(no subject)

[nigeltde]

Just finished reading Maurice, by EM Forster. I feel a bit odd about it; it has a happy ending at all, which almost surprised me considering when it was written (1913/14, although it was published after EMF's death, at his request, in the 70s). But I didn't really buy the ending and especially the character of Alec. With all the time spent building up Maruice's and Clive's relationship, that was OMGSOPURE yet ultimately catastrophically doomed, it felt weird for Alec and Maruice to be so happilyeverafter after knowing each other for like three chapters, most of that consisting of sex and potential blackmail. I didn't really care about Alec and I'm probably missing something but one of Maurice's more constant characteristics (and he really does define 'vacillating') is a snobbish attention to class and that wasn't really dealt with to my satisfaction in relation to jumping into bed with the help.

Forster's prose style is choppy but somehow quite fluid and it's very easy to read. What I found most interesting though was that he it TOALLY MERCILESS when it comes to his characters; while I didn't really care about Alec he was probably the most conventionally likeable character, blackmail and all. EVERYONE is stupid or arrogant or boring or just plain silly. Maurice is all four, to one extent or another. Which doesn't mean I hate him, hell, I'm all four to some extent myself, but wow. But it's really odd and quite funny to see everyone picked on so much by the author. All in all, quite engaging, most especially as a period piece. Plus, I always adore a Cambridge setting, there's something so English and repressed-but-not about it what with all the boys wandering about arm-in-arm and it's perfectly normal BUTOMGSONOTGAYORWE'LLSENDYOUDOWN.

Wonder Woman. I am SO PISSED they replaced Johnson as penciller, he probably draws my most favourite women in comics. Gorgeous, muscular, fluid, realistically top-heavy. The new guy (Rika I think) has a similar style (probably due a lot to the fact that Snyder, the inker, has stayed on) but it's far less graceful and nuanced. The latest issue just felt like a place-holder. I found the last couple of issues extremely powerful and daring but I hope Rucka deals with what he's done to her properly, instead of pretending it doesn't change anything.

Cool meme stolen from lydia_petze:

Recommend to me:

1. a movie
2. a book
3. a musical artist, song, or album
4. a LiveJournal user not on my friends list
5. what I should have for dinner
6. a website
7. a quote

Then put this in your LiveJournal and I'll do the same for you.

ETA: PS. You know you're getting old when your younger sister (fav authors: JK Rowling, Brian Jaques, Eoin Colfer, Anne McCaffery) starts avidly reading Jean M. Auel. Noooooooooooooooo! Her innocence!

Comments

[simple-guy.livejournal.com]

1. if you didnt see I <3 Huckabees, that, or Six String Samurai
2. Infinite Jest
3/ Architechture in Helskinki, but you probably know them, so Hella
4. http://www.livejournal.com/users/tvsexdeath
5. penne ala vodka
6. www.whiteninjacomics.com
7. 'we want lottie!'

[lydia-petze.livejournal.com]

I found Maurice a rather unlikeable character. Really not too bright, was he? Possessed not a whit of sense or a scrap of self-preservation instinct. OTOH, you had the other fellow (damn, name? Hugh Grant played him in the movie) who was the opposite - TOO cautious and terrified. Alec was quite the sweet, blackmail and all - I thought he was the most genuine character in the book.

[nigeltde]

I saw I [heart] Huckabees, and loved it! In fact I reced it to a friend in this very meme :-D But Six String Samurai sounds interesting. What's it about? Sounds like either a rock or a kung-fu movie. Where's "we want lottie" from?

[nigeltde]

oh and whiteninjacomics is brilliant! thanks!

[nigeltde]

So Hugh Grant was Clive? Was it Rupert Everett who was Maurice? I really have to see it just for him alone.

Yeah, like I said, I didn't really hate Maurice, but by god he needed a slap or two upside the head. I didn't really read Clive as terrified, although that's probably a workable interpretation now that I think about it, but committed to an ideal that hod no real connection to reality. And Maurice, the fool, didn't realise that. Just followed along and didn't think to bring him back to earth. Perhaps Clive worshipped the ideal love so much because he *was* terrified, will have to think about it. I certainly don't buy the whole "woke up straight thing". as it was laid out. I think I proabably liked Alec a little less than you - I was thrown for a loop by the sudden turn of the book and a bit prejudiced against him from the start. But you're right, he was certainly more genuine than anyone else.

wow, i never do memes.

[thanatos666.livejournal.com]

1. The Motorcycle Diaries - you know what it's about. I found it very inspirational, as odd as it feels to be inspired by a movie. It's actually about how Che Guavera was inspired to start the whole revolution thing, rather than what he did to become famous.

2. The Uncle's Story by Witi Ihimaera - I loved this book, it's very interesting, written by a Maori author, about a gay Maori who is shunned by his family.

3. mmmm just listened to the hottest 100, and realised a song i'd been getting stuck in my head from work was actually Scissor Sisters - Laura.

4. I'm not much of a friender, but how about a community? mock_the_stupid

5. Meat. MEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT.

6. http://www.meninhats.com

7. To change the world, first you must let the world change you.

Re: wow, i never do memes.

[nigeltde]

1. I saw The Motorcycle Diaries the other day. I really enjoyed it, but to be honest, I went in with way too high expectations, and I was ill, which meant I was never comfortable. But I can certainly see how you meant insirational. Hell, even the *scenery* is inspirational.

2. That sounds fascinating! I know totally nothing about Maori culture/life but it looks interesting so I keep meaning to. I will definitely check that out, thank you!

5. :-P I thought *you* weren't eating much these days?

7. Not ever having being forced to work with the stupid, I cannot read sites like mock_the_stupid without wincing. I always suspect that I an the stupid...

Re: wow, i never do memes.

[nigeltde]

Oh and thanks for for doing this meme! And in fact I would like to hear more from you! *frowns imposingly*