Maryana’s Reviews > Satantango > Status Update

What about heartbeats and the sound wrinkles make when we smile?

Ulysse wrote: "What about heartbeats and the sound wrinkles make when we smile?"

Such a brilliant observation, Ulysse! Wow I’ve never thought much about the sound smile wrinkles make. That just made me smile :)

I guess Krasznahorkai tries to say that his characters are not interested in measuring or defining time in any ordinary way anymore. And although I’ve just read a few pages, I have a feeling that this book will be quite heavy on time, not a plot tango, maybe a kind of time-image tango. Of course I love stuff like this, but let’s see. Have you read any Krasznahorkai? I’ve noticed you’re not so keen on contemporary lit.

I knew someone who said clock ticks drove him mad and he refused to allow anything that ticked into his house. Of course, Time came for him anyway. The mute button doesn't bother it in the least.

Oh it’s a very soft sound only certain mirrors can hear. But mirrors are silent creatures who don’t even whisper.

This time-image tango sounds very intriguing indeed. Speaking of time, it’s been ages since I’ve read anything even remotely contemporary, you’re right to point that out, Maryana, and I should probably give breathing authors a chance. There’s just so much to choose from, it’s overwhelming. Plus I have so many unread books lying around me, most of them by dead authors, and I’ve made a pact with myself not to buy any more books before I have honoured the one I own with a proper grave…I mean review. That’ll be my New Year’s resolution then: read more contemporaries. Any suggestions?

Ken wrote: "I knew someone who said clock ticks drove him mad and he refused to allow anything that ticked into his house. Of course, Time came for him anyway. The mute button doesn't bother it in the least."

Clock ticking can be absolutely terrifying. Or maybe it has nothing to do with time and it is a case of misophonia..? But Ken, you make Time sound like a Shinigami (the name would be Taimu), thank you for “spooky vibes”, Halloween is a bit dull here :)

Ulysse wrote: "Oh it’s a very soft sound only certain mirrors can hear. But mirrors are silent creatures who don’t even whisper.

This time-image tango sounds very intriguing indeed. Speaking of time, it’s been a..."

Oh, your pact is quite wise, Ulysse! To be honest, I’m not much into contemporary lit either and you’re so right - there is so much variety and pressure to read it, though many of it sounds much the same. Is post-contemporary the next thing? So I’m slightly lost in time and not the best to suggest contemporary authors, yet I think some of these breathing authors are not half bad: Benjamín Labatut, Kazuo Ishiguro, Olga Tocarczuk, Patrick Modiano, Deborah Levy, Elisa Shua Dusapin, Scholastique Mukasonga, Javier Marías (becoming a fan of this one, although he parted about a year ago). And W. G. Sebald, another one who is not living, but really one of a kind and worth mentioning. And some others I haven’t read but curious about as our own Ken Craft here. In any case, looking forward to your memorials and tributes, happy reading!

Maryana wrote: "Benjamín Labatut, Kazuo Ishiguro, Olga Tocarczuk, Patrick Modiano, Deborah Levy, Elisa Shua Dusapin, Scholastique Mukasonga, Javier Marías (becoming a fan of this one, although he parted about a year ago). And W. G. Sebald"

Now that is a juicy list, thank you Maryana! So far I've read 3 Levys, 2 Modianos and half a Sebald so I'm not as deficient in the contemprary lit department as I thought. I've seen some marvellous reviews of Labatut and Tocarczuk here on GR, perhaps they'll be next on my list...if my TBR of minor French poets doesn't gang up on me first!

Ken Craft I read and loved his Reincarnation. An abosolute must-read!

Ulysse wrote: "Maryana wrote: "Benjamín Labatut, Kazuo Ishiguro, Olga Tocarczuk, Patrick Modiano, Deborah Levy, Elisa Shua Dusapin, Scholastique Mukasonga, Javier Marías (becoming a fan of this one, although he p..."

Tokarczuk’s Primeval and Other Times was great, so simple yet complex. But you know, Ulysse, I might be on the side of French poets - I was thinking about picking up a bilingual edition of French poetry. I wished there was an option to comment on our “shelves” here on Goodreads as I’ve just discovered you have a very interesting “i-think-it-s-poetry‎” shelf - so much amazing stuff here.

Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!

Maryana wrote: "Tokarczuk’s Primeval and Other Times was great, so simple yet complex."

I'm reading her Drive Your Plow at the moment (thanks to your recommendation). It's excellent, thank you!

Ulysse wrote: "Maryana wrote: "Tokarczuk’s Primeval and Other Times was great, so simple yet complex."

I'm reading her Drive Your Plow at the moment (thanks to your recommendation). It's excellent, thank you!"

Oh my deer! That’s great, looking forward to your feedback 🦌