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It’s worthwhile comparing the criticism to other works such as James Joyce’s Ulyssess. Take this quote from a review in the NYT: Few intuitive, sensitive visio
by vo2maxer 7y ago
It’s worthwhile comparing the criticism to other works such as James Joyce’s Ulyssess. Take this quote from a review in the NYT:
Few intuitive, sensitive visionaries may understand and comprehend "Ulysses," James Joyce's new and mammoth volume, without going through a course of training or instruction, but the average intelligent reader will glean little or nothing from it- even from careful perusal, one might properly say study, of it- save bewilderment and a sense of disgust. It should be companioned with a key and a glossary like the Berlitz books. Then the attentive and diligent reader would eventually get some comprehension of Mr. Joyce's message.
http://www.openculture.com/2013/10/the-very-first-reviews-of-joyces-ullyses.html http://www.openculture.com/2013/10/the-very-first-reviews-of...
- adventskalender 7y agoSuch books may exist mainly for signalling status, signalling "I can afford to spend time on useless endeavors". Like a whole university degree in literature, only more condensed. Presumably it works well because it really is extremely time consuming to read those books. The only question is how hard it is to fake having read them (how many details do you have to remember, how many details do other readers remember so that they question you about them). Thinking about it, perhaps a degree in literature is actually an attempt to fake read all those supposedly important works (you may often only read summaries and learn to bullshit about literature).
- vo2maxer 7y agoI’m not sure I understand what you mean: Works written by James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Javier Marías, Dante, Chaucer, Tolstoy, Cervantes, Montaigne, Kafka, Roberto Bolaño, Julio Cortázar, and even Shakespeare are read just for pomposity? Their content is not worth the effort in understanding them? It’s all just for putting on airs which anyone can easily do by reading a summary?
- anthk 7y agoDon Quixote is damn easy. Long, but easy. Source: a Spaniard.
- vo2maxer 7y agoClaro que es muy fácil (Sure, it’s very easy). Quevedo is even damn easier ;-) “Si no os picaderes más de saber más menear las negras que llevais que la lengua –dijo el otro estudiante–, vos lleváredes el primero en licencias como llevaste cola.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de La Mancha
- anthk 7y agoDe acuerdo, cambios gramaticales, pero en el instituto tuvimos que aprender eso... junto con las clases de euskara :D. No es tan remotamente complejo como para un inglés entendiendo a Shakespeare. "Si no te jactases de saber menear la espada que llevas más que de la lengua, serías el primero en licenciarte en vez del último". O similar.
- adventskalender 7y agoI wouldn't generalize over all books. However, I am pretty sure getting a degree in literature is mostly about signalling status.
- otabdeveloper4 7y ago"Ulysses" is trash, sorry. The equivalent of a three-hour long Simpsons gag compilation marathon Youtube video, except for academics. "Infinite Jest" is okay, but needs an editor badly.
- vo2maxer 7y agoOther than The Simpsons allusion, can you be more specific in how James Joyce’s “Ulysses” is “trash”? Quotes from the novel with your criticism are welcomed. I’m interested in knowing how you came to this conclusion. No need to be sorry. Thank you for the observation.