[Guest]

Okay, new JanineIdea of the day.

I am starting a DPSelfHelp book club in which we would read the same book (give us a couple of weeks to locate book, a week to read one chapter, etc...and discuss along the way, just like a regular Book Club does). I suggest picking books that have to do with DP or dissociative states - but FICTION, not psych books. The idea is to look at and discuss the CONCEPTS inherent in self-observation, madness, obsessive patterns, etc...as they are expressed in works of fiction.

Someone on this board recently recommended Vladimir Nabokov's short novel called "The Defense" which I had never read (I don't recall whose idea this was or where that post is - but it was an EXCELLENT suggestion, so please come forward and claim your credit!) I ordered it, read it last weekend and it is really just an extraordinary piece of literature. I think we could start with that book - it's VERY existential, has a conventional plotline but deals with metaphysical ideas and highly unstable mental states of mind. If that's something you think you'd LIKE to read and study and talk about without being unduly disturbed by, then find a copy of it and start reading. If enough folks here are interested in this idea, we can pick a date to start, etc.

Again, this is NOT about psych books. NO medical texts or self-help. Pure literature. There are LOTS of good novels I can think of off the top of my head for this little group to read and discuss.

But I also thought if this takes off, we could include OUR writings, too. I have a couple of short stories that deal with obsessive mental states, and I know our fair MartinV does as well (and he's a terrific writer). Another likely candidate is Sebastian (who is quite gifted in the writing arena, and just nutty enough to really offer us some meaty trips into the mind).

If anyone else enjoys picking up the pen, and has a flair for expressing some very intricate dp-type concepts in pieces of fiction, then come forward! We could post (or email, etc...we can decide how we want to do it)

Sound appealing?

Give me your thoughts and go buy a copy of "The Defense" by Nabokov!

Peace,
Janine

 

[Kelson12]

Honestly, that sounds kinna cool. I need to get into reading and stay away from turning to the computer and/or TV. Can this current selection be found at the library?

 

[Guest]

I'm sure. It's appearantly one of Nabokov's more well-known books. You can probably find it pretty easily.

It's REALLY good. and I'm hard to impress, lol

 

[Guest]

Nothing too creepy, depressive or miserable/hopeless please! All my current reading is comedy based (Or at least has a light hearted 'streak' while dealing with alll sorts of issues - Ben Elton is a master at this)

 

[sebastian]

Sounds like an extraordinarily good idea. I would love to participate and would eagerly rush out to buy The Defence, but I'm currently taking a bunch of courses which require me to read almost a book a day, and my eyes feel like they're going to explode virtually all the time. So, any non-reading i can do these days is good. However, mid-august, whatever book is on the go, I'll hop in. Great idea!

I also love the idea of posting our own writing on the universally accessible internet where anyone can read it and modify it if they feel like it and then post it somewhere else! :wink: (Little inside joke there).

But truly, a great idea. I look forward to this starting.

 

[Ben]

Janine,

If for no other reason, it would be a good thing for us to do to get our minds off ourselves.

 

[SillyPutty]

Janine, I would be interrested but I'm with mrmole nothing too wierd that would actually invoke DP/DR!! Also coincidentally I started a "Great Reads" thread earlier today under "That's Life", maybe you could put a sticky on that to use in the future for more suggestions!!?

(I don't know how to do a sticky)

Heather

 

[Guest]

We could ALSO do a reading group for lighter fare, agreed. But this particular "club" is likely to read some books that are disturbing. This is for folks who LIKE to think about the more bizarre areas - or who do it compulsively anyway. Having discussions about Characters in fiction who are ALSO living in circles, thinking themselves into hell, etc....could be very interesting - rather than doing all this ALONE secretly in our own minds.

The first book, "The Defense" is definitely rather disturbing. VERy briefly, it's about a man who is completely caught in his own mental web of circles, of recurring patterns - and he becomes a chess champion. The game of chess becomes his Ultimate Question, etc....and he consumes himself with IDeas to the complete detriment of actually living any kind of real life.

He ultimately grows VERY paranoid - as inverted thinkers will become - and imagines that somethign OUT THERE is controlling him, when in fact, it is an aspect of his own mind that is guiding him relentlessly to destruction.

Not for the faint hearted, but I also think it can be VERY helpful to encounter a character beautifully written and described that is SO close to what we do to ourselves.

 

[enngirl5]

So can we become paranoid and crazy by thinking too much and being too introverted? Sorry, I had to ask as I'm sure I'm not the only one who was thinking it. I'm serious. Ok, I'll leave your thread alone now.

 

[sebastian]

The first book, "The Defense" is definitely rather disturbing. VERy briefly, it's about a man who is completely caught in his own mental web of circles, of recurring patterns - and he becomes a chess champion.

Oh great. Thanks for ruining the ending janine.

 

[g-funk]

I think this is a great idea. I quite often use fiction stories as analogies for dp and/or mental illness. I could list quite a few. Most however, are not among the ranks of great literature, just books that make me think. And a few that some may find disturbing.

Only thing is, I too have a million and one books that I have to read for my course. But I would happily give it a go. Will see if I can get it before I go on hols.

 

[g-funk]

Right, just checked it out on Amazon (it's called The Luzhin Defense here).

um, I think I may not be intelligent enough - the review scared me!
If I can get it in the book shop in town I will try on holiday.

Can the more 'literately' challenged like me get assigned a trashy novel, preferably one I can get free with a magazine at the airport :lol:

 

[Martinelv]

Thanks Janine, but I'm a failed writer. A miserable wreck of defeat.

On this upside, this is a tremendous idea. I've just posted a thread on the Thats Life forum about a book called Enchanted Night - not too miserable at all. Details on that thread.

Just one tiny suggestion, we had this bookclub before here, and because I was the only bloke on it I got bullied into reading Villette by one of the Brontes. T'was Ms D'Boyz if I remember rightly... :evil: .......if anyone makes me read anything prior to 1969 (I'm still struggling with Moby Dick at the moment - and after that, I will only read semi-contemporary stuff...and that's final !!! :wink: ) then I will cry and stamp off in a rage.

 

[Monkeydust]

I don't know if I'll have it in time for this reading thing, but I've got the book "on my list" to have a look at once I've finished my exams, have a job, and have some money - that should be July sometime.

 

[sebastian]

I've just posted a thread on the Thats Life forum about a book called Enchanted Night - not too miserable at all.

"Not too miserable at all." I can only aspire to attain such accolades.

 

[Guest]

I'll join in, sounds fascinating. Will pick up the book through library.

Been awhile since I read it, but from what I recall, the book Woman on the Edge of Time, by Marge Piercy, might work as a book eventually for club to read also.

 

[person3]

I would like to do a literary club for those of us who prefer to stay on a saner level of reading...you know like the Berenstein Bears or sometihng (right soul?)

:lol:

But seriously, I would.

But not right now for me because I'm really lazy and it takes me a long time to read a book.

But if we do start like a lighter version of this for those of us without steel brains I would like to recommend "Of Human Bondage" by _ Somerset Maugham...because Janine said it was really good and because it would give me incentive to finally read the copy I own.

 

[Beth]

But if we do start like a lighter version of this for those of us without steel brains I would like to recommend "Of Human Bondage" by _ Somerset Maugham

That's my second favourite book

That Nabokov book sounds really good. I'll read it once my exams are over (couple of weeks), then if this club thing's started up I'll join in. I think it's a good idea, I've found that reading books by authors who deal with the kinds of problems I obsess over can help to see them in rather healthier ways (The 'meaning of life' concept in Of Human Bondage is a really nice simple one, just a metaphor, but a pretty and reassuring one. And when I can't do anything else I read Hermann Hesse and it always makes me feel a bit more human). Let's not do any Sartre though!