As I've noted in a previous post, this September in particular is an overly busy one for me--not of my choosing. So I've got to capture reading moments and cling to them for dear life!
Because I'm determined to read and finish Mansfield Park this month, I must move forward with serious intent on Saturday and Sunday this weekend--not to the exclusion of outdoor activities, by any means. I guess I'm saying I need to make use of every bit of spare time this weekend that I can to move forward in MP, because it is, after all, I think, Jane Austen's longest book, at about 420 dense pages. Determined to finish it this month for James's Read-along of James Reads Books (see sidebar).
So far I'm finding it a bit of a challenge, as far as themes are concerned. And I do enjoy and feel rewarded by tackling the challenge. More to come on this topic as I read along! I highly recommend this novel, based on the first 60 pages. Such complexity!
THUS! Because MP is dense, I must have another less complex book going, and I've grabbed Sue Grafton's N is for Noose, which is proving to be just the light-hearted private detective sort of thing. For those of you who know me, it's amazing that I haven't picked up a Grafton novel in 19 months!! In this one, Lindsay is stuck in the fictional Lake Nota in the middle of the Yosemite region. It's not a happy place where she's working either, which is typical for Lindsay. In any case, the mystery is excellent fodder for that half-hour before falling asleep.
Top 5:Books:Books I meant to read in 2024
12 hours ago
I think Mansfield Park is the only JA I haven't read and I honeslty don't know why that is. I've certainly enjoyed the various dramatisations I've seen, especially the 1999 one with Jonny Lee Miller.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying the story and the challenge. I'm only 60 pages in, but the writing and the concepts are a bit more difficult than in Pride and Prejudice or in Northanger Abbey, for example. But it's definitely worth the trouble. My only hang-up is this: Can I finish by the end of the month? I'll just have to do the best I can and hope (?) for some sleepless nights!
DeleteI'd love to see the film when I've finished because I've heard a great deal about it.
I've still never read a Sue Grafton novel--sounds like a good airplane book.
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying Mansfield Park--it gets a bad rap but I find it very enjoyable. Mrs. Norris is definitely a nasty piece of work--poor Fanny.
Hi Jane,
DeleteI do recommend that you give Grafton a try--I know it's not everyone's taste, but I find Lindsay Millhone's brand of quirkiness marvelous. She's not into the usual feminine trappings. No time or taste for make-up, lives on a shoestring, doesn't mind spending a night in her car, minimal attention to attire, full of really snarky comments on the people she runs into. They're not intended to meanness, they're just spot-on for her somewhat cynical point of view on humanity and life. A good catch!
As for Mansfield Park--I'm finding it to be so absorbing, in part because I have to concentrate so hard on it to fully catch the nuances. It's an amazing book. I would tend to agree with Jane Austen that it is her best book.