I love your commitment to engaging with your audience, it is something I’ve never seen before. It’s so incredible to see someone with such a love for literature want to share their love for it with other people, I myself have learned a great great deal from your channel. Thank you, you are an incredible person.
I agree with this entirely. The Savage Detectives was the first novel for which I kept a separate notebook and sticky notes. Bolaño uses such a large cast of characters in his novels that I needed to use this technique originally because of the similarity in names. Later it evolved into one of the most engaging methods to interact with a novel I have ever experienced. I ABSOLUTELY encourage everyone to do this with large texts OR latin texts! Love your content, Leaf by Leaf 🌿
@Thom - the name of that bookstore rang a resounding bell. Thinking back, I remembered that I actually visited that very shop back in c. 2013! I even have a picture I took of it at the time. Are you the owner? It’s only a 5-hour drive and I’ve a friend there I’m due to visit…
@@LeafbyLeaf no, no I'm not. I wish!! I'm just an acid browser and customer. There's another interesting bookstore in Atlanta near Oglethorpe (where I went to university) called Atlanta Vintage Books. I worked there through college and it was a really cool environment. It was also fascinating pouring over people's library estates we would buy. One of my main jobs there was pricing books and it was always so thrilling cracking the binding on a beautiful old text, seeing the beautiful marbled pages, and seeing publishing dates from the 1800s! Regardless of the ultimate value, I will always have a deep appreciation for the craft and artistry that was used to create these big, beautiful old texts. That was a great job for a college student and that store is owned by two excellent people, Bob and Jan. If you come to Atlanta please let me know so we could meet up! I would love to show you some other book shops plus any more hidden gems of this city!
Thank you for being such an amazing human being! Love your style, way of talking, elegance and profound sense of humor. Your channel - amazing stuff!!!
Thank you for taking the time to give such a thoughtful and humble answer to my (obnoxiously difficult) question concerning "big books" and authors' identities. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said something like "I wish I didn't have to care about an author's identity, but I have to care." I also wish I could separate the art from the artist, but it's a really difficult issue given the history (and present-bias!) of publishing. That being said, that's really sad to hear about that author who was told to wait a few years to publish because of his identity... Great video though man!
I really appreciate you promoting me into admittedly uncomfortable territory. It is, in fact, something I think about a lot. And it is becoming increasingly the central focus of the Humanities. So it’s important to address it, to grapple with it, to let it challenge our thinking. I’m glad you found my input useful. It could definitely be expanded into a separate video of its own!
Man..., if there is a big award for books related youtubers i will give u for sure.., ur videos are always simple, cool, u seem to be a patient guy for taking ur time to answer all those questions..
I've been slowly watching your channel more and more. Haven't nearly watched all your videos, just subscribed today, but I swear to god you've had a different haircut in each video I've watched
Took me 5 days, enjoyed every second of it. Noted down some recommendations (as always). Thank You for the video. I would recommend to do it more often (seeing from the response, readers clearly love it). I personally also feel that a book should be read and appreciated for its own merit, ‘Art for art’s sake’, eh?
Thanks so much, Lalit! It was a lot of fun doing this. And it gives me more of a connection with everyone. I consider myself, in the end, an aesthete, so I your sentiment.
This was fantastic Chris. Your dedication shines through and is inspiring; these videos are so well produced and your dedication to answering as much as you can, as best as you can is heart-warming. Your answer to the question about big books and wasps felt great to hear, I feel this unease as well and going into literature seriously now (switching from physics to lit and phil), I have to work through this unease and guilt to be able to navigate these important subjects in 2021. Also, it’s a great feeling that knowing I’ve got your videos to enjoy after working through behemoths of literature. Thank you for what you do and for your dedication :)
I am humbled and honored by your words, Thierry. That really means a lot to me. Switching from physics to literature and philosophy will be a blast. I got a BA in computer science and an MA in literature. If there’s anything in particular you’d be interested in me talking about, just let me know. All my best to you!
@@LeafbyLeaf That’s very nice of you. It’s already fun seeing the books you read and add to your shelves on Goodreads. There is one question that came to mind while watching this video: I’m curious as to why you’re writing the first draft of your novel long hand?
There are a few answers to that question. The first is that I learned to write and went all through school without the aid of a computer. So it’s more natural to me to write longhand. I also take every opportunity I can to cut out screen time. This way I’m not tempted or distracted by apps, internet, etc. Because of this I still use a printed dictionary and thesaurus when I write. So I’m completely disconnected which I find more conducive to my imagination and concentration. Finally, writing the first draft longhand forces me to do a more concentrated, line-by-line second draft while copying from notebook to computer. Sorry it took me a while to respond to you!
Thanks for answering my question Chris! I've had Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on my shelf for ages. You've inspired me to bump it up on my TBR list.
A Lars von Trier adaptation of Lispector's The Passion According to GH would be incredible! Also, I see that someone else recommended Inger Christensen as a Danish author recommendation & I second this. Her book alphabet is based on the Fibonacci sequence. I read it many years ago & it has always stuck with me. Thank you for all of your wonderful content.
First off, fantastic job responding to so many questions. McCarthy is a prose master INDEED! I am holding out for you to tackle Suttree one day. A lot of reviews on BM out there, but Suttree deserves a lot more recognition and respect, IMO. I appreciate you doing this.
Hey Chris - general question. Any future videos on Thomas Wolfe? I think in your video with Cliff you mentioned that once you got around to finishing Look Homeward, Angel you said it was one of your favorites. I’ve never read Wolfe but thinking about giving that one a go. Great channel sir! Keep it up.
I should definitely do a video on Wolfe! And yes, you're right about Look Homeward, Angel. The first time I went at it, I put it aside. Then, the second time, I lapped it up with gusto. Amazing book with that ornate writing you just don't see anymore: "O lost and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again!"
Hey great stuff man. Did you ever think about making a podcast edition (audio only) of your videos so we can listen to you on the go? Would be so great and probably expand your listenership. Just a thought!
Great Q&A! Thanks for answering my question! I look forward to seeing more of these lengthy ones in the future. I put A Swim in a Pond in the Rain on my TBR list. The only other book I’ve read on literary studies is On Writing from Stephen King.
Those time stamps must've taken a while! Thanks for answering my question, I still need to get to G.E.B. and am thinking of trying the Old Testament soon (I read the New Testament last year and feel like I'm almost ready to completely explore The Bible). I think reading The Recognitions made me feel it was about time I read The Bible too! I'll get around to reading some literary criticism texts, I did read The Art of Fiction by David Lodge while in high school and that definitely put me more into reading critically.
Everything about this video took a while--recording, editing, and creating the TOC! But I think it was worth it. There were so many great questions, and the video is so long I had to provide a TOC. As I just replied to another commenter, I am thinking of doing a series of videos dedicated to reading/studying the Bible.
I love these videos. I agree with you about reading these books as adults. I just read Great Expectations for the first time since junior high and it was an incredible experience.. there’s no way it could have impacted me the same way at 13. I’ve felt this way about many of the classics I’ve been reading over the last couple years. Have you read any Kazuo Ishiguro?
Where the Red Fern Grows broke me as a child. It was recommended to me by my aunt, at the same time that I was reading books like Island of the Blue Dolphins and My Side of the Mountain. She (obviously) did not spoil the ending for me, and I don't think I've ever forgiven her for making me read that book (although I love her dearly).
wow! I just found your booktube channel and your videos are great! I just started my booktube channel (im 10 years old) and I have a question for you too! do you ever listen to audiobooks and do you still think is reading? thank you! I hope to grow my channel like yours!
A BookTubr channel at 10 years old-extraordinary! I’ve tried audiobooks, but I am not an auditory learner unfortunately. Almost immediately I start tuning out and my mind wanders. But with the text in front of me, I can stay locked in for hours. I think it’s a form of reading, yes, and I wish I could connect with it because then I could finally read while I drive! All my best to you!
Was checking out your instagram and had opened the photo you posted of The Passion According to GH, reminding myself I ought to read that soon. Seconds later came 1:04:31. spooky Also, amazing q&a, amazing channel, keep it up, you make me even more excited about reading than I already am
Hey Chris, great video! Question for the next Q&A: In your last Q&A video you talked about the Bible and said that you could not think of a book that "better captures and presents the human condition." I really want to have a similar experience with the Bible, but I feel like the barrier of entry is so high--there is so much that I do not understand and so much that confuses me that what you described is something that I stuggle to see for myself. So, are their any books that you have read that you could recommend to help me unlock the (personal, not so much historical) significance of the Bible. I would like to experience the Bible in the same way I experience writers like Flannery O'Connor, Virginia Woolf, Dostoevsky, etc. If you know what I mean, any advise/recommendations would be helpful. Thanks!
That's a GREAT question! And, in fact, given the collective response I've received regarding reading/studying the Bible, I'm thinking of doing a series dedicated to it. For now, I would check out three books for what you're talking about: (1) John Piper's "Reading the Bible Supernaturally"; (2) Chuck Missler's "Bible Codes"; and (3) the Passion Translations of Psalms, Proverbs, and the epistles of Paul. Those would be a good start to start understanding a more personal impact from the Bible and the existential struggle it models, and not so much the historical context and/or exegesis (hermeneutics). Oh, also: C. S. Lewis's "Surprised by Joy."
@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you so much for replying! I will definitely check those recommendations out. And, yes, a series on the Bible (also that tour of your theology self) would fabulous if you have time to do it.
Almost forgot! Harold Bloom’s “In the Shadow of a Great Rock” and Northrop Frye’s two books on the Bible: “The Great Code” and another I can’t remember the title of.
Johannes V. Jensen and Henrik Pontoppidan are two of Denmark’s greatest and most important writers. Both also won the Nobel Prize and should have some translated works. Karen Blixen is on par with the other two and well worth your time.
@@LeafbyLeaf Kongens Fald / The Fall of the King by Jensen is out in paperback here in the US. Everyman’s Library published a nice edition of Pontoppodan’s Lykke Per / Lucky Per which is also available in the US. Both are utterly brilliant in completely different ways.
Ecstatic to hear you mention Pirsig and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (going to make Lila a priority read now). As a current mechanical engineering student, his work touches this pulse between art and engineering/science that I have yet to find really anywhere else. His application of his metaphysics to daily life were a revelation on how (and why I try) to exist between the two apparently separate worlds. It seems Pynchon's and Borges' works may delve in a similar intersection, but I am open to any other suggestions. I started watching your channel a few weeks ago, and love your videos. I am only a couple years into my literary journey, I hope to be half as well read as you are someday. Cheers
Glad this resonated with you! Like you I am always in between these two worlds (I've been in full-time software engineering for 22 years now), and Pirsig helped immensely. I also recommend Edward O. Wilson's Consilience and Alan Lightman's The Accidental Universe). I've just finished re-reading Gravity's Rainbow (written on engineers' quadrille paper while Pynchon was a technical writer for Boeing) and it still blows me away how he found this constant intersection of science and art. I appreciate your kind words about the channel. Nice to talk with you!
Cute pronunciation of Ingmar Bergman :) Swedish phonology and English prosody. I recently encountered the same thing in the audiobook of Mason & Dixon (there's a throwaway mention of three Swedish statesmen) and I felt a bit bad for laughing since the narrator must have been a true professional to have bothered to research Swedish pronunciation for what is completely insignificant bit of the novel, but somehow hearing him pronounce the ti in Oxenstierna and the Gy in Gyllenborg correctly just made the English intonation even funnier.
Oh man, you have GOT to read Ben Marcus. He will twist your brain up in all sorts of beautiful and frightening ways. Flame Alphabet is a pretty straightforward book (as far as he's concerned) but something like Age of Wire and String is one of the most fascinating explorations of language I've ever experienced. Also, glad to see someone shout The Instructions by Adam Levin. It's one of my all time favorites and very few people know it.
Wow, thanks for answer my question!! You surprised there with Machado di Assis. Isn't "The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas" a really great work????? I love that book.
@@LeafbyLeaf Nice!!, in your video you name "Look Homeward, Angel", of Thomas Wolfe..., could I ask you a question??? I'm reading "The web and rock" right now, and, i don't know.... have you read it??? do you remember something good of it or not??? (every answer is helpfull)
Random recommendation: Beckett's Trilogy (Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnameable). Most people know him for his theatre, but many (including myself) think these books are his real masterpiece. Some of the most beautiful passages ever written are to be found there, particularly in Malone Dies. And "Pond" by Claire Louise-Bennett. An quirky, creative and brilliant book, one of the only contemporary books I've read that I knew when reading that I was face-to-face with true, deep originality. Thinking of a contemporary book that could become a classic, this immediately came to mind. Though I don't want to suggest certainty on that point
I rediscovered books late, in my early 30's. They changed me, I no longer play video games, I'm just inflicted with this curiosity/hunger that books give me. I love fantasy, but also read Olga Tokarczuks. Books just changed everything for me, so much so that I've decided to go back to university, to change career's, due to this.
Best Danish writer: Inger Christensen (if you only pick one, let it be her). A universal phenomenon in literature, one of the only danish writers of true international and timeless scale.
Have you read Arthur Symons's Spiritual Adventures, because, unless you count them as novellas, I was hoping Esther Kahn and Seaward Lackland would be amongst your favourite short stories, please? Thank you.
I don't know if you know this, but Cartarescu has another book translated into English. It's called Nostalgia and it's in the Penguin Modern Classic edition. You reviewed Blinding and you were so excited about it. In Romania, Nostalgia is considered somehow quintessential Cartarescu. When we study his works, we study one of the stories from Nostalgia and The Levent (Levantul in Romanian). The Levent is also very interesting, but kinda local - Cartarescu, also a poet, pastiches (mimics) the writing style of Romanian poets, creating an Iliad in which the main character is our Poetry and it's history. Because of the pastiche, translating The Levent into English is almost impossible :(
Oh, yes-I’ve got a copy of Nostalgia in a New Directions paperback and I look forward to reading it! Right now I’m actually reading FEM by Magda Cârneci, another Romanian poet writing prose. 🙏
hi nice video as always, danish myself and i don´t know that much danish litterature , but i know a guy who read: We, the Drowned by carsten jensen. it might be worth looking into. good taste in painters btw. i look forward to that McCarthy video. is it Outer dark?
@@LeafbyLeaf i can´t promise it´s good but from what i´ve heard it probably is, havent read outer dark yet so i´m excited what you have to say about :)
45:15 I think you're thinking of Dos Passos there, Chris. His Manhattan Transfer is essentially seared into my brain - really impactful to a then 20 year-old me.
For that question on postmodernism, I'm partial to Linda Hutcheon's definition of it in The Poetics of Postmodernism. But I also agree with you on postmodernism being rhizomatic. If a novel is historiographic and rhizomatic, I'll be hooked.
I‘m sure somebody already wrote it, but the name of the danish writer you were searching for is Tove Ditlevsen. She‘s fantastic. I read her trilogy, and was absolutly amazed. Have‘nt read something so intense for a long time. You should check her books out, If you have‘nt already. Love your channel.
Would you be open to reviewing either Lolita or anything by Joseph Conrad? I love your channel and think your insights on these texts/authors would be fascinating.
So, if you find yourself inclined to answer even MORE questions, I have one… 😜 What literary character do you think would have the most interesting theme music? (Not counting something that’s already been turned into a movie or musicalized in some way) Love the channel btw. It’s inspired me not just to pick up more great literature, but to engage with it on a deeper level. Currently on page 700 of Don Quixote after watching your Western Core video. Keep fighting the good fight!
Fun question! Well, coincidentally, perhaps Don Quixote! He would definitely have to have an overture of varied tones and moods. Thanks for your kind words!
I got Hegel's Ladder to hopefully assist my reading of Phenomenology. Hearing you say it's so difficult reinforces my decision to spend a little more and get an excellent guide.
@@LeafbyLeaf I look forward to when you do! A careful reader, such as you are, will surely find ample food for thought in FW. If I had more time, I'd probably read it again. One of those that would likely be fresh even after several rereads.
I’ve heard it’s one of those bottomless books. And I can easily see why. The multilingual play (passenger [english] = passencore [joyce] = pas encore [french]) really excites me!
(For the next one) Are you going to do a video on Europe Central? Would love to hear you insights and there are very few videos on it on this platform despite it being probably his best known work.
I really like your attitude about getting a Ph.D. in literary studies---you can be content not going that route, but you're still open to the possibility. Recently I've noticed one mostly hears criticism of advanced degree programs / academia, and no doubt much of it is valid. But there are also many reasons why grad school can be a tremendously enriching and enjoyable experience. Regarding your experience applying to a Ph.D. program, I can imagine that would be frustrating--in part because the admissions process seems fairly arbitrary (and there's no question you're more than qualified). I applied to four schools for a Ph.D. in art history, and was only accepted by one--so there's some seeming randomness/luck involved--if I'd applied to different programs I may not have been accepted at all. Grad school was one of the happiest times in my life and I miss it greatly--mostly being around other people w/ similar interests, and also being able to completely immerse myself in a topic. But again, chance/randomness interfered w/ my plan (which was to teach art history), when I became seriously ill (at age 30) and had to discontinue my studies, never being able to return to school or teach. So I can understand how plans can go sideways. I still experience frustration at times, but I certainly do better not going down that road if I can avoid it. I just discovered your channel a couple of days ago, and I've been "binging" through your videos. By far the best book review channel I've come across, not to mention you seem like a really lovely/thoughtful person, so I wanted to say thank you--what you're doing is greatly appreciated.
I am really thankful for your words, Emile. Thank you so much. I replay the moment when they rejected my application a lot. I was sitting at a pierogi restaurant in Wroclaw, Poland. My phone buzzed: new email. Rejection. I called and they described the reasons why, none of which really had any bearing on the endeavor. Arbitrary rules, as you say. But, in the end, I am thankful. Many, many things have opened for me that wouldn't have had I been immersed in my doctorate. Anyway, all my best to you and your goals. And thanks again for such a thoughtful comment.
@@LeafbyLeaf I was watching another of your videos--the Library Tour Teaser--in which you mentioned that you were from NC. That's not surprising--you have that affable, good-natured demeanor that I found was fairly common in NC. That's where I did my graduate work before my health problems began. I was in Chapel Hill for nearly 4 years, and just loved the area and the people. Miss that place. Looks like you have a lovely home, and a "dream library." Thanks again for sharing!
I am originally from Virginia, born to a family of Marylanders, but I moved to NC in 2003. Thanks so much for your kind words about me and the NC character. I like it around here!
If I were to only buy one book right now, which of these would you recommend first? - the mad Patagonian - the manifold destiny of Eddie Vegas - the anatomy of melancholy - 2666 - the recognitions
@@LeafbyLeaf The 400 year anniversary edition by Penguin just arrived a couple days ago. Loving it so far. Thanks for the recommendation. Gave you a shout out on my podcast. Love your channel and your passion. Keep doing what you do. Inspiring!
I follow Louis Jordan's advice in my reading selections, and I would advise others to do the same. "Let the Good Times Roll." Right, life is short. Let's not worry about canons or what we "should" be reading. Let's read where our fancy takes us. The universe of literature is like that of chess, where the proverb is "Chess is a game where a gnat can swim and an elephant can drown." There is no way you can read everything, so read what you will. _Surf_ the world of literature.
I, of course, love the spirit of this advice! I have always thought that the first phase of one's reading should be based solely on immediate/ephemeral pleasure. In other words, as you said, read whatever you want, play around with different books, abandon whatever you don't dig, consume through the books that you fancy most. From this phase (and it should, ideally, last from earliest childhood through perhaps about mid-20s), the act of reading will take one of two paths (or a combination of the two, which I think it best): (1) reading for entertainment, and/or (2) reading for self-enlargement. If one decides that reading is best for cathartic entertainment, by all means that person should keep surfing! If one decides to press into self-enlargement, however, the canons and reading lists and suggestions from professors/critics/etc., is almost necessary the more we move beyond the tradition of the humanities. Of all the books I've read about reading, I think Heather Cass White's recent book, _Books Promiscuously Read_ , comes closest to describing a combination of what you and I are saying. In the end, it all comes down to what one is trying to get out of reading. And neither camp should be seen as better than the other, though, alas, we humans love to divide into opposing camps. Thanks so much for your insight, and happy reading!
Per your request for recommendations of great Danish writers/books: Havoc by Tom Kristensen is really good. You mentioned Tove Ditlevsen, too - Copenhagen Trilogy is also great.
That's so interesting that you found Hegel difficult to read. I studied existential philosophy at Oglethorpe University and the Phenomenological view of Hegel and Heidegger were some of the CLEAREST TEXTS I read in my advanced philosophy courses. It was almost like, during my phenomenology course, the fog dispersed and I was finally able to grasp something tangible. But I suppose this was after 3 full years of grappling with primary texts of philosophy... I would definitely recommend trying Heidegger if you found Hegel difficult.
Indeed, it's true. Yet, I never studies philosophy formally, never had a teacher, etc., so perhaps you had the (rare) privilege of a great teacher. It's amazing what a great teacher can do. In any case, your experience is thrilling, and I will take your advice on Heidegger whom I've only partly read. Cheers!
@@LeafbyLeaf I truly did have an INCREDIBLE professor I studied under named Dr. Sparks. He was on loan from UC Boulder to reform and update the philosophy department and I was lucky enough to study under him for three years of my time there. He was so enamored by philosophy (Western Philosophy -- Existentialism and it's ilk specifically) that he helped grow the major from 8 students to around 40 in a couple years! He is a very passionate, very intellectual, and VERY English man who would decimate your paper, slather it in red ink, and then provide five pages of typed notes on exactly HOW you hadn't even formulated a cogent philosophical perspective, let alone an argument! It was thrilling, and for those of us willing to accept the F-- on our first few papers and take the time to read his notes, and the texts, we became true students of philosophy and capable of thinking about Philosophy in a critical and historical way.
I do have a video on western philosophy out here. It is unexpectedly my most watched video. Would be interesting, though, to survey the way philosophy has shaped literature and vice versa.
You mentioned something about pink noise while reading in crowded places, could you be more specific/give other suggestions for dealing with that? I more than often have to read with all sorts of distracting noises (loud televisions, noisy neighbors, shrieking children, dogs barking, etc.)
This is precisely why I bought 5 acres of woods outside of the city limits and built a house back here! Of course, that's quite an investment and not a viable option in general. I use an app called Relax Melodies for the different noises. White, pink, and brown noise is good for different types of sounds you're trying to eliminate. Outside of that, I don't have any suggestions. I do everything I can NOT to read in public or noisy places. Most of my reading is done at home, either alone or when everyone is asleep.
The only thing that comes close is a graphic biography of Rod Sterling. Other than that I haven't read any graphic books as an adult and therefore have no opinion on the matter.
Don Quixote has this kind of comic-book quality to it. It's kind of similar in a way to Calvin and Hobbes to me - Quixote and Sancho out on these adventures that you never really want to end. Don Quixote is the only book I've read that I didn't ever want to end. Of course, Cervantes ends it incredibly (and with an eye to this feeling) by killing off Quixote with himself. Or at least keeping Quixote to himself for no other writer to ruin the character that he obviously cared so much for.
Speaking of Latin American writers, if you ever find the time, I'd be really interested to see what you thought of Eduardo Galeano if you haven't ever gotten to him. Particularly the Memory of Fire trilogy or the Book of Embraces.
@@LeafbyLeaf aw shucks, thanks man. nice to meet you too. i wish i could resubscribe to you for the first time all over again as a way to say thank you. maybe i'll make a video on Book of Embraces in the upcoming weeks. stay tuned.
I've just been saved from a reading slog that lasted a year (I think) by the Brothers Karamazov and I really want to read something else like it. So, I wanted to ask: what books/authors do you recommend for someone who loves Dostoevsky's work?
Dostoevsky is one of the masters, indeed. It's hard to think of someone exactly in that vein (especially on the level of The Brothers K!). I presume you've read Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and Demons, etc. There's Kafka (everything), Hamsun (Growth of the Soil, Hunger, Mysteries), and Grass (The Tin Drum). Maybe Mann (Death in Venice, Magic Mountain). Sheesh, it's hard to think of what's up there. Melville (Moby-Dick and Mardi). Great question!
@@LeafbyLeaf Thanks a ton! I'll check them out soon. I'm currently reading War and Peace because I found out Dostoevsky liked it and I'm loving that book as well.
@@SK-im7if definitely second The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass and Hamsun's Hunger specifically. Those were some very life-changing texts for me during the period that I first tackled Dostoyevsky. I would also recommend Celine's Journey to The End of The Night. Celine is seldom put in class with Kafka or Grass but this specific text is masterpiece in my opinion. I have reread it many times and continue to enjoy it and engage with the text on a new level each time
re. The Pale King, don't you get a similar feeling with Proust? The final volumes (especially the last one) are clearly unfinished... but still worth reading. DFW's case is different in many ways, but they do have this in common. (ftr I've only read a few pages of The Pale King, but I do want to get to it someday)
I will admit looking at out of focus book spines for books I have has become a bit of a pastime...”oh cool his Pynchon shelf is over his left shoulder” lol
I know this is an old video but you asked about a good danish writer, please try Jens Peter Jacobsen, he write a great short book called Niels Lynne which is incredible, it’s published by Penguin classics now, one of my favorite books.
I've seen you mention the Bible a couple of times now, and I'm not sure if you've answered this question already - are you religious? Or do you enjoy reading the Bible for other reasons?
I'm always late to these! Regardless, i gotta ask: how does one find good literary criticism without access to university/larger libraries? Stuff in the vein of thomas pynchon and the dark passages of history and in recognition of william gaddis.
No problem! I've been fielding plenty of questions here in the comments. This is a great question! For me, several sources are involved: (1) taking note of all the advertisements in my literary periodicals like NYRB, LRB, etc., as they always have stuff coming out of university presses; (2) some studies are part of a series, so note the series of a book you like and seek out the press's web site to find other volumes in the series; (3) sign up for mailing lists from academic publishers like Bloomsbury, Yale, etc.; (4) always read the bibliographies and source notes from academic books, which will lead to other great books; (5) use Google Scholar as a free alternative search engine to the ones provided to students and alumni by most universities; and (6) check Goodreads to see if a book you like is part of a list; sometimes there will be a list called "Best Literary Criticism" or something that is curated by Goodreads librarians. Now, that's in terms of finding good literary criticism. The other part is obtaining the books, which are often rather expensive. This is where using your local library's Interlibrary Loan system comes in handy. Also, of course, check Alibris, Abebooks, Amazon, etc. for used copies. Hope this helps!
Why do I feel that Tom Clancy comment was aimed at me, even though you don't know me or my preferences.... In truth, though, Tom Clancy was my version of Harry Potter when I was growing up in the 80s. Because of him, I enjoy reading books of all kinds now. Genre fiction to literature to poetry.
As you note-definitely was not aimed at anyone in particular. In fact, I almost cut the comment for this very reason. But, like you, Stephen King was a big “gateway drug” of literature for me. Wish I had made that comment too.
Thanks! I think religion is like anything when human agency is introduced--it can be (and in this case has radically been) abused. Nonetheless, it does play a role in my personal life. I was born into a Protestant family and have read the Bible all my life. My father was a lot different than most Christians, however, and always encouraged me to test things out for myself instead of just blindly accepting. In terms of religion, in general, I tend to recoil because of how much abuse there has been; and I especially shy away from religious entities that seem more intent on enforcing rules and making money. I guess I consider myself a free-thinking Christian. To get really technical I would be most closely aligned to pre-millennial dispensationalism. But I'm not a card-carrying member. :-)
I presume by “story” you mean something that isn’t fragmented à pa postmodernism, but an easier to follow story. So: A Naked Singularity; Novel Explosives; In Search of Lost Time; Don Quixote; The Fountainhead; The Sot-Weed Factor; Fathers and Crows; The Golden Notebook. If you want to provide any other criteria, I can give more recommendations.
I do write reviews, essays, etc. on the side, but I earn my living in Information Technology, specifically software development. Perhaps one day, though, I will be a full-time writer.
An idea for your followers who wish to send you their writing--only accept excerpts of a specific length. More people get the satisfaction of your eyes on their work, and greatly minimizes time commitment on your part. Just an idea!
I will watch all four parts or more that make this series up, so if you answer that elsewhere, please ignore this., but since my reply would be Thomas Pynchon to the question to which you answer with Vollman, may I please know what your argument for preferring Vollman to Pynchon. To my mind, when Guyotat was still alive, Pynchon and him were the two authors in the world the most deserving of the Nobel Prize for Literature who had not received it. Please don't ask me to order those since ideally as far as I am concerned the prize would have been given to both of them over two consecutive years as fast as possible, but for one of them it is too late, and for Pynchon it might unfortunately soon be too late too, even though the mere thought of Thomas Pynchon without a Nobel prize, as with Guyotat, is completely obscene.
Yes, technically they weren’t the same day-only when you transpose reality to paper (or, rather, the two different papers of the respective calendars). Still, this always teases my imagination. :-)
My apologies if you have already answered this, but I have a question for your next Q&A! (Which I am quite excited for) What are some of the best biographies/autobiographies you have ever read?
As well as just one more, I would love to get my family members and friends involved in reading, specifically classics, do you have a book to start off with that will maybe get them more interested and motivate them to read more literature? Thank you!!
Whenever someone tells me that they aren't really into reading but they'd like to be; and, furthermore, they want to read the classics -- I start by asking them what interests they have; what TV shows are they drawn to; etc. That way, I can pick something that would appeal to their taste. Sometimes people decide they want to read the classics because they have some goal in mind, usually "being smarter" or "understanding life better." If that's the case -- as opposed to mere entertainment -- then the suggestions would be different. To my mind, there's not a set few classics of literature that would be perfect for any- and everybody who decides to get into reading. Sometimes people aren't ready to read the classics, and they need to start with purely entertaining reading first. I hope this is making sense, and I apologize for not answering the question directly.
I am so glad that when I went to school it was way before all of these gender, pronoun, you name it people are offended arguments. In fact I am not so sure I would be able to deal with it because it is so extreme these days that it is total misery. "If people are determined to be offended... there's nothing you can do about that." And if there is a "dark cloud" over English, I guess there would be a longer one over Latin, Greek, etc for the West
Indeed, language is in constant evolution--and it isn't the poets and professors and readers who determine it. With the instantaneous and interconnected nature of the Internet these days, popular culture is proliferating and propagating the changes in language exponentially. We have to accept that--alas--as it is not something that will stop (as you indicated with the loss of Greek and Latin; except for those peculiar individuals that call themselves Classicists).
Great video. Many things you said resonate with me, I just want to briefly address some points. A good way to make the best of having to read manuscripts is setting up your own indie publishing house, as I have suggested before. Maybe you could bring Darconville's Cat back to print too. Congratulations on your novel. If you ever find a way to finance a translation (knowing your taste I am guessing it will be a long book), you can count on me for the Spanish version. I relate to what you said about history, I simply cannot memorize dates and names of countries that do not exist anymore and kings and so on. What worked for me was Spengler’s The Decline of the West. It really helps one understand the essence of each civilization and the way everything is a cycle. Ultimately, this notion of history feels more useful and important. You went off on a tangent about the greatest living writer outside the US, who do you think he/she is?
Thanks! 1. Oh, boy-publishing sounds cool but I definitely don’t have the time for it. I have an appreciation for anyone who takes it on, you included. 2. Thanks for the offer to translate! 3. What really illuminated cycles in history for me was Vico’s New Science. I still need to read Spengler’s book. Did you read an abridged version of the whole deal? 4. I still haven’t decided. :-) All my best to you, as always!
@@LeafbyLeaf 3. In fact, I am still reading it. It is a massive work (not that you have any problems with large books), but I really think the whole two volumes are worth reading; for one, it is exquisitely written, as it dates from a time when German philosophers still had beautiful proses. It has taken me a long time because I have to stop every now and then to assimilate the amount of information and ideas exploding from the pages. I have never read anyone as erudite as Spengler. 4. You know it's Cărtărescu.
do you listen to music when you read? I usually put on some Godspeed You! Black Emperor or William Basinski; I think I’ve convinced myself hearing music makes my brain juices flow
@@LeafbyLeaf Thank You for answering my question, i am reading Notes From the Underground and i love it. The book just very much like a philosophy book. God bless you ❤
American Heritage Dictionary, but also Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage. Check out the end of this video for more: m.th-cam.com/video/CXFycsw4wJA/w-d-xo.html
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I love your commitment to engaging with your audience, it is something I’ve never seen before. It’s so incredible to see someone with such a love for literature want to share their love for it with other people, I myself have learned a great great deal from your channel. Thank you, you are an incredible person.
It is my pleasure, Sebastian. Thank you very much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me.
I agree with this entirely. The Savage Detectives was the first novel for which I kept a separate notebook and sticky notes. Bolaño uses such a large cast of characters in his novels that I needed to use this technique originally because of the similarity in names. Later it evolved into one of the most engaging methods to interact with a novel I have ever experienced. I ABSOLUTELY encourage everyone to do this with large texts OR latin texts! Love your content, Leaf by Leaf 🌿
Latin meaning Latin American, haha! Hey, come visit Acapella books in Atlanta!! Thom
@Thom - the name of that bookstore rang a resounding bell. Thinking back, I remembered that I actually visited that very shop back in c. 2013! I even have a picture I took of it at the time. Are you the owner? It’s only a 5-hour drive and I’ve a friend there I’m due to visit…
@@LeafbyLeaf no, no I'm not. I wish!! I'm just an acid browser and customer. There's another interesting bookstore in Atlanta near Oglethorpe (where I went to university) called Atlanta Vintage Books. I worked there through college and it was a really cool environment. It was also fascinating pouring over people's library estates we would buy. One of my main jobs there was pricing books and it was always so thrilling cracking the binding on a beautiful old text, seeing the beautiful marbled pages, and seeing publishing dates from the 1800s! Regardless of the ultimate value, I will always have a deep appreciation for the craft and artistry that was used to create these big, beautiful old texts. That was a great job for a college student and that store is owned by two excellent people, Bob and Jan. If you come to Atlanta please let me know so we could meet up! I would love to show you some other book shops plus any more hidden gems of this city!
This is incredible! Almost two hours of Leaf by Leaf? Hell yes!! I can’t wait to watch :)
👊🤟🙏😜
Thank you for being such an amazing human being! Love your style, way of talking, elegance and profound sense of humor. Your channel - amazing stuff!!!
That is extremely kind of you to say. Thank you so much. It is a pleasure to share my passion here on the channel.
Wow, amazing. Thanks for answering my question Chris :), really awesome video
You’re welcome, my friend! Thanks!
Lol I appreciate how you keep a straight face while delivering that line about tackling Virginia Woolf
You’re the first to comment in that. Thanks! My attempts at humor aren’t my strong suit.
Hahahaha
Thank you for taking the time to give such a thoughtful and humble answer to my (obnoxiously difficult) question concerning "big books" and authors' identities. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said something like "I wish I didn't have to care about an author's identity, but I have to care." I also wish I could separate the art from the artist, but it's a really difficult issue given the history (and present-bias!) of publishing. That being said, that's really sad to hear about that author who was told to wait a few years to publish because of his identity... Great video though man!
I really appreciate you promoting me into admittedly uncomfortable territory. It is, in fact, something I think about a lot. And it is becoming increasingly the central focus of the Humanities. So it’s important to address it, to grapple with it, to let it challenge our thinking. I’m glad you found my input useful. It could definitely be expanded into a separate video of its own!
Man..., if there is a big award for books related youtubers i will give u for sure.., ur videos are always simple, cool, u seem to be a patient guy for taking ur time to answer all those questions..
Very kind of you to say! 👊🙏
Hour and 43 minutes! Held my interest throughout.
You are surely the only lunatic who watched the whole thing! As always, thanks, Rick!
I've been slowly watching your channel more and more. Haven't nearly watched all your videos, just subscribed today, but I swear to god you've had a different haircut in each video I've watched
XD!!!
Yes! Reading about the absurdity of life is so enjoyable.
Took me 5 days, enjoyed every second of it. Noted down some recommendations (as always). Thank You for the video. I would recommend to do it more often (seeing from the response, readers clearly love it).
I personally also feel that a book should be read and appreciated for its own merit, ‘Art for art’s sake’, eh?
Thanks so much, Lalit! It was a lot of fun doing this. And it gives me more of a connection with everyone.
I consider myself, in the end, an aesthete, so I your sentiment.
@@LeafbyLeaf Please try to continue your Bookshelf series too, whenever you get the time. We would appreciate it a lot.
I definitely will. Trying to spread them out a bit. :-)
I love how you ended this video. Now that is something that will "stick" in my mind. Thank you.
Thank you so much! It was an answer I felt really proud of, and I appreciate your affirmation. It rings so true with me.
This was fantastic Chris. Your dedication shines through and is inspiring; these videos are so well produced and your dedication to answering as much as you can, as best as you can is heart-warming. Your answer to the question about big books and wasps felt great to hear, I feel this unease as well and going into literature seriously now (switching from physics to lit and phil), I have to work through this unease and guilt to be able to navigate these important subjects in 2021. Also, it’s a great feeling that knowing I’ve got your videos to enjoy after working through behemoths of literature. Thank you for what you do and for your dedication :)
I am humbled and honored by your words, Thierry. That really means a lot to me. Switching from physics to literature and philosophy will be a blast. I got a BA in computer science and an MA in literature. If there’s anything in particular you’d be interested in me talking about, just let me know. All my best to you!
@@LeafbyLeaf That’s very nice of you. It’s already fun seeing the books you read and add to your shelves on Goodreads. There is one question that came to mind while watching this video: I’m curious as to why you’re writing the first draft of your novel long hand?
There are a few answers to that question. The first is that I learned to write and went all through school without the aid of a computer. So it’s more natural to me to write longhand. I also take every opportunity I can to cut out screen time. This way I’m not tempted or distracted by apps, internet, etc. Because of this I still use a printed dictionary and thesaurus when I write. So I’m completely disconnected which I find more conducive to my imagination and concentration. Finally, writing the first draft longhand forces me to do a more concentrated, line-by-line second draft while copying from notebook to computer. Sorry it took me a while to respond to you!
@@LeafbyLeaf No worries and I can clearly see how being disconnected helps with focusing on the task at hand. Thank you!
Any time!
Thanks for answering my question Chris! I've had Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on my shelf for ages. You've inspired me to bump it up on my TBR list.
Any time, Wendy! Thanks for posing such a great question.
A Lars von Trier adaptation of Lispector's The Passion According to GH would be incredible! Also, I see that someone else recommended Inger Christensen as a Danish author recommendation & I second this. Her book alphabet is based on the Fibonacci sequence. I read it many years ago & it has always stuck with me. Thank you for all of your wonderful content.
Someone else recently recommended Alphabet, too-buying it now!
Woot woot Calvin and Hobbes! Legendary series of books. Beautiful, insightful, philosophical, really funny, and just so damn well done.
Yes, yes, yes! Have you heard/read Bill Watterson’s commencement speech at Kenyon College?
First off, fantastic job responding to so many questions. McCarthy is a prose master INDEED! I am holding out for you to tackle Suttree one day. A lot of reviews on BM out there, but Suttree deserves a lot more recognition and respect, IMO. I appreciate you doing this.
I’ll definitely be doing a video on Suttree. My video on Outer Dark is done and will be posted in a few weeks. All my best to you!
Thanks for answering my question on postmodernism! Will definitely have to check out those sources you mentioned.
👊🙏
Great eye for great painting! Redon is magnificent!
Thanks! I was completely taken by Redon when I first laid eyes on his lithographs. Then, with his pastels, I was an instant devotee.
Great video, and thanks for answering my question.
Any time! Thanks for asking it!
Hey Chris - general question. Any future videos on Thomas Wolfe? I think in your video with Cliff you mentioned that once you got around to finishing Look Homeward, Angel you said it was one of your favorites. I’ve never read Wolfe but thinking about giving that one a go. Great channel sir! Keep it up.
I should definitely do a video on Wolfe! And yes, you're right about Look Homeward, Angel. The first time I went at it, I put it aside. Then, the second time, I lapped it up with gusto. Amazing book with that ornate writing you just don't see anymore: "O lost and by the wind grieved, ghost, come back again!"
Hey great stuff man. Did you ever think about making a podcast edition (audio only) of your videos so we can listen to you on the go? Would be so great and probably expand your listenership. Just a thought!
Thanks! That was a question I forgot to answer. I get asked that a lot. I haven’t acted on it yet, but maybe soon!
Great Q&A! Thanks for answering my question! I look forward to seeing more of these lengthy ones in the future. I put A Swim in a Pond in the Rain on my TBR list. The only other book I’ve read on literary studies is On Writing from Stephen King.
Thanks for sending in a great question! You'll love the Saunders book.
I appreciate your support. All my best you!
Those time stamps must've taken a while! Thanks for answering my question, I still need to get to G.E.B. and am thinking of trying the Old Testament soon (I read the New Testament last year and feel like I'm almost ready to completely explore The Bible). I think reading The Recognitions made me feel it was about time I read The Bible too! I'll get around to reading some literary criticism texts, I did read The Art of Fiction by David Lodge while in high school and that definitely put me more into reading critically.
Everything about this video took a while--recording, editing, and creating the TOC! But I think it was worth it. There were so many great questions, and the video is so long I had to provide a TOC. As I just replied to another commenter, I am thinking of doing a series of videos dedicated to reading/studying the Bible.
@@LeafbyLeaf I would be interested in a video like that as well.
I’ve started brainstorming on this!
I love these videos. I agree with you about reading these books as adults. I just read Great Expectations for the first time since junior high and it was an incredible experience.. there’s no way it could have impacted me the same way at 13. I’ve felt this way about many of the classics I’ve been reading over the last couple years. Have you read any Kazuo Ishiguro?
Thank you! The great classics are such a treat to return to throughout life. I'm ashamed to say that I have not read any Ishiguro. YET.
Where the Red Fern Grows broke me as a child. It was recommended to me by my aunt, at the same time that I was reading books like Island of the Blue Dolphins and My Side of the Mountain. She (obviously) did not spoil the ending for me, and I don't think I've ever forgiven her for making me read that book (although I love her dearly).
It’s heavy stuff. I hope you can reconcile with your aunt some day.
Thank you for answering my question!
Thanks for sending it to me! 👊🙏
wow! I just found your booktube channel and your videos are great! I just started my booktube channel (im 10 years old) and I have a question for you too! do you ever listen to audiobooks and do you still think is reading? thank you! I hope to grow my channel like yours!
A BookTubr channel at 10 years old-extraordinary! I’ve tried audiobooks, but I am not an auditory learner unfortunately. Almost immediately I start tuning out and my mind wanders. But with the text in front of me, I can stay locked in for hours. I think it’s a form of reading, yes, and I wish I could connect with it because then I could finally read while I drive! All my best to you!
Was checking out your instagram and had opened the photo you posted of The Passion According to GH, reminding myself I ought to read that soon. Seconds later came 1:04:31. spooky
Also, amazing q&a, amazing channel, keep it up, you make me even more excited about reading than I already am
Definitely spooky!
Here's the video on that Lispector book, if you're interested: th-cam.com/video/bEQG8txI_EM/w-d-xo.html
@@LeafbyLeaf thank you man
👊🙏
Hey Chris, great video! Question for the next Q&A:
In your last Q&A video you talked about the Bible and said that you could not think of a book that "better captures and presents the human condition." I really want to have a similar experience with the Bible, but I feel like the barrier of entry is so high--there is so much that I do not understand and so much that confuses me that what you described is something that I stuggle to see for myself. So, are their any books that you have read that you could recommend to help me unlock the (personal, not so much historical) significance of the Bible. I would like to experience the Bible in the same way I experience writers like Flannery O'Connor, Virginia Woolf, Dostoevsky, etc. If you know what I mean, any advise/recommendations would be helpful. Thanks!
That's a GREAT question! And, in fact, given the collective response I've received regarding reading/studying the Bible, I'm thinking of doing a series dedicated to it. For now, I would check out three books for what you're talking about: (1) John Piper's "Reading the Bible Supernaturally"; (2) Chuck Missler's "Bible Codes"; and (3) the Passion Translations of Psalms, Proverbs, and the epistles of Paul. Those would be a good start to start understanding a more personal impact from the Bible and the existential struggle it models, and not so much the historical context and/or exegesis (hermeneutics). Oh, also: C. S. Lewis's "Surprised by Joy."
@@LeafbyLeaf Thank you so much for replying! I will definitely check those recommendations out. And, yes, a series on the Bible (also that tour of your theology self) would fabulous if you have time to do it.
Almost forgot! Harold Bloom’s “In the Shadow of a Great Rock” and Northrop Frye’s two books on the Bible: “The Great Code” and another I can’t remember the title of.
Johannes V. Jensen and Henrik Pontoppidan are two of Denmark’s greatest and most important writers. Both also won the Nobel Prize and should have some translated works. Karen Blixen is on par with the other two and well worth your time.
Thank you so much!
Yeah, i was going to suggest asking Tobias...
Great idea!
@@LeafbyLeaf Kongens Fald / The Fall of the King by Jensen is out in paperback here in the US. Everyman’s Library published a nice edition of Pontoppodan’s Lykke Per / Lucky Per which is also available in the US. Both are utterly brilliant in completely different ways.
Thanks! 🙏
Your words are a breath of fresh air!
So kind of you to say! 🙏
Ecstatic to hear you mention Pirsig and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (going to make Lila a priority read now). As a current mechanical engineering student, his work touches this pulse between art and engineering/science that I have yet to find really anywhere else. His application of his metaphysics to daily life were a revelation on how (and why I try) to exist between the two apparently separate worlds. It seems Pynchon's and Borges' works may delve in a similar intersection, but I am open to any other suggestions. I started watching your channel a few weeks ago, and love your videos. I am only a couple years into my literary journey, I hope to be half as well read as you are someday. Cheers
Glad this resonated with you! Like you I am always in between these two worlds (I've been in full-time software engineering for 22 years now), and Pirsig helped immensely. I also recommend Edward O. Wilson's Consilience and Alan Lightman's The Accidental Universe). I've just finished re-reading Gravity's Rainbow (written on engineers' quadrille paper while Pynchon was a technical writer for Boeing) and it still blows me away how he found this constant intersection of science and art. I appreciate your kind words about the channel. Nice to talk with you!
@@LeafbyLeaf Fantastic suggestions, exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
Cute pronunciation of Ingmar Bergman :) Swedish phonology and English prosody. I recently encountered the same thing in the audiobook of Mason & Dixon (there's a throwaway mention of three Swedish statesmen) and I felt a bit bad for laughing since the narrator must have been a true professional to have bothered to research Swedish pronunciation for what is completely insignificant bit of the novel, but somehow hearing him pronounce the ti in Oxenstierna and the Gy in Gyllenborg correctly just made the English intonation even funnier.
Oh man, you have GOT to read Ben Marcus. He will twist your brain up in all sorts of beautiful and frightening ways. Flame Alphabet is a pretty straightforward book (as far as he's concerned) but something like Age of Wire and String is one of the most fascinating explorations of language I've ever experienced.
Also, glad to see someone shout The Instructions by Adam Levin. It's one of my all time favorites and very few people know it.
I know, I know! I can’t believe I haven’t read him yet. Another TH-camr, paperbird, was a student of Marcus’s and has told me intriguing things too.
Wow, thanks for answer my question!! You surprised there with Machado di Assis. Isn't "The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas" a really great work????? I love that book.
Thanks for asking it! That book was amazing indeed. I was able to get a written review of the latest translation published in Rain Taxi.
@@LeafbyLeaf Nice!!, in your video you name "Look Homeward, Angel", of Thomas Wolfe..., could I ask you a question??? I'm reading "The web and rock" right now, and, i don't know.... have you read it??? do you remember something good of it or not??? (every answer is helpfull)
Sorry, but I haven’t read that one.
I still love Calvin and Hobbes. There’s so much there.
Same here! I still have all my original books and flip through them from time to time.
Random recommendation:
Beckett's Trilogy (Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnameable). Most people know him for his theatre, but many (including myself) think these books are his real masterpiece. Some of the most beautiful passages ever written are to be found there, particularly in Malone Dies.
And "Pond" by Claire Louise-Bennett. An quirky, creative and brilliant book, one of the only contemporary books I've read that I knew when reading that I was face-to-face with true, deep originality. Thinking of a contemporary book that could become a classic, this immediately came to mind. Though I don't want to suggest certainty on that point
Note that Beckett glares down at us all from over my "right" shoulder. :-)
I think it's time he be given his due on the channel.
Yes, the Bible and Nietzsche go together so well.
I rediscovered books late, in my early 30's. They changed me, I no longer play video games, I'm just inflicted with this curiosity/hunger that books give me. I love fantasy, but also read Olga Tokarczuks. Books just changed everything for me, so much so that I've decided to go back to university, to change career's, due to this.
Best Danish writer: Inger Christensen (if you only pick one, let it be her). A universal phenomenon in literature, one of the only danish writers of true international and timeless scale.
Thanks so much! Checking out her work now...
Have you read Arthur Symons's Spiritual Adventures, because, unless you count them as novellas, I was hoping Esther Kahn and Seaward Lackland would be amongst your favourite short stories, please? Thank you.
No, I have not read and of these, so thanks so much for bringing them to my attention!
I don't know if you know this, but Cartarescu has another book translated into English. It's called Nostalgia and it's in the Penguin Modern Classic edition. You reviewed Blinding and you were so excited about it. In Romania, Nostalgia is considered somehow quintessential Cartarescu. When we study his works, we study one of the stories from Nostalgia and The Levent (Levantul in Romanian). The Levent is also very interesting, but kinda local - Cartarescu, also a poet, pastiches (mimics) the writing style of Romanian poets, creating an Iliad in which the main character is our Poetry and it's history. Because of the pastiche, translating The Levent into English is almost impossible :(
Oh, yes-I’ve got a copy of Nostalgia in a New Directions paperback and I look forward to reading it! Right now I’m actually reading FEM by Magda Cârneci, another Romanian poet writing prose. 🙏
You're really eloquent, I like it.
Thanks so much! 😁🙏
hi nice video as always, danish myself and i don´t know that much danish litterature , but i know a guy who read: We, the Drowned by carsten jensen. it might be worth looking into. good taste in painters btw. i look forward to that McCarthy video. is it Outer dark?
Thanks so much for the recommendation! And-yes, it’s Outer Dark. It’ll be up in some weeks.
@@LeafbyLeaf i can´t promise it´s good but from what i´ve heard it probably is, havent read outer dark yet so i´m excited what you have to say about :)
👊🙏
I sincerely appreciate Your help 😘😘
My pleasure! 🙏
45:15 I think you're thinking of Dos Passos there, Chris. His Manhattan Transfer is essentially seared into my brain - really impactful to a then 20 year-old me.
Bingo-that’s it!
For that question on postmodernism, I'm partial to Linda Hutcheon's definition of it in The Poetics of Postmodernism. But I also agree with you on postmodernism being rhizomatic. If a novel is historiographic and rhizomatic, I'll be hooked.
Thanks for putting that work on my radar! I’ll seek it out at once. And: I totally agree with you!
Fav film about writing: Listen Up Philip
Thanks for this recommendation!
I can get behind that philosophy survey series
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I‘m sure somebody already wrote it, but the name of the danish writer you were searching for is Tove Ditlevsen. She‘s fantastic. I read her trilogy, and was absolutly amazed. Have‘nt read something so intense for a long time. You should check her books out, If you have‘nt already. Love your channel.
Thanks so much! I'll definitely be reading Ditlevsen soon. Just bought the trilogy. Happy reading!
Would you be open to reviewing either Lolita or anything by Joseph Conrad? I love your channel and think your insights on these texts/authors would be fascinating.
Definitely! I love both of those authors. And it’s been a while since I’ve read either of them.
So, if you find yourself inclined to answer even MORE questions, I have one… 😜
What literary character do you think would have the most interesting theme music? (Not counting something that’s already been turned into a movie or musicalized in some way)
Love the channel btw. It’s inspired me not just to pick up more great literature, but to engage with it on a deeper level. Currently on page 700 of Don Quixote after watching your Western Core video. Keep fighting the good fight!
Fun question! Well, coincidentally, perhaps Don Quixote! He would definitely have to have an overture of varied tones and moods.
Thanks for your kind words!
I got Hegel's Ladder to hopefully assist my reading of Phenomenology. Hearing you say it's so difficult reinforces my decision to spend a little more and get an excellent guide.
It’s worth it. Nothing else I can think of, save for Critique of Pure Reason, comes close to the dedication and labor it took me with Hegel.
@@LeafbyLeaf That's how I felt with Finnegans Wake. Took me so much mental effort to get through it, but it was worth the time spent!
I still haven’t properly immersed myself in the Wake. Yet.
@@LeafbyLeaf I look forward to when you do! A careful reader, such as you are, will surely find ample food for thought in FW. If I had more time, I'd probably read it again. One of those that would likely be fresh even after several rereads.
I’ve heard it’s one of those bottomless books. And I can easily see why. The multilingual play (passenger [english] = passencore [joyce] = pas encore [french]) really excites me!
(For the next one) Are you going to do a video on Europe Central? Would love to hear you insights and there are very few videos on it on this platform despite it being probably his best known work.
Oh, yes! I plan to eventually cover all of WTV's work on the channel. But I will expedite EC.
@@LeafbyLeaf You're a scholar and a gentleman, I'll look forward to it!
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1:05:35 Hey, I've seen "Ducks, Newburyport" by Lucy Ellmann on your shelf. Have you read it yet? (and if so, what did you think?) Thank you!
Loved it! Reviewed it for _Rain Taxi_. The review is only in print, but if you are interested I'll email it to you.
@@LeafbyLeaf I would love to read it! Will email you
I really like your attitude about getting a Ph.D. in literary studies---you can be content not going that route, but you're still open to the possibility. Recently I've noticed one mostly hears criticism of advanced degree programs / academia, and no doubt much of it is valid. But there are also many reasons why grad school can be a tremendously enriching and enjoyable experience.
Regarding your experience applying to a Ph.D. program, I can imagine that would be frustrating--in part because the admissions process seems fairly arbitrary (and there's no question you're more than qualified). I applied to four schools for a Ph.D. in art history, and was only accepted by one--so there's some seeming randomness/luck involved--if I'd applied to different programs I may not have been accepted at all. Grad school was one of the happiest times in my life and I miss it greatly--mostly being around other people w/ similar interests, and also being able to completely immerse myself in a topic. But again, chance/randomness interfered w/ my plan (which was to teach art history), when I became seriously ill (at age 30) and had to discontinue my studies, never being able to return to school or teach. So I can understand how plans can go sideways. I still experience frustration at times, but I certainly do better not going down that road if I can avoid it.
I just discovered your channel a couple of days ago, and I've been "binging" through your videos. By far the best book review channel I've come across, not to mention you seem like a really lovely/thoughtful person, so I wanted to say thank you--what you're doing is greatly appreciated.
I am really thankful for your words, Emile. Thank you so much. I replay the moment when they rejected my application a lot. I was sitting at a pierogi restaurant in Wroclaw, Poland. My phone buzzed: new email. Rejection. I called and they described the reasons why, none of which really had any bearing on the endeavor. Arbitrary rules, as you say. But, in the end, I am thankful. Many, many things have opened for me that wouldn't have had I been immersed in my doctorate. Anyway, all my best to you and your goals. And thanks again for such a thoughtful comment.
@@LeafbyLeaf I was watching another of your videos--the Library Tour Teaser--in which you mentioned that you were from NC. That's not surprising--you have that affable, good-natured demeanor that I found was fairly common in NC. That's where I did my graduate work before my health problems began. I was in Chapel Hill for nearly 4 years, and just loved the area and the people. Miss that place. Looks like you have a lovely home, and a "dream library." Thanks again for sharing!
I am originally from Virginia, born to a family of Marylanders, but I moved to NC in 2003. Thanks so much for your kind words about me and the NC character. I like it around here!
If I were to only buy one book right now, which of these would you recommend first?
- the mad Patagonian
- the manifold destiny of Eddie Vegas
- the anatomy of melancholy
- 2666
- the recognitions
The Anatomy of Melancholy.
@@LeafbyLeaf that’s the one I was most eager to check out, awesome! Appreciate the quick reply.
Enjoy!
@@LeafbyLeaf The 400 year anniversary edition by Penguin just arrived a couple days ago. Loving it so far. Thanks for the recommendation. Gave you a shout out on my podcast. Love your channel and your passion. Keep doing what you do. Inspiring!
Thanks! What is your podcast?
I follow Louis Jordan's advice in my reading selections, and I would advise others to do the same. "Let the Good Times Roll." Right, life is short. Let's not worry about canons or what we "should" be reading. Let's read where our fancy takes us.
The universe of literature is like that of chess, where the proverb is "Chess is a game where a gnat can swim and an elephant can drown." There is no way you can read everything, so read what you will. _Surf_ the world of literature.
I, of course, love the spirit of this advice! I have always thought that the first phase of one's reading should be based solely on immediate/ephemeral pleasure. In other words, as you said, read whatever you want, play around with different books, abandon whatever you don't dig, consume through the books that you fancy most. From this phase (and it should, ideally, last from earliest childhood through perhaps about mid-20s), the act of reading will take one of two paths (or a combination of the two, which I think it best): (1) reading for entertainment, and/or (2) reading for self-enlargement. If one decides that reading is best for cathartic entertainment, by all means that person should keep surfing! If one decides to press into self-enlargement, however, the canons and reading lists and suggestions from professors/critics/etc., is almost necessary the more we move beyond the tradition of the humanities. Of all the books I've read about reading, I think Heather Cass White's recent book, _Books Promiscuously Read_ , comes closest to describing a combination of what you and I are saying. In the end, it all comes down to what one is trying to get out of reading. And neither camp should be seen as better than the other, though, alas, we humans love to divide into opposing camps. Thanks so much for your insight, and happy reading!
I’ve been meaning to read Little, Big for ages, would you consider making a video about it?
Most definitely. I have a list of books to reread and video for the channel. That’s on there.
Per your request for recommendations of great Danish writers/books: Havoc by Tom Kristensen is really good. You mentioned Tove Ditlevsen, too - Copenhagen Trilogy is also great.
That's so interesting that you found Hegel difficult to read. I studied existential philosophy at Oglethorpe University and the Phenomenological view of Hegel and Heidegger were some of the CLEAREST TEXTS I read in my advanced philosophy courses. It was almost like, during my phenomenology course, the fog dispersed and I was finally able to grasp something tangible. But I suppose this was after 3 full years of grappling with primary texts of philosophy... I would definitely recommend trying Heidegger if you found Hegel difficult.
Indeed, it's true. Yet, I never studies philosophy formally, never had a teacher, etc., so perhaps you had the (rare) privilege of a great teacher. It's amazing what a great teacher can do. In any case, your experience is thrilling, and I will take your advice on Heidegger whom I've only partly read. Cheers!
@@LeafbyLeaf I truly did have an INCREDIBLE professor I studied under named Dr. Sparks. He was on loan from UC Boulder to reform and update the philosophy department and I was lucky enough to study under him for three years of my time there. He was so enamored by philosophy (Western Philosophy -- Existentialism and it's ilk specifically) that he helped grow the major from 8 students to around 40 in a couple years! He is a very passionate, very intellectual, and VERY English man who would decimate your paper, slather it in red ink, and then provide five pages of typed notes on exactly HOW you hadn't even formulated a cogent philosophical perspective, let alone an argument! It was thrilling, and for those of us willing to accept the F-- on our first few papers and take the time to read his notes, and the texts, we became true students of philosophy and capable of thinking about Philosophy in a critical and historical way.
Husserl is my favorite of the Phenomenologists
There’s nothing like a passionate teacher to make an impact!
@@LeafbyLeaf So true
Thomas North's Plutarch is the translation Shakespeare read. If you can find a copy, I recommend it.
ooooooo, delightful!
Thomas North is one of the newest alternate authorship candidates being peddled. Poor Shakespeare, he can’t catch a break.
Would love to see you do a survey of philosophy and literature.
I do have a video on western philosophy out here. It is unexpectedly my most watched video. Would be interesting, though, to survey the way philosophy has shaped literature and vice versa.
Hi Chris Thank You!
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You mentioned something about pink noise while reading in crowded places, could you be more specific/give other suggestions for dealing with that? I more than often have to read with all sorts of distracting noises (loud televisions, noisy neighbors, shrieking children, dogs barking, etc.)
This is precisely why I bought 5 acres of woods outside of the city limits and built a house back here! Of course, that's quite an investment and not a viable option in general. I use an app called Relax Melodies for the different noises. White, pink, and brown noise is good for different types of sounds you're trying to eliminate. Outside of that, I don't have any suggestions. I do everything I can NOT to read in public or noisy places. Most of my reading is done at home, either alone or when everyone is asleep.
@@LeafbyLeaf Thanks, Chris. To live in the woods far away from everyone is certainly one of my lifetime dreams, too.
I never thought it would happen but here I am.
I know you enjoy Calvin and Hobbes but do you read graphic novels as an adult? If you don’t, what do you make of them?
The only thing that comes close is a graphic biography of Rod Sterling. Other than that I haven't read any graphic books as an adult and therefore have no opinion on the matter.
Don Quixote has this kind of comic-book quality to it. It's kind of similar in a way to Calvin and Hobbes to me - Quixote and Sancho out on these adventures that you never really want to end. Don Quixote is the only book I've read that I didn't ever want to end. Of course, Cervantes ends it incredibly (and with an eye to this feeling) by killing off Quixote with himself. Or at least keeping Quixote to himself for no other writer to ruin the character that he obviously cared so much for.
The hair looks good my dude.
Grazie !
Speaking of Latin American writers, if you ever find the time, I'd be really interested to see what you thought of Eduardo Galeano if you haven't ever gotten to him. Particularly the Memory of Fire trilogy or the Book of Embraces.
Hey--thanks! No, I haven't heard of him. Just subbed to your channel. Nice to "meet" you!
@@LeafbyLeaf aw shucks, thanks man. nice to meet you too. i wish i could resubscribe to you for the first time all over again as a way to say thank you.
maybe i'll make a video on Book of Embraces in the upcoming weeks. stay tuned.
Definitely let me know!
I've just been saved from a reading slog that lasted a year (I think) by the Brothers Karamazov and I really want to read something else like it. So, I wanted to ask: what books/authors do you recommend for someone who loves Dostoevsky's work?
Dostoevsky is one of the masters, indeed. It's hard to think of someone exactly in that vein (especially on the level of The Brothers K!). I presume you've read Crime and Punishment, The Idiot, and Demons, etc. There's Kafka (everything), Hamsun (Growth of the Soil, Hunger, Mysteries), and Grass (The Tin Drum). Maybe Mann (Death in Venice, Magic Mountain). Sheesh, it's hard to think of what's up there. Melville (Moby-Dick and Mardi). Great question!
@@LeafbyLeaf
Thanks a ton! I'll check them out soon. I'm currently reading War and Peace because I found out Dostoevsky liked it and I'm loving that book as well.
You really cannot go wrong with the Russians. Gogol, Turgenev, Pushkin, Chekhov, et al.
@@SK-im7if definitely second The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass and Hamsun's Hunger specifically. Those were some very life-changing texts for me during the period that I first tackled Dostoyevsky. I would also recommend Celine's Journey to The End of The Night. Celine is seldom put in class with Kafka or Grass but this specific text is masterpiece in my opinion. I have reread it many times and continue to enjoy it and engage with the text on a new level each time
@@SK-im7ifThe works of Leo Tolstoy is another PHENOMENAL example of the stark beauty characteristic of Classic Russian literature
re. The Pale King, don't you get a similar feeling with Proust? The final volumes (especially the last one) are clearly unfinished... but still worth reading.
DFW's case is different in many ways, but they do have this in common.
(ftr I've only read a few pages of The Pale King, but I do want to get to it someday)
Your bookshelves 💘
😁😁
I will admit looking at out of focus book spines for books I have has become a bit of a pastime...”oh cool his Pynchon shelf is over his left shoulder” lol
😂😂😂
I know this is an old video but you asked about a good danish writer, please try Jens Peter Jacobsen, he write a great short book called Niels Lynne which is incredible, it’s published by Penguin classics now, one of my favorite books.
Thanks so much! What do you think of Tove Ditlevsen?
I've seen you mention the Bible a couple of times now, and I'm not sure if you've answered this question already - are you religious? Or do you enjoy reading the Bible for other reasons?
I'm always late to these! Regardless, i gotta ask: how does one find good literary criticism without access to university/larger libraries? Stuff in the vein of thomas pynchon and the dark passages of history and in recognition of william gaddis.
No problem! I've been fielding plenty of questions here in the comments.
This is a great question! For me, several sources are involved: (1) taking note of all the advertisements in my literary periodicals like NYRB, LRB, etc., as they always have stuff coming out of university presses; (2) some studies are part of a series, so note the series of a book you like and seek out the press's web site to find other volumes in the series; (3) sign up for mailing lists from academic publishers like Bloomsbury, Yale, etc.; (4) always read the bibliographies and source notes from academic books, which will lead to other great books; (5) use Google Scholar as a free alternative search engine to the ones provided to students and alumni by most universities; and (6) check Goodreads to see if a book you like is part of a list; sometimes there will be a list called "Best Literary Criticism" or something that is curated by Goodreads librarians. Now, that's in terms of finding good literary criticism. The other part is obtaining the books, which are often rather expensive. This is where using your local library's Interlibrary Loan system comes in handy. Also, of course, check Alibris, Abebooks, Amazon, etc. for used copies. Hope this helps!
@@LeafbyLeaf this is an absolutely incredible response. Thanks a ton!
Any time!
“Yet” thank you
Forgive me: what was this in response to exactly?
Of the books you’ve read, what is the shortest novel that you’d still personally consider ‘maximalist’?
Neat question! I'd say maybe The Crying of Lot 49; Bouvard et Pécuchet; or even Absalom, Absalom! (to a degree).
Why do I feel that Tom Clancy comment was aimed at me, even though you don't know me or my preferences.... In truth, though, Tom Clancy was my version of Harry Potter when I was growing up in the 80s. Because of him, I enjoy reading books of all kinds now. Genre fiction to literature to poetry.
As you note-definitely was not aimed at anyone in particular. In fact, I almost cut the comment for this very reason. But, like you, Stephen King was a big “gateway drug” of literature for me. Wish I had made that comment too.
Love your videos! What are your thoughts regarding religion? And does it play a role in your personal life?
Thanks! I think religion is like anything when human agency is introduced--it can be (and in this case has radically been) abused. Nonetheless, it does play a role in my personal life. I was born into a Protestant family and have read the Bible all my life. My father was a lot different than most Christians, however, and always encouraged me to test things out for myself instead of just blindly accepting. In terms of religion, in general, I tend to recoil because of how much abuse there has been; and I especially shy away from religious entities that seem more intent on enforcing rules and making money. I guess I consider myself a free-thinking Christian. To get really technical I would be most closely aligned to pre-millennial dispensationalism. But I'm not a card-carrying member. :-)
Have you read Norman Mailer and if so what do you think of him?
Click on the time stamp in the description where it says something about Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal.
My exams got cancelled. Can you reccomend some long books to spend my time?
Of course! Anything in particular you’re interested in?
@@LeafbyLeaf long books with a story. easy to read
I presume by “story” you mean something that isn’t fragmented à pa postmodernism, but an easier to follow story. So: A Naked Singularity; Novel Explosives; In Search of Lost Time; Don Quixote; The Fountainhead; The Sot-Weed Factor; Fathers and Crows; The Golden Notebook. If you want to provide any other criteria, I can give more recommendations.
@@LeafbyLeaf thank you
@@LeafbyLeaf books that are strange.
What work you do to earn your living dear ? What is application of your knowledge , do you write article or something dear ?
I do write reviews, essays, etc. on the side, but I earn my living in Information Technology, specifically software development. Perhaps one day, though, I will be a full-time writer.
An idea for your followers who wish to send you their writing--only accept excerpts of a specific length. More people get the satisfaction of your eyes on their work, and greatly minimizes time commitment on your part. Just an idea!
That’s a great idea! Thanks so much!
I will watch all four parts or more that make this series up, so if you answer that elsewhere, please ignore this., but since my reply would be Thomas Pynchon to the question to which you answer with Vollman, may I please know what your argument for preferring Vollman to Pynchon.
To my mind, when Guyotat was still alive, Pynchon and him were the two authors in the world the most deserving of the Nobel Prize for Literature who had not received it. Please don't ask me to order those since ideally as far as I am concerned the prize would have been given to both of them over two consecutive years as fast as possible, but for one of them it is too late, and for Pynchon it might unfortunately soon be too late too, even though the mere thought of Thomas Pynchon without a Nobel prize, as with Guyotat, is completely obscene.
Cervantes and Shakespeare didn't die on the same day, they had different calendars.
Yes, technically they weren’t the same day-only when you transpose reality to paper (or, rather, the two different papers of the respective calendars). Still, this always teases my imagination. :-)
My apologies if you have already answered this, but I have a question for your next Q&A! (Which I am quite excited for)
What are some of the best biographies/autobiographies you have ever read?
As well as just one more, I would love to get my family members and friends involved in reading, specifically classics, do you have a book to start off with that will maybe get them more interested and motivate them to read more literature? Thank you!!
Haven't read Boswell's iconic biography of Johnson--but I heartily recommend Virginia Woolf's diaries, Flaubert's letters, and Gombrowicz's diary.
Whenever someone tells me that they aren't really into reading but they'd like to be; and, furthermore, they want to read the classics -- I start by asking them what interests they have; what TV shows are they drawn to; etc. That way, I can pick something that would appeal to their taste. Sometimes people decide they want to read the classics because they have some goal in mind, usually "being smarter" or "understanding life better." If that's the case -- as opposed to mere entertainment -- then the suggestions would be different. To my mind, there's not a set few classics of literature that would be perfect for any- and everybody who decides to get into reading. Sometimes people aren't ready to read the classics, and they need to start with purely entertaining reading first. I hope this is making sense, and I apologize for not answering the question directly.
@@LeafbyLeaf don’t apologize! Thank you for the two well-thought out answers! I will definitely try this! Have a great day.
If you bring their responses back to me I can make some suggestions!
If you are interested in Danish authors, you might like Henrik Pontoppidan’s Lucky Per
Much appreciated!
How about a book club on Hegel?
Talk about a book club that would never end! Seriously though, Hegel does need some presence on this channel.
Danish: Havoc by Kristenson
Thanks, Rick!
@@LeafbyLeaf from Tobias k of instagram.
Fantastic read!
I am so glad that when I went to school it was way before all of these gender, pronoun, you name it people are offended arguments. In fact I am not so sure I would be able to deal with it because it is so extreme these days that it is total misery. "If people are determined to be offended... there's nothing you can do about that." And if there is a "dark cloud" over English, I guess there would be a longer one over Latin, Greek, etc for the West
Indeed, language is in constant evolution--and it isn't the poets and professors and readers who determine it. With the instantaneous and interconnected nature of the Internet these days, popular culture is proliferating and propagating the changes in language exponentially. We have to accept that--alas--as it is not something that will stop (as you indicated with the loss of Greek and Latin; except for those peculiar individuals that call themselves Classicists).
Ten minutes in and already around ten book recommendations. And still 90 minutes left. Oh boy...
😁 Wish I could genuinely say I’m sorry.
Dem theatrical costume changes. The Bard is smiling down on you.
🤣🤣
Great video. Many things you said resonate with me, I just want to briefly address some points.
A good way to make the best of having to read manuscripts is setting up your own indie publishing house, as I have suggested before. Maybe you could bring Darconville's Cat back to print too.
Congratulations on your novel. If you ever find a way to finance a translation (knowing your taste I am guessing it will be a long book), you can count on me for the Spanish version.
I relate to what you said about history, I simply cannot memorize dates and names of countries that do not exist anymore and kings and so on. What worked for me was Spengler’s The Decline of the West. It really helps one understand the essence of each civilization and the way everything is a cycle. Ultimately, this notion of history feels more useful and important.
You went off on a tangent about the greatest living writer outside the US, who do you think he/she is?
Thanks!
1. Oh, boy-publishing sounds cool but I definitely don’t have the time for it. I have an appreciation for anyone who takes it on, you included.
2. Thanks for the offer to translate!
3. What really illuminated cycles in history for me was Vico’s New Science. I still need to read Spengler’s book. Did you read an abridged version of the whole deal?
4. I still haven’t decided. :-)
All my best to you, as always!
@@LeafbyLeaf 3. In fact, I am still reading it. It is a massive work (not that you have any problems with large books), but I really think the whole two volumes are worth reading; for one, it is exquisitely written, as it dates from a time when German philosophers still had beautiful proses. It has taken me a long time because I have to stop every now and then to assimilate the amount of information and ideas exploding from the pages. I have never read anyone as erudite as Spengler.
4. You know it's Cărtărescu.
4. You may be quite correct there. Waiting to read Nostalgia and Solenoide.
do you listen to music when you read? I usually put on some Godspeed You! Black Emperor or William Basinski; I think I’ve convinced myself hearing music makes my brain juices flow
Oop just got to the ambient question
😁
Finally 🥰
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@@LeafbyLeaf Thank You for answering my question, i am reading Notes From the Underground and i love it. The book just very much like a philosophy book. God bless you ❤
No problem! Thanks for your question! I love Dostoyevsky. All my best to you!
What is your favorite dictionary and why?
American Heritage Dictionary, but also Fowler’s Dictionary of Modern English Usage. Check out the end of this video for more: m.th-cam.com/video/CXFycsw4wJA/w-d-xo.html
I had to read Ethan Frome in high school. So depressing. I wanted to slit my wrists. Made House of Mirth seem like a house of mirth, by comparison.
Haha-it’s definitely not a feel-good book. Same with Goethe’s Young Werther.
1:35:07 You're telling one of the top postmodern writers is called B.S. Johnson. Really?