[percy-l] Slow Reading Discussion: The Second Coming - Schedule and Format (discussion to begin next weekend, July 2-3)
Lauren Stacy Berdy
lauren.stacy.berdy at gmail.com
Mon Jun 27 11:32:28 EDT 2016
Dear Percy-L,
Dr. Percy wrote somewhere that" our common existence is validated when
one person learns from another that not only does a particular flower
exist and not only does it have a name but it exists for each of them
and that state of existence can be jointly affirmed by two human beings
through the use of words."
we will be calling on each other in the process of our reading *The*
*Second Coming* to hear ourselves and how we all use words to say what
we mean. We are being given a chance to get outside of ourselves to not
mold ourselves using impersonations. The arbitrariness the case for
sudden shifts is also important. " a willingness to be shrewdly ,
imaginatively unconventional. The world is full of the accidental. Like
Will falling thru into Ally's home in the book. This abrupt surprise
brings these two together. They start to get their eyes noticing one
another and their ears hearing one another. All because of the
arbitrariness of Wills fall and Ally's cosmic yes. Lets get away from
the everydayness of our thoughts. We all have a facilty for hooking up
to the currents that are in the air about us. Using our antennae and
become intermediaries to one another.
" Knowing is not a casual sequence at some point we speak to one
another, help one another,know the world and thereby move towards that
world" ( you know who)
Thank you,
Lauren Stacy Berdy
On 6/26/2016 3:33 PM, Henry Mills wrote:
> Dear Percy-L:
>
> It looks like the votes have it for The Second Coming. Seems like a
> fine choice for the centenary year of Percy's birth, given the book's
> sense of evolving hope and Percy's very playful approach to language
> throughout it. Please as a group familiarize yourselves with the
> following schedule, discussion format, and topic guidelines to aid us
> in beginning the read. Any comments or suggestions in response to this
> post can be sent to the entire community for consideration:
>
>
> 1) READING SCHEDULE
>
> I have made an outline of a reading schedule that the group can use as
> found at the bottom of this email. I recommend that discussion begin
> next weekend, July 2-3, to finish by August 27. This will give folks a
> chance to get the book and read the first two (2) chapters, or 40
> pages total before next weekend. The breakdown is based on the
> Picador version, which I believe is the most recent trade copy
> available. This breakdown almost directly follows Percy's chapters,
> with the exception of chapters 5-6. The flow of the book might
> encourage a faster pace in places, so the group, I think, can adjust
> forward as we feel comfortable. The Picador version of the book can be
> purchased through the following link or likely at your favorite
> bookstore:
> https://www.amazon.com/Second-Coming-Novel-Walker-Percy/dp/0312243243/thewalkerpercyprA/
>
>
> 2) FORMAT OF DISCUSSION
>
> In the spirit of the election year (one further word about that
> below), I would like to suggest that, rather than attempting to divide
> up sections between individuals who introduce each with
> questions/comments/observations, we as a group democratically move
> forward in an open manner through the book with the below schedule in
> mind as a frame.
>
>
> 3) DISCUSSION TOPICS
>
> I suggest that a reader response approach to the book (its themes,
> characters, language, etc.) is suitable for discussion, as well as any
> biographical or historical commentary and the like. However, it
> exactly being an election year, I would strongly suggest that we leave
> presidential politics aside. We are here to enjoy Percy, not discuss
> current politics. True, there was a bit of room for politics in Love
> in the Ruins. The Second Coming is such a delightful book that I think
> there is much to be enjoyed solely within itself.
>
>
> 4) SUMMARY
>
> * Slow reading discussion to begin next weekend, July 2-3.
> * The reading schedule is roughly 40 pages per week, following
> Percy's chapter breakdown with flexibility built in as determined
> by the group.
> * Discussion to complete by August 26 (8 weeks total at the most)
> following the weekly schedule below.
> * The format of the discussion will be open in terms of how each
> section is begun (i.e., no assigned discussion leaders).
> * All discussion topics -- as will lead us to enjoy the book in its
> wonderful charm, art, and spirit -- are welcome, with a special
> caveat restricting the introduction of presidential politics.
> Sorry, folks, that's another listserv!
> * Any responses to this email are welcome at this time by sending
> them to the Percy-L community as a whole.
>
>
> The Second Coming is a fine book and, personally, I believe, should
> give us all quite an enjoyable read, discussion, and ultimately
> renewed appreciation for Percy and his wonderful art and sense of
> humor as an uplifting experience this summer. I look forward to the
> start of discussion next weekend, and invite all to join in.
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Henry Mills
> Percy-L Administrator
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> READING SCHEDULE
>
> PART I
> *For July 2* / Chapter 1-2 (pages 3-43)
>
> *For July 9* / Chapter 3 (pages 44-79)
>
> *For July 16* / Chapter 4 (pages 80-121)
>
> *For July 23* / Chapter 5 to 5.7 (pages 122-171)
>
> *For July 30* / Chapter 5.8 to 6 (pages 171-229)
>
>
> PART II
> *For August 6* / Chapter I (pages 233-266)
>
> *For August 13* / Chapter 2-3 (pages 267-305)
>
> *For August 20* / Chapter 4-5 (pages 306-360)
>
>
>
> * Percy-L Discussion Archives: http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/percy-l/
>
> * Manage Your Membership: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/percy-l
>
> * Contact the Moderator: percy-l-owner (at) lists.ibiblio.org
>
> * Visit The Walker Percy Project: http://www.ibiblio.org/wpercy
---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/percy-l/attachments/20160627/40d58057/attachment-0001.html>
More information about the Percy-L
mailing list