Hello Gentle Reader
Once again Gentle Reader, here we are. Another year has come to an end. What a year it was. We we’re forced to say goodbye to some great talents – Nobel Laureates Seamus Heaney and then Doris Lessing; the outspoken Scotish writer and science fiction author, Ian Banks, had also perished due to cancer; as well as possible Nobel Laureate Chinua Achebe, also perished. However, we were also awakened to see some great new authors, showcase their talents; in the case of this year’s Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton. “The Luminaires,” is the longest novel to even win the Booker Prize; and Catton is the youngest recipient to date, to receive the prize. There was some rather tragic news in regards to the Booker Prize as well. Two-thousand and fourteen open the award up to American authors. The criticism of this controversial decision, has died down, but coming years prize, will be under heavy scrutiny; as the judges will be under the pressure to present a fair or at the very least a balanced, longlist and shortlist, showcasing the talents of all qualified countries.
In regards to the personal taste in the books read – some yet to be posted on this blog; it was certainly a exciting year; with the enjoyable pleasure of Olga Tokarczuk’s novel “Primeval and Other Times,” which was an interesting and fragmented novel, and a real pleasure to read. There was also the enjoyment of reading “Mondo and Other Stories,” a volume of stories by Nobel Laureate in Literature J.M.G Le Clezio that I still come back to, time and time again for a poetically beautiful and adventurous read, that leaves one with a feeling of nostalgia. I became acquainted with László Krasznahorkai, with his first novel “Satantango.” Krasznahorkai showcased his emerging talents that would become clearer in his later works, but also showed his sense of humour. “The Twin,” was also a novel that stands out in its immense pleasure that it was to read, and its understated premise: a novel about a Dutch farm, and an unhappy farmer. However appearances are deceiving; and it certainly proved that point. Then came, the slim and beautiful short novel “Touch,” by the Palestine author Adania Shibli. The novel itself was enjoyable for its lyrical prose, and its impressionistic writing. It certainly goes to show that a slim and slender novel often has more impact than that of a larger novel. Mikhail Shishkin finally had his overdue debut, with his novel “Maidenhair,” a sprawling and often confusing narrative, but it also showed the authors capability of dealing with large and engrossing obsessions, as themes on the human condition. There was “Firefly,” by Severo Sarduy a barque piece of work, by one of the greatest prose stylists of the twentieth century by a Cuban writer, who was a perquisite to the eventual Latin American Boom. This list could not be completed without mentioning “Zigzag through the Bitter Orange Tree’s,” by the Greek writer Ersi Sotiropoulos. It’s a novel about four people; who are interconnected through each other, the only slightly. It’s a novel that is filled with Sotiropoulos’s constant disregard for the traditional narrative structure of a beginning or an end. It showcases the author’s lyrical prose and poetic flare without being ornament or decorating the prose with purple dashes of exaggeration.
Other books that have been read and reviews will be posted in the New Year, will be that of Lithuanian author Giedra Radvilavičiūtė and her book of essay like stories “Those Whom I Would Like To Meet Again.” Tõnu Õnnepalu a poet and prose writers novel “Border State,” was a great read, and will most likely be read again, for the sheer enjoyment of its language.
One of the biggest news makers for this year was the announcement that Alice Munro became a Nobel Laureate in Literature. The citation was simple and straightforward: “Master of the contemporary short story.” Even Rob Ford – Toronto’s own proud alcoholic and crack smoking mayor could not overshadow Alice Munro’s achievement.
That’s it for a year in review. The details can only be hinted. The major events, spoken of in one quick breath. Yet it still was a great and amazing year, for literature. Two-thousand and fourteen certainly can deliver, and continue the flare.
Happy New Year Gentle Reader
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
