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
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