tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post944797551277122965..comments2023-10-27T07:32:26.606-06:00Comments on The Birdcage: Final Thoughts on the Nobel Prize in Literature 2020M. Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829062997679872743noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-67216729809147943832020-10-05T07:18:28.014-06:002020-10-05T07:18:28.014-06:00Hello Girish Kumar,
With the Nobel Prize in Medi...Hello Girish Kumar, <br /><br />With the Nobel Prize in Medicine being announced today, we only have two more science prizes—physics & chemistry—before the Nobel Prize in Literature. You are right about that, what we enjoy today will certainly change by tomorrow. High praise for Ismailov! I’ll certainly being adding: “The Dead Lake,” to my list of books to read. Thank-you! I’ll also certainly need to start considering inducting him to speculative list for the future—in the even that he doesn’t he win this year. <br /><br />M. Mary <br />M. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14010441192461959415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-40285706364693999462020-10-04T22:06:15.042-06:002020-10-04T22:06:15.042-06:00Hi Mary,
Yes. It is true that what is the best pic...Hi Mary,<br />Yes. It is true that what is the best pick in a given moment keeps changing each day. As for Ismailov, I could get only three of his books until now. "A Poet and Bin Laden" is a good window onto his ouevre. Also "The Dead Lake" is a little jewel of a book, at once intense, dreamy and poetic. I am yet see a contemporary author from that part of the world who could universalize central Asian realities so dexterously with a kaleidoscopic imagination. Girish Kumarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-57269968298026399312020-10-04T12:47:23.710-06:002020-10-04T12:47:23.710-06:00Hello Girish Kumar,
I hesitate in calling this li...Hello Girish Kumar,<br /><br />I hesitate in calling this list my own sense of a shortlist. At the time the twenty-four writers were the ones that interested me at the moment, and that has since changed. I thought about including Ersi Sotiropoulos in the first round, but I have still yet to read her novel: “What’s Left of the Night,” and decided to hold off. I find it interesting that you mention Hamid Ismailov. He’s been one of those writers who has continually been on my radar, though I have yet to include him on my list. Have you read anything by Ismailov? Do you have any recommendations as to where to start? <br /><br />M. Mary <br /><br />M. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13829062997679872743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-87949474684340278992020-10-04T01:25:45.519-06:002020-10-04T01:25:45.519-06:00Thanks for the pruned list of 24 names. I haven...Thanks for the pruned list of 24 names. I haven't read all of them. A few are quite familiar names though. Personally, I would have loved to have the names of Abdellatif Labbi, Ersi Sotiropoulos and A B Yehoshua to figure in this list based on my preferences, not because they represent three different continents, but by virtue of their sheer brilliance. May be I would include Hamid Ismailov as a wild card entry- an intuitive interpolation in tune with the recent SA predeliction for the surprise factor. Girish Kumarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-47111094591098619692020-10-04T00:29:11.218-06:002020-10-04T00:29:11.218-06:00Hello Gabriel,
How lovely it is to hear from you!...Hello Gabriel,<br /><br />How lovely it is to hear from you! The count down is on for the big reveal. But I'll agree with you, this year all speculation and coverage regarding the award has been muted. Here's hoping as we inch closer to the award that there will be a increase interest in the award, and who will become the Nobel Laureate in Literature.<br /><br />Admittedly I wont be disappointed with either a Can Xue win or a Anne Carson win. Both writers to my limited knowledge and experience with them, are deserving nonetheless.<br /><br />While finishing up this post - which once again was rushed - I was given the opportunity to become reacquainted with Gyrðir Elíasson again, only to become irritated over the lack of any other translations of his work in English. Maybe in the near future (oh to dare to dream!).<br /><br />I'd also like to say with great appreciation that you believe this place is a haven for freedom of thought! No greater compliment could ever be given! I find it frightening that in this world it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to have contrary opinions to others, which has resulted in greater division between people, and a lack of dialogue. True intellectual growth comes from engaging in conversations and debates regarding perspectives that are different from our own. The increased notion of 'Social Censorship,' currently running rampant through social media is disturbing to witness. I appreciate your thought that this blog, this place is a sanctuary of thought, speech and expression, which is free of censorship. Thank-you Gabriel!<br /><br />Stay Safe & Healthy!<br /><br />M. MaryM. Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13829062997679872743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-54519193931297927072020-10-03T22:56:15.211-06:002020-10-03T22:56:15.211-06:00I must add also it’s so refreshing to read someone...I must add also it’s so refreshing to read someone who share your political views. This place is a haven for freedom of thought. Thanks Gabriel Cezarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11427665094305727456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7604329068806422759.post-7197373346408449442020-10-03T21:57:00.146-06:002020-10-03T21:57:00.146-06:00Hum, thanks for another much needed long Nobel pos...Hum, thanks for another much needed long Nobel post, providing even more in-depth insights on writers you consider worthy of the prize (there has been so little coverage on the news at large so far...).<br />I’d be very excited for either a Can Xue or an Anne Carson win :)<br />Gabriel Cezarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11427665094305727456noreply@blogger.com