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epb Mendicant
Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 451
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mchicken is dejected. Cover of Rush's Seminal Album
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3835
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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Banned in China. |
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xavid is surprised at continuity. ≠√3
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 462
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:08 pm Post subject: |
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Look, the Chinese love zombies. They just need to replace the cover. |
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jaster is back in black Mod Emperor of Dune
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3084
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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I'm not even a book snob and I can't tell you how hard I disapprove. _________________ When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.
-Children of Dune, attributed to Louis Veuillot |
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epb Mendicant
Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 451
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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jaster wrote: | I'm not even a book snob and I can't tell you how hard I disapprove. |
I'm fine with it. It's all in good fun. What about 'Gatsby'? And that illustrated hipster bible? Also, it was the 19th century equivalent of a soap opera anyway... I think the zombies will be an improvement. |
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jaster is back in black Mod Emperor of Dune
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3084
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject: |
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epb wrote: | I'm fine with it. It's all in good fun. What about 'Gatsby'? And that illustrated hipster bible? |
I don't approve of any of that... these people need to come up with their own shit, and stop reducing it to the lowest common denominator... and then adding zombies.
We already have a 'Gatsby'... it's called The Great Gatsby. We alright have a 'hipster bible'... it's called The Bible.
Damnit people, pick up a real book. _________________ When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.
-Children of Dune, attributed to Louis Veuillot |
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mchicken is dejected. Cover of Rush's Seminal Album
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3835
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Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject: |
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Preferably not authored by Richard A. Knaak. |
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kallie is +2 Lifthrasir
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 1351
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:17 am Post subject: |
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I just don't get The Great Gatsby. It just isn't very good. Why does everyone love it so hard? |
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jaster is back in black Mod Emperor of Dune
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3084
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:38 am Post subject: |
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kallie wrote: | I just don't get The Great Gatsby. It just isn't very good. Why does everyone love it so hard? |
_________________ When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; when I am stronger than you, I take away your freedom because that is according to my principles.
-Children of Dune, attributed to Louis Veuillot |
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mchicken is dejected. Cover of Rush's Seminal Album
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3835
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:31 am Post subject: |
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kallie is +2 Lifthrasir
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 1351
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:02 am Post subject: |
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mchicken wrote: | |
Whatever. |
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mchicken is dejected. Cover of Rush's Seminal Album
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3835
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:13 am Post subject: |
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I just don't see how you can say it's not very good. It's well-written, tells an interesting story, and is widely considered one of the greatest English-language novels ever written. Even if you don't agree with the last part and don't feel very strongly about the second part, you can't realistically call it not very good. Just say you don't like it.
I think any book you read for class should get a pass when it comes to reviews. You're more inclined to hate them because people are trying to interpret them for you and all that. Like that English teacher that said the chapter title The Sun also referred to The Son, even though the book was a translation from French or whatever. Fight the power.
The Red Badge of Courage or The Heart of Darkness on the other hand...fuck those things. |
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kallie is +2 Lifthrasir
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 1351
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:25 am Post subject: |
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mchicken wrote: | I just don't see how you can say it's not very good. It's well-written, tells an interesting story, and is widely considered one of the greatest English-language novels ever written. Even if you don't agree with the last part and don't feel very strongly about the second part, you can't realistically call it not very good. Just say you don't like it.
I think any book you read for class should get a pass when it comes to reviews. You're more inclined to hate them because people are trying to interpret them for you and all that. Like that English teacher that said the chapter title The Sun also referred to The Son, even though the book was a translation from French or whatever. Fight the power.
The Red Badge of Courage or The Heart of Darkness on the other hand...fuck those things. |
I guess I just don't understand what 'well-written' means. I found the prose adequate, but uninspired. That would be fine if there was some fantastic message behind it, but materialism and moral corruption are so much an integral part of today that those whiny little themes don't really have anything to say about the present.
Basically, this is what I get from The Great Gatsby, is this:
F Scott Fitzgerald wrote: | Hey, there's this guy, and he's doing stuff. Please notice decadence here and here, moral corruption here, here, and here, and wanton materialism here. |
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mchicken is dejected. Cover of Rush's Seminal Album
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 3835
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Even if it doesn't have anything to say about today, and I completely disagree, that's not the point. Novels do not have to have modern thematic relevance to be good. Except (maybe) if they're written today. |
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kallie is +2 Lifthrasir
Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 1351
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:08 am Post subject: |
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mchicken wrote: | Novels do not have to have modern thematic relevance to be good. |
I agree. They could just be entertaining and well written, like Pride and Prejudice. But The Great Gatsby isn't either of those. |
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