It's September and it's been kind of a weird month. I'm back to watching my Granddaughter twice a week but I go over later in the morning. She's going through Potty Training and my Son-in-law (who works nights now) gets up early so the routine doesn't get disrupted. I had some car trouble early on and wound up having to replace the Ignition Cylinder. Then, my Debit Card was declined and I found out that someone tried to use it in China so I had to replace it. Still, frustrations aside, I did manage to get some reading done.
Miscellaneous
The Gates Of The Alamo - Stephen Harrigan ($7.99/$.50, copyright 2000, 732 pages, Paperback)
The story of the Alamo is one that most Americans know because of the countless books and films on the subject. Rather then give a straight-forward history, Harrigan shows it to us through the eyes of fictional characters - Edmund McGowan, a loner dedicated to botanical research; Mary Mott, a widowed innkeeper trying to keep what remains of her family together; and her son Terrell, who grows and matures into manhood as the novel evolves. It's a blend of historical research and fictional imagination that should satisfy all who are interested in the topic. Another plus, we get both sides because the author has included the Mexican perspective from the fictional Telesfero Villasena up to Santa Anna himself. Harrigan doesn't sugar-coat anything and gives us Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, William Travis, and Davey Crockett with all their faults exposed. I have to admit that I put this down a few times because the lead-up got boring at times and I didn't like the wrap-around. All in all, it was OK.
The Club Dumas - Arturo Perez-Reverte ($14.95/$1.00, copyright 1995, 362 pages, Trade Paperback)
Several months ago, when the weather was bad, I wound up rereading - and enjoying - the Musketeer Trilogy by Alexander Dumas (my Chapter Eighty-two). When I found this at a Library Sale shortly after that I snatched it up but have been hesitant to read it in case it didn't measure up. Turned out it was better then I expected.The main character is Lucas Corso, a Detective who works in the world of rare book collectors. Here he's trying to find an original manuscript of "The Three Musketeers" and winds up tracking the life of Dumas and exploring many of his works. Perez-Reverte throws in another search for a rare book from 1666 that may have been co-written by Satan. Then he stirs in secret societies, satanic rituals, exotic locals, femme fatales, quirky and memorable supporting characters, supernatural guardians and pacing that moves along very quickly. I enjoyed it.
October is just around the corner. The leaves are falling and it's getting cooler out. The days are getting shorter.
Halloween is just a month away so that might influence next month's choices. Until then ...
Keep reading.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Monday, August 28, 2017
Chapter Eighty-seven
We're in the last weekend of August. We've had some days with heavy rain, some days with scorching heat and - now - we're experiencing some much cooler weather. I didn't have to babysit this month but I did volunteer to dog-sit for a few days so the kids could take the baby on a vacation. I had more time then usual on my hands so I dug into a couple of books that I'd ordered from a Discount Website that I like.
Miscellaneous
I have been a big fan of The Marx Brothers for most of my life. I have always been partial to Groucho (as I think most people have) and I even have the live 2-album, recording of "An Evening With Groucho". This book is kind of a "greatest hits" volume. It includes favorite scenes from "Animal Crackers", "Monkey Business", "Horse Feathers", "Duck Soup", "A Night at the Opera", and "A Day at the Races", among other films. There is also some material from his radio and TV appearances and a whole section devoted to his correspondence with others. All of this is funny but, in my opinion, reading the movie dialogue isn't as enjoyable as watching the Brothers perform. It was OK.
We're now in the count down to September and Labor Day - the last great "Summer" holiday. I hope you all get to enjoy that long weekend but don't forget to ...
Keep reading.
Miscellaneous
Up In The Old Hotel - Joseph Mitchell ($14.00/$4.29, Published 1992, 716 pages, Trade Paperback)
I came across a reference to this book a month or so ago and was so interested that, when I found a copy on one of my favorite websites, I ordered it. Joseph Mitchell was a writer for the "New Yorker", a magazine that I've never actually read. His writings about New York and it's minor denizens have been published in 4 separate books - "McSoreley's Wonderful Saloon", "Old Mr. Flood", "The Bottom of the Harbor", and "Joe Gould's Secret"- the copyrights ranging from 1938 up to 1992 - which have all been collected in this volume. Every story in this long book is worth reading. Mitchell often chose to write about people on the margins of society -- a homeless beggar like Joe Gould, a bearded lady, the hard-drinking Hugh Flood -- but he never did so in a patronizing manner. He shows us what's below the surface of things -- old abandoned hotels, the oysters on one's plate, the raving lunatic on the street corner -- it's all fascinating and available to anyone who's willing to look. I have to say that it took me a couple of weeks to get through this because I could only get through one or two of Mitchell's stories before I had to put it down and think about what I'd just read. I enjoyed it.
The Essential Groucho - Stefan Kanfer, ed. ($12.00/$4.29, copyright 2000, 252 pages, Trade Paperback)I came across a reference to this book a month or so ago and was so interested that, when I found a copy on one of my favorite websites, I ordered it. Joseph Mitchell was a writer for the "New Yorker", a magazine that I've never actually read. His writings about New York and it's minor denizens have been published in 4 separate books - "McSoreley's Wonderful Saloon", "Old Mr. Flood", "The Bottom of the Harbor", and "Joe Gould's Secret"- the copyrights ranging from 1938 up to 1992 - which have all been collected in this volume. Every story in this long book is worth reading. Mitchell often chose to write about people on the margins of society -- a homeless beggar like Joe Gould, a bearded lady, the hard-drinking Hugh Flood -- but he never did so in a patronizing manner. He shows us what's below the surface of things -- old abandoned hotels, the oysters on one's plate, the raving lunatic on the street corner -- it's all fascinating and available to anyone who's willing to look. I have to say that it took me a couple of weeks to get through this because I could only get through one or two of Mitchell's stories before I had to put it down and think about what I'd just read. I enjoyed it.
I have been a big fan of The Marx Brothers for most of my life. I have always been partial to Groucho (as I think most people have) and I even have the live 2-album, recording of "An Evening With Groucho". This book is kind of a "greatest hits" volume. It includes favorite scenes from "Animal Crackers", "Monkey Business", "Horse Feathers", "Duck Soup", "A Night at the Opera", and "A Day at the Races", among other films. There is also some material from his radio and TV appearances and a whole section devoted to his correspondence with others. All of this is funny but, in my opinion, reading the movie dialogue isn't as enjoyable as watching the Brothers perform. It was OK.
We're now in the count down to September and Labor Day - the last great "Summer" holiday. I hope you all get to enjoy that long weekend but don't forget to ...
Keep reading.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Chapter Eighty-six
July is winding down. We've had a mixed bag weather-wise. Some pleasant days, a couple of heat waves, and some rain - especially this morning as I was driving around. I spent time with my Granddaughter and then spent the afernoon in front of my bedroom fan reading the following.
Miscellaneous
Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of Crime - Francois Eugene Vidocq ($9.86/$18.00, copyright 2003, 365 pages, Trade Paperback)
I first came across a reference to this book several months ago and, thanks to the Internet, I was able to get a copy pretty quickly. Vidocq was a reformed criminal who became a police spy, eventually becoming head of the Sûreté , and finally a private investigator. It's filled with all sorts of adventures and is set during the late 1700's in France. How much is fact, how much fiction? Who knows? What is known is the influence Vidocq had on modern policing and the crime novel. Hugo, Balzac and Dumas pere knew Vidocq. His memoirs provided the inspiration for some of their greatest novels and characters including Hugo’s Javert and Jean Valjean and Balzac’s Vautrin. Moreover, Poe’s Dupin (Murders in the Rue Morgue) was modeled on Vidocq, and Conan Doyle referenced the great French detective in his Sherlock Holmes stories. All that being said, I found the book disappointing. Vidocq used several different ghost-writers so the narrative is disjointed and the First-person approach becomes annoying. It was OK.
Miscellaneous
Memoirs of Vidocq: Master of Crime - Francois Eugene Vidocq ($9.86/$18.00, copyright 2003, 365 pages, Trade Paperback)
I first came across a reference to this book several months ago and, thanks to the Internet, I was able to get a copy pretty quickly. Vidocq was a reformed criminal who became a police spy, eventually becoming head of the Sûreté , and finally a private investigator. It's filled with all sorts of adventures and is set during the late 1700's in France. How much is fact, how much fiction? Who knows? What is known is the influence Vidocq had on modern policing and the crime novel. Hugo, Balzac and Dumas pere knew Vidocq. His memoirs provided the inspiration for some of their greatest novels and characters including Hugo’s Javert and Jean Valjean and Balzac’s Vautrin. Moreover, Poe’s Dupin (Murders in the Rue Morgue) was modeled on Vidocq, and Conan Doyle referenced the great French detective in his Sherlock Holmes stories. All that being said, I found the book disappointing. Vidocq used several different ghost-writers so the narrative is disjointed and the First-person approach becomes annoying. It was OK.
London - Edward Rutherfurd ($.50/$7.99, copyright 1997, 1124 pages, Paperback)
Back in the mid '70's, I came across Rutherfurd's "Sarum" - his fictional recreation of the history of England. It was over 1,000 pages but it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. I came across "London" at a Library sale back in May and have put it down a few times since then but I've always gone back. This is the story of the evolution of the city. It begins before the time of the Roman occupation, when the Celts ruled the land, and ends in 1997. London grows from an abandoned outpost, to a medieval marketplace, to the metropolis it is today. Rutherfurd - much like James Michener - uses several families as the center of his novel, and we follow along as their descendants, from generation to generation, evolve with the city itself. They are all clearly defined and he fits the characters perfectly with each era. It's a long book and, in my opinion, there's some sections that could be trimmed. Still, I enjoyed it.
Next up is August. I'm guessing that there won't be much of a change in the weather pattern.There are a few books on the table but there's always new ones that pop up. Until then ..
Keep reading.
Back in the mid '70's, I came across Rutherfurd's "Sarum" - his fictional recreation of the history of England. It was over 1,000 pages but it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down. I came across "London" at a Library sale back in May and have put it down a few times since then but I've always gone back. This is the story of the evolution of the city. It begins before the time of the Roman occupation, when the Celts ruled the land, and ends in 1997. London grows from an abandoned outpost, to a medieval marketplace, to the metropolis it is today. Rutherfurd - much like James Michener - uses several families as the center of his novel, and we follow along as their descendants, from generation to generation, evolve with the city itself. They are all clearly defined and he fits the characters perfectly with each era. It's a long book and, in my opinion, there's some sections that could be trimmed. Still, I enjoyed it.
Next up is August. I'm guessing that there won't be much of a change in the weather pattern.There are a few books on the table but there's always new ones that pop up. Until then ..
Keep reading.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Chapter Eighty-five
June has been sort of a mixed month, weather-wise. We've had some really hot days and some really rainy ones. I'm still Babysitting two mornings a week and I've gone to the MVC to get my car inspected. I've been down to New Brunswick twice - blood work one time and Cardiologist's visit a week later. I thought that I'd have to go back tomorrow for Jury Duty but they don't need me. In between all of this, I did manage to read a few books.
Miscellaneous
A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole ( $15.00/$1.00, copyright 1980, 394 pages, Trade Paperback)
I first read this book years ago, probably in the early '70's. I still have that copy somewhere but picked up another at a book sale about a year ago. It's been sitting in my small, living room bookcase ever since. Last month, my Cousin posted about it on a Facebook page we share and I had to reread it. The main character is Ignatius J. Reilly - a large, gassy, pseudo-intellectual introvert who spends his life in his little room in his Mother's house, writing about how much he hates the world. One day, his Mother has a car accident and he has to go out into the strange world of New Orleans to get a job. This doesn't go well but it is funny. Toole paints a wonderful picture of that city and populates it with some interesting characters who interact with our Hero - including Patrolman Mancuso and his undercover costumes, and Miss Lana Lee from the Night of Joy bar who has something else going on. I enjoyed it.
World's Fair - E. L. Doctorow ($4.95/$.50, copyright 1985, 371 pages, Paperback)
Last month, I mentioned reading "Ragtime", this month I've got another Doctorow book for you. It's a simpler book and told from a single point of view. Young Edgar grew up in a Jewish community in The Bronx in the '30's and his keen observations about all that goes on around him make up the plot but the focus is the 1939 World's Fair. Edgar hopes to get free tickets by winning an essay contest but things don't quite work out. Doctorow has a straightforward style and his use of historical details bring a context to what is, essentially, a story of a family dealing with their own problems. I enjoyed it.
The Power and the Glory - Graham Greene ($1.65/$1.00, copyright 1940, 301 pages, Paperback)
I read this book for the first time when I was in High School, maybe '67 or '68, and just came across this copy. As most of you know, I went to a Catholic school and was an Alter Server from 3rd or 4th Grade through Senior year. Maybe that's why it's always struck a cord with me. An unnamed priest is on the run in a revolutionary Mexican state that has outlawed the Catholic religion. All the other priests have fled, been shot, or forced to renounce their faith. As the last practicing priest, he
wanders the state experiencing a stripping away of his past identity. He's pursued by an unnamed soldier who will stop at nothing to stamp out what he considers to be a religion that is doing nothing to help the people he protects. Greene has created some memorable characters and put them in a situation that is, somehow, familiar to what is happening today. I enjoyed it.
Next up is July. I have 5 books stacked up by the side of the bed in various stages of being read. Let's see what happens. Until then ...
Keep reading!
Miscellaneous
I first read this book years ago, probably in the early '70's. I still have that copy somewhere but picked up another at a book sale about a year ago. It's been sitting in my small, living room bookcase ever since. Last month, my Cousin posted about it on a Facebook page we share and I had to reread it. The main character is Ignatius J. Reilly - a large, gassy, pseudo-intellectual introvert who spends his life in his little room in his Mother's house, writing about how much he hates the world. One day, his Mother has a car accident and he has to go out into the strange world of New Orleans to get a job. This doesn't go well but it is funny. Toole paints a wonderful picture of that city and populates it with some interesting characters who interact with our Hero - including Patrolman Mancuso and his undercover costumes, and Miss Lana Lee from the Night of Joy bar who has something else going on. I enjoyed it.
World's Fair - E. L. Doctorow ($4.95/$.50, copyright 1985, 371 pages, Paperback)
Last month, I mentioned reading "Ragtime", this month I've got another Doctorow book for you. It's a simpler book and told from a single point of view. Young Edgar grew up in a Jewish community in The Bronx in the '30's and his keen observations about all that goes on around him make up the plot but the focus is the 1939 World's Fair. Edgar hopes to get free tickets by winning an essay contest but things don't quite work out. Doctorow has a straightforward style and his use of historical details bring a context to what is, essentially, a story of a family dealing with their own problems. I enjoyed it.
The Power and the Glory - Graham Greene ($1.65/$1.00, copyright 1940, 301 pages, Paperback)
I read this book for the first time when I was in High School, maybe '67 or '68, and just came across this copy. As most of you know, I went to a Catholic school and was an Alter Server from 3rd or 4th Grade through Senior year. Maybe that's why it's always struck a cord with me. An unnamed priest is on the run in a revolutionary Mexican state that has outlawed the Catholic religion. All the other priests have fled, been shot, or forced to renounce their faith. As the last practicing priest, he
wanders the state experiencing a stripping away of his past identity. He's pursued by an unnamed soldier who will stop at nothing to stamp out what he considers to be a religion that is doing nothing to help the people he protects. Greene has created some memorable characters and put them in a situation that is, somehow, familiar to what is happening today. I enjoyed it.
Next up is July. I have 5 books stacked up by the side of the bed in various stages of being read. Let's see what happens. Until then ...
Keep reading!
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Chapter Eighty-four
I had to deal with a couple of things over the last couple of months but - thankfully - they all worked out about 2 weeks ago. Simply, the car has been starting every day (rain or shine) and my Levels are back to normal. I've been out every day; seen my Granddaughter as often as possible; and read these books.
Miscellaneous
This is not the kind of book that I usually read but I came across it while browsing through the tables at a local Library Sale. It's a coming-of-age story. Michael was eleven years old when his family put him on a ship, the Oronsay, that would take him to England and his Mother. He's given a berth, a place to eat at the Cat's Table (the furthest away from the Captain's), and the freedom to roam the ship. He meets a lot of adults who will have an impact on his life but it's the two other young men - Ramadhin and Cassius - who he really bonds with. During the 21 day journey, the ship becomes a microcosm of the world at large - full of authority figures, thieves, teachers, dreamers, and a shackled, dangerous criminal. Ondaatje has a great way with words and has created some really interesting characters whose interactions make the book hard to put down. I enjoyed it.
Off The Shelf
Lord Jim- Joseph Conrad ($1.95/$1.95, copyright 1899, 307 pages, Paperback)
I first read this novel back in the 1960's in the Signet Classic Edition which I've kept all these years (and through several moves). Told by a man named Marlow (a recurring character for Conrad) Jim was a young man who sails off on a Merchant Ship as a crewman. Then something happens and he does something that he becomes ashamed of. He moves from job to job until he winds up on the island of Patusan where things start to work out for him. It doesn't last. Conrad isn't an easy read but, when I reread this, I kept seeing Peter O'Toole as the title character so it went well. It was OK.
It's the Memorial Day Weekend so stay safe. June, of course, is next and I just picked up an "Autobiography" that I'm looking forward to reading. And I just ordered a collection of essays - which will be a first for me.
Keep reading!
Miscellaneous
Billy Bathgate - E. L. Doctorow ($.50/ $5.95, copyright 1989, 484 pages, Paperback)
I was a big fan of Doctorow's "Ragtime" so I was happy to come across this at a Library Sale in Metuchen.This is the story of an aspiring young street tough's initiation into the dangers and excitment of the gangster life in The Bronx back in the '30's. Billy is a 15 year old who progresses from a hustler on street corners to mascot of the Dutch Schultz gang as they begin to fall apart. Doctorow paints a picture that includes both outbursts of murder,coldly planned executions, and a romance that - in my opinion - derails the book. Still, he does create some interesting characters and his vision of the time and place rings true. It was OK.
The Cat's Table - Michael Ondaatje ($.50, $15.00, copyright 2011, 269 pages, Trade Paperback)I was a big fan of Doctorow's "Ragtime" so I was happy to come across this at a Library Sale in Metuchen.This is the story of an aspiring young street tough's initiation into the dangers and excitment of the gangster life in The Bronx back in the '30's. Billy is a 15 year old who progresses from a hustler on street corners to mascot of the Dutch Schultz gang as they begin to fall apart. Doctorow paints a picture that includes both outbursts of murder,coldly planned executions, and a romance that - in my opinion - derails the book. Still, he does create some interesting characters and his vision of the time and place rings true. It was OK.
This is not the kind of book that I usually read but I came across it while browsing through the tables at a local Library Sale. It's a coming-of-age story. Michael was eleven years old when his family put him on a ship, the Oronsay, that would take him to England and his Mother. He's given a berth, a place to eat at the Cat's Table (the furthest away from the Captain's), and the freedom to roam the ship. He meets a lot of adults who will have an impact on his life but it's the two other young men - Ramadhin and Cassius - who he really bonds with. During the 21 day journey, the ship becomes a microcosm of the world at large - full of authority figures, thieves, teachers, dreamers, and a shackled, dangerous criminal. Ondaatje has a great way with words and has created some really interesting characters whose interactions make the book hard to put down. I enjoyed it.
Off The Shelf
I was going to post this month's Blog Entry last week but I happened to spot this on one of my shelves so I took the time to read it.
Lord Jim- Joseph Conrad ($1.95/$1.95, copyright 1899, 307 pages, Paperback)
I first read this novel back in the 1960's in the Signet Classic Edition which I've kept all these years (and through several moves). Told by a man named Marlow (a recurring character for Conrad) Jim was a young man who sails off on a Merchant Ship as a crewman. Then something happens and he does something that he becomes ashamed of. He moves from job to job until he winds up on the island of Patusan where things start to work out for him. It doesn't last. Conrad isn't an easy read but, when I reread this, I kept seeing Peter O'Toole as the title character so it went well. It was OK.
It's the Memorial Day Weekend so stay safe. June, of course, is next and I just picked up an "Autobiography" that I'm looking forward to reading. And I just ordered a collection of essays - which will be a first for me.
Keep reading!
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Chapter Eighty-three
So far, April has been pretty good to me. Sure, there were a couple of days early on when the car wouldn't start right up but - after I let her sit for an hour or so - she kicked in. We've had some family get-togethers for my Granddaughter's Birthday and Easter and there's definitely a warming trend going on (although that means my allergies kick in). I've also had the time to finish a few books.
Series
I've had this book in "The Pile" for - I'm guessing - over a year now and it just caught my attention again. Turns out, this is the 3rd in the Benjamin Weaver series, set in the early 1700's in London. He's a Private Inquiry Agent who's not above bending the law when it suits him. Here, he's coerced again into going to work for the British East India Company - the "Power Behind The Scenes" at the time. They want him to avenge the honor of one of their members who was set up in a game of chance. Of course, things don't go well. Intrigue follows and Weaver has to do what he has to do. Liss hits the mark on his descriptions of various areas in London and his characters ring true. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
The Poe Shadow - Matthew Pearl ( $15.00/$.50, copyright 2006, 364 pages, Trade Paperback)
I'm a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I had to pick this one up. The book is set in 1851 and the main character is a Baltimore attorney, Quentin Clark, who is an admirer of Poe's work. One day he reads in the paper that Poe has died in a Baltimore hospital, supposedly after a drinking binge. Clark refuses to believe that his hero died in such horrible terms, and starts to investigate the matter. In his investigation, he comes upon many puzzling questions over Poe's death. He first goes to Paris to find the real-life basis for Poe's famous detective, August Dupin, and comes back with two possible candidates. From there, the author ramps everything up. Pearl has created some really memorable characters and has done a great job of recreating the City of Baltimore of 1851. I enjoyed it.
As I finish this up, my bedroom window is open and the sun is still shining. I think I'll go across the street to Quick Chek for their Steak and Shredded Potato Bowl for supper. The week ahead looks good, weather-wise.
May is up next.
Keep reading!
Series
In The Shadows of Paris - Claude Izner ($14.99/$.50, copyright 2005, 326 pages, Trade Paperback)
I read the first book in this series several years ago and enjoyed it so, when I came across this, I had to pick it up. The main character, Victor Legris, is a book shop owner in Paris in the late 1800's. He involves himself in the death of a book binder who dies in a fire that Legris thinks is suspicious. There's a petty theft that leads to stock manipulation and, of course, a missing manuscript. Izner paints a great picture of Paris at the time but there are way too many characters to keep track of and it got confusing at times. It was OK.
The Devil's Company - David Liss ($15.00/$.50, copyright 2009, 369 pages, Trade Paperback)I read the first book in this series several years ago and enjoyed it so, when I came across this, I had to pick it up. The main character, Victor Legris, is a book shop owner in Paris in the late 1800's. He involves himself in the death of a book binder who dies in a fire that Legris thinks is suspicious. There's a petty theft that leads to stock manipulation and, of course, a missing manuscript. Izner paints a great picture of Paris at the time but there are way too many characters to keep track of and it got confusing at times. It was OK.
I've had this book in "The Pile" for - I'm guessing - over a year now and it just caught my attention again. Turns out, this is the 3rd in the Benjamin Weaver series, set in the early 1700's in London. He's a Private Inquiry Agent who's not above bending the law when it suits him. Here, he's coerced again into going to work for the British East India Company - the "Power Behind The Scenes" at the time. They want him to avenge the honor of one of their members who was set up in a game of chance. Of course, things don't go well. Intrigue follows and Weaver has to do what he has to do. Liss hits the mark on his descriptions of various areas in London and his characters ring true. I enjoyed it.
Miscellaneous
The Poe Shadow - Matthew Pearl ( $15.00/$.50, copyright 2006, 364 pages, Trade Paperback)
I'm a big fan of Edgar Allen Poe so I had to pick this one up. The book is set in 1851 and the main character is a Baltimore attorney, Quentin Clark, who is an admirer of Poe's work. One day he reads in the paper that Poe has died in a Baltimore hospital, supposedly after a drinking binge. Clark refuses to believe that his hero died in such horrible terms, and starts to investigate the matter. In his investigation, he comes upon many puzzling questions over Poe's death. He first goes to Paris to find the real-life basis for Poe's famous detective, August Dupin, and comes back with two possible candidates. From there, the author ramps everything up. Pearl has created some really memorable characters and has done a great job of recreating the City of Baltimore of 1851. I enjoyed it.
As I finish this up, my bedroom window is open and the sun is still shining. I think I'll go across the street to Quick Chek for their Steak and Shredded Potato Bowl for supper. The week ahead looks good, weather-wise.
May is up next.
Keep reading!
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Chapter Eighty-two
March has been a rough month for me. I had a stomach virus for several days early in the month. There was a snow storm and, although we only got about 4 inches and I cleaned off/dug out my car after it stopped, I wound up plowed in which iced over during the night. I had to wait a couple of days until my Son-in-law could come over to help me out. Now, because of the damp weather we've been having, my car hasn't started for the last 3 days. Since I've been home-bound, I passed the time with some old friends.
Off the shelf
Before I go into these I have a confession to make. I skimmed through these for a couple of reasons - they're unabridged editions and Dumas was getting paid for every chapter he could produce for the papers so there's a lot of padding. And, of course, I've read them several times before so I know what and where to skip.
The Three Musketeers - Alexander Dumas ($5.95/$5.95, Published 1994, 628 pages, Trade Paperback)
I'm guessing that you all know this story. D'Artagnan, a young Gascon, sets out for Paris to join the Musketeers. He runs into some trouble, actually winds up having to duel with our titular heroes - Athos, Porthos, and Aremis - and then joins forces with them to fight against the King's Guards. What follows is a little romance, some comedy, a trip to England to help out the Queen, and a lot of action. Still one of my favorites and I enjoyed it.
Twenty Years After - Alexander Dumas($12.95/$12.95, Published 1993, 788 pages, Trade Paperback)
At one point, Dumas found himself in some financial trouble so he went back to his most interesting characters, the Musketeers. He actually set it 20 years after what happened in that first adventure. Now, Athos is retired, D'Artagnan is a Captain, and Aramis is using Porthos in a plot to save King Charles of England from being decapitated. Of course, they all come together for another adventure. The characters are still clearly defined, the history - as far as I know - is accurate, and there's a great mix of drama and humor. I enjoyed it.
The Man In The Iron Mask -Alexander Dumas ($10.95/$10.95, Published 1991, 588 pages, Trade Paperback)
Eventually, Dumas wrote an ending to his Musketeers' saga known as "The Viscount De Bragelonne".He stretched this one out pretty well and it was eventually published here as three volumes - "The Viscount De Bragelonne" (which was interesting and dealt with Athos' son), "Louise De La Valliere" (which was boring), and "The Man in the Iron Mask" (which wraps up our story). Here - 10 years after the King Charles situation - Aramis is now in charge of the Jesuits and finds out that the current king of France, Louis IV, has a twin brother, Phillippe. That brother has been imprisoned for years because Louis was afraid of the kingdom being taken from him. As an extra precaution, Phillippe was forced to wear the iron mask. The friends come together again for different reasons and Dumas treats his characters well. He gives us some great dramatic scenes including some unexpected deaths. I enjoyed it.
Side Note:
my older brother, for Christmas one year, gave me a copy of "The Son of Porthos" supposedly by Alexandre Dumas. It's a Collins Pocket Classics volume with a sticker price of $5. I can't find a copyright or printing date but it's 345 pages and a very small Hardcover. I have tried reading this a few times but it doesn't ring true. I understand that Dumas had a stable of writers who filled in his ideas - kinda like, in my opinion, James Patterson and Stan Lee - and they tried to carry on after Dumas died. I don't think it worked out.
So, I know it's already Spring but I'm hoping that April feels more like it. I have some ideas for next month. Until then ...
Keep reading.
Off the shelf
Before I go into these I have a confession to make. I skimmed through these for a couple of reasons - they're unabridged editions and Dumas was getting paid for every chapter he could produce for the papers so there's a lot of padding. And, of course, I've read them several times before so I know what and where to skip.
The Three Musketeers - Alexander Dumas ($5.95/$5.95, Published 1994, 628 pages, Trade Paperback)
I'm guessing that you all know this story. D'Artagnan, a young Gascon, sets out for Paris to join the Musketeers. He runs into some trouble, actually winds up having to duel with our titular heroes - Athos, Porthos, and Aremis - and then joins forces with them to fight against the King's Guards. What follows is a little romance, some comedy, a trip to England to help out the Queen, and a lot of action. Still one of my favorites and I enjoyed it.
Twenty Years After - Alexander Dumas($12.95/$12.95, Published 1993, 788 pages, Trade Paperback)
At one point, Dumas found himself in some financial trouble so he went back to his most interesting characters, the Musketeers. He actually set it 20 years after what happened in that first adventure. Now, Athos is retired, D'Artagnan is a Captain, and Aramis is using Porthos in a plot to save King Charles of England from being decapitated. Of course, they all come together for another adventure. The characters are still clearly defined, the history - as far as I know - is accurate, and there's a great mix of drama and humor. I enjoyed it.
The Man In The Iron Mask -Alexander Dumas ($10.95/$10.95, Published 1991, 588 pages, Trade Paperback)
Eventually, Dumas wrote an ending to his Musketeers' saga known as "The Viscount De Bragelonne".He stretched this one out pretty well and it was eventually published here as three volumes - "The Viscount De Bragelonne" (which was interesting and dealt with Athos' son), "Louise De La Valliere" (which was boring), and "The Man in the Iron Mask" (which wraps up our story). Here - 10 years after the King Charles situation - Aramis is now in charge of the Jesuits and finds out that the current king of France, Louis IV, has a twin brother, Phillippe. That brother has been imprisoned for years because Louis was afraid of the kingdom being taken from him. As an extra precaution, Phillippe was forced to wear the iron mask. The friends come together again for different reasons and Dumas treats his characters well. He gives us some great dramatic scenes including some unexpected deaths. I enjoyed it.
Side Note:
my older brother, for Christmas one year, gave me a copy of "The Son of Porthos" supposedly by Alexandre Dumas. It's a Collins Pocket Classics volume with a sticker price of $5. I can't find a copyright or printing date but it's 345 pages and a very small Hardcover. I have tried reading this a few times but it doesn't ring true. I understand that Dumas had a stable of writers who filled in his ideas - kinda like, in my opinion, James Patterson and Stan Lee - and they tried to carry on after Dumas died. I don't think it worked out.
So, I know it's already Spring but I'm hoping that April feels more like it. I have some ideas for next month. Until then ...
Keep reading.
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