First, in the final week of May, Dorian of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau blog and I will co-host a group read of Jean Giono's short novel, Hill (or Colline, for those of you who might want to read it in the original French). I've been eager to return to Giono, and thus jumped at Dorian's suggestion that we read this together. Hill has just been issued in English translation by New York Review Books, and as it's only about 100 pages long, you know you can read it by the week of May 24-31, when we'll start posting commentaries.
Second, and also stemming from a suggestion by Dorian late last year that followed on my year-end appreciation of two Arnold Bennet novels I'd read, we will take up Bennett's best-known work, The Old Wives' Tale, in late July. This one's some 600 pages longer than Hill, but if it's anything like the Bennett books I read last year, it promises to be a highly amusing ride. We'll announce a specific date as we get closer to July.
If you're interested in joining for either or both of these group reads, please let us know!
I'm pretty hopeless when it comes to group reads, but I will certainly keep an eye out for your reviews. That NYRB editions of the Hill is very tempting...
ReplyDeleteI've started the Giono, and I think you would like it quite a bit. So give way to temptation!
DeleteI'm actually also hopeless at group reads, but am hoping being an organizer will keep me on track... but the Giono is only 100 pages, you know you want to do it...
DeleteI've been doing badly with group events and blogging (writing and visiting) but since I'm fond of Giono and short books and already own Colline, I'll try to join.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it, Caroline. I've had a copy of Colline sitting on the shelf for a couple of years, so this is the perfect excuse to get it down and finally read it.
DeleteVery tempted by Hill, less so by The Old Wives Tale - reluctant to re-read one of the few Bennett novels I've read. I notice Penguin Classics have a new edition of The Card coming out in July though...
ReplyDeleteVery tempted by Hill, less so by The Old Wives Tale - reluctant to re-read one of the few Bennett novels I've read. I notice Penguin Classics have a new edition of The Card coming out in July though...
ReplyDeleteLooks like they're doing a few, including Riceyman Steps.
DeleteGrant - I hope you'll join in for Hill. I started it yesterday and am already engrossed.
DeleteI'm glad to hear about a re-issue of The Card, a book I found completely delightful. There are some questionable editions of it floating around, with the text simply lifted from an existing on-line version of the story that contains numerous flaws, including weird kerning and missing words - even on the first page. So a new edition from Penguin will be welcome.
Thank goodness I have emerged from under my rock in time to join you two! Just downloaded it on my kindle, and surely I can squeeze it in between report cards and the close of school on May 27.
ReplyDeleteUm, I'm responding to the Giono, lest you think I have time for two. :)
DeleteOh, terrific - I'm happy to hear you're on board!
DeleteI've just put my post on Hill up - hope I'm not too early. So glad I read it - didn't know what to expect but really enjoyed his style.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Grant! I just went over to read it.
DeleteNot too early at all - I'd hoped to get my post up a bit earlier this week but life etc. etc. etc.