(Untitled)

[selenak]

This year's Frankfurt Book Fair, so far: sparkling. Which is the thing about Frankfurt. Leipzig is more intimate, more cozy, and arguably the readings are far better organized, both for the authors and the public - but Frankfurt has the glitz and the sheer quantity. There are literaly more new books in one spot than anywhere else in the world, from

Comments

[wee_warrior]

I can see the point of one reviewer who complaint that all the voices, with the exception of Alma Mahler-Werfel, sound identical, whether they're supposed to be Thomas Mann or Marta Feuchtwanger.

I have to admit to a Mann family "phase" in my late teens, mostly due to a somewhat embarrassing attachment to Klaus, so the thought of Thomas sounding like Feuchtwanger's wife cracks me up probably more than it should.

Glad you're enjoying the fair!

[selenak]

Klaus Mann: the Peter Petrelli of the literary fangirls.*g* (What? Emo family rebel with daddy issues, co-dependently attached to sibling?) I think we all go through a Mann phase - in my case it was Heinrich, though. I still have a soft spot for him. Do you know Tales from Hollywood by Christopher Hampton, which is my favourite fictional take on the exiles so far?

The Thomas sounds like Marta thing is especially funny because Marta, like Lion F., was a Bavarian from Munich and soundling like it (as she grew very old, there are lot of recordings), in stark contrast to the son-of-Lübeck vowels of Thomas M....

P.S.

[selenak]

If Klaus is Peter, it would make Erika Nathan (complete with daddy hero worship as opposed to younger sibling's rebellion). Does this make Gustaf Gründgens into Heidi?

Re: P.S.

[wee_warrior]

Klaus Mann: the Peter Petrelli of the literary fangirls.*g*

I defend myself by pointing to the fact that I was eighteen. *g* (Although I also had a crush on EM Forster at that point, and that's quite a bit weirder.)
And I liked Heinrich, too, although I never got around to reading Der Untertan. I probably mentioned that my knowledge of German literature is pretty much nonexistent. That's what being an Anglist does to you.

If Klaus is Peter, it would make Erika Nathan (complete with daddy hero worship as opposed to younger sibling's rebellion). Does this make Gustaf Gründgens into Heidi?

... That would throw a very different light on Heidi!

Speaking of Daddy worship: one of the franchise products of Heroes has revealed Papa Petrelli's name, and it's - Arthur. If that's official someone is being insanely funny in the writers' room.

[counteragent]

Re: Selected Letters of Ted Hughes

That is fascinating; thanks for the post!

[selenak]

You're welcome!