What Are You Reading

[NorthernBloke]

There was also the Massacre of Verden and the felling of Irminsul committed against the Saxons by Charlemagne, then there were the northern crusades later on which forcibly converted the rest of Europe.

I'm personally more of an agnostic, and take a more Socratic view that being that I don't know if there is a god or gods, but I don't outright deny them as a possibility either.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I'm personally more of an agnostic, and take a more Socratic view that being that I don't know if there is a god or gods, but I don't outright deny them as a possibility either.

Fair enough. That was my official posture for many years. I knocked on all the doors and asked all the questions. One day, however, I felt I could no longer perpetually straddle the philosophical fence. I had to choose. And that involved new territory: heart felt investment. It was frightening but worth it.

 

[Rusty Dog]

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. I think I read it many years ago but as I was reading I may have been mistaken as it really surprised me, so it's been a real delight to delve into Le Carre. Excellent book.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Well, you have heard the phrase “Even the devil reads the scriptures.” I now have the comeback: “And, certainly, God has read Faust.”

I just finished Faust by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. It was published in 2 parts, with part one published in 1806 and part two in 1831. Goethe had an amazing career, published a large number of works, was a high government official in Weimar, wrote scientific papers, spoke several languages, etc. He’s often called the last renaissance man. For our purpose, he is also said to be the German equivalent of Shakespeare.
i am (at the moment) very enthusiastic about Faust. Be forewarned: it is a long epic poem in German; specifically it’s written in play form. I read the Walter Kaufmann translation with the original German on one side, and the English translation on the facing page. (In part my enjoyment was because I’m a bit of a German language geek, without claiming great skill.). So, it’s a challenging book, but well worth it.

What I liked is the way Goethe tells a story, and wisdom and pithiness rise out of it organically. As you read, it’s you who start asking profound questions, they are not forced on you. As you know, the story is essentially about a disillusioned professor who wants access to wisdom and experience. He makes a deal with the devil. The devil makes him young again and starts by helping Faust fall in love. Faust and Mephistopheles, the devil, play off each other. Faust is a romantic who wants all things to be possible. Mephistopheles is a wise-cracking cynic about human nature. The book of Job comes up early.

So, what issues does the book raise? Many. Questions about the nature of responsibility and good & evil and the possibility of redemption. Questions about guilt and innocence. Is the existence of evil a part of Gods plan? Can evil doers be saved if they had good intentions? And what does being “saved” even mean, if you are nonetheless tormented by guilt and shame at 3:00 in the morning? Are men and women trapped by their biology? What about love and “the eternal feminine”? Questions about progress and industrialization are raised.

“So long as man is striving, he will be making errors.”
”But he who continues to strive, him can we save.”

Great book. Often overlooked due to the language aspect and the poetry. Five stars. Rightly considered to be a great classic of western civ. I’ll stop now.

 

[Fading Fast]

Well, you have heard the phrase “Even the devil reads the scriptures.” I now have the comeback: “And, certainly, God has read Faust.”

I just finished Faust by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. It was published in 2 parts, with part one published in 1806 and part two in 1831. Goethe had an amazing career, published a large number of works, was a high government official in Weimar, wrote scientific papers, spoke several languages, etc. He’s often called the last renaissance man. For our purpose, he is also said to be the German equivalent of Shakespeare.
i am (at the moment) very enthusiastic about Faust. Be forewarned: it is a long epic poem in German; specifically it’s written in play form. I read the Walter Kaufmann translation with the original German on one side, and the English translation on the facing page. (In part my enjoyment was because I’m a bit of a German language geek, without claiming great skill.). So, it’s a challenging book, but well worth it.

What I liked is the way Goethe tells a story, and wisdom and pithiness rise out of it organically. As you read, it’s you who start asking profound questions, they are not forced on you. As you know, the story is essentially about a disillusioned professor who wants access to wisdom and experience. He makes a deal with the devil. The devil makes him young again and starts by helping Faust fall in love. Faust and Mephistopheles, the devil, play off each other. Faust is a romantic who wants all things to be possible. Mephistopheles is a wise-cracking cynic about human nature. The book of Job comes up early.

So, what issues does the book raise? Many. Questions about the nature of responsibility and good & evil and the possibility of redemption. Questions about guilt and innocence. Is the existence of evil a part of Gods plan? Can evil doers be saved if they had good intentions? And what does being “saved” even mean, if you are nonetheless tormented by guilt and shame at 3:00 in the morning? Are men and women trapped by their biology? What about love and “the eternal feminine”? Questions about progress and industrialization are raised.

“So long as man is striving, he will be making errors.”
”But he who continues to strive, him can we save.”

Great book. Often overlooked due to the language aspect and the poetry. Five stars. Rightly considered to be a great classic of western civ. I’ll stop now.

Outstanding review. Thank you for taking the time to write it. Oh, and I'm not feeling proud now as I'm currently reading "The Saint Plays with Fire," by Leslie Charteris (a "touch" less deep than Goethe).

 

[Tiki Tom]

Just back from the used bookstore. Love that place! For just $10, I bought a hardback that will give me several weeks of thoughtful enjoyment. What a deal!

Am diving into Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. It is supposedly one of the greats of English literature… plus I’ll get things from a female perspective for a change. It’s been on my list for awhile. Saw it. Grabbed it. Will let you know if it’s any good!

 

[Fading Fast]

Just back from the used bookstore. Love that place! For just $10, I bought a hardback that will give me several weeks of thoughtful enjoyment. What a deal!

Am diving into Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. It is supposedly one of the greats of English literature… plus I’ll get things from a female perspective for a change. It’s been on my list for awhile. Saw it. Grabbed it. Will let you know if it’s any good!

I read it many years ago. Gripping tale, but it's pretty dark. That said, enjoy – it's a very well written story.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Stendhal - "The Charterhouse of Parma" is still good, but sometimes irritating, because of the many figures and places.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I’ve said this before. I read the Charterhouse of Parma several years ago. I remember it as being a good novel. But (probably says more about me than the book) my main specific recollection of the book is that I questioned the protagonist’s close relationship with his aunt. It had a faintly scandalous whiff to it.

Edit: aha! Looked it up. I was not imagining it!

The Charterhouse of Parma
, the relationship between Fabrizio del Dongoand his aunt, Gina Pietranera (later the Duchess of Sanseverina), is central to the novel's plot and themes. Their bond is characterized by a complex mix of maternal protection, political partnership, and unrequited romantic obsession.

 

[Trenchfriend]

The Charterhouse of Parma
, the relationship between Fabrizio del Dongoand his aunt, Gina Pietranera (later the Duchess of Sanseverina), is central to the novel's plot and themes.

Funnily, the 6. chapter starts with pointing that out.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I read it many years ago. Gripping tale, but it's pretty dark. That said, enjoy – it's a very well written story.

Yes, Jane Eyre is off to a dark start. Could the Victorian era really have been that cruel and bleak? To me, it almost reads like a parody. Yet, somewhere I read that a lot of it is loosely based on Charlotte Brontë’s experiences. I’m enjoying Jane’s plucky and rebellious nature. And it is well written and enjoyable to read. On page 70 of 500.

 

[Fading Fast]

Yes, Jane Eyre is off to a dark start. Could the Victorian era really have been that cruel and bleak? To me, it almost reads like a parody. Yet, somewhere I read that a lot of it is loosely based on Charlotte Brontë’s experiences. I’m enjoying Jane’s plucky and rebellious nature. And it is well written and enjoyable to read. On page 70 of 500.

I am no expert, but I think there were parts of and places in Victorian England that were that cruel, but it wasn't universal.

Regardless, it's an outstanding read - enjoy. I look forward to any updates and, of course, your final thoughts about it.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Finished 7. chapter of "The Charterhouse of Parma" (1839). It thematises the relationship between Fabrizio and aunt Gina much more.

 

[Trenchfriend]

And I like, that the Lago di Como and Lago Maggiore are playing a role.

 

[Trenchfriend]

Finished 12. chapter. Still good, not boring. But like I said, too many figures, too many places.

 

[Aladeen's magic carpet]

currently reading the Stand by Stephen King, for those of you questioning gods existence, your answer is within these pages, definitely a recommended read especially if you reminisce sweetly about the pandemic

 

[Trenchfriend]

Finished Part I, page 285 of 739 of The Charterhouse of Parma. What a "roadmovie"! Let's see, what the next part will bring.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Holy smokes. This is shocking:

https://nypost.com/2026/02/07/us-ne...ation-officially-dubbed-dumber-than-the-last/

My advice: Read the classics. Start a regimen of religiously burrowing your way through a big fat book from a previous century. Commit to 12 pages a day and you will be surprised how quickly you burn through anything. I won’t go into the many benefits of reading the classics, but there are many. Put down your phone!!!

 

[Kulak545]

Fall of hyperion

 

[Fading Fast]

Holy smokes. This is shocking:

https://nypost.com/2026/02/07/us-ne...ation-officially-dubbed-dumber-than-the-last/

My advice: Read the classics. Start a regimen of religiously burrowing your way through a big fat book from a previous century. Commit to 12 pages a day and you will be surprised how quickly you burn through anything. I won’t go into the many benefits of reading the classics, but there are many. Put down your phone!!!

I love this line, “I’m not anti-tech. I’m pro-rigor."

Also, I agree with your plan - commit to even a modest amount of reading and it's amazing the amount of wood you will chop.