Comments on: Clever, but Cloying http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Tue, 26 May 2026 19:47:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421&cpage=1#comment-11982 girldetective Thu, 01 May 2008 01:50:39 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421#comment-11982 Elle, thanks so much for your comments. It's great to have someone from Italy commenting on this famous Italian book. I agree that it's somewhat dated, especially in some of the male/female interactions. But I found the ridicule of the grad school type approaches to literature, like dissecting it, or looking at it for only one thing, were still relevant. Steph, it was a hard book to read. It took perseverance to continue, but I'm glad I did. It's a fascinating idea, well executed. It's definitely not a fun read, but it's worthwhile. Elle, thanks so much for your comments. It’s great to have someone from Italy commenting on this famous Italian book. I agree that it’s somewhat dated, especially in some of the male/female interactions. But I found the ridicule of the grad school type approaches to literature, like dissecting it, or looking at it for only one thing, were still relevant.

Steph, it was a hard book to read. It took perseverance to continue, but I’m glad I did. It’s a fascinating idea, well executed. It’s definitely not a fun read, but it’s worthwhile.

]]> By: Steph http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421&cpage=1#comment-11953 Steph Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:16:33 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421#comment-11953 Hmmm... this one has been sitting on my shelf for at least a year. I always find the first few pages fun and tantalizing, and then swiftly the writing shifts into something that requires more effort and concentration than I feel I have to offer in my free time. I haven't gotten rid of it yet, because I still harbor hopes that I will be in the right place to read it one day. We shall see... Hmmm… this one has been sitting on my shelf for at least a year. I always find the first few pages fun and tantalizing, and then swiftly the writing shifts into something that requires more effort and concentration than I feel I have to offer in my free time. I haven’t gotten rid of it yet, because I still harbor hopes that I will be in the right place to read it one day. We shall see…

]]> By: Theresa N http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421&cpage=1#comment-11938 Theresa N Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:37:59 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421#comment-11938 I buy books for one reason or another and it sometimes takes me a year or 2 before I read them. I buy books for one reason or another and it sometimes takes me a year or 2 before I read them.

]]> By: Elle http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421&cpage=1#comment-11937 Elle Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:08:40 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421#comment-11937 I think it's a book of its time and somehow shows its age now. the elusive student, the university environment, are firmly grounded in the late sixties/early seventies and don't translate so well into our time, I find. I particulalry like the initial chapter, describing the positions people read in, and the categories of books that look at us form the shelves of a bookshop. I have the feeling you may like even more Calvino's ancestors' trilogy, or whatever it's called in English, especially the Nonexisten Knight. I think it’s a book of its time and somehow shows its age now. the elusive student, the university environment, are firmly grounded in the late sixties/early seventies and don’t translate so well into our time, I find. I particulalry like the initial chapter, describing the positions people read in, and the categories of books that look at us form the shelves of a bookshop. I have the feeling you may like even more Calvino’s ancestors’ trilogy, or whatever it’s called in English, especially the Nonexisten Knight.

]]> By: Mary http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421&cpage=1#comment-11936 Mary Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:50:25 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=1421#comment-11936 I've had this on my "to be read" list for years. I remember even getting it out of the library and letting it languish unread until I had to return it (with appropriate fines since I can never remember to turn in anything on time). I really appreciated reading your thoughts on this book. Thanks for a thoughtful and insightful review. I think I'll give reading this one another try. I’ve had this on my “to be read” list for years. I remember even getting it out of the library and letting it languish unread until I had to return it (with appropriate fines since I can never remember to turn in anything on time).

I really appreciated reading your thoughts on this book. Thanks for a thoughtful and insightful review.

I think I’ll give reading this one another try.

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