it was also a great introduction to William Styron -- another of the "new" authors that I've turned to lately, along with John Irving, John Updike, and Thomas Pynchon. If you haven't read it -- and you have the time -- give it a read.
Now, what do I read next?
7 comments:
Have you ever read Mists of Avalon, byt Marion Zimmer Bradley? Or Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston? Or My Sisters Keeper, by Jodi Picoult? Or Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen? Just a few of my long time favorites.....
Great book and movie!
What Updike have you been reading? I am a big fan of his! (I have read several of his books, unlike what I can say about Pynchon!)
Dave, I am going through a collection of his early short stories, and recently obtained a copy of "Bech at Bay." Several people have also directed me to his "Rabbit" series of novels, but those might have to wait.
I recommend "In the Beauty of the Lilies" - a very interesting "family saga" that also covers a lot of the cultural and theological changes that have taken place in America over the course of the last 100 years or so.
I don't know if you read John Irving, but I recently read "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and absolutely loved it! There are so many wonderful layers to the story and Irving is a masterful writer.
Kelly, I also have that one in my stack. I'm really looking forward to reading it -- and if you loved the book, then you most definitely should watch the movie "Simon Birch," which was based on that story (I posted a clip a few days back on the blog). I think you would really enjoy it -- it's one of my favorites.
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