Friday has been declared (by me) an official day to do nothing; either at work or home (I hope my boss isn’t on the internet this morning). It’s also been declared “Amusing Friday” and I will start it off with this gem of a blog and post called “Stuff God Hates”. Talk amongst yourselves (or yourself, depending how amusing you are to others).
If that doesn’t amuse you, go here.
And if that doesn’t work, perhaps pills might do the trick. 🙂
Mystery of Iniquity 
Have you read anything good lately?
I’m not really one for novels, however – I am reading ‘Edgar Sawtelle.’ Saw ‘The Life of Bees’ a few weeks. Jeezzus that was good, and friends say the book was tremendous. I’m actually looking forward to reading this weekend, maybe taking a drive into the hills finding a nice spot.
Wordsmith,
You know that’s a good question. I’ve not been reading as much as I should! I wish I did. I’ve read a couple Sophie Kinsella books, a Lisa Scottoline lawyer thriller and have tried to read some others, but can’t get deep into a good book. I did read The Secret Life of Bees and that was very good. What is Edgar Sawtelle and is it good? I’ve got many lined up to read but can’t seem to concentrate. I’m getting old (All of 49 Sunday). 😦
I’m a little older than you it seems. ;D
I’m about 1/3 to 1/4 of the way thru Edgar Sawtelle. Edgar was born mute; he can hear. His family breeds a special kind of dog – Sawtelles, and something – SOMETHING – happens. I’m not THERE yet. I find myself drawn to it although all in all, it’s fairly mundane.
I’ve got reality burnout. I have a bunch of books too that are nonfiction but I can’t take it anymore. I’ll read fiction or other bits and pieces, poetry, novellas, etc., until I’m ready again. I’m also reading Lemonty Snicket’s books. Just finished the Spiderwick Chronicles last week. Yeah, I know they’re kids book! Sooo! “Bits and pieces.”
Wordsmith,
Nothing wrong with kid’s books. I read all the Harry Potters at my daughter’s insistence. I love kid’s books. The Sawtelle book sounds interesting. I know what you mean about reality burnout, and it seems you should be, you’re such an active activist! (Oxymoron?) Anyway, I am determined to get back into it soon!
Beautiful cathedral, outrageously funny blog post. Thanks!
Me been reading English Literature since the fall. Currently reading Lorna Doone.
Hi Lorena,
You’re welcome. I wish I’d thought of that blog. Most excellent idea. Now I’ve not read Lorna Doone. I wonder how it compares to Scott and the folkways of the Scottish people, if it does?
I’m not as familiar with Scott as I should be, but Lorna Doon is basically the story of honest rustic God fearing John Rid rescuing a kidnapped aristocrat from the Doons, a bandid clan which has taken over a valley in Devon for its stronghold. John puts his strength and wrestling skills to work in overcoming the villainous Carver Doon (I think I remember), while Lorna the classic damsel in distress falls in love with our hero, and love triumphs over imprisonment and class differences. John’s a yeoman farmer, and therefore not poor, so readers don’t have to face the possibility of Lorna condemned to rural poverty.
Good stirring stuff, if not particularly in step with contemporary sexual political views.
This is a long distance memory, which I’m sure Lorna herself can correct.
Yes, I’ve given away the plot, but the plot isn’t the point I think (discuss).
Reg
Hey MoI,
I have no idea how Lorna Doone compares to Scottish literature. I haven’t read much non-Spanish literature. Trying English lit for the first time. It helps me understand Anglo people better. I can see where the culture originates.
Lorna Doone depicts the culture and the dialect of the Exmoor area of England (http://www.exmoorian.co.uk/). The book is free online, so sometimes I read the paper copy and sometimes online.
It is entirely fascinating. The writer describes in minute detail the scenery, the people, the foods of the day, and the country life in general. It is different from other writers like Jane Austen who describes the aristocratic life.
R.D. Blackmore focuses on the farmers’ life. I love it, though the dialect often baffles me. I’m looking up a lot of words.
Reg,
That’s pretty much Scott in a nutshell. Rustic life, rural man/woman make journeys for their families, etc. As you said, love or sacrifice goes beyond class.
Lorena,
Yes, it is a good way to immerse yourself in Anglo culture and I think you’d love Scott as well. I suppose the American equivalent would be John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath or East of Eden. Capturing the working class, rural American ethos is difficult because some writers imagine how it is but don’t quite get it right. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair a novel about Chicago’s meat processing industry or Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe a novel about small town life, manage to convey what it’s truly like.
No one writes good fiction like that anymore. Right now, city lit, as I like to call it, is in ascendancy, but some of America’s best writing is in the 1890-1040 time period. Now it’s all pretty much nihilistic and getting lost in the urban jungle in outlook.