I Read Therefore I Am discussion

Tomorrow the Guardian is going to start revealing in a weekly essay it's choice of the 100 best weekly classics starting with the pilgrims progress - here is a link to the blog describing the whys and wherefores of the project
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

I think this is a really interesting idea and will try and remember to post a link to each weeks essay.

This looks really interesting. I don't get a daily paper as it's too far to the nearest shop to go on a daily basis just for that so I do hope that access through the web is possible. I've never read a pilgrims progress although I feel as though I should have.

I read it a couple of years ago - and it's amazing how many of the phrases are familiar - though not so very long ago many British people, at least, used to know whole chunks of it by heart. I've read alot of collections of diary entries and letters from WW1 and it's amazing how many times A Pilgrims Progress is quoted.

1. The Pilgrims Progress
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

Had no idea about the Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry connection.

Very interesting - am enjoying reading all the snarky comments underneath as much as the article! Haven't read Pilgrim's Progress so can't really agree or not with it's placing 1st on the list but it's certainly been very influential.

I intended to read the Harold Fry novel but now feel I should perhaps read A Pilgrims Progress first. The comments were very interesting, it certainly seems to generate polarised opinions.

Didn't read the comments before - amazing how outraged people get and how quick to take ( and give) offence!

I know - they get so worked up! It's only a list...

And they get so personal too!

2. Robinson Crusoe- Daniel Defoe

http://www.theguardian.com/books/poll...

This is one of those books that I've been meaning to read for ages but keep shying away from -so many lists of best books (including Boxhalls I think) include it - I really must try it at least.

Another one I haven't read - although it'll probably come out of Lee's random generator thingumajig eventually!

Another one I read in my youth. I enjoyed reading the article in the Guardian I never knew anything about Daniel Defoe. I love the fact that he added the De to improve his social standing.

mmmmmmm Katie Deprice?

3. Gullivers Travels - Johnathan Swift

http://www.theguardian.com/books/poll...

Read this years ago and didn't really like it - This article has persuaded me that I should try it again

Well this review is a real surprise. I read this as a child and although I have read it since, and accept all the theories of satire etc., I simply can't see it like that. I see it as a child does as a really good adventure that Gulliver gets into. But this is old news. The surprise was that there are four parts! I have never come across parts three and four and I'm 99% certain they are not in, or even mentioned in, the edition I have. I'm away from home at the moment but must check as soon as I get back.

Do you know, now you come to mention it, I don't remember the flying island or the return home either - the article does say that there were 2 original versions published , one of which was heavily cut, but you wouldn't have thought quite so much was taken out as all that.

Ha ha, if this was an exam I would fail - yet another one I haven't read! I have obviously missed this period out completely and gone straight from medieval times to the C19th ;)

4.Clarissa - Samuel Richardson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmciuK...

This is one book that I've never fancied reading - it's so very long for a start and the plot outline is deeply unattractive. This article does it's best, but it hasn't changed my mind.

You really confused me there Lee. The link is to the Night mail not the Guardian!!!!

Here's the link:

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

Thanks Laurel - sorry for the confusion - My head is very Mondayish today :o)

No worries :)

4. Tom Jones - Henry Fielding
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

This is lurking on my kindle somewhere - it sounds much more my cup of tea than Clarissa.

6. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

Yay! I've read this one. I enjoyed it though I found it slightly hard work. It's one big rambling, amusing and occasionally frustrating digression.

I've just caught up with these! I've read Tom Jones and really enjoyed it but not Tristram Shandy. These guardian pieces are really interesting. Thanks for posting them, Lee.

7. Emma - Jane Austen

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

I've tried, but never managed to read this book - I just don't like the heroine. Also, while I like Jane Austen - I wouldn't go as far as saying her books are the best ever written - I'm more of a Bronte and Dickens girl.

I'm with you Lee. Austen is very readable but I'd put the Brontes way ahead of her and although I'm personally not a huge Dickens fan, him too. I think Austen is very one dimensional.

Yay!!! One I've actually read yippee! But yeah I prefer the Bronte's and Dickens too, they tell much better stories with a lot more depth ;)

I wish a was so well read that I could join the debate, but unfortunately not! It's something for me to reflect on though when I start to get into some of these classics.

8. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

I've read this twice - the 2nd time to try and work out what I missed the 1st time- but I just don't like it very much. the story is marvellous - but I find the telling of it a bit dry and dull. I much prefer the Boris Karloff films and the book of Dracula.

I've read this a couple of times as well Lee but a very long time ago. I seem to remember being quite affected emotionally by it, but that could be because I was young and impressionable!

I think it merits being included in the list for the effect it's had on literature, films and popular culture in general. You don't even have to have read it to know what someone means when they say the word 'Frankenstein' even if a lot of people nowadays probably think that's the name of the monster rather than the monster's creator. I enjoyed it but it's been ages since I read it- might be due for a re-read!

I got this app a while back http://www.inklestudios.com/frankenstein
- the creators have chopped up Frankensteins Narrative so it's kind of like he's talking to you - you get a chunk of the story and then it gives you a choice of 3 or 4 questions to ask, at which point you get another chunk of narrative depending on which question you went for and so on.
I haven't looked at it properly yet but it seems quite fun - might liven up the book for me.

9. Nightmare Abbey by Thomas Love Peacock
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

I haven't read this - but spookily I recently downloaded the works of Thomas Love Peacock on to my Kindle

I've never even heard of him!

Heard of it but haven't read yet, not doing so well with this list :(

10. The narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket- Edgar Allan Poe

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

I don't think that I knew that Mr Poe had written any novels - I must see if I can find this on amazon - it sounds very intriguing

Me neither, I thought he was just short stories but this sounds a bit like Moby Dick sort of thing and I love Moby Dick.

Another item in my TBR mountain

Have just read the guardian link and I have to get this book!! The story of Moby Dick was based on a true story of the whaler The Essex (you may know this of course) in 2000 Nathanial Philbrick, now there's a good Nantucket name, published In The Heart of The Sea which tells the story of what befell the Essex and her crew. Its a fascinating book.