Dhalgren | Litsy

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

bailed

This one was a chunkster at 836 pages. I made it to almost the halfway point and couldn't finish. I just didn't get it. What is the author trying to say or show the reader???? I struggled to connect with the characters and the plot was no help either. Therefore, I bailed to spare myself further agony.

#ClassisLSFBC @RamsFan1963

julesG This bodes very well. Not. I suppose I'll like it just as much as you did. 11mo

TheSpineView @julesG I was bummed about it.😣😖😞 11mo

Ruthiella I couldn‘t finish it either. I read about 150 pages and then called it quits. 11mo

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dabbe #hailthebail! 🤩🤩🤩 11mo

TheSpineView @Ruthiella I don't feel too bad now that I know I have company. 11mo

TheSpineView @dabbe Amen.. 11mo

RamsFan1963 @TheSpineView @Ruthiella I finished it on audio, but I understand anyone who bailed. It's not a good book, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I don't know what the author was trying to say, I felt at times there was no point other than to shock, disgust or bewilder the reader. The plot, what there was of it, was beside the point. I began to wonder if anything was happened or if everything since day 1 was all in the Kidd's head. 11mo

57 likes7 comments

TheSpineView

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

Currently trying to finish The Man Who Fell to Earth and Dhalgren before the end of the month for two book clubs. These will probably absorb all my time.

#LitsySciFiBookClub
#ClassicLSFBC

BookmarkTavern Good luck! 🍀 Thanks for posting! 11mo

48 likes1 comment

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

It's pretty much the half way point of March, so hopefully everyone is reading, has read or has bailed on the February/March selection, Dhalgren. Looking ahead to April, the selection is Way Station by Clifford Simak. Should be a refreshing change after our previous chunkster
#ClassicLSFBC
@Bookwomble @Ruthiella @TheSpineView @BookmarkTavern @wanderinglynn @Readergrrl @Johanna414 @Lizpixie @BookBelle84 @Larkken @julesG @Deblovestoread @majkia

RamsFan1963 @LeticiaToraci @sebrittainclark @kwmg40 @CatLass007 @BookwormAHN @CSeydel @bnp @PaperbackPirate @Klou @Roary47 @AuthorCjwhitcomb @PageShifter @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Books_et_al @rwmg @tokorowilliamwallace @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm 11mo

Ruthiella I bailed, but am looking forward to our April read! 😃 11mo

RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella I respect anyone who bails on Dhalgren. It was a hard read, difficult writing style and disturbing imagery. I've never read Way Station, but judging from the other Simak books I have read, I'm sure it will meet more favorable reviews. 11mo

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Lizpixie I tried with Dhalgren but my brains having trouble with modern scifi atm so it just wasn‘t computing! I‘m hoping Way Station is easier🙏Though it is harder to find a copy under $50! 11mo

RamsFan1963 @Lizpixie Go to Ebay. I saw several copies of Way Station on sale between $9-15 dollars 11mo

kwmg40 Unfortunately, I bailed too. After reading a little bit, I couldn't get engaged in it, and there were too many other books on my stack calling to me. I'm looking forward to a rereading of Way Station. 11mo

rretzler Ooh! Also right down my alley as I love SciFi and am reading through the Hugo winners - I‘m over 70% done! Could you please add me to the tag? 11mo

RamsFan1963 @rretzler You got it! 👍 11mo

rretzler @Ramsfan1963. Thanks! 11mo

48 likes9 comments

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

pan

21/150 Hallelujah I'm finally finished!! Jesus Murphy this book!! OMG I'd forgotten how utterly bizarre and nonsensical, how surreal and unsettling the story could be. A man, who can't remember his name so everyone calls him the Kidd, comes to a city called Bellona which has been cut off from the rest of the world by some unknown disaster. He joins a street gang, writes some poetry and has a LOT of sex. That's about it. Is it science fiction?

RamsFan1963 If so then we are stretching the definition to its absolute limits. This is probably one of the hardest books I've ever had to sit through, its ugly, using lots of racist and sexist language. It's considered a science fiction classic, but I couldn't recommend it. I'm looking forward to reading something more pleasant, Way Station, in April. 2 ⭐⭐ 12mo

RamsFan1963 21st book finished for #Readaway2024 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES @Andrew65 2nd book finished for #20in4 #FabulousFebruary 12mo

dabbe #fanofthepan! 🤩🤩🤩 12mo

See All 16 Comments

kelli7990 This sounds like a weird book. 12mo

DieAReader 🥳Great! Definitely sounds a little odd to my ears🤔🤣 12mo

Ruthiella Great review! 😂😂😂 12mo

Bookwomble I feel my decision not to join in the read of this one is justified! 😄 Great review. 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I think this cinches it. I‘m not going to bother finishing. I‘ll be returning it to the library today half read. 😅 12mo

RamsFan1963 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I think I'm going to have to apologize to the #ClassicLSFBC group. This was my selection and I remember it being better than it was. I expect a lot of pans and bails. 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I don‘t hold you responsible for it. You never know with any book. And this one is toted as an SF classic so one would expect more from it. I‘m looking forward to Way Station. I‘ll be reading another Simak novel this month, funny enough, and it will be my first by the author. 12mo

RamsFan1963 @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm In my late teens early 20s, I got on a Simak kick and read several of his books. I think my favorites were They Walked Like Men and The Fellowship of the Talisman. It's funny I never read Way Station during that time. 12mo

kwmg40 @RamsFan1963 I started this one but I'm struggling and will likely bail. No need to apologize for the #ClassicLSFBC pick! I was curious about Delany and now I know what his writing is like. Also, you need to experience terrible books to really appreciate the good ones. 😅 12mo

kwmg40 BTW, Way Station is definitely more pleasant. I'm looking forward to a reread of it. 12mo

CatLass007 @RamsFan1963 I bailed on Dhalgren. Did I miss the vote for March Litsy #ClassicSFBC ? 11mo

RamsFan1963 @CatLass007 You didnt miss March's vote, since Dhalgren was such a big difficult book, it's the February & March selection. We are going to read Clifford Simak's Way Station in April 11mo

CatLass007 @RamsFan1963 Thank you! Talk to you in April. 11mo

47 likes16 comments

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Thank goodness this buddy read isn‘t due until the end of March. I‘m just over 50% through and I desperately need a break. Probably going to set it aside for a week and see if I have any urge to pick it back up. I‘m so confused on where the science fiction is? Other than the pretty little light shows that the scorpions wear, I don‘t get a sci-fi vibe from it… Not sure WHAT vibe I get from it. Just…confused and exhausted by it.
#ClassicLSFBC

Ruthiella Yeah. I‘m considering bailing, which is rare for me. I don‘t think there‘s any point to the narrative and I really need some plot to follow…😳 (edited) 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella I don‘t typically bail either, but sometimes it just has to be done. Yes, my thoughts exactly about nonsensical narrative and slim if not nonexistent plot. Plus there‘s some stuff going on where I am that just sort of gives me the heebie-jeebies… I‘m typically pretty forgiving of “problematic” plot points, but that‘s usually when I can see some sort of reason for it… 12mo

27 likes2 comments

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

It's about midway through February and I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing with the February/March #ClassicLSFBC selection, Dhalgren.
Started it yet? Enjoying it? Finding it baffling? Ready to bail?
I've found it as surreal, hallucinogenic and unsettling as I remembered it from years ago.
@Bookwomble @Ruthiella @TheSpineView @BookmarkTavern @wanderinglynn @Readergrrl @Johanna414 @Lizpixie @BookBelle84 @Larkken

RamsFan1963 @julesG @Deblovestoread @majkia @LeticiaToraci @sebrittainclark @kwmg40 @CatLass007 @BookwormAHN @CSeydel @bnp @PaperbackPirate @Klou @Roary47 @AuthorCjwhitcomb @PageShifter @MerlinTheSlightlyAwkward @Books_et_al @rwmg @tokorowilliamwallace @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm 12mo

TheSpineView Not started yet. Plan to read in March. 12mo

CatLass007 I haven‘t started it yet, but soon. 12mo

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Ruthiella Started it and finding it baffling! 😂 I think a woman just turned into a tree? (edited) 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I‘m on page 116. There are moments where I‘m struggling through it and it reminds me of some of the pretentious works I‘ve read in creative writing classes. Then there are other times where I‘m completely enthralled with the style. Mostly I just hope The Kidd finally takes a shower before having intercourse with another character. 🤣😂🤣 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella I‘m still not sure whether that was an actual occurrence or some sort of hallucination. 🤷‍♀️😅 12mo

BookwormAHN My library hold should be in soon. Sounds interesting so far 😸 12mo

Roary47 I am unable to get around to this one. 😞 I‘ve been busier than expected. 12mo

kwmg40 I've not started yet but hope to do that soon! 12mo

38 likes9 comments

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

It‘s taking me a bit to really get into this one. I think mostly it‘s the writing style. It‘s not bad, by any means, just something to get used to…

Ruthiella Yes, me too. I need to restart it with a different mindset because the beginning is confusing. 12mo

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @Ruthiella I‘m glad I‘m not alone! 🤣❤️ I think I‘m starting to get a grasp on it. It‘s still a bit like a fever dream, but I think that‘s the intent. We‘re just as lost and confused as The Kidd. 😅 12mo

RamsFan1963 @Ruthiella @MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm I read this first when I was 15 and I'm still perplexed by it 45 years later. Its unsettling and slightly unreal, that always makes me feel a little of center. 12mo

22 likes3 comments

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

To wound the autumnal city. So howled out of the world to give him a name. The in-dark answered with wind.

Great opening line.
#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl Yes! Visceral. 13mo

TheSpineView Love that opening! 12mo

46 likes2 comments

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

I'm diving into this today. I've chosen to do the audiobook, even though its 34 hours and 32 minutes long. I know I can do that quicker than the 879 pages of the printed version.
#ClassicLSFBC

KathyWheeler I‘m doing the audio too for the same reason. 13mo

41 likes1 comment

Nell V

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Reading this again. So interesting, compelling, can't wait to fall into this book again!

1 stack add

OfPrurientInterest

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

It's my Sunday stack! These are all the books I'm currently working on (I'm crazy): some are for book clubs, some for self-education, all of them for fun. What are y'all reading this week? Any faves?

Megabooks I enjoyed

The Power

OfPrurientInterest @Megabooks I've enjoyed it so far too! 4y

12 likes1 stack add2 comments

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

so-so

I have no idea how to rate this book. I didn't enjoy reading it. I felt uncomfortable on nearly every page, and I think that was intentional on the author's part. I thought I would never want to read it again, but when I finished I felt an urge to start over from the beginning to find new connections. I understand why it's a classic.

@TheAromaofBooks: this was my March (!) #BookSpin book. Better late than never!

effani I can't possibly create a comprehensive catalog of content warnings, but the two things I wish I'd had a heads-up about are rape apologism, and long, detailed descriptions of dubiously consensual sex. 5y

TheAromaofBooks Glad you got through this one, even if it took a while 😂 Sounds like a difficult read, but a thought-provoking one. 5y

effani @TheAromaofBooks Definitely! And I probably never would have gotten around to it if not for #BookSpin. 5y

19 likes3 comments

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Goodreads keeps giving me this recommendation and it cracks me up every time. As I get closer to the end of Dhalgren I understand more where it's coming from, but it's still a heck of a recommendation to get from a sci-fi novel.

19 likes

RamsFan1963

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Day 4 #7Days7Books

49 likes

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

My mom asked me what I was reading, and I said, “Dhalgren by Samuel Delany. It's a sci-fi novel from 1975. It's really weird - I'm not sure what to make of it yet.“

Mom got a distant, dreamy note in her voice and said, “Yes, 1975 WAS really weird!“

😂 Her reaction was funny, but I think keeping the era in mind is really important to contextualize this book.

wanderinglynn 😂😂😂 5y

18 likes1 comment

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Here's my #BookSpin list for April. At this rate I'm going to finish March's book (tagged) sometime around June, so this time around I shamelessly seeded the randomizer with books I think should be quick to read. So it's heavy on novellas, YA, and romance (and due to the vagaries of random number generation, particularly heavy on Courtney Milan).

Thanks as always to @TheAromaofBooks for hosting this challenge!

TheAromaofBooks haha great list! I'm thinking about looking for some short and sweet titles this month, especially since I'm drawing three numbers!! 5y

TReads I really loved the audio of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane." Highly recommend it alongside your physical copy if it come up on the spin. ? 5y

effani @TReads Thanks, I'll keep that in mind! 5y

18 likes3 comments

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

I will be just as happy if I never have to read another sex scene from a 1970s sci-fi novel again.

15 likes

effani

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

What have I gotten myself into? My #BookSpin pick for March is 836 pages! I guess I know what I'm doing for most of the month. I've heard good things about it but probably wouldn't have gotten around to reading it otherwise, so it's definitely within the spirit of the challenge. Hope I can finish it within the month!

And it doesn't even count for the doorstopper task in the #ReadHarder challenge since the author is a man.

Angitron YES!! This is one of my favorite books of all time! It‘s a beast, but just let yourself sink into it and enjoy the (very) strange journey! 5y

effani @Angitron Thanks, it's good to hear that you love it! I'm definitely looking forward to it - just a little daunted by the size! 5y

20 likes2 comments

twohectobooks

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Awkward! Only one #sfbypoc book on my shelves, and it‘s this bizarro journey through a ruined city. #riotgrams

Molly_the_mezzo May I suggest Octavia Butler? She‘s my all-time favorite sci-fi author, and she fits into this category. 6y

twohectobooks @Molly_the_mezzo thanks! I actually read her Lilith‘s Brood/Xenogenesis trilogy a couple of years ago and really liked it + plan to read more of her stuff, it just didn‘t end up on the bookshelf (most of my books come from the library). 6y

twohectobooks @Molly_the_mezzo on a related note, one of the members of my book club ended up with an early edition of the book where Lilith is depicted as a white woman! 🤦🏻‍♀️ 6y

See All 6 Comments

Molly_the_mezzo @twohectobooks That‘s fascinating! All of her books have Black women as the main characters, so I‘m surprised she started out differently with Lilith. 6y

twohectobooks @Molly_the_mezzo she didn‘t, it was just the publisher either getting it wrong on purpose or by accident. This is the cover illustration, apparently I neglected to mention that in my previous comment 😳 (edited) 6y

Molly_the_mezzo @twohectobooks Oh, man, that‘s awful! 6y

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Angitron

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Do you have a favorite bookish item? This is mine - a limited edition copy of my favorite novel (Dhalgren), signed by Samuel Delany and William Gibson. It's the only book I've ever "collected" and it sits in a special slip cover on my shelf. What is your most cherished bookish thing?

LauraJ That is pretty darn cool! 8y

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Angitron

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Was excited to get tagged by @Lilyripper for the #bookcolortag challenge in black and red. Just so happens that my favorite book of all time - Dhalgren by Samuel Delany - has a red cover! Passing the color challenge on to a new follower - @Pruzy!

Lilyripper Nice stack @Angitron! I like that you even included a red planter. 🌿 8y

Angitron Oh, I forgot the colors for the next person! Ummm....let's say green! 8y

Angitron Thanks @Lilyripper! I was a bit worried about this one initially, because I don't have many physical books anymore. Luckily, was able to find a number of black and red ones still in my collection! 8y

Pruzy @Angitron Green stacks coming soon! 8y

15 likes4 comments

TomAllman

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Book Store Day!!!!

2 likes

penguinrandomhouse

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Catching up on some classic sci-fi this morning.

Liberty 🙌 8y

quirkyreader I read this years ago. I like the artwork for the new edition. 8y

Ohjustbooks Need to check this one out 8y

100 likes15 stack adds3 comments

Improperlycookedblowfish

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

Started my first Delany novel. Not sure if it was wise to start with this one but oh well, I'm committed to reading it. 😆

9 likes

that_danny_mac

Dhalgren | Samuel R. Delany

pick

An incredibly difficult book to get into. The poetic language reminded me of Ulysses if it were set in a city being effected by some crazy catastrophe. Beautiful written and challenging to read. If you start it, make sure you have the time to finish it. It's worth it.

Welcome to Litsy!

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