Classics and the Western Canon discussion

As a group, we're still feeling our way into what level of reading activity works best, but based on various comments, here's what I propose for a reading schedule for DQ. I hope that readers with less time will still be able to keep up the pace, while readers with more time will have an opportunity to discuss ancillary works and sources.
(I can't figure out how to do nice spacing in these posts.)

Week 1....Jul 1- 7.....Part 1, Prologue - Ch. 17
Week 2....Jul 8-14.....Part 1, Ch. 18-27
Week 3....Jul 15-21....Part 1, Ch. 28-41
Week 4....Jul 22-28....Part 1, Ch. 42-52
Week 5....July 29-Aug 4...Reflective on Part 1
Week 6....Aug 5-11....Part 2, Prologue - Ch. 16
Week 7....Aug 12-18....Part 2, Ch. 17-33
Week 8....Aug 18-25....Part 2, Ch. 34-50
Week 9....Aug 26-Sep 1...Part 2, Ch. 51-74
Week 10...Sep 2-8......Reflective on Part 2 and whole book

I will set up a topic for posting on each week/section. Posting about a section may begin on the first day of that section. That is, it is expected that Starting July 1, you will either have read through Chapter 17, or if you read posts in that section you will expect to be exposed to spoilers about that section. Future sections will cover the book through the end of that section (that is, the Week 2 topic will cover anything through Chapter 27. Please do NOT post spoilers for content past the designated chapter.

Everyman wrote: "As a group, we're still feeling our way into what level of reading activity works best, but based on various comments, here's what I propose for a reading schedule for DQ. I hope that readers with..."

Excellent plan!

Great plan :)

Looks good to me. I just started DQ today. The intro in the Grossman translation by Harold Bloom is very good. He compares Quixote to Hamlet, Sancho to Falstaff. Doesn't mention Lear.

I thought Cervantes' Prologue was hilarious! Question: Do I have to read the poems?
GerryC

i wouldn't mind reading it more slowly. i just ordered it from barnes and noble because i decided it was just too long to read it online but i could begin it that way if it doesn't come quickly.

Patrice wrote: "I really hate to disagree right from the start but personally, I would think that a chapter a day would be plenty. ..."

I'm willing to go with the group decision, but at a chapter a day it would take 18 weeks, which would take us into November -- I frankly doubt that the group would hold together that long on one book.

I realize that it's impossible to find a schedule which is perfect for everybody, so I tried to find one which would work for as many as possible. Let's try it and see -- if after two or three weeks too many people are overwhelmed and falling behind, we can easily adjust the schedule.

P.S. I got a chance to do some reading this afternoon (unusual for me, my afternoons are usually spent in the shop, but I had another commitment early in the afternoon and never got there; usually evening s my reading time), and in about 45 minutes reading not slowly but with some care, read the prologue and first four chapters quite comfortably. That may change as we get into the book, but that's my very early experience.

That seems fine to me. I have already read about 1/3 of the book and it is a fast read for me because once I pick it up I have a hard time putting it down because I am so busy laughing I don't want to stop. I am SO GLAD this book was suggested. It has inspired me to write a poem that maybe I will share with you all in the near future.

I will be posting the first discussion topics for DQ sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening.

I'll post a thread for each week's reading. Then we should have some threads for topics/themes that run through the book and will be up for discussion (without spoilers!) as we read through the book. However, without in any way wanting to reduce interest or the scope of discussion, I've found that it's generally not productive to have TOO many topics going, so before posting a new topic please take a moment to make sure it really is an ongoing topic and that it's broad enough to sustain a healthy discussion. (For example, a topic on "Sancho Panza" would be very apt, but one on "Sancho's response to DQ getting knocked off his horse" would be pretty limited.)

One other thing: some groups open quite early a topic for those who've finished the book. I generally think this is a bad idea, because it's not really fair to those who are reading generally according to the schedule. If a few people finish the book very early they may start and finish a fascinating discussion before those reading along have gotten to where they could join the discussion, and so they get left out. Does this make sense??

As always, though, this group belongs to the members, not to me; I'm just the instigator; you all are the force and the power. So I can be overruled in any of this is that's were people want to go. What we're here for is not arguments over structure or process, but a really great discussion of a really great book. So whatever makes that happen is what should happen!

Sounds good to me!

Schedule suits me. Thanks for the structure.

I agree with Patrice. Though I had to skip the discussion on Oedipus, I am thoroughly looking forward to participating in the DQ discussion, and I very much like the pace you have set and the guidelines you have laid down.

Several posters have noted that they are bit behind in the reading.

I note first that the threads will all remain open indefinitely for posting and discussion, though interest in DQ will probably wane over time as we move on to new books. More important, though, is to note that we have a "breather" week between the last chapters of Book One and the start of Book Two which I hope will give those who need it ample time to get caught up.

Happy reading!