This week, GRG discussed classic novels as well as a few films based on them!
GRG next meets on Tuesday, February 25th at 6:30pm
to discuss books about sports. Mark your
calendars!
First published in 1919, W. Somerset Maugham’s “The Moon and
Sixpence” is an episodic first person narrative based on the life of Paul
Gaugin. At the center of the novel is the story of Charles Strickland, an
English banker who walks away from a life of privilege, abruptly abandoning his
wife and children, in order to pursue his passion to become an artist.
Strickland leaves London for Paris and ultimately Tahiti, mirroring the life of
Gaugin who would also split with his wife to pursue a life of painting eventually
immigrating to Tahiti. The title of the novel, which is never clearly explained
in the novel, comes from a review for Maugham’s previous work “Of Human
Bondage” in which that novel’s protagonist, Philip Carey, is described as “so
busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet.” The
moon in this sense might be seen as the lofty ambition to pursue a life of
artistic expression in contrast to the sixpence which represents the security
of a middle-class life style with wife and children to which the protagonist
abandons. “The Moon and Sixpence” is the story of the demands that can be
placed on a tortured artistic soul and consequently the lives that it
touches.
The Brothers Karamasov is a murder mystery, a courtroom
drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry in a series of triangular love
affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and
his three sons―the impulsive and sensual Dmitri; the coldly rational Ivan; and
the healthy, red-cheeked young novice Alyosha. Through the gripping events of
their story, Dostoevsky portrays the whole of Russian life, is social and
spiritual striving, in what was both the golden age and a tragic turning point
in Russian culture.
At the staid Marcia Blaine School for Girls, in Edinburgh,
Scotland, teacher extraordinaire Miss Jean Brodie is unmistakably, and
outspokenly, in her prime. She is passionate in the application of her
unorthodox teaching methods, in her attraction to the married art master, Teddy
Lloyd, in her affair with the bachelor music master, Gordon Lowther,
and—most important—in her dedication to "her
girls," the students she selects to be her crème de la
crème. Fanatically devoted, each member of the Brodie
set—Eunice, Jenny, Mary, Monica, Rose, and Sandy—is
"famous for something," and Miss Brodie strives to bring out the best
in each one. Determined to instill in them independence, passion, and ambition,
Miss Brodie advises her girls, "Safety does not come first. Goodness,
Truth, and Beauty come first. Follow me." And they do. But one of them will betray her.
A work of historical fiction which recreates the life and
times of Emperor Claudius, who lived from 10 BC to AD 41, a time when
poisoning, blasphemy, treachery, incest and unnatural vice were
commonplace.
Rated one of the "100 Best TV Shows of All Time"
by Time magazine, this epic BBC series spans the history of the Roman Empire
from Augustus through Claudius, a stuttering scholar who learns early to play
the fool and stay alive. Based on the novels by Robert Graves, it stars Derek
Jacobi (The King’s Speech, Cadfael) in a career-defining role. Siân
Phillips (The Age of Innocence) is “exquisitely wicked” (Los Angeles Times) as
the lethal Livia, wife to Augustus (Brian Blessed, Hamlet), while John
Hurt (The Elephant Man) is "decadence personified" (USA Today) as the
depraved Caligula, whose reign of terror paves the way for Claudius’s
ascension. Winner of an Emmy® and numerous other awards, this riveting
tale of ambition, debauchery, and intrigue remains one of the most popular and
acclaimed dramas in Masterpiece Theatre history. Patrick Stewart (X-Men),
George Baker (The Ruth Rendell Mysteries), Margaret Tyzack (Cousin Bette), and
James Faulkner (The Bank Job) also star.
The Call of the Wild, considered by many London's greatest
novel, is a gripping tale of a heroic dog that, thrust into the brutal life of
the Alaska Gold Rush, ultimately faces a choice between living in man's world
and returning to nature. Adventure and dog-story enthusiasts as well as
students and devotees of American literature will find this classic work a
thrilling, memorable reading experience.
Set in 2031, the entire world is frozen except for those
aboard the Snowpiercer. For seventeen years, the world's survivors are on a
train hurtling around the globe creating their own economy and class system.
Led by Curtis (Chris Evans), a group of lower-class citizens living
in squalor at the back of the train are determined to get to the front of the
train and spread the wealth around. Each section of the train holds new
surprises for the group who have to battle their way through. A revolution is
underway.
Nia (Kristen Stewart) and Silas (Nicholas Hoult) begin a
forbidden and passionate romance in a futuristic society where emotions have
been outlawed, leading them to attempt a dangerous escape in this enthralling
sci-fi love story.
Stanley Kubrick directs an all-star cast in Vladimir Nabakov's screenplay of his own once-shocking, now-classic novel, Lolita. When
worldly, middle-aged professor Humbert Humbert (James Mason) rents a room from
widowed Charlotte Haze (Shelly Winters), he quickly becomes obsessed with her
young daughter, Lolita (Sue Lyon). Humbert goes so far as to marry Charlotte to
be close to her daughter, but when Charlotte discovers her husband's secret
lust, the knowledge leads to her death. Now free to pursue his obsession with
his willing, under-aged stepdaughter, Humbert seduces Lolita, unable to control
a lust that will destroy him.
Inspired by Jack Kerouac's adventures with Neal
Cassady, On the Road tells the story of two friends whose
cross-country road trips are a quest for meaning and true experience. Written
with a mixture of sad-eyed naiveté and wild ambition and imbued with Kerouac's
love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as
jazz, On the Road is the quintessential American vision of freedom
and hope, a book that changed American literature and changed anyone who has
ever picked it up.
GENERAL DISCUSSION:
The Call of the Wild (forthcoming film)
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut (short story)
THX 1138 (film)
Mr. Know All by W. Somerset Maugham (short story adapted to a short film)
Mr. Know All Part 1 (approximately 10 min)
Mr. Know All Part 1 (approximately 10 min)
Mr. Know All Part 2 (approximately 10 minutes)
The Secret Lives of Somerset Maugham by Selena Hastings
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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