And I started "The Rainbow Stories" but put it down when I got to the story that took place in ancient Babylon or whatever. I couldn't follow what the hell was going on.
Why did you think I would like this book so much? All the strippers and skinheads dancing around the first few stories gave me the heebie-jeebies.
hahaha i read about half of wind-up bird chronicles and didn't really like it that much. although maybe you didn't recommend this to me. I have yet to read "hard-boiled wonderland"
what have you been up to? just stagnating in taipei?
I started Hard-Boiled Wonderland and put it down. There were all these mystical creatures being introduced, and a private dick type guy. But it's still a great title, so I highly recommend it.
I'm doing this and that. I've got a GRE book kicking around somewhere, so if you want to visit you should do it soon.
Hardboiled Wonderland is awesome, but if you didn't dig Windup Bird then don't bother-it's not that much better. You liked a couple of Murakami's short stories, if I remember, but those were both tamer Murakami. He's really into his own little version of magical realism or just unexplained weirdness. It doesn't bother me that much, but if it's not your thing then definitely don't waste your money on his novels.
i liked his short stories a lot. maybe i can get some of his stuff from libraries once i:m in dc, where i will be in like 18 hours. but yeah, not really planning on buying any soon. haha i should have thought that the magical realism/unexplained weirdness be a good thing...and not a botheration.
Because of the narrative style, I think, and the disregard for literary tradition. He's got this radical method of pacing, of vastly altering crucial aspects of the narrative on a whim, of allowing and embracing blatant contractions, etc.-essentially, he's someone who totally acknowledges the bullshit nature of fiction, doesn't bother to ask you to suspend your disbelief, but then asks you to go along with it anyway. He's also got a very human, bitter, non-elite sense of irony (which comes out more in, say, "White Knights"). It reminded me of some of the stuff you were doing a while ago.
He's also just scary talented as a putter-togetherer of words, although I admit that his style often covers that up.
Wow. I'm going to definitely re-read that, now that I have a vested interest.
Please read the little story I posted yesterday when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Oh, and you probably never read "Sweetland," did you? I posted it at the end of March. It's far too long for anyone to slog through unless they really want to... but if you happen to really want to, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Which one was "Sweetland"? I feel like I read all your stuff. I've been meaning to get to that other one, too, but I've been out of my house a lot the last couple days.
And don't get me wrong about Vollman-I'm not saying he's a perfect writer or anything. In fact, it took me forever to get through The Rainbow Stories, but I feel like it was worth it, and not just in the "I learned something" sense or the "now I've read it and I can talk about it" sense, but in the sense of actually enjoying it in a sometimes torturous way
( ... )
Why did you think I would like this book so much? All the strippers and skinheads dancing around the first few stories gave me the heebie-jeebies.
Reply
Reply
what have you been up to? just stagnating in taipei?
Reply
Reply
Hardboiled Wonderland is awesome, but if you didn't dig Windup Bird then don't bother-it's not that much better. You liked a couple of Murakami's short stories, if I remember, but those were both tamer Murakami. He's really into his own little version of magical realism or just unexplained weirdness. It doesn't bother me that much, but if it's not your thing then definitely don't waste your money on his novels.
Reply
Reply
Reply
He's also just scary talented as a putter-togetherer of words, although I admit that his style often covers that up.
Reply
Please read the little story I posted yesterday when you have a chance and let me know what you think.
Oh, and you probably never read "Sweetland," did you? I posted it at the end of March. It's far too long for anyone to slog through unless they really want to... but if you happen to really want to, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Reply
And don't get me wrong about Vollman-I'm not saying he's a perfect writer or anything. In fact, it took me forever to get through The Rainbow Stories, but I feel like it was worth it, and not just in the "I learned something" sense or the "now I've read it and I can talk about it" sense, but in the sense of actually enjoying it in a sometimes torturous way ( ... )
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment