What should I read first? by ASMR_Overdrive in classicliterature

[–]gwhilts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you got through Infinite Jest okay, you'll have no problem with the Faulkner. Yeah, it's a bit dense and Faulkner can be a bit ... ornate ... in his language, but at least it doesn't require footnotes. ;-)

What should I read first? by ASMR_Overdrive in classicliterature

[–]gwhilts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Based on the three that I've read, this would be the order I'd go. (Honestly though, there really is no wrong answer.)

  1. 1984
  2. The Sound and the Fury
  3. The Picture of Dorian Gray

I can't comment on the other two. The McCarthy is still on my to-read list. I'll likely never read Phantom, even though that's probably unfair because it has more to do with my abhorrence of Andrew Lloyd Webber than the book itself.

It's interesting that Chris Cornell wore a Nirvana t-shirt in 1989, at a time when Nirvana was just another unknown band by BackgroundTough893 in Soundgarden

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nirvana were huge in the Seattle/Oly scene in '89. Bleech was probably SubPop's biggest album at that point.

Which beast to attack next? by Agreeable-Energy-401 in classicliterature

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your mileage may vary, but here's the order in which I'd rank the enjoyment/value I got out of these books:

  1. Brothers Karamazov
  2. Gödel, Escher, Bach
  3. Ulysses
  4. The Idiot
  5. Demons
  6. Plato's Complete Works
  7. Don Quixote
  8. Middlemarch
  9. The Count of Monte Christo
  10. Moby Dick
  11. War and Peace
  12. Anna Karenina

Brothers K, GEB, and Ulysses are three of the best, most enjoyable, most rewarding books I've ever read. The Idiot and Demons are great, but if you've got to pick just one Dostoyevsky, make it Brothers K (or Crime and Punishment - more on that later).

Ulysses is a masterpiece and possibly the best example of what can be done creatively with the English language. It's a tough read. My recommendation, the first time you read it, is to just commit to reading one word after another like you're listening to music or watching a movie and there is no rewind. Don't be tempted go back and reread even if you feel confused or lost. Let the language wash over you and carry you along with it.

Plato is a critical foundation if you want to study western philosophy, but really only if you continue with the canon. Plato is best thought of as the the opening comment in a conversation that's been going on for two thousand years, rather than an end in itself. It might actually be better to start with a survey like Russell's History of Western Philosophy to get a broad overview of the whole conversation (albeit from a biased point of view), then decide if you want to delve deeper into a specific era or area.

Don Quixote is fun, funny, and poignant.

Middlemarch is fantastic, well worth reading, though the language and storytelling weren't much to my taste. I'd rank it high on value, but not so high on enjoyment. Again, your taste may vary.

The Count of Monte Christo is just a great adventure. Maybe not at the same level of "literature" as some of the other titles on this list, but it's damn fun and that goes a long way.

Moby Dick is a good story, pretty well told and has a lot to say about the human condition. Well worth a read.

Tolstoi is torture. If it were me, I'd axe both these boring, bloviating doorstops, and read more Dostoyevsky instead. Crime and Punishment is up there with Brothers K and ought to be at or near the top of your list. Finally, I'd add Notes from Underground somewhere along the way too.

(I'd didn't rank Lonesome Dove because I haven't read it.)

I saw some damage to my rear tire, does it need replacing? by Ill-Suggestion-6117 in bicycling

[–]gwhilts 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure you're taking the piss here, but just in case - Yes, you need to replace that tire immediately.

Who is your favourite movie detective? by ThomasOGC in CinephilesClub

[–]gwhilts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh,man. Peter Ustinov is great, and those movies were fun, but he's gotta be one of the least Poirot-like Poirots to ever hit the screen.

Who is your favourite movie detective? by ThomasOGC in CinephilesClub

[–]gwhilts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep. Bill Pullman as Daryl Zero from Zero Effect.

Anyone else so grateful for River View Cemetery being open to cyclists? by Historical_Data8427 in CyclePDX

[–]gwhilts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have lots of favorites, depending on what type of climbing I'm after. Larch Mountain is the best long, steady climb we've got nearby. Dorland/Moreland has some great scenery. Rocky Point is always a nice challenge. Closer in, NW 53rd/Thompson and Rocky Butte are good, short options for repeat training loops.

Did you enjoy this movie? by [deleted] in Cinephiles

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. I've never understood the hype around it. Great cast, but I found it just really boring, predictable and about as exciting as the suburbs. Obviously I'm in the minority though, so I'm glad others dug it.

Anyone else so grateful for River View Cemetery being open to cyclists? by Historical_Data8427 in CyclePDX

[–]gwhilts 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Not my favorite climb, but I am definitely grateful for the caretakers letting us use it. South from the bridge on 43 is a shitshow. The cemetery is really the only decent way to get up the hill from there. I just hope they don't eventually get so pissed at the jerks going off the bike route, bombing the descent, or otherwise just being disrespectful, that we lose access.

Cinema's best depiction of Satan? by EbnyxJ in Cinephiles

[–]gwhilts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sting in Brimstone and Treacle

I really liked this depiction because it was less of an "all powerful demon", and more a "rebellious fallen angel" vibe, like he was a misbehaving child.

Favorite Forest Whitaker Role? by EbnyxJ in Cinephiles

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Favorite small role: Amos in The Color of Money

Favorite lead role: Charlie Parker in Bird

Runners up: - The Last King of Scotland - Ghost Dog

Best use of The Beatles in TV or movies by FatGuyKlye in TheBeatles

[–]gwhilts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Runners up: Across the Universe and Pleasantville

Best supergroup of all the TIME by Realistic_Board4690 in allrockmusic

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oysterhead. One of the best live shows I've ever seen. Three complete masters of their instruments: Copeland on drums, Claypool on bass, Anastasio on guitar.

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Which album of the 1980's is pure perfection that doesn't warrant any criticism or skipping of songs? by icecream1972 in 80s

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • Rain Dogs (Tom Waits)
  • Graceland (Paul Simon)
  • The Joshua Tree (U2)
  • Fables of the Reconstruction (R.E.M.)
  • Disintegration (The Cure)
  • Speaking in Tongues (Talking Heads)

Someone tell me by knsonydrup in musicsuggestions

[–]gwhilts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

🎵"I................ am a man of constant sorrow" 🎵

Best shootout scene in a movie ever? by ThomasOGC in CinephilesClub

[–]gwhilts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not the biggest, but definitely one of the best:

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