Ben Jackson
Well-known member
My goodness, you have wide interests in almost, if not, everything in this world. One word to describe you, I think, is Renaissance Man. Love this.
Introduce yourself
- Thread starter Stewart
- Start date
Ben Jackson
Well-known member
Welcome, my friend, to the forum.
I also love Joyce, so we are on the same page.
Will love to listen to your views on literature and arts.
Patrick Murtha
Reader
Or dilettante. ? But I definitely appreciate the compliment.
Liam
Administrator
Why not say, "an educated, well-rounded man" instead?
TrixRabbi
Active member
Hello all! I discovered this forum while searching for discussion about the Nobel Prize and was eager to join after lurking for a bit and finally finding somewhere on the internet with a dedicated literary focus. I'm a 30 year old business reporter from New England and though I majored in English in college my focus had primarily been film for many years but in the past few have started focusing more in on reading, currently on pace to break my personal record for most books finished in a calendar year this year. So, glad to finally jump in!
I'll add, I recently decided (and I think I'm not alone on this forum) to try and read at least one significant work by every Nobel Literature laureate. I'm including authors I've previously read in the challenge, requiring myself to read something new-to-me from them in order to check them off. Still early in it, only completed seven thus far (Hemingway, Sartre, Beckett, Solzhenitsyn, Alexievich, Handke and Gurnah) but it's been fun so far and I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow's announcement.
I'll add, I recently decided (and I think I'm not alone on this forum) to try and read at least one significant work by every Nobel Literature laureate. I'm including authors I've previously read in the challenge, requiring myself to read something new-to-me from them in order to check them off. Still early in it, only completed seven thus far (Hemingway, Sartre, Beckett, Solzhenitsyn, Alexievich, Handke and Gurnah) but it's been fun so far and I'm eagerly awaiting tomorrow's announcement.
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Patrick Murtha
Reader
You’ll find that many here appreciate both books and film!
Stevie B
Current Member
Welcome, Trix, from a fellow English major and New Englander (though I haven't lived in New England for more than 25 years). By the way, who are you rooting for to take home the prize?
TrixRabbi
Active member
I mentioned it in the speculation thread right now but the personal passion choice is maybe a bit obvious, but would love to see Pynchon get it. Both for the recognition of his work which is highly deserved, and also, perhaps immaturely, the fallout when he inevitably refuses to show up would be fascinating (though maybe he'd simply send a surrogate).
Patrick Murtha
Reader
As most of you probably know, Pynchon sent comedian Professor Irwin Corey to pick up his National Book Award for Gravity’s Rainbow.
Ben Jackson
Well-known member
You're welcome to the forum. This is the finest forum in the internet, so you aren't going to find any dull moment here. There are countless threads pertaining everything not just Literature: movies, music, anything. See you in the Nobel Speculation Thread. Like you, am anxiously waiting for tommorrow's announcement.
juanje94
Member
Hello, everyone! My name is Juanje and I'm 28 years old from Malaga, Spain. I studied English to Spanish Translation and Interpreting degree, and I specialized in Publishing Translation with a master's degree later, but unfortunately, I have not been able to work as a literary translator yet, so I work as a passenger service agent at the airport.
I have read books and love literature since I was a kid but believe me if I say you that my passion about literature is now bigger than ever. I read especially contemporary fiction from all over the world, some classics and, in recent years, also essays, comics and graphic novels. Some of my favorite writers are Vila-Matas, Tatiana Țîbuleac, García Márquez, John Fante, Jon Fosse, Miguel Delibes, Pablo Neruda, Hannah Kent, Selva Almada, Miguel de Unamuno, etc. If you want to check my read and to-read lists, you can follow me in Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/54193736-juanje
As many of you, I discovered this forum searching for a Nobel Prize in Literature Speculation post and here I finally found it. I have followed that post these last two year, discovering so many new writers' names on the road and now I think is the moment I should try to participate here with my little and humble literary knowledge in comparison to many of you.
It's a pleasure to be part of this forum and I would like, if it is possible for a new member like me, to participate in WLF Prize in Literature 2023 post this year.
Kind regards,
Juanje
I have read books and love literature since I was a kid but believe me if I say you that my passion about literature is now bigger than ever. I read especially contemporary fiction from all over the world, some classics and, in recent years, also essays, comics and graphic novels. Some of my favorite writers are Vila-Matas, Tatiana Țîbuleac, García Márquez, John Fante, Jon Fosse, Miguel Delibes, Pablo Neruda, Hannah Kent, Selva Almada, Miguel de Unamuno, etc. If you want to check my read and to-read lists, you can follow me in Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/54193736-juanje
As many of you, I discovered this forum searching for a Nobel Prize in Literature Speculation post and here I finally found it. I have followed that post these last two year, discovering so many new writers' names on the road and now I think is the moment I should try to participate here with my little and humble literary knowledge in comparison to many of you.
It's a pleasure to be part of this forum and I would like, if it is possible for a new member like me, to participate in WLF Prize in Literature 2023 post this year.
Kind regards,
Juanje
Patrick Murtha
Reader
^ Please do post, it will be a pleasure to read your thoughts.
I see at Goodreads that you read Marvels. A masterpiece that in and of itself practically justifies the entire superhero genre. Two contextual points: One, I grew up with Silver Age Marvel comics in the Sixties, so this hits me in a particularly strong way. And two, I am a hardcore literary guy, and if anyone asked me, is there superhero content that meets the standards for literature, Marvels would be the very first thing I would think of. It is everything that contemporary superhero movies are not - thoughtful, provocative, visionary, fully achieved.
It would make a great film but they will never do it.
I see at Goodreads that you read Marvels. A masterpiece that in and of itself practically justifies the entire superhero genre. Two contextual points: One, I grew up with Silver Age Marvel comics in the Sixties, so this hits me in a particularly strong way. And two, I am a hardcore literary guy, and if anyone asked me, is there superhero content that meets the standards for literature, Marvels would be the very first thing I would think of. It is everything that contemporary superhero movies are not - thoughtful, provocative, visionary, fully achieved.
It would make a great film but they will never do it.
Ben Jackson
Well-known member
My man, you're welcome. I love Neruda and Fosse myself, so we're both in the same boat.
As for Wolfie, you're right on time. Just keep checking the thread (it's open), you'll read information lot of information concerning it.
Welcome, once again.
juanje94
Member
Thanks for your kind words, Patrick!!! I totally agree with your appreciation about Marvels, whose transcendence at the level of writing by Kurt Busiek and at the level of drawing by the great Alex Ross (also illustrator of one of the great superhero comics of the 90's, Kingdom Come) is worthy of all praise, because the story and its context is infinitely more human than what Marvel has usually produced in the last 30 years.
When I started reading comics relatively recently (approximately 4 o 5 years ago), because as a kid curiously did not call my attention, I started reading more underground and independent (Harvey Pekar, several European authors, etc.) due to the great recommendations of my friends and my librarian. I did not start as usual with this genre of superheroes (perhaps overwhelmed by having grown up watching so many superhero movies mostly generic within the film industry), but over the years I have discovered great wonders that bring a lot to the comic book at the artistic and cultural level. As I personally believe, if a book is good and enriching at the artistic and cultural levels, it does not matter the genre, the time, the form... I am very open-minded about this!!!
P.D.: It would be wonderful to see a movie with a similar story, but unfortunately, as you've commented, I highly doubt it.
juanje94
Member
Thanks for your welcome, Ben!!! I'll take a look at the thread this weekend so I can vote for my three chosen writers ???
Hello....after several years of visiting this forum, I've decided to finally join and participate.
About me -- I'm 52, Canadian. I'm from Newfoundland, grew up and went to university there, and still consider it 'home' although I've lived in Toronto for 30 years now. I've always liked reading and have enjoyed literature since I was a teenager. I'm not sure how to characterize my reading habits, except to say that I never manage to read as much as I'd like to -- I guess most of would say that though. I have pretty wide-ranging tastes, I like classics as well as contemporary literary fiction, poetry, and essays. I'm the type of person who tries to take the positive from each reading experience, so while I won't hesitate to critique aspects of a book, it's not often that I truly dislike something so much that I'd give it a rating of 1 or 2 stars out of 5, for example.
I do actively seek out more obscure authors from around the world and literature in translation...probably 25-30% of the books I own are translated from another language (except French which I usually read in the original). So it's maybe unsurprising that I would find this forum intriguing.
Other interests of mine include film, sports, history, politics, geography, travel, photography, and learning foreign languages.
Since I joined after the Nobel announcement, I'll just say I haven't read anything by Annie Ernaux yet, but she seems a worthy recipient of the prize.
I likely won't be the most frequent poster, but will try to contribute a semi-intelligent comment occasionally
Kind regards,
Andrew
About me -- I'm 52, Canadian. I'm from Newfoundland, grew up and went to university there, and still consider it 'home' although I've lived in Toronto for 30 years now. I've always liked reading and have enjoyed literature since I was a teenager. I'm not sure how to characterize my reading habits, except to say that I never manage to read as much as I'd like to -- I guess most of would say that though. I have pretty wide-ranging tastes, I like classics as well as contemporary literary fiction, poetry, and essays. I'm the type of person who tries to take the positive from each reading experience, so while I won't hesitate to critique aspects of a book, it's not often that I truly dislike something so much that I'd give it a rating of 1 or 2 stars out of 5, for example.
I do actively seek out more obscure authors from around the world and literature in translation...probably 25-30% of the books I own are translated from another language (except French which I usually read in the original). So it's maybe unsurprising that I would find this forum intriguing
. Other interests of mine include film, sports, history, politics, geography, travel, photography, and learning foreign languages.
Since I joined after the Nobel announcement, I'll just say I haven't read anything by Annie Ernaux yet, but she seems a worthy recipient of the prize.
I likely won't be the most frequent poster, but will try to contribute a semi-intelligent comment occasionally
Kind regards,
Andrew
Stevie B
Current Member
Welcome, Andrew. I've always wanted to visit Newfoundland because it's so beautiful. Curious if you've ever read The Colony on Unrequited Dreams or any other books set there.Hello....after several years of visiting this forum, I've decided to finally join and participate.
About me -- I'm 52, Canadian. I'm from Newfoundland, grew up and went to university there, and still consider it 'home' although I've lived in Toronto for 30 years now. I've always liked reading and have enjoyed literature since I was a teenager. I'm not sure how to characterize my reading habits, except to say that I never manage to read as much as I'd like to -- I guess most of would say that though. I have pretty wide-ranging tastes, I like classics as well as contemporary literary fiction, poetry, and essays. I'm the type of person who tries to take the positive from each reading experience, so while I won't hesitate to critique aspects of a book, it's not often that I truly dislike something so much that I'd give it a rating of 1 or 2 stars out of 5, for example.
I do actively seek out more obscure authors from around the world and literature in translation...probably 25-30% of the books I own are translated from another language (except French which I usually read in the original). So it's maybe unsurprising that I would find this forum intriguing
Other interests of mine include film, sports, history, politics, geography, travel, photography, and learning foreign languages.
Since I joined after the Nobel announcement, I'll just say I haven't read anything by Annie Ernaux yet, but she seems a worthy recipient of the prize.
I likely won't be the most frequent poster, but will try to contribute a semi-intelligent comment occasionally
Kind regards,
Andrew
I have a copy of that, but haven't read it yet. However I have read The Divine Ryans by the same author, Wayne Johnston. I've read numerous others set there; I should maybe compile a list or start a thread for Newfoundland literature. One that comes to mind is February by Lisa Moore, which was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2010 (I had to look up the year). The author is from Newfoundland and the novel deals with the aftermath of the sinking of the Ocean Ranger oil rig in February 1982. Currently I'm reading Passengers by Michael Crummey, his latest poetry collection which is partly an homage to Tomas Tranströmer -- about half the poems chronicle an imagined circumnavigation of Newfoundland by the Nobel laureate.
Ben Jackson
Well-known member
Hello....after several years of visiting this forum, I've decided to finally join and participate.
About me -- I'm 52, Canadian. I'm from Newfoundland, grew up and went to university there, and still consider it 'home' although I've lived in Toronto for 30 years now. I've always liked reading and have enjoyed literature since I was a teenager. I'm not sure how to characterize my reading habits, except to say that I never manage to read as much as I'd like to -- I guess most of would say that though. I have pretty wide-ranging tastes, I like classics as well as contemporary literary fiction, poetry, and essays. I'm the type of person who tries to take the positive from each reading experience, so while I won't hesitate to critique aspects of a book, it's not often that I truly dislike something so much that I'd give it a rating of 1 or 2 stars out of 5, for example.
I do actively seek out more obscure authors from around the world and literature in translation...probably 25-30% of the books I own are translated from another language (except French which I usually read in the original). So it's maybe unsurprising that I would find this forum intriguing
Other interests of mine include film, sports, history, politics, geography, travel, photography, and learning foreign languages.
Since I joined after the Nobel announcement, I'll just say I haven't read anything by Annie Ernaux yet, but she seems a worthy recipient of the prize.
I likely won't be the most frequent poster, but will try to contribute a semi-intelligent comment occasionally
Kind regards,
Andrew
You're welcome on board, Andrew.