No – I’m not suggesting for a minute that I want you all turning up at my doorstep with placards demanding something or other; instead, I thought I would just drop a little post in with some bits and bobs about what to expect over the next week or two on the Ramblings.
c. ClearStory/BBC
As you might have noticed, I am sunk in the depths of Dostoevsky’s Devils and absolutely loving it. It *will* take me a little time to read, but to keep you occupied there are a couple of reviews scheduled, which will be followed by some Extra Special Posts. As I’ve hinted, Professor Richard Clay has a new documentary due in the next couple of weeks on the subject of memes, and as well as a review of the programme there will be a couple of other Posts of Interest related to Viral which I hope you’ll enjoy – watch this space… ;D
One of my forthcoming reviews is of a NYRB release Lost Time by Józef Czapski; the publisher is releasing this, his book Inhuman Land and a biography, and to tie in with the launch is holding a special event in London on Friday March 15th. Entitled “Józef Czapski: A Beautiful Human Being”, it will take place at the Ognisko restaurant, and features esteemed translator Antonia Lloyd-Jones and Dr. Stanley Bill of Cambridge University. The evening promises to focus on Czapski’s life and particularly Inhuman Land (which I’ll be reading and reviewing at a later date) and should be interesting as well as stimulating. Alas, I shall be unable to sneak away from the wilds of East Anglia (which I’m a bit cross about), but if you’re in the Big Smoke the event is reasonably priced and sounds fascinating, so do try to go along if you can! You can find more information about the event here.
Meantime – back to scandalous revelations, punctuated by outbreaks of mass violence! 😀
Mar 07, 2019 @ 08:34:54
Sounds like March is going to be good, what a shame you can’t get to that event, though. I was gutted to miss Barbara Kingsolver when she came to London as I found out at too short notice even though it’s relatively easy to get there for me.
Mar 07, 2019 @ 16:10:07
Yes, a month full of interest. Annoying that I can’t get away, but March is a fairly hellish month for me at work….
Mar 07, 2019 @ 09:51:21
The Devils is a great book. It has so much going on. As you imply, it is really a long one.
I love the look of the edition that you photographed. The red and white theme is neat.
I look forward to reading your upcoming thoughts on the book.
Mar 07, 2019 @ 16:09:38
It really is a wonderful book so far, and pacing myself like it’s a marathon is really working! It’s a nice edition too, and a translation that works for me. There will eventually be some thoughts on it… 😉
Mar 07, 2019 @ 20:50:36
Hope you love your reading of The Devils, it is a big one. Those NYRB classics are lovely aren’t they.
Mar 08, 2019 @ 06:27:44
Devils is certainly a chunkster but very enjoyable so far. And yes – NYRB books are just lovely!
Mar 07, 2019 @ 21:17:19
The Devils is a real doorstopper but looks great!
Mar 08, 2019 @ 06:28:32
It’s absolutely fab so far – funny, discursive and full of wonderful characters!
Mar 07, 2019 @ 23:53:52
I always said work interferes with the lifestyle. No doubt you’ll hear about the event hopefully. A documentary about memes sounds fascinating.
Mar 08, 2019 @ 06:30:08
Yeah, there are certainly days I could do without work – particularly when I’m in the depths of a Big Book. And Viral is a fascinating documentary – I hope it makes it to your neck of the woods! 😁
Mar 10, 2019 @ 21:58:59
I will look out for it.
Mar 08, 2019 @ 14:04:51
I wish so much that I could attend this NYRB event. I have been looking forward to the Czapski books appearing ever since i read aobut them on the Culture.pl website. How I would love to be able to see Antonia Lloyd-Jones in person and ask her why Maria Dabrowska’s Nights and Days (Noce i dnie) has never been translated into English, since it was published in 1932-34. It has been compared to Buddenbrooks and The Forsyte Saga, and the film version is considered one of Poland’s great movies. So many wonderful books from that part of Europe are still hidden from us. Please post any information about the NYRB Czapski event!
Mar 08, 2019 @ 15:43:02
I’d love to be able to attend it too, but alas, this is a bad time of year for me work-wise! I’ve only just discovered Czapski and I love what I’ve read of him so far. I too would have relished meeting Lloyd-Jones, as her translation of Olga Tokarczuk’s “Drive your plow….” was just marvellous. So many riches to be discovered, thanks to wonderful translators! 😀
Mar 09, 2019 @ 07:01:50
Mar 10, 2019 @ 16:48:21
I can’t make the Friday but any new release from NYRB is a cause for celebration!
The Devils is huge – really looking forward to your review 🙂
Mar 10, 2019 @ 20:16:13
It really is – I love NYRB books, they have such an interesting range. And yes The Devils is humungous – but wonderful so far! Dostoevsky is always so surprisingly funny!