What are you currently reading?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Have you read any of the Sea of Fertility series? I just read the first few pages of the first book, Spring Snow, on Amazon and I liked what I was reading. Ultimately I think it will be some time before I get around to really checking out Mishima, and I'm not sure whether his quasi-fascistic purism and austerity will be my thing, but it's obvious that he is a major artist in Japanese literature. Are you Japanese, DBK? Just curious as you seem to have some insider knowledge of Japan's culture and have alluded to having a primary language that is not English.

I'm fond of the Beats myself, it was through Kerouac and Burroughs (as well as Kurt Vonnegut) that I first really got into reading "serious" literature back in high school. I did pick up on a little bit of that influence in Murakami.

Currently I'm rereading The Great Gatsby. I haven't read this since high school and I seem to be getting somewhat more out of it this time. I was inspired to revisit it after I read references to it in two books I've read and enjoyed recently: the narrator of Murakami's Norwegian Wood cited it as his favorite book, and in Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, the author-narrator describes his view that whatever flaws Fitzgerald has as a person (which are enumerated in humorous detail in that book), they are to be tolerated on account of his ability to write this genius book.

Just as most readers do, as for Mishima, I separate his ideology and aesthetics.  While I admire the sophistication and elegance in his works, I dislike, disagree with, and reject his ideology and his view about human and society. Sea of Fertility is a fine, and probably least disturbing, work by M.  The Sailor was one of David Bowie's favorite books.
         I am a big fan of Fitzgerald and I like all of his works including Gatsby. I like the sadness and devastating loneliness in high life described in his works. His deceptively simple writing paradoxically generates the elegant and cool atmosphere. His (deceptively) minimalist and restrained style is similar to Yasunari Kawabata, and diametrically opposite to the opulent and flamboyant style of Mishima.  I would also like to recommend Thousand Cranes, or Snow Country, by Kawabata to see a sharp contrast to Mishima, who admired Kawabata.  I am ashamed to say that I don't know Vonnegut.  I will look for his works.  Thank you for your very insightful reviews on the books in your posts.

[Crudblud]

Jens Malte Fischer's Mahler biography. Bought it for myself as an early birthday present, and was surprised at its heft, a fair bit more of a forearm workout than I'm used to from a paperback, that's for sure.

[vers la flamme]

Just as most readers do, as for Mishima, I separate his ideology and aesthetics.  While I admire the sophistication and elegance in his works, I dislike, disagree with, and reject his ideology and his view about human and society. Sea of Fertility is a fine, and probably least disturbing, work by M.  The Sailor was one of David Bowie's favorite books.
         I am a big fan of Fitzgerald and I like all of his works including Gatsby. I like the sadness and devastating loneliness in high life described in his works. His deceptively simple writing paradoxically generates the elegant and cool atmosphere. His (deceptively) minimalist and restrained style is similar to Yasunari Kawabata, and diametrically opposite to the opulent and flamboyant style of Mishima.  I would also like to recommend Thousand Cranes, or Snow Country, by Kawabata to see a sharp contrast to Mishima, who admired Kawabata.  I am ashamed to say that I don't know Vonnegut.  I will look for his works.  Thank you for your very insightful reviews on the books in your posts.

Not to imply that Vonnegut was anything similar to the Beats, just that I was reading his books around the same time I fell in love with On the Road, Dharma Bums, and Junky, & these early experiences are part of what made me a lifelong reader in the first place. You may or may not enjoy Vonnegut's works, but I'd say they're worth reading either way. I find similarities between his work and that of Murakami, though I find Vonnegut much less romantically inclined.

I need to check out more of Scott Fitzgerald's works. Is there any one that you think is (almost) as good as Gatsby?

Never heard of Kawabata, I'll look into him - thanks.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

His nonfiction writings on Jazz haven't been translated into English yet, but I strongly suspect that like his conversations with Ozawa they will show more diversity and insight than the occasional mention in his novels.

He was an owner of a Jazz cafe (cafe-bar specialised in playing Jazz records) in Tokyo.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Not to imply that Vonnegut was anything similar to the Beats, just that I was reading his books around the same time I fell in love with On the Road, Dharma Bums, and Junky, & these early experiences are part of what made me a lifelong reader in the first place. You may or may not enjoy Vonnegut's works, but I'd say they're worth reading either way. I find similarities between his work and that of Murakami, though I find Vonnegut much less romantically inclined.

I need to check out more of Scott Fitzgerald's works. Is there any one that you think is (almost) as good as Gatsby?

Never heard of Kawabata, I'll look into him - thanks.

I admire Rich Boy, Winter Dreams, and Ice Palace by Fitzgerald.  They all are short stories.  Kawabata is a Nobel laureate, so he maybe as good as Bob Dylan.

[AlberichUndHagen]

I have never read Murakami's books nor any japanese novels for that matter. I am much more acquainted with mangakas. Kentaro Miura is my favorite, he both writes and draws incredibly. Berserk is a masterpiece. It's a shame that the publishing frequency of new chapters is excruciatingly slow (although this year has been one of his most productive in a while).

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I am much more acquainted with mangakas. Kentaro Miura is my favorite,

Bad ass dandy 

[AlberichUndHagen]

I admire Rich Boy, Winter Dreams, and Ice Palace by Fitzgerald.

Haven't read Ice palace yet though I've heard it's one of his most beautifully written ones and that's saying a lot. Fitzgerald is definitely one of the greatest writers of 20th century that I've ever read. It's a shame that only The Great Gatsby is brought frequently up in literary discussions. I love The Great Gatsby but he was extremely productive and had very high writing standards so I feel a bit sad that in some circles he is thought as a "one-hit wonder".

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The other Murakami. Coin Locker Babies (1980), Ryu Murakami. Ryu's works were considered to be hip/cool among the hipsters in the 80s and early 90s.

[vers la flamme]

I read two short novels over the past three days: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (which I'd never read before, though of course I knew the plot from countless adaptations and retellings), and Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World. I liked both of these books a lot, and found much to admire in both of these writers and hope to read more from each.

Now, to wrap up the month of December, I'm returning to an anthology of plays by Ibsen that I started in the spring, currently reading Hedda Gabler. She's a great character, like so many of Ibsen's women, and I'm intrigued by the story, which seems to have many complex features.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I read two short novels over the past three days: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (which I'd never read before, though of course I knew the plot from countless adaptations and retellings), and Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World. I liked both of these books a lot, and found much to admire in both of these writers and hope to read more from each.

Now, to wrap up the month of December, I'm returning to an anthology of plays by Ibsen that I started in the spring, currently reading Hedda Gabler. She's a great character, like so many of Ibsen's women, and I'm intrigued by the story, which seems to have many complex features.

Several North American people recommended the Floating World to me. I must get the book soon. I guess the floating world is a Western translation of Ukiyo, which means like an ephemeral/evanescent world. But I think the original text of the book is English though Ishiguro is legally Japanese. I liked a movie based on another story written by him.

[vers la flamme]

Several North American people recommended the Floating World to me. I must get the book soon. I guess the floating world is a Western translation of Ukiyo, which means like an ephemeral/evanescent world. But I think the original text of the book is English though Ishiguro is legally Japanese. I liked a movie based on another story written by him.

If you do read it, let me know what you think. I believe Ishiguro came to England with his family early on in life, and to watch an interview with him, it shows. His English is flawless with no trace of an accent. I mean, he talks like a Beatle. I believe he's on record having said something along the lines of that when he writes about Japan, what he's really writing about a world of the imagination, informed by memories from early childhood. Anyway, as an English writer, he's damn good. I'm excited to read more of his stuff and will try and get Remains of the Day next. I believe some folks were talking about that book a few pages back in this thread.

As for me, I've finished Ibsen (Hedda Gabler and Master Builder—both were phenomenal!) and now am back to Murakami with Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, his first two novellas, published in one volume. What can I say; I'm hooked, but I must admit these early works certainly do betray a certain lack of writing experience. But I am enjoying them nonetheless. I've read about 12 novels and plays in December, most of them very short, but I'm reading more than I ever have. It's a great feeling! I hope to take this habit into 2021.

[SimonNZ]

am back to Murakami with Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, his first two novellas, published in one volume.

I seem to recall enjoying the first one more than the second.

TD: still going with Halberstam's book on war during the Clinton years, but am also getting through this when needing something lighter:

[vers la flamme]

I seem to recall enjoying the first one more than the second.

TD: still going with Halberstam's book on war during the Clinton years, but am also getting through this when needing something lighter:

Bryson must have written about 50 books on as many completely unrelated subjects. The only one I read was A Walk in the Woods, which I greatly enjoyed.

[Iota]

Somewhat mentally adrift at the moment, reading is quite slow. Recently finished A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins, which for somebody whose knowledge of said subject is sketchy, is full of interest.

I read two short novels over the past three days: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (which I'd never read before, though of course I knew the plot from countless adaptations and retellings), and Kazuo Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World. I liked both of these books a lot, and found much to admire in both of these writers and hope to read more from each.

I haven't read Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World (might be an apt description of Takemitsu ..), but The Remains of the Day is a spellbinding novel, on a completely different level to the film imo (which wasn't bad).

And The Unconsoled by Ishiguro is one of my favourite novels. A breathtaking feat of imagination about a concert pianist arriving in a foreign city for a concert, and finding almost everything beyond his comprehension or even recall. There's been no other literary experience like it for me, the only book I frequently had to turn back a page, not quite believing I had just read what I had. Moving too. I suspect it's probably a love it or hate it novel, but I'd recommend very highly.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

If you do read it, let me know what you think. I believe Ishiguro came to England with his family early on in life, and to watch an interview with him, it shows. His English is flawless with no trace of an accent. I mean, he talks like a Beatle. I believe he's on record having said something along the lines of that when he writes about Japan, what he's really writing about a world of the imagination, informed by memories from early childhood. Anyway, as an English writer, he's damn good. I'm excited to read more of his stuff and will try and get Remains of the Day next. I believe some folks were talking about that book a few pages back in this thread.

As for me, I've finished Ibsen (Hedda Gabler and Master Builder—both were phenomenal!) and now am back to Murakami with Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, his first two novellas, published in one volume. What can I say; I'm hooked, but I must admit these early works certainly do betray a certain lack of writing experience. But I am enjoying them nonetheless. I've read about 12 novels and plays in December, most of them very short, but I'm reading more than I ever have. It's a great feeling! I hope to take this habit into 2021.

I agree. When Ishiguro, legally and racially Japanese, writes about Japan, probably he is writing about a foreign country. I will look for the book. Have a great new year. I really enjoyed reading your posts this year.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I haven't read Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World (might be an apt description of Takemitsu ..), but The Remains of the Day is a spellbinding novel, on a completely different level to the film imo (which wasn't bad).

The film is a fine, sophisticated and nuanced movie. I liked it a lot. I must get the  book.

[Artem]

Artforum by Cesar Aira. A very short novella, or a collection of brief personal recollections about the magazine and related experiences, like waiting for it to show up in the mail.

[ritter]

Revisiting Paul Claudel's extraordinary Le Soulier de satin (The Satin Slipper):

   


I first read this fascinating work some 30 years ago (when I learned that the title of Pierre Boulez's Dialogue de l'ombre double was inspired by a scene of this play), and since then have also seen Manoel de Oliveira's abridged (only 6 hours long!) screen adaptation, and later (also on DVD) Olivier Py's 2009 staging at the Théâtre de l'Odéon (which, at 9 hours, is slightly less abridged).

What led me to tackle this piece again is that Antoine Vitez's 1987 Avignon production, which was the first staging of the full text (all 11 hours of it) and was filmed sometime later in Brussels, has been released on DVD this year. Reading this work again, using the Pléiade edition as "subtitles" to what's being said onstage (onscreen) is proving a wonderful experience. The wonders of Claudel's text, with it's excesses and all, fully blossoms. What a piece!: the cloak-and-dagger ("the scene of this drama is the world, and more specifically Spain at the end of the 16th century...") alternates with the comic, with the mystical, with the religious, with the beautifully poetic, and there's wonderful meta-theatrical moments, while the underlying story—that of two lovers whose love is impossible, getting close to each other over the years, but never actually meeting—is very engaging. I'm enjoying this (one journée at a time—there's 4 of these "days") immensely, and am thrilled that a work that had made such a strong impression on me so many years can still produce the same effect (and I must say that Vitez's staging appears to me much more accomplished than either Oliveira's or Py's work).

[vers la flamme]

Somewhat mentally adrift at the moment, reading is quite slow. Recently finished A Short History of England by Simon Jenkins, which for somebody whose knowledge of said subject is sketchy, is full of interest.


I haven't read Ishiguro's An Artist of the Floating World (might be an apt description of Takemitsu ..), but The Remains of the Day is a spellbinding novel, on a completely different level to the film imo (which wasn't bad).

And The Unconsoled by Ishiguro is one of my favourite novels. A breathtaking feat of imagination about a concert pianist arriving in a foreign city for a concert, and finding almost everything beyond his comprehension or even recall. There's been no other literary experience like it for me, the only book I frequently had to turn back a page, not quite believing I had just read what I had. Moving too. I suspect it's probably a love it or hate it novel, but I'd recommend very highly.

They both sound excellent! I'm planning on reading Remains of the Day sometime soon. The Unconsoled looks like a more of an involved reading experience so I'll likely save it for later.

I agree. When Ishiguro, legally and racially Japanese, writes about Japan, probably he is writing about a foreign country. I will look for the book. Have a great new year. I really enjoyed reading your posts this year.

Happy new year to you too! I've enjoyed your posts and our conversations as well.