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Spoilers What Book Are You Reading?
- Thread starter Huntn
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It's funny you bring that up. I was watching an old Kung Fu movie with bad overdubbing the other night and I was wondering just how all these languages came to be. They're kind of like folk tales, I suppose. But the Asian languages are more interesting because a few of them are tonal. So that adds a ton of complexity. It's interesting nonetheless.It had to be invented at one point
Maybe your great ancestor wrote something into the records prior to being quartered.
Wow... that experience was a bit like my vague recollection of opening a copy of War and Peace at age six, proud of having learned how to read since my last visit to my grandma's house, and eager to give one of the novels in her bookshelves a shot.
I've gone in a completely opposite direction lately, becoming interested in novels that don't give the protagonists any name, or only a generic one.
Got onto this kick while reading a novel by the Algerian writer Kamel Daoud , The Meursault Investigation, with its central premise that the significant but nameless character of the murdered Arab in Albert Camus' novel The Stranger deserved not only far more attention but.. yeah, a name.
And so in Daoud's novel, the dead Arab does get a name: Musa. And for good measure, Daoud's novel is narrated by another Arab with a name, Musa's brother, Harun. Parts of the book are clearly framed as dialogue between Daoud (speaking as Harun) and Camus, author of The Stranger. The kicker though is that Camus is never named in Daoud's novel, and it's the antihero Meursault from Camus' novel with whom Harun explores the injustice of his brother Musa not even having acquired a name while ending up murdered and sharing the limelight of a novel that became a classic.
As a readers of Dauod's book, when we get what's going on, we realize we're in one hell of a rabbit hole and way deep in the contemporary politics of postcolonial Algeria, even if it's still 1942 but somehow we're in the company of the same two fictional characters from two different novels written seventy years apart, and furthermore that 2013 when it arrives will still be shuddering from Harun's rebuke, indeed his interrogation, of Meursault. Well done there, Kamel Daoud: we end up unsure if we've been gaslighted or just entranced... and wondering who did this to us, the two characters or either or both of the two authors.
Poor Albert Camus at the hands of Daoud: Unnamed, or rather named but transformed into one of his own characters from The Stranger, to blame for not only murdering but not even naming the other main character finally given a name by another transformed writer become fictional narrator and interrogator of Camus cast as that fictional murderer. As I said, it's some rabbit hole, especially since it's never been entirely clear whether Camus meant the Arab's nameless state to be a rebuke of the society in which Camus lived in the Algerian reality of that era. The Meursault Investigation deserves to become a classic too. The two novels become inseparable to me now.
At any rate, then having realized I'd read a few other novels with nameless or generically identified protagonists, I started looking for essays on the phenomenon of novelists' intentional (or merely careless) omission of characters' or narrators' names, and turned up this beauty cited below. I'm sure there are more but the references in this one should keep me out of trouble for awhile.
The Rise of the Nameless Narrator (Sam Sacks, in The New Yorker, March 3, 2015)
Hah. That's wonderful. I had a similar experience when I was a bit younger than that. Grabbed a random book on what I think was the mating patterns of parrots. Different times, different country.
It was from one of my grandparents' home libraries. I don't remember which one, but I got bored of that book as in not understanding anything. And went to grab another book. And then another ones. IIRC all the books were non-fiction and revolved around animals or ship engineering.
When I was six or so, my grandma was less censorious about my picks from her bookshelves than when I was ten or eleven; she probably figured any "adult" material would go over my head at age six.
But I do remember taking some novel like Taylor Caldwelll's "This Side of Innocence" off a shelf one time when I was ten or so, and quick as I had it in hand she was like "Oh, not that one, I think, my dear" and it was back in the shelf and I was invited to come out to the kitchen and learn how to make baked apple rice or something. Next time I went to visit, that whole shelf had been thoroughly edited, I mean even War and Peace was gone.
But I do remember taking some novel like Taylor Caldwelll's "This Side of Innocence" off a shelf one time when I was ten or so, and quick as I had it in hand she was like "Oh, not that one, I think, my dear" and it was back in the shelf and I was invited to come out to the kitchen and learn how to make baked apple rice or something. Next time I went to visit, that whole shelf had been thoroughly edited, I mean even War and Peace was gone.
That book, which I've only read a small portion of, isn't that bad. I think your grandma would have been more worried if say those books were bodice rippers. Which took up in swing after pulp writers got phase/pushed out of the literature scene post 40s and 50s. That would have been interesting! Not that I know much of the genre, but I'm fairly certain the majority of the titles were innocuous, if not completely vague up until the 70s and early 80s.
On a random note (it wouldn't be a true Zenithal post without one), I'm fairly certain baked apple rice is something picked up from the Anglo-Afghan war because I've read of Afghan or maybe north African rice dishes that use dried fruits or in this case but not solely related, quinces instead of apples, and westernized a great deal. Because even during the depression they didn't do stuff like that. PB and Pickle sandwiches aside...
Your post on food from Downton Abbey reminded me of some of the weird concoctions they made then, during the show's timeline that have fallen well out of favor with the English.
Not that I know much of the genre, but I'm fairly certain the majority of the titles were innocuous, if not completely vague up until the 70s and early 80s. On a random note (it wouldn't be a true Zenithal post without one), I'm fairly certain baked apple rice is something picked up from the Anglo-Afghan war because I've read of Afghan or maybe north African rice dishes that use dried fruits or in this case but not solely related, quinces instead of apples, and westernized a great deal. Because even during the depression they didn't do stuff like that. PB and Pickle sandwiches aside...
Your post on food from Downton Abbey reminded me of some of the weird concoctions they made then, during the show's timeline that have fallen well out of favor with the English.
Stuff like kedgeree? I think that's still favored for at least weekend brunches here and there around the Commonwealth. That one came from India during the Raj I think and followed whoever had served there to their next post, and their next post... and wandered through the Caribbean for sure along with any other big British breakfast ideas. I remember a few Caribbean novelists giving their underage characters some wonderment over why it was so important to eat such a big breffus on such hot days -- three minute eggs and scones or jam on toast and all that-- right along with why it was so important to wear those damn school uniforms made of wool.
But if someone put a dish of kedgeree on a buffet table for me on some winter morning, I'd be there helping myself for sure. Trying to remember this is the books thread but the next thing popped into my head about arts and food probably belongs in the movie thread. Syriana... the scene at the madrassa where all that food is laid out for the recruits who had already copped to being just as happy with french fries as with all the traditional dishes in that brief shot. I was like wait, I want to see what kind of pickle relish that is there...
And about then I realize ok I guess I'm actually something of an incorrigible foodie. I'm watching a flick about the price of American geopolitics in the middle east and I'm trying to see what the suicide bomber recruits get for lunch.
Not sure. But salted fish or cooked/flaked fish and rice or potatoes is almost multicultural at this point. Kedgeree, which I've never seen, looks like something you'd eat on a winter's day and get your energy one. On the topic of questionable literature, there is one book that trumps all when it comes to obscenity. I keep forgetting the name, probably due to a subconscious decision. It's called Histoire d'O and it was an extra credit assignment back in university. It wouldn't fly today, and it barely flew then when people were more open to sex. I doubt you can find it now and wouldn't advise it. I got about a third a way into it before deciding it wasn't worth the time. From what little I recall, it makes a modern day Playboy or anything equally pornographic look like a children's comic. Even the most liberal of universities would find a way to get rid of said professor or adjunct.
But fish... I love smoked salted fish. I also like what I suppose are Commonwealth Potatoes. Boiled small shiny skin potatoes in a very salty bath until they cook just right with a crunchy and salty exterior. The Scandies do some amazing stuff with herring.
[doublepost=1517291896][/doublepost]And on fish, yet again, I do like how the Japanese try and use every bit of the fish except the internal organs. You fillet a fish, there's still some flesh between the bones. Heads typically have a decent chunk of meat especially on how deep you cut the fillet. As someone who fished a lot in the past, some of the worst waste I've seen with people I knew were when filleting something like a large grouper to cook right on board. Leaving what was probably 2-3 lb of edible meat on the head. Never had any Indian fish dishes. I've always wanted to try. I don't think it's that popular and so no one offers it.
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I'm going to bed. I can't read or write about any more food at this hour on the East Coast and risk ending up eating something... or I'll be authoring nightmares for what's left of past my bedtime... But those potatoes sound delicious. Fish and potatoes, hard to take a wrong turn with those anyway. Winter breakfast!
Have just arrived home (well, late last night) after four months away for a short break before returning to that strange world.
However, a number of books lie in wait for me on the sofa, and I shall start greeting them this very evening.
However, a number of books lie in wait for me on the sofa, and I shall start greeting them this very evening.
I'd need a book on coping with jet lag to be atop that stack. Hope you enjoy your break . Here it looks like we're having a weather-induced break of sorts, it has snowed more than predicted and the plow crews are apparently caught off guard. I'll take the opportunity to skip an errand run and dive back into the Nixon bio I was reading awhile back when something or other must have popped up and struck me as more compelling. I do like Farrell's Nixon bio though. It's hard to imagine that a few denizens of the current administration haven't thought to pick it up and have a read just to see if any hard lessons in it should be taken to heart while there's still time.
Which Nixon bio?
It’s on my reading list. Let me know if it’s good, I’ve read good things about it.
I love my Kindle and I have to say, without it, I probably wouldn't be reading as much as I do. When I don't have it, I usually catch a few on my iPhone via the Kindle app. Not the best way to read, but at least I can still read. Heck I have it on my computer also. Again not the best, but there are times when I have a few minutes to spare and I want to read.
But the Kindle by far has been one of my favorite investments over the past two to three years. So much so that I got my wife one also.
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Weirdbook #36 is a true gem of weird, surreal fiction.
About 20 between short stories and poetry, with a very enjoyable Cthulhu Mythos story. If anyone is interesed in this type of fiction, I strongly suggest to buy this issue.
Weirdbook #37 is already available but I haven’t read it yet.
Finished this one over the weekend. Very easy read. There were some stories that were flat, I could tell the writers were either new or they just were not that good.
I have to say my favorite story out of the bunch was the very first one about the guy who was going to kill the girlfriend and the wife! I also liked the Black and white dozen and criminals and whores. The rest were ok. Not bad and I could see myself reading some more of these!!!
This is my next book which I plan on starting either tonight or tomorrow:
Starship Troopers
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I used to read on an original iPad Mini, but it got long in the tooth. I began reading on my iPhone more and more, and with the iPhone 7 Plus it was really nice for me. Now with the iPhone X I just don't see me getting a separate device. My phone is always with me and it makes it too convenient to just pull it out and read when I have the time. I have read far more now on my phone than ever before. Most of my books are in iBooks, so a Kindle would require an adjustment for me, although I have a few books in the Kindle app. I do like the idea of an e-ink display, but not enough to carry around a second device when my phone is always in my pocket.
I love my Kindle, but like you mentioned, my Phone is always with me. When I am at the house, I pick up my Kindle if I am going to be reading and when I am away from the house it is my iPhone and sometimes my computer that I turn to catch a few pages of reading.
I like reading on my Kindle better, but it isn't always with me and I don't want to have to carry another device. With all of my devices being able to sync via the Kindle app, it is a no brainer for me. I don't do long sessions on my phone, just a page or two here and sometimes a little more depending on my time.
Mary Beard (Women and Power), and Haggard Hawks are to be found in that bunch; today, I ordered Philip Pullman's new book, as well as the Earthsea quartet by Ursula Le Guin.
And put aside a few others in a bookshop, to be collected tomorrow.
At age six, I was figuring out I had thumbs let alone reading War and Peace!
Yeah, I think my choice of that book at that age was a bit of a stretch... and of course I had no idea of the names of the characters I'd run into after opening it. I had graduated from "See Jane walk Spot in the park" and figured I was ready for anything. I could read!! What a surprise...
I’m glad you feel that way! Yes I really love the existence of the Kindle. It’s so good I don’t even know how it can be improved beyond a color screen (for comics), water resistance, changeable backlight color for night time reading. And the Oasis fixes some of those but the price tag was a bit too much for said features. I too use the iOS app to catch up on books should the kindle be elsewhere.
Which one did you go for? I used to own a gen 1 Paperwhite but traded up to a Voyage. My wife has the Paperwhite now and she’s an avid reader so has really taken to it. Sorry I could ramble on about my love for this device all day long.
I love my Kindle (Oasis) as it is so easy to take anywhere, work, holidays, in bed etc. The main benefit (for me) is to be able to read otherwise big and heavy books that can be awkward to hold. Also, you set a font you like and then every book you read is like that. Also, its great that you can increased the font size to suit which, now that my eyesight is not as good as once was (I need reading glasses to read my newspaper) is a blessing.
I remember not too long ago having to decide which books to take on holiday and which to leave behind. Now I just pack my Kindle and I take a whole library with me! And, lastly, I can buy and download a book anywhere and at any time of day or night. (And get free samples to see if I like a book or not). Yes, I love my Kindle. A marvelous device.
I remember not too long ago having to decide which books to take on holiday and which to leave behind. Now I just pack my Kindle and I take a whole library with me! And, lastly, I can buy and download a book anywhere and at any time of day or night. (And get free samples to see if I like a book or not). Yes, I love my Kindle. A marvelous device.