What are you reading now?

[muzzer]

I’ve just this morning finished The Recognitions by William Gaddis. A proper doorstop and not one I can say I have properly absorbed. But you can’t fault the scope of the author’s ambition. As I believe I wrote on another thread, he had a lifelong obsession with the player-piano and its effects. And now of course AI is everywhere.

[Bryn]

I’ve just this morning finished The Recognitions by William Gaddis. A proper doorstop and not one I can say I have properly absorbed. But you can’t fault the scope of the author’s ambition. As I believe I wrote on another thread, he had a lifelong obsession with the player-piano and its effects. And now of course AI is everywhere.

http://omeka.wustl.edu/omeka/exhibits/show/mlc50/item/10173

It can be read, with a bit of two-finger juggling.

[muzzer]

I’m obliged, thank you.

[un barbu]

Re-reading Helen Waddell's 'The Wandering Scholars', purchased not quite 50 years ago in Blair's second-hand bookshop in Causewayside in Edinburgh. I was bowled over by her enthusiastic appreciation and breadth of learning when in my early twenties. It remains an enjoyable and informative read. Will probably lead on to her 'Mediaeval Latin Lyrics' bought at the same time from the same shop, my regular haunt of a Saturday in the early 70s.

[gradus]

About to start 'Who Owns England' by Guy Shrubsole.

[Padraig]

Re-reading Helen Waddell's 'The Wandering Scholars', purchased not quite 50 years ago in Blair's second-hand bookshop in Causewayside in Edinburgh. I was bowled over by her enthusiastic appreciation and breadth of learning when in my early twenties. It remains an enjoyable and informative read. Will probably lead on to her 'Mediaeval Latin Lyrics' bought at the same time from the same shop, my regular haunt of a Saturday in the early 70s.

One of us, un barbu!

A woman of academic distinction, though my only encounter with her writing was a poem of her own - I Shall Not Go To Heaven. It was posted here some time ago.

What I am reading is Naomi Klein's On Fire

[un barbu]

One of us, un barbu!

A woman of academic distinction, though my only encounter with her writing was a poem of her own - I Shall Not Go To Heaven. It was posted here some time ago.

What I am reading is Naomi Klein's On Fire

One of us in several respects, I think. She was very close academically to Professor George Saintsbury who taught Professor David Nichol Smith who taught Professor Alexander Frederick Falconer who taught me. A tenuous link to someone who was. as you say, of great academic distinction. A fine life of her was written by Dame Felicitas Corrigan OSB some years ago.

[Pulcinella]

Struggling with Rushdie's Booker shortlisted novel Quichotte, the style of which I'm finding REALLY annoying.

I've deliberately not read any reviews.
Has anyone else read this yet and found it a satisfying read?
If so, what am I missing (not that I care that much, to be honest)?

[Joseph K]

Struggling with Rushdie's Booker shortlisted novel Quichotte, the style of which I'm finding REALLY annoying.

I've deliberately not read any reviews.
Has anyone else read this yet and found it a satisfying read?
If so, what am I missing (not that I care that much, to be honest)?

I haven't read it but I have read a review though it sounds like I shouldn't tell you what it said.

[Padraig]

Hard to know what to reply, since I have been reading this:

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry -
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll -
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul.

Emily Dickinson pub 1894

[zola]

Struggling with Rushdie's Booker shortlisted novel Quichotte, the style of which I'm finding REALLY annoying.

I've deliberately not read any reviews.
Has anyone else read this yet and found it a satisfying read?
If so, what am I missing (not that I care that much, to be honest)?

It was discussed on Radio 4's Saturday Review a week ago ( 21st ) and received a universal thumbs down.

[Pulcinella]

It was discussed on Radio 4's Saturday Review a week ago ( 21st ) and received a universal thumbs down.

Why am I not surprised?

[Pulcinella]

Hard to know what to reply, since I have been reading this:

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry -
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll -
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul.

Emily Dickinson pub 1894

In the myriad of settings of Dickinson, I wonder if this one features?

[Joseph K]

Why am I not surprised?

Since Zola gave the game away, I can tell you that I read the New Statesman review, which was indeed also negative.

[muzzer]

I’m reading The Great Fire by Shirley Hazzard, and really enjoying it but her prose demands attentiveness. Have ordered her last collection of essays.