tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post7680992254806338925..comments2024-01-02T15:37:04.858-05:00Comments on Caravana de recuerdos: Authorial Voice(s) in the First Half of 2666 #1Richardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-22184379423896649592014-02-09T14:51:09.635-05:002014-02-09T14:51:09.635-05:00"It requires me to think more carefully than ..."It requires me to think more carefully than I normally do while reading" is an interesting contrast with my experience of Bolaño, not so much because he doesn't make me think but because there are so many things he does with his writing that appeal to me that I just get carried along on the waves of excitement (well, usually). I imagine this is how you relate to Murakami? The conversations with you and the others about <em>2666</em> have been spoiling me, though; it will be a bit of a drag not to have a built-in audience and such great discussion partners ready for most of the other books I'll read this year. Thanks for giving Bolaño another try with this group read!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-20423176274772493222014-02-06T19:42:13.627-05:002014-02-06T19:42:13.627-05:00I don't dislike it by any means. In fact, I...I don't dislike it by any means. In fact, I'm loving the conversations (left in comments, teeny bit by teeny bit ;) and they spur me on in my pursuit to grasp Bolano's work. It's so dense, and by that I mean packed with meaning and layers of it, that it requires me to think more carefully than I normally do while reading. However, I hold the hope that this will change from a minimum of three stars for me to the full five. Boy, I have to come to things the long way around sometimes. I never make a friend straight away, either, only after many encounters.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-49579040038753964782014-02-06T16:15:23.435-05:002014-02-06T16:15:23.435-05:00Thanks, Brian, it's a terrific group and the c...Thanks, Brian, it's a terrific group and the conversations reflect that despite my own paltry contributions to whatever dialogue is taking place. Of course, it helps that the novel is so tremendously rich in ideas and stylistic elements to explore. You'll have no shortage of interesting "exhibits" re: POV and narration should you ever read <em>2666</em> or <em>The Savage Detectives</em>, by the way, but Bolaño's writing almost always makes them feel natural somehow. Anyway, thanks for following along with the posts--am sure the other readalongers appreciate your input as well!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-32097907910023363892014-02-06T16:07:57.124-05:002014-02-06T16:07:57.124-05:00Bellezza, I can relate to the frustration that mus...Bellezza, I can relate to the frustration that must be inherent in reading something that feels like it's being perceived "through a veil." However, I wouldn't be concerned about your lack of Spanish or your limited previous experience with Bolaño being obstacles because some of his biggest fans among our blogger friends only know him in English translation and everybody who's already a fan only became one after giving him a try in the first place (sometimes this happens with the first book, others not, as with any writer). That being said, I'm glad that the conversations the group is having have clarified some things for you (as they have for me) and the comment you make at the end above helps me understand some of your disconnect (if that's the rigfht word) with Bolaño's storytelling style so far. By the way, a really curious thing happened during the earlier <em>2666</em> group read: somebody who wasn't liking the book throughout and who had been giving the individual parts mediocre ratings or worse suddenly turned around and gave the book a five-star rating or something like that because something about the book suddenly clicked for her! I'm not suggesting the same thing will happen for you, of course, but at least there's room for hope. :DRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-40317896088685230782014-02-06T15:51:47.044-05:002014-02-06T15:51:47.044-05:00Rise, agreed, naturally! I suspect that Bolaño oc...Rise, agreed, naturally! I suspect that Bolaño occasionally challenged himself, as if he were an OULIPO member, to write scenes like this involving a challenge of sorts (i.e. a two sentence-limit). Maybe just for fun. It's only a suspicion, of course, I have no proof.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-36883780295186737162014-02-06T15:48:08.684-05:002014-02-06T15:48:08.684-05:00Miguel, not that it matters all that much, but I g...Miguel, not that it matters all that much, but I guess I'm still struggling to understand exactly what you mean by referring to Bolaño not being "very close to his characters." As compared to whom? Eça? Dickens? I think I know what Bellezza means more now in this regard, but in any event I'm glad you both made the similar comments since it's forced me to think more about the "critique" and Bolañ's narration in general. I agree with you about the often playful nature of Bolaño's narrator(s), though, and the point you make in your last sentence.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-48101255088076948372014-02-06T09:51:59.682-05:002014-02-06T09:51:59.682-05:00Great discussions going on about this book. I am v...Great discussions going on about this book. I am very much enjoying them.<br /><br />Though I have not read this one, POVs and narration style have been of particularly interesting to me lately. As the commentary on this book indicates, it is not a simple subject at all.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-47668049607948275772014-02-05T21:15:23.098-05:002014-02-05T21:15:23.098-05:00I'm concerned that my lack of Spanish, and hav...I'm concerned that my lack of Spanish, and having read none of Bolano's work before, inhibit my full appreciation of this work. I want to like it, I do, but I feel like I'm looking at it through a veil. <br /><br />The comments you, Rise, Seraillon, Miguel and Tom have made all help clarify the odd bit for me.<br /><br />Still, I feel Bolano is telling us a story which he has observed from afar, and he's still at he edge as he discloses teeny piece after teeny piece.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-78128368834270743672014-02-05T09:04:44.530-05:002014-02-05T09:04:44.530-05:00What a scene, with lots to unpack. And quite amazi...What a scene, with lots to unpack. And quite amazing that the passage ran for only two sentences. Risehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446964640160585194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-46325914029722542212014-02-05T07:24:47.858-05:002014-02-05T07:24:47.858-05:00I think that means that it's a playful narrato...I think that means that it's a playful narrator, I still don't think he's very close to his characters, but I don't think he has to be, even if I was one of the commentators you were probably thinking about. I think distance and coldness are stylistic decisions like any other.LMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08538873868140070018noreply@blogger.com