Stereotypical Downturns

Demon Copperhead 

by Barbara Kingsolver

“At the time, I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. Here’s some advice: Don’t ever think that.” ― Barbara Kingsolver, Demon Copperhead

I found the first-person narrator to be annoying and the book to be tedious. I did not find it impressive that David Copperfield was used as the story's model. The story takes a number of depressing turns, such as a stay in a horrifying foster home where Demon is essentially starved. The portrayal of Appalachian life leans into stereotypes; I felt the depiction did not truly capture the diversity of experiences in such communities, and it simplifies them into a narrative of poverty and addiction.

Greek Lyrics

Pure Pagan: Seven Centuries of Greek Poems and Fragments 

by Burton Raffel

“EUROPA Europa costs you a dollar. No one cares, including her. She’s got clean sheets and a fire in winter. Why bother Becoming a bull, O Zeus!”  ― Burton Raffel, Pure Pagan: Seven Centuries of Greek Poems and Fragments

One of my favorite poet-translators, Burton Raffel, translated these Greek lyrics. Through their poetry, the poets in this anthology offer a window into ancient Greek culture. Among them are the very obscure to the somewhat less obscure, with a few familiar names like Plato. There are poems and fragments of poems for everyone's taste. Reading them, I enjoyed making connections with my own life and our twenty-first century culture. Seeing how these ancient poets influenced some of our greatest contemporary poets was also fascinating. 

"Pure Pagan" is celebrated for its role in bringing obscure Greek poetry to light, offering readers a glimpse into the diverse voices of ancient Greece. I appreciate Raffel's modern interpretation. Because of its wide range of selection and lively, if occasionally contentious, translation style, it is a great addition for anyone interested in ancient poetry. Overall, it is a beautiful selection of poetry.

If you're interested in exploring ancient Greek poetry through a contemporary lens, this book might serve as an engaging introduction or a complementary read to more traditional translations. However, for those seeking a translation closer to the original rhythm and tone, opinions suggest looking at other translators' works as well.

Caught in the Crossfire

What Maisie Knew 

by Henry James

“She took refuge on the firm ground of fiction, through which indeed there curled the blue river of truth."  ― Henry James, What Maisie Knew

Even though some of James' fiction can be difficult to understand, Maisie is comparatively simple to follow, though you may need to read a sentence again to fully understand it. Reading some of James' sentences is like hang-gliding from the first word to the period—you take in so much information along the way that you're likely to get a bit giddy.

Maisie, a young child caught in the crossfire of her parents' acrimonious divorce, is the protagonist of the book. Used as a pawn in their manipulative games, Maisie is shuttled between her self-absorbed mother, Ida, and her charming but irresponsible father, Beale. As her parents remarry, Maisie becomes entangled in the lives of her new stepparents—Sir Claude and Mrs. Beale (formerly Miss Overmore)—and their own web of romantic and moral entanglements. Through Maisie’s innocent yet increasingly perceptive eyes, James examines the moral decay of the adults around her and her gradual understanding of their flaws.

Maisie begins as a naive child but is exposed to the selfish and immoral behavior of the adults in her life. James masterfully explores how innocence can coexist with an intuitive understanding of human flaws. The novel challenges traditional notions of right and wrong as the adults justify their actions while neglecting Maisie’s well-being. James uses Maisie’s limited but evolving perspective to create a layered narrative, forcing readers to piece together the truth behind the adults’ behavior.

The story of the sensitive daughter of divorced and irresponsible parents, What Maisie Knew, has great contemporary relevance as an unflinching account of a wildly dysfunctional family. The book is also a masterly technical achievement by James, as it follows the title character from earliest childhood to precocious maturity. It's not surprising from the book's title that knowledge and education form a major theme in it. Her keen observation of the irresponsible behavior of almost all the adults she lives with eventually persuades her to rely on her most devoted friend, Mrs. Wix, even though the frumpy governess is by far the least superficially attractive adult in her life. The novel is also a thoroughgoing condemnation of parents and guardians abandoning their responsibilities towards their children. James saw English society as becoming more corrupt and decadent, and What Maisie Knew is one of his harshest indictments of those who can't be bothered to live responsible lives. It might seem that such a book would become almost unbearably grim. But James leavens the sorry doings with a generous dose of admittedly dark humor.

The act of writing to James was a highly delicate operation, as if he were building a house of cards, and the least slip would ruin the design. Though Maisie is not a perfect book, it is filled with James' elaborate literary feats, those suspenseful sleights of hand that always induce pleasurable gasps at each successful intellectual vibration.

Growing up Gay

The Beautiful Room Is Empty 

by Edmund White

“And William laughed with his special blend of mischief, compounded of humor, spite, and sadness in a ratio even he wasn't sure of but that he mixed by feel."  - Edmund White, The Beautiful Room Is Empty

Edmund White's semi-autobiographical book "The Beautiful Room Is Empty" chronicles the experiences of a young gay man growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, leading up to the Stonewall Riots in 1969.

The narrative follows the protagonist from his preparatory school days through his college years and into the burgeoning gay culture of New York City. It's a journey of self-discovery, marked by the protagonist's struggle with his sexual identity in a repressive society, his attempts at psychoanalysis to "cure" his homosexuality, and his eventual acceptance and celebration of his identity.

The narrative focuses on themes of identity, alienation, the search for belonging, and the transformation of gay culture during a pivotal time in American history. The novel paints a vivid picture of the era's social constraints and the personal and collective liberation that followed. White's prose is often eloquent, with a particular emphasis on the richness of language and the emotional depth of the narrative. His storytelling has candor, intelligence, and humor, even when addressing the painful aspects of oppression and self-acceptance.

White has an ability to convey the loneliness and subsequent fulfillment of coming out. The book has a literary quality and an honest portrayal of gay life in mid-20th-century America. As part of White's autobiographical trilogy, it is often compared to "A Boy's Own Story," its predecessor. While both are celebrated, "The Beautiful Room Is Empty" can seem slightly less engaging due to its different stylistic choices and the protagonist's more introspective, sometimes self-conscious, narrative voice.

"The Beautiful Room Is Empty" stands as a significant work in the landscape of American literature, particularly within the context of gay narratives. It offers not only a historical snapshot of gay life before and during the Stonewall era but also a compelling personal journey through the complexities of identity. For those interested in literature that explores themes of self-discovery, societal change, and the nuances of love and sexuality, this book is highly recommended. However, readers should be prepared for a narrative that is both introspective and, at times, self-critical, reflecting the protagonist's internal struggle with the external world.

Meditation on Mortality

Small Rain 

by Garth Greenwell

“Read it again, read it more slowly, that was the whole of my pedagogy when I taught my students, who were pressured everywhere else to be more efficient, to take in information more quickly, to make each moment count, to instrumentalize time, which is a terrible way to live, dehumanizing, it disfigures existence.”   ― Garth Greenwell, Small Rain






Set in the COVID-19 era, this novel explores the physicality of suffering as its protagonist, an unnamed poet, is admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a serious medical crisis. The book focuses on an examination of the American healthcare system, the nature of pain, and the search for meaning and connection amidst suffering. It is both a meditation on mortality and a love story, highlighting the unexpected intimacies that can develop in such extreme circumstances.

Because of its lyrical quality, philosophical asides, and ability to convey the narrator's consciousness, I thought Greenwell's prose was unique. The narrative style is introspective, focusing on the internal experience of the protagonist, which contrasts with the external environment of the hospital. His prose style had a unique aspect in that he referred to characters with merely the first letter of their name.

"Small Rain" pushed the limits of narrative structure by emphasizing the internal rather than the external, and I found it to have a complex depiction of illness and an intriguing character study. I enjoyed it's departure from and extension of Greenwell's earlier works, focusing on different aspects of human experience but with the same meticulous and poetic prose.

Living in Music

Every Good Boy Does Fine: 

A Love Story in Music Lessons

by Jeremy Denk

“And what else is music but a space for us to live in, for a while.”   ― Jeremy Denk, Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story, in Music Lessons

In his memoir, Denk details his path from taking his first piano lessons in New Jersey to graduating from Juilliard with a doctorate. It is a coming-of-age tale that weaves together his development in comprehending different kinds of love—for music, family, friends, and romantic partners—rather than merely recounting his musical education.

The book delves into the intricacies of learning piano, highlighting the passion, frustration, and joy of mastering classical music. Denk discusses his lessons, teachers, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career, giving readers a vivid picture of what it takes to become a virtuoso.

In addition to discussing his musical journey, Denk offers personal tales that offer insights into his identity, familial relationships, and emotional growth. His narrative style is both humorous and poignant, offering readers a deeply personal look at his life.

Denk is renowned for his ability to simplify difficult musical ideas in his writing. He uses metaphors and personal stories to explain musical theory, making his reflections on harmony, melody, and rhythm both educational and engaging.

This memoir is for you if you enjoy classical music and, even better, are a piano player. Jeremy Denk has managed to combine a tour of classical music for the piano with a very personal memoir of his life as both a student and performer of that music. The result is a unique journey for the reader.

Lacking any Quality of Mercy

An Unfortunate Woman: A Journey 

by Richard Brautigan

"It is around noon and the heat is oppressing and the sun shines down lacking any quality of mercy."   - Richard Brautigan, An Unfortunate Woman: A Journey

The book is structured as a semi-autobiographical journal, chronicling the travels of its narrator, who is closely modeled after Brautigan himself. Brautigan's narrative style reflects his characteristic wit, irony, and poetic prose. The journey is not just geographical but also an introspective one, marked by digressions and reflections rather than a linear plot. The episodic nature of the entries, spanning from January to June 1982, captures the whimsy and randomness of life, yet they cover themes of mortality, depression, and solitude.

Central to the book's thematic exploration is the shadow of death. Brautigan's protagonist navigates through the aftermath of the suicide of a woman he knew, whose home he temporarily occupies, and the death of a friend from cancer. These events cast a melancholic tone over the narrative, mirroring Brautigan's own struggles with depression, alcoholism, and his contemplation of mortality. This personal connection makes the book an eerie foreshadowing of the author's own suicide in 1984.

Despite its dark themes, "An Unfortunate Woman" retains Brautigan's signature humor and irony. His ability to find the absurd in the mundane, like describing a chicken in Hawaii or a courtroom scene for forgetting when one last wrote, provides a counterbalance to the narrative's inherent sadness. This juxtaposition of humor against despair showcases Brautigan's complex engagement with the human condition.

The novel serves as a personal document, offering glimpses into Brautigan's life during his final years. It's a raw, sometimes painful look at a man grappling with his identity, his past, and his imminent end. For Brautigan's fans, this book is a treasure, providing not just entertainment but a deeper understanding of the man behind the literary persona. His daughter, Ianthe Brautigan, found and later advocated for its publication, recognizing its value as a piece of her father's best work.

Sonnet for a Winter Day

 

 Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been

By William Shakespeare

How like a winter hath my absence been

From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!

What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!

What old December's bareness everywhere!

And yet this time remov'd was summer's time,

The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,

Bearing the wanton burthen of the prime,

Like widow'd wombs after their lords' decease:

Yet this abundant issue seem'd to me

But hope of orphans and unfather'd fruit;

For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,

And thou away, the very birds are mute;

Or if they sing, 'tis with so dull a cheer

That leaves look pale, dreading the winter's near.

Poem for Today

 Robert Browning 

from "Memorabilia"

Ah, did you once see Shelley plain,

  And did he stop and speak to you

And did you speak to him again?

  How strange it seems and new!

 

Enigmatic Character

• A Lost Lady 
• by Willa Cather

“She had always the power of suggesting things much lovelier than herself, as the perfume of a single flower may call up the whole sweetness of spring.”
― Willa Cather, A Lost Lady







This novella is hardly more than a sketch of a character. The brilliance of Cather’s prose is demonstrated in her portrayal of Marian Forrester, the high-spirited wife of one of the great pioneers and railroad builders. There are also historical implications of Cather’s fable. These are enhanced by the enigmatic and ambiguous elements in Mrs. Forrester’s portrait. On the surface, Marian Forrester belongs to Cather’s long line of restless, magnetic, intelligent women, like Alexandra Bergson, who grows wealthy farming the virgin land in O Pioneers! (1913), Thea Kronborg, the Swedish girl who becomes a famous opera singer in The Song of the Lark (1915), and Ántonia Shimerda, the heroine of My Ántonia (1918), who survives tragedy and abandonment to become the mother of many children, “a rich mine of life, like the founders of early races.”

One may view A Lost Lady as a brilliant epilogue to Cather’s famous pioneer novels; however, it has a different tone, not heroic and optimistic like the Whitmanesque O Pioneers! but bittersweet and retrospective like Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence. As one who loves Cather's beautiful writing style, I found this a touching taste from her pen.

Aging and Love

Like Death 

by Guy de Maupassant

“Words dazzle and deceive because they are mimed by the face. But black words on a white page are the soul laid bare.” ― Guy de Maupassant

The novel centers around Olivier Bertin, a famous Parisian painter, and his relationship with the Countess Ann de Guilleroy. The story explores themes of aging, love, and the passage of time. Bertin, once the lover of the Countess when she was young, now sees her daughter, who resembles her mother in youth, leading to complex emotions and reflections on mortality and beauty.

Maupassant delves deeply into themes of vanity, the fear of aging, and the unavoidable decline of youth and beauty, all of which are well captured in the translation. Howard's choice of words and phrases illuminates the internal conflicts of Bertin, reflecting on his own aging process alongside the aging of his muse, the Countess. Through Howard's translation, the psychological complexity of the characters is well preserved. The reader feels Bertin's turmoil, the Countess's resignation, and the innocent yet disruptive presence of her daughter.

The book excels in its atmospheric descriptions of Parisian life and its exploration of the human condition. I enjoyed Richard Howard's translation for its elegant and fluid prose, capturing the nuanced and often melancholic tone of Maupassant's original text. Howard maintains the 19th-century French literary style while making it accessible to contemporary English readers. He adds to this by bringing forth the lyrical and poetic elements of Maupassant's writing.

For those interested in classic French literature, the study of aging, or simply in beautifully crafted translations, "Like Death" in Howard's rendition is a profound read. It's particularly recommended for fans of Maupassant or those who appreciate psychological depth in literature.

Destroyed Illusions

Under Western Eyes 

by Joseph Conrad

“I am quite willing to be the blind instrument of higher ends. To give one's life for the cause is nothing. But to have one's illusions destroyed - that is really almost more than one can bear.”   ― Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes

Under Western Eyes by Joseph Conrad is a sophisticated book that explores issues of morality, personal identity, political intrigue, and the conflict between personal conscience and obligation. The novel centers around Razumov, a student in St. Petersburg, who gets entangled in revolutionary politics following the assassination of a Tsarist official by a fellow student, Victor Haldin. Despite his initial apolitical stance, Razumov betrays Haldin to the authorities, which sets off a chain of events that explores his internal and external conflicts.

Razumov's journey is largely about his struggle with his identity. He betrays Haldin not only out of fear but also to align himself with what he perceives as an ordered, rational society over the chaos of revolution. This betrayal haunts him, leading to a profound identity crisis. The novel contrasts the oppressive autocracy of Tsarist Russia with the chaotic, often naive idealism of the revolutionaries. Conrad does not glorify either side, instead presenting a nuanced view where both systems are flawed.

The narrative is framed by an English language teacher in Geneva who tells Razumov's story, providing a "Western eyes" perspective on Russian politics and psychology. This framing questions the understanding, or misunderstanding, of Eastern European issues by Western observers. Conrad explores the gray areas of morality. Characters like Razumov and Sophia Antonovna (Haldin's mother) are not simply good or bad but are shown with their human complexities, making moral judgments difficult. Razumov experiences profound isolation, both self-imposed and imposed by his actions. His alienation peaks in Geneva, where he meets the Russian émigré community yet remains an outsider due to his secret guilt.

Conrad's writing is deep, contemplative, and introspective, with a strong emphasis on his characters' mental states. His use of an unreliable narrator challenges readers to consider the veracity of the story by adding layers of interpretation to the text. Under Western Eyes demonstrates psychological depth while depicting Russian characters through a Western lens. It can be seen as a critique of both Russian autocracy and revolutionary zeal while also reflecting on the nature of storytelling and truth.

I found that the novel remains relevant for its exploration of political and personal betrayal, the clash of ideologies, and the human condition's moral dilemmas. It's a text that invites readers to ponder how political actions intertwine with personal ethics and identity, viewed through the complex lens of "Western eyes."

No Sanctuary at University

I Am Charlotte Simmons 

by Tom Wolfe

“Loneliness wasn't just a state of mind, was it? It was tactile. She could feel it. It was a sixth sense, not in some fanciful play of words, but physically. It hurt... it hurt like phagocytes devouring the white matter of her brain. It was merely that she had no friends. She didn't even have a sanctuary in which she could simply be alone.” ― Tom Wolfe, I Am Charlotte Simmons







The story follows Charlotte Simmons, a brilliant student from a small, rural North Carolina town, who wins a scholarship to the prestigious Dupont University. Her arrival at Dupont plunges her into a world of social hierarchies, Greek life, athletics, and intellectual snobbery, which contrasts with her sheltered upbringing. The narrative explores her journey through loss of innocence, identity, and the struggle to maintain her academic and moral integrity amidst a culture that seems to value superficial achievements and social status over genuine learning and character.
Charlotte's journey is one of self-discovery and transformation. The novel examines how individuals adapt or succumb to the pressures of their environment, questioning what it means to stay true to oneself in the face of overwhelming social forces. Wolfe critiques the American elite education system, portraying Dupont as a microcosm of broader societal issues around class, privilege, and the commodification of education. The novel tackles themes of sexual politics on campus, including consent, reputation, and the power dynamics in relationships. Wolfe suggests a critique of the meritocratic myth by showing how success at Dupont often correlates more with social manipulation or athletic prowess than with academic merit.
Wolfe's characters are vivid, often exaggerated for effect, which is a hallmark of his satirical style. Charlotte is both naive and intelligent, serving as an observer through whom readers experience the university's culture shock. Supporting characters like Hoyt Thorpe, the charismatic athlete, and Jojo Johanssen, the basketball star, are caricatures of certain societal types, used to highlight the novel's themes.
The novel excels in its critique of modern academia and its portrayal of the loss of innocence in a supposedly enlightened environment. Wolfe's satirical edge is sharp, providing both entertainment and food for thought. Wolfe's depiction of college life can seem overly cynical or one-dimensional, particularly his treatment of female characters and campus sexual culture. The narrative might also feel dated to some readers given changes in university culture since its publication in 2004.
I found it a provocative and engaging read for anyone interested in a satirical take on higher education in America, especially for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a keen eye for social commentary.

Unhappiness or Happiness?

The Fraud 

by Zadie Smith

“What possesses people? Unhappiness, always. Happiness is otherwise occupied. It has an object on which to focus. It has daisies, it has snowdrifts. Unhappiness opens up the void, which then requires filling.”   ― Zadie Smith, The Fraud

The book centers on the life of Eliza Touchet, a housekeeper and muse to her cousin by marriage, novelist William Ainsworth, and is set in Victorian England, mostly in London. The Tichborne case, in which an Australian butcher poses as Sir Roger Tichborne, a long-lost aristocrat thought to have perished in a shipwreck, intrigues Eliza.

The Tichborne case serves as a lens to explore class mobility, identity, and the fluidity of social status in Victorian society. The book explores the nature of truth, how people view it, and how it is shaped in social and legal settings. It critiques the literary scene, contrasting the lives and works of real historical figures like Dickens with fictional characters, examining fame, ambition, and the legacy of literature.

Smith employs a narrative rich with dialogue, internal monologues, and varied perspectives, allowing readers to see the events through different eyes. Her writing is renowned for its depth, humor, and skill at fusing contemporary commentary with historical detail.

The book doesn't resolve the Tichborne case in a straightforward manner but uses it to explore broader questions about human nature, society, and storytelling. Eliza's journey through this saga reflects on her own life's fraudulence or authenticity in the roles she plays within her family and society.

Virtue is no Excuse

The Comedians 

by Graham Greene

“Perhaps the sexual life is the great test. If we can survive it with charity to those we love and with affection to those we have betrayed, we needn't worry so much about the good and the bad in us. But jealousy, distrust, cruelty, revenge, and recrimination ... then we fail. The wrong is in that failure, even if we are the victims and not the executioners. Virtue is no excuse.” ― Graham Greene, The Comedians




The book, which is set in the politically oppressive 1960s Haiti, portrays the terror and corruption that were hallmarks of Duvalier's rule in striking detail. The real-life historical context provides a chilling backdrop, enhancing the sense of decay and moral ambiguity. The setting is described as both "a very real setting, time and situation" and a "shabby land of terror" where the narrative unfolds. Collectively referred to as "the comedians," the characters embody a microcosm of humanity navigating the absurdities of everyday life. Brown, potentially a reflection of Greene himself, is characterized by his rootless and non-committal approach to life, particularly in love. Jones, with his deceptive charm, and Smith, with his naivety and good intentions, add layers to the narrative, showcasing different facets of human folly and resilience.

Greene portrays life as a stage on which everyone performs their part, some more skillfully than others, by using dark humor and a morally somber tone. Along with examining issues of identity, purpose, and the human condition, the book offers a critical analysis of the political system, with a focus on American foreign policy. Greene's writing is often praised for its slick, engaging prose, though the narrative can feel a bit sloppy towards the end.

I found in "The Comedians" a layered narrative that combined Greene's signature dark humor with a sharp critique of political oppression and human nature, set in one of the most turbulent periods of Haitian history. While it might not be considered among Greene's greatest works, it remains a thought-provoking and engaging novel for its vivid portrayal of characters and setting.

Language and Wisdom

The Lord Chandos Letter and Other Writings 

by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

“I wanted to show that the fables and mythic tales that the ancients have handed down to us and in which painters and sculptors never cease to find mindless pleasure are the hieroglyphics of a secret, inexhaustible wisdom. I sometimes thought I felt its breath, as though coming from behind a veil.” ― Hugo von Hofmannsthal





"The Lord Chandos Letter," written by Hugo von Hofmannsthal in 1902, is a fictional piece in the form of a letter from Lord Philip Chandos to Francis Bacon, dated August 1603. The letter begins with Chandos acknowledging Bacon's concern about his lack of literary activity. Chandos, aged 26 at the time of writing, describes his profound crisis concerning language, where he has lost the ability to think or speak coherently about anything. He has abandoned future literary projects due to this crisis, feeling that words no longer have the capacity to convey the depth or truth of his experiences.

He once had grand literary plans but now finds them meaningless or unattainable. His crisis is detailed in stages, including the loss of academic discourse, the inability to engage in philosophical or moral discussions, and a disconnection from the beauty and significance he once found in literature. Chandos experiences moments of profound insight or connection with the world around him, often through simple, everyday objects or scenes. These moments, however, are inexpressible through language. He describes an intense, almost mystical experience where he feels a deep unity with nature, which he can't articulate.
The letter reflects broader themes of the crisis of language and meaning in early 20th-century literature, suggesting a disconnect between language and the direct experience of reality. This theme resonates with contemporary intellectual movements, including the influence of figures like Wittgenstein, who would later explore similar ideas about the limits of language.

While the letter is fiction, it's often interpreted as having autobiographical elements, reflecting Hofmannsthal's own literary crisis and his shift from poetry to drama and other forms.The narrative is set during a period of cultural transition, where the old order was giving way to industrial and modern society, which Hofmannsthal and his contemporaries saw as causing a crisis in expression and identity. I found it notable for its exploration of the inadequacy of language to capture the essence of human experience, a theme that would influence much of modern and postmodern literature.

Top Ten Books Read in 2024

 Annual Top Ten Favorites

Since January 1, 2024, these books have been my favorite reads.  They span a wide range of reading genres, from non-fiction to fiction, from lengthy to short works, and from the Classics to modern literary fiction.

The list is in no particular order, but if I had to pick my favorite of the year it would be Doctor Faustus.

The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride 

 

Ice by Anna Kavan 

My Antonia by Willa Cather 

The Ethics by Baruch Spinoza 

Doctor Faustus by  Thomas Mann 

The Rest is Noise by Alex Ross 

The House of Doors by TanTwan Eng 

The Advancement of Learning by Francis Bacon

 

 Blackouts by Justin Torres

Knight Errant

Don Quixote 

by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

 

 “Finally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind.”   ― Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote

 

 

 

 

The idea of the novel starts here. This is the source of the modern novel for many. While it remains the epitome of story-telling its fame has also led to the coinage of such terms as "quixotic" and others. Influential beyond almost any other single work of fiction, the characters through their charm and uniqueness remain indelible in the memory of readers.
Don Quixote is one of those books whose influence is so far-reaching as to be almost ubiquitous, like The Odyssey, or the Bible. And like the Bible or Homer’s epic, it is more often talked about than read. But my conclusion upon reading it is to recommend to all: read it and enjoy the stories.

As Don Quixote says . . . "the life of knights-errant is subject to a thousand perils and reverses, and it's jus as likely for knights-errant to become kings and emperors, as has been shown by experience through many diverse knights whose histories I know thoroughly. And I could tell you know, if this pain would abate, about some who, all alone, through the strength of their arm, have risen to the high positions that I've told you about. . . I can well suffer among such good company, for they have undergone greater affronts than we've just now undergone." (p 119)

Identities with Gaps

Blackouts 

by Justin Torres

 “I’d lost patience for novels. I did not want to die in the middle of a novel. I wanted only endings, last lines, goodbyes, and reunions. I wondered how might things end for me; how would it read, the final sentence of my life? The verdict?”   ― Justin Torres, Blackouts

 

 

 

 

What is the source of our identity? Every historical narrative has the potential for a counter-narrative, as demonstrated by Blackouts, which also implies that each of us has identity ruptures and gaps—the book's title blackouts—that are kept together by narrative continuity. 

I was reminded of Nabokov's lyricism and intricacy by the narrative. The story is slowly, gradually revealed through vignettes that this reader found fascinating. As the essence is revealed the book became more and more incredibly engaging to read. Adding to this was the creative use of blacked-out source materials in conjunction with the story. The result is a book that deserves the accolades that it has received.

The Empirical Approach to Learning

The Major Works 

by Francis Bacon

 “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”   ― Francis Bacon, The Advancement of Learning

 

 

 

 

Among other things, the intellectual justification for the scientific empirical approach is provided by this foundational work. Bacon contends that one should examine the evidence of their senses and investigate the outcomes, as the antiquated method of demanding classic authors is inadequate. This excellent collection also includes "The New Atlantic" and a selection of essays.

In "The Advancement of Learning," Francis Bacon argues for a new approach to knowledge acquisition, advocating for the empirical method as the primary means of scientific understanding, emphasizing observation and experimentation over traditional reliance on authority and speculation, with the ultimate goal of improving human life through practical applications of knowledge; he outlines a detailed classification of knowledge, dividing it into history (memory), poetry (imagination), and philosophy (reason), and criticizes existing scholarship for its focus on "vain speculations" rather than useful discoveries for mankind.

Friends of Maugham

The House of Doors 

by Tan Twan Eng

“All of us will be forgotten eventually. Like a wave on the ocean, leaving no trace that it had once existed.' He shook his head. 'We will be remembered through our stories.”   ― Tan Twan Eng, The House of Doors





This is a book that grew on me in the sense that it became more and more engrossing and ultimately very powerful in an emotional sense. It was not a simple story as it involved a famous novelist, a Chinese statesman, and a murder trial. These disparate aspects were held together by the connections to a husband, Robert, and his wife, Lesley.

It examines issues of cultural dissonance, memory, and loss. In doing so the narrative centers on the lives of two well-known individuals from the early 20th century—Sun Yat Sen and W. Somerset Maugham—and is set in Penang. The book also reflects on the power of stories and their ability to cut across time and cultural boundaries.

The House of Doors also alternates between a heated courtroom drama that centers on the Proudlock affair, a meditation on how and why we tell stories, and a portrait of the artist in crisis. In a way, it is also a political saga that follows Lesley's path to self-determination and social activism.

Along with the stunning countryside, one learns about Dr. Sun Yat Sen and his friends. This expanded my library of books by and about Maugham and brought back memories of his short stories.

A Raindrop

There Are Rivers in the Sky 

by Elif Shafak

“Words are like birds, when you publish books you are setting caged birds free. They can go wherever they please. They can fly over the highest walls and across vast distances, settling in mansions of gentry, in farmsteads and laborers' cottages alike. You never know whom those words will reach, whose hearts will succumb to their sweet songs.”   ― Elif Shafak, There Are Rivers in the Sky

The water sign is used to color this book from the first to the last page. A raindrop marks the start of it, and a flood marks its conclusion. According to Elif Shafak, the secret of infinity can be found in any drop of water; rivers are particularly adept at remembering. The Thames and the Tigris are the two rivers that are most noticeable here. Their flow is made up of numerous currents, and they are both fed by different affluents. The same is true of this book, which blends a number of stories that emerge from various locations and eras.

A single drop of water connects three extraordinary lives, two enormous rivers, and one lost poem in this tale. The remains of a long-forgotten poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh, are buried in the sand in the ruins of Nineveh, that ancient Mesopotamian city. Water endures and remembers throughout. When Shafak makes the same drop of water fall as rain on Ashurbanipal's head in Nineveh and fall as a teardrop in London, two and a half millennia later, she is attempting to teach this important lesson. I highly recommend this fascinating book.