Friday Reads: spoilers/rant about The Vegetarian

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  • Опубліковано 8 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 20

  • @ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk
    @ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk 2 місяці тому +1

    This year it seems to be a food choice between McDonalds and word salads.

  • @ianp9086
    @ianp9086 2 місяці тому

    Looking forward to the Seagull! I think Han Kang’s award is an interesting choice - the literature of South Korea is beginning to appear on prize lists and be translated at last (Whale took forever to be translated) and she was one of the first to make an impact, so her influence on the literature of her country is far greater than any mere anglophone writer could probably dream of. I think the Vegetarian has a lot to do with the rigid and conservative social norms present in Korean society at the time. One thing I have found from reading Han’s books is that they are all quite different, and for me, Human Acts is clearly the best.

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому

      Another vote for Human Acts as the best Kang book in English. Thanks! I must admit I probably missed a lot in the Vegetarian, and it seemed like it might pay off, but it just went nowhere and left me feeling depressed. Modern literature!

  • @patriciah8579
    @patriciah8579 2 місяці тому

    As that description of The Vegetarian went on I thought, okay James, you’re pranking us, right? Looking forward to Chekhovember. I’ve got a Paul Schmidt translation of the plays; folks who measure such things say he does a good job.

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому +1

      That would be a good schtick--elaborate fake synopses of international prize winning literature. Wouldn't even be too hard.

  • @BookChatWithPat8668
    @BookChatWithPat8668 2 місяці тому

    Not so sure I will read The Vegetarian. Looking forward to Chekhov though.

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому +1

      We'll be glad to have you along

    • @BookChatWithPat8668
      @BookChatWithPat8668 2 місяці тому

      @@JamesRuchala I’m ready! My books have arrived! 😊

  • @LibroParadiso-ep4zt
    @LibroParadiso-ep4zt 2 місяці тому

    Your vegetarian assessment makes me glad I'm an omnivore. I think I'll be having steak, fajitas, and chicken friend steak this weekend. Without veggies.

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому +1

      Classic Texan diet, right?

    • @LibroParadiso-ep4zt
      @LibroParadiso-ep4zt 2 місяці тому

      @@JamesRuchala Facts!

    • @viviandarkbloom8847
      @viviandarkbloom8847 2 місяці тому

      a classy guy. It must be fun to use your bathroom after you're done with number two. The rare times that occurs, that is.

  • @BookishTexan
    @BookishTexan 2 місяці тому

    Glad to know that Proust can get interesting and things can happen. I disagree with you about The Vegetarian. I have also read Human Acts by Kang which I thought was great and the better of the two books.

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому

      A few others have said that Human Acts is the one to read. Maybe I'll give that a try. If you read the rest of In Search of Lost Time, I'll read Human Acts... deal? lol

  • @davidnovakreadspoetry
    @davidnovakreadspoetry 2 місяці тому

    James, I’m shocked! You see something like that up for sale, you should just pick it up for me. Upon receipt, I’m sure I would put the check in the mail! Based upon your recommendation I’m thinking I will skip _The Vegetarian._

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому

      Let me check if it's still available, David. And if they take confederate money.

  • @SleepyBookReader-666
    @SleepyBookReader-666 2 місяці тому

    The vegetarian sounds like some self published first draft?

    • @JamesRuchala
      @JamesRuchala  2 місяці тому +1

      It read a little better than that to me, but still didn't really have an ending. Also, did I mention that it's sooo boring?

    • @SleepyBookReader-666
      @SleepyBookReader-666 2 місяці тому

      @ You may have mentioned that