Comments for The Book Haven

Comment on Dante in the news… and everywhere else. by leo

leo — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:01:19 +0000

One of our men once presented a book on Dante's Inferno. It was refused as too radical for that French University just North of here. The worth of Brown's books is what he says about various things. It appears he is getting better as a writer. But he is a great mystery writer, You just can't put the book down once you read it. Fantasy and all. Leo

Comment on Happy birthday, Omar Khayyám! by Melanie Gonzalez

Melanie Gonzalez — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:48:57 +0000

Here is what Vachel Lindsay was affirming on “reading omar khayyam” In the midst of the battle I turned, (For the thunders could flourish without me) And hid by a rose-hung wall, Forgetting the murder about me; And wrote, from my wound, on the stone, In mirth, half prayer, half play: — “Send me a picture book, Send me a song, to-day.” I saw him there by the wall… So thank to Don Share for this reminder

Comment on Orwell Watch #16 – Bye, bye Che, Einstein, and the Simpsons: “icons” past their expiration dates by Did Charles Tilly Labor in Vain? | Political Violence @ a Glance

Did Charles Tilly Labor in Vain? | Political Violence @ a Glance — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:01:07 +0000

[...] Mobilization to Revolution. It illuminates beautifully (1) why you are an ignoramus if you wear a Che Guevara t-shirt (he directly oversaw the slaughter of thousands of Cubans denied due process, but if you like mass [...]

Comment on Happy birthday, Omar Khayyám! by John Eidinow

John Eidinow — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:03:44 +0000

And I have a vague memory of – was it? – Tony Curtis in a Hollywood Arabian epic, cantering across the desert, beautiful woman on his saddle bow. He looks down at her, “A jug of wine … “. She responds, “Oh Omar, you are a wonderful poet.”
Stupendous.

Comment on Happy birthday, Omar Khayyám! by Cynthia Haven

Cynthia Haven — Mon, 20 May 2013 03:01:53 +0000

Sad, but true.

Comment on Happy birthday, Omar Khayyám! by Jeff Sypeck

Jeff Sypeck — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:04:19 +0000

FitzGerald’s translation has its stuffy moments, but its influence and ubiquity are remarkable–and so is the speed with which our culture has lost its knowledge of English-language poetry. I recall a “Garfield” comic strip (of all things) from the early 1980s that included the line, “A jug of wine, a loaf of bread, and thou.” I can’t imagine anyone hoping that a few young readers might catch the reference today.

Comment on “Age has nothing to do with the template that Beckett has pressed into my soul.” by Cynthia Haven

Cynthia Haven — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:07:10 +0000

Hmmmm… if he wasn’t exonerated, but rather served time and was pardoned, doesn’t that mean he’s a “former felon”? Please educate me on this one, John.

Comment on “Age has nothing to do with the template that Beckett has pressed into my soul.” by John Adams

John Adams — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:01:59 +0000

What a fascinating post, and thank you for linking to Rhys Trantor’s piece on Rick Cluchey. Your description of Cluchey as a “former felon” tempted me to object. Trantor’s post notes that the armed robber was paroled and eventually pardoned, though not exonerated. In any case, very few convicts make such good use of a captivity perfectly suited to staging works like “Waiting for Godot.” The banana snippet from “Krapp’s Last Tape” justifies three-and-a-half minutes of anyone’s time–a very good find.

Comment on Orwell Watch #16 – Bye, bye Che, Einstein, and the Simpsons: “icons” past their expiration dates by Did Charles Tilly Labor in Vain? | Will Opines

Did Charles Tilly Labor in Vain? | Will Opines — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:56:55 +0000

Comment on Joseph Brodsky: “betrayal invites you to descend” by Cynthia Haven

Cynthia Haven — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:58:17 +0000

Thanks, John. I’m particularly slow-witted today. Of course I know it’s “Gentle Rereader”!