What are you reading?

[Vanna]

winnar

I knew somebody would catch that.

[todestrieb]

Forget Kafka, Meyrink's the man. A horribly underrated writer. Re-reading his most well-known novel, The Golem, for the umpteenth time. It isn't so much a retelling of the mythical creature, or a depiction of the creature, transposed to another setting, as it is a symbolic manifestation of the internal pathos endemic to a depressing and gloomy ghetto in turn-of-the-century Prague. Reads like a piece of sinister and disturbing claustrophobia.

[Mail-Moth]

I wouldn't go so far as placing Meyrink above Kafka. The Golem is a good novel, this is true - but it is the only interesting book he wrote - maybe along with Walpurgisnacht. The others are mainly attempts to put western occult tradition in fictions : often previsible, quite unpersonnal, and rather heavy footed. I used to love the man and his work a lot in my twenties ; but when I tried to reread it three or four years ago - bam. I found nothing in it.

As for the Road, I discovered it recently - and I was surprised not to like it so much. I can't help but find it obscurely christian, which is not my cup of tea. Nevertheless it is a great book, and I can imagine for it the same kind of career as for, say, Of Mice and men - that is, a great popular reading, loved by very different kinds of readers. It just doesn't appeal to me. There are things I love in McCarthy that I do not find there, and even if I can understand why they're lacking, I miss them.

[theetruscan]

Just finished:

Anathem - Neal Stephenson. Like most of his recent books, it's a fantastic piece of genre fiction. The story, which is where genre fiction tends to excel, is excellent. The writing is quite good. Unfortunately, like most of his recent works, it is in desperate need of a ruthless editor.

Reading:

Drink: a cultural history of alcohol - Iain Gately. Great fun, full of wonderful bar trivia and something of a solid history as well. I love these kinds of books. History revolving around one thing is great reading. Though, after Kurlansky and Gately (Salt, Cod, Food of a Younger Land, Tobacco), I don't know what else to read.

[galia]

I just read my first Huysmans, Là bas, and, while I fully enjoyed the themes (Gilles de Rais and satanism), I found it too verbose and lacking in atmosphere

I'm ready to give him a second chance, so if you have recomendations I'd love to hear them

[Mail-Moth]

Is it the english title for Houellebecq's Les Particules élémentaires ?

[mamaboy]

Is it the english title for Houellebecq's Les Particules élémentaires ?

elementary particles or atomised

[mamaboy]

im stupid i missed the joke

[Mail-Moth]

But I was serious ! I made a verification since. Vile bodies would have been an interesting translation, although not very accurate - and certainly too good for that book.

[BSR]

I just read my first Huysmans, Là bas, and, while I fully enjoyed the themes (Gilles de Rais and satanism), I found it too verbose and lacking in atmosphere

I'm ready to give him a second chance, so if you have recomendations I'd love to hear them

You should of course try A rebours. I love Huysmans (and Là-bas in particular), his characters are truly modern, they are as weak and indecisve as Flaubert's ones, but they are fully aware of their worthlessness. As if Emma had read Madame Bovary.

[DamageX]

I am currently reading Philip K. Dick's Valis. So far, I am really loving it.

[galia]

One one level I agree BSR, but it's too brainy for me (and I am quite a brainy person). Perhaps I'm in an atmospheric phase where I have less somach for self-reflective writing. I still found it quite enjoyble and thought he raised many valid concerns. Actually his oppinions are often eerily similar to mine, so of course I'm going to like him on that level

You're not the first person to tell me I should try A Rebours, so I'll let you know what I thought once I've read it

[BSR]

One one level I agree BSR, but it's too brainy for me (and I am quite a brainy person). Perhaps I'm in an atmospheric phase where I have less somach for self-reflective writing. I still found it quite enjoyble and thought he raised many valid concerns. Actually his oppinions are often eerily similar to mine, so of course I'm going to like him on that level

You're not the first person to tell me I should try A Rebours, so I'll let you know what I thought once I've read it

If you're on an 'atmospheric phase', indeed Huysmans' fouled air isn't the most appropriate climate! A rebours is certainly his most conceptual book (far more than the two overlapping plots of Là-bas), but I won't tell you more. Your feedback is now strongly expected...

[mamaboy]

new testament.....jesus moves me to tears

[zamb]

new testament.....jesus moves me to tears

very good read............i cant live without it.

I am reading Lolita right now,
Faust loaned me his Copy.

.........................We should revive the book club.