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Thu 18 Sep, 2003 08:49 am
Ahem - I am in the mood for a big, fat Victorian novel, and there is a bit of a new supply at present. By this I mean, there is something of a fashion for writing novels in the Victorian manner at the Victorian length.
I am about to embark (when I have finished the book I am reading) on Michael Faber's "The Crimson Petal and the White".
I wonder if anyone else has read this/would like to do so - or - if anyone else has read any of the others of similar ilk (I own one, but have forgotten its name!) and would like to discuss the book and/or the phenomenon.
It is interesting, I think, that many bestsellers have retained the big, fat book thing, while many works of literature have become more like novellas. I sometimes love a substantial, leisurely, meaty book, so I am happy to see more challenging books that are nice and chubby.
Any comments, or interest?
One of my favorite books ever is "A Suitable Boy", which is one of the biggest and meatiest and now that you mention it, quite Victorian. Hadn't thought of that.
LOL! I have given that book to several people - and begun it, but not yet finished it! I will, though.
I just gave a copy of the "Crimson Petal" to a friend to whom I gave "A Suitable Boy", which he adored. He says he looks forward to presents from me, cos he gets to read things he otherwise wouldn't, and because I give him portly books, because I know he loves to disappear into other worlds.
I must see what he thought of Faber's book...
The Crimson Petal
I tried. In general I too like a big fat juicy novel, but I could not get into this one. The characters really repelled me, and the plot was altogether to confused. I know some pople who liked it, but I also know some who didn't. It wasn't a real success in our local library.
Aaaaaaaaaaaah! THAT was one of the books whose title I was searching me head for!
No, I haven't - though it is here, amongst the hundreds of books I haven't read yet! And, he has published another, hasn't he?
Have you read it, Deb? You would like a big, chubby book, no?
The Crimson petal
The Quincunx! I hadn't even
thought of that one for years!. Now there was a complicated plot if I ever read one, I read aloud it aloud to someone and it just swept us up; we couldn't put it down. To this day I can recall any number of scenes and situations from it.
Rarely have I read a novel with such wild swings of ups and downs - even more than Oliver Twist!
The Crimson petal
Yes, Charles Palliser also published The Sensationist, but I didn't find that nearly as good as The Quincunx.
Yep, I read it when it first appeared. Totally engrossing. Yes, I think he has recently published something of the sort, but I haven't read it.
Quincunx is similar to a Wilkie Collins in style and to Edwin Drood in aura, but more intriguing and on a much larger canvas than either. A great, well written read ... very palatable to the Victorian taste. My advice - read it.
On the other hand, Deb, I tend these days to look for slim books. But then I'm mostly reading non-fiction. Looking for facts cloaked in good turns of phrase. Not much out there. Maybe I'll look for something plump, as you suggest. Nights are getting longer ... will soon be having long fire-lit evenings.
Oops, sorry. My first paragraph refers to The Quincunx, not the Sensationist, which I haven't read.
I think Quincunx is the book that Setanta keeps re-reading. About the only piece of fiction I've ever seen him with.
I love the Van Reid books - nice, big, chunky reads - lots of history, geography, bits of mystery, and fancy clothing. Verra verra humorous books. I was verra verra sad when I came to the end of the first one. I'm on the search for Daniel Plainway these days. Long live the Moosepath League!
Well, I did find this one. Looks promising, but it's not quite 300 pages.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/042519003X/qid%3D1064095721/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/002-7256205-5896036
Viola:
My father had a daughter lov'd a man
As it might be perhaps, were I a woman,
I should your lordship.
Duke:
And what's her history?
Viola:
A blank ...
--Twelfth Night
Debacle! Come to chat!!! I am there!!!!
Well, if anyone is listening, I have nearly finished "The Crimson petal and the White" - and I am still loving it.
I fond an online book group for it - with involvement from the author (!!!) - at Barnes and Noble University (LOL!) - it is a little too big and unwieldy (the group, not the book) for comfortable discussion - but there are people from all over the world - and it is great to be able to discuss things with Michel Faber.
Oh my...how about 'My Life and Loves' by Frank Harris...huge, Victorian and juicy....also all true, or so we are lead to believe....
Those lines are some of my favourite from Shakespeare, Debacle - (I am a sucker for dramatic irony!) - and the book looks quite diverting.
Apropos of nothing relevant, I was thrilled to discover that the author of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" has a new book out - about the creation of a thing beloved by me- the unicorn tapestries!!! I nearly bought it today - but resisted - I think I shall cease to resist tomorrow...
LOL! I have actually read parts of that, cav!
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