ATotD Literary Simul-Reads [Latest: The Temple of Dawn by Yukio Mishima]

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Zeta-Astacion said:
How many people here read Les Miserables?

Do you like that book?

I bet Zerg thinks it's for normies.

Feb 15, 2016 5:09 PM

Feaor

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I've been meaning to read Les Miserables at some point, the musical is pretty dope though. I'm supposed to be seeing it again soon.

Feb 15, 2016 11:26 PM

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Zeta-Astacion said:
How many people here read Les Miserables?

Do you like that book?

I did, but only the first two parts (never got around to reading "Marius" for some reason). That was a loong time ago so my memory of it is fuzzy as hell, but I remember liking it.
Javert is a fucking douche, tho.

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Feb 21, 2016 12:27 PM

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Finally managed to get srsly into it and read a good chunk of the book this afternoon

I am currently at the end of Shimamura's second trip to the snow country. I wanted to keep reading but I figured it would be a good idea to leave my impressions of what I've read so far, as it seems I've reached a good place to stop.

There are so many good things to say, and I fear I lack the vocabulary to properly express them in english.
I think the most striking aspect of the work is its imagery and the sheer power behind each image: the glimmer of light passing through the eye of Yôko or the red Komako's cheeks on the snowy background really do seem like windows that open to a completely surreal world.

There was a sentence in the preface that I thought summed up perfectly what I feel while reading Snow Country, that I couldn't exactly translate without it sounding weird as f but it basically means that everything happens beyond what is said... (Yeah it still sounds super weird, sorry).
Anyway, you dont need to read 2 far into the book to realize how true this statement is: it's crazy how Shimamura simply touching Komako's cold hair or describing her room can carry so much more meaning that any verbal interraction between the two characters.
That's a nice break from the 'realism' of the french authors I'm used to reading, who feel the need to spell out the complex inner workings of their characters for pages and pages of sophisticated writing which, while usually a treat to read and analyse, seem to end up losing a bit of authenticity in the process.

Which brings me back to the imagery in Snow Country and why it works so well (at least on me). Aside from the deep connection that apparently exists between the chars and the story and the snow country itself, what I probably like appreciate most about this book is that there's such a humble simplicity to its symbolism. While Kawabata seems to leave a lot to suggestion, the images he used, precisely due to their simplicity, have the potential to appeal to a sensitivity that I'm convinced everyone is capable of, and which allows us to "feel" the hidden meaning behind the words (instead of, you know requiring of us to "get it", like some other deeply symbolic works might).
Not sure if I'm being really clear with this, but it seems to me like Kawabata is reaching out to us readers rather than doing the contrary, and I think that's freaking beautiful. (Im not being clear at all, am I?...)

There are just so many things to talk about I don't even know what to about anymore... Ah yes, I found the contrast between the warmth of Komako's love for Shimamura (and to a lesser extent, of their relationship) and the cold of, well, pretty much everything else very interesting. i think this song by drum and bass group Hybrid Minds really captured that particular vibe quite well (and not just because of the title, no).

Hum, what else is there? Ah yes, when Komako went to Shimamura's room drunk during his first trip: I almost spat out my tea when Shi' tried to get a good feel of dem titties while Komako was completely hammered and going nuts. Pretty scumbaggish of him lmao

Okay I'll shut up now.

SapewlothMar 8, 2017 1:43 PM

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Feb 21, 2016 6:22 PM

#10

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When I become more comfortable with kanji in other words in a fucking century, I'd really really like to read the original version.

SapewlothJun 30, 2016 11:54 AM

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Feb 25, 2016 3:53 PM

#11

Lo-Lee-Ta

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I'd be down if anybody wants to read either Anna Karenina, Parade's End or the Complete Works of Poe (need some impetus to finish these bigger ones).

Sep 11, 2016 4:35 PM

#12

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Can we read Helmet for my Pillow

Sep 11, 2016 4:40 PM

#13

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Zergneedsfood said:

fst said:
Can we read Helmet for my Pillow

Uh, if I can find it tomorrow at work, sure.

We can do it after The Pacific.

lol rly

you usually shoot down my suggestions without a second thought

Sep 11, 2016 4:42 PM

#14

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Zergneedsfood said:

fst said:

lol rly

you usually shoot down my suggestions without a second thought

Uh. I've done more "simulreads" with you than anyone else in this club.

Also, you actually offer an alternative to my literary pursuits, which I think is necessary/insightful even though it's not necessarily in an area I'm that interested in.

we've read exactly 2 books

Sep 11, 2016 4:47 PM

#15

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yea thats what I thought

Sep 11, 2016 4:56 PM

#16

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fst said:
Can we read Helmet for my Pillow

>already knows from the title it's gonna be some warshit
>googles it
>it's some warshit

do you actually read or watch anything that isn't related to war/the military aside from anime and mango?

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Sep 11, 2016 5:15 PM

#17

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Sapewloth said:

fst said:
Can we read Helmet for my Pillow

>already knows from the title it's gonna be some warshit
>googles it
>it's some warshit

do you actually read or watch anything that isn't related to war/the military aside from anime and mango?

Not since Scrubs ended and House went to shit.

Speaking of, I simulread The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat with znf and I don't think the mere presence of Jimmie G is enough to make that count as military.

But did you really need to google it to confirm that it's war shit? It's already heavily implied that it's a tie in to The Pacific.

Sep 11, 2016 9:27 PM

#18

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@SHINJI
@CAESAR

YOU GUYS MAY OR MAY NOT BE INTERESTED

CkanSep 11, 2016 9:32 PM

Sep 11, 2016 10:28 PM

#19

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mfw you guys read a book that I had to read for my psychology class for fun.

I'll join for Name of the Rose btw.

Sep 12, 2016 4:43 PM

#20

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Zergneedsfood said:
@sapewloth

When do you want to start? @Crafty told me that he got the book, so it's just a matter of when we want to set the appropriate start date. I'm thinking maybe this Friday? Saturday? Sunday?

Friday sounds gud

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Sep 12, 2016 7:41 PM

#21

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We can maybe try to complete a day every two days? Or is that too slow (there are 7 days I'm pretty sure)

Sep 16, 2016 10:28 AM

#22

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Zergneedsfood said:
Also I'm gonna be afk this weekend since I'm going to Yale Uni to judge debates. Will post my first thoughts by Sunday when I get back.

about the debate?

Sep 16, 2016 10:28 AM

#23

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Started a few minutes ago.

thanks, have a nice weekend

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Sep 16, 2016 11:53 AM

#24

Kokko

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>reading Umberto Eco without a degree in semiotics and medieval history

whew

Sep 25, 2016 1:36 AM

#25

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So I'm a decent way through now. I'm on the 3rd chapter of the second day.

I'll slow down a bit now and let you catch up and start posting my thoughts more regularly. I'll probably focus my thoughts on the Murder Mystery and leave the other highbrow stuff to you :>

Sep 26, 2016 5:19 AM

#26

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End of Sext/Start of Nones

Sep 26, 2016 3:18 PM

#27

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Rip sapelwolf

Sep 27, 2016 1:54 AM

#28

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Not exactly sure what page I'm on cause I'm reading at work on a pdf but probs around 170.

This is getting real interesting.

CraftySep 27, 2016 4:08 PM

Sep 30, 2016 5:44 AM

#29

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Sep 30, 2016 5:32 PM

#30

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As I told Zerg a bit earlier today, I had tons or IRL stuff to deal with recently (mainly school and work starting on top of other annoying family issues) so I'm way behind y'all (still at reading the first day). I have a bit of free time this weekend so I'll try and catch up a bit and leave some notes.

Zergneedsfood said:
@Sapewloth @Crafty

Putting together my thoughts but:

The Key to The Name of the Rose: Including Translations of All Non-English Passages (Ann Arbor Paperbacks)

Not gonna just link it but you can find it on BookZZ (dot) Org if you just search for it. This basically fully translates all of the non-English in Name of the Rose. Also has additional notes on some of the references that are associated with the name as well as additional historical/religious context that should put things into perspective. Should be pretty helpful.

There's also an amateur translation here: http://www.rapiddiffusion.com/translations-name-rose-eco/

It's not as comprehensive but if you (and I don't) don't want to get bogged down by reading historical references/break your immersion, this is a bare bones set of stuff that's translated.

Thanks, it'll definitely help.

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Oct 2, 2016 5:52 PM

#31

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Oct 4, 2016 1:53 AM

#32

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Zergneedsfood said:
I think I need to go back and figure out the library's dimensions more closely. I'm sure there's interesting stuff to be gleaned from a closer reading of it, but I don't want to get bogged down in geometry. There was a part where I felt like the chapter/verse quotes from Revelation/specific area of the library were somehow related, but I didn't give enough thought to really pinpoint if there was actually something there.

zzzz, FeelsTerribleMan

Very, very slight spoiler, click at your will

Oct 4, 2016 3:44 AM

#33

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Exactly!

Oct 10, 2016 3:32 PM

#34

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Zergneedsfood said:
Done with Day 3 and most of Day 4. Will post thoughts later.

@Sapewloth where you at? Made any progress?

Not much, still around the middle of day 2: i'll try and post something when I'm done with it

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Kellhus said:

GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.

Oct 12, 2016 4:11 AM

#35

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Oct 18, 2016 4:05 AM

#36

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Oct 18, 2016 7:51 PM

#37

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Zergneedsfood said:
On page 314, there is something about a plan reproducing the map of the world.

It's not exact, but I think one would also enjoy this short story:

https://www.sccs.swarthmore.edu/users/08/bblonder/phys120/docs/borges.pdf

but what did he mean by this

Oct 18, 2016 8:15 PM

#38

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@zergneedsfood
Does the "Deserts of the West" invoke anything specifically? or is it just a cool

Jan 8, 2017 4:41 AM

#39

Lo-Lee-Ta

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>simulread ideas
>stoner

is this next

Jan 8, 2017 6:14 AM

#40