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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 0:08:10 GMT -8
"Ah, Dickens is classic. I do adore A Tale of Two Cities," he swallowed, something suddenly bitter in his mouth. "I don't like books having to do with orphans much, though. They bring too many things to the forefront of my mind."
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 0:10:14 GMT -8
Mac raised a brow but nodded, taking a sip of the coffee. "So, not a fan of Oliver Twist then?" he asked, almost teasing. "Certainly understand though," he said. He didn't even need a book to remind him of things. "Never did care much for Dicken's style though, that was always more 'Straps' thing."
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 0:18:05 GMT -8
Smiling, Brachen replied. "Not particularly. It's not so much the lack of parents that bothers me, although it does bother me, but rather the presence of vile people caring for lost, traumatized kits, as if they haven't suffered enough." His voice got bitter, and he unconsciously thought of his aunt, Bible in one hand and spit flying from her mouth as she spoke of Hellfire. Quickly, though, he squashed the memory. He'd tried so hard to show his young pupil that he could manage not to be homicidal to him...and the interesting part was that he genuinely was not. He'd not imagined how to brutally murder him once. "And I understand not caring for Dicken's style. The tom knew not what a comma was."
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 0:23:13 GMT -8
A laugh was startled from Mac at the comment about commas. "That's certainly one way of puttin' it. And his characters are morons." He took another drink of the coffee, glancing around again.
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 0:28:25 GMT -8
"His characters often find themselves sacrificed upon the alter of symbolism. Then again, that's hardly his literary invention." Laughing, Brachen gestured towards his shelves. "I theorize that either he makes them dumb and blind so they won't be missed, like chickens offered to a vengeful god, or they are meant to be morons as a criticism of their archetypes."
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 0:32:47 GMT -8
Mac settled against the wall, leaning his shoulders against is as he considered that. "Makes more sense as criticism, but it doesn't make them any less of morons, or any more enjoyable ta read about."
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 0:40:41 GMT -8
"Touche. Personally, I enjoy Lucy Manette and Charles Darnay for sheer cookie-cutter entertainment value." He grinned, honestly, if two such cats existed, he may have slit their throats for how terribly they detracted from society. However, they were fictional and he could avoid delving too deeply into his own tendencies. "What would you say is the worst book you've ever read, then?
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 0:48:00 GMT -8
Mac shrugged. "I didn't say I thought Dickens was bad, just not my cup of tea. He's a decent writer though. As for worst book ever read... not sure, but let's just say not a fan of Kiplin' either. How about you?"
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 7:39:23 GMT -8
"Well," Brachen had to think about that, "I think I'm going to have to say the Bible - if you don't read it for the purposes of belief, it's a pretty lousy novel." He thought more seriously. "Tess of D'Ubervilles. It irritated me."
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 9:21:10 GMT -8
Mac titled his head to one side, considering that. "The Bible, sure, but why did Tess irritate you?"
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 11:03:52 GMT -8
Brachen shrugged. "I think Hardy's goal in writing it was decent, but I get the distinct impression he aimed for shock value and most cats just fell for cheap tricks, a grotesque freak show claiming to be high literature." At this, Brachen descended into a fit of giggles and ran a finger along the rim of his mug for no reason at all. "I also detest the idea that she was completely out of control of her own life- I felt powerless reading it. That's not really objective, though." He didn't say it, didn't need to, but the secondary reason was the real reason reading it had made him feel less balanced than he had when he started.
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 13:02:48 GMT -8
Taking another sip of coffee, Mac nodded. "Fair enough. I've never much read Hardy though, but, control? That's rather important."
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 13:22:30 GMT -8
"Yes," Brachen agreed. "What's the point in living if you have no control over your own circumstances?" With a flourish of his wrist, he held out his paw and studied it. "It's why, when I want something I just...take it." He squeezed it into a fist. "There's surprisingly little that keeps one within society's boundaries. Break all the rules you want, there's nothing really stopping you, just don't get caught. There is no greater sense of power than that."
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Post by victoriousscarf on Jan 21, 2011 16:46:24 GMT -8
((The irony of that... since Hardy's novels are basically about how society does crush people who try to be different, and considering where Brachen's story looks like it's going to end up... yeah. The Lit Major in my approves of this conversation and the ironies of it. Oh, also, picking up some Faith vibes there. "Want, take, have."))
Mac nodded again, considering the idea. "Takin' things... as lon' as your not caught, that's where most cats mess it up." He took another swallow of the coffee, glancing around again, filing things away as he saw them. Interesting collection of mementos, that was for sure. He paused on the bookshelves again. "Are those... romance books?"
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Post by qualapec on Jan 21, 2011 18:13:25 GMT -8
((Exactly! I saw the descriptions and criticisms of Tess of D'Urbervilles and was like, "Oh, so that's why you don't like this book. It is ironic <.< in the best and most literary way))
Brachen sputtered and looked around to where Hollister was staring. "Ah, yes. I believe that's exactly what they are." He swallowed past where he'd inhaled some coffee. "As I've said, I have a certain fondness for books that can be read quickly."
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