Monday, October 4, 2021

Six Degrees of Separation: from The Lottery to Lucky Jim

Six Degrees of Separation is a monthly meme hosted by Kate @ booksarmyfavouriteandbest. 

 

I usually try to stick to the classics, though that isn’t among the official rules.

 

And this month, I’m all over the place…AND…and I’m very pleased with this, this link can work backwards or forwards. Hence the circle – you’ll see.

 

This month’s chain begins with The Lottery by Shirley Jackson (haven’t read it). It reminds me of my current read, The Collector by John Fowles because the main character wins the lottery (the “pools” in Jolly Ole England). The jury is still out but it’s very creepy. Bit of a spoiler here, but there is a person held prisoner in the main character’s house, and that reminds me of…

 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, also a little creepy. But, also very good, one of my all-time favorite novels. The overall plot is somewhat mirrored by my most recent read…

 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, in which the entire household is “haunted” by the memory of the late Rebecca de Winter. That reminds me of…

 

Beloved by Toni Morrison because the household is very literally haunted by a former member. Also a very good novel. The title, and nothing else about it reminds me of…

 

The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh, which was a very different novel than I’d experienced by Waugh. I would call it a comic novel, and that reminds me of…

 

Lucky Jim a comic novel by Kinglsey Amis. And to complete the circle, you would have to be lucky to win the lottery.

 

 

 


 

 

And that is how you get clockwise from The Lottery to Lucky Jim, or if you prefer, counterclockwise from The Lottery to The Collector


.

 

10 comments:

  1. I liked your chain, especially how it came full circle! You're one of the few that have done that this month.

    ReplyDelete
  2. very nice! Here is my quirky chain: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/10/02/six-degrees-of-separation-from-lottery-to-tides/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love your chain and how it goes either way! I have read quite a few of these, but plan to add the Amis to my TBR!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amis...Kingsley Amis that is, is a lot of fun. I didn't care for his son Martin Amis as much, though there is a similar comic style. Thanks for stopping by :)

      Delete
  4. That is very clever! With a graphic too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I am delighted to find a chain with some books that I have actually read!

    I am just staggerng through Jane Eyre on BBC Sounds, having been dragged through it most reluctantly when at school. I'm sorry to say that so far (and I'm a good way through) for me it has not improved. Jane herself just irritates me beyond measure, but I feel this is probably my failing rather than Charlotte Bronte's!

    I read The Loved One years ago - as you say, most unexpected, but very funny. Lucky Jim was another early read - I can't say I remember as much about it as I do the Waugh, but I do think I enjoyed it at the time. Martin Amis was definitely not for me - I tried London Fields and could not see what all the fuss was about, it was (for me anyway) awful.

    I only read Rebecca quite recently. Another book that leaves you with much to think about, though I found My Cousin Rachel more powerful.

    I do admire the way in which you created a circle - both in words and in graphics!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks :) I didn't care for Martin Amis either (Money), but this one experience with his father was quite fun.

      Delete