Hello Gentle Reader
This time of year, there comes a moment when everyone thinks about the previous year in review. The good, the bad, the tragic – everything from the personal to the monumental is placed under the scrutiny of all individuals. From the disappointing and anti-climactic end of the world, that was supposed to happen – I know many people must be truly disappointed, that the mountain that refused to bloom or open up like some flower or the cavernous maw of a whale, to release a spirit into the world. Disappointing indeed. Though many marked the beginning of the twenty first of December, with celebration; but truly if the Mayans could project or had any foresight into the future they would have foresaw their own demise. Though the snack of the impending nuclear holocaust, did end. The twinkie did see its final end in two-thousand and twelve.
However the year did have its tragedies. National, internationally, and literary. The Colorado theatre shooting – the Aurora Shooting; to the recent Newtown Massacre; and the death of the poor nurse, after her prank by two Australian radio hosts, had turned deadly, as she committed suicide. Literary tragedies include the trio of deaths of Nobel Laureate in Literature Wisława Szymborska often dubbed the Mozart of Poetry; the perennial Nobel favourite Antonio Tabucchi who became Pessoa’s apprentice and from there shaped his own identity; and one of the three great giants of the Latin American boom who did not receive Nobel Recognition Carlos Fuentes. Other authors who had passed were Gore Vidal, Soviet/Russian poet and dramatist Vasily Belov, Maeve Blinchy and so many who had slipped under the radar. Other tragedies include Philip Roth's retirement, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez's career ended by Dementia.
The year in the Review had some great moments of discovering some interesting books. From “in Red,” by Magdalena Tulli, to “Mister Blue,” by Jacques Poulin – both from the wonderful Archipelago Books. I had my first encounter just recently with Nobel Laureate Elfriede Jelinek and fellow Austrian writer Peter Handke – amazing yet slightly disturbed authors. Nobel Laureate Herta Müller’s novel “The Hunger Angel,” was finally released in English, much to my anticipation and excitement. Fellow Laureate in Literature Orhan Pamuk’s youthful gothic novel “Silent House,” was also released for the first time in English as well. It was the first time I read the olderst Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing’s monumental novel “The Golden Notebook.” It both baffled and shocked me in its open discussion of menstruation, sex, being a woman, and mental break down. Incredibly uneven, and incredibly long this novel is something that would most likely become a classic and yet rarely read by the average reader, instead being read by sociological courses or history classes.
Awards wise it was a year that could have done better. The Booker followed its routine path of awarding for the third time, a previous winner again. This time the first woman and English writer Hilary Mantel for her next novel in her Tudor trilogy “Bring up the Bodies.” Unable to read the first book “Wolf Hall,” as its verbosity was a bit to talkative to the point that reminded me of a sparrow’s machine gun chatter. A statement could have been made awarding the award to other less known writers – though making it on the shortlist always works too. Alison Moore is going to be a rising star in English letters. The Nobel could have gone to more deserving writers like Ko Un of South Korea or Adunis of Syria.
In the coming year look for some Hungarian books in Review. Also Cesar Aira makes an appearance – one of many I presume; look for the Austrians Peter Handke and Elfriede Jelinek and the overdue conclusion to the Short Story Review; among many other books.
Twenty Thirteen is coming soon; and here is hoping for a great New Year.
Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read
*And Remember: Downloading Books Illegally is Thievery and Wrong.*
M. Mary
