John Purcell > Recent Status Updates

Just finished volume one of the twelve volume A Dance to the Music of Time. I can't see what fans see. The writing isn't consistent. Moves from self-consciously 'brilliant' to pedestrian, to arch, to overblown and back again. None of the characters deserve the attention the narrator gives them and as the narrator gave me next to nothing of himself I was left turning the pages wondering why I was.

Need to pause. So overwhelming.

I don't think I will ever finish this book. I open it when I feel played out. Then within a couple of paragraphs my mind is racing with ideas. I forget I'm reading and start writing in my head. I put the book down again and go find my laptop. I suppose this means it's the best 'how to write' book I've ever encountered.

I do like that he begins by placing a bomb under the notion of English Literature's preeminence by acknowledging Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and Proust's places above any novelist writing in English. Long ago I went to university hoping to study literature, but found much of the best stuff was off limits. I had to chose from English, American or Australian literature. Don't get me started on how few women were on those list

Bit of a pompous ass. I'll just put this down for a bit to see if he can loosen up a bit. I'll be right back. Promise.

I don't know what's going on. I am just reading a page, checking my phone, reading a page, checking etc.

Lockdown goes on and on. I am reading this too quickly. I will need it again tomorrow but I will have finished it by then. Please sir, may I have some more?

Finished Monsieur, the first of the quintet, crawling blind through the vast, dusty dunes of forgotten words to the very arid end. I have no idea what I just read. Will I continue? It is late in lockdown, to feel anything I will stick pins under my nails and continuing onto book two, Livia.

"Toby the minute you start to have opinions about day-to-day matters you cease to be an artist and start to be a citizen. Choose." Monsieur by Lawrence Durrell

How tedious...

Brilliant account of Italy in WWII. Highly recommended.

How did these people endure such horror? How do people still endure such horror? How much pain there is in the world. (The book is brilliant)

Just started. Already loving it.

An extraordinary book. Unlike anything else I have read. Very pleased it came my way.

Brilliant.