What did we think of the challenge??

OK. So I've created the topic but am currently too lazy to do the research. I will be back...

I have noted that most of our readers were Australian. Hopefully one day the rest of the world will discover Patrick White. And baswood might be partially responsible because he had a few hot reviews of his White reading.

Oh, and Paulgeer had his fabulous lunch, and his blog for the National Library.

Um, at least one slacker (who shall remain nameless) purchased books for this challenge, but failed to read them in 2012. He vows to read them next year, though.

I read Voss which I otherwise wouldn't have done. I've also been attracted to the reports of other people on their reading, and, without current plans to do so, I might end up reading The Vivisector and some other works. Overall I'm glad it happened even if I was a minimal participant.

Robert

PS I am an American.

R

I have really enjoyed the challenge and so far this year I have read:

The Living and the Dead
The Aunt's story
The Tree of Man
Voss
Riders in the chariot
The Solid Mandala
The Vivisector
The Eye of the Storm

I read A Fringe of leaves last year and hope to read The Twyborn Affair later this month.

I am currently reading The Burnt ones and I also hope to read The cockatoos before the year end

I have read four outstanding novels this year; The Vivisector, Tree of Man, Voss and The Aunt's story. I was disappointed with The Eye of the storm and could not agree that Riders in the Chariot was one of his best novels.

I have also nearly finished David Marr's excellent biography and have been dipping into the autobiography Flaws in the Glass

The experience of getting thoroughly immersed in one of the great authors of the 20th century has inspired me to look for a similar project next year, hence my next post.

Ps I am an Englishman living in France

2013 is the centenary of more great writers and for those people who want another challenge next year a new thread has been set up:

Literary Centennials http://www.librarything.com/groups/literarycentennials

The featured author will be Albert Camus but there will also be threads for Robertson Davies among other centennials. Come and join us at the new group.

#5 Have joined up. Love Albert Camus and Robertson Davies.

I read:
Happy Valley
The Aunt's Story
A Fringe of Leaves
Riders in the Chariot
Patrick White: A Life by David Marr (selections)

Unlike Bas, who said that Riders in the Chariot did not work as a whole, I was completely overwhelmed by the book and it is my top favourite read of 2013.

#2 Naughty corner.
#3 Robert, I'm very pleased that you read Voss.

Summing up what was read and by whom:

Happy Valley (1939): Paulgeer, amandameale, mrspenny, anzlitlovers
The Living and the Dead (1941): steven03tx, mrspenny, baswood
The Aunt's Story (1948): pamelad, baswood, amandameale, mrspenny
The Tree of Man (1955): steven03tx, baswood
Voss (1957): Mr.Durick, baswood
Riders in the Chariot (1961): arubabookwoman, Paulgeer, depressaholic, baswood
The Solid Mandala (1966): arubabookwoman
The Vivisector (1970): arubabookwoman, baswood
The Eye of the Storm (1973): PaulDalton, baswood
A Fringe of Leaves (1976): pamelad, amandameale
The Twyborn Affair (1979): edwinbcn, baswood
The Hanging Garden (Posthumous, unfinished, 2012) NIL

Have we all forgotten Memoirs of many in One. I know I have, but I Am going to try and put that right and squeeze in a read before the end of the year

I have just finished the very excellent Patrick White: A life by David Marr.

#8 Bas, I had never seen nor heard of Memoirs until I posted the title in this group.

Amanda – Thanks for organising the board for the centenary read. I wasn’t able read as many of White’s works as I had intended but I managed to read The Aunt’s Story as well as The Living and the Dead. I have picked up Happy Valley again with the intention of finishing it before the end of the year. I have read 4 chapters so far and the early chapters are very powerful.

Patricia, I have added your books to the tally.

#2 Another slacker here, but unlike slacker #1, I probably won't read the book I bought (Riders in the Chariot) this year. So into the naughty corner for me too.

However, Patrick White is now on my radar screen, not to mention my TBR, so I will definitely get to him sooner or later. Thanks for setting this up, Amanda.

Nice to see you here Rebecca.

LT member anzlitlovers tells me she read Happy Valley so I've edited the list.

Oh, and Bas wrote a great review of The twyborn Affair.

Maybe next year, Amanda. Sigh!

Thanks Amanda! I have enjoyed this idea of yours immensely! In recent news I have purchased first editions of The Vivisector and Eye of thr Storm. Have given them to a dear friend for 40th. Also a White devotee! Thanks fr all the interestimng iscssions over the last year! I think. We can continue to discuss his works over the coming years. Please people new threads!

Thanks Paul.