William T Vollmann Central discussion

The Atlas is a series of nested international, globe-trotting stories, from what I understand of it. I am tempted to believe that it will be the next Vollmann that I pick up.

The wikipedia page for The Atlas mentions the influence of Palm-of-the-Hand Stories, which is a favorite Kawabata of mine. Anyone else here like it or read it?

Vollmann says about his favored "contemporary" books: "Right now it seems like I’ve learned a lot from Mishima, Kawabata, and Tolstoy." http://biblioklept.org/2011/09/24/wil... But I didn't know which Kawabata. That's helpful to me. For which thanks. But otherwise I don't know Kawabata at all.

I have not read him yet - thanks Jim for the recommendation

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Vollmann says about his favored "contemporary" books: "Right now it seems like I’ve learned a lot from Mishima, Kawabata, and Tolstoy." http://biblioklept.org/2011/09/24/wil......"

Kawabata's PotH stories fall somewhere between Haiku and micro-short stories. Some are 3 or 4 pages, but many are shorter. I often think of them when I come across "twitter-fiction" or those 420-character facebook-sized stories.

There is a temptation to rip through the book quickly because the stories are so short, but I would suggest sipping them - read one, close the book, read another one later, close the book. (or "lather, rinse, repeat") Kawabata is a quiet mind and leaving some time-space around his stories can be a kind of meditation.

@Brian - de nada!

I'm going to do this now. It is superior to Nicholas Nickelby for use at work.

Jonfaith wrote: "I'm going to do this now. It is superior to Nicholas Nickelby for use at work."

Sounds about right. I'd be onto it too but I'm feeling unworthy for having not gotten to a fat one for a longlong time. I imagine that Atlas will provide a pretty good overview of Vollmann's work and travels.

That book is insane! I have no doubt it'll be the first Vollmann book I re-read. Some of the stories are painfully abstract and surreal - I'm reminded of Naked Lunch.

It contains a wide variety of settings, but it also varies widely in style and subject. It's not just about whores... Only, like, one-third :)

He has a lot of impressive books, but this one tops all the ones I've read.

And because Zadignose is too lazy to refile his Questions, I'll happily and moderately do it!

Zadignose asks ::
True or False? The review, titled "Empathy for the Devil" would have it that The Atlas is Vollmann's most accessible work. Vrai edo Valse?

My answer :: I'm not very useful for id'ing accessibility.

Oops.

How 'bout this: Is it randomly accessible? Like an Atlas? Well, probably not, plus skipping around is a little weird. But anyway, every once in a while someone who's curious but intimidated by Vollmann asks where to start. Maybe this is it.

The Kindle version is on sale for $4.99 12/24/2018.

I have a signed hardcover, it a cheap price.

Almost done reading this. It reminds me a lot of The Rainbow Stories but covers a much wider scope. Right now he’s taking me to Judea circa 74 CE. Not long before this we were smoking crack in San Francisco circa 1992. Big mixed bag of settings and actions, all somehow Vollmann-esque.