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Unit 22 Talking about books
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Unit 22 Talking about books
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| readeralexey | Дата: Среда, 29.09.2021, 16:47 | Сообщение # 1 |
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| Write a blurb for a work of fiction (Russian or English) without revealing its title or character names for your classmates to guess what book it is.
Give an example of compulsive reading you have had recently.
Describe a book you know which was ahead of its time.
Have you read any memoirs? Did you like it? Why (not)?
Was there any book in your History of English Literature course that you would call compulsive reading? What was the most heavy going one?
Do you read in bed? What is good bedtime reading, in your opinion?
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| yarovaya02 | Дата: Понедельник, 06.03.2023, 07:15 | Сообщение # 16 |
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| Describe a book you know which was ahead of its time.
As far as I know, Dostoevsky’s book “The Possessed” was really ahead of its time. The author could already in the 19th century distinguish increasing conflict in Russian society, which finally exploded in the 20th century, it was killing the Emperor’s Family and, consequently, anarchism.
Describing liberals, especially its representatives of a younger generation, he showed frustration of faith, of patriotism, of love and even of simple respect to parents ( the Verkhovenskys). But all those problems started much earlier, probably when noblemen preferred endless clubs and amusement to living an honourable life, serving the country and raising children in family. Dostoevsky depicted that good estate of the state directly depends on estate of families, on how people treat each other in this or that family.
Social problems increased step by step, according to the fact that people stopped being sincere and heartfelt Orthodox, people preferred their own interests and desires to church and state ones.
I think that Dostoevsky managed to predict where the Russians were rushing, and probably, it is thanks to him that revolutionary explosion was not so early and hard as it could be, but who knows.
I think that people before buying a book usually read a BLURB at first. This book is so EVOCATIVE, COMPELLING, GRIPPING, ENGAGING and LIGHTWEIGHT at the same time. You can’t just PUT IT DOWN, so COMPULSIVE READING it is. It attracted a wide READERSHIP.
2,25[/size]
Сообщение отредактировал yarovaya02 - Понедельник, 19.06.2023, 16:29 |
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| amasaltseva | Дата: Понедельник, 06.03.2023, 22:24 | Сообщение # 17 |
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| Describe a book you know which was ahead of its time.
It seems that one of the possible features of a work of genius is that of it ahead of its time. Masterpieces of that kind are often valued long after they have been created, as well as their authors are acknowledged and admired after their departure. Why else do we have such a cliche as: “somebody was not appreciated until after his or her death”?
There is a great variety of works of that kind, for instance, those of Friedrich Hölderlin, German romantic poet, who was re-evaluated only in the 20th century. However, the book which first came to my mind was “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman” by Laurence Stern, so I would like to choose it as the main example.
Why can we call “Tristram Shandy” a book which was ahead of its time? To start with, it anticipated literature of the stream of consciousness that you might know by works of Woolf and Joyce. The thoughts and emotions which come constantly through human brains are depicted in a literally work as they come - without accurate order, in a chaotic way.
Another feature lies in the ending of a novel. “Tristram Shandy” stops mid-sentence - Sterne ruins the classical structure.
3
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Have you read "Envy" by Yuri Olesha? If you haven't, I highly recommend you to do. It's COMPULSIVE READING, this is the book that you CAN'T PUT DOWN. It's COMPELLING, BREATHTAKING and ENGAGING.
1,25
Сообщение отредактировал amasaltseva - Понедельник, 19.06.2023, 15:49 |
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| ulyana_kazakova | Дата: Вторник, 07.03.2023, 11:13 | Сообщение # 18 |
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| Have you read any memoirs? Did you like it? Why (not)?
I love reading memoirs primarily because they give the reader the opportunity to look at events from the perspective of the author. Once before I told you about the book "Do No Harm. Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery". This is a book written by a world-famous British neurosurgeon, secretary of the Association of Neurosurgeons of the Royal College of Surgeons of Great Britain. Henry Marsh is the author of several bestsellers, one of which I wanted to mention. This is a book about tragedies, pain, fear, weakness and strength. The book consists of real stories, closely intertwined with personal experiences and dramas of the doctor. It is kind of a journal, where Henry Marsh describes not only the operations, but also the feelings that a neurosurgeon has to face during brain surgery, because even any wrong movement will inevitably lead to disaster and death of the patient: "And after more than thirty years, I can clearly see the despair frozen on the face of a dying man when he watched me turn my back on him." He was not afraid to talk about his mistakes, which not infrequently ended sadly. It requires a lot of courage, realizing that others will learn from his mistakes. Honestly, I've never been much into medicine, but I was insanely interested in reading this compelling and gripping book.
Also, I read Agatha Christie's memoir, "Autobiography". Although the book starts rather boring, but the further it goes, the more interesting it gets. The writer's childhood is described in great detail, and there are many descriptions of interiors and food throughout the book. Lots of admonitions, lamentations about "it used to be better." Lots of travel, but their descriptions are mostly reduced to listing cities and activities. In general, there are many detailed descriptions in the book, but they are very seldom interesting. It was curious to see that time through the eyes of an eyewitness. I liked the funny and witty sketches, dialogues, comments from the writer. I admired Agatha Christie's irrepressible thirst for learning new skills. This book has something for everyone, I guess. However, to my personal taste, it is rather long.
5
Сообщение отредактировал ulyana_kazakova - Вторник, 07.03.2023, 12:43 |
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| sasavasl15 | Дата: Понедельник, 13.03.2023, 19:32 | Сообщение # 19 |
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| Give an example of compulsive reading you have had recently.
There was a period in my life that can be called "compulsive reading". It was the ninth grade at school when too much new and unknown literature appeared in my life. Besides, almost everyone in my class read as much as I did. Therefore, the exchange of books took place very quickly, we even distributed in what order who would read. Some of the most popular authors we had were Remark, Chuck Palannick, Huxley, Orwell and Jack London.
I remember that we constantly hid books behind textbooks, under desks, so that the teacher would not see what we were reading in class. On the way home, I walked with a book in my hands, and when I came home, I disappeared for three hours, if not for the whole day. From the point of view of psychology, I think it can be called escapism, when the world around you does not seem very exciting and bright to you, and you find a way to escape somewhere far away in a book.
Now I don't read so much and not so fast, but I analyze and think about books more. And I've already got used to this reality, I'm not trying to escape from it, but accept everything that happens.
4,5
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It was a real PAGE-TURNER. The book turned out to be fascinating and POIGNANT. I couldn't even imagine that MEMOIRS about this era will would be so interesting.
0,75
Сообщение отредактировал sasavasl15 - Понедельник, 19.06.2023, 16:33 |
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| abalakinan27 | Дата: Вторник, 18.04.2023, 16:51 | Сообщение # 20 |
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| As for me, I don't READ IN BED very often. Actually, it is a habit of my dream. I'm really into reading but during the day I don't have right time to do it that is why night or evening bedtime is the best for me.
It can be anything like a COMPELLING TALE, a BREATHTAKING and ACCLAIMED DETECTIVE, a GRIPPING PAGE-TURNER and a bit ENIGMATIC story full of brilliant moments of INSIGHTS. Perhaps books with a MACABRE and CHILLING PLOT or kinds of POIGNANT CHRONICLES are better to put off at this time of the day. HEAVY GOING and INFORMATIVE literature is worth trying not in bedtime as there's high probability that you can't PUT IT DOWN or fall asleep calmly after reading them.
In any case you should go for something EVOCATIVE and LIGHTWEIGHT that you could GET INTO.
4,5
Сообщение отредактировал abalakinan27 - Суббота, 06.05.2023, 17:38 |
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| tsumskaa30 | Дата: Четверг, 20.04.2023, 21:14 | Сообщение # 21 |
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| Have you read any memoirs? Did you like it? Why (not)?
Several years ago I read a book written by Anna Grigorievna Dostoevskaya “Memoirs”. I would say that it is truly a COMPULSIVE READING. All of us have read Dostoevsky’s books which were sometimes prophetical and AHEAD OF their TIME but not everybody knows who he really was in his personal life.
These “Memoirs” are a POIGNANT CHRONICLE of the life of Fedor Mikhaylovich and his young wife, how they met and lived together for fifteen years. She was a stenographer and he was already an ACCLAIMED writer. She was just 20 and he was 44. By that time Dostoevsky had already returned from the prison, was a widower and had CHILLING debts. Moreover, he was an epileptic. Although their life was really hard, the “Memoirs” are not LUGUBRIOUS at all but not LIGHTWEIGHT either. The young wife was really caring; she did everything to ease her husband’s suffering. Anna Grigorievna also helped Dostoevsky to overcome his main passion — roulette. Their letters are filled with true love and tenderness. For example, Fedor Mikhaylovich wrote, “I’m convinced now, Anya, that I not only love you but I’m head over heels in love with you and that you are my only mistress. And that is after 12 years!”. Such living letters are just BREATHTAKING because they are sincere.
I believe that such attitude between the husband and the wife are explained by the fact that they saw the inner part of each other. This is a precious soul that determined their choice, not the externals and social status. They really respected and appreciated each other. And that is why these “Memoirs” are a real PAGE-TURNER.
4,5
Сообщение отредактировал tsumskaa30 - Пятница, 05.05.2023, 20:42 |
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| katyadorniak | Дата: Среда, 26.04.2023, 02:15 | Сообщение # 22 |
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| Do you read in bed? What is good bedtime reading, in your opinion?
When it comes to my bed time reading, I have a varied readership. reading preferences I enjoy getting into an animal encyclopedia, where I learn about different species and their habitats. It's a lightweight read and perfect for winding down after a long day. On the other hand, Alice in Wonderland is a compelling and acclaimed page-turner that I simply can't put down. The wry and enigmatic characters always keep me on my toes.
Another book that I love to read in bed is a collection of Myths, which is a product of its time and provides insight into the beliefs and values of ancient cultures. It's a gripping and evocative anthology that takes me on a breathtaking journey through the world of mythology. All in all, I love books that offer a mix of knowledge, entertainment, and emotion, making for a compulsive and unforgettable reading experience.
4,5
I believe, BEDTIME READING should be LIGHTWEIGHT, not HEAVY-WEIGHT or LUGUBRIOUS, and something that you can easily GET INTO without too much effort. A PAGE-TURNER, a COMPELLING or gripping book that you CAN'T PUT DOWN, is ideal. MEMOIRS or CHRONICLES can provide an insight into different cultures and people, while an ANTHOLOGY or PUBLICATION may offer a mix of enigmatic and EVOCATIVE stories. A WRY or POIGNANT JOURNAL or log could also be an excellent choice. An ACCLAIMED and highly recommended book could be an excellent choice for those who want something more challenging, as long as it's not too difficult to follow.
4
EkaterinaDolzhenkova
Сообщение отредактировал readeralexey - Среда, 03.05.2023, 22:51 |
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| posternaksophie | Дата: Пятница, 28.04.2023, 22:20 | Сообщение # 23 |
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| Write a blurb for a work of fiction (Russian or English) without revealing its title or character names for your classmates to guess what book it is.
Despite the challenges she faces, the young woman refuses to give up on her dreams. She knows that she wants more from life than what her small town can offer, and she is determined to make a better life for herself. However, her family does not understand her desire for independence and they pressure her to conform to their expectations.
As she continues to struggle with her conflicting emotions, the young woman meets a mysterious man who captures her heart. He is charming, intelligent, and seems to understand her better than anyone else. But as their relationship deepens, she discovers that he has a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.
Despite the danger, the young woman cannot resist the pull of her heart. She knows that she loves this man, and she is willing to risk everything to be with him. But as she gets closer to the truth, she realizes that the sacrifices she will have to make are greater than she ever imagined.
In the end, the young woman must make a choice between love and duty. She knows that whichever path she chooses, there will be consequences. But in the end, she decides to follow her heart and take a chance on love. And although the road ahead may be difficult, she knows that she has the strength and courage to face whatever challenges come her way.
5
Добавлено (28.04.2023, 22:22)
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One book that I believe was ahead of its time is "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. Published in 1932, the novel imagines a dystopian future where society is controlled by technology and people are conditioned from birth to conform to their assigned roles in society.
At the time of its publication, many critics dismissed the book as overly pessimistic and unrealistic. However, as time has passed, it has become clear that Huxley's vision of the future was not only prescient, but also quite accurate in many ways.
Perhaps most importantly, "Brave New World" was one of the first works of fiction to explore the idea of a world without individual freedom or personal autonomy. In many ways, it anticipated the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century and the ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy around the world.
Overall, "Brave New World" remains a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of technology, conformity, and individualism are as relevant as ever, and its warning about the dangers of sacrificing human dignity for the sake of progress is one that we would do well to heed.
5
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| ulyana_kazakova | Дата: Суббота, 27.05.2023, 20:45 | Сообщение # 24 |
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| I find it fascinating to read MEMOIRS because they allow you to look at the events described through the author's eyes. But most of all I love detectives because they are GRIPPING. Often MACABRE stories hold more interest for me than light love stories.
1,75
Сообщение отредактировал ulyana_kazakova - Суббота, 27.05.2023, 20:46 |
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| sensualpie111 | Дата: Воскресенье, 03.09.2023, 23:40 | Сообщение # 25 |
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| Describe a book you know which was ahead of its time.
One book that comes to mind as ahead of its time is "1984" by George Orwell, published in 1949. This dystopian novel explores a totalitarian society where the government exercises extreme control over every aspect of people's lives, and surveillance is omnipresent. Orwell's portrayal of a surveillance state and the use of propaganda to manipulate public perception was remarkably prescient considering it was written decades before the digital age and the rise of modern surveillance technologies.
"1984" foresaw the potential dangers of mass surveillance, censorship, and the distortion of truth for political purposes. It introduced concepts like "Big Brother" and "thoughtcrime" that have become ingrained in discussions about government surveillance and privacy in the 21st century. The book's relevance has only grown over time, making it a classic that continues to resonate with readers and remains a thought-provoking warning about the abuse of power in the modern world.
Para Julia
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| sodrozdova | Дата: Четверг, 26.09.2024, 10:09 | Сообщение # 26 |
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| Do you read in bed? What is good bedtime reading, in your opinion?
To be honest, I really enjoy reading in bed, but it can cause some problems. The biggest and most significant problem is that I often fall asleep immediately. I prefer to read sitting at the table because this helps me stay focused. (Please don't mention that there's a sofa next to the table...) In general, I try to find places where it's not possible to fall asleep while reading. These places can be anywhere: a cozy garden nest, a swing, or a comfortable armchair at home, for example.
In my opinion, good bedtime reading is an activity that helps you relax and enjoy your time spent reading. It can be any book that interests you. When I was 8 or 9 years old, my mother gifted me a book on Greek mythology. The book contained a lot of historical and cultural information (boring information for a child: dry talks about culture and history), but I enjoyed it so much that I read the book three times or more. I also really enjoyed reading the book by Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe. I would sit in the garden swing, reading the book and imagining myself on the sunny island helping the protagonist.
5
Сообщение отредактировал sodrozdova - Четверг, 26.09.2024, 14:32 |
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| lolosipovanika | Дата: Четверг, 26.09.2024, 13:29 | Сообщение # 27 |
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| Give an example of compulsive reading you have had recently.
The last book that I have found breathtaking recently was "The Collector" by John Fowles. It was compulsive reading, I literally couldn't stop reading it. The plot is about a man who adores collecting beautiful things, such as butterflies. And one day he saw a woman and liked her so much, that he decided to put her in his collection.
This book contains many beautiful metaphors and Shakespearean references. "The Collector" has a parallel with "The Tempest". The protagonist thinks that he is a wonderful Ferdinand, while his new item in the collection is Miranda. But Miranda claims that he is Caliban.
I couldn't put this book down, it is indeed a page-turner so I really do recommend it.
4,5
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1. Mark reads a lot of HEAVY GOING books with a narrow READERSHIP, which are AHEAD OF THEIR TIME. 2. Reading such books for him is COMPULSIVE READING. 3. There are many books on his bookshelf: JOURNALS, MEMOIRS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS, ANTHOLOGIES and even LOGBOOKS.
3,25
Сообщение отредактировал lolosipovanika - Среда, 11.12.2024, 23:20 |
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| veronikachernykh15 | Дата: Четверг, 26.09.2024, 14:21 | Сообщение # 28 |
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| Two men who are representatives of high society bounded by friendship. After the death of his father, the second friend receives a huge inheritance and a position in society. Naive, kind, he becomes a victim of unprincipled women. He marries one of them, but family life does not bring him happiness. The war with "him" sharpens the spirit of patriotism in the Russian people.
The first friend dreams of glory and feats. He goes to war, leaving his pregnant wife to the care of his old father and sister. The young woman dies in childbirth, giving her husband the only heir. After the tragedies experienced, he loses his taste for life. A beautiful and sophisticated girl gives him a desire to live. He proposes to his beloved, receives consent, but the wedding is postponed for a year. The news of her betrayal becomes a big blow to him. The engagement is canceled.
The characters have a lot of hard life trials. The first friend died from wounds received during the war. The second friend also becomes a widower. By that time, he had long been hopelessly in love with the beautiful woman with whom the first friend canceled engagement before death. After the end of the war, they get married and finally find happiness.
2,5
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1) When I was a child I was so excited to read different ENCYCLOPEDIAS and definitely I was an COMPULSIVE READER who consumed books really quickly. 2) When I became a teenager, I loved ENGAGING novels with POIGNANT plots. 3) If a book was really BREATHTAKING I couldn't PUT IT DOWN. 4) Nowadays, I enjoy MEMOIRS but I don’t recommend them for BEDTIME READING.
3
Сообщение отредактировал veronikachernykh15 - Четверг, 12.12.2024, 15:17 |
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| lisaswan001 | Дата: Понедельник, 02.12.2024, 19:00 | Сообщение # 29 |
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| Do you read in bed? What is good bedtime reading, in your opinion?
To be honest, bed is my favourite place to read. Because I have some difficulty sleeping, I don't fall asleep as soon as I sit down on my bed, so reading in it is the best option for me. Reading in my home clothes, under a warm blanket, with a cup of herbal tea and a small torch is a ritual that always makes me feel calmer and happier.
Reading in bed can be different. If it's a book on ancient literature or a boring non-fiction, you'll only fall asleep faster. If it is a very interesting novel with which it will not hurt to spend one sleepless night and knock down the regime - even better. During quarantine, I often read at night, which is how I managed to finish a book a day. Thanks to this experience, reading in bed became a special ritual of calm and bliss for me.
5
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Acclaimed as a page-turner, Queen’s memoirs offer a gripping and compelling chronicle of a life. The breathtaking descriptions of the protagonist's struggles create a truly compulsive reading experience. This is a story that will stay with you long after you finish its final page and it is perfect for bedtime reading!
3
Сообщение отредактировал lisaswan001 - Понедельник, 02.12.2024, 20:03 |
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| sodrozdova | Дата: Вторник, 03.12.2024, 09:33 | Сообщение # 30 |
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| 1) I was trying to keep a journal. 2) The idea wasn't about writing memoirs, but to reflect on personal feelings. 3) But it turned out to be a blurb to my life.
1,5
Сообщение отредактировал sodrozdova - Четверг, 12.12.2024, 14:31 |
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