tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post1828140933367775661..comments2024-03-25T22:59:30.053+00:00Comments on Desperate Reader: Tang - J. J. Haldane BurgessDesperate Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-46388755579070888332021-03-05T11:42:55.709+00:002021-03-05T11:42:55.709+00:00It would be a great book for school students, and ...It would be a great book for school students, and book groups. There's a lot going on in it, the contrast between Mann's earnest established religion coupled with his tendency to find God in nature, Magnus Sharp's preference to stay at home with his own bible rather than going to church, Hakki's cynical agnosticism, and then Howell and Meek's (perfect Dickensian names) varying styles of evangelicalism is a lengthy discussion all on it's own. The subtle distinctions of class and tribe are fascinating, especially when you look at who has the money and influence in the community, and then it's interesting to see questions about emigration from a late 19th century point of view where it's arguably representing freedom of choice rather than forced departure. That it's a frequently funny book just makes it so much better. Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-66420035160637500702021-03-05T11:25:32.094+00:002021-03-05T11:25:32.094+00:00Really great to hear your thoughts about this, Hay...Really great to hear your thoughts about this, Hayley. And I also like the variation in the impressions of this that are already being voiced in the discussions you mention - a potential rich seam. Bodes well for this book as a revivified classic - perhaps a work that school students might be asked to study?Michael Walmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033096170021038784noreply@blogger.com