daniele - aNobii

Books (150)

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- Un yanqui en la Corte del rey Arturo (178)
- By Mark Twain
- Abandoned on May 5, 2013
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- Sans parler du chien (7)
- By Connie Willis
- Finished on Apr 2, 2012
  
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Sans parler du chien

marrant ou à peu près

Il est amusant mais un peu artificiel, presque forcé dans son intrigue.

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— Apr 3, 2012 | Add your feedback
- Lady Windermere's Fan (185)
- By Oscar Wilde
- Finished on Jul 20, 2008
  
  Finished (re-read) on Apr 16, 2010
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- Beasts and Super-Beasts (2)
- (Dodo Press)
- By Saki (H. H. Munro)
- Finished on Dec 6, 2009
  
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Beasts and Super-Beasts

Noir, politically incorrect satire at its best.

You should at least read a few of these spiky short stories, unless you wouldn't mind missing out some great fun!
My preferred stories:
The lull, Laura, The open window, The she-wolf, the Hen, The romancers
Audiobook at: http://librivox.org/beasts-and-super-beasts-by-saki/

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— Sep 21, 2009 | Add your feedback
- The Card (5)
- By Arnold Bennett
- Finished on Jul 2, 2009
  
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The Card

funny enough though a bit longish

It's quite funny, but it's also somewhat repetitive at times. There are surely way too many details on how he makes money and the overall industry of it.
It's one of those books which you love in one chapter and highly despise in the next for wasting your time. The funniest and more brilliant c ... (continue)

It's quite funny, but it's also somewhat repetitive at times. There are surely way too many details on how he makes money and the overall industry of it.
It's one of those books which you love in one chapter and highly despise in the next for wasting your time. The funniest and more brilliant chapters would probably be "I. THE DANCE, VIII. RAISING A WIGWAM, XI.IN THE ALPS" while I got tremendously bored at "V. THE MERCANTILE MARINE, IX. THE GREAT NEWSPAPER WAR".
Of course there are plenty of silly coincidences and many laugh out loud moments:
And Denry still lived in insignificant Brougham Street, and his mother was still a sempstress! These were apparently insurmountable truths. All the men whom he knew to be members were somehow more dashing than Denry--and it was a question of dash; few things are more mysterious than dash. Denry was unique, knew himself to be unique; he had danced with a countess, and yet... these other fellows!... Yes, there are puzzles, baffling puzzles, in the social career.
[...]
"That makes over three pounds! Well, I'm dashed!"
At the hour appointed for dinner he went to St Asaph's Road, but could eat nothing. He could only keep repeating very softly to himself, "Well, I'm dashed!"

The ending wasn't bad at all and in a nutshell you might as well read it.
--
audiobook at http://librivox.org/the-card-by-arnold-bennett/

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— Jul 1, 2009 | Add your feedback

- The Enchanted April (84)
- (Virago Modern Classics)
- By Elizabeth von Arnim
- Finished on Jun 21, 2009
  
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The Enchanted April

1 person find this helpful
One of the most delightful novels I've read in a while.

I found this enthralling book by mere chance and the more I went on with its story the more extremely pleased I was with my fortunate discovery.
Subtle character-driven irony and perfect characterization make this novel so much Jane-Austen-like that if it weren't for the lack of balls and muc ... (continue)

I found this enthralling book by mere chance and the more I went on with its story the more extremely pleased I was with my fortunate discovery.
Subtle character-driven irony and perfect characterization make this novel so much Jane-Austen-like that if it weren't for the lack of balls and much nose powdering I could have sworn Austen had helped with writing it.
It is quite refreshing and captivating at the same time, almost as if the enchanted Italian environment would reach out and grasp the reader's attention as well.
Be sure not to miss it.
On a sidenote: I was not too pleased to find several Italian stereotypes employed in this story(according to which Italians are loud talking, highly gesturing simple fellows); no matter how naively it was done; let's not believe racial stereotypes for they spread falsehoods and hinder cultural blending and acceptance.
--
"Did you know Keats?" eagerly interrupted Mrs. Wilkins.
Mrs. Fisher, after a pause, said with sub-acid reserve that she
had been unacquainted with both Keats and Shakespeare.
"Oh of course--how ridiculous of me!" cried Mrs. Wilkins,
flushing scarlet. "It's because"--she floundered--"it's because the
immortals somehow still seem alive, don't they--as if they were here,
going to walk into the room in another minute--and one forgets they are
dead. In fact one knows perfectly well that they're not dead--not
nearly so dead as you and I even now," she assured Mrs. Fisher, who
observed her over the top of her glasses.
"I thought I saw Keats the other day," Mrs. Wilkins incoherently
proceeded, driven on by Mrs. Fisher's look over the top of her glasses.
"In Hampstead--crossing the road in front of that house--you know--the
house where he lived--"
Mrs. Arbuthnot said they must be going.
Mrs. Fisher did nothing to prevent them.
"I really thought I saw him," protested Mrs. Wilkins, appealing
for belief first to one and then to the other while waves of colour
passed over her face, and totally unable to stop because of Mrs.
Fisher's glasses and the steady eyes looking at her over their tops. "I
believe I did see him--he was dressed in a--"
Even Mrs. Arbuthnot looked at her now, and in her gentlest voice
said they would be late for lunch.
It was at this point that Mrs. Fisher asked for references. She
had no wish to find herself shut up for four weeks with somebody who
saw things. It is true that there were three sitting-rooms, besides
the garden and the battlements at San Salvatore, so that there would be
opportunities of withdrawal from Mrs. Wilkins; but it would be
disagreeable to Mrs. Fisher, for instance, if Mrs. Wilkins were
suddenly to assert that she saw Mr. Fisher. Mr. Fisher was dead; let
him remain so. She had no wish to be told he was walking about the
garden. ~ AN ENCHANTED APRIL
--
listen to it at: http://librivox.org/the-enchanted-april-by-elizabeth-vo…
Text at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16389/16389-8.txt

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— Jun 22, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Orlando (750)
- A Biography
- By Virginia Woolf
- Finished on Aug 17, 2009
  
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Orlando

brain-wearing

I enjoyed reading some bits of this book, and very witty ones I must say, but for the most part I sourly regretted to have ever picked it up.
Woolf's self-possessed, delirious flow of nonsensical prose dominates the best part of the last sixty pages.
Turning over the last pages I was so profoundly ... (continue)

I enjoyed reading some bits of this book, and very witty ones I must say, but for the most part I sourly regretted to have ever picked it up.
Woolf's self-possessed, delirious flow of nonsensical prose dominates the best part of the last sixty pages.
Turning over the last pages I was so profoundly distressed that I did not even grudge for the lack of a proper ending(though some philosopher might differ as to the propriety of the ending); I just felt an incredible surge of blessed relief at the sudden realization of being done with it.
I look forward to the day when I might forget the pang which any forced, time-slashing activity as reading this book was.

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— Sep 15, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Oliver Twist (1974)
- By Charles Dickens
- Finished on Jul 24, 2009
  
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Oliver Twist

1 person find this helpful
'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'

The only fault which I found in this marvellous reading is the ending: the closure was very much deplorable and I was really expecting something better from the greatest of character shapers.
A great book nevertheless.
Best character: Mr. Bumble
Best jocular fellow: Master Charley B ... (continue)

The only fault which I found in this marvellous reading is the ending: the closure was very much deplorable and I was really expecting something better from the greatest of character shapers.
A great book nevertheless.
Best character: Mr. Bumble
Best jocular fellow: Master Charley Bates

The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cook's uniform, stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbors nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:
'Please, sir, I want some more.'
The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear.
'What!' said the master at length, in a faint voice.
'Please, sir,' replied Oliver, 'I want some more.'
The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arm; and shrieked aloud for the beadle.
The board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said,
'Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more!'
There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.
'For more!' said Mr. Limbkins. 'Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?'
'He did, sir,' replied Bumble.
'That boy will be hung,' said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. 'I know that boy will be hung.'

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— Jul 30, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Colazione da Tiffany (6619)
- By Truman Capote
- Finished on Feb 26, 2009
  
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Colazione da Tiffany

1 person find this helpful
Divertente!

I personaggi sono deliziosamente illustrati, la narrazione sapientemente intrecciata, una storia molto divertente per la prima metà e leggermente malinconica per il resto.
Un certo senso di inconclusivita' lascia un tono amaro quando si e' finito di leggere, ma e' completamente giustificabile.< ... (continue)

I personaggi sono deliziosamente illustrati, la narrazione sapientemente intrecciata, una storia molto divertente per la prima metà e leggermente malinconica per il resto.
Un certo senso di inconclusivita' lascia un tono amaro quando si e' finito di leggere, ma e' completamente giustificabile.
L'attenzione del narratore è esclusivamente puntata sulla caratterizzazione dei personaggi, la storia che li riguarda e l'ambiente che li circonda sono funzionali solo fintanto li rappresentano. Quando questo legame cessa di esistere la storia si conclude.
Consigliato!

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— Feb 26, 2009 | Add your feedback
- E la donna? Fuma, fuma! Il libro di Omen² (69)
- By Marco Del Conte, Raul Cremona
- Reference since 2005
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- The Wrong Box (33)
- By Robert Louis Stevenson
- Finished on Jul 19, 2009
  
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The Wrong Box

Jocular!

THE READER OF THIS REVIEW, if this should meet the eye of, he will hear of SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE on the next paragraph
Hilarious mayhem, too bad the ending was somewhat rushed and surely wasn't up to the prevailing jocularity which characterized the remainder of the story.
Pref ... (continue)

THE READER OF THIS REVIEW, if this should meet the eye of, he will hear of SOMETHING TO HIS ADVANTAGE on the next paragraph
Hilarious mayhem, too bad the ending was somewhat rushed and surely wasn't up to the prevailing jocularity which characterized the remainder of the story.
Preferred character: Michael Finsbury
Best chapter: CHAPTER VII. In Which William Dent Pitman takes Legal Advice
---
'It seems very wild,' said Pitman. 'And what will become of the poor young gentleman whom you know by sight?'
'It will do him good,'—said Michael cheerily. 'Just what he wants to steady him.'
'But, my dear sir, he might be involved in a charge of—a charge of murder,' gulped the artist.
'Well, he'll be just where we are,' returned the lawyer. 'He's innocent, you see. What hangs people, my dear Pitman, is the unfortunate circumstance of guilt.'
---
ps: I heartily suggest you to follow this book with the reading of the famous classic of all times "who put back the clock?" whose main character Robert Skill, had probably been—in his own century—more widely renowned than Harry Potter himself.
audiobook at: http://librivox.org/the-wrong-box-by-robert-louis-steve…

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— Jul 21, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Pride and Prejudice (41916)
- By Jane Austen
- Finished on Dec 15, 2008
  
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Pride and Prejudice

1 person find this helpful
Heavily funny and entertaning

What a thoroughly enjoyable novel is this!
Starting from the very practical short chapters format which prompts the reader to press on with the story, to the advantages of free indirect speech style which the narrative so wisely employs.
Some characters might result heavily stereotyped, bu ... (continue)

What a thoroughly enjoyable novel is this!
Starting from the very practical short chapters format which prompts the reader to press on with the story, to the advantages of free indirect speech style which the narrative so wisely employs.
Some characters might result heavily stereotyped, but it's all the better for the reader shall gain as much amusement from them as from those who are more precisely developed.
Above all Mr. Bennet wickedly witted dialogs are priceless and I shall advise the reader not to miss a word of them. Mr. Collins dull petulance is also very entertaining as the very Mr. Bennet states in the end: "Much as I abominate writing, I would not give up Mr. Collins's correspondence for any consideration.".
To own myself how I liked it, I shall only say this be one of the novels I'm most fond of as yet.
Heartily suggested to you all.
-- (quote) --
She often tried to provoke Darcy into disliking her guest, by talking of their supposed marriage, and planning his happiness in such an alliance.
"I hope," said she, as they were walking together in the shrubbery the next day, "you will give your mother-in-law a few hints, when this desirable event takes place, as to the advantage of holding her tongue; and if you can compass it, do cure the younger girls of running after officers. And, if I may mention so delicate a subject, endeavour to check that little something, bordering on conceit and impertinence, which your lady possesses."
"Have you anything else to propose for my domestic felicity?"
"Oh! yes. Do let the portraits of your uncle and aunt Phillips be placed in the gallery at Pemberley. Put them next to your great-uncle the judge. They are in the same profession, you know, only in different lines. As for your Elizabeth's picture, you must not have it taken, for what painter could do justice to those beautiful eyes?" ~ PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
--
Listen to it at: http://librivox.org/pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen-…

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— Dec 31, 2008 | Add your feedback
- Emma (2770)
- By Jane Austen
- Finished on Apr 15, 2009
  
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Emma

2 people find this helpful
Pleasant

This is most certainly a pleasant reading, though it can't be said to be the best coming out of Jane Austen's pen.
The good part is that it has its fair share of silly characters and funny villains, as it was in the other novels; the heroine is probably the most disagreeable among all the others, ... (continue)

This is most certainly a pleasant reading, though it can't be said to be the best coming out of Jane Austen's pen.
The good part is that it has its fair share of silly characters and funny villains, as it was in the other novels; the heroine is probably the most disagreeable among all the others, which is rather a dare from the writer.
The only faults of this novel lay instead with the storyline, which is a bit too much straining to involve the reader in an extreme whole-sale match-making game. It's quite entertaining at first, but there's definitely too much of it as it goes on, almost a cheap choice of design.
Fortunately enough, the enticing, briskly perky Austen style of writing comes out unscathed from the unusual mediocre plot and is as time-worthy as it has ever been in any Austen's novels.</p><p>All in all a good reading for those who enjoy her romances.
-- "Emma," said she, "this paper is worse than I expected. Look! in places you see it is dreadfully dirty; and the wainscot is more yellow and forlorn than any thing I could have imagined."
"My dear, you are too particular," said her husband. "What does all that signify? You will see nothing of it by candlelight. It will be as clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any thing of it on our club-nights."
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, "Men never know when things are dirty or not;" and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, "Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares." ~ EMMA--

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— Apr 11, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Sense and Sensibility (3199)
- By Jane Austen
- Finished on Jan 5, 2009
  
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Sense and Sensibility

1 person find this helpful
Highly enjoyable

Though maybe rather slow at start, it surely has its share of entertainment from the middle of the tale till the end.
The too much explicitly told moral of the story at the end is also to reproach, though the funny jokes mixed in largely make amends for that.
A dully mellow main character ... (continue)

Though maybe rather slow at start, it surely has its share of entertainment from the middle of the tale till the end.
The too much explicitly told moral of the story at the end is also to reproach, though the funny jokes mixed in largely make amends for that.
A dully mellow main character is rather a disappointment for the reader of the brilliant Elizabeth Bennet, while the burlesque characters of this novel surely stand the ground with those of 'Pride and Prejudice' and are definitely something to look forward by the reader.
Suggested to all.
-- (quote) --
After very little farther discourse, it was finally settled that the invitation should be fully accepted. [...] Sir John was delighted; for to a man, whose prevailing anxiety was the dread of being alone, the acquisition of two, to the number of inhabitants in London, was something. Even Lady Middleton took the trouble of being delighted, which was putting herself rather out of her way; and as for the Miss Steeles, especially Lucy, they had never been so happy in their lives as this intelligence made them. ~ SENSE AND SENSIBILITY
--

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— Jan 5, 2009 | Add your feedback
- The Importance of Being Earnest (2357)
- By Oscar Wilde
- Finished on Jul 16, 2008
  
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The Importance of Being Earnest

Formidabile

Veramente divertente, carico di ironia amara e satira alla societa' contemporanea.
---
Algernon: My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died.
Lady Bracknell: He seems to have had great confi ... (continue)

Veramente divertente, carico di ironia amara e satira alla societa' contemporanea.
---
Algernon: My dear Aunt Augusta, I mean he was found out! The doctors found out that Bunbury could not live, that is what I mean—so Bunbury died.
Lady Bracknell: He seems to have had great confidence in the opinion of his physicians. I am glad, however, that he made up his mind at the last to some definite course of action, and acted under proper medical advice. ~ THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.
--
http://librivox.org/the-importance-of-being-earnest-by-…

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— Jul 22, 2008 | Add your feedback