2018 Reading Group - March: Play and/or novel - King Lear by Shakespeare and A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley - *Spoilers from 25 March*

[Chillywhippet]

So we have a Shakespeare themed challenge for March. A play and a novel inspired by the play. Feel free to read either or both.

King Lear by William Shakespeare

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
In Idaho, Larry Cook announces that he will turn his farm over to his three daughters...

Another novel suggested and also inspired by King Lear is Wise Children by Angela Carter if anyone gets into the theme.

[endehors]

I’m in danger of missing the deadline, too. I’ve got literally hours of extra curricular to wait through all this weekend so will try to get finished then.

[mamapants]

I agree mmack the character of Jesse was the fullest in the novel and a very interesting interpretation of Edmund.

I have two acts to go on King Lear. I have to say it's my least favourite Shakespeare of the eight or nine I've read.

[mamapants]

Knuckled down and finished.

[Chillywhippet]

Gah. Not finished. Will join in later this week.

[desperatelyseekingcaffeine]

Finished Lear, but not 1000 acres. Really enjoying it so far though

[AiryFairy1991]

I’ve been so busy this month I’ve barely started! Will aim to read it this week.

[mamapants]

Is it worth postponing discussion for a week if most people haven't finished?

[runningoutofjuice]

I'm only a quarter of the way through so I'm in for postponing the chat if the majority want to.

[endehors]

I only just managed to finish yesterday afternoon! I too enjoyed 1000 Acres. Very interesting it was.

[Chillywhippet]

Let’s give ourselves an extension until 1st April.
Apologies to anyone who pushed themselves to finish on time.

Start thinking about April’s book...

[mmack]

There was an interesting article in today's Sunday Times talking about the Facebook issues and comparing it to 1984. I reckon it's been 30 years since I read it so I think I'm going to re-read it. Would anyone else be interested in it as the April book? I never read Keep the Aspidistra Flying either-it was suggested on the other thread.

[endehors]

I haven't read 1984 for a few years so I'd be interested if others are. Aspidistra I've read too many times though, but wouldn't object to another reread.
I suggested the sci fi book A Voyage to Arcturus on the other thread, but recently started to read it myself and though I'm finding it vaguely interesting, in a way, I suspect I'd be pelted with rotten tomatoes for the bizarre suggestion! It is very odd so far.

[desperatelyseekingcaffeine]

I've never read 1984, loved animal farm though so keen to try it.

[mamapants]

1984 is great I'm trying to avoid rereads but could probably be persuaded for such a classic. And it has been 16 years since I read it for A level.

[PeggySchuylar]

1984 it is then!

Read it ages ago and I keep saying things are like 1984 but can’t say why very precisely so very happy to read it again. Have the news on about FB data being used to influence Kenyan election so all very topical.

[Chillywhippet]

Great. Will start new thread for April.
Will try to get it right this time. Poor MNHQ has had to edit the last couple of thread titles for me.

[Plentyoffishnets]

not made much (any!) progress with these. Will do my best over the next few days to at least have read one!

[runningoutofjuice]

Finished 1000 acres and although I found it quite tedious to start with I enjoyed it more once it got going.

[desperatelyseekingcaffeine]

Just finished both

[mamapants]

Did enough people finish one of these for a discussion?

[mmack]

I finished the book and watched King Lear and would be interested in a discussion.

[endehors]

I don't know if enough people did finish. I only just about managed to get them finished on time myself.
Are we all on 1984 now? I keep losing the thread.

[endehors]

Also interested in a discussion still, however. The slant the author takes on King Lear I think is interesting and not what I expected.

[mmack]

The version of the book I read had an interview with Jane Smiley in it. She said that on second reading of King Lear she felt a lot of sympathy for Goneril from a housekeeping point of view as nobody would want the hundred knights in their castle.

[AiryFairy1991]

I’ve still not finished a thousand acres sorry. I’m finding it really quite dull. I’m at the bit where they are playing monopoly (so pretty near the start) and wondering why on earth im bothering tbh!