The Curse of Pedro Páramo

Guadalupana · Foro Master

RE: The Curse of Pedro Páramo

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Guadalupana wrote:

Guadalupana wrote:

Well, i picked up:
Paula by Isabel Allende
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
The tin Drum by Gunter Grass

So i returned most of the books.
Yep, i started with lolita, and i just could not get myself into the book. To have man talk about a 12 year old the way he did, made me feel uneasy. The book is just not for everyone.

Paula--i didn't finish either, i was getting bored.

Labyrinths---i think i got the wrong book! it was full of notes, i could not get into it!!!!

Now my last hope is the Tin Drum----so far, not too bad.

I have two more books on the way by Gabriel G. Marquez...geez i need GOOD literature!!!

Oh, no, no, no... please don't think that about this book. I've had this argument in the past so I will just copy and paste my opinion about Lolita here.

I feel that in no way is the book vulgar or condemnable. It is by no means equal to any story of child abuse that you might read about in the paper these days. Many may argue that these are not the times for simulated pedophilia when there is so much real pedophilia in the world. However, in Nabokov's Pale Fire you will find the following excerpt: "[...] reality is neither the subject nor the object of true art which creates its own special reality having nothing to do with the average "reality" perceived by the communal eye." I think that thought is appropriate here.

This story of the "love affair" between a mature man and a pubescent girl is at times comical but always tragic, full of ambiguety and madness. A forbidden relationship in today's society and certainly Nabokov and his narrator know that such a relationship is wrong. Humbert Humbert is aware that he is a monster, a "brute". He may well be just that but he is also a man tortured by memories of his lost adolescent love. In his eyes, Lolita becomes the "reincarnation" of that lost lover. His one and only love before him once again, so close and so real that he can reach out and touch her -pardon the pun. His human obsession with Lolita suffocates him. He is constantly struggling against his conscience. For me professor Humbert is a character worthy of compassion.

I don't believe that Humbert Humbert is a "pedophile" in the full extent of the word. He is a man too old or not young enough to be in love with this girl but without a doubt he is in love with Lolita. He is not just a mature man attracted to young girls. The language he employs to describe her carries such beauty, poignance and poetry. It is moving and memorable in every aspect. Nowhere in the book will you find obscenity; nowhere an encouragement for pedophilia or incest.

Nabokov, coincidentally, was born the same day as Shakespeare and Cervantes. Like these two virtuosos of language, Nabokov's mastery of the English language is superb, even more so if you consider that it is not his mother tongue. Lolita is plagued with puns and literary allusions. To read Nabokov is to indulge yourself in literary richness throughout its passages. Few times has English been so gracefully written. It seems ironic that non English readers have discovered this book's worth with so much of Nabokov's wittiness and skill lost in translation.

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Guadalupana wrote:

Well, i picked up:
Paula by Isabel Allende
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
The tin Drum by Gunter Grass

So i returned most of the books.
Yep, i started with lolita, and i just could not get myself into the book. To have man talk about a 12 year old the way he did, made me feel uneasy. The book is just not for everyone.

Paula--i didn't finish either, i was getting bored.

Labyrinths---i think i got the wrong book!

it was full of notes, i could not get into it!!!!

Now my last hope is the Tin Drum----so far, not too bad.

I have two more books on the way by Gabriel G. Marquez...geez i need GOOD literature!!!

TV Buff · TOP Guru

The curse is broken!!!

It's a good thing I had something to do on such a friggin' cald weekend. It was a nice, easy read. Not one of my top ten of all time, but it was nice. I give it 6 extreme cald weather alerts out of 10. :brrrr:

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Why don't u read Bitter Grounds again?

Fine. I agree with you. This might not be literature at its best, but I rather read Alvarez than Diane Gabbaldon or whatever her name is. I've started the book and it's not bad. Good for such a nothing-to-do-too-cold-to-go-out Saturday afternoon. So far, so good.

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

TV Buff wrote:

LaDyBuG wrote:
This thread is about "PI"...ok?? LOL

Yes, it's about Pi not Kake.

So I ended up going with Julia Alvarez, 'cause after Pedro Páramo I wanted to ease back into the world of literature. I did request two heavy hitters, though, so Lahti, I'll let you know how that goes.

Chale: Quit it with a Fine Balance. That book is not only boring, it's heavy and it broke my back!

Why don't u read Bitter Grounds again?

TV Buff · TOP Guru

LaDyBuG wrote:
This thread is about "PI"...ok?? LOL

Yes, it's about Pi not Kake.

So I ended up going with Julia Alvarez, 'cause after Pedro Páramo I wanted to ease back into the world of literature. I did request two heavy hitters, though, so Lahti, I'll let you know how that goes.

Chale: Quit it with a Fine Balance. That book is not only boring, it's heavy and it broke my back!

LaDyBuG · Comandante

Guadalupana wrote:
Oh and i make killer of the following: apple pie, cheese cake, carrot cake, banana cake. Well, they must be since my guinea pig are still alive.

This thread is about "PI"...ok?? LOL

Guadalupana · Foro Master

LaDyBuG wrote:

@ PHANTA

You read??????? LOL

.....ohh and for the record I like Apple Pi....

That's what i thought too!
Oh and i make killer of the following: apple pie, cheese cake, carrot cake, banana cake. Well, they must be since my guinea pig are still alive.

LaDyBuG · Comandante

@ BUFFY

What was wrong with the Pedro Paramo book exactly?

@ PHANTA

You read??????? LOL

.....ohh and for the record I like Apple Pi....

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Phantasma wrote:

TV Buff wrote:
Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

If you liked that, you should check out the Kite runner. For some reason I think of one when I think of the other. There's absolutely no similarities between them, except they're both books, but you should read it anyway. If anything, just because I said so.

Kite runner u say??? hmmm.... I like kites, or piscuchas as we used to call em.... any more info? like whats the book about?

Google the book man! Or read the reviews on it in Amazon! Lazy!

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Gringa Lahtina wrote:

Phantasma wrote:
I read that book.... so weird with all the people who are dead or not dead. and that part where that lady is married to her brother... so weird

Yeah, ewwwww. But then again I like books that have some sort of sicko sexual story tied in there, it's always a nice surprise - hihihihihi. That's one of the things I like about A Hundred Years - Rebeca and Jose Arcadio (Hot!) The Tin Drum (hot!)

@ Buffy: I don't go by recommendations anymore. Sometimes you just discover really great books on your own. I'm reading one called The Dwarf right now. I only started reading it because I'm writing an essay on dwarfism and what do you know, I'm really liking it. But... I don't recommend it.

I can't wait to get to the other books i borrowed!
Anyway, i got the books from a list named "The top 100 books of all time"

http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,6109,711520,00.html

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

I liked Life of Pi too, but i felt it dragged at some parts. When i finished i said "finally!" But it was good.
Not sure if you've read "The curious incident of the dog in the night-time" by Mark Haddon. But i'd recommend that one too.

Chale Tanga · TOP Guru

TV Buff wrote:

Oh, no!!! You're one of Pepe's witches with a b now???

Luna & Chale: Corruptoras de already-corrupted foro members!!!

world domination/corruption here we come!

@Phanta: The Kite Runner licks donkey anus. I'd rather scratch my balls than waste my time reading that.

@ Buffy: Kite Runner was allllright up until the end. Sooooooo predictable. (rolling eyes)
I just finished reading a collection of stories by Kafka.... very nice
I recommend him, or even "A Fine Balance"... awesome choices!

Phantasma · TOP Guru

Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Phantasma wrote:
well not really... he named him that on purpose. It is weird that the other 2 happened to work out the way they did tho.
Yeah, yeah... I knew that. But yeah... fascinating! How was the book, anyway? I kinda feel like reading Poe's original.

I mean, yeah, not "original" of Life of Pi but the one where Richard Parker comes into the scene.

-- Edited by Gringa Lahtina at 15:58, 2007-02-01

It was really good.. very light hearted by u know satisfing nontheless... kinda like a good lunch. man, Im hungry... I should go get some soup

Motown Junkie · TOP Guru

TV Buff wrote:
Isn't Richard Parker Superman? Or Superman's alter ego?

and BTW, pi... I like pi, especially pecan pi.

MJ, all yours.

Too easy!!!!

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Phantasma wrote:
well not really... he named him that on purpose. It is weird that the other 2 happened to work out the way they did tho.

Yeah, yeah... I knew that. But yeah... fascinating! How was the book, anyway? I kinda feel like reading Poe's original.

I mean, yeah, not "original" of Life of Pi but the one where Richard Parker comes into the scene.

-- Edited by Gringa Lahtina at 15:58, 2007-02-01

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Phantasma wrote:
TV Buff wrote:
Isn't Richard Parker Superman? Or Superman's alter ego?

and BTW, pi... I like pi, especially pecan pi.

MJ, all yours.

mmmm no.... thats Clark Kent... PETER Parker is SpiderMan's secret identity

Tomatoes, tomahtoes...

Phantasma · TOP Guru

TV Buff wrote:
Isn't Richard Parker Superman? Or Superman's alter ego?

and BTW, pi... I like pi, especially pecan pi.

MJ, all yours.

mmmm no.... thats Clark Kent... PETER Parker is SpiderMan's secret identity

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Isn't Richard Parker Superman? Or Superman's alter ego?

and BTW, pi...

I like pi, especially pecan pi.

MJ, all yours.

Phantasma · TOP Guru

Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Phantasma wrote:
Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

Oh oh... I know something about Richard Parker. Do you know what I know about Richard Parker? It's very interesting. :wide-eyed:

I know tons of things about Richard Parker. Including the other 2 Richard Parkers before Martel's one. what do u know?

Yeah, yeah... I think we're on the same page. Sea - lost - chomp? If yes, weird, no?

well not really... he named him that on purpose. It is weird that the other 2 happened to work out the way they did tho.

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Phantasma wrote:
Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

Oh oh... I know something about Richard Parker. Do you know what I know about Richard Parker? It's very interesting. :wide-eyed:

I know tons of things about Richard Parker. Including the other 2 Richard Parkers before Martel's one. what do u know?

Yeah, yeah... I think we're on the same page. Sea - lost - chomp? If yes, weird, no?

Phantasma · TOP Guru

Gringa Lahtina wrote:
Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

Oh oh... I know something about Richard Parker. Do you know what I know about Richard Parker? It's very interesting. :wide-eyed:

I know tons of things about Richard Parker. Including the other 2 Richard Parkers before Martel's one. what do u know?

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

Oh oh... I know something about Richard Parker. Do you know what I know about Richard Parker? It's very interesting. :wide-eyed:

Phantasma · TOP Guru

TV Buff wrote:
Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

If you liked that, you should check out the Kite runner. For some reason I think of one when I think of the other. There's absolutely no similarities between them, except they're both books, but you should read it anyway. If anything, just because I said so.

Kite runner u say??? hmmm.... I like kites, or piscuchas as we used to call em.... any more info? like whats the book about?

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Phantasma wrote:

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

If you liked that, you should check out the Kite runner. For some reason I think of one when I think of the other. There's absolutely no similarities between them, except they're both books, but you should read it anyway. If anything, just because I said so.

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Gringa Lahtina wrote:
@ Buffy: I don't go by recommendations anymore. Sometimes you just discover really great books on your own. I'm reading one called The Dwarf right now. I only started reading it because I'm writing an essay on dwarfism and what do you know, I'm really liking it. But... I don't recommend it.

Oh, no!!! You're one of Pepe's witches with a b now???

Luna & Chale: Corruptoras de already-corrupted foro members!!!

Phantasma · TOP Guru

I just finished reading "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel and I love it... so funny and full of deep symbolism.. kept me up trying to figure out what the meanings

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Phantasma wrote:
I read that book.... so weird with all the people who are dead or not dead. and that part where that lady is married to her brother... so weird

Yeah, ewwwww. But then again I like books that have some sort of sicko sexual story tied in there, it's always a nice surprise - hihihihihi. That's one of the things I like about A Hundred Years - Rebeca and Jose Arcadio (Hot!) The Tin Drum (hot!)

@ Buffy: I don't go by recommendations anymore. Sometimes you just discover really great books on your own. I'm reading one called The Dwarf right now. I only started reading it because I'm writing an essay on dwarfism and what do you know, I'm really liking it. But... I don't recommend it.

Phantasma · TOP Guru

I read that book.... so weird with all the people who are dead or not dead. and that part where that lady is married to her brother... so weird

TV Buff · TOP Guru

@ Buffy... I don't know that much about Cuba, think again. I am not Go Fish.
What's this about Pedro Páramo? I didn't read the entire message. Oh and... even MM got it! Ugh, u really do suck.

NOW I feel bad...

Really? He got it? I get it that everybody was dead... I eventually got that. Was I supposed to get it AND like it? Or can I get and not like it.

aaaanyway, I just copied Guada's list, and I'll hit the library tomorrow. You two seem to share that dark taste in books, so I don't know. I'll see for myself.

Gringa Lahtina · Guru

Guadalupana wrote:
Well, i picked up:
Paula by Isabel Allende
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges
The tin Drum by Gunter Grass

Aaaaaah! and finally you have chosen books that I actually like! From those I really like Lolita - sigh Lolita. The Tin Drum is kinda hot in some parts but it forever ruined my unagi experience. - not as in ashamed but as in barf! Borges is a master!

@ Buffy... I don't know that much about Cuba, think again. I am not Go Fish.

What's this about Pedro Páramo? I didn't read the entire message. Oh and... even MM got it! Ugh, u really do suck.

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Guadalupana wrote:
Dogo wrote:
One that's NOT cursed

Look, if you're going to make mongoloid remarks, STAY OUT!

How's that Buffy?

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Dogo wrote:
One that's NOT cursed

Look, if you're going to make mongoloid remarks, STAY OUT!

How's that Buffy?

Dogo · Comandante

TV Buff wrote:
Dogo wrote:
One that's NOT cursed

Guada?

No. Dogo.... duh!

TV Buff · TOP Guru

Dogo wrote:
One that's NOT cursed

Guada?

Guadalupana · Foro Master

Well, i picked up:

Paula by Isabel Allende

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

The tin Drum by Gunter Grass

Dogo · Comandante

One that's NOT cursed

TV Buff · TOP Guru

I haven't read a book since I TRIED reading that book!!! It just put me off literature altogether. It's been almost four months and there hasn't been ONE BOOK that I've felt like reading. I know that gringa lahtina or go fish or whatever nick she goes by nowadays is not gonna like this, but I think that book was cursed!!!

In any case, I'm going to the library tomorrow to try to break the curse, so any good books I should try to get? Anybody?