Our Cornflower Book Group has so far read only novels (albeit a goodish range of them) and one collection of short stories, but should we perhaps branch out a bit and include (as Lindsay suggests) poetry and plays?
I've been wary of choosing anything of the sort before as I've felt it was the novel that was the natural territory of the group, but why not go further? If I were to suggest, say, A. E. Housman's A Shropshire Lad (does not the chap on the cover of that edition look awfully like 'someone in high office?!) or Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, would you all be besieging libraries and booksellers up and down the land in your eagerness to get hold of copies, or would you be remembering urgent appointments far from any internet connection on the discussion weekend in question?
So, two questions: firstly, would the thought of poetry or a play turn you off or on? Secondly, if you're still 'on', do you have any views on either book I mentioned above (or can you offer an alternative)?
I wouldn't have any problem w/ poetry or plays. Arcadia is great and I actually have Housman on the active pile so I would enjoy either of them.
Posted by: ted | 03 September 2009 at 01:14 AM
I am not really an active member of the bookgroup, so you should ignore this, but I wanted to say that I adore A Shropshire Lad and would be very interested to see what your readers make of those blue remembered hills.
Posted by: Ros | 03 September 2009 at 07:59 AM
why not only olease choose somethin available for buying.
efi.
Posted by: efi | 03 September 2009 at 08:52 AM
A Shropshire Lad is one of those poems I know lots of quotes from yet have never read properly. I would welcome the spur (if I can find my mother's copy).
Posted by: Barbara | 03 September 2009 at 11:34 AM
Neither turned off or on! I'm not a fan of Housman but so what? The point of the CBG is to break down prejudice. Very happy to have a play or a poem as the next choice. Let me throw this little known play into the hat: Desire Caught by the Tail by Pablo Picasso. It will also make your cooking choice easy (in some respects).
Posted by: Dark Puss | 03 September 2009 at 12:47 PM
I am happy to try either. (or both)
Posted by: Anne | 03 September 2009 at 02:45 PM
I would be happy to read with either or other plays and poetry, thouh whether our library will be able to oblige is anyone's guess. Still, my own collection is reasonable so there's a chance I might already have something! Desire Caught by the Tail I have read (and own) but I'm not sure if I'd choose to read it again. My husband was in a student production, and it wasn't a pretty sight.
Posted by: GeraniumCat | 03 September 2009 at 08:18 PM
Naturally I would be delighted to (re)read either. I wish all my proposals at work drew such support!
Posted by: Lindsay | 03 September 2009 at 09:40 PM
I had not known Picasso wrote a play. The title intrigues me. May I second this nomination.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 04 September 2009 at 06:46 AM
As an alternative to Housman how about Eliot's The Wasteland? Or October by Louise Gluck?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 04 September 2009 at 01:52 PM
Happy with poetry and plays in general and a great lover of AEHousman!
Are they all easy to get hold of? Shropshire Lad shouldn't be a problem but plays?
Posted by: adele geras | 04 September 2009 at 02:14 PM
I love the idea of both. Though I haven't been a participant before, it isn't because of lack of interest. I've found myself thinking a lot lately about the play, Our Town. I read it as a girl, and it has stayed with me like no other.
Posted by: Nan | 06 September 2009 at 04:21 PM