I was reading one of my favorite sister blogs today and noticed that they were doing something that I *thought* was called the Weekly Creeps. It turns out I was just being crazy (instead of my usual stark raving mad) and it isn’t. Instead it is a cute little book club. But I did the assignment anyway. Into every meme a little darkness should fall.
1) How do you feel about classic literature? Are you intimidated by it? Love it?
Here’s the way I see it. Most things get old and then they die. But some things you can’t kill. They fester with unnatural vigor. You kill them and they come back seeking revenge from the grave. They tear at you with their hands and whisper things no sane living being is meant to hear! Wait. What was I talking about? Oh yes. Time washes away the chaff. If a book is that old and it’s still in print, then there’s a reason. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Lafcadio Hearn’s unsettling Japanese ghost stories to name a few. In addition there are lesser-known greats like Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Abrose Bierce, or Algernon Blackwood. I adore the classics! My favorite Shakespeare is, of course, Hamlet. Mostly because it’s really a ghost story but also because it’s so tragic.
2) A challenge, should you choose to accept it: Read at least one chapter of a classic novel, preferably by an author you’re not familiar with.
I will try to do that this week. The rats and I are feverishly scrabbling around to prepare for a Feng Shui specialist who will be visiting our basement to give us some much needed decorating advice. We can’t wait! Ah HA HA HA HA!
3) Let’s say you’re vacationing with your dear cousin Myrtle, and she forgot to bring a book… she only reads classic literature… What contemporary book/s with classic appeal would you pull off the shelf for her?
After I am done putting her on the rack and applying coals to her feet for being so criminally thoughtless, I will advise Myrtle to read The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, which, with its slow pacing and attention to the landscape, hearkens back to its roots. Also, I don’t think you can go wrong with anything written by Susanna Clarke. She is dreadfully delightful. I love her writing.
4) As you explore the other Weekly Geeks posts: Did any inspire you to want to read a book you’ve never read before—or reread one to give it another chance? Tell us all about it, including a link to the post or posts that sparked your interest.
I’ll try to keep an eyeball on it.
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You sound like you would enjoy some Edgar Allan Poe! There are some creepy stories there
I love Edgar Allen Poe!
I was so excited at the prospect of reading The Historian, but I never got any further and therefore never read it! Same with Susanna Clarke! I am determined to read more books that I own this year, so hopefully I will get to at least one of these!
They’re both a great read. I have to admit that about 3/4 of the way through The Historian I was getting a little impatient for something to happen, but I still recommend it.
Never before have I been so tempted to subscribe to a blog that focuses on books I refuse to read. (Seriously. Even your tag thingy creep me out, just a little. Pendulum poets? London memory monsters? Eeeee!). I’m selfishly hoping you’ll become a regular Weekly Geek because of how much you made me laugh.
Thanks for your kind words. I checked out your blog and it’s really cool. I even listened to some Cab Calloway. I had never heard that version of the St. James Infirmary Blues.
Welcome to the Weekly Geeks! Heh … Weekly Creeps … that’s funny. Love your blog name
I read The Historian a couple years ago for a book club, and I really liked it. It was hard to get into if you could only sit and read a few pages at a time, but when I was able to sit and read for long periods, I was able to get into the story more.
I am definitely adding some of these authors to my TBR list-sounds like some interesting reading!