Hello Gentle Reader
First and foremost – allow me to extend my warmest and gracious thanks to all of you who have read my previous post in regards to my own speculation, of the Nobel Prize for Literature. As summer winds down the literary awards start the final round – the most notable one: The Nobel – and for English readers The Booker and for the German readers The German Book Prize. Again my thanks to all the readers, who read the speculative nominees. Still Gentle Reader, there is so many more author’s I’d like to name – and we will get to them. First and foremost though I wanted to talk about an interesting article I read the other day.
The other day, I read an article in the online publication of “World Literature Today,” in regards to Ismail Kadare – a perennial runner for the Nobel Prize for Literature – along with Czech writer Milan Kundera. The article titled “Why Ismail Kadare Should Win the 2013 Nobel Prize in Literature,” by Nina Sabolik a PhD student – begins with: “I should hate Ismail Kadare.”
What follows is a dissertation and historical lesson on Albanian and Macedonian feud. Which Kadare further supported with his refusal to sign a petition, which recognized Macedonia under its constitutional name. In doing so Kadare was the only one out of seventy authors at the conference, not to sign the petition. Five of those seventy authors were Albanian. In these regards the dissolution of the Former Yugoslavia’s consequences in some regards are still felt. Another reason the author claims why she should hate Kadare is that he collaborated with communist leader Enver Hoxha and his regime. In doing so Kadare did not protest enough. Still what I have understood is that Kadare did work for the government – but; was also highly critical of the government, and had committed publishing offenses. To the point where the censors – the police of the official party reality; had actually banned his books from publication. So this is not the Mo Yan case. Still at the end of this, first paragraph Ms. Sabolik, clarifies that she does not hate Kadare – after reading his work; and is so amazed by his work that she would like to nominate him for the Nobel Prize for Literature. From here on she explains why.
The bulk of this article was what pleased me the most. The author (Nina Sabolik) didn’t just base her opinion on the fact that the author was popular or at the forefront of Albanian or a giant of world literature. She analytically provided factual data, in order to support her claim. The most aggravating aspect of, people touting their favourite authors to win the world’s most prestigious and lucrative literary prize is that they just say:
“Because he is the king of [insert country here] letters.”
“Because [insert country here] has not won the prize ever/been two decades [or more].”
Among other; less factual statements. What most people to need to understand about the, Nobels (all of them) is that they are not the Olympics. These are scientists, writers and poets, activists and politicians and doctors, each nominated for the award, based upon their individual merit. This is not running around a track, throwing a javelin; skating in figure eights. The authors nominated, are not donning their head bands, and putting on their running shoes. They’re not running around the track like some horse race.
Sabolik goes on to detail the achievements and life of Kadare. She details his avoidance of writing clearly about the dictatorship. In favour of being elusive, and metaphorical in his criticism of the government. Often making compassions of historical figures or historical times and atrocities and folklore, to get the message across. For this though, the President of the League of Albanian writers and Artists had deliberately criticized Kadare; for his inability to deal with contemporary political situations. Instead focusing on history and folklore. The greatest piece of work that Sabolik uses, in favour of Kadare is his monumental novel “The Siege.”
“The Siege,” has been given comparison to Márquez, Coetzee, Pamuk, and Rushdie. Set in the fifteenth century the novel deals with Albania’s inability to come to terms with the Ottoman Empire. This means war is lurking overhead, and the fate of the people has been sealed. – Then the inevitable happens. The war begins. The novel details the days, weeks and months that follow the war. The battles that ensure, the despair of the plain, the bloodshed and all those involved. – It can be in a way difficult to think of this as a parable, to contemporary Albania. Annexed into the Soviet Union; and the puppet rule of Enver Hoxha.
The best quote from this article in regards to Kadare and why he should win the Nobel Prize for Literature is the following:
“All the main objections to Kadare’s nomination for the Nobel Prize stem from a single source: the inability of a Western audience to leave behind its own cultural provincialism and appreciate a writer who does not fit the world literature stereotype of, as James English describes it, a locally flavored multicultural mélange.”
Nina Sabolik; goes into further detail that Kadare is not an openly dissident author. He left Albania and sought out political asylum in nineteen-ninety one, only a year before Albania communist regime collapsed. Though many called Kadare the “Albanian Solzhenitsyn.” The west felt it has been misplaced on him. Still with Kadare’s comments:
“Dictatorship and authentic literature are incompatible. The writer is the natural enemy of dictatorship.”
Obviously this no Mo Yan again. At the same time, Kadare has also been a bit critical of being referred to as a “Solzhenitsyn-figure,” – because dissidence in Enver Hoxha regime was impossible, according to Kadare:
“Dissidence was a position no one could occupy [in Enver Hoxha's Albania], even for a few days, without facing the firing squad. On the other hand, my books themselves constitute a very obvious form of resistance.”
In these regards, Kadare is neither a conformist, nor a dissident, but an author who just happened to escape; and slyly took on Hoxha. This again though is not Mo Yan’s cowardly display of criticism. Criticism, which is given only to the regional political matters – not to that of the totalitarian government as a whole. Kadare went after Hoxha, and his regime. Kadare used folklore and historical references to hide his attack, in less political atmosphere, which was still criticised.
Still it doesn’t matter that Kadare’s work is opaque, his country too small, or that readers don’t know about Albania period. Then there is the complaint that his work is to sparse. What these critics who are grasping for straw need to remember, in Sabolik’s opinion, is that Kadare is awarded not by his country, not by his works difficult; but the merit that is there. Kadare is a giant in world literature. This however does not guarantee anything. But to for anyone to find fault in Kadare’s work, based on region, subject matter, or writing style is a bit ridiculous. Opaque is James Joyce’s “Finnegan’s Wake.” Overwritten is Thomas Pynchon.
I write the above though, not in support, but as my own enjoyment of what I had read, by Nina Sabolik. Ms. Sabolik writes with confidence in her dissertation. She provides coherent and detailed, factual evidence that, supports her claim. She provides evidence, why it could not happen, and then counter argues. Her statements were clear and concise. They were easily understandable and Ms. Sabolik has enough confidence in her arguments that they, hold their own weight.
This brings me to the following.
Mieko Kanai – Japan – Kanai is my alternative to Murakami. This Japanese author is a poet and a fiction writer. She has two books translated into English – one from “Dalkey Archive Press,” – “The Word Book,” while the other is “Indian Summer,” and is impossible to find. Mieko Kanai at the age of twenty years old, she was the runner up for the Dazu Osamu Prize. The following year she received the Gendashi Techo Prize for poetry. Her work is known for its sensuality, and its meta-fictional properties (fiction wise), and its dream-like landscapes of “The Word Book.” One of the stories, had inspired a short film: “The Fragments of Winter.” The film is based off the short story “The Moon,” by Kanai, from her short story collection “The Word Book.” It was filmed by Edmund Yeo, and was acclaimed.
Friederike Mayröcker – Austria – To be honest Gentle Reader, I was very mad at myself for letting Mayröcker slip my mind. She’s Austria’s foremost poet. She’s known for a avant-garde style of poetry. It is rather complicated and complex. She’s described her writing process as being infused visually. Everything for Friederike Mayröcker comes in pictures. Her memory is filled, with photographs. Like an art gallery/exhibit, or a photo album. Mayröcker then goes inside of the pictures, and from there turns the pictures into language. This effectively translating the image into the linguistic realm. She is one of the most influential members of the Vienna Group. It should be noted that Mayröcker finds it impossible, to write outside of Vienna. The entire city has become part of her creative process. Mayröcker has known to experiment with short prose pieces. She has found success outside of poetry with radio dramas.
I forgot a few writers, and poets that I had not included in the previous Nobel Speculation thread.
H. A. Sayeh – Iran/Germany – An Iranian poet, who has been living in Germany since nineteen-eighty seven. He first published poetry while still a high school student. However Sayeh’s output has been small. He has an obsession with perfection – phraseology and philosophical discussion. This often leaves his poetry glittering in its well perfected craftsmanship.
Kiwao Nomura – Japan – This is an avant-garde Japanese poet. Again an alternative to the popular Murakami. He’s poems are different, subtle and unique. They play with form, linguistic structure. They are also known for being performed by dancers – and Nomura himself is known for his creative, performances as a poet, and organizer of poetry festivals. It is said that Nomura and fellow Japanese poet Yoshimasu Gozo have no equivalent in the English language.
Yoshimasu Gozo – Japan – Is another avant-garde Japanese poet. He is also well known as a photographer, artist and filmmaker, along with other activities. Many of his poems feature a cross-bending of linguistic word play. As well as multilingual blending elements from: French, English, Gaelic, Chinese and Korean, to name just a few. His poems rely on an intimate closeness, to them. Usually it happens in a historical location or geographical spot. This allows for the present and past to co-exist in the experience.
There you have it Gentle Reader. My blog post, to apologize for missing yesterday, because of some technical difficulties. I wanted to continue the Nobel speculation, and apologize to the above authors. Again trying to be as open to authors throughout the world, and genres: fiction writer, poet, and playwright; in countries that are not well known. As well as discussing, a good article that makes their case; quite well and strong. The Nobel speculation will continue when Ladbrokes announces their own, betting odds.
The Article:
http://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/why-ismail-kadare-should-win-2013-nobel-prize-literature#.Uhj8mtKkpKw
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
