Einherjar86
Active Member
It reminds me somewhat of Auster's Travels in the Scriptorium, from the description, with some obvious differences. Sounds like something I would enjoy, thanks!
The Books/Reading Thread
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unknown
fuck ftagn
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
Einherjar86
Active Member
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
Just some random comments about it being poorly written and long/boring, hard to get into. idk
Einherjar86
Active Member
I know there are some negative reviews on Amazon, but those all seem to have to do with the edition, not with the text itself. But then, I've never read it; but it's such an influential piece in the history of weird fiction that I have to think it has a significant number of revelers. Some people think Lovecraft's work is long and boring.
Draehl
Lurker
Einherjar86
Active Member
I really need to re-read Heart of Darkness again. I haven't read it since high school. I actually started Nostromo a few days ago, but that one will take a while.
I've been so obsessed with film lately, that I don't even remember the last time I read a full book. I'm thinking about hopping into some of the less obvious 20th century French philosophy and possibly a little Pynchon on the side.
I've been so obsessed with film lately, that I don't even remember the last time I read a full book. I'm thinking about hopping into some of the less obvious 20th century French philosophy and possibly a little Pynchon on the side.
Anom@nder Rake
lives on the internet
Chambers isn't on the same level as Algernon Blackwood or HP Lovecraft but I can't see how someone interested in weird fiction would be disappointed with The King in Yellow.
speaking of weird fiction i started reading
Einherjar86
Active Member
Oh man, Pynchon is a beast. Not an easy guy to read at all. I've had numerous false starts; but that said, he's an incredible writer.
I've recently gotten into a bit of the "less obvious" French philosophy (at least, less obvious to me). I've been trying to read a bit of Georges Bataille, and also recently got Michel Serres's The Parasite, which is really thought-provoking.
Jimmy's trying to fill the void left by the narrative departure of one Rust Cohle.
Of course, if we take heed of our friend Mr. Cohle, it's all just void, amirite?I've never read C.A. Smith, but I've heard good things.
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
Yea that's it. I'm not really looking for answers, just more questions to fill the void and expand it. I like the feel of it; the absurdity, the meaninglessness. I like the way Cohle relates to the world and the people in it. The way he creates a narrative for others or helps them complete their story, the story they tell themselves, to get a confession. And then the same sort of investigative confession that comes from him at the end that maybe explains a part of his worldview or narrative. The mystique of the show is vast and profound, I'm hoping I can find more of it in these books. The last character that got me reading again was Chigurh of No Country. Once he uttered the words "I got here the same way the coin did" I had to pick up the book. I couldn't believe how involved it was and how much it explained. But yea I think the weird fiction and/or cosmic horror stuff is fascinating and I want to get deep into it.
Ein, your comments on "horror" really interest me. I watched The Shining with your definition in mind and it was refreshing. I think I should pick the book up.
Ein, your comments on "horror" really interest me. I watched The Shining with your definition in mind and it was refreshing. I think I should pick the book up.
unknown
fuck ftagn
Einherjar86
Active Member
If you like this kind of stuff, then I have suggestions:
Danielewski's House of Leaves (which you already are aware of)
Samuel Beckett's work (look particularly at Endgame)
Tom McCarthy's Remainder
Reza Negarestani's Cyclonopedia
Richard Powers's Galatea 2.2
Don DeLillo's Point Omega
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying
To be honest, there are so many more. And if you liked McCarthy's No Country, then you should seriously try to read Blood Meridian. It will rock your world.
Coincidentally, I've been looking into the etymology of "horror." At its root, it doesn't have to do with the psychological response that we typically associate with horror; it has to do with prickling, tingling, with a sensation of the body. The adjective "horrid" is actually an emphatically physical descriptor, not psychical; "the horrid rocks", for instance, refers to the jaggedness of stone, not to any psychic sensation that they might evoke.
So, at its root, there is something profoundly materialist and non-psychic about horror. I find that interesting.
unknown
fuck ftagn
Just going to reiterate this and follow it up with a link to a video comparing some of Cohle's lines with Ligotti's from Conspiracy Against the Human Race: http://lovecraftzine.com/2014/08/04...tective-plagiarize-thomas-ligotti-and-others/
That's his major work of nonfiction. The majority of his fiction is what can be described as nihilistic weird fiction. The Nightmare Factory, The Shadow at the Bottom of the World, and Teatro Grottesco are his three major collections of fiction, though they may be hard to come by. I recommend Shadow at the Bottom of the World, in particular the title story, which illustrates what happens when a supernatural event occurs in a small town and how people labor under the illusion of caring for each other but only really care about themselves.
He also has an odd collection called My Work is Not Yet Done, which he described as "corporate horror". I'll just leave the description at that, but it does seem to illustrate the futility (I suppose) of work.
zabu of nΩd
Free Insultation
- Feb 9, 2007
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I read Heart of Darkness over the summer. It seemed pretty nihilistic. An elegant sort of nihilism. I used to think getting high alone in the dark while listening to Arcana was an elegant sort of nihilism too, but maybe I shouldn't compare that to someone's war story.
Anyway, for what was basically my one fiction read of the year, I guess it didn't do much to lure me back into reading more fiction.
A Brief History of Time was more my speed. Now I can sort of visualize the structure of the universe and cosmological history. Awesome. I'm one step closer to being completely unsurprised by everything else I learn for the rest of my life.
Anyway, for what was basically my one fiction read of the year, I guess it didn't do much to lure me back into reading more fiction.
A Brief History of Time was more my speed. Now I can sort of visualize the structure of the universe and cosmological history. Awesome. I'm one step closer to being completely unsurprised by everything else I learn for the rest of my life.
Everyone should read Histoire de l'oeil.
Le Bleu du Ciel is the only 'erotic' book I think I've ever read fully. I'm sure 50 Shades of Grey could have learned a thing or two from it.
mutantllama
Active Member
His poetry is pretty cool also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBca33v8oGM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxZpEFJhO6k
unknown
fuck ftagn
yeah that was part of his collaboration with Current 93. That's also him reading it too. It's too bad it wasn't more widely published. Teatro Grottesco has some of his poetry
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
I'll be saving this and checking out in the near future. Thank you.
I poured coffee over my head reading this. Just when I think I have a hold of what you're saying you throw a right angle at me
