William T Vollmann Central discussion

Over the next few days, I will set up discussion threads for each of Bill's books. Meanwhile, introduce yourself here, tell us a bit about what we need to know, what you need to know, and what kind of purpose this group could perform.

Thanks for the good work doing this, NR!

Geoff wrote: "Thanks for the good work doing this, NR!"

Let me know if and when we need some new threads. I was thinking we might need some general threads addressing topics and themes which cross and recross throughout his books. But I'll hold off on those until we get a few more members and/or discussions.

Hi Nathan. I recently acquired a bunch of Vollman work. I was scanning through them and thought I would really like them, in particular Imperial.

David Foster Wallace wrote IJ and that book has received 20,442 ratings and 3,376 reviews on goodreads.

goodreads claims that WTV has "41 distinct works" and those 41 works have received a total of 13,467 ratings and 1,408 reviews. His most popular book on goodreads, Europe Central, has received 815 ratings and 134 reviews. Two books for which he wrote afterwords have a combined total ratings greater than his entire oeuvre, Lowry's Under the Volcano (6600 ratings) and Journey to the end of night (7,486 ratings). Don't believe any fool that says Vollmann be 'overrated.'

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "David Foster Wallace wrote IJ and that book has received 20,442 ratings and 3,376 reviews on goodreads.

goodreads claims that WTV has "41 distinct works" and those 41 works have received a total o..."

The good news is that Bill is still alive and will continue to write and publish books. Wallace, on the other hand, is dead...

Jim wrote: "The good news is that Bill is still alive and will continue to write and publish books. Wallace, on the other hand, is dead... "

I had a morbid fantasy comment I was considering about having the two switch fates. Bill would have approved. Many of us have been searching for something to fill that DFW-shaped void, and I hope some folks at least will be happy to settle for WTV. Nothing will replace Dave, but. . . .

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Jim wrote: "The good news is that Bill is still alive and will continue to write and publish books. Wallace, on the other hand, is dead... "

I had a morbid fantasy comment I was considering about ..."

At this point, that fantasy would be great since Vollmann has written so much and Wallace has written so little. Would even things out a bit, no?

Hopefully Vollmann won't destroy his unpublished writing before he dies. I imagine him having huge amounts of notebooks, manuscripts, hard drives, sketchbooks, and so on; enough to keep curators busy for years.

Jim wrote: "Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Jim wrote: "The good news is that Bill is still alive and will continue to write and publish books."

I was thinking too that WTV's life would make for a better bio than the one we got of DFW via Max.

Hopefully Vollmann won't destroy his unpublished writing before he dies. "

We have a pretty good indicator that he won't do that. He's already made a major archival dump at Ohio State University. http://library.osu.edu/finding-aids/r...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "He's already made a major archival dump at Ohio State University..."

Excellent!

The contents of his art studio are probably pretty amazing too, plus his negatives, and the personal items he keeps in his locked closet (just kidding).

I read an interview that Terri something did with him in his studio. A lot of the techniques he uses are similar to my own studio practice back in S.F. I imagine his artwork must be interesting. Has he published any monographs of his visual art?

Jim wrote: "Has he published any monographs of his visual art? "

Not anything other than what gets used in his other books, mostly sketches. And he's published a number of extremely limited-edition book objects. Oh, and there's his photography which shows up everywhere plus a volume of photos to accompany Imperial. But nothing dedicated to Vollamann as visual artist.

Members of Vollmann Central is why I get up in the mornings.

Welcome to The Cult, James!

I'm James. I spotted "You Bright and Risen Angels" in a bookstore one day, thought it looked neat, and bought it. Halfway through reading it, I lost it. (I'm still waiting to finish it.) Almost a year later, I started "The Rifles" on a camping trip. I got so excited, I started "Argall" probably the same day I finished "The Rifles". Halfway through that one, I'd pretty much already determined that William T. Vollmann was my favorite author.

James wrote: "Halfway through that one, I'd pretty much already determined that William T. Vollmann was my favorite author. "

Velcome to Vollmann Central, James. I'm making my way through Fathers and Crows, Argall is up next for me. I have to agree that these Seven Dreams are quickly catapulting Vollmann upward and upward in my mental "favorite authors" list...

Anyone here not a member of Brain Pain? That group will be reading Vollmann's Seven Dreams, The Royal Family, and likely a few other books over the course of the next 2-3 years. Check the schedule here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "reading... The Royal Family...'"

Yesyes - just fossicked through ebay and found-'n-bought a signed first edition. Sig only. Ace cover art.

Apologies if this link has already been posted - an intriguing and revealing interview. Hero: www.theparisreview.org/interviews/620...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Anyone here not a member of Brain Pain? That group will be reading Vollmann's Seven Dreams, The Royal Family, and likely a few other books over the course of the next 2-3 years. Check the schedul..."

I was a member of Brain Pain until recently ...but now, sadly not anymore. So, I will not be able to follow these discussions there.

I just mentioned it because you asked if we were all BP members, Nathan.

I do understand that you would like this environment to remain pleasant, so, if you like, i can edit my above post to simply say : "Sadly not."

Traveller wrote: "I just mentioned it because you asked if we were all BP members, Nathan."

No, just my round about way of informing folks that a Vollmann group reading was underway. We could set up group readings here for Vollmann's books as well if there is interest. Just as long as we can keep you feeling at home at WTV Central. ; )

Thanks, Nathan. I should perhaps have thought of a more diplomatic way to say that unfortunately i won't be able to follow the yummy discussions at BP.

I suppose there are so many groups on GR these days, that there is always an alternative discussion about almost everything going on somewhere, and of course, if there isn't, one could always start one's own. :)

I'm usually more of a lurker than a participant anyway, but it's always good to read discussions in groups, where the discussions tend to be more egalitarian than in review threads.

Hold on here a second. It would appear that there's been a significant influx of members here. Welcome one and all. Perhaps you'd add a note, introduce yourself; we are all only angels here. Something about what you know of Vollmann, what you've read, would like to read. Or drop a note in one of the book threads; a link to your review if you've got one or if you've got more. Anything. Happy to see you all around. And questions, those things are good.

I've been dithering about making a foray into Vollmann's oeuvre for quite a while now but have been kept by an inability to decide where actually to start. I've been edging closer recently by acquiring all of his oeuvre as far as it's available and guess I'm ready to finally take the plunge - as I joined the Brain Pain group at about the same time as this one I'll likely participate in their conveniently timed Vollmann Project and hence will shortly lose my Vollmann virginity to The Ice Shirt.

Larou wrote: "and hence will shortly lose my Vollmann virginity to The Ice Shirt..."

The Ice-Shirt was Nathan's gateway drug too, so it's probably a good place to start. I've only read the first few sections and am enjoying very much.

The other day I was at the downtown branch of the library, the downtown branch isn't the main branch but the downtown branch had Imperial and Rising Up and Rising Down one volume edition, try as I might I couldn't lift the hardback copy of Imperial over my head. Then it hit me, a year I was at the main library, much more impressive collection of books and I held the same two books in my hands thinking I want to read them but they are super heavy and I don't feel like carrying such heavy hardback books, I don't like hardbacks, is there a softback version of Imperial I don't know about?

Hi Con - there is a paperback version of Imperial. Not quite as daunting as the hardcover, but it is still a monster. I hear you - carrying that that thing around is commitment (and possibly bad for your health!) I only got about halfway through, but when I was reading it (the hardcover), it pretty much stayed put on a desk. One plus (usually) - in my experience carrying around enormous books (Infinite Jest, A Moment in the Sun) you do get to meet quite a few book lovers, and book-curious, who will ask you what is this giant book you're carrying around. Rich

Con McVeety wrote: "is there a softback version of Imperial I don't know about? "

Yes there is: http://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Willia... [should've been a two-volume pb, imho]

I'm still holding out for that day when McSweeney's finds Vollmann mobbed with fanboys&girls and reissues RURD (pb'd be fine, but slipcase please).

Brain Pain is reading more Vollmann in 2014. They will read Argall and a second book to be determined by a poll found :: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/9...

Vollmann to speak at UC Santa Barbara (?) about his FBI file. I've no good details, but if you think yer in the area....

"On Nov. 6 journalist and novelist William T. Vollmann will discuss his experiences regarding government surveillance." -- http://dailynexus.com/2013-10-28/ucla...

Vollmann to speak at UC Santa Barbara (?) about his FBI file. I've no good details, but if you think yer in the area....

"On Nov. 6 journalist and novelist William T. Vollmann will discuss his experiences regarding government surveillance." -- http://dailynexus.com/2013-10-28/ucla...

Ah zhoot. Gonna be there for Halloween but not no longer.

Vollmann appearance funded by Spock (I kid you knot ; look at the small print):

Nov 13 @ UCLA

http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detai...

Bernard Radfar & William T. Vollmann

Bernard Radfar is the author of Insincerely Yours ... Letters from a Prankster and Mecca Pimp: A Novel of Love and Human Trafficking. He is a PEN USA Literary Award Judge and a Huffington Post contributor. William T. Vollmann is the author of Europe Central, Rising Up and Rising Down, and, most recently, The Book of Dolores, a self-portrait of the author’s female alter ego. This discussion includes the forbidden reaches of eros, identity, and the fictions we live by.

ALL HAMMER PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE. Assigned seating is available in the Billy Wilder Theater. Free tickets are required and available at the Box Office, one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis. Members enjoy priority seating and seat selection, subject to availability. Membership does not guarantee seating. Arrival at least one half hour prior to program time is recommended.

Parking is available under the museum for a flat fee of $3 after 6:00PM.

Apparently Vollmann has written an essay on documentarian Frederick Wiseman, contained in this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Frederick-Wisem...

I think I became obsessed with Vollmann around the same time I became obsessed with Frederick Wiseman, which was ALSO around the time this book came out. If I'd known about this at the time, I probably would've imploded or something. I'm not made of money, but I'm not exactly destitute, either. I might have to shell out the 27.76.

Jim wrote: "Apparently Vollmann has written an essay on documentarian Frederick Wiseman, contained in this book:"

Nice catch. Let us know what you find.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Vollmann appearance funded by Spock (I kid you knot ; look at the small print):

Nov 13 @ UCLA

http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detai...

Bernard Radfar & William T. Vollmann

Bernard..."

AH DOUBLE ZHOOT! How the bloodie hell did I miss this? - Finally regretting ( for once ) turning off all group notifications.

Eric wrote: "Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Vollmann appearance funded by Spock (I kid you knot ; look at the small print):

Nov 13 @ UCLA

http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detai...

Bernard Radfar & Willia..."

Heh, I should've let you know, Eric. The WTV's the only group I have notifications turned on for; the only problem was location.

Aubrey wrote: "Eric wrote: "Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Vollmann appearance funded by Spock (I kid you knot ; look at the small print):

Nov 13 @ UCLA

http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detai...

Bernard Ra..."

I'm in no position to place an ought; maybe I'll find him the next time he's around. But wouldn't it have been cool to see him in person?!

Brain Pain will be reading Argall and Europe Central in 2014 ::

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I was talking to the guy who owns my favorite bookstore here in Boise; apparently, Vollmann stopped by twice in the summer, once while he was on the way to Montana and again on the way back, and purchased a bunch of "regional" books. I should've been more annoying and drilled him on exactly which books they were! I guess I was too shocked at the idea of running into Vollmann in my own territory.

Sosen wrote: "I was talking to the guy who owns my favorite bookstore here in Boise; apparently, Vollmann stopped by twice in the summer, once while he was on the way to Montana and again on the way back, and pu..."

He's written a few pieces from up around your area there. Unfortunately, they're squirrel'd away in his RURD. But I hope his purchases indicate that he's working on his sixth Dream and not still hammering away on The Dying Grass.

Or, maybe you could leave a note at the bookshop counter, "Bill Vollmann, please call me at your earliest convenience..."

Ha, yeah right, I'm a coward.

Think and Drink with Vollmann in Portland OR, February 5, RE: the FBI file and gov surveillance ::

http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/event/...

Worth a 20 hour drive?

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Think and Drink with Vollmann in Portland OR, February 5, RE: the FBI file and gov surveillance ::

http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/event/...

Wo..."

oh man! worth a plane ticket? (....nope....) to be in Portland in February!

The last time I chatted with Bill, he was working on that tranny book, which is out, a book of ghost stories and a book of short stories about Bosnia.

Tom wrote: "The last time I chatted with Bill, he was working on that tranny book, which is out, a book of ghost stories and a book of short stories about Bosnia."

Thanks Tom. I'll add that he also has a novel based on Dolores called How You Are, excerpts from which are included in the photo-book. The ghost stories book, Last Stories and Other Stories, is scheduled for a July release. But I hadn't heard anything about the Bosnia short stories ; do you think they might be included in Last Stories? or do you know anything more about them? The Dying Grass I'm optimistic for a 2015 release (finally!)

I started following his career in 2008-ish, so I've never had the chance to read brand new fiction by Vollmann. So excited!

Sosen wrote: "I started following his career in 2008-ish, so I've never had the chance to read brand new fiction by Vollmann. So excited!"

I started summer of '11. I've never had a new book from him until Dolores! (it took several months for Mask to show up on my radar)

Thanks for the news, Nathan. I'm always looking forward to more Vollmann.

And fair warning: 'tranny' is a derogatory word— you are either referring to transgendered people or transvestites (in Bill's case.)

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Think and Drink with Vollmann in Portland OR, February 5, RE: the FBI file and gov surveillance."

Anyone get to this? The audio is now available ::

http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index...

[yes, it is creepy that there's also a thing about goodreads on that page]

It could be that they are in Last Stories, it was like a year ago that I hung out with him. I believe they are based on his journalist experiences during the war. Yes the Dolores book is the tranny book; some of that could have been drawn from my street, post street, which is where the tranny whores peddle the wares and the big tranny club, Divas, is based. How I wish I ran into Bill in drag... He really wanted to go to Mexico to write about the cartels too, but others close to him feared for his life and talked him out of it. Probably a wise decision.