Ed’s Comments (group member since Sep 18, 2008)

Ed’s comments from the Clock-Watchers group.

Right now I'm reading the newly released translation of Roberto Bolano's 900 page novel "2666." So far, I haven't made much headway into it; I'm about half way through the first section. It concerns four academics who are experts of a once obscure and very elusive German novelist. As the action progresses, it becomes clear that their interest in the novelist takes a back seat to their increasingly complicated relationships toward each other. At a later point, the action is supposed to shift to a Mexican border city (I think based on Ciudad Juarez) where hundreds of women have gone missing or have been found murdered.
So far, I'm not clear on the action within many of the sections or the connections that Bolano is making between the sections. Whatever unifying themes may be, I have not discovered yet. But considering that I'm not even 1/9 of the way through, that is not surprising.
I don't know if you've seen this book, but it is available two ways. First, it in hardcover in one volume. Then, (the way I have it) it is available in a boxed paperback edition in three volumes. The art work on the covers is beautiful and mysterious, but seemingly unrelated. I suspect that that is how the various sections seem. You have to find the connections, if any.

I'm frankly a little stalled on this, and my mind has been wandering onto other things and different books. I went to the library used book sale and found "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" which I had read a portion of several years ago. I finally went back and read the whole thing. Perhaps Zeno would be more interesting if he were to drive around the desert with Olivi and a drunk full of mescaline.
Another book which has taken my time away from Zeno which I also got at the sale was Denis Johnson's "The Star's at Noon," which is about an American woman and British man trying to escape Nicaragua during the Sandanista days of the 80s. I'm pretty sure one of the characters is a CIA agent, but I'm not sure it's the one we think.
I also revisited "The Mayor of Casterbridge" by Thomas Hardy, a book which I've read once before. I started re-reading it when my Mother went into the hospital and had to lug the multi-novel volume (Barnes and Noble published) back and forth when I was visiting.
I'm still reading Zeno (sort of) but it's taking me a while. Perhaps I'll finish it by Thanksgiving. Don't want to take it all the way to Christmas.

McAllen Public Library is holding a "Friends' Book Sale this Saturday and Sunday. It's done for today, but Sunday (Oct. 19) they are running it between 1-5pm. I am assured that they are bringing more books down from upstairs tomorrow, so I may go back to see what I can find.
Today I found some Philip Roth, Tolkein, Gore Vidal, Orwell, Margaret Atwood, etc. Can't vouch for what will be available tomorrow, but who knows? You get to fill a plastic grocery bag full for $3, so you can't beat the price with a stick. Who cares if the books are old and smelly and have undoubtedly been urinated on? (just kidding) (I hope)
McAllen Public Library/1st Floor Exhibit Room/601 N. Main, McAllen

As someone who goes through a similar struggle with food, I know exactly how he feels.

What you describe in Eco's book, I also do in my life. Except I do it with Gilligan's Island reruns. :(

Yeah, I've read the intro material and the first two chapters. So far, so good. The chapter about his father's death was of particular interest to me, because of my Mother's death in August.

Another book to consider: Anthony Swofford's Jarhead, back in the discount section. Forget how much. Paper. About 5 or 6 dollars. And yes, it is the book that the movie is based on.

A few more from the bargain section.

The Brooklyn Follies by Paul Auster 5.98
Black Girl/White Girl by Joyce Carol Oates (don't remember what I paid)
Until I Find You by John Irving (not sure of the price)

And today I bought:
High Lonesome: Selected Stories 1966-2006 by Joyce Carol Oates 6.98
(This is not the one that you and I saw Dan. This one is new to the bargain section.)

And I don't know if you saw this Dan but they also have:
Ariel (The Restored Edition) by Sylvia Plath With a facsimile of her original manuscript. 5.98

For those who don't know, David Foster Wallace (the author), who also writes short stories and novels, just committed suicide. I don't put that up there as a reason to read his work, but he was considered a brilliant and innovative author.
The article to which Dan alludes is hilarious and revealing (I just couldn't help myself could I?). So far, it's the only one I've read from there, in part, because reading the two Thomas L. Friedman books (The World Is Flat and Flat, Hot, and Crowded) is taking me so long.