Comments for Blogging The Classics

Comment on Bolaño, Roberto (1999) Amuleto (Amulet) by Ben

Ben — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:26 +0000

You are probably right that there is no code to be deciphered – I think whatever it was died with Bolano. I await with impatience the other novels that will be forthcoming – I’m not sure how many have been found, but there are apparently a few. I wanted to make my review of Amulet longer – but I waited too long to review it, the details had faded somewhat. I think there is a much longer commentary I can make on Bolano, but I am still formulating my thoughts (and am waiting to read Nazi Literature in America, which comes out in the UK in a month and a bit). As the mixture on my blog, eccentric, I know… if the story is good, I’ll read it, listen to it or watch it.

Comment on Bolaño, Roberto (1999) Amuleto (Amulet) by 1streading

1streading — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:29:27 +0000

I’ve just posted my own review of Amulet, having forgotten the character of Auxilio appeared in The Savage Detectives…Ho hum. I enjoyed your review – in fact, I wished it was longer. I agree with you that Bolano’s intertextuality is one of the things that makes him such a fascinating writer – I wonder if his life might be constructed from all the autobiographical characters he places throughout his novels and stories? I’m not sure, however, there is a code to be deciphered – his work never seems to settle into a clear symbolic landscape – but, for me, that adds to its importance.
Had a quick look at your blog – Dickens and Dr. Who – a difficult combination to resist!

Comment on The Penguin Classics Challenge by Ben

Ben — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:50:27 +0000

Ed,

I compiled my own private list of classics and modern classics including books that have gone out of print with Penguin. Locating many of these works is tough, especially without a decent library and with limited financial means (I have both). Your idea is probably better, but I relish a challenge. I would offer you the list but it the master copy was destroyed when my HD died, so all I have is a paper copy of it. If you just fancy the genuine classics, go to somewhere like Project Gutenberg and go to the alphabetical list of authors and go down until there is a name you know and read one from that author.

The Dr Who Reviews are simply because I go on 10 mile walks most days and they play on my MP3 player – I don’t have to concentrate on them too much and they are a lot of daft fun. Hope all this helped.

Comment on The Penguin Classics Challenge by Ed Beach

Ed Beach — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:33:50 +0000

Ben,
I came across your website while googling for reviews of various classic literature. I found your endeavor or challenger quite interesting and a monumental task. I thought I might try something similar but not on the grandiose scale that you have chosen. Perhaps one author and one book at a time starting with A.
I went to the Penquin website to find the list that you speak of and I can’t come across it. I did find one list under Penquin Classics “blackbooks” in Wikipedia but it doesn’t include some of the books you have reviewed. For example, Albee’s The Monkey Wrench Gang”

If possible, would you be able to give me a website that may contain the list that you are working off of.

Good luck with your challenge.
Ed
PS The reviews of Dr. Who are excellent. I suppose this is in addition to your challenged reading.

Comment on Doctor Who #16: Storm Warning (2001) by Oh and speaking of Big Finish Doctor Who reviews… « DaTechguy’s Blog

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:39:52 +0000

[...] Oh and speaking of Big Finish Doctor Who reviews… By datechguy …Ben at Blogging the Classics has been reviewing the Doctor Who Big finish audios apparently in order. His latest review is for #16 Storm Warning. [...]

Comment on Doctor Who #11: The Apocalypse Element – The Dalek Empire Part 2 (2000) by datechguy

datechguy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:01:34 +0000

This is actually one of the big finish stories that I liked the least. both previous Evelyn stories were far superior to it. Unfortunately this was the first Maggie Staples story I heard so it started me off poorly.

Comment on Thomas, Gwyn (1946) The Dark Philosophers by Ben

Ben — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:27:55 +0000

Two Gwyn Thomas works are available through the Library of Wales (search in Amazon.co.uk) – The Dark Philosophers and The Alone to the Alone. The line you mention is, I am almost certain, from one of the stories in The Dark Philosophers. I certainly know it. If I find it I’ll post another response here for you.

Comment on Thomas, Gwyn (1946) The Dark Philosophers by Anne Jennings

Anne Jennings — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:24:40 +0000

I remember reading many of Gwyn Thomas’s short pieces in Punch as a child and teenager, and at least one book, though I don’t remember its title. I would very much like to reacquaint myself with his work – how much is available, and where?

Also, I would love to find a quote I can’t remember but struck me at the time as delightful: it was to the effect that the Romans made straight roads because of a lack of imagination, while the Celts were all quirks and twisty corners. Could anyone help me locate it?

Comment on Bolaño, Roberto (2004) 2666 by Claude

Claude — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:03:54 +0000

It’s interesting how Bolano’s own death speaks to the death and violence inside his book. I found an interesting discussion at Pandalous. It’s here: http://www.pandalous.com/nodes/2666_a_novel

Comment on Shamsie, Kamila (2009) Burnt Shadows by Ubaid

Ubaid — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:40:53 +0000

Please view the new page of Kamila Shamsie on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kamila-Shamsie/91849702726?v=wall&viewas=1017950542