zeogold: None of you did it, so looks like I'm gonna have to do it for you.

This here thread is for all you lit nerds out there, to discuss books. This is not to just list books you've read, but rather to have an in-depth observation and analysis of them. To kick things off, I'll start with a classic and see if this goes anywhere:
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
This is really a great book at the beginning, but in my opinion, diminishes in quality as it goes on. While a master of satire, there's a fine line between trying to make a change and just sounding bitter. Swift did well at the beginning, but struck pretty hard at the end with his attack on humanity in general. He makes valid points but handles them in a pretty rough and depressing way that feels more like a criticism than a call for change, which should be the goal of satire.
Any thoughts?

tinyE: *ahem*

http://www.gog.com/forum/general/what_are_you_reading/page1/?search=reading

zeogold: This is not to just list books you've read, but rather to have an in-depth observation and analysis of them

zeogold: None of you did it, so looks like I'm gonna have to do it for you.

This here thread is for all you lit nerds out there, to discuss books. This is not to just list books you've read, but rather to have an in-depth observation and analysis of them. To kick things off, I'll start with a classic and see if this goes anywhere:
Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift
This is really a great book at the beginning, but in my opinion, diminishes in quality as it goes on. While a master of satire, there's a fine line between trying to make a change and just sounding bitter. Swift did well at the beginning, but struck pretty hard at the end with his attack on humanity in general. He makes valid points but handles them in a pretty rough and depressing way that feels more like a criticism than a call for change, which should be the goal of satire.
Any thoughts?

Breja: I actually enjoyed the whole book a lot, though I admit the first two journeys are probably the best part of the book, clever and funny in equal measure. I think I enjoyed the third part (Laputa etc.) the least. I definately found it less memorable, than the others. The Houyhnhnms were maybe a tad to bitter, but that change in tone at least made it a very memorable part, and I think changing drives like that, from funny to more serious and angry helped drive some points home. That said, I'll admit I didn't really work hard to read to deeply into Swift's book as far as political issues etc. are concerned, and enjoyed it mostly in a somewhat similar way to The Adventures of Baron Munchhausen.

amrit9037: NOTE:This book is NOT about Oliver Queen.

amrit9037: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

This book is about a man who was stranded on an island with only one goal: survive.
To return to his city he must become someone else. He must become.. something else.

NOTE:This book is NOT about Oliver Queen.

InkPanther: This topic feels very similar to "Books finished in <year>" threads, to be honest.

InkPanther: This topic feels very similar to "Books finished in <year>" threads, to be honest.

zeogold: I know, I've seen such threads, but the reason for this one is to analyze/discuss these books rather than just say "Here's a list of stuff I've read." Look at my response to tinyE thinking the same thing.

amrit9037: P to the InkPanther, you have failed this thread!!!

misteryo: Hard to discuss more than one book in one linear forum, isn't it? I mean, this is going well for Lilliput, but if I bring up a new book but people also want to keep talking about Lilliput...

dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria!

You get the picture.