Audio Book Group: The Machine Stops

Humotydumpty, yes, I did!

29humptydumpty

I remember we had a book of short stories for O-level, of which one was The Machine Stops - made a lasting impression on me.

So did we. Probably the same book and I have never forgotten that story. I think it is very relevant now. Maybe we went to the same school!

Hello Fanny, I haven’t read or listened to it yet.
Which thread will it be? ?

This one, I imagine!

I was going to read it on kindle, but according to the reviews, it’s not the best quality.
So instead I’ve ordered the paperback from Amazon (£2.70) which will arrive tomorrow.
I might even write notes on post-its and stick them in!

Claretjan and Humotydumpty, as well as the other stories in the collection which I mentioned upthread, there was also one by Katherine Mansfield about a boy eating strawberries, I think.
I liked most of the stories in the collection, though not keen on Conrad, ‘The Secret Sharer’.
I sat my ‘O’ level at a north London school so I expect us was on the London Board syllabus.

Nandalot, yes that was the book. I didn't like The Secret Sharer or the one by DH Lawrence. I went to school in Lancashire so it must have been a nationwide set text!

FannyCornforth

Hi Marilla, I hope that you enjoyed it!
Shall we wait a few days until we discuss it?
Silverbridge suggested next week, so shall we say discussion starts Monday 20th September?

(also, neither ElderlyPerson or I are Grans! )

Just in case anyone might think that Silverbridge or I are high jacking ElderlyPerson’s thread; we did discuss it amongst ourselves on the thread mentioned previously, and it was decided that we’d ‘share’ the thread.

Not exactly. You can lead, I am happy to just be a participant.

Fair enough EP, that’s fine

But, just for clarity, it was your idea, and you did start the thread

I’ve just noticed that (on the other thread) that you asked me to lead, sorry EP
But I didn’t want anyone to think that I was ‘taking over’.
I have been accused of bossiness on here in the past, and I wouldn’t want it to happen again!

Just bumping this thread while the boards are busy on a Saturday morning for anyone who'd like to join in from next week.

FannyCornforth

I’ve just noticed that (on the other thread) that you asked me to lead, sorry EP
But I didn’t want anyone to think that I was ‘taking over’.
I have been accused of bossiness on here in the past, and I wouldn’t want it to happen again!

But not by me ma'am

*nandalot8 not the same book as me, I think - there was a story by nathanael west, don't remeber one by Katharine Mansfield..

Well today’s the day! ? ? ?
As I’ve mentioned previously, I haven’t RTFB yet (in joke with myself - ‘read the full book’)

Feel free to continue as you wish ? ? ?
I will return shortly

So when is it going to start?
My wine is getting warm

Ha ha Maw!
I think we’ve knocked it on the head. ?
I’ll join you for a glass or five though ?

?????

I tried 3 times to listen to this but it didn’t grip me at all and my mind kept wandering. I got fed up rewinding it! Not my genre generally but I thought I could stand a short story but obviously not.

Just off to find another book ? on audible now .

The history behind this thread (I know, it’s a quiet day)
I mentioned the book to EP, he had said that he liked books that were about the future, and I thought that he’d already read it. Turns out, he hadn’t and he listened to it on YouTube (natch)
A poster called Silverbridgealso said that she’d be interested to read it.
EP decided to start a thread about it.
Elsewhere Silverbridge discussed the book groups that she’d been involved in, and the structure of discussions.
She also told me that she really enjoyed the book, and was keen to discuss it.
I suggested that due to her experience, that she should start a book group.
EP volunteers me to lead the group.
EP looses interest ( it seems).
Silverbridge deregisters (nothing to do with this saga I hope)

Btw, if you’re reading, Silverbridge, please come back, you were a really interesting and informed poster. I hope that you’re okay

Read on…..!

I haven't lost interest.

Is anybody going to start or are we still at the “talks about talks” stage?

Please Maw, take the stage.
I’d really appreciate it.

(I hope that we are on better terms. That’s what I took your 5 glasses of wine to mean)

I’d love to join in, and I think that Early would too

I’ve seen the other thread about starting up the Book Group again, is there any way we could combine and make The Machine Stops the first book we discuss? I’ve read it and found it really interesting and thought provoking, I think it would be an excellent discussion book?
Has anybody else read it and feels the same?

Hello Casdon
Yes, I’m hoping that something will happen too. (Maw and Early, hint hint!)
I really don’t have the experience or knowledge to lead it.
If it were a group of 7 - 12 year olds with SEN and we were discussing the works of Ms Donaldson or Mr Morpurgo, I’d be on safe ground, but I’m definitely out of my depth here!

OK. So I'll try to start this off with some questions.

This was written in 1909 and yet the life being described sounds eerily family.

What parallels can you draw between the lives lead by Vashti and Kuno and they way we live now?

What kinds of things did Forster predict and what did he miss?

When Vashti is travelling to see Kuno she sees the Himalayas and says: These mountains give me no ideas. Similarly, the Caucasus and Greece: No ideas here. and closes the blinds. What does she mean?