this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2023
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The Inimitable Jeeves - P G Wodehouse - Evidently these chapters were originally published as stand-alone short stories rather than as this episodic novel that loosely links them. IMHO these links serve only to transform the whole from individually amusing to collectively mildly frustrating, since there is no progression or development from start at least to approaching the end, as I now am. I do enjoy Wodehouse, but this is not one of his best.
The First Signs - Genevieve von Petzinger - A study of the range of abstract symbols found in paleolithic cave art. I was imagining that this would focus largely on the relatively small range of symbols themselves, from the introduction of the book, and it may eventually do so, but the initial chapters, as far as I have reached are largely scene-setting: first for the authors study itself and then for the anthropology and evolutionary development of humans and peri-humans of the time, and the indications of abstract thought that can be found from the period. All interesting stuff, but not quite matching my expectations so far.
Finnegans Wake - James Joyce - which I am still working though across this year. The latest chapter started off seeming slightly less incomprehensible than many, but that hasn't lasted.
Flashman's Waterloo - Robert Brightwell - This continues to be as entertaining and well-researched as the previous entries in the series, with a stronger and more driven plot than some, as can be imagined from the title: the 100 days and the buildup to the inevitable battle.
Interesting list of books. Do share your opinion on The First Signs, once you have finished it. The topic sounds interesting.
I have read a little more now and realise that the author is progressing chronolically with the introduction of evidence for more complex symbols - and their potential indication of increasingly abstract thought.
Still a frustrating lack of detail on the actual types and variations of symbols themselves though. I will push on though.