Uh-oh, indeed, Frank. My partner is reading Desert and is struggling. I've never read him, so I can't comment. But I will, probably in French, just to see what all the fuss is about. From across the pillow in my house comes this: aggghhhhh; nothing happens; no action; just description, which goes on and on sans fin. Mmmmmm. Maybe it's the wrong book to get to know this writer?
I sympathize with your partner, Seamus. I have been having much the same problem with Per Petterson's In Siberia. Not as bad as what you describe, but just a little too tortoise-like in its pace and too much lingering over atmospheric details. And don't tell me a page-turner can;t be great literature. I couldn't read fast enough to get to the next page of Anna Karenina. Good to hear from you. How have you been doing? You know, I just looked at your blog, which I thought you had quit and see all those great things there. The twins are lovely. I shall start linking again.
Thanks for your kind words, Frank. I still pop in here often, getting my fix on the books world. Life and work is good here, and I'm still writing loads (when I'm not busy with the day to day reporting). I've been away a lot (India, NZ, Italy), which is why the blog had to wind down. But it will always be there as a place to park my creative writing and photos. I have much less time for daily blogging but I really want to keep the short stories and poems coming. A new attempt at a novel is also advancing! They just can't keep my fingers away from that keyboard! Keep up your good work on the blog, Frank ... I always find all sorts of priceless gems here! :-)
Uh-oh, indeed, Frank. My partner is reading Desert and is struggling. I've never read him, so I can't comment. But I will, probably in French, just to see what all the fuss is about. From across the pillow in my house comes this: aggghhhhh; nothing happens; no action; just description, which goes on and on sans fin. Mmmmmm. Maybe it's the wrong book to get to know this writer?
ReplyDeleteI sympathize with your partner, Seamus. I have been having much the same problem with Per Petterson's In Siberia. Not as bad as what you describe, but just a little too tortoise-like in its pace and too much lingering over atmospheric details. And don't tell me a page-turner can;t be great literature. I couldn't read fast enough to get to the next page of Anna Karenina. Good to hear from you. How have you been doing?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I just looked at your blog, which I thought you had quit and see all those great things there. The twins are lovely. I shall start linking again.
Thanks for your kind words, Frank. I still pop in here often, getting my fix on the books world. Life and work is good here, and I'm still writing loads (when I'm not busy with the day to day reporting). I've been away a lot (India, NZ, Italy), which is why the blog had to wind down. But it will always be there as a place to park my creative writing and photos. I have much less time for daily blogging but I really want to keep the short stories and poems coming. A new attempt at a novel is also advancing! They just can't keep my fingers away from that keyboard! Keep up your good work on the blog, Frank ... I always find all sorts of priceless gems here! :-)
ReplyDelete