"To the Finland Station"

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This book has been on my 'to read' list for years but I'll admit to being intimidated by the breadth of its scope. Has anyone read it? Is it all too much or is well-written enough that you get sucked in and enjoy?

― laura (laura), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 19:16 (twenty years ago)

I own it.

I imagine it's good!

I imagine also that JtN likes it, in a way.

― the bellefox, Wednesday, 15 June 2005 19:50 (twenty years ago)

I have a copy sitting on my bookshelf which I got used for maybe a buck or two a long time ago and have yet to attempt. I'm not sure if it's one of those had-to-be-there type of books.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 20:10 (twenty years ago)

My story is similar. I owned it and read some pages of it and thought it was pretty good but when I moved and sold a lot of books to the used bookstore, this one went. So did Axel's Castle and so did Kazin's On Native Grounds.

― k/l (Ken L), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 20:15 (twenty years ago)

Well, it's not looking good....seems as if most people are more in my league (of not having read it) than otherwise. I guess I just have to take the plunge, alone, without direction!

― laura (laura), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 20:29 (twenty years ago)

I did keep my copy of The Crack-Up, which was edited by Wilson.

― k/l (Ken L), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 21:04 (twenty years ago)

That I've read (The Crack-up). Interesting magazine pieces in there...Letter to his daughter. Overall not much in way of real specific insight into his mental health. I know, what did I expect? Worth a look though...

― laura (laura), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

I haven't read it as well! i can vouch for axel's castle and on native grounds though. i read those. and liked them a lot. er, only mentioning them cuz they were mentioned.

― scott seward (scott seward), Wednesday, 15 June 2005 21:41 (twenty years ago)

Hmm, I wonder why I mentioned them?

― k/l (Ken L), Thursday, 16 June 2005 12:19 (twenty years ago)

I read this, and I enjoyed it! It's not as weighty as it looks--there's no serious philosophical inquiry going on (IIRC Wilson was a journalist first and foremost, and not terribly well-informed on the intricacies of his subject--he even bungles explaining dialectics), but it's very entertaining/enjoyable as a biography of Marxism and Leninism.

Plus it hipped me to Michelet.

― Matt B. (Matt B.), Thursday, 16 June 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

TS Bunny Wilson vs. Bunny Manders

― k/l (Ken L), Thursday, 16 June 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

I enjoyed it but I haven't read it in years.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 16 June 2005 18:24 (twenty years ago)

I don't think it's a book you necessarily have to read from start to finish. Just start at whatever point you think might be most interesting. I remember the second half of the book as being more interesting than the first half, possibly because it was telling more of a continuous story.
The part of the book that sticks most in my memory was the description of Lenin's hometown.

― Joe Kay (feethurt), Saturday, 18 June 2005 18:46 (twenty years ago)

Thanks for all your responses. I've got a copy on order and I think I will just dip into it, here and there, as suggested.

― laura (laura), Monday, 20 June 2005 18:45 (twenty years ago)

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