William T Vollmann Central discussion

For those new to Bill's books, ask here to find out what might make a good entry point for you. Also, those with a few under their belt might enquirer which would be the best next to read.

Hi. Going to read The Butterfly Stories. Do I have clearance?

MJ wrote: "Hi. Going to read The Butterfly Stories. Do I have clearance?"

I thought we had you signed up for Rainbow Stories. I tend to confuse their titles. Please do. Clearance granted. I'll have a little head-wind knowledge when I up-take this one.

As stated elsewhere, I'm reading Rainbow Stories as soon as the USPS fills its obligations of package delivery. Biding my media-mail determined time.

Imperial looks interesting to me since I used to live in California.

Aloha wrote: "Imperial looks interesting to me since I used to live in California."

I have it on my shelf, but I'm not sure how soon I'll be picking through another fat non-fiction work. It should be rather fantastic.

Thanks for the invite, Nathan! He looks...interesting! I'm always into 'Conquest of the new World' stories, and i did a double-take when i had a look at Argall. Looks big though, and.. something you'd have to get used to.

Is The Ice-shirt in a similar style?

I'm definitely interested in Kissing the Mask, and been wondering about Europe Central.

Traveller wrote: "Is The Ice-shirt in a similar style?"

Argall is the only one written in Elizabethian English. The Ice-Shirt is written in the style of the Icelandic Sagas. EC was his big seller, but I've not read it yet. My impression is that it is well received. Friend Jimmy interviewed Bill at the time of release of Kissing the Mask: http://www.powells.com/blog/interview...

Keep us up to date with your impressions.

Ok, i've already ordered more books than i can afford for Xmas, and might be getting hold of a copy of EC, and Kissing the Mask already on it's way, so Ice-shirt may have to wait a bit..

Will let you know re EC and K.The Mask.

Going down to browse the group threads a bit. Thanks, Nathan!

Any thoughts on my first Vollmann being, The Royal Family?

Stephen wrote: "Any thoughts on my first Vollmann being, The Royal Family?"

I say "yep." But that's no surprise. It's far and away my favorite of his whore novels. And incredibly sad. But I also think its very readable and has less difficulty about it compared perhaps to his other books.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Any thoughts on my first Vollmann being, The Royal Family?"

I say "yep." But that's no surprise. It's far and away my favorite of his whore novels. And incredibly sad. But I al..."

Thanks N.R. This being your favorite is more than a good enough recommendation for me. Plus a, "Yep," puts it over the top.

I'm going back to the well. It will be soon. Nathan's quips about the Eden WTV Reader sound exciting. Tht may prompt an examination of Atlas, the Train book or perhpas imperial. I was actually thinking baout taking Imperial w/ me to Serbia in April.

Jonfaith wrote: "I'm going back to the well. It will be soon. Nathan's quips about the Eden WTV Reader sound exciting. Tht may prompt an examination of Atlas, the Train book or perhpas imperial. I was actually thin..."

Did I quip on the Reader? Probably. I've finally got it making its way into my dirty hands. Essential reading for me I've put off too long. I think The Atlas has some of his Serbia material in it. Not sure. Imperial to Serbia? Don't airlines have weight restrictions these days?

Just returned from the local bookstore - the bad news is that they carry no Vollmann fiction. The good news is when I asked if they had any Vollmann behind the counter (certain authors tend to have their works stolen from the shelves, for shame) the woman was so excited that I was asking about Vollmann's work that she came out from behind the counter and walked me over to the general non-fiction section where they carried three fat Vollmann books. I let my daughter pick which one I should read first. Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom and Urgent Means is the winner.

This could be considered a warning sign: I can swear I read a compact survey of such from you lately. Browsing back, I can't locate such. I may seek professional assistance.

Jonfaith wrote: "I may seek professional assistance. "

A book, any book, but especially a Vollmann book, will suffice as a more affordable recourse than professionals. I think once one has had a Vollmann conversion experience, Eden becomes a necessity. But I've not even flicked through it yet.

Brian--take a look at Hadrian's review and status updates on his reading of the whole unabridged RURD. Also, next time yer at your village bookshop, check in about Vollmann doing a reading when The Dying Grass gets released later this year. I've got my fingers crossed about a book tour. [and totally cool that you've got book shop people who know about Bill's books and react appropriately!]

Jonfaith wrote: "I can swear I read a compact survey of such from you lately. "

Oh, right. Was it this: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...? Eden, even without having read it, I'd much more highly recommend.

Brian wrote: "Just returned from the local bookstore - the bad news is that they carry no Vollmann fiction. The good news is when I asked if they had any Vollmann behind the counter (certain authors tend to have..."

Awww. I love it when people get that excited about literature. And about Vollmann no less!

Rainbow Stories - I can taste the concrete, hear the buzz of traffic and the clatter of hospital utensils and hear the gruff, clipped voices of the skinheads. Only just starting out but already I think it's brilliant.

I'm new to Vollmann's work, as in never read any yet, but I'm planning on The Ice-Shirt as my introduction. Will probably start it early March.

Also curious about The Rainbow Stories, but since I lived in the Haight for 26 years, it will probably seem like a memoir - LOL!!!

Thanks for the invite Nathan! I think my first Vollmann experience was a large booklet in McSweeney's 7 - a long travelogue called "The Old Man" which really blew me away. Since, I've seen him read from his train jumping book, read the Ice Shirt, a few odds and ends, and a good deal of Imperial. I'm slowly wandering my way through the Seven Dreams, having just finished Fathers and Crows and currently enjoying tromping through the ooze with "Sweet" John Smith in Argall. Nick - I've got a copy of Rainbow Stories waiting for me on the shelf, so I'm hoping for a good report.

Welcome to Central, Richard! Do you know if The Old Man is collected in one of his books? The Atlas maybe?

If you've got some Vollmann reviews which could use some attention, please post us some links in the corresponding threads.

And, hey Nick! how about that Rainbow Review?

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "And, hey Nick! how about that Rainbow Review"

Oop jus' seen this'un comment.

Head burp: www.goodreads.com/review/show/348412280

@Nathan - I've a copy of WTV's You Bright And Risen Angels, winging it's way to me... Sooooo can we create a thread for that, his debut, too, please? Yarp?

It's there. Hidden on Group's main page, but fully functional.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

And how 'bout that review link going also in the Rainbow thread? I think you'll find a damn good time with the Angels.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "And how 'bout that review link going also in the Rainbow thread?"

Ack, soz Chief. Consider it dones.

Bursting to read Angels. Debuts - like seeing an the inside of a person's workshop before heading off to discover things they've made and are making...

Nick wrote: "Debuts - like seeing an the inside of a person's workshop before heading off to discover things they've made and are making... "

You mean like, "A Day at William T. Vollmann’s Studio"?
http://quarterlyconversation.com/will...

@Nathan - Aha! You make Goodreads.com Awesomereads.com

Nick wrote: "@Nathan - Aha! You make Goodreads.com Awesomereads.com"

Yes. Yes I do.

You didn't miss this link dump, did you?
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Flippin' 'eck! I did yep - the batteries on my awesome-link-discoverer must have been fading... Thanks Nathan RAD Gaddis.

Nathan - The Old Man is collected in the abridged Rising up and Rising Down and is definitely worth reading. Looking forward to tackling that one sooner or later. Sure - I'll try and do up a review of Fathers and Crows soon and put in a link here.

You Bright And Risen Angels is glorious. Comically narrated - pitching and yawing on its x,y and z axises between detailed analysis of electrical invention, insect rebellion and historical evolution. Pure story. Bonkers fun. Detailed and intricate. Only on page 77 but savouring every single word. It's that glorious feeling of discovering a writer who perfectly matches one's psyche. Yipeekiyay.

Fate seems to have introduced Vollman and I. I missed my train today, so I had an hour to kill until my next one. I went and looked in Oxfam, and what is sitting in the contemporary section? None other than a mildly thumbed copy of Europe Central for 3 pounds. Snapped that one up.

James wrote: "Fate seems to have introduced Vollman and I. I missed my train today, so I had an hour to kill until my next one. I went and looked in Oxfam, and what is sitting in the contemporary section? None o..."

*applause applause*

James wrote: "...mildly thumbed copy of Europe Central for 3 pounds"

*doffs cap* Well found James. I've a copy inbound via the postal brigade.

Nick wrote: "You Bright And Risen Angels is glorious. Comically narrated - pitching and yawing on its x,y and z axises between detailed analysis of electrical invention, insect rebellion and historical evolutio..."

My favorite Vollmann passage is from that book. It's the part about ants, and how God hates them. I wish somebody would find it for me... I don't own a copy of that book! :(

My review of Fathers and Crows is now up - sorry for the delay! If anyone's on the fence, (it being a 1,000 page-ish book and all) absolutely check out Fathers and Crows. It is amazing. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Hi-I just joined the group. I'm a member of another group that's reading The Ice-Shirt which I am loving. (I've also read Poor People which I also loved, very different).

I'm very excited about Vollman & want to read better so I'm hoping to learn from readers here.

Welcome, Ellie. Hope to hear more from you both here and on BP's Vollmann Project. All Vollmann love is welcome here.

I know I've been in here but can't recall whether I said "Hi." Hi! I've read Europe Central, An Afghanistan Picture Show: Or, How I Saved the World, and Kissing the Mask: Beauty, Understatement, and Femininity in Japanese Noh Theater. I'm on the last volume of the unabridged Rising Up and Rising Down.

Eriksson-Papaioanou wrote: "and I am planning to read everything he has ever written "

Yes!

The group Brain Pain is currently read The Royal Family ; never too late to join if you haven't already. I love that book.

And if you are so disposed, WTV Profile Pic Week is just beginning :: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Welcome to our little Vollmann corner.

Link Fest!!

This link goes here because it contains very short blurbs for each and every Bill Book ; whereby one might quickly sort for that book which must be NEXT.

A blog post from a Lover of Vollmann :: "Why You Should Know Who William T. Vollmann Is, and Go Out and Read Him Immediately" :: http://dontdontoperate.wordpress.com/...

I joined a little while ago, but left greetings unsaid until I prepared myself a little better. Popped my WTV cherry a few months back with Europe Central. The V section on my bookshelves have since seen a great expansion. Onto my forth of his since, with more in my sights.
One question though: Has anyone triedUncentering the Earth: Copernicus and The Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres?

Russell wrote: " The V section on my bookshelves have since seen a great expansion."

Indeed. That V shelf of yours looks very healthy.

I have the Copernicus book in the stacks, prep'd for a light=reading.

The Copernicus book looks pretty interesting, so on the tbr list it goes...


Next Vollmann for me is Argall, which we'll be reading and discussing in the Brain Pain group starting the week of April 7th.

Good day, all! I'm new to the group, and so happy to see so many who appreciate Mr. Vollmann's genius. I am in the middle of You Bright and Risen Angels, and wondering which to start after. It is tempting to re-read Rainbow Stories (I read it years ago), but I think I need to jump into something else. This discussion is a great place to help me decide.

Larissa wrote: "Good day, all! I'm new to the group, and so happy to see so many who appreciate Mr. Vollmann's genius. I am in the middle of You Bright and Risen Angels, and wondering which to start after. It is..."

I really enjoyed The Ice-Shirt, which was the first Vollmann I read.

Jim wrote: "I really enjoyed The Ice-Shirt, which was the first Vollmann I read. "

Double endorsement!

Lisa wrote: "You Bright and Risen Angels came yesterday, first british edition but it smells really bad (mildew) so I don't know if I should send it back :(! "

Ack! Not nice. hd's are still available and usually run at about US$30 and up. I don't know if I'd wanna be mildew'd for that many pages!