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General discussionWhat are you Reading?(4194 posts)(4194 posts)
(4194 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted March 30, 2014
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AnimalMother117: Hey, I'm going on a road trip tomorrow, any suggestions for a book to read during the car ride?

I tend to like old literature like Le Morte d'Artur, or Icelandic Sagas. I know I can get a poetic version of Gilgamesh around here, but I already have a prose version and it's $12 USD for a really short story. Like I said something like that does not HAVE to be older than dirt, but that sure would be nice.
Considering your predilection for ancient texts I'd imagine you've already read the Odyssey, but if not I recommend E.V. Rieu's prose translation.

I'm a bit of a Homer pleb, so there's probably better translations out there.
Posted March 30, 2014
Finished Mogworld and The Name of the Wind. The first was fun, the latter was amazing. Currently reading Baptism of Fire, which is the fourth book of the Witcher saga to have been translated into a language I comprehend. 32% into it according to my Kindle, and while the main plot doesn't seem to have moved too much, it's a joy to read.

Just found out (like right now) that The Sword of Destiny, the second short story compilation which preceeds the events of the novels (the first being The Last Wish), got a fan translation after the publishers ignored it. Was mad, but now I'm pleased. It's available for free at Archive.org
Posted March 30, 2014
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pigdog: 1984 - it makes me want to put a bullet through my head.
Big Brother will let you know when you've been allocated a bullet. Have some Victory Gin and remain in front of your screen.
Posted March 30, 2014
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AnimalMother117: Hey, I'm going on a road trip tomorrow, any suggestions for a book to read during the car ride?

I tend to like old literature like Le Morte d'Artur, or Icelandic Sagas. I know I can get a poetic version of Gilgamesh around here, but I already have a prose version and it's $12 USD for a really short story. Like I said something like that does not HAVE to be older than dirt, but that sure would be nice.
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AgZarp: Considering your predilection for ancient texts I'd imagine you've already read the Odyssey, but if not I recommend E.V. Rieu's prose translation.

I'm a bit of a Homer pleb, so there's probably better translations out there.
How about Dante? Can't help with English translations (to all Germans: pick the one by Hartmut Köhler), but I generally recommend those that don't try to try to adhere to metre and especially rhyme.
Post edited March 30, 2014 by Ivory&Gold
Posted March 30, 2014
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AnimalMother117: Hey, I'm going on a road trip tomorrow, any suggestions for a book to read during the car ride?

I tend to like old literature like Le Morte d'Artur, or Icelandic Sagas. I know I can get a poetic version of Gilgamesh around here, but I already have a prose version and it's $12 USD for a really short story. Like I said something like that does not HAVE to be older than dirt, but that sure would be nice.
If you like Mallory, try Eisenbach or Chretien de Troyes. Also Xenophon's Anabasis is a great story about Greek mercenaries fighting their way out of Persia.
Posted March 30, 2014
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pigdog: 1984 - it makes me want to put a bullet through my head.
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AgZarp: Didn't think it was THAT bad
It's my own fault - I read it in my early teens, which was a long time ago, so I knew how depressing it can be. I have a depressive nature (better than calling it a mental illness) and can be quite temperamental when I'm distressed.

My daughter was reading Animal Farm (Orwell's version - I just want to make that crystal clear) at school so I thought, why not give 1984 another go?

It's like watching the news.....It makes me despair but I can't just switch it off and let it pass...
Posted March 30, 2014
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pigdog: It's my own fault - I read it in my early teens, which was a long time ago, so I knew how depressing it can be. I have a depressive nature (better than calling it a mental illness) and can be quite temperamental when I'm distressed.

My daughter was reading Animal Farm (Orwell's version - I just want to make that crystal clear) at school so I thought, why not give 1984 another go?

It's like watching the news.....It makes me despair but I can't just switch it off and let it pass...
If 1984 really made you that depressed, I definitely recommend staying away from Brave New World (despite Brave New World being a better book overall).
Posted March 30, 2014
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pigdog: <snip>
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TheIRS: If 1984 really made you that depressed, I definitely recommend staying away from Brave New World (despite Brave New World being a better book overall).
Well that's just like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey! I'm kind of intrigued now....

Someone on this forum (apologies, I forget who it was) recommended Cruel Britannia - A Secret History of Torture. I....must....resist....
Posted March 30, 2014
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AgZarp: Considering your predilection for ancient texts I'd imagine you've already read the Odyssey, but if not I recommend E.V. Rieu's prose translation.

I'm a bit of a Homer pleb, so there's probably better translations out there.
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Ivory&Gold: How about Dante? Can't help with English translations (to all Germans: pick the one by Hartmut Köhler), but I generally recommend those that don't try to try to adhere to metre and especially rhyme.
Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately my question was a little ill timed and I ended up reading The Prince, while my brother read The Last Wish, although I appreciate the suggestions and will consider them for general reading, thanks a lot.
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AnimalMother117: Hey, I'm going on a road trip tomorrow, any suggestions for a book to read during the car ride?

I tend to like old literature like Le Morte d'Artur, or Icelandic Sagas. I know I can get a poetic version of Gilgamesh around here, but I already have a prose version and it's $12 USD for a really short story. Like I said something like that does not HAVE to be older than dirt, but that sure would be nice.
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Cbob60: If you like Mallory, try Eisenbach or Chretien de Troyes. Also Xenophon's Anabasis is a great story about Greek mercenaries fighting their way out of Persia.
Thank you as well, and I will consider your recommendations as well.

Anabasis seems the most interesting right now, any particular translation recommendations?
Post edited March 31, 2014 by AnimalMother117
Posted March 31, 2014
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Ivory&Gold: How about Dante? Can't help with English translations (to all Germans: pick the one by Hartmut Köhler), but I generally recommend those that don't try to try to adhere to metre and especially rhyme.
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AnimalMother117: Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately my question was a little ill timed and I ended up reading The Prince, while my brother read The Last Wish, although I appreciate the suggestions and will consider them for general reading, thanks a lot.
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Cbob60: If you like Mallory, try Eisenbach or Chretien de Troyes. Also Xenophon's Anabasis is a great story about Greek mercenaries fighting their way out of Persia.
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AnimalMother117: Thank you as well, and I will consider your recommendations as well.

Anabasis seems the most interesting right now, any particular translation recommendations?
Oh, I just picked up the Penguin edition. It's part adventure story, part travelogue in the style of ancient Greek history. Xenophon contracts with a claimant to the Persian throne, and things go terribly wrong. Oh, and if you liked The Prince, give Thucydides a whirl. As far as Homer is concerned, the Lattimore translation is highly regarded.
Posted March 31, 2014
Finished At the Mountains of Madness and almost done Kingdom Come then onto A Feast for Crows
Posted March 31, 2014
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AnimalMother117: Thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately my question was a little ill timed and I ended up reading The Prince, while my brother read The Last Wish, although I appreciate the suggestions and will consider them for general reading, thanks a lot.

Thank you as well, and I will consider your recommendations as well.

Anabasis seems the most interesting right now, any particular translation recommendations?
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Cbob60: Oh, I just picked up the Penguin edition. It's part adventure story, part travelogue in the style of ancient Greek history. Xenophon contracts with a claimant to the Persian throne, and things go terribly wrong. Oh, and if you liked The Prince, give Thucydides a whirl. As far as Homer is concerned, the Lattimore translation is highly regarded.
Sounds awesome, with tests and papers being back to back at school for the next couple of months I won't be able to get to many reading projects any time soon, but I'll be sure to check some of these out by summer.

If anyone is interested: Poetic Edda translated by Lee M. Hollander is really good, if a bit archaic, but really pretty language throughout. Gisli, Egil, Laxardal, and Confederates are some of my favorite Icelandic sagas, so be sure to check those out if you can.
Posted March 31, 2014
Just started Junot Diaz's This is How You Lose Her.
Posted April 02, 2014
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Cbob60: Oh, I just picked up the Penguin edition. It's part adventure story, part travelogue in the style of ancient Greek history. Xenophon contracts with a claimant to the Persian throne, and things go terribly wrong. Oh, and if you liked The Prince, give Thucydides a whirl. As far as Homer is concerned, the Lattimore translation is highly regarded.
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AnimalMother117: Sounds awesome, with tests and papers being back to back at school for the next couple of months I won't be able to get to many reading projects any time soon, but I'll be sure to check some of these out by summer.

If anyone is interested: Poetic Edda translated by Lee M. Hollander is really good, if a bit archaic, but really pretty language throughout. Gisli, Egil, Laxardal, and Confederates are some of my favorite Icelandic sagas, so be sure to check those out if you can.
Me too! By the way, I found an Icelandic film of Gisli's saga

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76AlJZuywXo

Confusing if you don't know the story but otherwise a very cool re-imagining of medieval Icelandic life.
Posted April 02, 2014
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16
Post edited April 02, 2014 by Klumpen0815
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionWhat are you Reading?(4194 posts)(4194 posts)
(4194 posts)