So we beat on--

[trinityofone]

Today I am supposed to: write my Great Gatsby essay.

Today I have:

1) Managed a vague outline of my Great Gatsby essay while mostly looking over various bits of the book and sobbing, sobbing, because no book ever has or does move me like this one; it tears me apart and I am totally inadequate to the task of explaining why.

2) Eaten a sandwich.

But seriously, regarding 1)--I maintain and will continue to maintain that Gatsby is the greatest novel ever written, packing more into less than 200 pages than what others can manage in nearly 2,000 (and I have read War and Peace, so I know *g*). I cry every time I read it (and when I'm reviewing my notes to write an essay on it, apparently). Those of you who have read it: does it effect you in the same way? The class I'm writing the essay for is an American Lit class taught at an Irish university; the tutor has stressed that she thinks the novel highlights American themes--do you think that's true? I would say that the themes of Gatsby--trying to recapture the past, yearning to be known, loved--are universal. But then I am American, so I could be projecting. We do that.

What's your favorite book of all time? What book has moved you more than any other?

Comments

[siria]

*blinks* That is actually kind of scarily appropriate for Rodney. I do want to check this out now.

(Though first, paper! *cheerleads with small pom-poms*)

That thing would be very weird if I were ever to finish it. Also, because I have this image of them getting snowed in in Rodney's house (early 18th century, Neoclassical manor; Rodney completely fails to appreciate it) with no other company. And there's a drawing room, and light only from open fires and candles, and John sitting in a wing chair in the corner of the room where the shadows are deepest, and watches Rodney (jacket removed, cravat loosened) play idly with the piano-forte in the corner.

*hums*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Okay, just the use of the words "Rodney" and "cravat" in the same sentence are pretty much enough to undo me. *twitches* You know this is the good weird, right? The very, very good weird?

[siria]

*grins* Well, he would have had to wear one constantly, you know; even though, despite his valet's best efforts, it never quite managed to sit straight, or attain the elegance and neatness required of the leading members of the Upper Ten Thou'. For the most part, he could not abide to wear it tightly around his throat, and often, unconsciously, while working or idly practising scales upon the piano-forte, he would tug at the starched linen until it pooled loosely in the hollow of his throat. Oh, and god, the working of his throat in the firelight as he plays.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

*whimper*

There needs to be more piano piano-forte fic. That does not involve kitten fur. And more firelight, in general.

Also, please to describe his hair. *g*

[siria]

I... should really just give up on the pretense that I've done any work today.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I...totally love you. Be my heterosexual life partner?

[siria]

Only if I get to play New Order at the afters of the commitment ceremony.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Of course! But...that doesn't mean I have to be the one to dance, does it? Maybe we could hire Joe?

[siria]

... why did that just make my brain go to 'AU where John's a stripogram?'

I OFFICIALLY HAVE LIBRARY CABIN FEVER.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

SEXYGRAM! (http://lcsbanana.livejournal.com/1364818.html)

Are you doing a little dance? Are you singing the "Cabin Fever" song from Muppet Treasure Island?

akukorak has got me wanting to write Gatsby/Nick porn. Okay, that's really not fair. I have myself wanting to write Gatsby/Nick porn. *small puppyish whine* My brain is meaaaaaan.

[siria]

Sexygram may just win at life, the universe and everything.

Are you singing the "Cabin Fever" song from Muppet Treasure Island?

I wasn't then. But maybe now, at ten in the morning in the Arts Block, I kind of am. While eating a scone. Mmm, scone

If the call of the porn is strong, I say you should heed it! Few can resist, you know.