Huft. Intimidating
books? Let's be honest. I classify intimidating into 2 categories:
intimidating story and intimidating length. Let's look at each of
them.
Intimidating Length:
Les Miserables
I really had no idea
about its length when I first put it on my list. I mean, I thought it
wouldn't be as scary as Monte Cristo. I was wrong. Taking up the book
from my pile of to-read novels is really something. I finally took it
for a read-along. I won't be able to read it otherwise. Fortunately,
the book captivates my heart right at the first volume. Tedious as it
is in certain parts, I find the book to be inspirational and
touching. I'm reading the 4th volume now, and I hope to
finish it on December.
Candide
It's a long book
indeed. Another fact: I have never read Voltaire before. The story
also seems to be complicated. I think I will wait for another
read-along before I pick that up.
Intimidating story:
Man in the Iron Mask
I hate sad endings.
Those who know me well know too well of that fact. Accidentally (or
not), I read the synopsis of it once. It frightens me to read such an
ending for the four heroes I truly adore. I just can't. But I know I
have to read it sooner or later.
Othello
Same thing applies.
Othello, the one that loves “not wisely but too well” is very
lovable. I watched the opera by Verdi and fell in love with him at
the first sight. He has the manliness of a soldier and gentleness of
a prince. Knowing how the story would end, I have put the story in my
reading list without ever dared to touch it. That's why I pledged to
read it in Classic Club's Project.
Those are the most
intimidating books in my reading list. Let's hope I won't change my
mind and actually read them and finish them all.
Posts
Hi I just stumbled across your blog and I see that we have similar reading tastes, so I am now your newest follower. I would love for you to stop by my blog and check it out. I really hope to see you there and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKimberlee
http://girllostinabook.blogspot.com
Hi, you're really welcome. Yes, I like classic and historical fiction. Welcome to my blog.
DeleteYou can take Candide off your list of Intimidating books. It is short (under 150 pages), easy to read (they often assign it to beginning French readers) and very funny. Yes, it is a philosophical kind of humor but it is one of the few books that has caused me to laugh out loud when reading alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was terrified by the Table of Contents. My copy is an ebook, so I just assume that it must be long without even bother to check it. Haha.
DeleteYou know, Candide is also in my intimidating classics list!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should read this together then, it's quite short, right? I already have it in my e-reader, so just give me the date! (But not until April next year please... :D )
The Man In The Iron Mask's ending is sad, yes, but what can you expect, it's the end of the long series. But I think the ending worth to read; if you don't quite like Aramis, you'll hate him even more here. Don't give up yet with Dumas, give him another try! ;)
Well, I don't know yet when to read Candide. I'll focus on Portrait of a Lady first.
DeleteAhhh~ I don't hate him, but I just don't understand him. He's a character that keeps secret from us, readers. But I can't bear to think that Athos would die such a horrible death. I'd rather see him die in a battle torn into pieces than die alone. :( <- What a selfish fan.
Length and sad stories...two of four things I've mentioned that intimidate me! :D Speaking of which, Monte Cristo is the only Dumas I've read and it's an absolute favourite. I hope to read more Dumas in the future. And I'm rather reluctant to read Othello for the same reason, though I am keen on reading King Lear!
ReplyDeleteAh, you feel it too, right? Yup! Monte Cristo is a pearl. It's amazing. It remains my favourite even now. The Three Musketeers is also nice and amazing. Twenty Years After is more mature and political, though.
DeleteI've read Lear, but haven't touched Othello. But I will read it, I must. Want to read it together? *wink*
I feel bad that I "cheated" on Les Mis by reading the abridged version (that was back in the old days before I knew better!) Now, I'm wondering if I should read it again, the "real" version!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Les Mis would be THAT long. I had no idea whatsoever. But being on the 4th volume now, I cannot go back. Besides, I have vowed that I won't watch the adaptation if I haven't finished the book.
DeleteLet's read the full version one! I'd cheer for you.
You'll blaze through Candide--especially after Portrait of a Lady!
ReplyDeleteLes Mis is intimidating length-wise, but once you get into it you're so sweetly engulfed that you don't notice.
I hope so. I found a copy of Portrait of a Lady in my campus library, but I still have to read lately. SO I think I will wait until things slowing down a bit.
DeleteAbout Les Mis, you're right. I can't believe I got through the volumes. It takes time, but it's worthy of each second. Thanks.
Read Othello in the Uni and I never particularly liked it. I like your classification of Intimidating into two categories. That is something I never thought of, but I guess you are right. And going by your classification, I think Dracula is an intimidating story, at least for me. (it is on my list).
ReplyDeletePerhaps I will never read Dracula all my life. It sounds scary.
DeleteThat's a good idea to separate it by intimidating in length and intimidating in content. I guess I find content more intimidating by length, though, because I read multiple books at one time, so I'm always finishing books even if some of them are long. :)
ReplyDeleteMy November Meme is here