Jenn’s Comments (group member since Dec 05, 2011)

Jenn’s comments from the Reading the Classics group.

Here is the reading schedule, as well as the schedule for when I will post new discussions for each book in the series. I have lengthened the series reading time, allowing two weeks per book, with the discussion posted in the middle.

The Magician's Nephew - March 1-14 (discussion posted March 6)
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - March 15-28 (discussion posted March 20
The Horse and His Boy - March 29-April 11 (discussion posted April 3)
Prince Caspian - April 12-25 (discussion posted April 17)
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - April 26-May 9 (discussion posted May 1)
The Silver Chair - May 10-23 (discussion posted May 15)
The Last Battle - May 24-June 6 (discussion posted May 29)

The first book in The Chronicles of Narnia is The Magician's Nephew.

If you have read all of the books in the series, this one is probably the least exciting. But I feel like it is important to read to understand how Narnia came to be. Digory and Polly use a magic ring to take them to a place where they are allowed to enter into different worlds. They encounter the evil Jadis in one world. After spending some time back in England, they end up going to the world that will become Narnia, but they get there just as it is being created.

I'm not sure how comfortable people are bringing religion in, but it is hard to miss the Christian undertones in the entire series. If everyone is okay, I will probably comment on them throughout our Narnia discussions. This book specifically symbolizes the biblical creation story found in Genesis.

We only have one nomination for March. I will extend the nomination time so we can get more suggestions, and we can plan our next read to start mid-March and go through April.

L_Gail wrote: "I agree it is a mystery why our protagonist so readily “stands by her man””

Perhaps this is consistent with her personality, even after she matures a bit.

I am curios why Mrs Danvers is so obsess..."

I think I can see why Maxim wouldn't be able to erase Rebecca from the house. It is the same reason he is away from the house so much, before his second marriage and after. He feels guilt for the death of Rebecca. And he fears discovery. This is the same reason why he refuses to talk about Rebecca.

I also feel like the reason he had a hard time showing affection to the narrator, is because he didn't feel worthy of her love. He felt that if she knew his secret, she would hate him for it.

Darshana wrote: "I'm trying to catch up. Just finished chapter 7. Her writing style is brilliant — bleak, haunted and very vivid. I keep thinking that this is what would've happened if Jane Eyre did not run away to..."

I do see a lot of similarities to Jane Eyre in this. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, so I'm interested to see a connection.

Sorry I am late posting this, again. Please discuss the final section of reading of Rebecca, chapters 21 through to the end.

This really is a quick book, but so interesting. The ending intrigues me. The first time I read this, I was convinced Rebecca was pregnant, and that is what she was hiding. I did not expect her to have cancer. Now, as I read it again, you can see the hints that she was dealing with something other than pregnancy.

And the fire at the end, who do you think started it?

Sorry, this is late in being posted. Hopefully everyone has continued reading. Please discuss chapters 17-20 here.

Welcome to week 2 of reading Rebecca. This week we are reading and discussing chapters 8-16.

Time to nominate our March group read. Remember our group rules for a classic to be at least 50 years old. Also, please keep page counts to around 500 or less. Larger books are designated for our Quarterly Doorstoppers.

I look forward to some good choices for March!

This discussion thread is less about the book, but how it compares to tv and movie adaptations. The most well known adaptation is the 1985 mini-series starring Megan Follows. I watched this one countless times as a child and have always loved it.
There was a TBS movie in 2016 that I have never seen. And I believe the newest adaptation is Netflix's Anne With an E, with has received both praise and criticism. I have watched a few episodes of it with mixed feelings.

What do you think of these adaptations? Which ones have you seen? Are there others? Which one is the best? The worst?

Honestly, I haven't been able to start my reread yet, since I am still waiting on the audiobook from Libby. So my memory from previous reads may be off. I don't actually remember if she does say she is traveling with her husband or if I just know from finishing the book. Sorry if I gave a spoiler away!

Let's discuss this beloved children's book here. I've decided to make a single discussion thread for the entire book.

This starts as a story within a story, where our heroine is traveling through Europe with her husband. She is remembering Manderley in flashbacks and begins telling her story.

One thing I have always found interesting with this story is that we never learn the first name of our heroine.

I love this book so much. I have read it several times. Sorry this is up late, but I hope you have started your reading. Here is the discussion for chapters 1-7.

Sorry this is so late in coming.

Here is the reading schedule.

February 1-7 Chapters 1-7
February 8-14 Chapters 8-16
February 15-21 Chapters 17-20
February 22-28 Chapters 21-27

Hello all! I hope you are all keeping up with the reading! This week we will discuss chapters 29-35.

Sorry this is a day late! I'm a little behind in my reading, but I'm hoping to catch up this week. Please discuss chapters 22-28 here.

I hope you are all enjoying this book so far!

L_Gail wrote: "Are we to limit ourselves to one suggestion?"

I believe that is how the poll works, sorry!

This week we will read and discuss chapters 12-21 of Don Quixote. I look forward to more discussion of our noble knight and his comedic adventures.

I am really enjoying this book so far. I'm starting chapter 5 now. Quixote is hilarious, and I love how everyone he encounters looks at him like he is insane, and he doesn't even notice since he is so caught up in his fantasy. It was great how the innkeeper played along so well with dubbing him a knight. I loved that scene!