hello Gentle Reader
Frost by Thomas Bernhard, is more of a rant by a old man who has gone crazy rather then a linear story. however it is good, if you are willing to put up with it. Sometimes it can be difficult, sometimes not so difficult. One this is for certain with this novel is that it is certainly full of bitter, cynical, vicious, critical, pessimistic, and acidic prose.
The first few lines show the reader what they are in for:
“A medical internship consists of more than spectating at complicated bowel operations, cutting open stomach linings, bracketing off lungs and sawing off feet; and it doesn’t just consist of thumbing closed the eyes of the dead and hauling babies out into the world either.”
The story opens with a young medical intern, sent away under the orders of his superior surgeon to go observe and examine, (and report back to the surgeon) about his brother the painter named Strauch.
As the novel progresses we soon learn that Strauch is well -- in my opinion at least -- insane or on the brink of madness. he has had no contact with his borther the surgeon for quite sometime, and now the surgeon wants to know -- through interloping and espoinage it appears -- how his brother is doing.
through the stay at the village of Weng, where the painter Strauch is, the narrator is left to listen to the absurd, profund, suprisingly lyrical and of course -- bitter, nasty, misanthropic, misongist, critcal, vicious, ferociouse -- rants of the painter. the very man who he i sent to watch and to observe and report on. The very man that one cannot help but see a friendship -- however strange it maybe -- growing between he too.
not much can be siad on this novel. in fact the lacking of a coherent plot makes it difficult to review. But the musing's (typical of Thomas Bernhard fiction) are amazing and often absurd and sometimes there is a mixture of a dark grotesque humor, that makes you laugh.
a novel i would recomend to people who can stand the style of Samuel Beckett, as well as a novel for those who like the absurdity of life and to read about crazy old men rant and rave about just how pathetic life is and the very mistake of being born, and how it in itself is a tragic accident.
take care Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading
stay well read
M.Mary
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Sunday, 18 July 2010
The Passport
Hello Gentle Reader
After months of procrastantion, and weighing the prose and the cons of reading one of the Nobel Laureate of Literature of 2009: Herta Muller, i finally got around to buying one of her books. The unforunate part is, their is only one of her novels avaliable in the bookstore. "The Passport," tells of a village miller, who wishes to emigrate to Germany and be free of the totlitarian rule of the dictator Nicolae Ceau¸sescu.
Herta Muller has the most beautiful way of righting.
From the novel:
"Around the war memorial are roses.They form a thicket.So overgrown that they suffocate the grass. Their blooms are white, rolled like paper. They rustle. Dawn is breaking. Soon it will be day."
Herta Muller's short and poetic and beautiful sentences, remind of a single brush stroke of a painter. Her sentences often paint a more larger picture, in which each one is an individual stroke, but also communical in how to add's to the beauty of the novel.
I can now understand what they Swedish Academy meant when they said:
"who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed"
I must admit that i truly did love this novel. However is it fair to call it a novel. Only comming in at a 90 - 92 page book in all, its a short quick read; but a great intruduction to what Herta Muller rights about.
Our main protagonist Windisch is trying to obtain a passport so that he and his family can leave the small village where he works as the miller, and emigrate to Germany. Windisch is of the German minority living in Romania, behind the Iron Curtain, under the communist rule of totalitarian monsters. Truly it is Herta Muller's job I feel to speak out against totaltarian goverments and their harshness and inhuman treatment of people. Stripping them of all human diginity that they once possesed.
The novel/story follows Windisch's attempts at attaining a passport. Giving flour to the mayor, to hopefully bribe him into giving him a passport. These attempts fail, and her reluctantly is forced to turn to his most preciouse gift. His daughter. Sending her off to see the village officals. To do a deed. Truly quite a pity.
The novel is a dark and bleak one. When tractor drivers bribe a little gypsy girl to lift her skirt. To a man who feed's his child vodka, while his girl friend sings and vomits against a wall. Even the supersition of the villagers are portrayed. Like the apple tree that once sat behind the church, which was burned, for it had grown lips and ate its apples. The priest of the village, had said that the devil was inside the tree and so the villagers burned the tree.
Windisch's wife was forced to have a hysterectomy, and secretly pleasures herself. Windisch on the other hand enters a mental malestorm on sexual hatred, and anti-semitism. Its as if the entire weight of the communist regime in Romania has driven Windisch to the point of madness. The reality of the world, has long since lost all reason and meaning to the poor main character, and we as the reader, are forced to accept the fact that he no longer is who he was.
For only a 90 page book, the misery and suffering depecited is extrodinary. Someone once told me that: "all novels must have a sense of comic relief." I am afraid to say that person. There was no comic relief in this tale of unhappiness, misery, bleakness, and despair. I as the reader, looked at these poor people, and truly now understand that I am lucky to have the life that i have.
Sure schools and parents will say: "eat your food their are starving childeren in China," but at the sametime i can now understand what it means to starve when "Grass Soup," is considered both a stape and a luxury.
I am both amazed and shocked at what people can and will do to each other. Its almost unbelievable -- and at the same time it is believable because it has and continues to be that way. How do people justify this? i cannot say, and i am sure of one thing that i will never know. What i can say is this:
Herta Muller Nobel Laureate of Literature of 2009, is an amazing author. Not a pretentious author, nor does she patronize. She writes, in a episodic and clearly fresh and to the point prose, but paints a larger more beautiful picture. I am honored to have read this novel, and would recomend it to anyone, to read it and get any idea of what she will write. Certainly though not for people, who expect some sense of comedy in it.
Thank-You For Reading Gentle Reader
Stay Well Read
Take Care
M.Mary
After months of procrastantion, and weighing the prose and the cons of reading one of the Nobel Laureate of Literature of 2009: Herta Muller, i finally got around to buying one of her books. The unforunate part is, their is only one of her novels avaliable in the bookstore. "The Passport," tells of a village miller, who wishes to emigrate to Germany and be free of the totlitarian rule of the dictator Nicolae Ceau¸sescu.
Herta Muller has the most beautiful way of righting.
From the novel:
"Around the war memorial are roses.They form a thicket.So overgrown that they suffocate the grass. Their blooms are white, rolled like paper. They rustle. Dawn is breaking. Soon it will be day."
Herta Muller's short and poetic and beautiful sentences, remind of a single brush stroke of a painter. Her sentences often paint a more larger picture, in which each one is an individual stroke, but also communical in how to add's to the beauty of the novel.
I can now understand what they Swedish Academy meant when they said:
"who, with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose, depicts the landscape of the dispossessed"
I must admit that i truly did love this novel. However is it fair to call it a novel. Only comming in at a 90 - 92 page book in all, its a short quick read; but a great intruduction to what Herta Muller rights about.
Our main protagonist Windisch is trying to obtain a passport so that he and his family can leave the small village where he works as the miller, and emigrate to Germany. Windisch is of the German minority living in Romania, behind the Iron Curtain, under the communist rule of totalitarian monsters. Truly it is Herta Muller's job I feel to speak out against totaltarian goverments and their harshness and inhuman treatment of people. Stripping them of all human diginity that they once possesed.
The novel/story follows Windisch's attempts at attaining a passport. Giving flour to the mayor, to hopefully bribe him into giving him a passport. These attempts fail, and her reluctantly is forced to turn to his most preciouse gift. His daughter. Sending her off to see the village officals. To do a deed. Truly quite a pity.
The novel is a dark and bleak one. When tractor drivers bribe a little gypsy girl to lift her skirt. To a man who feed's his child vodka, while his girl friend sings and vomits against a wall. Even the supersition of the villagers are portrayed. Like the apple tree that once sat behind the church, which was burned, for it had grown lips and ate its apples. The priest of the village, had said that the devil was inside the tree and so the villagers burned the tree.
Windisch's wife was forced to have a hysterectomy, and secretly pleasures herself. Windisch on the other hand enters a mental malestorm on sexual hatred, and anti-semitism. Its as if the entire weight of the communist regime in Romania has driven Windisch to the point of madness. The reality of the world, has long since lost all reason and meaning to the poor main character, and we as the reader, are forced to accept the fact that he no longer is who he was.
For only a 90 page book, the misery and suffering depecited is extrodinary. Someone once told me that: "all novels must have a sense of comic relief." I am afraid to say that person. There was no comic relief in this tale of unhappiness, misery, bleakness, and despair. I as the reader, looked at these poor people, and truly now understand that I am lucky to have the life that i have.
Sure schools and parents will say: "eat your food their are starving childeren in China," but at the sametime i can now understand what it means to starve when "Grass Soup," is considered both a stape and a luxury.
I am both amazed and shocked at what people can and will do to each other. Its almost unbelievable -- and at the same time it is believable because it has and continues to be that way. How do people justify this? i cannot say, and i am sure of one thing that i will never know. What i can say is this:
Herta Muller Nobel Laureate of Literature of 2009, is an amazing author. Not a pretentious author, nor does she patronize. She writes, in a episodic and clearly fresh and to the point prose, but paints a larger more beautiful picture. I am honored to have read this novel, and would recomend it to anyone, to read it and get any idea of what she will write. Certainly though not for people, who expect some sense of comedy in it.
Thank-You For Reading Gentle Reader
Stay Well Read
Take Care
M.Mary
Thursday, 15 July 2010
The Tipping Point
Hello Gentle Reader
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Is a non-fiction piece of work by author: Malcolm Gladwell.
I am not a non-fiction reader. I perfer to be entertained mostly when I am reading, rather then to be reading a buisness lecture. Usually if i wish to get a buisness lecture i would go to college or university and take buisness and get lectured on buisness, and the fundemental properties of buisness and economics. However Mr. Malcolm Gladwell, has come to be a rather intersting and curios case of leniency.
To sum the area's of discussions in Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's novels; is basically as simple as pie. However, Mr. Macolm Gladwell, just just talk about the theme's and topic's that he is talking about, in dull and dry terms. He use's examples of real life marketing, and history even, as well as legal cases of law, to make his points and arguements, entertaining, clear and direct.
For the purpose of this quick review and blog we shall use two modern day examples that clearly show what Mr. Malcolm Gladwell is pointing on in his book.
Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. A few months ago, i would have asked you the following: "Who and what?" Justin Bieber meant nothing to me. Lady Gaga i thought was a shoe. Only roughly a few months ago, was i introduced to who these two "Pop Culture Phenomena," where.
They are muscians or rather singers. Its far to much of a compliment, to call them muscians, when they are singers. Personally I find their music distasteful and not for me; however there are people who really do like their music. The question is why?
In Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point," this would be called a "Stickiness Factor," something that makes these two singers memorable to the audience and the crowd that they are presenting themselves two. Is it Lady Gaga's image? The fact that Justin Bieber looks like a thirteen year old boy who just entered puberty? Is it their uplifting, feel good music? Is it their catchy sing along lyrics? Repetive tunes? I cannot say for sure, but there is a "Stickiness Factor," that is presented with these two individuals. Something that gets the listener hooked like a junkie gets hooked on herionie, or a smoker does with a cigarette.
"The Law of Few," is how these epidemic people had spread in popularity and why they kept to listening to their music. There was a memorable shot that was ingrained in their minds after listening. But once we find the short few that find or "discover," these people, they pass it on to their friends. However the real people that these two singers, should be thanking is what Malcolm Gladwell calls "Connectors." These are the people that connect us to the real world, and the different aspects of the world. The next individual that helps these individuals is the "Mavens." These people specialize in information. They are detailed, and very percise in the information that they know and collect. The last and least is the "Salesman." The charasmatic, great people person, who can can sell you a rotten arm and a leg, and have you convinced that its a great deal. These are the people that are that make these individual successful.
The last point and theme of the book is: "The Power of Context."
In the book Mr. Gladwell makes it clear that to spread an epedemic's are very sensitive to the enviroments and situations that they are spreading in.
Do you remember when the recession finally hit hard. The economic melt down had finally hit home. People where loosing their jobs. People (understandably) angry at what had happened. How the people in charge, had cost(ed) them their livelyhood. It had destroyed their families. Taken away the bright and shinning future's, and had caused an uproar. Yet the common person had no idea how this happened.
Yet in this time and desperation, depression, hoplessness, and anger, there came a voice. A woman's voice. Just an oridinary woman, who was plain, middle aged, and nothing special about her. Yet suddenly she walked on to stage with a cheeky smile, and wanted to be given the chance to sing. Her name: Susan Boyle. People where laughing at her. Thinking, this woman can't sing. They gawked at her appearance. They found her amusing and wished her to fail. However from her mouth came the song "I Dreamed a Dream," from the soundtrack of the Les Misérables. Her voice shook the audience into shock. Gathered a standing ocation, and had people, really thinking about how rude they were (not really but i am trying to have faith in humanity).
In this time of desperate need, there came this ordinary woman. She opened her mouth and sung out loud, and proud and did not hold back. The last laugh certainly was her own, and well deserved.
The "Youtube," video depecting her audition for "Britians Got Talent," went viral on "Youtube." In a time of need, Susan Boyle had people smiling, and put maybe bit of hope in dreams once more, and had people hoping they can make it through this terrible time of need.
Susan Boyle's epedimic was partly due to the time's and she was certainly a well needed burst of fresh air. she was not some glamorous young pop star, strutting around on stage in a thong or a bikini. she was modest, and let her voice speak for her, rather then her body.
If it is one thing that, this book had taught me, was that i have no control over epedimic's in pop culture or the world. However, I as a person have the free will to stand up and excersise my right not to buy their CD's as well as criticize these epedimic's. it should always be noted, that for every person that likes you, there is five people that will hate you.
This novel certainly was not boring. The content was at one point in time would have been boring at one point, but at this point with the use of examples, both modern and historical, Mr. Malcolm Gladwell did not make it boring whatsoever. Certainly an intersting, read indeed.
Thank-you for Reading Gentle Reader
Stay well Read
Take Care
M.Mary
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Is a non-fiction piece of work by author: Malcolm Gladwell.
I am not a non-fiction reader. I perfer to be entertained mostly when I am reading, rather then to be reading a buisness lecture. Usually if i wish to get a buisness lecture i would go to college or university and take buisness and get lectured on buisness, and the fundemental properties of buisness and economics. However Mr. Malcolm Gladwell, has come to be a rather intersting and curios case of leniency.
To sum the area's of discussions in Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's novels; is basically as simple as pie. However, Mr. Macolm Gladwell, just just talk about the theme's and topic's that he is talking about, in dull and dry terms. He use's examples of real life marketing, and history even, as well as legal cases of law, to make his points and arguements, entertaining, clear and direct.
For the purpose of this quick review and blog we shall use two modern day examples that clearly show what Mr. Malcolm Gladwell is pointing on in his book.
Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber. A few months ago, i would have asked you the following: "Who and what?" Justin Bieber meant nothing to me. Lady Gaga i thought was a shoe. Only roughly a few months ago, was i introduced to who these two "Pop Culture Phenomena," where.
They are muscians or rather singers. Its far to much of a compliment, to call them muscians, when they are singers. Personally I find their music distasteful and not for me; however there are people who really do like their music. The question is why?
In Mr. Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point," this would be called a "Stickiness Factor," something that makes these two singers memorable to the audience and the crowd that they are presenting themselves two. Is it Lady Gaga's image? The fact that Justin Bieber looks like a thirteen year old boy who just entered puberty? Is it their uplifting, feel good music? Is it their catchy sing along lyrics? Repetive tunes? I cannot say for sure, but there is a "Stickiness Factor," that is presented with these two individuals. Something that gets the listener hooked like a junkie gets hooked on herionie, or a smoker does with a cigarette.
"The Law of Few," is how these epidemic people had spread in popularity and why they kept to listening to their music. There was a memorable shot that was ingrained in their minds after listening. But once we find the short few that find or "discover," these people, they pass it on to their friends. However the real people that these two singers, should be thanking is what Malcolm Gladwell calls "Connectors." These are the people that connect us to the real world, and the different aspects of the world. The next individual that helps these individuals is the "Mavens." These people specialize in information. They are detailed, and very percise in the information that they know and collect. The last and least is the "Salesman." The charasmatic, great people person, who can can sell you a rotten arm and a leg, and have you convinced that its a great deal. These are the people that are that make these individual successful.
The last point and theme of the book is: "The Power of Context."
In the book Mr. Gladwell makes it clear that to spread an epedemic's are very sensitive to the enviroments and situations that they are spreading in.
Do you remember when the recession finally hit hard. The economic melt down had finally hit home. People where loosing their jobs. People (understandably) angry at what had happened. How the people in charge, had cost(ed) them their livelyhood. It had destroyed their families. Taken away the bright and shinning future's, and had caused an uproar. Yet the common person had no idea how this happened.
Yet in this time and desperation, depression, hoplessness, and anger, there came a voice. A woman's voice. Just an oridinary woman, who was plain, middle aged, and nothing special about her. Yet suddenly she walked on to stage with a cheeky smile, and wanted to be given the chance to sing. Her name: Susan Boyle. People where laughing at her. Thinking, this woman can't sing. They gawked at her appearance. They found her amusing and wished her to fail. However from her mouth came the song "I Dreamed a Dream," from the soundtrack of the Les Misérables. Her voice shook the audience into shock. Gathered a standing ocation, and had people, really thinking about how rude they were (not really but i am trying to have faith in humanity).
In this time of desperate need, there came this ordinary woman. She opened her mouth and sung out loud, and proud and did not hold back. The last laugh certainly was her own, and well deserved.
The "Youtube," video depecting her audition for "Britians Got Talent," went viral on "Youtube." In a time of need, Susan Boyle had people smiling, and put maybe bit of hope in dreams once more, and had people hoping they can make it through this terrible time of need.
Susan Boyle's epedimic was partly due to the time's and she was certainly a well needed burst of fresh air. she was not some glamorous young pop star, strutting around on stage in a thong or a bikini. she was modest, and let her voice speak for her, rather then her body.
If it is one thing that, this book had taught me, was that i have no control over epedimic's in pop culture or the world. However, I as a person have the free will to stand up and excersise my right not to buy their CD's as well as criticize these epedimic's. it should always be noted, that for every person that likes you, there is five people that will hate you.
This novel certainly was not boring. The content was at one point in time would have been boring at one point, but at this point with the use of examples, both modern and historical, Mr. Malcolm Gladwell did not make it boring whatsoever. Certainly an intersting, read indeed.
Thank-you for Reading Gentle Reader
Stay well Read
Take Care
M.Mary
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Never Let Me Go Film Adaption
Hello Gentle Reader
From the looks of what i have made a list of, i have eleven books that i should read. However i shall get to them when i get to them. As of right now i need to take a break from reading books and just let my mind relax. i know i have started: "Savage Detectives," by Roberto Bolano, and "The Black Prince," by Iris Murdoch but i will get to them when i get to them. i guess it does not help that i have a library card now, and can rent out books like crazy. but for the time being i know i should just stop and take a breather. Try to focus on my writing and et cetera.
****
I have known of the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro for quite a while (the novels name is "Never Let Me Go,"). Now sometime in 2010 a movie adaption is set to be released. i must admit as a person who prefers the detailed and richly characterized form of novels over the rather shallow and often surface view of movies, i have little to no expectations.
Though the movie adaption of this novel may be worth something. that however should be tested upon its release. Some people are avid movie watchers and could tell you the director, and the actors and rate the actors on a scale from 1 - 10. I on the other hand am not that kind of person. I can see past the notion of the shallow depth and find myself often disappointed with the lack of depth and detail in a movie.
I can think of a few movies made from novels that were just dreadful for those that have actually read the novels.
"The Golden Compass," by Phillip Pullman was dreadful. The book was far better. the Movie adaption was dreadful, just dreadful. The ending was wrong, which pissed me off the most. I mean how can you get the ending wrong? Start the movie right, and end it right. I guess some people just don't see that.
"The Cat in The Hat." Lets just face it a book that is based on pictures, and some word play. you just can't turn that into a feature film.
"The Blind Assassin." I must confess that i have never seen this movie personally, but i will say that i have read the book, and i don't think that a movie could even try to do this novel justice. its a story within a story, with a novel written by a character in the novel itself. honestly you may enjoy the book but leave it at that.
However there have been some movies that have been adapted from books, that were done quite well, i think.
"Fight Club." Done quite well, and presented Chuck Palahniuk's novel in an interesting light. The acting was amazing, and not shallow however you still knew that the characters where the actors (mainly because its Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bohemian Carter)
"Trainspotting." Hard to understand, but great set of characters and actors to play them. The adaption certainly did this novel some justice.
"Requiem for a Dream." With the Kronos Quartet playing the strings, that is both haunting and unnerving this movie adaption hit me in the stomach and was more chilling then any horror movie i have ever seen.
I suppose Hollywood has its good points and its bad points. That being said, i still have no to little expectations for this up and coming movie adaption of "Never Let Me Go," will i be disappointed? I can't say as of right now. Will i go see the movie theatre’s? I don't know. if i do, i do. If i do not, then i do not. What i do know as of right now is that if i go i go. What i will say as of right now though, is that i have no expectations.
If the movie is successful I suppose Mister Kazuo Ishiguro's wallet will get a bit thicker.
Take Care Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading Gentle Reader
And As Always
Stay Well Read
Morose-Mary
From the looks of what i have made a list of, i have eleven books that i should read. However i shall get to them when i get to them. As of right now i need to take a break from reading books and just let my mind relax. i know i have started: "Savage Detectives," by Roberto Bolano, and "The Black Prince," by Iris Murdoch but i will get to them when i get to them. i guess it does not help that i have a library card now, and can rent out books like crazy. but for the time being i know i should just stop and take a breather. Try to focus on my writing and et cetera.
****
I have known of the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro for quite a while (the novels name is "Never Let Me Go,"). Now sometime in 2010 a movie adaption is set to be released. i must admit as a person who prefers the detailed and richly characterized form of novels over the rather shallow and often surface view of movies, i have little to no expectations.
Though the movie adaption of this novel may be worth something. that however should be tested upon its release. Some people are avid movie watchers and could tell you the director, and the actors and rate the actors on a scale from 1 - 10. I on the other hand am not that kind of person. I can see past the notion of the shallow depth and find myself often disappointed with the lack of depth and detail in a movie.
I can think of a few movies made from novels that were just dreadful for those that have actually read the novels.
"The Golden Compass," by Phillip Pullman was dreadful. The book was far better. the Movie adaption was dreadful, just dreadful. The ending was wrong, which pissed me off the most. I mean how can you get the ending wrong? Start the movie right, and end it right. I guess some people just don't see that.
"The Cat in The Hat." Lets just face it a book that is based on pictures, and some word play. you just can't turn that into a feature film.
"The Blind Assassin." I must confess that i have never seen this movie personally, but i will say that i have read the book, and i don't think that a movie could even try to do this novel justice. its a story within a story, with a novel written by a character in the novel itself. honestly you may enjoy the book but leave it at that.
However there have been some movies that have been adapted from books, that were done quite well, i think.
"Fight Club." Done quite well, and presented Chuck Palahniuk's novel in an interesting light. The acting was amazing, and not shallow however you still knew that the characters where the actors (mainly because its Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bohemian Carter)
"Trainspotting." Hard to understand, but great set of characters and actors to play them. The adaption certainly did this novel some justice.
"Requiem for a Dream." With the Kronos Quartet playing the strings, that is both haunting and unnerving this movie adaption hit me in the stomach and was more chilling then any horror movie i have ever seen.
I suppose Hollywood has its good points and its bad points. That being said, i still have no to little expectations for this up and coming movie adaption of "Never Let Me Go," will i be disappointed? I can't say as of right now. Will i go see the movie theatre’s? I don't know. if i do, i do. If i do not, then i do not. What i do know as of right now is that if i go i go. What i will say as of right now though, is that i have no expectations.
If the movie is successful I suppose Mister Kazuo Ishiguro's wallet will get a bit thicker.
Take Care Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading Gentle Reader
And As Always
Stay Well Read
Morose-Mary
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Rant: A Novel
Dear Reader:
With nothing to write about last week, i come this week (a day early as well) i come today with something to write about.
Recently i came to the conclusion that i have ten or more novels to read, that i have bought. however i'll get around to them when i get around to them. Kind of like when i was a kid, and i used to ask my parents all the time "are we there yet?" when were all stuck in the prison cell of a moving vehicle. the answer was always the same: "No. we'll get there when we get there." The same can be applied with these novels. I will get to them when i get to them.
Recently however i came across a novel at the library by a author by the name of Chuck Palahnkiuk (yes the same author i went and saw) the novels name was "Rant," or more formally known as: "Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey."
Certainly an interesting tale, and an interesting style that the novel was written in. What i did enjoy was the subject of how the stories that people told of there fellow characters and history itself often contradicted with someone else’s. That is a lot like life. A neo-nazi's views on the Holocaust would certainly be very different then that of a Jewish person, or anyone who was affected by the slaughter of World War II. But this history is less, tragic and more . . . farm town, boring, with a kid who enjoys getting bitten by coyotes, badgers, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders (among the many animals that he uses to get high). Certainly no other junkie in this world could ever be stranger.
But this novel is not in the genre of just another low life junkie getting high (in a rather unique and original way). But instead this little redneck small town boy, finds himself, in a dystopian future. A dystopian future where two groups of people exist, but are cut in two by a curfew. A curfew of day and night. “Daytimers”: are the respected -- rather they are the normal people of society who actually keep it working. As well as the “Nighttimers”, the very disgusted underbelly of this dystopian future.
One of the most interesting part of this novel thought, is that it shows different perspectives of people, based on the opinions and perceptions of a person. A good case would be Buster "Rant," Casey's parents. His mother calls him "Buddy," who his father calls him "Buster." Through out the novel though there are many examples of the different perceptions of the characters from the opinions of others characters.
Rant (Buster Casey) finds himself swept up in the deep dark underbelly of this future dystopian world. But he also starts some other problems with his own addiction, and soon all hell (which is bound to happen) breaks loose, and soon a firm and radical stance of oppression is forced to come.
However this novel is about Rant (Buster Casey) who never makes a real appearance in a speaking part so to speak, but rather lets others perceptions form a rather interesting and character for us to see. The question is: who is the real Rant (Buster Casey)? A question i doubt that will be answered but dear Mr. Chuck Palahniuk makes an interesting observation of showing us, how the different views of people can often show a different character that another may view.
Though the ending is slightly . . . . strange and probably the least enjoyable part (for me that is) of the entire tale, i did find it interesting, and some interesting idea's where offered for me to chew on. Though i am sure there for more entertaining purposes that something to be taken seriously. Kind of like those crazy conspiracy theorists.
A good novel overall. some people may find the style not as amusing as i did, while others will jump for joy at it. Some may find the characters unlikable. While others may enjoy them. the point is this novel will be one to like or to hate. I personally liked it.
if you decide to pick up this novel and read it i hope you enjoy it as well.
Take Care Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading
and stay well read
Morose-Mary
With nothing to write about last week, i come this week (a day early as well) i come today with something to write about.
Recently i came to the conclusion that i have ten or more novels to read, that i have bought. however i'll get around to them when i get around to them. Kind of like when i was a kid, and i used to ask my parents all the time "are we there yet?" when were all stuck in the prison cell of a moving vehicle. the answer was always the same: "No. we'll get there when we get there." The same can be applied with these novels. I will get to them when i get to them.
Recently however i came across a novel at the library by a author by the name of Chuck Palahnkiuk (yes the same author i went and saw) the novels name was "Rant," or more formally known as: "Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey."
Certainly an interesting tale, and an interesting style that the novel was written in. What i did enjoy was the subject of how the stories that people told of there fellow characters and history itself often contradicted with someone else’s. That is a lot like life. A neo-nazi's views on the Holocaust would certainly be very different then that of a Jewish person, or anyone who was affected by the slaughter of World War II. But this history is less, tragic and more . . . farm town, boring, with a kid who enjoys getting bitten by coyotes, badgers, pit vipers, rattlesnakes, and black widow spiders (among the many animals that he uses to get high). Certainly no other junkie in this world could ever be stranger.
But this novel is not in the genre of just another low life junkie getting high (in a rather unique and original way). But instead this little redneck small town boy, finds himself, in a dystopian future. A dystopian future where two groups of people exist, but are cut in two by a curfew. A curfew of day and night. “Daytimers”: are the respected -- rather they are the normal people of society who actually keep it working. As well as the “Nighttimers”, the very disgusted underbelly of this dystopian future.
One of the most interesting part of this novel thought, is that it shows different perspectives of people, based on the opinions and perceptions of a person. A good case would be Buster "Rant," Casey's parents. His mother calls him "Buddy," who his father calls him "Buster." Through out the novel though there are many examples of the different perceptions of the characters from the opinions of others characters.
Rant (Buster Casey) finds himself swept up in the deep dark underbelly of this future dystopian world. But he also starts some other problems with his own addiction, and soon all hell (which is bound to happen) breaks loose, and soon a firm and radical stance of oppression is forced to come.
However this novel is about Rant (Buster Casey) who never makes a real appearance in a speaking part so to speak, but rather lets others perceptions form a rather interesting and character for us to see. The question is: who is the real Rant (Buster Casey)? A question i doubt that will be answered but dear Mr. Chuck Palahniuk makes an interesting observation of showing us, how the different views of people can often show a different character that another may view.
Though the ending is slightly . . . . strange and probably the least enjoyable part (for me that is) of the entire tale, i did find it interesting, and some interesting idea's where offered for me to chew on. Though i am sure there for more entertaining purposes that something to be taken seriously. Kind of like those crazy conspiracy theorists.
A good novel overall. some people may find the style not as amusing as i did, while others will jump for joy at it. Some may find the characters unlikable. While others may enjoy them. the point is this novel will be one to like or to hate. I personally liked it.
if you decide to pick up this novel and read it i hope you enjoy it as well.
Take Care Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading
and stay well read
Morose-Mary
Thursday, 27 May 2010
If you write shit, it is shit, and people like shit
Hello Gentle Reader
Recently on the television (i was watching crude humor of South Park) and i saw the new trailer of the next "Twilight," movie comming out. I found myself almost busting a gut.
However i started to think about this. think very carefulyl about this indeed. because i started to note, that these "twilight," movies are comming out like a mormon pops out babies. They come out one after another after another after another after another. i find it hillarous. Because with "Harry Potter", and "The Lord of the Rings," and even C.S. Lewis's: "The Chronicles of Narnia," each movie took its individual time. Each came out a few years after the predecessor. Each one was amazing in its own individual way (well to a degree, i still find "The Lord of the Rings," long and boring.). But i notice with this "Twilight," phemenonm, is that they are pushing the movies out as fast as they can. I come to wonder, whats the hurry?
Does each movie need to be popped out of the oven, placed on the counter, and decorated horribly then sent to theaters with a bunch of over blown media hype? I find myself laughing. Stupidity seems to be a virus, that seems to spread amongst people faster then the common cold, or the flu. But i cannot expect to much from people who read such trash, let alone watch it.
Perhaps Martin Amis (in his interivew "No More Illusions: An Interview With Martin Amis) said it best:
"Also Gwyn stands for the culture: if Gwyn writes shit, and if the world likes shit, then the world is shit."
Ta-Da From the words of Martin Amis himself (though i doubt any younger ignorant and self-absorbed and borderline narssastic children of today would recongize that name) If people like shit (Twilight) then there you have it -- the world is shit -- personally, i find that a rather disturbing thought. However, i also find this playfully amusing as well.
Because it is both true, and real. People are animals. animals often gather in packs. What happens in packs? Mob/Pack mentallity and from there, you have a bunch of people who cannot think for themselves because they are to stupid or to ignorant to do so.
The wrold is full of a few types of things. Two of which are Shepards and Sheep. You are either a Shepard who dispese the shit for the Sheep to eat, or you are a Sheep, who eats the shit that is spread for you to eat. Surely something to think about, though i doubt that'll happen.
"Too much thought is bad for the soul, for art, and for crime. It is also a sign of middle age."
— Patrick Hamilton
And if i may add -- to much lack of thinking is bad for the mind, because you end up enjoying mind numbing bull shit, of what everyone else enjoys -- Which is Shit!
Thank-you for reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
Morose-Mary
(link to the Martin Amis Interview below):
http://www.altx.com/int2/martin.amis.html
Recently on the television (i was watching crude humor of South Park) and i saw the new trailer of the next "Twilight," movie comming out. I found myself almost busting a gut.
However i started to think about this. think very carefulyl about this indeed. because i started to note, that these "twilight," movies are comming out like a mormon pops out babies. They come out one after another after another after another after another. i find it hillarous. Because with "Harry Potter", and "The Lord of the Rings," and even C.S. Lewis's: "The Chronicles of Narnia," each movie took its individual time. Each came out a few years after the predecessor. Each one was amazing in its own individual way (well to a degree, i still find "The Lord of the Rings," long and boring.). But i notice with this "Twilight," phemenonm, is that they are pushing the movies out as fast as they can. I come to wonder, whats the hurry?
Does each movie need to be popped out of the oven, placed on the counter, and decorated horribly then sent to theaters with a bunch of over blown media hype? I find myself laughing. Stupidity seems to be a virus, that seems to spread amongst people faster then the common cold, or the flu. But i cannot expect to much from people who read such trash, let alone watch it.
Perhaps Martin Amis (in his interivew "No More Illusions: An Interview With Martin Amis) said it best:
"Also Gwyn stands for the culture: if Gwyn writes shit, and if the world likes shit, then the world is shit."
Ta-Da From the words of Martin Amis himself (though i doubt any younger ignorant and self-absorbed and borderline narssastic children of today would recongize that name) If people like shit (Twilight) then there you have it -- the world is shit -- personally, i find that a rather disturbing thought. However, i also find this playfully amusing as well.
Because it is both true, and real. People are animals. animals often gather in packs. What happens in packs? Mob/Pack mentallity and from there, you have a bunch of people who cannot think for themselves because they are to stupid or to ignorant to do so.
The wrold is full of a few types of things. Two of which are Shepards and Sheep. You are either a Shepard who dispese the shit for the Sheep to eat, or you are a Sheep, who eats the shit that is spread for you to eat. Surely something to think about, though i doubt that'll happen.
"Too much thought is bad for the soul, for art, and for crime. It is also a sign of middle age."
— Patrick Hamilton
And if i may add -- to much lack of thinking is bad for the mind, because you end up enjoying mind numbing bull shit, of what everyone else enjoys -- Which is Shit!
Thank-you for reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
Morose-Mary
(link to the Martin Amis Interview below):
http://www.altx.com/int2/martin.amis.html
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Chuck Palahniuk: Tell-All Book Tour
Hello Gentle Reader
May 12 2010
Chuck Palahniuk comes to Calgary aka Cow Town.
An exciting experinece that i was given the oppurtunity to share with others. I now have a signed copy of Chuck Palahniuks new book "Tell-All." Which he personalized. How kind of him to do. He only did that for a hundred people. The first hundred in line. i was number 69 and i was able to be given the oppurtunity to have it done, and so i did.
When i first was lined up waiting for the tiem to come, i found myself listening to the conversations of others. some were about meaningless things that i had no interst in. others were from hardcore fans. at one point i thought i was at some Star Treck convention at times at how they spoke so highly of him. They spoke of his infamous story called "Guts," as well as his novels such as "Fight Club," (no suprise there) among others.
Upon entering and waiting, i found myself bored somewhat. the first 50 of the first 100 would get their books personalized. 51 to 100 would get there's personalized after the show. whatever right? so i waited, and read some of "Tell-All," though the place was rather loud and i found my ears were trailing off to hear conversations rathern then my eyes focusing on the words in front of me.
So Mr. Palahniuk came in, from the entrance in which we all came in from before. what a shcok really. i thought he would come in through the back or through the curtains of the stage and whatever else. however he didn't. a sign of common modesty? or a sigh of symbolic equality? perhaps. I am not sure. Nor do i care. speculating is easy because you will most likely know the real answer or reason.
I was suprised (to a degree) how well he dressed. so simple and professional. i knew he dressed like a normal person. with dress pants shoes et cetera. Quite a far cry from the way some of his fans and readers had dressed. He had normal dark brown hair. he wore black dress pants (or where they navy blue?) wore black socks, black shoes, and a white undershirt or a wife beater (who knows) and a pale blue dress shirt tucked into his pants.
Quite a far cry indeed. Well some fans were covered in tattoo's, and had pink hair, and dressed outlandishly he was dressed like some normal person of society. someone who could easily walk out on the street's and barely get a second look. how intersting that his image and his novels differ so much. But i suppose that you should never judge a book by its cover.
A great tour in all. I found it fun and enjoyable. i greatly am happy that Chuck Palahniuk came to Calgary to do that. his only Canadian stop for this tour. i am very happy that i was able to go. Well worth the thirty three dollars (had better be!) and it was. i was impressed, and sure enough i will have memories of the event.
What i do admire is Chuck Palahniuks involvement in with the crowd. throwing blow up turkies, blow up hearts, and blow up oscar trophies.
He read a unpublished short story (though the rights were bought by play-boy who will surely publish the story in an issue.) which one? i do not know. i am sure you can find out if you search on the internet.
In all this was a thoroughly beatuiful exerperience. i was unsure of what to expect. but i was not suprised to see it lively full of rather dark/macabre humor. lets just say Chuck Palahniuk knows how to use paradox's rather well shall we?
Any one who would ever want a memorable experience i would suggest they go see Chuck Palahniuk. he is lively and fun, as well as a very polite person.
thank-you Gentle Reader for reading.
Thank-you Chuck Palahniuk for comming to Calgary.
Thank-you to word fest for hosting the event and oragnizing it
Thank-you To the Calgary Public Libary for allowing the space to be used.
Stay Well read my dear Gentle Reader
Take Care
Morose-Mary
May 12 2010
Chuck Palahniuk comes to Calgary aka Cow Town.
An exciting experinece that i was given the oppurtunity to share with others. I now have a signed copy of Chuck Palahniuks new book "Tell-All." Which he personalized. How kind of him to do. He only did that for a hundred people. The first hundred in line. i was number 69 and i was able to be given the oppurtunity to have it done, and so i did.
When i first was lined up waiting for the tiem to come, i found myself listening to the conversations of others. some were about meaningless things that i had no interst in. others were from hardcore fans. at one point i thought i was at some Star Treck convention at times at how they spoke so highly of him. They spoke of his infamous story called "Guts," as well as his novels such as "Fight Club," (no suprise there) among others.
Upon entering and waiting, i found myself bored somewhat. the first 50 of the first 100 would get their books personalized. 51 to 100 would get there's personalized after the show. whatever right? so i waited, and read some of "Tell-All," though the place was rather loud and i found my ears were trailing off to hear conversations rathern then my eyes focusing on the words in front of me.
So Mr. Palahniuk came in, from the entrance in which we all came in from before. what a shcok really. i thought he would come in through the back or through the curtains of the stage and whatever else. however he didn't. a sign of common modesty? or a sigh of symbolic equality? perhaps. I am not sure. Nor do i care. speculating is easy because you will most likely know the real answer or reason.
I was suprised (to a degree) how well he dressed. so simple and professional. i knew he dressed like a normal person. with dress pants shoes et cetera. Quite a far cry from the way some of his fans and readers had dressed. He had normal dark brown hair. he wore black dress pants (or where they navy blue?) wore black socks, black shoes, and a white undershirt or a wife beater (who knows) and a pale blue dress shirt tucked into his pants.
Quite a far cry indeed. Well some fans were covered in tattoo's, and had pink hair, and dressed outlandishly he was dressed like some normal person of society. someone who could easily walk out on the street's and barely get a second look. how intersting that his image and his novels differ so much. But i suppose that you should never judge a book by its cover.
A great tour in all. I found it fun and enjoyable. i greatly am happy that Chuck Palahniuk came to Calgary to do that. his only Canadian stop for this tour. i am very happy that i was able to go. Well worth the thirty three dollars (had better be!) and it was. i was impressed, and sure enough i will have memories of the event.
What i do admire is Chuck Palahniuks involvement in with the crowd. throwing blow up turkies, blow up hearts, and blow up oscar trophies.
He read a unpublished short story (though the rights were bought by play-boy who will surely publish the story in an issue.) which one? i do not know. i am sure you can find out if you search on the internet.
In all this was a thoroughly beatuiful exerperience. i was unsure of what to expect. but i was not suprised to see it lively full of rather dark/macabre humor. lets just say Chuck Palahniuk knows how to use paradox's rather well shall we?
Any one who would ever want a memorable experience i would suggest they go see Chuck Palahniuk. he is lively and fun, as well as a very polite person.
thank-you Gentle Reader for reading.
Thank-you Chuck Palahniuk for comming to Calgary.
Thank-you to word fest for hosting the event and oragnizing it
Thank-you To the Calgary Public Libary for allowing the space to be used.
Stay Well read my dear Gentle Reader
Take Care
Morose-Mary
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Is peace possible? (a short message about Mr. Palahniuk)
Hello Gentle Reader
May 12th (6 days from today) Chuck Palahniuk comes to town to promote his new book "Tell All." I have tickets to go see him, and i am very pleased to be able to see this literary figure. Mind you he is not Margaret Atwood, or won a Nobel Prize for Literature, but what he makes up from not being that, he makes up for being a rock star like writer. While having fun, and being as much an entertainer and a writer he also posses a lot intelligence, and that i know from the interviews i have read. I must admit that i have not read any of Mr. Palahniuks books, but i have known about him for a while, but its now that i will finally see him, and read one of his books, and be sure to pleased and entertained. This will be the first time i go to see a author on a book tour. I am sure i will be pleasantly pleased, and i know i will enjoy this very much.
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
May 12th (6 days from today) Chuck Palahniuk comes to town to promote his new book "Tell All." I have tickets to go see him, and i am very pleased to be able to see this literary figure. Mind you he is not Margaret Atwood, or won a Nobel Prize for Literature, but what he makes up from not being that, he makes up for being a rock star like writer. While having fun, and being as much an entertainer and a writer he also posses a lot intelligence, and that i know from the interviews i have read. I must admit that i have not read any of Mr. Palahniuks books, but i have known about him for a while, but its now that i will finally see him, and read one of his books, and be sure to pleased and entertained. This will be the first time i go to see a author on a book tour. I am sure i will be pleasantly pleased, and i know i will enjoy this very much.
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
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Iris Murdoch
Hello Gentle Reader
Recently from Amazon.ca i had ordered three novels (one is a large collection of three novels in one large novel) one of the novels that i ordered was "The Black Prince," by Iris Murdoch.
This young, life full filling author and philosopher has been said to be one of the greatest British writers since 1945 ranking number twelve (#12). i am both excited and pleased to receive this novel, by Iris Murdoch. I have looked hard in book stores for one of her novels, and so far i was unable to find one that carried one of her novels, but now that i have a novel written by this dear lady heading my way (i should be expecting this novel around April 16 - April 21st).
I do like to get rather close to the author (or as close as i can) when i read one of their
novels. Usually upon reading about the author, is how i come to the judgement, of whether or not i want to read one of their books. To me a book is just as important as the author.
I first stumbled upon Iris Murdoch by goofing around on wikipeda, by searching for philosophical novels, and i came across the curios title: "The Sea, The Sea," I read over the page about this book, and from there i discovered Iris Murdoch. A few years later, i stumbled upon this writer again, on another website:
http://www.vintage-books.co.uk/authors/8249/iris-murdoch/
Where i came across other novels written by the dear, Ms. Murdoch. Many of them i thought would be fascinating reads, and entertaining. For literature and philosophy go hand in hand, they are also different in many aspects as well, and Iris Murdoch, and other novelists of her time such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Ayn Rand, James Joyce, Marcel Proust, and even Franz Kafka, could entertain the reader and mix in some philosophical discussions without becoming tedious and boring like a text book.
Now maybe half a year later i find myself, going to read a novel, by Iris Murdoch, for i have already some works by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ayn Rand. One (or i shall anyhow) admit that i do enjoy philosophy and literature especially, and i do think that the two mix well together, creating both an entertaining novel, but also idea approaching novel as well, in order to help the reader, with their lives, or give them at least a new understanding of life itself.
Back to Iris Murdoch though:
Iris Murdoch was born July 15 1919, and was educated in progressive boarding schools where she read the classics of literature, ancient history and philosophy. From 1938 (like other Oxford contemporaries) Iris found herself engaged in the communist party. However after her philosophical thoughts started to form on their own, Iris left the party. Though she remained very close towards the "Left," of the political spectrum (like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.) This party affiliation made it very difficult for Iris Murdoch to receive a visa into the United States (you know the entire fear of communism, can't have any outsider coming in and spreading any Stalin ideologies). Years later Iris Murdoch had commented on her membership to the party: "how strong and how awful (Marxism) is, certainly in its organized form."
In 1954 saw the debut novel of Iris Murdoch titled "Under the Net," from there she would publish 25 more works of literature in novels, and drama (not 25 each may i add.). Iris Murdoch then met her future husband Jonh Bailey in 1956. Skip years ahead to 1995, when the first effects of the horrible disease of alzheimer's took form as a writers block. Iris Murdoch then perished in February 8 1999.
In 2003 a nasty little biography came out, written by A.N. Wilson, titled "Iris Murdoch as I Knew Her." which was quick to through dirt and mud on the poor dead woman's face. the writer A.N. Wilson did write about his affections for the dearly departed Iris Murdoch, he did not hesitate or even show restraint when talking about her "disloyalty's," and "promiscuity." Truly in my opinion its just someone trying to get even with someone else who did not share the same affection in my opinion. This writer further went to defiling the memory of Iris Murdoch in 2009 on BBC Radio 4 by saying that her philosophical works amounted to nothing but "GCSE-style"(General Certificate of Secondary Education) essays on Plato. However another biography came out in 2001 by Peter J. Condari which was well more received, and did not mud sling or soil the memory and works of Iris Murdoch.
Iris Murdoch, love her or hate her, or even have no opinion on her, it is undoubtedly, noticeable that her impact on the 20th century is apparent, and well seen, by those with eyes and can look far enough into it. As Thomas Davies and Margaret Atwood have done for Canadian Literature, Iris Murdoch had done roughly the same.
Thank-you for your Time Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading
i look forward to writing a review on "The Black Prince," as soon as i get it done.
Morose-Mary
All Information has come from these sources:
http://www.vintage-books.co.uk/authors/8249/iris-murdoch/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Murdoch
Recently from Amazon.ca i had ordered three novels (one is a large collection of three novels in one large novel) one of the novels that i ordered was "The Black Prince," by Iris Murdoch.
This young, life full filling author and philosopher has been said to be one of the greatest British writers since 1945 ranking number twelve (#12). i am both excited and pleased to receive this novel, by Iris Murdoch. I have looked hard in book stores for one of her novels, and so far i was unable to find one that carried one of her novels, but now that i have a novel written by this dear lady heading my way (i should be expecting this novel around April 16 - April 21st).
I do like to get rather close to the author (or as close as i can) when i read one of their
novels. Usually upon reading about the author, is how i come to the judgement, of whether or not i want to read one of their books. To me a book is just as important as the author.
I first stumbled upon Iris Murdoch by goofing around on wikipeda, by searching for philosophical novels, and i came across the curios title: "The Sea, The Sea," I read over the page about this book, and from there i discovered Iris Murdoch. A few years later, i stumbled upon this writer again, on another website:
http://www.vintage-books.co.uk/authors/8249/iris-murdoch/
Where i came across other novels written by the dear, Ms. Murdoch. Many of them i thought would be fascinating reads, and entertaining. For literature and philosophy go hand in hand, they are also different in many aspects as well, and Iris Murdoch, and other novelists of her time such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Ayn Rand, James Joyce, Marcel Proust, and even Franz Kafka, could entertain the reader and mix in some philosophical discussions without becoming tedious and boring like a text book.
Now maybe half a year later i find myself, going to read a novel, by Iris Murdoch, for i have already some works by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Ayn Rand. One (or i shall anyhow) admit that i do enjoy philosophy and literature especially, and i do think that the two mix well together, creating both an entertaining novel, but also idea approaching novel as well, in order to help the reader, with their lives, or give them at least a new understanding of life itself.
Back to Iris Murdoch though:
Iris Murdoch was born July 15 1919, and was educated in progressive boarding schools where she read the classics of literature, ancient history and philosophy. From 1938 (like other Oxford contemporaries) Iris found herself engaged in the communist party. However after her philosophical thoughts started to form on their own, Iris left the party. Though she remained very close towards the "Left," of the political spectrum (like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.) This party affiliation made it very difficult for Iris Murdoch to receive a visa into the United States (you know the entire fear of communism, can't have any outsider coming in and spreading any Stalin ideologies). Years later Iris Murdoch had commented on her membership to the party: "how strong and how awful (Marxism) is, certainly in its organized form."
In 1954 saw the debut novel of Iris Murdoch titled "Under the Net," from there she would publish 25 more works of literature in novels, and drama (not 25 each may i add.). Iris Murdoch then met her future husband Jonh Bailey in 1956. Skip years ahead to 1995, when the first effects of the horrible disease of alzheimer's took form as a writers block. Iris Murdoch then perished in February 8 1999.
In 2003 a nasty little biography came out, written by A.N. Wilson, titled "Iris Murdoch as I Knew Her." which was quick to through dirt and mud on the poor dead woman's face. the writer A.N. Wilson did write about his affections for the dearly departed Iris Murdoch, he did not hesitate or even show restraint when talking about her "disloyalty's," and "promiscuity." Truly in my opinion its just someone trying to get even with someone else who did not share the same affection in my opinion. This writer further went to defiling the memory of Iris Murdoch in 2009 on BBC Radio 4 by saying that her philosophical works amounted to nothing but "GCSE-style"(General Certificate of Secondary Education) essays on Plato. However another biography came out in 2001 by Peter J. Condari which was well more received, and did not mud sling or soil the memory and works of Iris Murdoch.
Iris Murdoch, love her or hate her, or even have no opinion on her, it is undoubtedly, noticeable that her impact on the 20th century is apparent, and well seen, by those with eyes and can look far enough into it. As Thomas Davies and Margaret Atwood have done for Canadian Literature, Iris Murdoch had done roughly the same.
Thank-you for your Time Gentle Reader
Thank-you for reading
i look forward to writing a review on "The Black Prince," as soon as i get it done.
Morose-Mary
All Information has come from these sources:
http://www.vintage-books.co.uk/authors/8249/iris-murdoch/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Murdoch
Sunday, 11 April 2010
The Blind Assassin
Hello Gentle Reader
I had just finished, and by just i mean roughly ten minutes ago, finished reading Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize winning novel: "The Blind Assassin."
I could have waited until roughly Thursday to write this review but i enjoyed it so much that i feel that it would be best to write it right now, while the tale, was still fresh in my head, and the lingering enjoyment; like the sweet taste of sugar lingers on your tongue, lingers in my mind.
The metaphor of "The Blind Assassin," by Margaret Atwood is compared to has been used so much that i thought i would used it as well. Alot like a matryoshka doll (Russian Doll), Margaret Atwood removes the many shells of this tale of a woman looking back on her life, and her sister, and their relationship, and the destruction of the family as they know it, and the slow deterioration of their lives, so perfectly that a person cannot help but feel as the characters do, and get emotionally charged and willing to defend them at all costs, knowing full well that they cannot.
The characterization is so deep that even though as the reader the would think of doing something, and says its justified the character would/will not be able to do it, because that would go against their characterization, though as the reader may get a certain satisfaction of it being done, the results would be bitter, and not feel to right. However, certain "things," do go around and around and when the time is right to strike, it is more then perfect, and the enjoyment and pride one (the reader) may feel swells inside of their (your) stomach and they just cheer with a sense of repaid justice.
The novel itself is rather large depending on which one you buy the one i had was roughly six hundred and thirty-five pages (635 pages) long, while another copy (if my research proves correct) is five hundred and thirty-six pages (536 pages) long. Relatively a large and detailed novel.
Genre wise this novel is Historical Fiction but also what critics call "Southern-Ontario Gothic," -- a genre that focuses on moral hypocrisy, the grotesque, mental illness, and is harsh realism (sometimes there is some supernatural aspects thrown into this genre but none in "The Blind Assassin,")
Many historical events, as the two World Wars, the great depression, and other historical events play into this novel, which give it a very realistic and historical setting with characters that are fictional, but could still be your neighbor, your grandmother, granddaughter, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, mother, or father.
There is no surprise after reading this novel that it did win the Booker Prize for its realistic, earth bound, and emotional narrative. It truly was a beautiful novel, and is a novel written at Margaret Atwood's finest point, and i hope another one will be put out, of the same quality after it.
This novel had made me angry at the villainy of the pastel wearing Winfred "Freedi," who was as passive aggressive and as evil as a pastel fashion wearing arrogant "new money," woman ever got/gets. Richard his sly and almost "political," disgusting motives make a person want to vomit. to the quietly powerful Iris that did her best to fight the circumstances and make do with the best she could, but then suffers immensely before taking charge and fighting back in a Iris fashion, of knowing what to do, but knowing when to do it, and even letting others sink their own ships.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a lovely complex, emotional read, where no everyone is punished, and not everything turns out alright, but still you understand that's life, and it is still slightly beautiful in its own way. For anyone that wishes a novel like that, i recommend "The Blind Assassin," by Margaret Atwood to you. It may very well be a novel that will certainly be re-read by myself in the future; and in that future there may even be large lizard men and space crafts that the likes of Alex Thomas had envisioned.
Take Care Gentle Reader
thank-you for taking your time to read this
and keep being well read
Morose-Mary
I had just finished, and by just i mean roughly ten minutes ago, finished reading Margaret Atwood's Booker Prize winning novel: "The Blind Assassin."
I could have waited until roughly Thursday to write this review but i enjoyed it so much that i feel that it would be best to write it right now, while the tale, was still fresh in my head, and the lingering enjoyment; like the sweet taste of sugar lingers on your tongue, lingers in my mind.
The metaphor of "The Blind Assassin," by Margaret Atwood is compared to has been used so much that i thought i would used it as well. Alot like a matryoshka doll (Russian Doll), Margaret Atwood removes the many shells of this tale of a woman looking back on her life, and her sister, and their relationship, and the destruction of the family as they know it, and the slow deterioration of their lives, so perfectly that a person cannot help but feel as the characters do, and get emotionally charged and willing to defend them at all costs, knowing full well that they cannot.
The characterization is so deep that even though as the reader the would think of doing something, and says its justified the character would/will not be able to do it, because that would go against their characterization, though as the reader may get a certain satisfaction of it being done, the results would be bitter, and not feel to right. However, certain "things," do go around and around and when the time is right to strike, it is more then perfect, and the enjoyment and pride one (the reader) may feel swells inside of their (your) stomach and they just cheer with a sense of repaid justice.
The novel itself is rather large depending on which one you buy the one i had was roughly six hundred and thirty-five pages (635 pages) long, while another copy (if my research proves correct) is five hundred and thirty-six pages (536 pages) long. Relatively a large and detailed novel.
Genre wise this novel is Historical Fiction but also what critics call "Southern-Ontario Gothic," -- a genre that focuses on moral hypocrisy, the grotesque, mental illness, and is harsh realism (sometimes there is some supernatural aspects thrown into this genre but none in "The Blind Assassin,")
Many historical events, as the two World Wars, the great depression, and other historical events play into this novel, which give it a very realistic and historical setting with characters that are fictional, but could still be your neighbor, your grandmother, granddaughter, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, mother, or father.
There is no surprise after reading this novel that it did win the Booker Prize for its realistic, earth bound, and emotional narrative. It truly was a beautiful novel, and is a novel written at Margaret Atwood's finest point, and i hope another one will be put out, of the same quality after it.
This novel had made me angry at the villainy of the pastel wearing Winfred "Freedi," who was as passive aggressive and as evil as a pastel fashion wearing arrogant "new money," woman ever got/gets. Richard his sly and almost "political," disgusting motives make a person want to vomit. to the quietly powerful Iris that did her best to fight the circumstances and make do with the best she could, but then suffers immensely before taking charge and fighting back in a Iris fashion, of knowing what to do, but knowing when to do it, and even letting others sink their own ships.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a lovely complex, emotional read, where no everyone is punished, and not everything turns out alright, but still you understand that's life, and it is still slightly beautiful in its own way. For anyone that wishes a novel like that, i recommend "The Blind Assassin," by Margaret Atwood to you. It may very well be a novel that will certainly be re-read by myself in the future; and in that future there may even be large lizard men and space crafts that the likes of Alex Thomas had envisioned.
Take Care Gentle Reader
thank-you for taking your time to read this
and keep being well read
Morose-Mary
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