I discover The Sunday Salon this weekend.
“Every Sunday the bloggers participating in that week’s Salon get together–at their separate desks, in their own particular time zones–and read. And blog about their reading. And comment on one another’s blogs. Think of it as an informal, weekly, mini read-a-thon, an excuse to put aside one’s earthly responsibilities and fall into a good book.”
It’s a shame that the day I discover the fabulous virtual gathering of book bloggers at The Sunday Salon is one that I have read very little! With summer session winding down this week, I’ve spent most of the time reading papers from Freshman Reading & Composition classes. It’s been a Russian summer in terms of reading. After War & Peace, Brothers Karamazov, and The Master and Margarita, I’m about 70 pages short of the end of Anna Karenina, which I plan to teach in the seminar this fall. The chronological narrative, with entwined subplots, would be more intriguing for non-majors, freshmen and sophomores. Widely regarded as a pinnacle in realist fiction, Tolstoy considered Anna Karenina his first true novel. Although most Russian critics panned the novel on its publication as a “trifling romance of high life”, Fyodor Dostoevsky declared it to be “flawless as a work of art.” I hope the students will appreciate details and observations of social functions so vividly limned in this epic novel of Russia.
As I have mentioned before, I chastise myself for not reading Austen. To repent of that I’ve got Sense and Sensibility lined up. The knowledge of Colin Firth’s starring in Pride and Prejudice makes me want to re-read the novel. Speaking of Colin Firth, I cannot help but to digress. I went to see Mamma Mia for the third time (don’t laugh) with two of my friends (thanks to free movie passes). I gave all my attention to Colin Firth, especially the scene of Sophie with her three dads on the boat, as Harry Headbanger plays the guitar he bought Donna and starts singing the beautiful Our Last Summer.
I can still recall our last summer
I still see it all
Walks along the seine, laughing in the rain
Our last summer
Memories that remain
We made our way along the river
And we sat down in the grass
By the eiffel tower
I was so happy we had met
It was the age of no regret
Oh yes
Those crazy years, that was the time
Of the flower-power
But underneath we had a fear of flying
Of getting old, a fear of slowly dying
We took the chance
Like we were dancing our last dance
Nuances, nuances. Early on the movie Harry has already dropped the hints about his being gay. The two dogs that he spoils rotten. His confession that Donna was his first and last love. But the most subtle and cute cue comes from this yacht scene when Sophie sings:
And now you’re working in a bank
The family man, the football fan
And your name is harry
How dull it seems
Yet you’re the hero of my dreams
He shakes his head and denies he’s football fan. That says a lot about his sexuality! Everything makes sense to me at that point. Anyway, enough of the Mamma Mia scoop, and I won’t bore you with any more details since I wish you all to go see the film.
Filed under: Anna Karenina, Babble, Books, Literature, Meme, Movie, Reading, Russian Literature | Tagged: Anna Karenina, Books, Mamma Mia, Meme, Reading, The Sunday Salon
I can smile and identify with your enjoyment of this movie. That’s why we go, after all. I haven’t been to see it yet, though your write-ups tempt me. I really like Colin Firth, (especially as Darcy–fantasy stuff). I listened to the U-Tube; It certainly sounds like Colin Firth. We decided to see Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D. (so now its your turn to laugh) A lot of total nonsense, but we enjoyed it, not expecting it to be anything but what it was. I didn’t even mind the 3D cliches. We really were in the mood to be entertained. We both had seen an earlier version with, of all people, Pat Boone when we were kids, (Give me Colin Firth any day) so this was our own walk down memory lane. I must confess, though, unrepentant stodge that I am, I would prefer to be bathed in the music of Bernard Herrman of an afternoon. The score, however, was quite good.
I’m starting Sense and Sensibility to get a little jump on Matt the speed reader. I’m looking forward to your post on that one. I just adore Jane Austen.
Hi Matt! I apologize for being a few days late in welcoming you to TSS. I’ve ‘met’ many wonderful people there and hope you have teh same experience. Have a wonderful week!
This was my first week on TSS, too! I hope we enjoy it as much as everyone else seems to.
I saw Mama Mia in Las Vegas a couple of years ago. I’m not all that big into musicals, but I certainly love ABBA and it was a fun way to listen to their music all over again. I’ve heard that the singing wasn’t all that great, but if you’ve seen it three times it can’t be that bad.
Oh I missed your Sunday Salon Debut! I’ve been a bit absent from TSS these past few weeks but hopefully will jump back in next time.
And, I admit I’m a big Colin Firth fan… I’ve even watched What a Girl Wants several times just for C.F.! ha,ha… Can’t wait to watch Mamma Mia.
Welcome to the Salon.
Sounds like you’re having fun discovering Austen…I envy you your first reads…not to say that Austen doesn’t get better the second, third, fourth, millionth time around.
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