OT: The Scarlet Letter

[pickandgrin]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

This made me snort.

I am a shameless book adulterer. I’m constantly cheating on one book with another. Polyamorous might be a good tongue in cheek term for this. That’s why I like book clubs. They force me to be monogamous for at least one month.

My only mode is many books at once, all the time, over years and years. My nightstand is an overpopulated merry-go-round. I have no recollection, ever, of reading one book at a time.

[tanya]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

"ThePrimeofMissJeanBrodieLastChildintheWoodsFather andIwereRanchersTheSchoolsweNeedandWhyweDon'tHaveT hemandtheoldtranslationofKristenamongotherthings" - I love this!

Tanya

[Aquila]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

This made me snort.

I am a shameless book adulterer. I’m constantly cheating on one book with another. Polyamorous might be a good tongue in cheek term for this. That’s why I like book clubs. They force me to be monogamous for at least one month.

I am blushing and covering the ears of my innocent books!

[Girlnumber20]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

I am blushing and covering the ears of my innocent books!

We need to give her a big "A" to wear.

[Anita]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

We need to give her a big "A" to wear.

HAAAAAAAAAAA! You guys are the BEST.

[Anita]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

III. The Recognition

(((((Y’all))))) Is anybody else at this point? It’s still pretty early on in the book. But ohhh... MY word! I’m dying. Dimmesdale is asking Hester to to confess her lover and she is refusing. (In frunna’-God-an’-Everybody.) And she’s already recognized the stranger in the crowd and his Indian friend. Some words come to mind: masterful, highly charged, ironic, deft, understated, spellbinding, frought.

Television and movies could take a few cues from Hawthorne. That’s all I’m saying.

LOVING this read.

[Anita]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

(Turning on Lights, speaking in a calm whisper)

Wake up, ladies. It’s almost time for our discussion of “The Scarlet Letter”. I know you’re tired, but this will give us exercise before all Christmas breaks loose. I’ve brewed fresh coffee for everyone. All the cups and additions are laid out, as well as a light breakfast. Come downstairs when you’ve had a chance to wake up a little.

See you in a bit!

[bean]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

YES! My husband and I both have beautiful nightstands... buried under towering piles of books. I finally slashed mine into a slightly smaller tower of three. Plus a kindle. I tried just one book but that didn’t last.

Guilty.

We just turned a blind eye at our library to some worthy classics. Technically they should have been weeded because they had only circulated once in 10 years...

Bean (who is getting bookshelves for Christmas after DH ventured into the school room the other day).

[pickandgrin]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

Oh Anita! I am having a hard time finding time. Holidays, you know. I am enjoying it though. If I can get out of The Customs House maybe I can gain some momentum. I did make the mistake of picking up another few books off the nightstand (whoops!). I'll try to get refocused but I'll definitely be late to the discussion.

[tanya]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

Skip "The Customs House." It goes on and on and isn't necessary to the story. Move on to the book, and if you want to go back and read "The Customs House," you can do it later.

Tanya

[pickandgrin]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

Ah yes!!! When Tanya says you can skip, you take her up on it!

[Girlnumber20]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

Ah yes!!! When Tanya says you can skip, you take her up on it!

I would love to join in, but sadly I probably won't be done in time.

[Anita]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

And I made coffee for you people.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1jSTiKHOFEI

[Girlnumber20]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

And I made coffee for you people.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1jSTiKHOFEI

Can I still have coffee if I only read the first little bit, but then, through no fault of my own, got distracted by reading "Man's Search for Meaning" and "Basic Math and Prealgebra for Dummies?"

[Anita]

Re: OT: The Scarlet Letter

Can I still have coffee if I only read the first little bit, but then, through no fault of my own, got distracted by reading "Man's Search for Meaning" and "Basic Math and Prealgebra for Dummies?"

“Man’s Search For Meaning”...? Maybe. That’s one of my MP Book Club suggestions. You will have read ahead. (Such a great book, btw.)

But Hawthorne will not be trumped by Pre-algebra! Not in my kitchen!

I know everyone is bonkers-busy — I completely understand. But truly, TSL is such a highly charged read, especially if you know in advance who the key players are. Hawthorne’s turn of phrase and his use of gothic irony are just masterful. He characterizes each person carefully, skillfully, and no one is exempt. And he is positively scathing in his critique of Puritanism. (Poor Hester Prynne; poor Arthur Dimmesdale.)

Confession: I am only about 4 hours in to the book proper. Audible says I have 30+ hours left. Chiilingsworth has just uncovered Dimmesdale’s breast while he’s sleeping in his study chair. I think I remember this being the point where I thought (back in high school when I first read TSL) that the book was basically complete. But then it went on and on ... and on. I wonder if that memory is justified. Guess we’ll find out!

(Pouty voice) Don’t worry, I’ll keep it to myself when I find out (sticks out tongue).