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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3 to 27 of 32. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dinah on March 18, 2002, at 19:58:10
In reply to Re: Confederacy --having a hard time with it, posted by noa on March 18, 2002, at 17:16:30
In fact I've given up at page 130. The book simply did not capture my interest. I can't muster up one bit of interest in what happens to characters who are so difficult to like. They also seem rather two dimensional, so there is no complexity to them to grab my interest either.
This book adds to my almost perfect record of not liking anything that is critically acclaimed.
However, my husband and I have been having a lot of fun complaining about the effects of things on our valves. So it wasn't a total loss.
Posted by susan C on March 18, 2002, at 23:53:26
In reply to Re: Confederacy --me too. » noa, posted by Dinah on March 18, 2002, at 19:58:10
I just couldnt slog through it...then i just started skipping the academic things...i tend to do that with books, skip through the parts that are boring to me...sometimes i miss cruitial parts and have to go back, but in general, i can leap frog through reading the fun bits.
The valve, the wine in the oven, and the hotdog cart and the poor poor policeman.
Considering the author was dead by the time it was published and so the manuscript wasnt edited much (is that how it works??) I thought it did pretty well. However, all in all, it is not on my "will read again" list...a list, btw, which is practically non existant.
Oh, and I was disappointed there wasnt a fold out map of New O'leans so I could follow his adventures through the streets.
mouse wondering what the next title will be
Posted by noa on March 19, 2002, at 18:02:48
In reply to Re: Confederacy --me too-how i finished, posted by susan C on March 18, 2002, at 23:53:26
See--what a great idea you had about the fold out map! The publishing dynasties should be knocking on your door!!
Posted by sar on March 21, 2002, at 18:00:21
In reply to Re: Hire that babbler in publishing, posted by noa on March 19, 2002, at 18:02:48
i ate that book up like a carnage-infested footlong.
i loved it!
i suppose those of you who could not appreciate it do not have proper appreciation of geometry and theology, either.
uh! all of these attacks have greatly affected my valve. i shall reqire one week of bedrest, with full service.
Posted by Ella on March 21, 2002, at 22:43:19
In reply to eeeeeh! what?!, posted by sar on March 21, 2002, at 18:00:21
I'm sorry the rest of y'all didn't get anything out of it. Maybe next time we can read something more sothing.
Ella Miatabamboo
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:50:13
In reply to Confederacy , posted by Squiggles on March 16, 2002, at 7:09:02
> seems like a
> study in narcissism and social maladaptation. There
> is quite a bit of humour in the description. I particuarly
> like Ignatius' thumbing his nose at social conventions.
> But what does he like? Why does he hide in his room
> all the time?Because that's where his computer is? What if he found his way to Psycho-Babble?
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:51:47
In reply to eeeeeh! what?!, posted by sar on March 21, 2002, at 18:00:21
> i loved it!
>
> i suppose those of you who could not appreciate it do not have proper appreciation of geometry and theology, either.It was the geometry and theology you loved?
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:55:36
In reply to I'm glad someone likes it!, posted by Ella on March 21, 2002, at 22:43:19
> I'm sorry the rest of y'all didn't get anything out of it.
But you manged to?
Bob
Posted by mair on March 28, 2002, at 7:40:14
In reply to Re: got something out of it?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:55:36
I have to confess that I didn't read this book this time around. I read it maybe 20 years ago and loved it then. I intended to read it with this group but was never able to find my copy of the book, and haven't really been able to read much anyway of late.
What I remember about the book more than anything else, is where Ignatius gets this job for a clothing supplier or department store (I can't recall which) and has to write all of these letters. In one letter the appellation he wrote was something like "Dear Mongoloid Idiot," or similar words. Putting aside the fact that using this as a slur is horribly insensitive to alot of developmentally disabled people, I thought this was hilarious and it clearly struck a responsive chord in me. In my job, in my personal life, and certainly here on PSB, I tend to labor over words and the combination of words to strike precisely the right tone. Sometimes, I think it would be pretty cool to be able to think the outrageous and speak the outrageous. And maybe if you're as outrageously insulting as Ignatius was in these letters, the recipient won't be as offended as if your slur rang a little truer.
I realize that this was but one tiny slice of the book, but it's the part that has always stayed with me.
Mair
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 28, 2002, at 8:38:40
In reply to Re: got something out of it?, posted by mair on March 28, 2002, at 7:40:14
> In my job, in my personal life, and certainly here on PSB, I tend to labor over words and the combination of words to strike precisely the right tone. Sometimes, I think it would be pretty cool to be able to think the outrageous and speak the outrageous.
1. So there's some vicarious satisfaction? He got to do what we don't?
2. I do appreciate your attention to tone here. But that makes me wonder again, what if Ignatius found his way to Psycho-Babble?
Bob
Posted by jane d on March 28, 2002, at 18:48:54
In reply to Re: got something out of it?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 28, 2002, at 8:38:40
> 2. I do appreciate your attention to tone here. But that makes me wonder again, what if Ignatius found his way to Psycho-Babble?
>
> BobWhat makes you think he hasn't? Actually I think he would be too busy exchanging emails with a select group of other medievalists to bother with us (email because he was banned from ALL newsgroups years ago for starting flame wars). Every couple of days he also emails a diatribe about egregious affronts to good taste and decency to several hundred newspapers and and every single member of the US House of Representatives, a number of Louisiana politicians and several foreign heads of state. Net result - one published opinion piece and hundreds of people who now know how to set up their email filters.
Jane
Posted by susan C on March 28, 2002, at 22:08:06
In reply to Ignatius Online - scary thought, posted by jane d on March 28, 2002, at 18:48:54
Posted by Noa on April 1, 2002, at 18:13:52
In reply to Re: Why does he hide in his room all the time?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:50:13
Omigod! I gave up already, but from what I've read, I would say that Ignatius, as a babbler, would be rather a lot to handle, no? But, the idea of him and the internet--- intriguing and puzzling question. On the one hand, wouldn't he be too resistant to change to even get a computer or learn how to use it, but on the other hand, if he did, it would be such a wonderful medium for him to spew his theories and even find some like-minded folks out there, and of course, stir up controversies at PB. Hmmm.....
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 4, 2002, at 0:20:48
In reply to Re: Why does he hide in his room all the time? » Dr. Bob, posted by Noa on April 1, 2002, at 18:13:52
> Omigod! I gave up already, but from what I've read, I would say that Ignatius, as a babbler, would be rather a lot to handle, no? But, the idea of him and the internet--- intriguing and puzzling question. On the one hand, wouldn't he be too resistant to change to even get a computer or learn how to use it, but on the other hand, if he did, it would be such a wonderful medium for him to spew his theories and even find some like-minded folks out there, and of course, stir up controversies at PB. Hmmm.....
Does he change during the course of the book? Does he go to a therapist or take any medication? What about the "possibility for growth" online?
Bob
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 12:31:40
In reply to Confederacy , posted by Squiggles on March 16, 2002, at 7:09:02
Sguiggles-
Did you ever have a chance to finish the book? If so, what did you think afterwards?
Kiddo
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 12:51:20
In reply to Re: Confederacy --having a hard time with it, posted by noa on March 18, 2002, at 17:16:30
Noa-
Did you decide to stop reading? If so, at which part did you stop? I thought about it several times, but everytime I was at that place, something would grab me and I'd have to continue...
Kiddo
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 12:55:02
In reply to Re: Confederacy --me too-how i finished, posted by susan C on March 18, 2002, at 23:53:26
mouse-
I take it that the things you mentioned were your favorite parts?
What did you think of the book overall?
Was there any parts you didn't like besides the academics?
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 12:58:21
In reply to Re: Hire that babbler in publishing, posted by noa on March 19, 2002, at 18:02:48
I think she should contact the publisher and make that recommendation....I bet they'd add it in there!
Kiddo
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 13:01:07
In reply to eeeeeh! what?!, posted by sar on March 21, 2002, at 18:00:21
What was it about the book that made you like it so much?
Kiddo
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 13:03:08
In reply to I'm glad someone likes it!, posted by Ella on March 21, 2002, at 22:43:19
I got something out of it too! I'm sorry that I can't remember, but was this your suggestion? If so, I thought it was a good one!
Kiddo
Posted by jane d on April 4, 2002, at 13:03:15
In reply to Re: Confederacy --me too. » noa, posted by Dinah on March 18, 2002, at 19:58:10
> In fact I've given up at page 130. The book simply did not capture my interest. I can't muster up one bit of interest in what happens to characters who are so difficult to like. They also seem rather two dimensional, so there is no complexity to them to grab my interest either.
>Dinah & Noa,
I did make it through the book but I had the same problem with the characters. I found the book hillarious while I was reading it but afterwards it left a bad taste in my mouth - I sort of felt like I had laughed at a cruel joke at someone elses expense. Once I started thinking about the characters as people instead of jokes there was nothing there. They were just a collection of annoying and mockable traits. Convincing. I laughed because I know people who are like that some of the time. But this book seems to be saying that that is the only thing that matters about them and that is a belief that I like to think I have outgrown (what fun he would have had with my pretensions).
Jane
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 13:06:17
In reply to Re: Why does he hide in his room all the time?, posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2002, at 22:50:13
Ca you imagine Ignatius giving up that red crayon for a computer?
I think if he found his way to Psycho-Babble those of us that aren't seeing a psychiatrist, soon would be, and those that already are, would have their meds increased because of severe regression!
Kiddo
Posted by jane d on April 4, 2002, at 13:27:09
In reply to Re: Confederacy --me too-how i finished, posted by susan C on March 18, 2002, at 23:53:26
> Oh, and I was disappointed there wasnt a fold out map of New O'leans so I could follow his adventures through the streets.
Susan,
That bugged me too so I found these.
Map of New Orleans as a whole.
http://www.neworleans.com/images/maps2/NOarea.jpgMost of the book took place in the french quarter, he lived somewhere between the french qauarter and the area marked uptown and I think he worked somewhere off to the right along the river.
French Quarter
http://www.neworleans.com/images/maps2/fqmap.jpgDowntown (to the left of french quarter)
http://www.neworleans.com/images/maps2/downtown.jpgMiscellaneous pictures from the New Orleans Public Library Site
http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/jan99/jan9921.htm
http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/june2001/june0112.htmhttp://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/jan2002/jan0210.htm
http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/jan2002/jan0201.htmhttp://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/june2001/june0102.htm
http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/june2001/june0107.htm
and (no relation to story at all) boats in 1906
http://www.nutrias.org/~nopl/monthly/nov2000/nov003.htm
Posted by jane d on April 6, 2002, at 0:10:39
In reply to Re: Ignatius as a babbler, posted by Dr. Bob on April 4, 2002, at 0:20:48
> Does he change during the course of the book?
That's part of what's so frustrating about the book. He doesn't change. Yes he gets a job. But the person who holds the two jobs is the same out of touch, self centered egotist that is described on the first pages when he is waiting for his mother under the clock. Circumstances just adapt themselves around him (which I'm sure he would feel is appropriate). None of the other characters seem to change either. Their lives do of course. No doubt Ignatius' mother will be much better off without him but she's not really any different, she's still annoying and would probably support Ignatius all over again since she doesn't seem to have any awareness that she might have had something to do with his obnoxiousness.
>Does he go to a therapist or take any medication?Do wine cakes and hotdogs count? Could you say that he is "journaling"? Seriously I don't see what good therapy could do him. He would make the same speeches there that he makes to everybody else. Nothing anyone else thinks has any impact on him. He's oblivious to it.
>What about the "possibility for growth" online?
Such as might be produced by ordering food on line to be delivered by fed ex? Again. It would just be another forum for his views. No growth there.
Jane
Posted by Ignatius on April 6, 2002, at 1:02:54
In reply to Ignatius never changes » Dr. Bob, posted by jane d on April 6, 2002, at 0:10:39
I have received via your post the absurd comments regarding my life, the comments revealing, as they did, your total lack of contact with reality.
Are they letting you speak in public now? What in the world does the title of this ludicrous post mean? You have outdone yourself in offending taste and decency. Do I believe this egregious offense against good taste that I am reading? You are without shame entirely.
You sound like a Nazi Commandant and perhaps take to striking me if we were face to face.
Perhaps I am very hungry. Perhaps some vitamin deficiency in my growing body is screaming for appeasement. The incident is sociologically valid. The blame rests upon our society.
You are correct in stating that therapy would be of no use to me. There are many facets to my being. Some cretin psychoanalyst would attempt to comprehend the singularity of my worldview. In frustration, the psychoanalyst would have me crammed into a cell three feet square. Thus choking the creativity and vast knowledge within my being. No thank you.
Oh! My valve!!! Are you satisified now that you have ruined me for the rest of the evening? Oh Fortuna, you degenerate wanton, why do you allow me to suffer so?
I must take to my bed now with a Dr. Nut and something from the kitchen to soothe my valve.
Ignatius Reilly
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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