Sunday, May 21, 2006

I think I may go back and finish three books that I started and abandoned. Henry Jame's The Portrait of a Lady, Gogol's Dead Souls and Balzac's Euegenie Grandet. I owe it to James and Gogol to finish their masterpieces and I owe it to Balzac who's never led me astray in the past. But the clouds seem to have parted and the sun is making itself felt now so I don't know how much reading I'll get done tonight. Tonight may be more apt for dreaming instead of reading, but I have Saramago to near my side. And though it's not nearly as interesting as The History of the Siege of Lisbon or Blindness, Double still has enough of Saramago's supreme language to maintain my enthusiasm. It's six o'clock Sunday and I'm going to enjoy the rest of the day.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really love "Portrait of a Lady", but it's hard to get through if you're not used to James. Looking forward to your thoughts on it!

Rebecca H. said...

I agree with Ella -- Portrait is great, although James is an acquired taste, I think. I tried really, really hard with The Ambassadors and just couldn't do it.

Mike B. said...

I read the first book of Portrait and gave up because I simply didn't care about any of the characters, least of all Isabell. It may sound like blashpemy to some, but only Wharburton was intriguing. But I will go on...soon enough.
Ella and Dorothy, what did you like about it? (or love about?)

Myla R said...

Great post thaanks