Welcome to Litsy!

Igor might have added some nibble marks to those made by your kitty @Eyelit 😸

This is a strange little book about a clerk who decides he doesn‘t feel like working anymore, but also he doesn‘t feel like leaving the office. Like EVER! It‘s from the boss‘ point of view, as he tries to decide how to deal with Bartleby‘s constant statement: “I would prefer not to.”

I‘m not really sure what to make of this, which is what the blurb says essentially.

I loved the title story so much and see why it‘s hailed as a classic. I wasn‘t as into the other stories, which felt a bit tacked on to make the audiobook longer. The lack of explanation for what happened to Bartleby and how his ‘preferring not to‘ took over and eventually took his life was so haunting. It had a gothic feel despite having no real gothic elements, and reading during the coronavirus outbreak made it feel like strange disease.

A ghost story without a ghost. A fascinating novella that I'll be guaranteed to reread. There are so many possible interpretation s of what goes in here. It's probable that more meaning can be read into it than the author ever intended. It is so short, I can't say much more about it, without giving the plot away.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Highly recommended

I prefer not to leave a review at this time.

#shortestclassicyouread #MayLovesClassics
These mini penguin books were made for the 60th anniversary - here are 3 i could immediately put my hands on and the lead book is a classic - otherwise it would have been candide which i just finished as parr of the challenge.

My feelings exactly....Love the creative use of his famous catchphrase in this beautiful Indulgence Press edition.

I love a good outsider #character, one who is not well-adjusted but instead exists on the periphery and finds it hard to adjust to social norms. I was so gripped when I read this; Bartleby is relatable but also an enigma.

#maylovesclassics #litsyclassics @Sarah83 @Bambolina_81

My mood more often than not.

At Better Living Through Beowulf today, he lists “best literary depictions of different professions.” Did he get yours right? (I‘m not sure I like being compared to Bartleby!)
http://betterlivingthroughbeowulf.com/in-lit-who-best-represents-each-job/ford-m...

Bartleby & I feel the same way about watching the Super Bowl today (but I‘m sure I‘ll still tune in for the commercials!)

Three fantastic novellas!

(Image from Goodreads.)

Another gem from @SerialReader .

This novella (or is it a very long short story?) has been called a precursor to absurdist writing. While Kafka was likely unaware of the story, it seems Kafkaesque in its portrayal of human psychology & behaviour.

Bartleby is a scrivener, or copyist, for a New York lawyer. He‘s a thorough employee, until the day when he replies, “I would prefer not to”.

I liked this sad little story.

This was my #groundhogday yesterday. What was yours?

TFW you‘re catching up on Jeopardy episodes and you‘re yelling at the screen but the contestants can‘t hear you so nobody gets it right.

This one is a very intiguing book. Melville could have made a full length book with this one. It was too short and I would have love to know more about Bartleby.

I would tell you what I think of this story, but I prefer not to. #puzzle

#QuotsyNov17 @TK-421

Still one of the best things I've read about the absurdity and alienating drudgery of wage labour. Alas, will have to #work for books, like this cool Melville House edition... #AugustGrrrl @Cinfhen

I really like Melville House's colorful Art of the Novella series. I've already read and loved Bartleby-hence the awesome mug-so I decided it was time to get my own copy. Parnassus on Wheels is described as "an inspiring ode to a life in books" and a book for bibliophiles. Sold. #bookmail #bookhaul

"I would prefer not to."

#readabookinaday #SummerBookBingo #finallyreadit

I would write a review, but "I prefer not to". Great reflection on the absurdities that haunt the human condition.

Today's literary tshirt brought to you by...... #day6 #onaroll #casualdayeverydayatwork #ireallywouldprefernotto #tshirtaddict

Even though I hate #Bartelby and I would have fired him in a second, today I relate to him deeply! #iwouldprefernotto #worstscrivenerever #rainraingoaway #currentmood

Finished Bartleby - the first of two stories in this collection. I think I liked the story, mostly because Melville through it managed to manipulate my feelings completely.

This isn't so much the #BestLineInABadBook as it is my favorite line in a story I hate. #BookLove17

This was in today's guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/09/herman-melvilles-bartleby-and-the-...

This has always be one of my favourite Melville stories. When I was still teaching and the kids didn't want to follow directions I would just say "I guess we're having Bartleby day". And then they would ask what that was.

Both films are also rather twisted.

Today's literary t-shirt brought to you by Herman Melville. #ilovetshirts #iliveintshirts

Will you, or will you not, quit me?' I now demanded in a sudden passion, advancing close to him.
'I would prefer not to quit you', he replied, gently emphasizing the not.

Friday night grading got me like...

Thanks to @Melvillehouse for making such an amazingly appropriate bag for transporting my grading.

#TeachersOfLitsy

#FunFridayPhoto - Is The Man getting you down? Would you prefer not to adult? Is the view from your cubicle just a bunch of other cubicles? Are you stuck in a job that you don't love but don't hate enough to quit? If yes, then BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER is for you! It's the story of an apathetic corporate employee, but also allegorical for Melville's being pigeonholed as a certain type of writer. It's a great way to get into Melville, sans whales.

I thought of a couple of #workplacebooks to post about for #somethingforsept, but Bartleby is probably the most iconic of them all. #septemberphotochallenge #somethingforseptember #septphotochallenge

In keeping with this theme, check out this recent New Yorker piece, "The Office Politics of Workplace Fiction by Women": http://bit.ly/2av7XKW

Image found on Google.

Finished my first serial reader read and loved it! Bartleby was a really bleak read, but an engaging character. Why did he stop?! It certainty spoke to my mood this week. Loved reading more by Melville, the author of my fave Moby Dick 💯🎉

Friday afternoon mood

Finally discovered Serial Reader!

Finally discovered Serial Reader!

Today's mantra, courtesy of @Melvillehouse

#bookishfeels

Happy birthday to Herman Melville - the man who not only gave me my life's motto but taught me about whaling and the world.
#IWouldPreferNotTo

"I would prefer not to."

REALLY loving the new serial reading app; clipping through short classics in 10-12 minute chunks each morning! I've set my daily serial to arrive at the same time my alarm goes off and have been spending the final 10 pre bed-exiting minutes echoing Bartelby this week. "I would prefer not to."

"I prefer not to."