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I’ve just started reading Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library. Not sure if it’s going to be my kind of read, since I’m not big into speculative fiction.
One thing I’ve noticed: this British writer says “while” instead of “whilst.” Could it be that younger writers are letting go of the archaic form?
The grammar.com link brings up another question.
“Whilst is mostly used in British English, though way lesser than while.”
In the UK, would you really say “lesser” instead of “less?” I’ve never seen the comparative form of “less” except in expressions like “the lesser of two evils.” In “way lesser than while,” does “lesser” actually say anything more than “less” says?
I was surprised to see that on grammar.com.
The writer also needs to be introduced to rules for commas. They don’t exist to be sprinkled around like cinnamon on toast.
Those of us who know Argentina will recognise most of what Miranda France relates in this book. Not easy reading - a bit like looking in the mirror really.
I read that book, and you’re right: difficult to read it. Although the BsAs she described was certainly a different scene from today’s (housing, for example), her general depiction was all too familiar.
I read it about twenty years ago after, I think, about my second visit to Argentina and you just won't believe what stuck in my mind then and still refuses to let go? The washing up.
There's a scene that takes place while an Argentine is washing the dishes. But in the book they are doing it the "British" way with plates and suds in the bowl though I have never seen an Argentine who doesn't load the sponge with detergent and clean the dishes under a running tap. I'm not saying it doesn't happen/couldn't happen, just that I've lost count of the number of times I've got myself into trouble with my other half - and others - when I've tried to plunge all the plates into a bowl of soapy water the way I would do it in the UK. Whatever I may have thought of the rest of the book I just couldn't believe that scene.
How surprising that one scene stuck with you! I read the book about 17 years ago, but I don’t remember any particular scenes; just an overall impression that the writer seemed quite depressed and seemed not to like the city very well. Because I love the city, I felt at odds with Ms France throughout, and felt that she drew conclusions from superficial experiences.
What I do remember enjoying were her descriptions of familiar places, flavors/aromas, and history. And I remember that, even around 2005, I felt she had experienced a Buenos Aires that had existed in an earlier era.
I read it about twenty years ago after, I think, about my second visit to Argentina and you just won't believe what stuck in my mind then and still refuses to let go? The washing up.
There's a scene that takes place while an Argentine is washing the dishes. But in the book they are doing it the "British" way with plates and suds in the bowl though I have never seen an Argentine who doesn't load the sponge with detergent and clean the dishes under a running tap. I'm not saying it doesn't happen/couldn't happen, just that I've lost count of the number of times I've got myself into trouble with my other half - and others - when I've tried to plunge all the plates into a bowl of soapy water the way I would do it in the UK. Whatever I may have thought of the rest of the book I just couldn't believe that scene.
Although I've now left the book for something more exciting and uplifting, I'll probably go back to it in a few weeks. I find it so depressingly familiar, that's why.
By the way, has anyone tried The Book Depository website? Apparently there are no import taxes for shipping books here.
Book Depository: Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million books
<snip>
By the way, has anyone tried The Book Depository website? Apparently there are no import taxes for shipping books here.
Yes. The Book Depository is excellent and we use them all the time. So far all of the books ordered for delivery to Argentina (or anywhere else, for that matter) have arrived - eventually. Sometimes it's a bit nailbiting waiting for them to turn up but they do.. ...they do. Free delivery worldwide regardless of order size and often their prices are cheaper than Amazon - which is interesting because they are an Amazon-owned business.
There are no import taxes on books so they should be delivered straight to your door without passing through Aduana. One thing: if you use an Argentine bank or credit card for your purchases your bank statement will automatically be uplifted by the taxes on overseas purchases because the card systems don't know you are buying books. If this happens contact your bank with the purchase invoice which matches the transaction and they should refund the taxes to your account. It's happened several times with us and they have always made the refund.
I'm currently reading Orwell's 1984 again for the...I don't know how many times I've read it, yet there's a different message in the book for every stage of my life.
This guardian article sums it up very well.
Quote
During a speech in July 2018, Trump said: “What you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.” A line from Nineteen Eighty-Four went viral: “The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
A little known fact - George Orwell wrote 1984 in Scotland on the Island of Jura , in the southern tip of the Western Hebrides.
At least in the top three!
A little known fact - George Orwell wrote 1984 in Scotland on the Island of Jura , in the southern tip of the Western Hebrides.
It's remarkable that Barnhill has remained practically untouched since the late 40s.
It's remarkable that Barnhill has remained practically untouched since the late 40s.
I saw it in the late eighties twice. The photos are very accurate.
I was obliged to visit the Island to do Quality Control work at the Distillery
At that time the only way to go was via a ferry from the neighbouring island of Islay. Very much an on-demand service.
A silly anecdote. There are no police based on Jura - a local sergeant visits once or twice a week from Islay and travels by ferry. When he boards the Jua residents are advised by phone and they cover up illicit activities before the arrival of Mr. Plod. For example, the islanders don't pay the annual car tax for motor vehicles - when they receive advice of an impending visit, the cars are locked d away in garages and no crime is committed.
I suspect that most people who read Orwell in their formative years would name him as one of the authors whose works they most remember.
