so-soI know it isn't the book. It must be me. But this felt very overwritten and I quickly became bored. This might be because I like Boulder have zero desire to be a mother, only I would have left Samsa and not gotten myself into this position. I thought this would be a quick afternoon read but it ended up taking me 4 days because I could not care enough to pick it back up. I am sure I am missing something.
pickIrving‘s prose is beautiful, and he evokes a wonderful sense of time and place. The tales he relates are enchanting, but all very similar. The history he tells is interesting, but too detailed. Personally, I think I would have preferred a condensed version of this book. It just felt like a bit of a slog. A soft pick for me, but I‘m glad I read it, thanks to @BarbaraJean and #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead .
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 3/3
LMM references Tales of the Alhambra in Emily Climbs, as well as in Vol. 2 of her journals.
What do you think it was about the book that captivated LMM?
Did you feel a similar enchantment, or were its charms not quite as potent for you?
Is there anything else you‘d like to discuss about Tales from the Alhambra?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 2/3
What did you think of Irving as a narrator?
What did you think of his commentary on Spanish and Moorish culture (both past and present)?
Which of the tales he includes were most interesting to you?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent - Alhambra discussion 1/3
As a travelogue, this book goes beyond personal experience or descriptions of the sights & culture of a place. Irving includes story after story from the Alhambra's past, from more straightforward history to tales of myths and legends.
Did you enjoy this way of approaching his subject? What do the myths and legends add to his account—or did they detract from the subject for you?
pickOne of my goals for October is to get back into posting regular reviews!! I started this one in September as a #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead – I had never really heard of it before and wasn‘t sure what to expect. Irving recounts a trip to Spain, where he spends several weeks living in the semi-ruined palace of Alhambra, just outside Granada. While parts of this book bog down with Irving‘s enthusiastic historical facts (apparently he was there to ⬇
My daughter could start in band/orchestra this year at her school. She chose the cello. The instrument is about as big as her but she is excited. We are trying to match her enthusiasm as we listen to the sweet (screeching) sounds as she‘s learning how to play. She was adamant that she wanted to play the cello from the start. She‘s also seen someone on YouTube play “Pink Pony Club” on cello & it‘s motivated her more.
I‘ve gotten behind in my Alhambra reading this week… the Abencerrages chapter was a real slog (I had a really hard time keeping track of who was who!), and I never quite got caught back up. I‘ve been enjoying the stories and legends more than the history!
How‘s your reading going? What stories/sections stand out to you so far?
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMAdjacent
A long time friend suggested a ditch reading and get a new hobby but things sums it up nicely. 👆
