| The Nigger of the Narcissus, Lord Jim, his short stories - try his biography as well; a fascinating man. Cheers, Transaltor
Lem Reader
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| Posts: 626 | Location: Maple, Ontario, Canada | Registered: 23 February 2004 |
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| Which is why it sometimes saddens me when people call him a racist and a bigot...apparently, the main character in Heart (just slipped my tongue) was too distanced from the African world, and by his description of the natives showed his assumed superiority and hence his true racist self. I had this argument not two weeks ago with a black fellow who wrote his entire 20 page essay on just that topic. Needless to say, I forcefully disagreed with him, and we had a most lively discussion about the late 19th century morality, misconceptions, the ability to feel compassion without superiority, and such things. I'm proud to say that he revised a large part of his essay, and added a few counterarguments to his thesis, which counterarguments he left unresolved (thus in favour of not calling Conrad a racist). I still think he was one of the most un-racist writers of his period, for the sole reason that he experianced over 20 years of sea voyage to some of the darkest places in the world. By the way, did you know he tried to commit suicide at 20? The bullet missed his heart, though. Lucky it did. Cheers, Translator
Lem Reader
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| Posts: 626 | Location: Maple, Ontario, Canada | Registered: 23 February 2004 |
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| I have so many books I am currently reading, the 4th Harry Potter book, re-reading "Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy" and various Dr Who books. Last book I finished was the 3rd Harry Potter book. Keep meaning to re-read 1984 by George Orwell. So that could be the next one on my list. Roxy641 quote: Originally posted by grasstains: Just thought I'd throw this out there to give each of us, mainly me, a chance to talk about ourselves.
What book are you reading currently? What book did you just finish? What book will you read next?
I'm reading "Rendezvous With Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke. Almost halfway and loving it. Just finished the "Foundation" trilogy by Isaac Asimov, and loved it. Next I'll tackle "Neuromancer" By William Gibson, because Mr.Dark loved it.
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| Posts: 1 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 11 August 2004 |
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| Beirut, But by quastioning the empirialist nature of his world, by writing in a most disgusted manner about the various injustices he saw in Africa, does he not prove himself to be racism-free (or at least as much as his white skin allows him to be)? Was there a possibility for him to be even less racist than he was (and that goes for Twain or Shakespeare)? Shake's Othello was heads above the white folk; that he was impulsive was simply his male characteristic, not a deficiency due to the colour of his skin. He was noble and proud, and loyal, which was hard to say about anybody else in that play. By portraying a moor as better than the whites, and showing that the whites hate Othello simply for being black, does not shakespeare aim to overthrow the notions of racism? Granted, he wasn't married to a black girl, nor did he try to emigrate to the dark continent, but wasn't he doing as much as he could given the restrain put upon him by his white society? Let me know what you think. Cheers, Translator
Lem Reader
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| Posts: 626 | Location: Maple, Ontario, Canada | Registered: 23 February 2004 |
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| omg means OH MY GOD!! my favorite story was THE SKELETON from October Country...omg that story is the best thing in the world and the most scariest thing i have EVER read. omg once i read it, at first i didnt understand but i knew there must be something there so when i re-read the last two paragraphs, it finally hit me, OMG!!!! it was like about 2 in the morning to, and i jumped out of my bed and started walking around the room and i couldnt even get back to bed, so i started walking around the house, increasing my pase, and thinking omg and then i couldnt even stay in the house so i had to go outside and start walking around in circles, like a mad-man. i couldnt go to sleep all night, i just stood up thinking, all night. RAY Bradbury if u ever read this, you are a genius. i dont know how u do it but YOU ARE a genius, i can't even believe man can write a story that keeps you up all night, are u human??? you are a genius ray bradbury!!
liz
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| Posts: 2 | Location: New York | Registered: 30 August 2004 |
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| i'm currentely reading From the dust returned but i often find that i'm confused with the plot and the characters. i haven't finished it yet though. but it seems good |
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