31 Comments
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Yasmin Chopin's avatar

Gosh, you're going to be busy in 2024, John. I 'did' Emma for my school exams, and really enjoyed it. But, you can keep Tolkien 🤣.

Happy New Year!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Happy new year to you as well!

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Deborah Craytor's avatar

I've just joined as a paid subscriber and would like to prepare ahead for the Lord of the Rings and Emma challenges, since I don't own copies of either yet. Which editions do you suggest I get?

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Hi, Deborah. So glad you're joining us, and thanks for being a paid subscriber! Any edition of LOTR published since 2004 should be fine, because it will be based on the latest, corrected text. And any modern version of Emma should be fine too. I like the Norton Critical Edition, because it's well edited, with good critical material to accompany the reading.

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Deborah Craytor's avatar

Thank you!

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Alessandra Richardson's avatar

Goodness you’re going to be busy!

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Beowulf. One I’ve yet to tackle. Maybe I’m ready now. I tried LOTR when hubby was building the online game version. While his game became a success my reading of the book was a big fail.

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Yes, you’re ready for Beowulf! And perhaps a group of friendly fellow readers will get you through LOTR as well.

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

❤️❤️🙏🙏

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JasonT's avatar

I guess this is what diversity looks like. I've read LOTR multiple times and will read it again, hopefully one day to grands. HNY!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Thanks! Happy New Year!

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Simon Haisell's avatar

So much to look forward to here, John! And a diverse mix as well. I suspect I have already over committee with my own book groups next year, so I am studiously not signing up to anything else yet! Happy new year to you and yours. 🎉

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Thanks, Simon! Happy new year to you and your family. And yes, you have assigned yourself two Herculean tasks--Godspeed!

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Catherine Simmons's avatar

Ok I’m going to try and find the Heaney Beowulf in my local bookshop or library. Never too late to try it!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Danes, Geats, monsters, funerals... what’s not to love?

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Catherine Simmons's avatar

Well if you put it like that :)

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Kim and the Cat's avatar

The Beowulf challenge sounds like fun! Which translation do you recommend?

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John Halbrooks's avatar

I’ll be using the Heaney translation, but I’ll be referring to others as well as the original Old English. The Norton Critical Edition of the Heaney translation also includes the Tolkien essay about the poem, which we will be discussing.

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Kim and the Cat's avatar

Sounds great.I already have the Heaney translation as well as the Tolkien essay, so I'm set. I look forward to it!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Super!

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Matthew Long's avatar

John - love this ambitious plan for PCF and looking forward to watching it continue to grow. You are creating a lot of value here for your readers. I am looking forward to joining in the discussions. Happy New Year!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Thanks, Matthew. Happy New Year!

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Tara Penry's avatar

Wow! PCF is on a roll. I am going to love your musical comparisons, along with the literary fare. I will put the summer read along on the calendar and hope to do more than peek over the sill at that one! :-) Allegro maestoso, this!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Thanks, Tara! Glad to have you onboard.

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David Roberts's avatar

Laudably ambitious. Given my other reading commitments, I may coast on my past reading of Beowulf and LOTR. Looking forward to all of it!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Thanks, David. Glad you’re along for the ride.

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Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

I’m in for the Emma challenge!

Congrats on a great year. Happy New Year!

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Super! Happy New Year, Kate!

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Christine's avatar

It's seems I'll have a lot of reading next year. Thank you for sharing your researchs with us. Happy New Year to you and your family and don't forget to include your sweet doggos. ❤️

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John Halbrooks's avatar

Same to you, Christine! The dogs send greetings.

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Jan 2, 2024
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John Halbrooks's avatar

Ha! Actually, they are both just very silly cops.

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