Project Gutenberg

[poliphilo]

I want to read Balzac's Seraphita. Unfortunately it's not in print. Once upon a time I'd have had to hunt through secondhand bookshops- possibly for years. These days all I have to do is go to Project Gutenburg, tap in Balzac and there it is- along with lots of other unobtainable titles. Then I go plink, plink, plink and the printer goes whazoom, whazoom, whazoom and- look- I'm holding a hard copy in my hands.

Having been born in a decade that was- technologically and morally- closer to the 19th century than the 21st, I shall never cease to marvel at these things. 

Comments

[saare-snowqueen.livejournal.com]

I assume that's you. It's much more flattering than the self portrait of a few days ago. makes you look very...literary.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's me. I was attempting to look smug :)

[daisytells.livejournal.com]

Another great picture!
I use Project Gutenburg also. I dont print it out, though, just save it as a Word document, and strike out all the non-book stuff at the beginnng and the end.
As I read I take note of the page where I left off and then go to the top of the document and in RED I enter "Go to Page ** to continue. This fucntions like a bookmark.
What's a good starter read for Balzac? As I said before I have never read any of his stuff.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I printed off Seraphita because I wanted to read it in my easy chair.

I started my reading of Balzac with Eugenie Grandet. It's one of his accepted masterpieces- and it's a straightforward, realist novel. Alternatively I'd recommend a collection of his shorter fiction. Wherever you start you'll find characters who recur from story to story.

[oakmouse]

I've been chronically behind on my flist so I haven't had a chance to tell you that I love the new pix.

You look like the cat that's just eaten the canary. ;) Project Gutenberg is a wonderful thing. Happy reading!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

The cat and the canary? Yes, that's exactly what I was trying for!

[oakmouse]

You got it! ;)

[sovay]

I am coming to the conclusion that as well as a good photograph, you are one of the people who just photograph well. This one doesn't look like a folder of Balzac; it looks like you have just done magic.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Well, thank you.

I'm not wild about the way I look, but then who is?

[manfalling.livejournal.com]

I think you look crafty. Like you've been plotting someone's downfall for years, and all the meticulously laid plans are in that red folder.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

With this secret formula of mine I will hold the world to ransom for- a million dollars! Mwah,ha ha ha.....

[le-oef.livejournal.com]

kool pic. you kinda look like a stlyish vampire.