In the books you have mentioned including the classics, some I have read, most I haven't although on the classic side, have caught on film. I believe most are outstanding in their 'pioneering' of writing taboo topics. Once again, thank you for your close examination to share.
Happy belated birthday, Marg! Sounds like you've never been wiser than you are now :)
I love the terminology of a 'quiet novel.' Elizabeth Strout was a great discovery for me last year. I find I'm increasingly drawn to books that explore inner lives and character reflection, especially when I am dealing with a lot of noise in my "real" life. She's a little cynical, maybe, but Rachel Cusk has a great writing voice for reflection and introspection - "The Country Life" was my introduction to her fiction, and would fit the quiet novel bill too.
I haven't read Rachel Cusk, but I'd like to. I got it into my head that she was really highbrow, and therefore not for me, which is silly.
I agree quiet books are very soothing and calm your brain. I get a bit addicted to reading thriller type books and need to force myself to slow down and concentrate more. Page-turners are like eating too much sugar. Quiet books are liked boiled eggs with toast soldiers.
Yes mine is Tree of Man by Patrick White. It’s a tedious read which I quite enjoy. Another is Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey I read them many years ago. Oh and happy birthday Marg, I do love noodles ( thinking that was what you were eating)
I love this topic - quiet novels. And thanks for the mention, Marg! I'm so glad that book made it all the way across the world to you!! Happy birthday!
Happy birthday! I sometimes find I desperately want all the books and then when I get to the bookstore I realize I don’t actually want any of them more than the other and walk away empty handed. Love the idea of a quiet novel, I could use one of those.
I love bookshops and genuinely wish I could buy more books, but there are so many and I worry about choosing the wrong one (one I don’t love). Our library app lets you read the barcode to check whether they hold a copy and I do that quite often, somewhat guiltily. I guess I shouldn’t feel guilty as the library has actually purchased a copy, so all good.
Happy Birthday, Marg! You look great, and your mind is clearly all there from all the excellent writing and reading you’re doing. As my dear mom used to say (much to my irritation at the time!), you’re as old as you feel. As I get older myself, I can see (and feel) the great wisdom of that statement.
I’ve never heard of a “quiet novel,” but I’m sure I’ve read some. Perhaps I don’t remember them because they were TOO quiet. I prefer a bit of "sturm und drang" in my novels. Guess that's one reason I like thrillers--someone always gets killed. The quiet comes when the mystery is solved.
I love thrillers too, but sometimes I like to read something more character driven. Funnily enough, I remember the quieter novels more than the page-turners.
Re aging - I don't feel any different from when I turned 60 and I'm way past that now. The camera tells a different story, but fortunately my eyesight is also deteriorating, so I can't see the wrinkles. :)
I do agree with you re page-turners vs more thoughtful, character-driven novels. I just sometimes enjoy the escapist aspects of some of the former, though they’d better have good characters too (as with Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, which I feel is both a page turner and a bit on the quiet side—except for the murders!).
I’m way past 60 now and am sometimes shocked by that old lady in the mirror. My solution is to avoid looking at her too often!🤗
I’ve never heard the term quiet novel and am curious to discover more about it and Al these recs look like books I’d love. Maybe I’ve been loving quiet novels my whole life without knowing.
I tried to hop on the book club but I was a bit late and then the kids wouldn’t leave me be so I got off before anyone let me in! Such is life. I’ll try again next time.
Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday- that ramen looks divine.
I genuinely thought that it was a recent invention and was surprised to find it wasn’t. The article is very interesting as it frames it as a gendered term.
I’m SO sorry you I didn’t let you into book club quickly enough. It would have been lovely to see your face, if only for a short time. Hope you can join in next time.
In the books you have mentioned including the classics, some I have read, most I haven't although on the classic side, have caught on film. I believe most are outstanding in their 'pioneering' of writing taboo topics. Once again, thank you for your close examination to share.
You are so right. I never thought about it like that before. They were really in new territory. Maybe that’s why I liked them?
Happy belated birthday, Marg! Sounds like you've never been wiser than you are now :)
I love the terminology of a 'quiet novel.' Elizabeth Strout was a great discovery for me last year. I find I'm increasingly drawn to books that explore inner lives and character reflection, especially when I am dealing with a lot of noise in my "real" life. She's a little cynical, maybe, but Rachel Cusk has a great writing voice for reflection and introspection - "The Country Life" was my introduction to her fiction, and would fit the quiet novel bill too.
I haven't read Rachel Cusk, but I'd like to. I got it into my head that she was really highbrow, and therefore not for me, which is silly.
I agree quiet books are very soothing and calm your brain. I get a bit addicted to reading thriller type books and need to force myself to slow down and concentrate more. Page-turners are like eating too much sugar. Quiet books are liked boiled eggs with toast soldiers.
Yes mine is Tree of Man by Patrick White. It’s a tedious read which I quite enjoy. Another is Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey I read them many years ago. Oh and happy birthday Marg, I do love noodles ( thinking that was what you were eating)
I’ve never read Patrick White but I made it through Oscar and Lucinda. It was a bit of a struggle 😀
Yes the ramen was great. A new place we’ll be going back to I suspect.
I love this topic - quiet novels. And thanks for the mention, Marg! I'm so glad that book made it all the way across the world to you!! Happy birthday!
Thanks so much Valorie. I appreciate your friendship and support.
Happy birthday! I sometimes find I desperately want all the books and then when I get to the bookstore I realize I don’t actually want any of them more than the other and walk away empty handed. Love the idea of a quiet novel, I could use one of those.
I love bookshops and genuinely wish I could buy more books, but there are so many and I worry about choosing the wrong one (one I don’t love). Our library app lets you read the barcode to check whether they hold a copy and I do that quite often, somewhat guiltily. I guess I shouldn’t feel guilty as the library has actually purchased a copy, so all good.
Happy Birthday, Marg! You look great, and your mind is clearly all there from all the excellent writing and reading you’re doing. As my dear mom used to say (much to my irritation at the time!), you’re as old as you feel. As I get older myself, I can see (and feel) the great wisdom of that statement.
I’ve never heard of a “quiet novel,” but I’m sure I’ve read some. Perhaps I don’t remember them because they were TOO quiet. I prefer a bit of "sturm und drang" in my novels. Guess that's one reason I like thrillers--someone always gets killed. The quiet comes when the mystery is solved.
I love thrillers too, but sometimes I like to read something more character driven. Funnily enough, I remember the quieter novels more than the page-turners.
Re aging - I don't feel any different from when I turned 60 and I'm way past that now. The camera tells a different story, but fortunately my eyesight is also deteriorating, so I can't see the wrinkles. :)
I do agree with you re page-turners vs more thoughtful, character-driven novels. I just sometimes enjoy the escapist aspects of some of the former, though they’d better have good characters too (as with Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series, which I feel is both a page turner and a bit on the quiet side—except for the murders!).
I’m way past 60 now and am sometimes shocked by that old lady in the mirror. My solution is to avoid looking at her too often!🤗
Ha ha ha. Couldn’t agree more.
I’ve never heard the term quiet novel and am curious to discover more about it and Al these recs look like books I’d love. Maybe I’ve been loving quiet novels my whole life without knowing.
I tried to hop on the book club but I was a bit late and then the kids wouldn’t leave me be so I got off before anyone let me in! Such is life. I’ll try again next time.
Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday- that ramen looks divine.
I genuinely thought that it was a recent invention and was surprised to find it wasn’t. The article is very interesting as it frames it as a gendered term.
I’m SO sorry you I didn’t let you into book club quickly enough. It would have been lovely to see your face, if only for a short time. Hope you can join in next time.
Happy birthday!!!!