Flaubert's Parrot

[janeite]

Just about to go and finish it in the bath. Am loving it so far. DD1 told me off for laughing too loudly on the train! Anybody want to talk about it?

Okay - I've now finished it and really enjoyed it. Has anybody else read it?

SOMEBODY must have read this, non?

I don't know anybody in real life who has!

Julian Barnes? I think I have, I was really into his books for a while, but so long ago I don't remember... Refresh my memory?

Barnes, yes. It is about Flaubert - and a parrot! It's narrated by a doctor who is researching Flaubert and is v funny! It meanders off into silly things like Exam questions about Flaubert and lists and things.

Ah, no, just had a look on amazon and I haven't read this one. Take it you'd recommend it though ?

Noooooooooooooooooooooo - I wanted to know what you thought of it!

I do recommend it though - and I know nothing about Flaubert (only managed 12 pages of Madame B).

I know nothing about parrots either.

I liked Mme Bovary at the time.

And that's all I have to say about that.

DD1 has just read Madame Bovary so I am feeling I should give it another go.

I think all that sentimental overwrought frenchness would get right on my tits now but I studied it at uni (took a special course in sentimental angst ackshally) and it quite appealed.

I was so bored by the first few pages. Have tried to read it 3 times now and so far failed - but maybe I shouldn't let myself be beaten by a 15 year old girl OR sentimental Frenchness?

You need to get into that understated zone of completely hidden emotional turmoil. Do you like Ishiguro? (Is that his name, i can't remember)

Yes.

I've read it.

I love Julian Barnes; this is his second best work of fiction I think.

But fiction doesn't really describe what he does best. Barnes combines literary criticism, historical document, self-revelation, philosophy and invention to make a coherent whole.

And despite my description making this sound dry and worthy, it is wry, funny, and deeply human.

A History Of The World in 10 1/2 Chapters does something very similar, a little better.

...and so does Arthur and George, though I haven't accounted this as fiction because though the ingredients are the same, the slew is more towards historical document..

But my favourite is Nothing To Be Frightened of. Again, a comparable mix. But this is a laying bare of his thoughts on death, family, life, writing and the urge be immortal through literature. Oh and did I mention death?

And a lot more fun than it sounds.

I like Julian Barnes. Had you gathered? AND he's my Facebook chum now. Along with a few thousand other arse lickers devotees....

Hurray!

Arthur And george is fab - that's the only other one I've read.

Never heard of Nothing To Be Frightened Of but am going to the library tomorrow, I think, so will look out for it.

Pointy - Can't stand Ishiguru. Well, I've only read two and I absolutely hated both of them - is that enough to judge him on?

I like Ishiguro a lot but I reckone two is enough to judge for yourself. All the ones I've read have the same restrained style

I read the one about the butler and the one about the children being bred for organs.

I loved the organs one, never let me Go

I am clearly not restrained enough for him.

Clearly not. I grew up in a house of silent tensions, I understand him

Ishiguro?

That's the geezer what thinks he's EM Forster, right?

Well. He may have fooled Merchant and Ivory but I don't geddit.

I REALLY like Julian Barnes though. Did I mention that?

...the audio book of Nothing To Be Frightened Of is fab, too. He reads it himself, to very good effect..

!!!

I grew up in a 3 bedroomed house, with 4 children. It is probably why I love the Bennet sisters so much!

('the remains of the day I spent reading a novel that was understated. Which means, I think, boring')

Just TELL her you dim-witted butler bloke and then I can go and re-read The Stand or something, instead of putting up with your repressed drivel.

sigh

Who's that other bloke as well? The one who wrote The Wild Sheep Chase? Do you like him too?

I really, really wanted to like him - but I failed with him as well.

murakami? Keep meaning to read one of his but never have. I think I'll like it, flick through one of his books in a shop and then think, nah.