Reading the 20th Century discussion

For our December 2024 group read we invite you to nominate anything written in, or set in, the 1970s


Please supply the title, author, a brief synopsis, and anything else you'd like to mention about the book, and why you think it might make a good book to discuss.

Happy nominating

I'm going to nominate Them by Joyce Carol Oates. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Although it is described as the third novel in a series, it's completely stand alone. I've read the first few pages and loved it, but I've been absorbed in our other Group Reads and Buddy Reads and am looking forward to returning to it.

There are two editions available, the original written in 1970 and a later version with JCO's improvements. I'm sure both are wonderful.

Joyce Carol Oates' Wonderland Quartet comprises four remarkable novels that explore social class in America and the inner lives of young Americans. As powerful and relevant today as it on its initial publication, them chronicles the tumultuous lives of a family living on the edge of ruin in the Detroit slums, from the 1930s to the 1967 race riots. Praised by The Nation for her "potent, life-gripping imagination," Oates traces the aspirations and struggles of Loretta Wendall, a dreamy young mother who is filled with regret by the age of sixteen, and the subsequent destinies of her children, Maureen and Jules, who must fight to survive in a world of violence and danger.

Winner of the National Book Award, them is an enthralling novel about love, class, race, and the inhumanity of urban life. It is, raves The New York Times, "a superbly accomplished vision."

Thanks Ben - a great nomination

My nomination is...


The Honorary Consul (1973)

by

Graham Greene


You cannot go wrong with Greene. I don't think I have ever read this highly regarded novel from 1973 and, if I have, they are always just as good second, third, or fourth time round

A bungled kidnapping in Argentina? Could it be more 1970s?


The Honorary Consul is a British thriller novel by Graham Greene, published in 1973. It was one of the author's favourite works.

The gripping tragi-comedy of a bungled kidnapping in a provincial Argentinean town near the border with Paraguay

I was thinking of The Sea The Sea, but I think I'm going to suggest something different this time.

Jaws

Published 1974

For me, the 1970's often represent airport blockbusters. I know this does not have a December, winter vibe, but never mind.

It's never safe to go back in the water. Celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with 20 million copies sold, Peter Benchley's Jaws is the gripping pulp thriller that inspired Steven Spielberg's classic, blockbuster film adaptation.

It was just another day in the life of a small Atlantic resort until the terror from the deep came to prey on unwary holidaymakers. The first sign of trouble, a warning of what was to come, took the form of a young woman's body – or what was left of it – washed up on the long, white stretch of beach.

A summer of terror has begun . . .

Susan wrote: "I was thinking of The Sea The Sea, but I think I'm going to suggest something different this time.

Jaws"

Haha, we are thinking along the same lines as I was wondering about Carrie by Stephen King - it feels archetypal 1970s to me and I haven't read it. I also thought about The Stepford Wives.

It'll be Christmas so something a bit schlocky feels right! Let me check them out and I'll come back with a firm nomination.

There's a new edition of Carrie out - I brought it for my daughter. You are right, the Seventies have that feel for me too. I remember my mother buying huge paperbacks like Condominium, with bright, shiny covers, which I found very appealing as a child.

Yes, I just saw it, it's the 50 year anniversary as it was published 1974 - seals the deal for me!

I had wondered about Jackie Collins but the look inside for Carrie grabbed me immediately.

Sounds like it was meant to be.

Ok, I'm nominating Carrie by Stephen King for a groovy 1970s read:

A modern classic, Carrie introduced a distinctive new voice in American fiction -- Stephen King. The story of misunderstood high school girl Carrie White, her extraordinary telekinetic powers, and her violent rampage of revenge, remains one of the most barrier-breaking and shocking novels of all time.

Make a date with terror and live the nightmare that is...Carrie

Them doesn't seem to be in print. I am sure there are lots of second hand copies, but not on kindle in the UK and only second hand copies that I can find. Just thought I'd mention it, as it will be worth ordering early if it wins the vote and you want to read it.

I read Jaws as a child and loved it. I was quite big on novels that were made into films as a kid. I recall reading The Exorcist, Amityville Horror, The Choirboys, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, and doubtless many more.

I have never read anything by Stephen King. Not sure how this has happened as I have nothing against him and he is clearly the source material for so many great films.

One thing that I do find with reading books that have been made into successful films is that the imagery from the film dominates the experience. I had this when we read The Godfather. I have seen Carrie, the film, many times. Sissy Spacek is Carrie.

Ooh, Sissy Spacek - I love her! I need hardly say here that I've never seen the film of Carrie...

Thanks Susan. I was able to get a used copy through Amazon but I agree it’s not as readily available.

I remember so well listening to the radio as a student in the 1970s and later reading the book, I just have to nominate The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.

Suppose a good friend calmly told you over a round of drinks that the world was about to end? And suppose your friend went on to confess that he wasn't from around here at all, but rather from a small planet near Betelgeuse? And what if the world really did come to an end, but instead of being blown away, you found yourself hitching a ride on a spaceship with your buddy as a travelling companion?

It happens to Arthur Dent.

Arguably one of the most famous science fiction books ever written, A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a weapons-grade satire, riddled with metaphors, mainly for humanity’s failings. And at the time it was written, it broke through a new frontier for fiction by cleverly blending two genres: science fiction and comedy.

A radio play before it became a book, it is weird and wacky and a work of prescient genius, from one of the most extraordinary imaginations ever to be committed to paper.

Oh, I would LOVE to re-read Hitchhikers. I am sure there is a Backlisted episode about it too.

Ben, I am sure it is fine, I just had a quick look on Amazon to check availability.

50th Anniversary of Carrie and Jaws. I read Jaws when I was about ten, probably when the film came out and it was different. I have seen the film version of Carrie once, many years ago too but never read the book.

I don't know anything about Jaws (a giant shark?) or Hitchhikers! But they sound fun, I agree.

Hitchhikers has a cult following. I loved the radio shows - Episode 213 of Backlisted concentrated on the original radio shows, but I also read all the books as a teenager.

Nigeyb wrote: "I read Jaws as a child and loved it. I was quite big on novels that were made into films as a kid. I recall reading The Exorcist, Amityville Horror, The Choirboys, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, ..."

I've seen the film too and the remake. I liked the book although think The Shining is his best novel.

Roman Clodia wrote: "I don't know anything about Jaws (a giant shark?) or Hitchhikers! But they sound fun, I agree."

I've seen the film of 'Jaws' sort of corporate greed meets man vs. the elements. I was rooting for the shark.

I have never read Jaws or Carrie but have seen both movies several times each. I’d be interested to read both. JCO has long been a favourite and I haven’t read Them. I can’t remember much about The Honorary Consul and would gladly reread. So a win, win, win, win situation even if Hitchhiker doesn’t.

I liked the first TV series in (I think) the 1980s but didn’t watch the more recent one. I’d love to reread the book.

Nominations so far


Them by Joyce Carol Oates (Ben)
The Honorary Consul (1973) by Graham Greene (Nigeyb)
Jaws by Peter Benchley (Susan)
Carrie by Stephen King (Roman Clodia)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (SueLucie)

Will get the poll up tomorrow


24 hours left to nominate

Ok. so on the distaff theme, I'm going to nominate Crash.

Published in 1973 it `asks hard questons about technology and the darker aspects of human nature that may speak to us today . The opposite of a Cosy Christmas read but there you are ...

Crash is a novel by English author J. G. Ballard, first published in 1973 with cover designed by Bill Botten. It follows a group of car-crash fetishists who become sexually aroused by staging and participating in car accidents, inspired by the famous crashes of celebrities.

The novel was released to divided critical reception, with many reviewers horrified by its provocative content. It was adapted into a controversial 1996 film of the same name by David Cronenberg.

Throughout Crash I have used the car not only as a sexual image, but as a total metaphor for man's life in today's society. As such the novel has a political role quite apart from its sexual content, but I would still like to think that Crash is the first pornographic novel based on technology. In a sense, pornography is the most political form of fiction, dealing with how we use and exploit each other in the most urgent and ruthless way. Needless to say, the ultimate role of Crash is cautionary, a warning against that brutal, erotic and overlit realm that beckons more and more persuasively to us from the margins of the technological landscape.[5]
— J. G. Ballard, Crash

The novel received divided reviews when originally published. One publisher's reader returned the verdict "This author is beyond psychiatric help. Do Not Publish!"[8] A 1973 review in The New York Times was equally horrified: "Crash is, hands-down, the most repulsive book I've yet to come across."[9]

However, retrospective opinion now considers Crash to be one of Ballard's best and most challenging works. Reassessing Crash in The Guardian, Zadie Smith wrote, "Crash is an existential book about how everybody uses everything. How everything uses everybody. And yet it is not a hopeless vision." On Ballard's legacy, she writes: "In Ballard's work there is always this mix of futuristic dread and excitement, a sweet spot where dystopia and utopia converge. For we cannot say we haven't got precisely what we dreamed of, what we always wanted, so badly."[10]

Wow, that sounds interesting and provocative, Hester. You make me want to at least give it a try.

I remember the huge row about the film of Crash, but don't think I knew it was based on a book.

I haven't seen the film Judy ....too brutalised as a teenager by Deliverance and Straw Dogs ....I'm going to guess this book is pretty brutal too ...I'm interested in the creative pathways people take whose lives were devastated by war . Ballard chose the Outsider route and his comments on fiction are interesting : his " fiction" being destroyed in a few days in Shanghai .

I didn't see the film either, Hester, but I just remember there was a big row about it and calls for it to be banned.

I’ve read the book and seen the film


The film is a tough watch

I love a bit of Ballard. Read all his novels. Great choice

Polls up...



https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/3...



Nominations

Them by Joyce Carol Oates (Ben)
The Honorary Consul (1973) by Graham Greene (Nigeyb)
Jaws by Peter Benchley (Susan)
Carrie by Stephen King (Roman Clodia)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (SueLucie)
Crash by J.G. Ballard (Hester)

So many books I'd happily read this month ...

Your poll link works, Nigeyb, but it's not showing under the poll menu at the group head - do you need to tick something?

There is a checkbox for that, and moderators can edit the poll.

Hugh wrote: "There is a checkbox for that, and moderators can edit the poll."

I wouldn't dare! I shall leave it in Nigeys capable hands 😉

Apologies


The box is now ticked and it's showing on the Group page too

#youcantgetthestaff

Hester wrote: "Ok. so on the distaff theme, I'm going to nominate Crash.

Published in 1973 it `asks hard questons about technology and the darker aspects of human nature that may speak to us today ..."

I thought the film was really gripping and wonderfully perverse but I quite like Cronenberg even if his take on women is a bit iffy, he does love squishy things and bodies and/or squished bodies.

Is Hitchhikers like Terry Pratchett?

Roman Clodia wrote: "Is Hitchhikers like Terry Pratchett?"

I've heard of it but that's it, but never tried any Pratchett either. People keep telling me I should because apparently he's similar to Wodehouse.

I've tried Pratchett but didn't really gel with him - nothing like Wodehouse in my view.

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've tried Pratchett but didn't really gel with him - nothing like Wodehouse in my view."

Great I'll go on avoiding him in that case! The last thing I need is another prolific author cluttering up my ridiculously long tbr list. Plus other than Wodehouse/Benson/things like Three Men in a Boat and Diary of a Nobody, humour in fiction rarely works for me.

I don't respond well to humorous books either with honourable exceptions in Wodehouse and Benson - I can read them endlessly.

I read Hitchhiker's Guide years ago. And I started a re-read, also a couple of years ago. It dragged a little more the second time, since I don't think I finished it. I believe there are 3 or possibly 4 books in the series.

I think the first time I read it was around the time PBS had the show - 1981.

Haven't re-read for a long while, so this will be the perfect excuse as it looks as though it will win. Looking forward to it.

We have a winner


It’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy


See you in December


Thanks to you all for getting involved