Hello
Gentle Reader,
I
once said: “tomorrow night, I shall stroll no more,” which proved to be true
for two years, and a little over two months. Yet tonight – or rather this
morning – the vow was broken. Stricken with insomnia and a persistent cold;
complete with a dry cough and a tap for a nose; I once again engaged on a
nightly stroll. Though this time my stroll was more condescend. Before, my
unassuming, uneventful, and otherwise extremely dull, monotonous and tedious
walk had produced no thought provoking internal conversations; no soul reaching
affirmation or change; no profound sense of self-awareness. And this time.
. . Well the results were ultimately the
same; unchanged from their previous discourse. My feet had moved in the same
rhythm as before. My right leg striking harder on the pavement, with my heel making
a distinct ‘click,’ with each step; while my left foot and leg did their best
to pass by, unassuming and without much noise. After a few rhythmic drums of my
feet in my ear, it was time for music. Which – may I add – I was not armed with
on my prior stroll. Enter now, Lisbonne Télégramme and their song: “Miroirs
d'automne.” A song whose English translation is: “Fall Mirrors,” certainly sets
the mood nicely. I’d like to add at this point Gentle Reader, I do not
understand French (wish I did) but alas I do not. However, despite the language
barrier, the song is enjoyable; despite the fact I do not understand a lick of
it. It’s a funny thing Gentle Reader. The nightly light of autumn and winter.
As the night grow more overcast; more crowded and clouded; the light becomes
more claustrophobic. Everywhere, every shape, silhouette, shadow – takes its
contoured form. Trees, park benches, fences; all on full display; no longer cast
aside as a nameless or forgotten fixture in the night within the dark. Now they
are apparent, defined and near; clearly visible – or at least distinguishable. Nearby
the house, there is a creek, which in its serpentine and watery fashion,
slithers alongside the walking path in which I stroll. Perhaps though it’s the
other way around; rather the walking path slinks alongside the creek; in its
manmade imperfection. The sky overhead is close and ominous, and the light
brings everything close, rather than illuminating the distance. With no
destination set in mind, it really doesn’t matter. As I walk ‘Miroirs d'automne,’
continues to play. I am immediately struck by how the band or the song, could
either write album or be a good companion piece of music to one of (if not all)
Patrick Modiano’s novels, in which his autumnal tomes of memory, amnesia,
oblivion, and the consumption of time; all unfold in the sweet perfume of
nostalgia, and time now long since passed and unattainable. Besides me as I
think of this, is a storm pond: stagnant and still watered, within its hidden
depths a moonstone cataract gaze.
Now
on to business. Now returning after licking my wounds from the news of Bob
Dylan’s Nobel announcement. It appeared; I had forgotten and missed some news
which I was watching before. Those two being the winners for this year’s Booker
Prize and German Book Prize.
This
year’s German Book Prize winner is: Bodo Kirchhoff for his novel: “Widerfahrnis,”
|| Or || “Encounters.” The novel traces a serendipitous pair’s journey, as they
leave behind their lives – Reither and his publishing businesses, and Leonie
Palm who ran a hat shop. Together they set off on a road trip with no
predetermined destination. Their travel soon takes them to Italy, where they
come across a girl who joins their voyage wordlessly.
The
jury praised Bodo Kirchhoff’s tightly woven narrative in which he depicted the
directionless of an older couple, who only have one setting on their compass,
which is south. South with its warm weather, red wine, and the dream of love;
it is all one grand adventure later on in life. Yet the appearance of the vagabond
young woman soon raises age old questions for the older couple. Questions about:
loneliness, loss, parenthood, and radical new adjustments and beginnings.
Kirchhoff’s novel is more than just a road trip, of an aged wistful couple. It
tackles political themes as well. As the couple make their way south, they
observe the plight and flight of many moving north for work and a better life.
The novel is a masterful one in which the personal and the political intertwine
within each other.
Following
Bodo Kirchhoff and his German Book Prize grab; this year’s Booker Prize, went
to the first time an American writer Paul Beatty; and for the second year in a
row Oneworld Publications, has seen one of its own published titles receive this
year’s Booker, after last year’s Marlon James novel: “A Brief History of Seven
Killings.”
Paul
Beatty’s won this year’s Booker Prize for his satirical novel: “The Sellout.” Which
much like, Marlon James’s novel was rejected numerous times by publishers
before being picked up by Oneworld Publications. Beatty’s agent opened up about
the novels tough sell; stating a total of eighteen different publishers had
turned down the novel in the United Kingdom. The reasons why are not entirely
clear. Perhaps it was because the novel dealt with racial segregation, slavery,
the racial tensions currently taking place within the States; or perhaps more than
anything else, it is because the novel itself was satirical and farce like
manner in how the subject matter is dealt with. The judges however, praised
Beatty and his book, comparing the writer to Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift. His
caustic satire of US racial politics, is very relevant in the current mood of
his home country; where the country is divided between a billionaire plagued by
self-inflicted scandal; and a well weathered high ranking politician and former
first lady, whose is plagued by her own scandals of alleged corruption and
misallocated use of government resources on personal hard drives. The campaign
and election, has been nothing short of train wreck, and a slow ugly dispute of
mudslinging and slander from both sides and parties.
The
praise for Paul Beatty has been warm, welcoming and noteworthy. The chair for
this year’s judging panel, Amanda Foreman, has noted that the book may be
difficult for readers to digest, but also pointed out that the book being
difficult to sit through, is not a bad thing; citing:
“The
truth is rarely pretty and this is a book that nails the reader to the cross
with cheerful abandon . . . that is why the novel works. While you’re being nailed, you’re being
tickled. It is highwire act which he pulls off with tremendous verve and energy
and confidence. He never once lets up or pulls his punches. This is somebody
writing at the top of their game.”
“The
Sellout,” has been called painful and funny. A novel which can make the reader
laugh and wince, with the realities being depicted, as does away with every
sacred cow and taboo subject, and forcefully wrenches the reader to face the
realities of the current world, and the situation currently unfolding.
Beatty’s
win took four hours of deliberation, and was unanimous decision to recognize him
with this year’s award. “The Sellout,” in all its abrasive joy, will certainly
shock and force awareness on the reading public, as it frequently swears, and
uses the n-word. Paul Beatty’s book is an unflinching depiction of the current
realities and racial issues which plague the United States.
Unfortunately
Bob Dylan has yet to fade from memory and mind. After remaining silent on his
Nobel nod, Dylan has finally spoken up; but not after the controversy surrounding
the Nobel Prize for Literature’s selection. As we speak the fires have reignited;
and the smoldering coals of once cooled down coals, now burn with a new
intensity. The other night on the CBC Rex Murphy gave his point of view; with
regards to Bob Dylan receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. In which Murphy
states the backlash towards Dylan has been paramount but unjustified; and the
Nobel committee’s response to Dylan’s silence (in which I quote Mr. Murphy: “ignorant
and rude.”) is actually misinformed. The Nobel Committee did not refer to Dylan’s
humble silence, as ignorant or rude; nor did the Swedish Academy in its multi-voice
chorus. Rather, it was a member of the Swedish Academy who expressed his own
personal view on Dylan’s humble silence or holier reticence; Per Westberg of
Chair No. 12, verbally expressed his frustration with Bob Dylan’s silence by
calling the singer and musician: “arrogant and rude.” Needless to say the
Swedish Academy went on damage control with Sara Danius expressing the opinions
in which Per Westberg had proclaimed where those held by him, and did not
reflect those of the Academy with regards to this year’s Laureate. With those
regards, Rex Murphy was misinformed with who said what with regards to this year’s
Laureate’s silence.
Now
a few days later, Bob Dylan has been in contact with the Swedish Academy. According
to the press release, the singer and musician were left: ‘speechless,’ by the
news. Though many questioned if he was so speechless by the news, what was he
doing parading and singing about, while he was on tour, completely retaining his
silence on the matter of the award? Though he humbly informed the Permanent Secretary
Sara Danius, that he greatly appreciates the honour which has been bestowed
upon him, but also he accepts the prize.
Still
Gentle Reader, there is no mention of whether or not Bob Dylan will be
attending the Nobel ceremony in December, and whether or not he will give the
traditional lecture or now perform a Nobel concert. Time will tell.
For
now though Gentle Reader, I say goodbye. I am currently reading: “Angel of
Oblivion,” by Maja Haderlap, and am loving it! This being said, allocating time
for reading, along with work, and studies has proven at times to being difficult.
Though I shall certainly attempt to get through the novel as quickly as
possible, while enjoying it. For now though Gentle Reader, I must confess and
say a short farewell, and will be returning k with a review of “Angel of
Oblivion,” in November – unless of course something interesting pops up in the
literary world.
For
now though:
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
If you would like to see the press release about Bob Dylan's Nobel acceptance you can see it here:
http://www.nobelprize.org/press/#/publication/5813bb6c3f5fa7030006bb32/552bd85dccc8e20c00e7f979
And of course, here is the video of Rex Murphy Defending Bob Dylan's silence.
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