Sunday, March 23, 2008

Today's Inquirer reviews ...

... Carlin Romano praises Pico Iyer's biography of the Dalai Lama: Dalai Lama: Down-to-earth and intimate.

Have to say I don't quite get this: "... the Dalai Lama's own school of Tibetan Buddhism cherishes philosophical debate, making his skeptical air strange only to those who ignorantly identify any kind of Buddhism with mysticism." Mysticism is the one area of religion grounded in experience, and I would think Meister Eckhart, who has exerted some influence in the field of philosophy, was perfectly capable of engaging in quite lively philosophical debate.

... Chip Kidd's new novel is just the sort of fiction that suits the fancy of the incompanarble Tirdad Derakhshani: Happy, the ad man, takes us into some dark places.

... Martha Woodall is much taken with Mary Swan's latest: A crime echoes down the years.

... Connie Ogle likes Richard Price's Lush Life: From 'The Wire's' Price, murder's relentless grip. I notice two things about this. One is that it is a wire review. The other is that the headline thinks we should appreciate Richard Price because of his connection to The Wire. I should have thought having written Clockers would do. But then I keep forgetting that for most of us television is the focus of our lives.

... and I know you'll want to run out and get this one: News stories that set gold standard for journalism.


2 comments:

  1. Hi Frank,

    I was puzzled (mystified?) by that statement in Carlin Romano's article too. Why would he say that? A check at Onelook.com: mysticism, and we have this:

    Quick definitions (mysticism)

    noun: obscure or irrational thought
    noun: a religion based on mystical communion with an ultimate reality

    Context urged me to use the second definition. But, I believe Carlin wanted the first definition, the second almost necessarily stirring one to philosophical debate and inquiry.

    But of course, until Carlin agrees, I may be dealing in mysticism myself.

    Yours,
    Rus

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  2. Thanks for your reviews I'm looking forward for your updates.

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