Comments for Book Rhapsody

Comment on Sometimes, you just don’t get it – The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:02:06 +0000

I agree. It is still a lovely read whether the reader grasped everything or not.

Comment on The Classics Club Monthly Meme: June 2013 by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:00:40 +0000

This is one great work that is worth reading and listening. Some books are just that beautiful.

Comment on Sometimes, you just don’t get it – The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes by Nish

Nish — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:20:02 +0000

I love your take on this book. I read it once, came up to the ending, and was like huh, and I read it again. Still not entirely sure I understood what happened.

But, it’s a lovely book with some really lovely writing and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Comment on The Classics Club Monthly Meme: June 2013 by Nish

Nish — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:59:19 +0000

That’s an awesome opening line. It does seem very seductive (and obsessive and depressive), and I can imagine it feels doubly so when read aloud by Jeremy Irons.

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:23:44 +0000

I haven’t heard of them but I will keep them in my mental list. Thanks!

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by juneautumn

juneautumn — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:28:49 +0000

Hi!
You might want to check out Harry Mulisch or Connie Palmen… both dutch authors who write very philosophical fiction. I used to love them, although it was not always easy. Guess its time to read them again :-)

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 05:01:07 +0000

Nice one, Mommy L. I think that looking too closely at philosophy is a manifestation of over-intellectualizing stuff that makes one fail to see the immediate realities before him or her.

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by Louize

Louize — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 03:41:28 +0000

Yes, it can. Whether it will work or not depends on the reader. Like me, I can grasp a little of analogism, cynicism, ethics, and humanitarianism. In your term, it would be practical philosophy. Anything beyond that will make my brain bleed. For me, it’s like – Aren’t we thinking too much already? Do we really need more to add to that? Besides, I believe that looking closely at philosophy clouds our view of other people. So, it’s safer if it is approached through fiction. We have the option to believe it or not.

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:32:33 +0000

Great post, olivershiny. I particularly like the last line, although I am still not sure what to think about the importance of metaphor in philosophy (because until now, I mostly consider metaphor as a figure of speech).

Comment on Can a novel be both fictional and philosophical? by Angus Miranda

Angus Miranda — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:28:53 +0000

It’s actually what I’d call “practical philosophy” so I think it wouldn’t have a lot of appeal for JL (hello there!). It’s a really fun book, and I think it helps that I am taking a slow, measured pace in reading it.