Jim Coughenour > Recent Status Updates

I was incited to read this book by Gerri Kimber's superlative review in the TLS. It's not available in the US yet. Fortunately books are getting delivered now from the UK. I couldn't wait, and it's as good (so far) as I'd hoped.

review link: https://www.the-tls.co.uk/articles/bu...

Two impressions from the first 30 pages. First, this book needed a stronger editor; it's written like a scholar's breathless late-night email, with irritating repetitions of "Go figure," etc. Second, the topic and bibliography is fascinating. If I indulged my woo, I'd say it speaks to my duality as a skeptic and someone long aware of his daimon. Fascinating (and annoying) so far.

Roland Barthes has just been run down & and the high-spirited hijinks have begun. Already I can see why the reviews here are polarized. But I'm hoping for the best; why not?

First, I'm a sucker for a great dust jacket, and the Allen Lane hardback edition of this book is a lovely thing to behold. Second, Raulff's style of writing history is indeed captivating, although after the first chapter "Hell for Horses" I can only think that horses would be all-too-eager to say farewell to us.

An 800 page book on food issues?! I pre-ordered this months ago, as I was re-reading Theroux's essays on secondary colors but I wasn't expecting a book as big as my kitchen. Peeking ahead, I see a chapter on Liberace's Sticky Buns. No, no, no…

One of Edward Gorey's favorite books (he named his numerous cats after its characters) – do I need any other recommendation? On my shelf since 2001; now a New Year's resolution.

One of Edward Gorey's favorite books (he named his numerous cats after its characters) – do I need any other recommendation? On my shelf since 2001; now a New Year's resolution.

Another book I (halfway) bought for its cover. I started with some skepticism (another dilation on Hopper? Warhol?!) – but now, in the midst of the chapter on Wojnarowicz, a man I remember from the 90s, she's won me over. I'm reading now with appreciation & a robust sympathy.

John Hands starts his big book with a disclaimer: “Any investigation is heavily influenced by prior beliefs. I was born and educated a Catholic, became an atheist, and am now an agnostic. I have no prior beliefs in theism, deism, or materialism. I genuinely do not know.” Substitute “an evangelical Christian” for “a Catholic” and I could be describing myself. I'm intrigued by his ambition; not so sure about his style.

So far - not just a stimulating history of the birth of the Scientific Revolution but a provocative investigation into the ways we imagine history, or what "the history of science" actually means. Superb reading.

The book begins with a bang. Loving the characters so far, and the ironic narrator even more.

When we read Edward Gorey’s The Hapless Child – which mocks every Victorian novel in which an innocent child suffers unjustly – the result is hilarity. But in reading this dark tale, the reader is wounded repeatedly, the scab is torn off as soon as it forms. Compared to its protagonist, Hamlet and Othello were merry fellows, & Lear got off easily. Yanagihara is a magician of misery, and I seem to be under her spell.

When we read Edward Gorey’s The Hapless Child – which mocks every Victorian novel in which an innocent child suffers unjustly – the result is hilarity. But in reading this dark, the reader is wounded repeatedly, the scab is torn off as soon as it forms. Compared to its protagonist, Hamlet and Othello were merry fellows, and Lear got off easily. Yanagihara is a magician of misery, and I seem to be under her spell.

I'm already skeptical of Finch's construct "the Sebaldian queer." In the first chapter, Finch posits the "queer Eros" of Henry Selwyn in The Emigrants. She refers to the "all-male gathering" in a key scene in which Sebald's wife is clearly included, and unhesitatingly dubs Selwyn's much-older friend (from his youth) his "lover." Provocative, maybe; convincing, not at all. Beautiful book, though.

Kudos to Penguin for republishing this book, long out of print. It's something of a "warrior classic" with its own mythos. Translated by Xan Fielding, friend and fellow soldier of Patrick Leigh Fermor.

Kudos to Penguin for republishing this book, long out of print. It's something of a "warrior classic" with its own mythos. Translated by Xan Fielding, friend and fellow soldier of Patrick Leigh Fermor.

Perfect bedtime reading. Warner is the ideal companion to these wonder tales. Favorite quote so far: "The miraculous is here the only possible guarantee that the immorality of reality has stopped." André Jolle.

What sadness, what joy.

"Scott Moncrieff is the kind of boy, who is quite happy in bed if he has plenty of literature, only it must be literature "

First couple chapters - almost the Scottish version of Combray.

"Scott Moncrieff is the kind of boy, who is quite happy in bed if he has plenty of literature, only it must be literature "

First couple chapters - almost the Scottish version of Combray.

A fresh translation of a wide range of essays by the celebrated author of Mimesis. The introduction by James Porter is the most helpful essay I've read on Auerbach, his life and his passions. The essays are a mine of revelations. One of those rare unexpected books I read with awe, admiration & gratitude.

So far, wicked fun.

Absolute trash. An exposé endlessly repeating itself. No doubt I'll finish it.

A month ago I ground to a halt. But it's still on my nightstand.

Kudos to Keene for this affectionate biography of the late 19th c master of haiku. As much or more than any great poet, Shiki's a mess: never seems to have had a lover girl or boy, coughs up blood, classifies 1000s of haiku. Then writes poetry. Keene tipped me to the Selected Poems. Yes, I'm charmed.

Rustling softly
over the bamboo–
snow in the night

I know that night, that sound, that mood.

Kudos to Keene for this affectionate biography of the late 19th c master of haiku. As much or more than any great poet, Shiki's a mess, never seems to have had a lover or either gender, coughs up blood, classifies 1000s of haiku. And writes poetry. Keene induced me to order theSelected Poems. Yes, I'm charmed. Both books bliss.

A demanding read, always intriguing. From page to page I wonder, was WB really a critical genius, or a figure of fashionable, fascinating obsessions? An ascetic romantic, a frustrated lover. Great bio so far.