"but how about MB being "recondite" or "periphrastic"? Happy now?"

No.

"Turgid"

Ed, really. It's one of the finest novels in the English language and there's never been a better study of trauma induced obsession, quite apart from its brilliant evocation of pre-industrial whaling (a vanished way of life that will be forever fresh in the minds of everyone who's ever read MB, thanks to Melville)

..you shut your mouth, how can you say, I go about things the wrong way..

Remember I warned you.

Indy - The plot of MB is easy to understand, but the book was exceedingly difficult to get into (for me at least). I'm not sure why that is (actually I do, but that's what we've been arguing about ). Remember that reading material is highly subjective, and sometimes literature just doesn't "click" for some people. Eg. "The Power of One"; it's a decent enough work, but is not an exciting novel; many would disagree though.

Jag - Duly noted .

@Taw,

OK Taw, I confess that as Melville was assigned reading for me, I chafed at the notion. Additionally, however, your comment on the value of the book was not, in the least, the way in which the literature professors of that time "pushed" it. I would have allowed the value as you presented it but, instead, the tweed jacket set here wanted to put a lot of those.... Freudian.... meanings and interpretations into it.

At that point, of course, yours truly fell asleep at the wheel, shall we say? Never enjoyed reading ever since. My mind has been poisoned to the extent that now, I cringe at the thought of even trying to look something up in it. Last I recall, I threw out the paperback I had of it.

Indy - That's be right; you take a chunk out of me for criticising MB, and then you tell us that you have been scarred for life by being forced to read it!

On the contrary. I contested your reason for not liking it. I did not find it verbose. I did find many other faults with it instead.

faults which it seems are not so much faults as they are prejudices derived from your dreadful introduction to it. Your teachers have a lot to answer for.

Similarly I feel much the same way about Jane Austen or anything Bronte; I can't abide them, not for their own merits but for the way I was forced to read them in a turgid rote manner and discuss dull accepted interpretations. Now years later I realsied that they are highly detailed evocations of late 18/early 19 C life against the backdrop of endless wars with France, but i still couldn't (and still cant) read them without being bored and annoyed. But I will accept that is purely my own prejudice based upon unpleasant childhood experiences.

Austen, Bronte. Must confess never having read them. I was caught up in being a "guy" so to speak. Those were girlie books... as opposed to girlie magazines . Couldn't touch them for fear of losing a bit of masculinity in the process.

Your point on Melville is well taken. I have since gravitated more to the later 19th and 20th century novelists. Although, in truth, I am more of a short or shorter story fan (slow reader). If it weren't for Hemmingway, I could have been estranged from literature altogether.

There is a degree of maturity one needs to really appreciate what the greats have to offer and I was rather lacking in that department when I was younger.

Of all things, the one "older" piece that probably was the very first try at reclaiming my interest was: Portrait of a Lady

......talk about being ripe for being labelled turgid...

<Edit>

Then again, you are quite the omnivore....

Edited by - Indy11 on 5/22/2004 8:08:27 AM

Indy - Fine, have it your way, but I still think that it is verbose .

well im reading war and peace, just over half way through ( i think ) and its taken me near 3 years to get there

Notice that this thread is bigger than the one he posted the fanfic topic in ....

Yeah, I noticed and am laughing my head off about it too. The ironic thing is I actually understood this entire conversation (scary huh). But then I have worked my way through the science fiction sections of two libraries (the interesting books anyway), including all the branches.

For what we are about to receive may we all be truly thankful. - Ancient Navy Saying

No, the truly amazing thing is that we are still technically on topic after all of these posts .

Now, continue to stay on topic or else... *makes throat-slitting gesture*.