New Book.

When we last talked literature, I was reading One Hundred Years of Solitude. In regards to language, it was a beautiful book and the story telling method was refreshing and distinct. Despite all this, I gave up on it. It finally came about that I got too frustrated with the challenge of keeping track of the characters.

This is the name distribution for characters in the book:

stupidoyos.PNG

Half of the characters are named Aureliano. Half.

What the heck?! Not only that, except for Ursula (God bless her) nearly every uniquely named character is a minor character. This is annoying to me.

So I quit.

Now I’m reading a much more readable book called the Story of Edgar Sawtelle. And I’m enjoying it. I’m only about 10% through, but it’s so very much more rewarding. I’ll let you know how this one goes. So far, the characters all have names of their own.

8 thoughts on “New Book.

  • 8/21/2009 at 12:04 pm
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    It should be noted that 17 of the 22 Aureliano’s are not major characters. After their birth they are mostly forgotten (at least by the time I got half way through the book).

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  • 8/21/2009 at 1:01 pm
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    Do you think this is an unintended consequence of a Kindle? I also almost put down this book because it was frustrating to keep track. But I had to stare at the book every day in purse or on my bookshelf until I finished. I can’t not finish. But you don’t really get that with a Kindle.

    For what it’s worth it was a much better read after I stopped worrying about who was who and just enjoyed it.

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  • 8/21/2009 at 3:11 pm
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    I think I have a great book you might like…Both Jocelyn and MikeD.

    Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

    It is very good and I recommend it to anyone looking for fantastic read.

    Reply
  • 8/21/2009 at 4:59 pm
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    erm, I don’t think so. I had a similar experience every time I picked up my kindle and O.H.Y.o.S. stood number one in line to be read.

    Though it’s hard to say for sure if a physical book would have made a difference.

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  • 8/22/2009 at 9:01 am
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    The only book I ever quit reading in the middle was The Scarlet Letter, and I’ll probably try it again sometime. But I’m reading four other books at the moment, so I’ll likely finish those first.

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  • 8/22/2009 at 4:51 pm
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    Hooray for Edgar Sawtelle! Just don’t get confused with the Fortes.

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  • 8/23/2009 at 9:13 pm
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    I only made it half way through but for a different reason. My time was up and someone had the book reserved and it had to go back to the library. I still plan on finishing it. I have a tendency to always gloss over names in books so that didn’t bother me so much. I’m not sure how much farther I’ll make it without getting super annoyed at the wandering aimlessness of the book though.

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