Thanks for unearthing the Beckett stories. I share that experience of passing over music or books for a period of time and then finding them later on; it's like getting a present.
None that I know! I tasted it as a kid and truly couldn't believe people ate it. And I think I'm probably too hard on Bellow. The extent to which some of my favorites (Roth, Amis) love Augie March led me to expect something extraordinary but I've just never gotten into it.
I have a still-growing to-read list that long surpassed what I will ever complete ... time waits for no one. So I won't be revisiting Sebald or Beckett. I did not enjoy the experience in my forties, and don't believe that would change now. But Cormac and Saul? Two favorites throughout my lifetime.
I'm willing to believe I'm wrong re Cormac & Saul -- in fact I expect I am. Just waiting for a way in. I enjoyed Henderson the Rain King & Mr. Sammler's Planet & Seize the Day; and the Road was powerful but felt a little like a mad magazine parody of itself.
Thanks for unearthing the Beckett stories. I share that experience of passing over music or books for a period of time and then finding them later on; it's like getting a present.
Thanks Ben. Perceptive as always. I personally like Saul Bellow. Maybe try his short stories. Do Americans eat Marmite?
None that I know! I tasted it as a kid and truly couldn't believe people ate it. And I think I'm probably too hard on Bellow. The extent to which some of my favorites (Roth, Amis) love Augie March led me to expect something extraordinary but I've just never gotten into it.
I enjoyed reading this review as much as Ben enjoyed reading Dante and the Lobster. Thanks for making my day!
I have a still-growing to-read list that long surpassed what I will ever complete ... time waits for no one. So I won't be revisiting Sebald or Beckett. I did not enjoy the experience in my forties, and don't believe that would change now. But Cormac and Saul? Two favorites throughout my lifetime.
I'm willing to believe I'm wrong re Cormac & Saul -- in fact I expect I am. Just waiting for a way in. I enjoyed Henderson the Rain King & Mr. Sammler's Planet & Seize the Day; and the Road was powerful but felt a little like a mad magazine parody of itself.