Reading Wednesday is all about the me me me meme

[larryhammer]

Yanno, this meme is dangerous: I haven't made a single entry in my reading journal since starting it -- I've been noting everything down in a file for posting instead.

What I've recently finished since my last post:

Frontier Wolf by Rosemary Sutcliff, the third (by internal chronology) of the Eagle of the Ninth books, or whatever that series is called. A good adventure story set between the Hadrian and Antonine in 342, at the furthest remaining fortification outside the Roman frontier. I especially like how Sutcliff makes the protagonist's final test be the same as the one he failed in the beginning, only with the answer reversed -- subtle plotting within what is otherwise a fairly simple story structure. Recommended.

Sayonara Piano Sonata v1-2 by Hikaru Sugii: on the one hand, there are a few typical and annoying light novel tics plus an eye-roll-worthy trope straight outta melodrama -- on the other, it deploys them in service of geeking out about classical music and western rock, in between the teen angsting. Hmmm. The title, btw, refers to Beethoven's #26, which I approve of. I'm willing to continue on, but not actually recommend the series yet.

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikô v3-5 by Hitoshi Ashinano at the relaxed pace of a couple chapters a day, mirroring the series tone. Which is funny, as I always expected my next reread would be a one-day binge. Ha.

What I'm reading now:

The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff, the second Eagle book, this one set in 294 during Britain's temporary breakaway from the rest of the empire. Not as well-written as Frontier Wolf, though, and not quite as interesting a story despite the lure of 3rd-century espionage techniques. Almost done -- I think I have a chapter left, maybe two.

Plus continuing Poly-Olbion by Michael Drayton -- now up to "song" 11. I confess I found large parts of Wales something of a slog, and am hoping to find the midlands a bit more light-footed. BTW, cycling back to the question of whether Elizabethan women went topless, in the fourth song we are shown a convocation of river nymphs who all, as part of dressing up for the event, "Lay forth their amorous breasts unto the public view, / Enamiling the white, with veines that were as blew." I cannot help thinking, though, that it's not the breasts that are amorous, but the poet -- male gaze, much?

Also, still reading No. 6 v3 by Atsuko Asano (I got slightly distracted) and, slowly, The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse.

And then there's two stutter-started:

• The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas -- even though Dumas was a master of historical adventure, he is not grabbing my interest with despite the intriguing possibilities in the intersections of tulip mania and the restoration of the House of Orange. Possibly because so far there's been more intrigue than adventure.
• Police at the Funeral by Margery Allingham, the fourth Campion mystery. Also meh, which is odd for a cozy from a big name of the Golden Age.

Neither is officially DNF, but that may change after a couple more chapters if I'm still apathetic (or don't touch 'em for another week).

What I'll read next:

The next volumes of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikô and Sayonara Piano Sonata v3, probably, plus Kokoro Connect volume 2 is waving its hand for my attention. And when I need another volume of poetry, Grierson's Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the Seventeenth Century.

---L.

Comments

[klwilliams.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...I was just looking at the "Eagle of the Ninth" books on my shelf the other day. May be time for a re-read.

[larryhammer]

It's always time for Roman Britain.

---L.

[oracne.livejournal.com]

Yay Sutcliff! I have a couple in my TBR - I came to the books as an adult, through my friend Ann.

[larryhammer]

Ditto, about coming to her as an adult.

---L.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

I trust you'll be moving on the The Lantern Bearers, if you haven't already read it - certainly the best apart from Eagle of the Ninth; arguably the best altogether.

Sometimes, of course, clothes can be a form of nakedness...

Upon a Bed of Roses she was laid,
As faint through Heat, or dight to pleasant Sin,
And was array'd, or rather disarray'd,
All in a Veil of Silk and Silver thin,
That hid no whit her Alablaster Skin,
But rather shew'd more white, if more might be:
More subtile Web Arachne cannot spin,
Nor the fine Nets, which oft we woven see
Of scorched Dew, do not in th' Air more lightly flee.

Her snowy Breast was bare to ready Spoil
Of hungry Eyes, which n'ote therewith be fill'd...

[larryhammer]

The Lantern Bearers will be next, ja -- depends on when my library request goes through.

Spenser does some hot writing, betimes.

---L.

[jennifergale.livejournal.com]

Oooh, ooh! Question, question!

I have a number of Sutcliff's books but haven't read them yet. Too late! My 8 year old is gobbling books faster than I can keep up...

So! In your opinion, are her books appropriate for an 8 year old? She can handle tough friendship themes, but she doesn't know facts of life type stuff yet. Parenting-wise, I'm somewhere between Reading About Big Battles is fine and Ugh But She Can't Read the Fourth Potter Book Yet It's Too Traumatic.

[larryhammer]

There's not much in the way of romance (let alone sex) in them. They are more adventure and intrigue oriented, often in a military context but rarely with large battles or major character death. If she can handle The Jungle Book and Kim, you could try her on The Eagle of the Ninth and see how she handles it -- if that's good, the rest should be too, I think.

---L.

[jennifergale.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Ty, L. :)

[larryhammer]

NP

[crookedfeet.livejournal.com]

Police at the Funeral is one of my least favorite Campion novels. Pearls Before Swine is much better in my opinion, as is Traitor's Purse.

[larryhammer]

That's worth knowing. Thanks.

---L.