June

June

Hello Gentle Reader

“Bright Scythe: Selected Poems,” is the newest rendition of Tomas Tranströmer’s poetry to reach the English language; translated by Patty Crane. In the translated poem titled “Kyrie,” there is a line that reads: “For a long, long time till morning slips his light in the locks.” In these dark mornings; in these long nights; in these short days – each of us waits now in the shadow of winter, for summer to also slip its light in the locks. Twilight is tired. Its begrudged. The blue light is forced to herald the mornings in winter; often with a lack luster and dare I admit, mediocre trumpeting; after which the sun rises, often startling and brightly so – of course: clouds and sky permitting this unveiling of our distant star; after which it hurriedly crosses the sky and sets unceremoniously, which is only revealed by its complete absence, and the long crone’s hand of dusk has already whisked it away, and the ghosts of far more distant stars twinkle above, waving light years away. Where has summer gotten to? Where is that floral clothed creature? Where are the long days, when the dusk seems never ending; where shadows elongate, but never conquer. A time when blades of grass wear dew drops like pearl earrings? Yet, are now encrusted in diamond snowflakes which shimmer of faint memories? In these short days, in these long nights: summer becomes a dream, and a hopeful memory. A time when the world will thaw, bud and renew itself in green; and bloom into the spectrum of summer.

Gerbrand Bakker has been fortunate with the reception of his novels, which have been translated into English. His debut novel “The Twin,” won the IMPAC Literary Dublin award; and his second novel translated into English “The Detour,” (or “Ten White Geese,”) won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. This being said, these two novels published in English are not the proper chronological order in which they were published in the Netherlands. “The Twin,” is Gerbrand Bakker’s debut novel; but “The Detour,” is his third and most recent novel, to be published; which leads “June,” to being his second novel published in his original Dutch, but the third to be translated into English. Of the three “The Twin,” still resonates, the clearest: the two donkeys’ that are kept because they are wanted, and serve no real practical purpose on the farm. From “The Detour,” I remember socks; specifically the difference of perception and opinion between socks with holes, and well-kept socks; but also the uncle who stands in the fountain, with either confusion or disappointment. From “June,” the thought of clear blue skies, and the sweltering heat will be remembered, and how solace is found in the community pool; but also graves and acts of vandalism.

Of the three novels that Gerbrand Bakker has published thus far, “The Twin,” remains his most well-known novel, and his most highly recommended book. “The Detour,” his third published novel, and second to be translated into English; is by far is his most menacing literary work to date, and also his darkest novel, and along with “The Twin,” is a personal favourite. “June,” is different than both its predecessor and its successor; its narrative is fragmented and takes on a larger cast of characters, which offer their own perspectives and observations of the comings and goings in a June day, and reflect on the past and how it has shaped their at times unbearable and sweltering present situations. Each character within “June,” appears to be a victim of circumstances. In “June,” the past is as unforgiving and as blistering as the oppressive heat of the month and day itself; continually whipping the backs of all with pain, and demanding penance and repentance.

“June,” opens with Queen Juliana on a royal tour, where an artist is busy observing her face, and making detailed annotations and sketches of the royal visage. Then of course is her stern and duty bound assistant, always checking the schedule and time, and making comments about behaviour. The Queen herself is apathetic, bored, and sick of the royal duties that are best expressed as heightened mundane tedium. Still those who are not the Queen or apart of any royal deceleration or affair, as a daily event, this is a welcomed shattering of the typical innocuous day to day life, that would generally prevail over such days. Songs are sung; speeches are made, flowers are given, and even pygmy goats find themselves offered as a royal gift. For one mother and daughter, Anna and Hanne Kaan, the occasion was marked with both a surprise and a tragedy. If they had not been running late, Hanne Kaan would not have received that stroke on her cheek, by the Queen’s ungloved hand; if they had not been running late, perhaps the day would not have ended with such a tragedy; which all played out the June 17th nineteen-sixty nine. The day still reverberates in each characters mind. How the Queen’s visit which was marked by personal tragedy.

“June,” retraces the memories of a group of characters from the present day, to the past; and offers a atomized look at how memories, influence, and rebound through the years, affecting all those involved who try to make sense of that oppressive June day. Jaan Kaan deals with the memories, with practical required work in order to get through the day: fix up the grave, chip the paint away, and repaint the name, the dates once again. Zeeger Kaan appears to be adrift and uncertain in his approach to his wife Anna Kaan, who has once crawled up onto the hayloft once again, and talks to no one; she busies herself drinking advocaat, and at times informing her family to leave her alone. Yet there are even more characters, who make appearance sand offer their own recollections on the past, and on the rueful June day, when the Queen had stopped by to visit.

To call “June,” a novel that meditates simply on family, memory, and collective memory and its own inherent unreliability; would be a simple generalization of the novel. Bakker is an oblique storyteller often allowing for the routine day to day life, to take on greater importance then outright stating his themes and messages he wishes to convey in his narrative arc. It is only gradually that Bakker begins to reveal the undercurrents which usurp the households, the lives, and the routine habits of his characters, and then his themes are elucidated upon further. However his novels still give off a greater profound sense, then which is completely discussed in the novels, and often makes his novels appear deeper, heavier and of greater merit then other works of fiction that quickly give away the narrative, or delve into telling rather than showing. A lot in “June,” much like “The Twin,” and “The Detour,” is left unsaid, and unanswered; while at the same time, getting to momentous moments is often gradual and slow, and when these moments are reached they are understated, cool and often have a slight aloofness to them. It is hard to imagine, Bakker’s characters ever getting into a confrontation that is fueled by emotional reactions; where instead the confrontations are subtle, passive and undercutting, that if one were to read to fast, they would be passed over, or misunderstood as irrelevant.

Gerbrand Bakker is a writer who captures atmosphere with ease. Landscapes are expertly transformed and painted, with equal ease. From the grey overcast skies of wales all the way to its rolling green hills and broad valleys; to the countryside in the Netherlands from the “Twin,” expansive, flat and open both on the earth and in the sky; to the oppressive heat of June, and the slow deterioration of the farm, and the apathy caused by the heat, and the thoughts and opinions of others on the radio about how they are escaping the heat in June. However of the three novels in which Gerbrand Bakker has written “June,” is perhaps the weakest of the three. One of Bakker’s greatest successes is his ability to filter and sift the perceptions and observations of one singular character, and their experiences into a singular perception, complete with the characters own rationalizations and daily habits. In some writers this writing comes across as self-absorbed or tiresome, yet Bakker is capable of maintain interest, as well as progressive the narrative in a positive manner. However this narrative mode was dropped in favour of the fragmented narrative utilized in “June.” The experiences of the individuals there parts to play in the narrative, those interesting and often answering unique details in their own rights, at times began to slip and showcase a lesser interest, then say how “Emilie,” had accomplished in “The Detour,” or Helmer from “The Twin.” With the narrative being used in “June,” other characters may take on more paramount or prevalent perspective in favour of others, which is why it becomes slightly weaker in its narrative structure then Bakker’s other novels. However “June,” showcases Bakker’s unique writing abilities flourishing and maturing further and further, as he is a quiet writer, and a quiet talent, but despite this manages to pact a huge literary punch.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read

M. Mary

How the Jade Loops and Hangs

Hello Gentle Reader               

( Part I )

It’s been quite a year(s) for the young author and poet Sarah Howe. Earlier Sarah Howe was named the winner of the Sunday Times/Peters Fraser and Dunlop young writer of the year award; whose alumni include Zadie Smith, Robert Mcfarlane as well as Simon Armitage. The award is given to the best piece of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry by a British or Irish writer, under the age of thirty-five. Sarah Howe, was the only poet to be shortlisted; and she competed against the Booker nominated writer, Sunjeev Sahota and his novel “The Year of the Runaways,” along with Sara Taylor, the Bailey-award nominee for her novel “The Shore,” and Ben Fergusson with his historical winning novel “The Spring of Kasper Meier.” Yet Sarah How and her poetry collection “Loop of Jade,” won the award. The judges called the decision unanimous, and praised the poet for her subtle and immediate literary workmanship.

It should be noted that Sarah Howe, is a Hong Kong born, British writer. Her poetry collection, “Loop of Jade,” retraces her childhood in Hong Kong, but also discusses her mother, who was a abandoned child in China; most likely because she was a girl. The collection took ten years to write. Though the amount of time it took to write is now paying off with the reception given to Sarah Howe, and her first collection of poetry. “Loop of Jade,” has also been called one of the best poetry books of 2015.

Success though, does not end there, for either Sarah Howe, or her debut collection of poetry. Sarah Howe has just been awarded The T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.

Sarah Howe however has commented that this is very interesting times for poetry. In the UK at the moment, poetry has been taken notice of, and right now occupies the “nation’s consciousness.” Especially considering the fierce debate lately, over whether or not poetry still has a place, in a nation’s consciousness, and is in fact drifting further and further down the river of oblivion and therefore obsoleting. Still poetry is not the only victim of the times; literature in general is under assault, and threat of being shelved – or so its detractors state. Yet this is hope. Sarah Howe’s collection has been called splendid, carefully crafted, and gracious. Her collection is personal and a discussion of the duality of her cultural heritage. There is no doubt that she is not a worthy recipient of both awards, and is an emerging talented poetic voice to enter the literary stage.

( Part II )

Hong Kong though itself, finds itself in continual turmoil. This time five booksellers have ‘vanished.’ A disturbing and vague word, that rings with ambiguity, as to their fate, and the means of their abduction. The first thought that always comes to mind, is the black clothed people, entering a home at night, and just ‘bagging,’ an individual away – much like the Mister Creedy method depicted in the film “V for Vendetta,” which gave a new rise to the idea and saying: “bag’em and gag’em.” Though the individuals may have not slipped into the houses of the booksellers and publishers, it is clear they have ended up in some ‘black bag,’ and carted off into some covert government facility.

These latest disappearances and silencing of free speech have led many to call it a violation of the “One State, Two Government Policy,” which was agreed upon between Mainland China, and Hong Kong, when the former was bequeathed as a British Colony in nineteen-ninety seven. Perhaps now it would be safe to state: the Fragrant Harbour is not as autonomous in its administrative abilities at once previously thought.

Yu Jie is the author currently at the heart of the question in regards to the missing publishers. His book which is critical of Xi Jinping, who has turned the “Chinese Dream,” into a nightmare, with his repressive policies and oppressive governing style, has found publishers pulling back from publishing his book, and unwilling to consider publishing it now, considering the fear that they two will end up in a black bag, and a neighboring cell of their compatriots. The fear has been so infectious that a Singaporean book selling chain has taken on a policy that it will no longer sell any ‘politically sensitive,’ books in its Hong Kong location. As it stands, Yu Jie’s book will not find any publication in Hong Kong in the coming future; but it is set to be released in Taiwan in February.

But still action has been taken. Thousands have protested the disappearances of the booksellers and publishers; and numerous countries are concerned with the vanishing act of these individuals. The truth is, fear can only be potent if it allows one to be infected and inflicted with its paralyzing effects; those who march, chant, protest, and continue to demand for the release of either the individuals or the information of their whereabouts, are certainly performing their civil obligations for their follow citizens and protecting their freedoms, before they too are under threat or even taken. Despite Mo Yan stance that “censorship is a necessary evil,” it must be perfectly made clear, that being silent – voluntarily or forcibly;  is never necessary, but it is certainly evil.

( Part III )

Congratulations are to be given to Sarah Howe, for her recent accumulation of awards and achievements; and condolences and thoughts go to the families, of those who are missing, in Hong Kong; as well as to those who see a reversion back into a formal dictatorship of China, and its nightmare that appears to be forming once again.

Yet this blog post also has its own ulterior motives. Recently in the past year and now new year, it has become increasingly difficult to make time to read. Most of my time is engaged with course work – at the moment reading and understanding Business Law and all its dry and unfortunate glory. Its consumption of time is quite startling and even frightening at times; considering how at times, I am not entirely sure if I am; comprehending what is being outlined to me by the textbook and subsequent course work. Still I plug away, and yet find little or less time to read.

Currently I am getting through “Tristano Dies,” by Antonio Tabucchi, and am currently impressed by the work; however the last time I picked up the book was Sunday when I found the time to read it, while at work, before getting back to work, and eventually getting back into doing more course work; which inevitably means reading more about business law . . .

But one ploughs through because they must. Hopefully I can properly schedule more time Gentle Reader, to read more and continue with the blog. For the time being I hope the previous posts, and this one continues to engage, if only to stall for now, while I work making time to read more.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary

The Nobel Prize: 1965 Nominations

Hello Gentle Reader

The year was nineteen-sixty five, and that year’s Nobel Laureate for Literature was Mikhail Sholokhov, from the then Soviet Union. The award was controversial. Back in nineteen-fifty eight Sholokhov was one of the many Russian writers to condemn Boris Pasternak, the Russian writer who ‘voluntarily,’ declined his own Nobel; Sholokhov however accepted his own. Despite this though, the committee voted unanimously in to award the Prize to Sholokhov; though it did dissent, and considered in discussion of giving the joint award to both Mikhail Sholokhov, as well as to the Soul of the Silver Age of Russian literature, the poet Anna Akhmatova; but this was shot down by the Swedish Academy’s committee chairman Anders Österling, who argued: the only two things the writers had in common with one another, was their language. It should also be noted that Anders Österling was the most adamant supporter of Sholokhov, and perhaps lobbied for the award to be given to him; despite his own sympathies and luxurious treatment showering him, by the Soviet government and the Soviet Writers Association.

But Mikhail Sholokhov had competition: W.H. Auden, Samuel Beckett (who would later go on and become a laureate four years later, in nineteen-sixty nine), W. Somerset Maugham, but also Jorge Luis Borges, and Vladimir Nabokov; as well as Pablo Neruda (who would later go on and receive the award in nineteen-seventy one).

Sholokhov faced criticism of his own though. The Nobel Laureate in Literature of nineteen-seventy, the Russian dissident writer Alexandr Solzhenitsyn accused Sholokhov, along with a small group of writers; of plagiarising his most famous novel “And Quiet Flows the Don,” from a manuscript of another writer: Fyodor Kryukov. Sholokhov not surprising denied the claims; “And Quiet Flows the Don,” remained one of the greatest examples of Socialist Realism in Soviet Russia, and found particular success during the reign of Stalin.

The year nineteen-sixty five was a year, where the discussion of sharing the award was brought up quite a bit. There was a discussion of sharing the year’s prize between the Guatemalan poet, novelist, essayist, and diplomat:  Miguel Ángel Asturias; along with the Argentinean librarian writer Jorge Luis Borges.  There was also discussion the year could have been shared between Shmuel Yosef Agnon and Nelly Sachs. Both of these proposals were dismissed by Anders Österling; though Shmuel Yosef Agnon and Nelly Sachs would share the award in nineteen-sixty six, and Miguel Ángel Asturias would receive the award solely in nineteen-sixty seven. Borges on the other hand, never received the award, and was much tortured over the fact, that he never received the award; going so far as to call it a “Scandinavian tradition.”  

There we have it Gentle Reader, the Nominations for the Nobel Prize for Literature in nineteen-sixty five. As the years progress, the archives open more and more become more and more interesting.

Thank-you to “The Guardian: Books,” for providing the insight and information.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/06/borges-auden-nabokov-neruda-nobel-prize-literature-1965

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary

New Year Literary News

Hello Gentle Reader

It’s the New Year, and already there is a buzz with the publications that are forthcoming from this year. “The Guardian: Books,” has already wrote an article about their own anticipated books for this year; From Karl Karl Ove Knausgård’s newest edition to his momentous autobiographical series; to new books from Julian Barnes, Graham Swift, as well as Don DeLillo. Yet there are quieter publishers, publishing great works as well. Archipelago Books, will be releasing Halldór Laxness’s “Wayward Heroes,”; “The Child Poet,” by Homero Aridjis; “Absolute Solitude,” by the Dame of Cuban letters Dulce Maria Loynaz; the Slovenian writer Lojze Kovačič arrives in the English language with his autobiographical novel “The New Comers,”; Elias Khoury shows how the endemic of a civil war continues to rage in Lebanese society with “Broken Mirrors,”; Antonio Moresco reaches English readers with his novel “Distant Light,” and it could be noted that he is admired by younger writers in Italy; travel to Greece with “Something Will Happen, You’ll See,” by Christos Ikonomou traces the lives of the lower-class, the underprivileged, the laid off, and those affected by the financial collapse and unending crisis. Also forthcoming from Archipelago Books is Maja Haderlap “Angel of Oblivion,” a family tale that deals with Austria’s Nazi past and its own resistance against the Nazi’s, as well as the hidden secrets of Europe’s grand and dark past, especially those places overlooked; written with her own blend of lyricism, which has earned her the reputation of being one of the greatest lyrical voices amongst Slovenian-Austrians. Herta Müller’s newest novel to be translated into English “The Fox Was Ever The Hunter,” will be released in the Spring of 2016; and is a much awaited for novel. Patrick Modiano sees more of his own novels translated into English in the coming new year as well, such as: “In the Café of Lost Youth,” “Young Once,” and “Villa Triste.” I would like to note: since Patrick Modiano became a Nobel Laureate, there has been vigor in the amount of translations finding themselves into English; thanks in large part to New York Review Books: Classic series. Dalkey Archive Press has numerous books forthcoming; each one though has the air of scholarly or academic avant-garde.  Still each book; be it a novel: short story collection, collection of poetry, or collection of essays; is a welcomed edition in the New Year, and all translations should be met with approval and applause to its authors, translators and publishers, who see them conceived in their genesis to their welcomed physical format into a new language. After all literature – especially that, which crosses languages, perspectives, historical differences, and frontiers; is often the best form of intercultural communication, and the most enjoyable by far.

The New Year was not marked by some though with celebratory cheers, followed by the pop of champagne and the clinking of toasts and well wishes for the arrival of yet another New Year. No quite the opposite; at least in the case of George. R. R. Martin; the man behind the prestigious and highly stylized and praised television series on HBO: “Game of Thrones,” which is based of the series of novels by Martin titled: “A Song of Fire and Ice.” “Game of Thrones,” has become one of the most engaging and revolutionary fantasy drama’s to grace television, in some time. The series is filled with engaging political machinations, gruesome battle scenes, murder, death and family dramatics, along with engaging fully seen through character with moral ambiguities and changing alliances, which exceed stereotypes and cardboard casting, to produce a marvelous television series. However when the television series began, Martin’s series of novels, had yet to see completion. It should also be noted that George R. R. Martin, is known as a rather productively slow writer; but in his defense; a speed up in productivity could result in slight unintentional careless acts being made. The beauty of the television series comes from its books, highly detailed and carefully planned work. Careful details often become the pillars in which the work will stand on. Martin’s productivity maybe slow, and the quantity in which the works are released, may see large gaps in between, but the books themselves become delights in which the reader can savour because of the careful creation and thought that is placed within each one, to maintain the high quality that is expected of the series. However, Marin now has cultural competition with the television series, now overtaking the published series, as both are now caught up in regards to events, and Martin has missed both deadlines: Christmas, and before the New Year; to finish his new installment. Martin had done everything n his power to engage himself more and more with writing; turning down events, conferences, book signings, and even writing an episode for the television adaption. Yet the installment is still not complete. Though fans understand if albeit impatient, and at times poor at hiding it, credit is given to Martin for his series he’s created. It is huge, it is engaging, and it is revitalizing for the fantasy genre; moving away from the stereotypical matters of Tolkien; to a far more human engaging element. Still the work is not done; and there is reasonable concern that the television adaption will begin to adapt and create its own storylines, and over engulf the novels, or present a new version of where the novels are or should go. I can’t say what will happen with either the series or the novels. After all I’ve only watched the television series, and admire it, and pay my respects to the novels, by praising Martin; but Fantasy in books – or fantasy in most cases period has never been my reading interest.

Yet the backlash that Martin often receives from some people, for the slow productivity in which he produces is a good observational lesson. It should be noted, that writers are not Customer Service Agents or Representatives. Writers, write. If they write fantasy or science fiction or literary books, they write them. Readers are loosely defined as customers; but the product in which they enjoy or find themselves enveloped in, falls on writers, but writers in my opinion, are not obligated to deliver those books at the demands or protests of those who think they deserve it or wish for the gratification of having it or reading it now. Patience was once a virtue, which perhaps is maybe lost, in today’s increasing world of consumerism and desire for more gratification and gratifying attempts at entertainment. But in some cases it’s a virtue nonetheless, which is sadly fallen to the wayside.

At the end of the day, the reality is the book is not finished. The series will go on (or so I hope or believe), and the great world keeps on spinning. If anything his detractors have or can teach him; is that Martin has created something that has truly,  engulfed people enough that wish to have more of his ‘product,’ and whatever means necessary, as long as they get their fix, and get it now. Surely that to a degree if only with a grain of salt is complimentary, if wrapped in barbwire. It does go to show though, sometimes a good story is all what people want to heart; and kudos to Martin, for creating a good story.

Personally, I look forward to purchasing and reading the books currently mentioned. It looks like two-thousand and sixteen has some wonderful books to be released in it. Books and authors, who have been praised in their respective languages, and countries, and will be certainly welcomed on my bookshelf and within my hands, when I have the opportunity to grasp them.

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary

Welcome to 2016

Hello Gentle Reader

In two-thousand and fifteen, we had visited a city, which had been built on both stones and dreams; and often in haste. Beneath the stones of its apartments, the glass and steel of its skyscrapers the river of oblivion circled, slowly eroding the fragility of the city – which is comparable to a tree – both the tree of the earth and sky; and the subterranean one, which is hidden from plain sight. We toured a brightly lit Bucharest in both its dreams and nightmares. We heard its stories, and listened about all its inhabitants.  We observed the fragility of order and commonplace structure, and how quickly it is abruptly changed, by a mistake or a, misshape off stage, on some other set. An unfortunate allegory which appears to parallel the news and stories of human crisis of two-thousand and fifteen. We journeyed back to the cool temperatures of the former GDR, and saw how an ideology is both maintained and propagated through the careful maintenance of both machinery and temperature. We traveled through Iceland, in brief and often odd vignette’s that were impressionistic and lingered long after they were read.  We were welcomed and observed as others confronted their pasts, their prior thoughts, and steadily held beliefs. We saw family corruption in times of political upheaval and a continual desire to always survive history – even if it meant turning on our own family. The complexities of human relationships – mother and daughter, husband and wife, brother and sister, father and son – were tested and shown to be growing in complexity as we enter an increasing connected but incommunicative age. We observed the hapless love affair of a teacher, and his desired gypsy in parochial France; and observed Saints, abbots and monks in their historical less then golden gilded age. We saw the multifaceted narrative of a narrator, understanding his place beyond the alienating confines of his village, and take particular beauty, in its language, its story telling, and its folklore. We revisited the Prague Spring, and were forced to observe the young man pouring petrol on himself, and immolating himself against the reigning ideology and political viewpoints. We found ourselves more at home on an island, then being a castaway in some metropolis jungle.

Two-thousand and fifteen was filled with great books! But it was also filled with political upheavals and attacks against human rights, and freedom of speech. Paris was struck twice. Europe found itself once again pushed to its limits of tolerance and acceptance, while attempting to manage its ever growing crisis situations.

This year’s Nobel Laureate was the Belorussian journalist and ‘human ear,’ Svetlana Alexievich had discussed in her Nobel Lecture, this year’s Laureate discussed both the horrors of history, the trials of the present, and the uncertainties of the future; but maintains: love prevails; even if it’s hard to talk about or believe in right now. Though questions do remains with this year’s Laureate, if the Swedish Academy has opened its doors up to a new definition of what is typically reserved for: prose, poetry and drama. In the end Svetlana Alexievich is a worthy candidate.

Speaking of the Swedish Academy, as mentioned before the new Permanente Secretary of the Swedish Academy is Sara Danius; this is the first time a woman has held this position within the Swedish Academy, and it will be unique to see what the future Laureates in Literature will be shaped by and what criteria their literature will need in order to receive the Nobel nod.

Two-thousand and fifteen was a good year; and a rough year. But it’s been a year like all others, and it is what we make of it. Though at times each of us are victims of our circumstances, sometimes to get through these or those dark moments, a book becomes a comforting and well deserved companion and friend.

Happy New Year Gentle Reader! And Welcome to Two-Thousand and Sixteen!

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader

Take Care

And As Always

Stay Well Read

M. Mary