This was our English II coursebook at Maine Township H.S. South. It's second in a series, as I recall, I having read the first three then having switcThis was our English II coursebook at Maine Township H.S. South. It's second in a series, as I recall, I having read the first three then having switched for senior year AP English to an entirely different text entitled something like 'Major English Writers', an impressively large collection.
Like many other high school texts, I neither saved this nor recorded it. Such book-keeping only began during the second year of college. However, running a used bookstore which relies on donations has led to rediscovering this forgotten book....more
This and other novels by Williams were recommended to me by Fr. Barry Wood, physician to the Union Theological Seminary community in New York and a frThis and other novels by Williams were recommended to me by Fr. Barry Wood, physician to the Union Theological Seminary community in New York and a frequent visitor. An episcopal priest, Williams probably meant a lot to him, but to me his novels were sheer phantasy....more
Studying the bible got me interested in textual transmission theory, modern bibles being various attempts to get at true text in the face of ten of thStudying the bible got me interested in textual transmission theory, modern bibles being various attempts to get at true text in the face of ten of thousands of variant holographs spanning centuries and continents. This, of course, is likely an unachievable ideal--a 'regulative ideal of reason' as Kant would have it.
Mendell's 'Tacitus' is such a work of scholarship and, for me, a daunting read. I'd taken Latin years ago, but haven't retained enough to critically read his many quotations in the language. Nor have I the background in the study of antiquarian manuscripts to understand his descriptions without reference to dictionaries (some words weren't even in my edition of the greater Websters). Still, I trudged through his apparently exhaustive work to get a sense of how transmission theory plays out in the field of Latin literature.
For what it's worth, I had read the Annals, the Histories and Agricola in translation. Having done so, I was hoping for more of a review of their contents and the historicity of such than Mendell offers. Such, however, was hardly his concern.
Biblical study is currently being radically improved by our ability now to digitalize texts, allowing a scope of comparison far beyond the capacity of any scholar. This book, published in 1957, does not represent this advance....more
Larry Santoro introduced me to Martin Mundt back in the nineties, both of them being regulars at the Twilight Tales events at the Red Lion in Chicago'Larry Santoro introduced me to Martin Mundt back in the nineties, both of them being regulars at the Twilight Tales events at the Red Lion in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, readings which were occasionally published as collections, collections which I came to proofread in exchange for free admission and beer.
The first story I ever read in print from Mundt, one about a hapless clown, was so darkly funny that my reading was punctuated by laughter, deep, gut-wrenching belly laughs.
Thus, when I began the practice of holding weekly cultural events (readings, music, movies, even dance) at local cafes and restaurants, I reached out to Marty, asking him to participate. This he did many times, most recently here at Heirloom Books. Also, generously, he provided the shop with many of his publications.
This collection is one of the few I hadn't seen before. Like most short story collections, it's hard to rate. Unlike much of his material I'd previously encountered, not all the stories are dark, gory and hilarious. Some are reminiscent of Bradbury's lyricism. The best, rating five stars, are the three of the El Pollo series, all of which I'd heard him read previously.
Marty is an excellent reader, his manner of presentation enhancing the impact of the material. There are some examples of his reading available on-line....more
I'm fortunate to have attended a high school with a traditional English department which had us read, over our four years of required courses, many ofI'm fortunate to have attended a high school with a traditional English department which had us read, over our four years of required courses, many of the classics. In college I took only one such class, majoring in history and religious studies, and, except for an occasional foray, didn't seriously continue the study of English literature.
This book, chosen for it's suitability as a bed-time book, each chapter covering a different aspect of literary research, was such a foray and, happily, thanks to high school exposure, I got most of the references to major writers and their works.
Being a bit of a bibliophile myself, these accounts of others, more learned and serious than I of course, were comforting in alleviating some of my intellectual loneliness. There were even a few chuckles....more
This being a (screen-) play, I listened to this particular performance of it. It's dated (1964) as Vidal himself is dated, the convention represented This being a (screen-) play, I listened to this particular performance of it. It's dated (1964) as Vidal himself is dated, the convention represented being of a kind which has likely not occurred since Kennedy received the nomination. Other than being a representation of character, it is about ethics, and the lack of it, in American electoral politics.
Merged review:
This being a (screen-) play, I listened to this particular performance of it. It's dated (1964) as Vidal himself is dated, the convention represented being of a kind which has likely not occurred since Kennedy received the nomination. Other than being a representation of character, it is about ethics, and the lack of it, in American electoral politics....more
This is no attempt to arrive at the historicity of Arthur, rather it is a review of the literature about him and the Matter of Britain from the earlieThis is no attempt to arrive at the historicity of Arthur, rather it is a review of the literature about him and the Matter of Britain from the earliest known records through Tennyson's poetry. A lazy job, it consists substantially of summaries of the stories and quotations from them. Indeed, the best parts are the extracts, especially of Tennyson whose Idylls I read as a teen.
I've read other, much better, books by Jenkins. Interestingly, this inferior work reveals her belief in clairvoyance....more
I've never been much into reading mystery novels. A girlfriend was. She got me to read a Rex Stout novel written in the second person, that creepy devI've never been much into reading mystery novels. A girlfriend was. She got me to read a Rex Stout novel written in the second person, that creepy device being the lure, but I've not read much else. I have seen lots of movies based on books, however, including the version of 'The Maltese Falcon' featuring Peter Lorre. I found it confusing at the time and, so, needing a bedtime book and seeing a copy of Hammett on the shelf, I decided to solve that mystery.
The book has proven to be better--and clearer--than expected. It's dated of course, having come out around 1930. Detective Spade's treatment of young women might be regarded as assault were he to act that way nowadays. Further, most everyone smokes and drinks at all hours, inside and outside. Homosexuality is looked down upon. Spade himself is rather two-dimensional, his character revealed only by appearances. There's no representation of the inner man. The outer, public man, the persona, is archetypally representative of a kind of masculinity very familiar to me from childhood.
Insofar as the story has any reflective depth it's as a critique of what commonly passes for romantic love. Spade is physically affectionate and quite heterosexually available. While he experiences those emotions commonly associated with romance, he recognizes them as physically based, fleeting and undependable. In the end, dependable constancy wins out....more
This was the project Trumbo had been working on for years up to the time of his death. Incomplete, it's a fictional biography of an S.S. officer, partThis was the project Trumbo had been working on for years up to the time of his death. Incomplete, it's a fictional biography of an S.S. officer, parts being objective, others being autobiographical. While his account of his younger years appear coherent, the rest consists of bits and pieces, including letters to friends and colleagues by Trumbo outlining his sense of the evolving whole. Still, as a meditation on the origins of evil and as a representation of the novelist's craft, this book is worth a look....more
I started with 'The Plot Against America', saw the series also, liked it. Moved on to 'Portnoy's Complaint'. Didn't. Then, intrigued by the title and I started with 'The Plot Against America', saw the series also, liked it. Moved on to 'Portnoy's Complaint'. Didn't. Then, intrigued by the title and noting it was produced by the mature Roth, picked up 'I Married a Communist' and was impressed.
The novel is basically an exposition of character. The 'communist', Ira, being described on the one hand by a young man, Nathan, much influenced and impressed by both him and his younger brother, a local high school English teacher. Then, more than four decades later, Nathan becomes reacquainted with his former professor, now ninety, and over the course of six nights hears his account of his brother's difficult life, including significant events withheld from his adolescent self.
The story of Ira's life begins with the Depression and the war, climaxing with the Red Scare of the fifties. Like Roth's other books, the major locale is New Jersey, the major characters Jewish, the matrix from which Roth himself arose.
I've read Fast's books about Moses, John Peter Altgeld, Thomas Paine and, now, George Washington. Each is primarily an attempt to get at the characterI've read Fast's books about Moses, John Peter Altgeld, Thomas Paine and, now, George Washington. Each is primarily an attempt to get at the character of the protagonist. The Washington portrayed here is the Continental General from Long Island, through Manhattan and Jersey up to, but not including, his first victory against the Hessians upon secretly crossing the Delaware, Washington at his nadir. Written during the war, the text is followed by a brief essay about its composition and its patriotic purpose. ...more
Growing up in suburbs of Chicago my exposure to Judaism was minimal until going to Grinnell College where a significant portion of the student body waGrowing up in suburbs of Chicago my exposure to Judaism was minimal until going to Grinnell College where a significant portion of the student body was Jewish. My best friend there was from Riverdale, had graduated from Fieldston in the Bronx and introduced me to the woman who introduced me to sex. Obtaining a bachelor's in Religious Studies, I went on to study at the ecumenical Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Spending free days reading and writing at The Hungarian Pastry Shop, I was brought into a social circle which was entirely Jewish, ranging from the secular to the Hasidic. For the first time in my life I felt in the minority in my own community.
I'd heard of 'Portnoy's Complaint' since it was published, but only started reading Roth after watching his 'The Plot Against America' and having the book recommended by an older Jewish friend who said it was an accurate portrayal of his generation. 'Complaint' may also be accurate in some exaggerated, humoristic sense, focusing as it does on neuroses, mostly sexual, in the context of a psychoanalysis. I was reminded of early Woody Allen, though Roth's humor didn't work as well for me. Indeed, the inclusion of an attempted rape towards the book's conclusion was quite off putting.
Were I a middle class New York Jew, brought up in the forties and fifties, I might have found this hilarious. As it happens, I'm not and it wasn't....more
This book collects a number of essays, mostly by academicians, about the work of Kurt Vonnegut up to his 'Breakfast of Champions', itself barely mentiThis book collects a number of essays, mostly by academicians, about the work of Kurt Vonnegut up to his 'Breakfast of Champions', itself barely mentioned. While the essays vary, some of them reminded me of how close some literary criticism is to what's taught in philosophy classes.
Several of the authors were acquainted with the novelist. All appreciate him and are at pains to argue for his rightful place in the canon....more
Borges spoke at Loyola University back in the eighties while I was working on a philosophy degree there. It was during the Malvinas/Falklands war, durBorges spoke at Loyola University back in the eighties while I was working on a philosophy degree there. It was during the Malvinas/Falklands war, during the Argentine military's rule. I asked the great man about that and received a vague response. Now, on reflection, I'm embarrassed by subjecting that old, blind man to what amounted to abuse.
In the meantime, both before this event and since, I've read most of Borges' work available in English excepting his poetry, which I've only sampled. This title, a collection of seven lectures he gave in Argentina, was new to me and read with interest. As ever, Borges is impressively erudite and subtly amusing....more
We've several titles by Quinn at Heirloom Books. I've wondered how to classify them, whether to treat them with general fiction or put them in the fanWe've several titles by Quinn at Heirloom Books. I've wondered how to classify them, whether to treat them with general fiction or put them in the fantasy and science fiction section. This particular title--big print punctuated by graphics in 92 pages and sold for $12.95(!)--is very, very short, so I gave it the half-hour or so it took to read.
Tales of Adam reminded me a bit of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and of Gibran's Prophet, though not as prettily written as the latter. It's supposed to be about becoming wise and has, in this regard, concern for the place of our species in the broader environment. I applaud such sentiments, but found this series of fables rather saccharine and certainly not worth the money....more
This is two books by two authors with a conjoined theme, written in exile while their homeland was under Nazi occupation. The first, a socio-politicalThis is two books by two authors with a conjoined theme, written in exile while their homeland was under Nazi occupation. The first, a socio-political history of the country, the second, a historical appreciation of its literature, both of them attempts to describe a nation not to be subjugated. Both also celebrations of Norwegian democratic socialism and Norwegian internationalism.
I grew up with this volume upon the shelves of my parents' homes, never thinking to read it. Even now, having picked it up almost by accident while making space for another text, I find it substantially beyond me, particularly as regards the literature discussed. Yes, I had a lot of Ibsen in high school, became enamored of Sigrid Undset at seminary, and exposed to Knut Hamsun and Ludvig Holberg more recently, but the majority of those discussed were just names, or less, to me. If that were not the case. Were I not so unprepared, so ignorant, I likely would have awarded the reading of this another star. Indeed, the final chapter, The Hour of Trial, discussing the occupation and the resistance, moved me strongly.
I know the author, being a friend and neighbor of his son. Eidson has read one of his previous novels here at Heirloom Books and has been kind enough I know the author, being a friend and neighbor of his son. Eidson has read one of his previous novels here at Heirloom Books and has been kind enough to give us several signed copies of this one, his third. As with the others, this was a quick, enjoyable read.
Eidson has a background as a range ecologist and university professor, working in Texas where generations of his family have dwelled. Familiarity with landscapes, geology, flora and fauna, characterize his works, giving them a strong sense of locale. A student as well of local history, his novels, all of which have been set in the past, from the antebellum South to something like the seventies in this one, convey a believable sense of different times as well.
Unlike his previous works, 'Bitter Angel' works from the perspectives of two women in one place at two times, mid-Texas during the Civil War and its immediate aftermath on the one hand, Depression and World War Two periods on the other. Being male, I can only say that, to me, the two protagonists were believable--and this including some of the specifically female sides of human experience such as rape, spousal abuse and child-birth--and their lives occurring at times and places not favorable to women.
In addition to the problematics of gender, matters of race also figure prominently, particularly as regards the life of the nineteenth century protagonist.
What characterizes all three of the author's books is their heart. One cares about Eidson's women and one comes to admire them, particularly for the occasional acts of extraordinary goodness they each demonstrate, for that and for their essential decency in the face of daunting circumstances.
I very much hope that Jim Eidson is discovered by a major publishing house!...more
I'd read Abbey's 'Desert Solitude', his book about living at the Arches on the Colorado, years ago at a friend's recommendation. Also, I'd admired EarI'd read Abbey's 'Desert Solitude', his book about living at the Arches on the Colorado, years ago at a friend's recommendation. Also, I'd admired Earth First, the radical environmentalist organization partly inspired by Abbey, long believing speciesism (favoring humans over other animals) ethically dubious. So, when two copies of his most famous novel appeared at Heirloom Books, I picked this one as something to read during slow times at the shop.
I was disappointed. Abbey writes well enough but not to my tastes. His long, detailed descriptions of heavy machinery, while indicating his familiarity with aspects of engineering and road construction, were too much for me while his prolix descriptions of desert environments became redundant after a while. The book is comic, but not in tune to my funny bone. The characters have no believable depth, seemingly more archetypal than realistic. I had to force myself to finish the thing.
I was also disappointed that it was all set in the southwest, in Utah mostly. Fortunately, I've been to Moab on camped along the Colorado, but I'd expected, being informed, I thought, by Earth First's actions against the tree harvesting industry, that there'd be some action in the Pacific northwest. But, no...no tree spiking here.
Finally, one must admit that this is a novel about what we commonly call 'terrorism' today, the protagonists having an insufficiently thought-out agenda as regards the proper place for humanity in the natural world and no explicitly agreed upon set of ethical standards by which to weigh the conflicting rights of various persons, groups and interests, including non-human ones. Indeed, there's even a willingness to kill others on the part of one of them and some near misses in that regard and, besides that, that character is a chronic litterer--in the 'unspoiled wilderness' even! (I very much dislike litterers). In addition to this the book has what might charitably be described as 'dated' ideas about relations between the sexes. The one major female character is raped by one of her lovers with no apparent harm done from the author's perspective, for instance.
Still, it's good that there's literature which calls into question, however fitfully, the human conceit that the planet and all its inhabitants are there for us to treat as we will. ...more