The most lied about book.... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 01-29-2007, 01:36 PM

Actually quite a boring list - the books are too well known. Much more impressive to brag about reading more 'obscure' books - don't brag about reading War & Peace: brag about reading Resurrection, forget Jane Eyre & name drop Villette. Mention of The Anatomy of Melancholy, or Montaigne's essays will impress the educated far more than the ones listed. The list seems more about impressing the uneducated.

Mithalwen · 01-29-2007, 01:52 PM

Even more interesting to brag about having read plausible made up books to lure the uninitiated to their doom.....

. Once I told my then boss I was going to the opera and he said he didn't like classical music but had enjoyed Tchaikowsky's Peter and the Rabbit..... When I had finished crying with laughter he said he would sack me if I ever told anyone .....

Lalwendë · 01-29-2007, 01:52 PM

I've not read War & Peace, nor Great Expectations, and I have no plans to either. I'm not a Dickens fan and being forced to read Bleak House for my degree was like torture; nor does War & Peace attract me. Life's too short. Sorry. Nor have I ever read any Dan Brown or the "Men Are From..." book.

A Brief History Of Time? Work of genius. And easy reading too. *smug*

I'm sure the fact that films have been made of most of these books contributes to all the fibs though.

Lalaith · 01-29-2007, 01:59 PM

Tchaikovsky's Peter and the Rabbit?!

Oh that's sweet. You should have married him, Mith. *ducks*

Mithalwen · 01-29-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Tchaikovsky's Peter and the Rabbit?!

Oh that's sweet. You should have married him, Mith. *ducks*

Ohhh noooooooo...... apart from the fact I went to his wedding.... no.... but he was a good friend at one of the nastiest times in my life - so I do remember him with great affection.

Folwren · 01-29-2007, 02:46 PM

What I would like to know is why anyone would lie about reading any book? Perhaps they do not have enough books that they've actually read to talk about... I have never found it necessary to brag about books I haven't read. My list of books that I have read is long enough without imaginary help.

-- Folwren

Mithalwen · 01-30-2007, 09:19 AM

cf Boro's response

Mithalwen · 05-06-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folwren

What I would like to know is why anyone would lie about reading any book? Perhap-- Folwren

I must admit I have read English translations of books I was meant to read in the original occasionally - I had to read Germinal which starts with a long and very technichal description of a mine which had me referring to Larousse and Robert every sentence to look up words I had not needed beforeand I was averaging 3 cups of coffee per page. It was either get a head start with a translation or die of caffeine poisoning. The other thing is I may be lying by omission or comission simply because I am getting older and can't necessarily rememeber books I may have read very quickly 15-20 years ago. I was talking to Lalwende about The French Lieutenants Woman and I am sure I have read some John Fowlds back in the day but I am not now sure if I have read it or merely seen the film! Similarly when you get the great book lists I sit there and think "I know I have read something by Marquez but was it 100 years of Solitude or Love in the time of Cholera.. Not bragging, just senile...

PrinceOfTheHalflings · 05-08-2011, 02:48 AM

I think it says more about the immense popularity of "The Lord of the Rings" than anything else.

I notice that one of the other books on the list is "The Da Vinci Code", which is nothing but a page-turning potboiler. Why would anyone lie about having read it, other than because it's a very popular book? Really, popularity is the only thing it's got going for it.

I'd be more tempted to lie and say that I hadn't read The Da Vinci Code! I mean, yes I have read it but it's nothing to brag about...

01-29-2007, 01:36 PM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Actually quite a boring list - the books are too well known. Much more impressive to brag about reading more 'obscure' books - don't brag about reading War & Peace: brag about reading Resurrection, forget Jane Eyre & name drop Villette. Mention of The Anatomy of Melancholy, or Montaigne's essays will impress the educated far more than the ones listed. The list seems more about impressing the uneducated. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

01-29-2007, 01:52 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Even more interesting to brag about having read plausible made up books to lure the uninitiated to their doom..... . Once I told my then boss I was going to the opera and he said he didn't like classical music but had enjoyed Tchaikowsky's Peter and the Rabbit..... When I had finished crying with laughter he said he would sack me if I ever told anyone ..... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-29-2007, 01:52 PM	#3
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I've not read War & Peace, nor Great Expectations, and I have no plans to either. I'm not a Dickens fan and being forced to read Bleak House for my degree was like torture; nor does War & Peace attract me. Life's too short. Sorry. Nor have I ever read any Dan Brown or the "Men Are From..." book. A Brief History Of Time? Work of genius. And easy reading too. smug I'm sure the fact that films have been made of most of these books contributes to all the fibs though. __________________ Gordon's alive!

01-29-2007, 01:59 PM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Tchaikovsky's Peter and the Rabbit?! Oh that's sweet. You should have married him, Mith. ducks __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

01-29-2007, 02:46 PM	#6
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	What I would like to know is why anyone would lie about reading any book? Perhaps they do not have enough books that they've actually read to talk about... I have never found it necessary to brag about books I haven't read. My list of books that I have read is long enough without imaginary help. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

01-30-2007, 09:19 AM	#7
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	cf Boro's response __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

05-08-2011, 02:48 AM	#9
PrinceOfTheHalflings Wight Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 120	I think it says more about the immense popularity of "The Lord of the Rings" than anything else. I notice that one of the other books on the list is "The Da Vinci Code", which is nothing but a page-turning potboiler. Why would anyone lie about having read it, other than because it's a very popular book? Really, popularity is the only thing it's got going for it. I'd be more tempted to lie and say that I hadn't read The Da Vinci Code! I mean, yes I have read it but it's nothing to brag about...