tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post9111858425743541503..comments2024-03-25T22:38:46.822+08:00Comments on in lieu of a field guide: A cosmogony of Javier Marías's major fictionRisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-59590705134870663762011-09-06T22:37:21.037+08:002011-09-06T22:37:21.037+08:00Richard, I do feel that way. I scratch my head or ...Richard, I do feel that way. I scratch my head or my mouth hangs open. Something between an 'a-ha!' and an 'oh?!' moment. Even though I've come to expect these lines, still their use always brings an effect. Within the book, they certainly add to musicality, like signature notes with some variations, becoming more frequent (rhythmic) toward the end. Between books, they appear Risehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-56423792048607898872011-09-06T03:27:13.239+08:002011-09-06T03:27:13.239+08:00Rise, just wanted to compliment you on that solar ...Rise, just wanted to compliment you on that solar system section. Very interesting! Love the idea of matter (words) and anti-matter (?) as applied to Marías' fiction. In addition to the links you touch on in this section, I also like how the titles of Marías' other books also first appear and later reappear in various Marías works. Not sure what he's up to always, but these look Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-34889411233765854782011-09-03T19:52:11.621+08:002011-09-03T19:52:11.621+08:00AR, I suppose it's a warning. A forewarned rea...<b>AR</b>, I suppose it's a warning. A forewarned reader will not have to demand for a "plotty" book from a novel of collapsing ideas and feelings. My problem with the last part of the Deresiewicz review is that what he considers the novel's faults I take as virtues. He rather missed the point that the ceaseless stream of words filtered through Deza's consciousness already Risehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-13482585181935423232011-09-03T19:34:17.953+08:002011-09-03T19:34:17.953+08:00Richard, that statement was actually a kind of rea...<b>Richard</b>, that statement was actually a kind of reassurance. My first draft had the word "is" in italics, as if saying: Mr. Deresiewicz, the plot IS thin. But I forgot it's not only the plot but also the prose that he described as thin. ("His prose is thin because the life it represents is thin—events, emotions, relationships and memories without much texture to speak of.Risehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-33685334902335694892011-09-03T09:41:07.853+08:002011-09-03T09:41:07.853+08:00That's not just any guy at The Nation, that...That's not just any guy at <i>The Nation</i>, that's <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2008/08/so-alien-was-his-experience-to-me-so.html" rel="nofollow">an old pal of mine</a>.<br /><br />I was definitely bored at times, especially when Deza took Robbe-Grilletan punctiliousness to an extreme. Even some of the tension-building tricks wore thin, although if you repeat the Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-37584549136747870492011-09-03T08:00:32.811+08:002011-09-03T08:00:32.811+08:00OK, back for round two! "The plot is thin, a...OK, back for round two! "The plot is thin, and the book thick." While I totally understand what you mean by that, Rise, I have to say that I was never bored by the book since the interior world of Deza and the speech and actions of others as relayed by Deza were so rich and satisfying on a storytelling level. I also didn't really think of Deza as pedantic although of course he isRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-73443086909041476572011-09-01T23:52:47.732+08:002011-09-01T23:52:47.732+08:00Gary, that is one of Szymborska's substantial ...<b>Gary</b>, that is one of Szymborska's substantial collections. I prize my copy of it.<br /><br />For maximum appreciation of <i>Dark Back</i>, I suggest reading the precursor <i>All Souls</i> first.... Can't blame you for the length, I had a shorter post, but then got carried away.<br /><br /><b>Richard</b>, your hosting is still tops and with great selection of drink I'd gatecrashRisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-13249979829697788692011-09-01T22:32:20.340+08:002011-09-01T22:32:20.340+08:00Scott, thanks for taking the time to read! I'm...<b>Scott</b>, thanks for taking the time to read! I'm glad it inspired you to revisit the novel. I know I've rambled here but I enjoyed paying homage to Marías! An inexhaustible work to be lost in, lots of fertile ideas in display. I was hoping New Directions will release an omnibus edition instead of a shrink-wrapped set. The one on my immediate re-read queue is <i>Bad Nature</i>.... I Risehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-53802777447840834822011-09-01T11:53:24.015+08:002011-09-01T11:53:24.015+08:00I'm late on my own post, Rise--what a crummy r...I'm late on my own post, Rise--what a crummy readalong host, I know! However, I second Amateur Reader's thanks to you for making us all look superficial with this epic post of yours!! Will be back to leave a more specific comment on your analysis after I digest it all and reflect a bit--but whoa, mightily impressed with your effort here. You are no De la Garza, that's for sure!!!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-56221069380303795302011-09-01T04:37:49.383+08:002011-09-01T04:37:49.383+08:00Blimey, I shall need time to process all that'...Blimey, I shall need time to process all that's in this post.So all I can think of at the moment is I have Dark back Of Time on my shelf & I've always been a fan of that George Steiner book.<br />PS, have got Wislawa Szymborska's "Sounds, Feelings, Thoughts" and enjoying it.@parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-36862538574248965212011-09-01T02:41:21.535+08:002011-09-01T02:41:21.535+08:00My take on this book, coming, I suppose, tomorrow,...My take on this book, coming, I suppose, tomorrow, will be somewhat more <i>superficial</i>.<br /><br />Thanks so much for doing some of the hard work that this novel really demands.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3769714277850142841.post-1398890945845276922011-08-31T22:15:59.398+08:002011-08-31T22:15:59.398+08:00Wow. One thing's for sure - this post occupies...Wow. One thing's for sure - this post occupies a significant stellar body in the Risean cosmogony! Just fantastic, Rise. I'm very likely to return to "Your Face Tomorrow" for another tour after your detailed and insightful post, and in any event thanks for such a penetrating and inspiring piece. Among other things, it hadn't really occurred to me until now to think of YFT asseraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.com