It is time for the mid-year check-in of my Back to the Classics Challenge 2014. While it seems like this challenge started only a month ago, I can proudly say that I have managed to stay on top of it fairly well. In fact, I have only one more book to go, before I’m finished it. Here is my progress:
1. 20th Century Classic
2. 19th Century Classic David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
3. A Classic By A Woman Writer Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
4. A Classic In Translation Son Excellence, Eugène Rougon by Émile
Zola
5. A Wartime Classic Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
6. A Classic by an Author Who is New to You The Warden by Anthony Trollope
Optional:
1. An American Classic The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
2. A Classic Mystery/Suspense Thriller The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler
3. A Classic Historical Fiction Book The Once And Future King by E.B. White
4. A Classic That Has Been Adapted into a T.V. or Movie Series The Great
Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5. Extra Fun Category – Write a Review of #4 The Great Gatsby Review
Have you joined Back To the Classics 2014 Challenge and, if so, how are you progressing? If you didn’t join the challenge, how many classics have you read this year?
I was so close to buying Doctor Zhivago yesterday at a used bookstore. I had it in my hands, but decided to put it back.
The first time I read it, I read the Pevear-Volokhonsky translation and I didn't like it. It was wooden and it was harder to grasp the flow of thought. This time I read the Harari-Hayward translation and it was a completely different experience. I really got a sense of Yuri and Lara and their predicament and feelings. It was a really good read. I recommend it!
I am in the middle of read Doctor Zhivago right now, the beginning takes a bit to sort out. I find this with any of the Russian novels, the interchangeable name usage drives me a bit crazy while figuring out things. I'm into the meat of the story now and enjoying it. I would suggest looking for the Hayward/Harari translation as well. It doesn't seem to be as easy to find, I borrowed from my library. Here is what the cover looks like, as it doesn't list their name it isn't quickly identifiable. I believe there maybe another edition that includes their translation, but can't recall.
You have cleaned up on this challenge, nice work. I guess I'd better go look at my list of things.
I did watch the BBC movie after reading Eugene Onegin, but since I srarted reading it prior to Jan 1 it doesn't work. Gosh, the only woman author (Jean Rhys) I've read so far missed the cut-off by two years.
I clearly will have more work left to do.
Once you get a few Russian books under your belt, I think you will get used to the copious names. They didn't even bother me in War and Peace. Shocking!
Honestly, it was such a relief to see that I was almost finished this one, because some other challenges I'm way behind on. I have to keep focussed, but it's difficult when a good book recommendation comes my way. In any case, I really need to concentrate on my Shakespeare, History and Arthurian challenges. Le Mort D'Arthur kind of took the wind out of my sails for the last one.
20th Century Classic, a lot of good options for that one! I signed up for this challenge but haven't finished any categories (working on Brothers K, classic in translation). Only half a year left, but I'm not giving up yet. 🙂
I'm behind miserably on Arthurian Lit as well. I have Le Mort back from the library, but perhaps it would be wiser to move ahead with some of the other Arthur Lit and come back to this once I have more of the goals finished for the challenge.
I have Parzival, so I might start that. I also have the works of Chretien de Troyes which I'm looking forward to reading. And I'm thinking that The Guns of August would count for my History Challenge so, in spite of my intention of starting nothing pre-planned, I might cave and read that. I must make a new reading schedule. If nothing else, it will make me feel better.
Yes, but you have the excuse of school for being behind, which is a very good excuse, I must say. I'm enjoying your Brothers K posts! I really need some insight into Dostoyevsky!
I tend to avoid 20th century lit, which is why this category is still blank. If I can get through my If On A Winter's Night A Traveler, I can slot it there. I started on this one and kind of stalled. And I know that I must start to read more literature from this period, but given the chance, I'll choose something else. Terrible, isn't it? I have discovered that I really like Virginia Woolf and my last Ernest Hemingway was very enjoyable, so perhaps there is hope for me yet! 😉
Woo hoo! One left – that's spectacular! 🙂
I didn't join this challenge, and this year so far I've only read 4 classics from my CC list (Gone With the Wind, The Island of Doctor Moreau, Madame Bovary, and Persuasion). But I've also read (almost) four books from the Arthurian Lit challenge, so I guess those count as classics too…
On a different note, I'd like to return your Liebster nomination from March, if you'd care to take it! Here's the link: http://bit.ly/TiSu3W
Good for you for being so diligent with the Arthurian Lit Challenge; you put me to shame! ;-Z (do you notice that I feel a bit guilty? 😉 ) I'm going to pick up a book to read for it soon, really I am!
I'm really interested in reading The Island of Doctor Moreau. It sounds fascinating.
Thanks so much, Sophia! I'll try to get to posting about the (2nd) award but I can't promise anything at this time of year. July is completely booked and I have August off, but then will have limited internet access. But I'll do my best! I still have about 8 reviews to catch up on. Yikes!
Don't feel guilty! I've had an Arthurian Lit class to keep me on track – remember? Otherwise I wouldn't be nearly as far ahead as I am.
Take your time with the award. I'll wait 🙂 (And I entirely understand – my schedule is pretty crazy too.)
Yes, I've seen the wonderful insights that you have acquired by reading these for your class. And I've been benefitting from them!
You may wait awhile. 😉 It's going to take me a long time to come up with another 11 facts that won't put people to sleep. You have no idea how much thought it took to come up with the first 11 ….. :-Z