Evidence that I am finally losing it. (Okay, then. More evidence.)

I have amused myself greatly with my own foolishness today.

Was on the bus (where else?) and opened up the book I'm currently reading or, more accurately, struggling with. You might have spotted in my 'What I am currently reading' sidebar that I was complaining about a book by William Trevor in which he seemed to have introduced a wide variety of sub-plots which I was hoping would come together at some point. I knew the novel was all set in Ireland, but apart from that, couldn't see any links at all between the characters or their situations. Chapter by chapter, it just seemed to get even more complicated.

Still, I was determined to persevere. In fact, I was even a little proud of myself for sticking with a postmodern narrative. I'm an English teacher, after all, I comforted myself. I ought to be able to cope.

Opened up to the seventh chapter. A new character, a new story, a new setting.

That was it! I slapped the book shut. English teacher, or no English teacher, I decided I didn't have to keep going if the author wasn't doing his job properly.

And that's when I saw the blurb on the back praising this collection of diverse short stories.

Ah.

Comments

  1. Martin8/12/09 13:23

    Has this little blip coincided with an abstention from chocolate consumption by any chance?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fran Hill8/12/09 14:03

    You're right, Martin! You're right! I'm going back on the Galaxy immediately.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ellie Kings8/12/09 14:43

    Too funny Fran! If only you'd read that blurb first :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lesley8/12/09 18:46

    hahaha!! That is SO something I would do! I often get partway through a book and think, "Gee, this sounds familiar." By the time I reach the very end of the book I realize another copy of the same book is already sitting on my shelf. duh.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Friko9/12/09 03:05

    Oh dear, Fran, it's happened to me too; perhaps I noticed a bit sooner, but you have the excuse that being on a bus is a distraction in irtself.

    Please, carry on being the lovable .............. you are. I, for one, shall always enjoy reading what it's like in Missland.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sharon9/12/09 05:00

    You've been making me feel so much better about myself lately.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fran Hill9/12/09 11:57

    Ellie - the words 'if only' sum up my life very well. I will have them on my gravestone.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fran Hill9/12/09 11:58

    Lesley - have done that many times! And it's so annoying when you've just spent good money on the book.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fran Hill9/12/09 11:59

    Friko, I love your diplomatic 'perhaps I noticed a bit sooner'! That made me giggle. You're so nice.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fran Hill9/12/09 12:02

    Sharon - that's what I'm here for. Any time you need a bit of encouragement, come right over. There'll always be something to make you feel glad you're not me! Or not taught by me. Or not married to me. Or not anywhere near me ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Elizabeth Musgrave10/12/09 00:42

    Oh wonderful - just the thing to make me snort unbecomingly at my computer! I love the idea that you must be able to manage because you are an English teacher too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Alan Burnett10/12/09 07:35

    Wonderful post, had me laughing out loud. You were brave to get so far into the book, I normally abandon them if I can't make any sense of them after a chapter.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fran Hill10/12/09 10:57

    Elizabethm - one has these illusions.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fran Hill10/12/09 10:58

    Thanks, Alan. I was determined. Especially as I'd loved the previous book of his I'd read (see What I've Just Read sidebar) and couldn't believe he'd deteriorated from being such a good writer ....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anna May Mangan12/12/09 06:29

    Hello Fran,

    Thanks for your comment on my blog - yours is great - and CONGRATULATIONS on being thre Leaf Blog Competition winner, too!

    Anna May Mangan x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fran Hill12/12/09 10:18

    Thanks, AMM. Come back and visit Miss-land any time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Brilliant Sulk12/12/09 15:19

    I wish I had to time to ride the bus. And read. Lately I fall asleep whenever I attempt to read anything. I'm so darn tired. Or drunk.

    Please come visit my new site, for some reason it's not updating in the Blogger blog lists...I'm doomed.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kate16/12/09 04:18

    Brilliant! I love it. Are you reading it again now or have you given up in anger? Nice to see you posting again too I was missing you

    Kate

    http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Simon Whaley16/12/09 09:51

    My most embarrassing moment on a bus reading (there are many other embarrassing moments on buses that don't involve reading) was when I was traveling home from work one night after a particularly stressful day. I'd taken my book out to read, read the first paragraph, which was quite thought provoking, and then turned to look out of the window, whilst I continued thinking. Half an hour later, my thinking all nicely concluded, I returned to the book. Two minutes later, I turned the page over.

    "Bout bloody time too," said a voice behind me. "Christ, I finished that page half an hour a go. I can't sit behind a retard any longer," to which he got up and found a seat at the front of the bus!

    It put me off reading on buses for life!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Fran Hill16/12/09 10:12

    Kate - do you know, I just can't pick that book up again. It has the word PLONKER written all over it now.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fran Hill16/12/09 10:14

    Simon - that is a great story. It really made me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Plentymorefishoutofwater18/12/09 10:56

    Haha, this made me laugh a lot. Wally. Oh, and I see in your sidebar you like Chris Cleave - Incediary is awesome.
    http://plentymorefishoutofwater.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fran Hill19/12/09 03:47

    Thanks, Plenty. Yes, I didn't think much of the latest book, but I'd still like to read Incendiary as everyone says it's so good.

    ReplyDelete

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