Location of After Party varies - determined at time of meeting.
Readings for 2010
January 7, 2010IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER by Italo Calvino (publ 1979) 304 pages
Author was the most-translated contemporary Italian writer at the time of his death, and a noted contender for the Nobel Prize for Literature. List of awards of author can be viewed on wikipedia.org
This book is about a reader trying to read a book called IF ON A WINTER'S NIGHT A TRAVELER. According to this book, the entire novel, even its plot, is an open trajectory where even the author himself questions his motives of the writing process.
--Jo will lead discussion
February 4, 2010THE PRINCE by Niccolo Machiavelli (publ 1532) 134 pages
Sometimes shockingly direct how-to manual for rulers who aim either to establish and retain control of a new state or to seize and control an existing one. Makes a clear break from the Western tradition of political philosophy that preceded the author where the thinkers of this tradition were concerned with issues of justice and human happiness, and with the constitution of the ideal state.
--Alice will lead discussion
March 4, 2010THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH by Tolstoy (publ 1886) 86 pages
Tells the story of the life and death, at the age of 45, of a high court judge in 19th century Russia who is a miserable husband, proud father, and upwardly-mobile member of Russia's professional class. The story progresses in the second half of the novella to the judge's terror as he battles with the idea of his own death caused by a trivial accident and then finally to his deathbed and his final interactions with his family.
Brian will lead discussion
April 1, 2010
Two short stories by E.M. Forster:
THE MACHINE STOPS by E.M. Forster (publ 1909) 31 pages
A short science fiction story that describes a dystopian world in which almost all humans have lost the ability to live on the surface of the Earth. Each individual lives in a cell, with all bodily and spiritual needs met by the omnipotent, global Machine. Those who do not accept the deity of the Machine are viewed as unmechanical and are threatened with Homelessness.
Available online at http://archive.ncsa.illinois.edu/prajlich/forster.html
THE CELESTIAL OMNIBUS by E.M. Forster (publ 1911) 10 pages
A modern fantasy with wordplay and hidden allusions that allow it to function as an allegory.
This second short story was not part of original list but added later after the conclusion was reached that THE MACHINE STOPS has not enough content for a full discussion.
Available online at http://www.horrormasters.com/Text/a1126.pdf
Note: I will make copies of short stories available (no guarantees I won't run out of copies). Hope that some of you will be able to download it on your own or buy the short story collection by the author or check it out from the library.
Also Note: These short stories being relatively short should leave more time so you can start reading early for next month, given that THE MANUSCRIPT FOUND IN SARAGOSSA is rather long at 656 pages.
Alice will lead discussion
May 6, 2010THE MANUSCRIPT FOUND IN SARAGOSSA by Jan Potocki (pub 1805-1815) 656 pages
A great late-18th century classic of Polish/French fiction that is a web of stories reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. The narrator of the story tells of the brigands, demons, succubi and evangelists he encounters. The stories cover a wide range of genres and subjects, including the gothic, the picaresque, the erotic, the historical, the moral, and the philosophic; and as a whole the novel reflects the author's far-ranging interests, especially his deep fascination with secret societies, the supernatural, and "Oriental" cultures.
According to one Amazon reviewer: "The plot, if it could be called such a thing, unfolds like a chinese puzzle, one unreliable narrative nested within another. ...It wends its way into your thoughts like an ear-boring worm." Though not well-known by Americans, it is defined as a masterpiece by every review I have read thus far.
Recommended publisher is Penguin Classics translated by Ian MacLean.
Jo will lead discussion
June 3, 2010THE MAN THAT CORRUPTED HADLEYBURG by Mark Twain (publ 1900) 128 pages
Classic tale that is a funny yet blistering indictment of political hypocrisy. A mysterious stranger is treated badly by the town of Hadleyburg-the town that proclaims itself "the most honest and upright town in the region." Through an ingenious sting operation, the stranger sets out to expose Hadleyburg's leading citizens and reveal their greedy, deceitful natures.
Alice will lead discussion r
Note: At end of discussion, group will vote on new titles for upcoming reading list. Ballot in progress at: http://www.houstonbookclubs.org/Montrose/ballots/jun3-2010.html
July 1, 2010NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN by Cormac McCarthy (publ 2005) 320 pages
By far McCarthy's most exciting and suspenseful novel in recent years, the story speeds along, the body count rising in shocking scenes of depravity. A mesmerizing modern-day western. The plot follows the interweaving paths of the three central characters set in motion by events related to a drug deal gone bad near the Mexican-American border in southwest Texas.
Brian will lead discussion
Aug 5, 2010ORYX AND CRAKE by Margaret Atwood (publ 2003) 416 pages
Critically examines developments in science and technology such as xenotransplantation and genetic engineering, particularly the creation of transgenic animals such as "wolvogs" (hybrids between wolves and dogs), "rakunks" (raccoon and skunk), and "pigoons" (pigs and humans, for organ transplants). This society has also produced an exacerbated gap between rich and poor, as well as the commodification of human life and sexuality in prostitution and online child pornography.
David will lead discussion
Sep 2, 2010 PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD by Marjane Satrapi (publ 2004) 160 pages
A graphic novel selected by the Houston Public Library as its
choice for this years annual community-wide effort known as Books on
the Bayou designed to encourage reading of the same book at the same
time. More publicity of the event will occur in July. But
in the meantime, we have elected to participate by choosing this book
for our schedule during the month of September.
In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, the author tells the
story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw
the overthrow of the Shah's regime, the triumph of the Islamic
Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. More
information and excerpts from the book at:
http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/persepolis.html
--Jo and Wendy leading discussion
Oct 7, 2010 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS by Robert Bolt (first performed in 1960) 163 pages
Play based on the true story of Saint Sir Thomas More, the
16th-century Chancellor of England, who refuses to endorse King Henry
VIII's wish to divorce his aging wife Catherine of Aragon, who could
not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, the sister of
his former mistress. The play portrays More as a man of principle,
envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell and loved by the common
people and by his family.
--Brian leading discussion
Nov 4, 2010 THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE by Muriel Spark (publ 1961) 160 pages
The bizarre, unforgettable character of Miss Jean Brodie brought Spark
international fame and boosted her into the first rank of contemporary
Scottish literature. Time Magazine included the novel in its list of
Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.
In 1930s Edinburgh, six ten year old girls are assigned Miss Jean
Brodie who as their teacher is "genuinely intent on opening up her
girls' lives, on heightening their awareness of themselves and their
world, and on breaking free of restrictive, conventional ways of
thinking, feeling, and being."
--David leading discussion
Dec 2, 2010 A SEVERED HEAD by Iris Murdoch (publ 1961) 208 pages
Despite the serious themes of marriage, adultery, power struggles and
incest within a group of civilized, middle-class and educated people,
A SEVERED HEAD is regarded by many readers as the most entertaining of
Murdoch's novels. As British novelist William Sutcliffe put it, "Of
all the lots-of-people-screwing-lots-of-other-people novels this is
probably the best, and certainly the weirdest."
--Carol leading discussion
Jan 6, 2010 THE CRYING OF LOT 49 by Thomas Pynchon (publ 1966) 183 pages
Included in TIME's list of 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005.
Author seems to be making a point about human beings' need for
certainty, and their need to invent conspiracy theories to fill the
vacuum in places where there is no certainty. Mixes obscure historical
fact and fiction. Protagonist learns about a series of secret
societies and strange groups of people involved in a sort of renegade
postal system. She is not sure whether she is the victim of an
elaborate conspiracy or prank. Some say that it includes delightfully
controlled chaos.
--Wendy leading discussion
Feb 3, 2010 RICHARD III by Shakespeare (written 1591) 100 pages
A history play depicting the Machiavellian rise to power and
subsequent short reign of Richard III of England...widely considered
to be one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Malicious, power-hungry,
and bitter about his physical deformity, Richard aspires secretly to
the throne and decides to kill anyone who stands in his way to become
king.
--Claudia leading discussion
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