Picking our next read-along
Three very different works of philosophical fiction
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As of this coming Monday, we are 70% of the way through our read-along of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. I have really enjoyed this journey with all of you, but I can sense the fatigue. Many people have told me they’ve fallen behind, that the pace was just a touch too quick, and that they’re not sure how to catch up.
I’m taking all of this into consideration for our next read-along of a work of philosophy. But before we go into that, we’re going to read a novel together. If you spend much time over on my YouTube channel, you know that philosophical fiction is something I really love to discuss. So, let’s read some of that.
I’ve narrowed it down to three novels.
First, Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Woolf is a masterful writer, of course, and this text is said to explore themes that call to mind the existentialists. I haven’t read it, admittedly, but it comes so well-recommended that I’m particularly keen to read it. Cards on the table: this is my top choice.
Second, The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin. Le Guin is my favorite science fiction writer, and while The Lathe of Heaven is not my favorite of hers it is excellent. I think the psychological themes would resonate with people who read Walking Away, and it is a speedier read than The Dispossessed.
Third, Dead Souls by Nikolai Gogol. I haven’t read this one either, but it has been sitting on my shelf and staring at me. I have yet to read a classic Russian novel I didn’t love, so I think this would be worth a read.
But I’m really struggling to pick here. I already have thoughts about the next work of philosophy – it will be more modern and probably easier than Aristotle – but for fiction I’ve really hit a three-way fork in the road. So why don’t you pick for me?
The poll below is open for three days, so by the end of the weekend we’ll have our next book. We’ll probably start reading it in mid-October.
I knew this would be a very easy activity to fall behind and this was not a book to read in long sittings/heavy doses. So I divided each Book into a pages/per day (usually around 4). I didn’t bother with the footnotes unless I needed a term defined. I also didn’t place the burden of deep comprehension on me. I don’t think that is possible for a first read of this. It has allowed me to stay caught up or to catch up if needed.
Chapters 6-7 have been more difficult as it feels like the mumblings of a professor working through the various steps of a Venn diagram. He comes upon the forks in the road and realizes there are complexities to solve before moving forward. He then seems to be in a conversation with himself where he strives to resolve the various paradoxes. All the while I occasionally remind myself that Aristotle is right so I can travel along and not argue with his logic. That has eased the pressure as well, but admittedly I find I connect with his method even if I don’t fully grasp his reasoning.
I’m hanging in and glad that I am.
I think regardless of the out of the poll, we should read Dead Souls. I too have the book on my shelf. I heard if you want to understand the Russian people, read Dead Souls. I think this would be relevant in light of today's events.