Elizabeth Costello
Registered by cat207 on 7/12/2007
9 journalers for this copy...
'Elizabeth Costello is an Australian writer of international renown; she is feted, studied, honoured. Famous principally for an early novel that established her reputation and from which, it seems, she will never escape, she has reached the stage, late in life, where her remaining function is to be venerated and applauded.
One of a new breed of intellectual nomads, her life has become a series of engagements in sterile conference rooms throughout the world - a private consciousness obliged to reveal itself to a curious public: the presentation of a major award at an American college where she is requires to deliver a lecture; a sojourn as the writer in residence on a cruise liner during which she encounters a fellow guest lecturer, an African poet also employed to divert the passengers; a visit to her sister, a missionary in Africa, who is receiving an honorary degree, an occasion which both recognise as the final opportunity for effecting some form of reconciliation; and a disquieting appearance at a writers' conference in Amsterdam where she finds the subject of her talk unexpectedly amongst the audience.
She has made her life's work the study of other people yet now it is she who is the object of scrutiny. But, for her, what matters is the continuing search for a means of articulating her vision and the verdict of future generations.'
One of a new breed of intellectual nomads, her life has become a series of engagements in sterile conference rooms throughout the world - a private consciousness obliged to reveal itself to a curious public: the presentation of a major award at an American college where she is requires to deliver a lecture; a sojourn as the writer in residence on a cruise liner during which she encounters a fellow guest lecturer, an African poet also employed to divert the passengers; a visit to her sister, a missionary in Africa, who is receiving an honorary degree, an occasion which both recognise as the final opportunity for effecting some form of reconciliation; and a disquieting appearance at a writers' conference in Amsterdam where she finds the subject of her talk unexpectedly amongst the audience.
She has made her life's work the study of other people yet now it is she who is the object of scrutiny. But, for her, what matters is the continuing search for a means of articulating her vision and the verdict of future generations.'
A 'novel' written in eight lessons. I thought it too disjointed to be a story, but it asks some big questions, and certainly makes you think!
As this is on the '1001 Books...' list I thought I'd offer it as a Bookray.
The Participants:-
jubby - Aus
lakelady2282 - Aus
GateGypsy - Canada
NICNIC2 - UK
soffitta1 - UK
Tubereader - UK
lilifin - Germany
No special rules or conditions - just manners!
The Participants:-
jubby - Aus
lakelady2282 - Aus
GateGypsy - Canada
NICNIC2 - UK
soffitta1 - UK
Tubereader - UK
lilifin - Germany
No special rules or conditions - just manners!
Thank you so much for sharing this book with me Cat207.
I read 'Youth' by this author several years ago, and we deeply affected by it. Do you think it would be asking too much of this book to please me just as much?
At the moment I am reading (and rather enjoying) KLL's bookring for 'The Tin Drum'. So, I can't dive straight into yet, but am looking forward to it.
Thank you again Cat207.
I read 'Youth' by this author several years ago, and we deeply affected by it. Do you think it would be asking too much of this book to please me just as much?
At the moment I am reading (and rather enjoying) KLL's bookring for 'The Tin Drum'. So, I can't dive straight into yet, but am looking forward to it.
Thank you again Cat207.
Finally, off the back of reading ''The tin drum'', I was able to get to and read this book.
When I first started reading this book, I was chuffed, and felt that I would finish it that day. It just sucked me straight in. I really enjoyed the ''voice'' of Elizabeth''s son.
But, reader beware! On the title page, notice the sub-heading: Eight lessons.
I felt that this book wasn''t a smooth story, but more of a book of short stories, with the same main character.
I greatly enjoyed the vegetarian debate. I''ve always held the same opinion as Norma. he, he, he!
But, the redeeming part of the book, was the last chapter. I don''t want to give much away, but a very apt ending.
Didn''t understand the letters at the end though. I hope that Lakelady2282 can set me straight.
When I first started reading this book, I was chuffed, and felt that I would finish it that day. It just sucked me straight in. I really enjoyed the ''voice'' of Elizabeth''s son.
But, reader beware! On the title page, notice the sub-heading: Eight lessons.
I felt that this book wasn''t a smooth story, but more of a book of short stories, with the same main character.
I greatly enjoyed the vegetarian debate. I''ve always held the same opinion as Norma. he, he, he!
But, the redeeming part of the book, was the last chapter. I don''t want to give much away, but a very apt ending.
Didn''t understand the letters at the end though. I hope that Lakelady2282 can set me straight.
Journal Entry 7 by jubby at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, August 3, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (8/3/2007 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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RELEASE NOTES:
Posted off to Lakelady2282.
Posted off to Lakelady2282.
Journal Entry 8 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
The book arrived safely yesterday. Sorry I didn''t get a chance to catch it sooner. Looking forward to reading it but I do have a few books ahead of it. Will be as quick as I can.
Journal Entry 9 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, September 16, 2007
Maybe it is the mood I'm in lately but I just couldn't engage with the character of Elizabeth. I found her pompous and precious and I'm afraid by the start of the second lecture I'd had enough. The lectures were long, rambling and not particularly well argued (whether because she herself was becoming muddled or I am on such topics, I'm not sure). Sorry guys but I just didn't care about her and when I don't care about a character I completely lose my drive to keep reading. I also felt that the lectures were probably second hand and just shoved into Elizabeth's mouth to put them in print. (Gosh I'm in a bad mood) But that's how I felt. Will pm GateGypsy. Thanks anyway Cat and Jubby.
Journal Entry 10 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Friday, September 21, 2007
Thank you Jubby for asking my opinion of the last chapters. I went back and read the last two and the postcript and I was vindicated, I believe. I really enjoyed the chapter At the Gate. It is the best thing about the whole novel. I have pmmed Jubby about the postcript. Posting to GateGypsy soon.
Released 16 yrs ago (9/27/2007 UTC) at
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Arrived in the post today. I don't even remember replying to have this sent, I've been so swamped with school! I just finished a week of midterms and intend to spend my whole three-day-weekend reading, but I have quite the stack of tbr booking books, and it'll take a while before I can get to this. Likely won't be any sooner than 6-8 weeks, though I will hike this one in priority as it is one where I am not "LOL" (Last on List.) Thanks for sharing, cat207! I'm so glad to get the chance to read 1001 books, anytime.
Could we have an update on the book's progress, please. I'd like to keep it moving. I hope everything's OK.
Journal Entry 14 by GateGypsy at controlled release: bookring in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada on Friday, April 11, 2008
Released 16 yrs ago (4/11/2008 UTC) at controlled release: bookring in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
It's in the mail to NICNIC now! I didn't finish it, but I knew I'd held on to it for too long, so it's continuing its journey as of today! I hope you enjoy it!
It's in the mail to NICNIC now! I didn't finish it, but I knew I'd held on to it for too long, so it's continuing its journey as of today! I hope you enjoy it!
Arrived safely this morning and added to my little pile of bookrays!
Ah, once again I find myself reading Coetzee and thinking 'what?'. I guess its the short story-esqueness of it. I can't do short stories and the disjointed way this novel progresses left me feeling restless to read something more fluid and linear. Glad I gave it a go, I guess I'm just not smart enough for this guy!
Will send on asap :)
Will send on asap :)
This arrived at home today, thanks.
Elizabeth is an Australian writer, most famous for a book she wrote when she was very young. Now she is travelling, sometimes with her son, who is still living in her shadow, despite his own career and family.
Sent on to Tubereader 03/01.
Elizabeth is an Australian writer, most famous for a book she wrote when she was very young. Now she is travelling, sometimes with her son, who is still living in her shadow, despite his own career and family.
Sent on to Tubereader 03/01.
Journal Entry 18 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The book has arrived safely. I have some other rings ahead of it but will start reading it as soon as possible. Thanks cat207 for sharing (as always) and soffitta1 for sending it through!
Journal Entry 19 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Sunday, April 26, 2009
Just a quick note to let everybody know that I have (finally) started reading this book. Hopefully will be done by the end of the week?
5TH MAY UPDATE: this is a quick note to let everyone know that, although I have not finished the book yet, I have read more than half of it so far so I have PMed lilifin for their address. I will post a new JE with my review of the book once I finish reading it.
5TH MAY UPDATE: this is a quick note to let everyone know that, although I have not finished the book yet, I have read more than half of it so far so I have PMed lilifin for their address. I will post a new JE with my review of the book once I finish reading it.
Journal Entry 20 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Sunday, May 10, 2009
Finally finished reading the book, not sure what to say about it. I'm not really interested in the vegetarian debate, therefore, a big part of the book was lost on me... I cannot understand the meaning of the last letter either... but the book is beautifully written, I will at least concede that!
lilifin has asked to be skipped, therefore that makes me the last reader in this ray.
I will hold onto this book for the moment then add it to a 1001 books bookbox that I hope to put together soon!
As always, thanks to cat207 for sharing her books!!!
lilifin has asked to be skipped, therefore that makes me the last reader in this ray.
I will hold onto this book for the moment then add it to a 1001 books bookbox that I hope to put together soon!
As always, thanks to cat207 for sharing her books!!!
Journal Entry 21 by Tubereader from Lenningen / Lenneng, Kanton Remich Luxembourg on Sunday, May 10, 2009
oups, hit the button twice and now cannot delete the full entry :-)
Journal Entry 22 by Tubereader at Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Sunday, May 22, 2011
This book is now reserved for soffitta1's 1001-books / 1001-library EU-VBB, therefore, if you are interested in reading it, please join the VBB first (http://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/457583)
Thanks so much for your donation Tubereader!
This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.
Journal Entry 24 by Tubereader at Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
This book has been requested by mafarrimond in the context of the 1001 EU VBB set up by soffitta1 and will be posted shortly!
Journal Entry 25 by Tubereader at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Sunday, June 5, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (6/4/2011 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book has been posted. Happy reading!
The book has arrived safely and I look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing.
Not as easy to read as many of Coetzee's other books but worth the perserverence.
