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07 Oct 08
Originally posted by Bosse de NageThat's one of the few Saramago books that I haven't read! I've enjoyed most of his others.
I don't know, is he? I've only read one book, 'Baltasar & Blimunda', which I enjoyed very much. I didn't realise he was a Nobel Laureate until I browsed the Montreal webzine that Seitse put up in the Hipster Handbook thread ...
I think 'Blindness' and 'The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis' are his masterpieces (the latter got me interested in the writings of the poet Fernando Pessoa, who's ghost is one of the main characters in the novel).
Also very enjoyable are 'All the Names' and 'The Double'.
I was intrigued by the 'The Gospel According to Jesus Christ', although I imegine a lot of Christians would be offended by it!
07 Oct 08
Originally posted by SeitseAmericans must be writing about something. According to Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry, in their book, "Putting Your Passion Into Print," the United States publishes approximately 150,000 books each year; best sellers represent less than 5% of Barnes & Noble's total sales.
Rb, I apologize for surprising you.
I am not agreeing with the fact that a member of the committee makes such a statement publicly.
I agree on the fact that, besides DeLillo and a couple others ([b]just a couple), the U.S. is not producing literary monsters like it used to.
I agree on the fact that the U.S. is so concentrated on its own bellybutt ...[text shortened]... rope is writing about the universal issues of human existence... what is the U.S. writing about?[/b]
Regarding your critique of "readers like me," I think you might be quite surprised by my library; perusing the shelves, I can count numerous volumes on chess, cooking, conservative thought, Taekwondo, art, architecture, fashion, pop culture (comics and film), three different translations of the Bible, the complete works of Orwell, Mencken, William F. Buckley, the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, etc.
07 Oct 08
Originally posted by SeitseThis surely relates to our primary public school system, which is abysmal because the unions have ruined them. When it comes to post primary education, the United States is the clearly the best:
This is about literature, but perhaps this demonstrates how concentrated in themselves some Americans are:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/26/world/main530872.shtml
It is a misconception that the U.S. education system kicks ass. All the following countries' education systems are ranked ahead of the U.S.
1. South Korea
2. Japan
3. Finland ([b ...[text shortened]... b... would you consider yourselves, culture-wise, representatives of the majority of Americans?
http://www.arwu.org/rank/2005/ARWU2005_Top100.htm
07 Oct 08
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI'm a published writer (non-fiction) and I can tell you, contemporary fiction just doesn't do it for me -- give me the classics any day.
Maybe this thread could be turned to focus on American writers, if there are any Americans here interested in talking about American writers ...
08 Oct 08
Originally posted by SeitseYeah... Sweden well known for its great writers such as... uh... yeah...
[b]STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Bad news for American writers hoping for a Nobel Prize next week: The top member of the award jury believes the United States is too insular and ignorant to compete with Europe when it comes to great writing.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26960322/
I invite you to read the whole story.
I concur with Mr. Engdahl.[/b]
John Irving.
Stephen King (you may think he's trash, but he can spin a yarn).
Joseph Heller.
Joseph Wambaugh.
Leon Uris.
Mark Twain.
Nope. I think the US has some fine writers. And calling Irving or Uris insular and ignorant is rather pathetic.
Bloody Swedes. They should stick to making DOGMA films I don't watch.
08 Oct 08
Originally posted by David TebbThe Pessoa connection is an added incentive to read more Saramago (comparisons to Borges are obligatory nowadays so don't do much to persuade).
That's one of the few Saramago books that I haven't read! I've enjoyed most of his others.
I think 'Blindness' and 'The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis' are his masterpieces (the latter got me interested in the writings of the poet Fernando Pessoa, who's ghost is one of the main characters in the novel).
Also very enjoyable are 'All the Names' a ...[text shortened]... to Jesus Christ', although I imegine a lot of Christians would be offended by it!
You might also enjoy the Uruguayan writer Onetti and the Spaniard Goytisolo.