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Tony's Reviews > A Sentimental Education
A Sentimental Education
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Me: I don't like Flaubert.
The Chorus: What?!? What Else? Do you park in handicapped spaces? Do you not wash your hands after using the rest room? Do you chew with your mouth full? Snap your chewing gum? Do you refuse to do the Wave at sporting events? Do you ride in the passing lane even when you're not passing? Did you seriously not watch even a minute of the Kavanaugh Senate hearing? Do you laugh out loud at The Onion? Do you think it's possible the Second Amendment may be read too broadly by some? Do you stop watching Sports Center during the NBA season? Have you ever had more than 12 items in your basket in an express check-out line? DID YOU, SIR, VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP???
Me: I just don't like Flaubert.
The Chorus: What?!? What Else? Do you park in handicapped spaces? Do you not wash your hands after using the rest room? Do you chew with your mouth full? Snap your chewing gum? Do you refuse to do the Wave at sporting events? Do you ride in the passing lane even when you're not passing? Did you seriously not watch even a minute of the Kavanaugh Senate hearing? Do you laugh out loud at The Onion? Do you think it's possible the Second Amendment may be read too broadly by some? Do you stop watching Sports Center during the NBA season? Have you ever had more than 12 items in your basket in an express check-out line? DID YOU, SIR, VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP???
Me: I just don't like Flaubert.
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Reading Progress
November 30, 2018
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Started Reading
November 30, 2018
– Shelved
December 11, 2018
–
Finished Reading
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Karen·
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Dec 13, 2018 11:32AM
Forgiveable.
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The Flaubert bit. But then that's all you're owning to.
Kalliope wrote: "And do you like Julian Barnes?"I do, and very much. Although I have not rushed to read his most recent output.
·Karen· wrote: "The Flaubert bit. But then that's all you're owning to."Correct.
I'm with you, Tony. And I tried, I really did. I wanted to like Madame Bovary, but no dice. But I love Jane Austen.
Maybe, Tony, if you would read his letters, you wouldn't like him but almost get to love him...
At least you made it to round eight.
Numidica wrote: "I'm with you, Tony. And I tried, I really did. I wanted to like Madame Bovary, but no dice. But I love Jane Austen."It's nice to know I won't be alone in the cultural penalty box, Numidica.
Ilse wrote: "Maybe, Tony, if you would read his letters, you wouldn't like him but almost get to love him..."Oh, that's tantalizing, Ilse.
Fionnuala wrote: "At least you made it to round eight."But me face, Fionnuala, me face, what some thought becoming before I started on this French business, a total loss now, some think.
Sure you haven't a mark on you — I'm more worried about The Bear. You're such a big name in this arena that when you throw in the towel in a match against The Bear, it is he who loses face. I can already see the fans all looking at each other and saying, that Bear must have flaws we didn't know about if The Tony declines any future matches. But what they won't think about is the lighting. I'm betting you couldn't see that half his moves were only feints, and that he did little comical two-steps in between the feints to entertain you, or that his mouth guard hid a really wide smile. I think there's always a lot of play-acting going on with The Bear.
But admittedly, we can't always be in the mood for play-acting — especially if we can't see the point of it.
Fionnuala wrote: "Sure you haven't a mark on you — I'm more worried about The Bear. You're such a big name in this arena that when you throw in the towel in a match against The Bear, it is he who loses face..."I'm sure Flaubert's literary repute will be just fine. And I wasn't being critical, just stating what I like. Or what I don't like: ennui, an appropriately French word. It's true, too, that I missed the comical two-steps, missed them entirely; though as Sgt. Hulka once famously snarled: I got a helluva sense of humor. This made me pine for the comedic wordplay of Henry James.
Of course I refuse to do the Wave at sporting events.
Tony wrote: "...And I wasn't being critical, just stating what I like..."Sure don't I know that, Tony. And I wasn't being serious, just indulging in a bit of playacting.
Teresa wrote: "Of course I refuse to do the Wave at sporting events."Just another reason why I'm delighted you're my friend!
