February 2010 Voting

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

If Heart of Darkness gets chosen, could we do a cross-study between that and Apocalypse Now? 

I would not object to a comparison, at some point. 

[DoctorTeeth]

If Heart of Darkness gets chosen, could we do a cross-study between that and Apocalypse Now? 

I would kind of insist on that!  Well, insist might be too strong a word.  Strongly encourage?

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

I would kind of insist on that!  Well, insist might be too strong a word.  Strongly encourage?

As long as it was a matter of comparing the text to the film and stuff, you know? Wouldn't want someone discussing "the book" saying My favorite part was when Lance dropped acid and he and Willard... know what I mean?
Reminds me of some sitcom or something where the high school class had to read Oliver Twist and one kid said his favorite part was the song "Consider Yourself." 

[DoctorTeeth]

As long as it was a matter of comparing the text to the film and stuff, you know? Wouldn't want someone discussing "the book" saying My favorite part was when Lance dropped acid and he and Willard... know what I mean?
Reminds me of some sitcom or something where the high school class had to read Oliver Twist and one kid said his favorite part was the song "Consider Yourself." 

Or from a NewsRadio episode I saw last night:

JOE: The only reason to discuss a book is to prove that you've read it, and I read it. The whale eats Gregory Peck, end of  discussion.

[Farrell]

Farrell and I haven't discussed it, but I imagine Wood would break any tie, right?

Well, we're there.  There's a tie between Heart of Darkness and The Crying of Lot 49.  It makes sense to me that Wood, if he's out there and he's listening, break the tie. 

So which is it, Wood?  Which one was just that little bit more appealing to ya?

Reminds me of some sitcom or something where the high school class had to read Oliver Twist and one kid said his favorite part was the song "Consider Yourself." 

 

[Jeremy G]

Someone break this tie,I planned on going to the bookstore tonight to pick up the book club winner.

[Farrell]

Someone break this tie,I planned on going to the bookstore tonight to pick up the book club winner.

Get your shoes on and grab your wallet, cause we've got ourselves a book:

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is the February Book Club book.   

Matt or I will set up a suggested reading schedule, to help everyone (including us) keep on track throughout the month, and let's you know how spoilery something you post might be at various time of the month.  We'll also start a discussion thread and get things kicked off.  Look for those in the next couple of days.  I hope to see everybody who voted for the winner, along with a good chunk of those who didn't (like me  ) joining in.  Should be fun.

[slurmo]

I'll be at the bookstore in a little while...

[Jeremy G]

Sounds great,Im looking forward to reading this and the discussion.

[Mike Smith]

Good choice!!   I have read this a few times and its already sitting on my bookshelf.  Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks.

[Jim B.]

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is the February Book Club book.   

      I'm all over it.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Heart of Darkness - unfiltered search for public domain documents at archive.org.
This includes e-texts, free (volunteer-read) audiobooks, etc.

[ford]

If we get into an Apocalypse Now component if it's possible people should track now Eleanor Coppola's 'Notes'.
http://www.amazon.com/NOTES-ELEANOR-COPPOLA/dp/B001I4G2PY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264809904&sr=8-3
or
http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Making-Apocalypse-Eleanor-Coppola/dp/0879101504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264809904&sr=8-2

Heard good things about it. Happy to read it and confirm if it is good.
Now to remember who taught me year 11 literature and tell them I'm finally reading Heart Of Darkness.

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

And here's a nice unabridged Google Books scan of it. When I have to read an e-book, I prefer it to be a picture of a page rather than electronic text, for some reason.

[Farrell]

And here's a nice unabridged Google Books scan of it. When I have to read an e-book, I prefer it to be a picture of a page rather than electronic text, for some reason.

It's very nice and readable, but I'm only seeing the first 16 pages. 

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

It's very nice and readable, but I'm only seeing the first 16 pages. 

Well, sheeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiit! I didn't bother to check the stupid thing 'cause it was written in 18-freaking-99, so I assumed they'd let the PEOPLE read what the PEOPLE own! Those bastards. 
Gattaca! Gattaca!

[Dave A]

It's very nice and readable, but I'm only seeing the first 16 pages. 

Isn't that the whole thing? 

Heh.

Seriously though, I look forward to reading all 70 pages of this novel soon. 

[DoctorTeeth]

If we get into an Apocalypse Now component if it's possible people should track now Eleanor Coppola's 'Notes'.
http://www.amazon.com/NOTES-ELEANOR-COPPOLA/dp/B001I4G2PY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264809904&sr=8-3
or
http://www.amazon.com/Notes-Making-Apocalypse-Eleanor-Coppola/dp/0879101504/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264809904&sr=8-2

Heard good things about it. Happy to read it and confirm if it is good.
Now to remember who taught me year 11 literature and tell them I'm finally reading Heart Of Darkness.

And if you can't track that down, you could look for "Hearts of Darkness", the documentary on Coppola's making of "Apocalypse Now".  It's great.

WAIT!  I mean, you should look for it AFTER you've read the book.  Read the book, people, it is good.  I am very excited to re-read it!

[Matt H.O.W.L.]

Isn't that the whole thing? 

Heh.

Seriously though, I look forward to reading all 70 pages of this novel soon. 

I think this selection is a great way for people to jump on that might be interested:
1. It's short. So there's no big time commitment.
2. It's public domain. People who feel they couldn't afford to buy the book can get it free in a number of formats.
3. It has produced lots of discussion and analysis, so it's got meat to it. 

We can tackle Finnegan's Wake next month, when we've got folks hook, line, and sinker.* 


* I kid, but, I would love to read some of the more challenging texts with the folks in this group, at some point.

[Farrell]

Isn't that the whole thing? 

Heh.

Seriously though, I look forward to reading all 70 pages of this novel soon. 

I found my copy of it last night and, yeah, I didn't remember quite how short it was.  But, length isn't everything.  Dissertations have been written on this thing.  It definitely puts the onus on us to really dig into it and think about what it means, since a plot recap would take about ten minutes.  Like Matt said, I think in many ways it's ideal.   Nobody should be able to say they didn't have time to read it!