I didn’t realize that - thanks. Does he give any credence to the theory that China might be more militaristic in coming decades as a way of giving all of those frustratedly-unmarried men something to do?
That sucks. 
It’s one of the better books I’ve read in a while.
Has anyone else read Florence and Giles? Does it get better? I find myself really distracted by the made-up words and slogging through the long passages. It seems like I’ve been reading forever and I’m only 80 pages in. I’m seriously considering giving it up but would hate to do that if it gets better. That, and I hate to stop reading it because I bought it.
It’s a sunk cost! Free yourself!
Note: I haven’t read the book, but life’s too short. 
And (as I read further) Taiwan, and other countries as well.
That’s usually how I feel, too. But when I spend good money (okay, so it was a gift card) it’s hard! I did discover that it’s only 204 pages long, not 385 as I originally thought. The version I bought has “Turn of the Screw” included as well. I’m going to try skimming through the rest.
Thanks. Does he give any credence to the theory that China might be more militaristic in coming decades as a way of giving all of those frustratedly-unmarried men something to do?
That really does sound fascinating.
I just love it when someone gives me permission to do that. It’s so hard to quit a book, even when I’m miserable.
Ok, I lied. I’m done with this book. He lost me at “eventuallied.” I’m reading “The Time Machine.”
The author’s a woman, actually. Yes, she does.
Another problem is that in some poorer countries, there’s an increase in women, even young girls, being trafficked as prostitutes or against-their-consent brides.
She refers to some families being happy when they have a daughter because she can be sold to benefit the family economically later. A son wouldn’t be able to find a wife there in the future, because the majority of the girls would be gone.
Oh that’s the most disturbing thing I’ve heard in a longtime. Are any of the international human rights organizations clued into what’s going on as a result of the manipulated birthrates?
Thanks, Dendarii Dame. Interesting but disturbing.
You have my permission, too. Life’s too short to force your way through a book you hate if you don’t have to read it (such as for book club or a class). I quit any book I hate at p. 50 - if the author hasn’t hooked me by then, I know from hard experience that he or she never will.
It’s disturbing, all right. And yes, this situation is well known. I’d actually read about it (but can’t remember where) before this book.
One thing I wasn’t aware of before this book, however, was the influence of various international organizations, such as the World Bank, to start (or at least facilitate) this problem. They were worried about overpopulation. One of the main causes of that, in their view, was families who kept having children until they had a son. Some people proposed that a drug be invented which would ensure a male child. But then sonograms became available and cheap, and sex selection abortion became popular. When humans don’t interfere, the average ratio of boys to girls born is approximately 105 to 100. In some parts of Asia, it’s now 168 to 100.
To be fair, sex selection abortion is illegal in many places. Sonogram technicians aren’t allowed to tell you whether it’s a boy or girl there. But they find ways to hint. When people want something enough, the law won’t always stop them.
I recommend this book.
Currently reading “Cutting for Stone” and “Straight” (by Dick Francis). I have 3 Agatha Christies on hold at the library for New Year’s Eve reading delight.
Started Dawn:Xenogenesis by Octavia Butler. I like the concept – aliens have rescued humans after a nuclear war, and are helping them repopulate the planet (which the aliens have made habitable again), but for a price. I was enjoying it until the first man the main character meets tries to rape her. Then I read some reviews and apparently there will be human-alien sex. It’s not something I’m interested in, so I’m dumping this one. Hell, I’m not even interested in human-human sex in books these days.
Not sure what’s up next. I’m in the mood for a good historical.
I’m reading the Amanda Pepper mysteries by Gillian Roberts. It’s a series I read quite a few of years ago because my library had most of them on display, but I don’t remember which I’ve read and which I haven’t. I really like the character, a prep school teacher in Philadelphia.
I just finished a couple of Walter Gibson Shadow novels, The Golden Master and Shiwan Khan Returns, which are bound together in a single volume. They held up pretty well for pulps that were written in 1939 and I was surprised to see how much material they provided for the movie starring Alec Baldwin (including a beryllium sphere, of all things).
I have a couple more and will work through those. Really fun stuff.
Been away on vacation - but got a little reading done along the way.
Finished up The Prague Cemetery, albeit with more than a little skimming. I can see how Eco earned his rep & may give another novel of his a try someday, but am not in any hurry. I don’t mind having to work hard to enjoy a novel (Neal Stephenson is one of my fave authors), but this just didn’t quite click with me.
Next up was INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders by L. Leander, which I think I picked up as a Kindle freebie. It was a quick, easy, fun YA read about an Appalachian girl living in the 1840’s who runs away & joins the circus. While it’s the first of a series, it worked well enough as a stand-along story.
I also enjoyed another Kindle freebie I Want It Now! a Memoir of Life on the Set of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Julie Dawn Cole. (As you probably guessed by the title, Ms. Cole played the spoiled Veruca Salt.) The memoir provides her backstory previous to her casting in the film, with the majority of the book being set during the pre-production and filming of the classic movie. There’s not much in the way of juicy gossip; more fond recollections than anything else. Cole discusses her resulting film and TV career, ending with the recent cast reunions for the 40th anniversary of the film. Recommended to fans of the film; not sure how interested other readers would be.
Also re-read Snuff by Terry Pratchett. While he’s tackled this theme before (repressed minority gains a place in society), I think this is one of my favorite Discworld novels. Sam Vimes has come a long way from his street urchin past, and continues to develop as a character, even as a “fish out of water”. The supporting cast is also well drawn and the plot just sparkles.
I’m still reading this fabulous book, but keep getting side-tracked by the book references. I read a lot of sf in the 70’s, but she makes me want to read the ones I missed. This book is based loosely on her own background, and I’m gobsmacked that at 15 she was ordering and reading 50 library books a week, many of them very difficult and requiring much thought, like Plato’s works. Actually I’m feeling very stupid just now. 
At the moment, Alan Garner is looking very interesting!
Sometimes I get so excited about reading that I can’t calm down enough to read.
I love Alan Garner. Check him out.
50 books a week? No, I’m not going to believe that one. That doesn’t even make sense.
I love Eco generally, and while all of his books tend toward the esoteric, The Prague Cemetery is farther along that line than some and is probably not the best introduction to his work. Personally, I thought it was disappointingly dry. The Name of the Rose is probably his most accessible work, followed (at some distance) by Foucault’s Pendulum. So if you do get the urge to read other books by him, I’d recommend either of those.