British Invasion.. with a side of Nebraska
I always wonder if I was switched last minute at birth and was born in the US by a rushed routing error. I have strong like for many things Japanese and British; spelling and being on the left side of walk ways being two examples.
In terms of reading, consuming Arthurian legends, talk of the moors, and any discussion of daily British life are what I enjoy. I really lucked out with two recent finishes:
Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit
by Mercedes Lackey
I have a weakness for Mercedes Lackey’s writing. Among many reasons, I feel her women are strong clear through. This was a delightful quick read that shows a young woman making choices that are against the gender norm and excelling brilliantly. It was different and fresh to me. It’s been a few years since my last Arthur tale, so my mind may be as fuzzy as time, but I enjoyed it.
I purchased a copy of Middlemarch at Strand several years ago for the compelling reasons that it was cheap and thick. I (with my Computer Science undergraduate degree) was quite clueless as to Eliot and her place in literature. It took me a while to pull it off the shelf and when I nudged myself by adding in audio recording by LibriVox so I could be more multi-tasking, I fell hard for the characters and the writing. As with other classics I’ve read recently I’m sure that some critical analysis can be done and I’d be a richer writer for the experience. Right now I’m unable to devote the proper time to that endeavor so I’ll leave myself with the happy feeling of a well enjoyed read.
I also have a strong affinity for all things Laura. Therefor I’m not sure why it took so long for My Ántonia to come up on my reading radar screen, though I’m really happy I did.
I meant to read this last year when we were out in Nebraska for a few days, but it didn’t happen then. I’m not sure what sparked me to actually plunge in now, but I’m happy I did. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and found I enjoyed the entire ride. Cather’s writing is detailed yet not verbose. All the characters fit together and I was surprised how quickly I became involved in the story and wanted to find out what came next. I’m sure there’s is quite a bit of critical analysis one can do, and I may come back and attempt it, as I feel I could learn a good bit of writing from a deeper examination. Now I’m left with that warm happy feeling after finishing a good book.
(I read and listened to this title as a mix of audio book, ebook, and as a traditional/real book depending on where I was and what I was doing. It was a multimedia fun time.)
… I have many thoughts on reading and readers and writing and the process and the past, present, and future but those thoughts will need to mature some more as they are even rawer than what you read here. But I leave you with two hints as to one topic I may discuss in the near future.
Reader interactions
2 Replies to “British Invasion.. with a side of Nebraska”
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Ooh, thanks for the Lackey tip! I love Arthurian stories.
I am shocked. You read and loved something I remember sludging through in school? We read My Antonia (how *do* you get the accent marks typed?) in 10th grade Honors English, and I remember nothing beyond the teacher’s correction of our pronunciation (accent on the *marked* syllable!).
And here I thought our reading interests were so similar. I may need to reread some day, after I’ve finished the latest Lackey (you enabler, you!) and something for my son’s teacher.