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Slow Read round 2
Okay, so with the polarisation between the two leading book choices for the Slow Read, I'm going to open things up for a vote. The polarisation means I'll also include a third book, and I'll be a bit arbitrary there, albeit based on general feedback.
Those in the running, based on the previous thread are:
Dune (first three books)
The Book of the New Sun
Moby Dick
Usual book club voting methods: 3 for a first choice, 2 for a second, 1 for a third choice (but where you're still taking part).
I'm going to be controversial with mine and go:
The Book of the New Sun 3
Dune 2
Moby Dick 1
Though I'm more interested in the last one than the place indicates!
Comments
Oooh. I'm totally down for any of these.
3: New Sun
2: Dune
1: Moby
Moby 3pts
New Sun 2pts
Dune 1pt
Dune 3
New Sun 2
Moby 1
Dune 3
The Book of the New Sun 2
Moby Dick 1
Dune 3
New Sun 2
Moby Dick 1
Not for the Dick lovers! I'd like to see a lot more Dick love in the next few votes!
Uhhhhhh.
Moby Dick
: 3 points
New Sun: 2 points
Dune: 1 point
Yay! I knew I could rely on you, @Michael_S_Miller
(does some quick calculations...16 for NS, 15 for Dune, 11 for Dick...)
Whoa - the Dick camp needs way more votes.
To be transparent, I'll do final totals on Thursday and then get organised!
Here's my vote:
3 Wolfe (Re-read all four books? Enthusiastic yes!)
2 Herbert (Dune is complete in and of itself and is the classic, so let's just read that--or maybe we should start with Dune Messiah and read through God Emperor. But none of the books after God-Emperor were anything to write home about, in my opinion)
1 Melville (I'd read it again but there's more appeal to the others)
Goddamn! Bill White!!!
Evidently Bill is here to make sure I fulfill my promise to him that I would give Dune another chance (by voting down the white whale)!
Bill "Ahab" White just harpooned the whale! And gave Book of the New Sun a boost over Dune. So you may not get to read either... for now. But both will be back - you can't kill a god!
Wait? Did I type this while drunk? I don't remember writing it. But what the hell...
Goddamn! Bill White!!!
No, but you are are a damn good butt typer, Ray!
I'm calling it...our next slow read will be Book of the New Sun. I hope we've built some enthusiasm here. It's very good, intricate, and rewards repeat reading. I also don't find it an especially "difficult" read. There is some deliberate use of archaic language for concepts to emphasise their age or alienness, but for me it really works.
Total votes: Book of the New Sun 19, Dune 17, Moby Dick 12
If you don't have it, and want to take part, the Book of the New Sun was originally four volumes: The Shadow of the Torturer, The Claw of the Conciliator, The Sword of the Lictor, and The Citadel of the Autarch. None of the individual volumes are particularly huge, and probably the easiest form to get hold of the Book of the New Sun is in the two SF Masterworks volumes: vol.1 Shadow and Claw, and vol.2 Sword and Citadel.
Boughted. Now whether I can stand reading it is entirely another proposition.
Now for the schedule. Can we do it on a Google Calendar like last time?
Google Calendar makes sense. I'll get planning; we should be able to start in about a week if that works for everyone.
Huh. Amazon offers the first half in Kindle format for $12 and the second half for $12, but the entire thing in one volume for $28. Evidently some "new math" at work there.
IIRC, the all in one volume includes a fifth book which is the sequel to the others.
Plenty of second-hand paperbacks available, especially the Fantasy Masterworks edition from 2000.
Once you factor in shipping, the paperbacks are more expensive, NeilNjae!
I am excited for this slow read. It's not hard but I think it's subtle; a lot is understated. Reading it slow will let me pick up stuff that I missed the previous times I read it (so long ago!)
Glad to have you with us,, @Bill_White ! How did you come to find us, anyway?
I think @Michael_S_Miller had something to do with it ;-)
@Bill_White and I have been gaming at conventions for 15 years or so. I've mentioned the book club a few times, particularly how great the LotR Slow Read was. Glad to have you aboard, Bill! I've just posted discussion questions for February's selection, LeGuin's The Tombs of Atuan. Even if you haven't read it in a while, you're welcome to join in.