Very short but full of character and a lot to digest from the helpful annotations, historical notes and explanation. Particularly like the explanationVery short but full of character and a lot to digest from the helpful annotations, historical notes and explanation. Particularly like the explanation about the griot / scribe etc. In terms of the form, am glad to have read in that context, but would admit the plot isn’t hugely engaging or easy to follow (even with the explanation)....more
I think this is brilliant. A very witty, intelligent author and fantastic writing. -Looked up Balling on the map thanks to this. "Balling lies like an I think this is brilliant. A very witty, intelligent author and fantastic writing. -Looked up Balling on the map thanks to this. "Balling lies like an isolated instance of civilization in an oversized cornfield, though out past that, the heath has escaped the drive for efficiency." / "No, the farming operations have gotten so huge," she says. "They buy up everything around them. My parents' farm was bought up by a hog breeder they call Bacon Bjarne. Now my folks live in a house in Balling. My sister too. That's why the smaller farms stand empty, and when they're empty, there are no families with kids living there, and when there aren't kids, there's no one to go to school." -Looked up Jutlantic dialect. Definitely loads to ask the translator, including: "Thunder in the south, bring in the cow." / "People didn't use the word love either. In Balling, you were "fond" of someone if your feelings ran high." / "Exclosures" / nickname "Stove Hood" for a person / "the cow would no longer be out on the ice" -This is a women's novel. As in, it should be read by everyone because it is a women's novel. "I'm like my mom," says Sonja. "We've got these rich, expansive inner worlds. We're quite intelligent. But as women, we're not completely fine-tuned." / "I've got an unfortunate tendency to love men who can't really see me, Sonja thinks. They can't see me, but I'm such a fighter, Mom says. She says I can make anything happen. Yet I can't make you love me" / "She was his muse, and of course there's nothing new in that, women as muses. The interesting thing is, I think that men function as muses for women just as often. Man as muse is an area of research that the Psychological Association should really challenge its members to study." -I know it's got quite an important plot point, but I thought the history behind the scene with the scrapheaps/mounds and remains of the Getsapo headquarters was really interesting. ...more
-Complicated in many ways (not necessarily a bad thing!) given the subject matter, point in history, length and style (non-linear chronology of chapte-Complicated in many ways (not necessarily a bad thing!) given the subject matter, point in history, length and style (non-linear chronology of chapters, number of core characters etc). Possibly like Catcher in the Rye but subverted - different setting, reflecting outwards not inwards, gang of protagonists and the interactions between them being more important -Portrayal of ‘hard boys’ culture can’t be an easy thing to do and takes a lot of skill (to write and to translate). Also not rambly despite the length, which also takes skill to write and translate -List of foodstuffs was pretty much German teenage drinks (!) -Not sure if I am being very simple but the jury is still out for me on chapters not in chronological order. I know it is maybe supposed to retrospectively add colour to some characters but it risks being confusing and I find it harder to get a sense of direction ...more
I found this very engaging. The concept is good, the style polished, it is self aware writing and well translated. Plus the story is of a person that I found this very engaging. The concept is good, the style polished, it is self aware writing and well translated. Plus the story is of a person that you could not have made up.
Good background on political history: “the Guard’s objectives are to create an official division between Flanders and Wallonia and to ‘drive out the fransquillons’, the French-speaking elite in Flanders” Adri’s objections to the situation at school: -Language policies - children have to stand and sing French songs without the words explained to them -“A few years later, at a school where Flemish is spoken, Adri is called a ‘cheesehead’ because of the northern accent he has picked up from his mother” (Also interested in the translation of ‘cheesehead’) -“His teachers have little sympathy for him, because he won’t donate to the Red Cross and says, as his father instructed him, that his family only gives to the Flemish Cross, upon which his teacher asks if poverty and disease are now reserved for the Flemish.”
Another interesting translation one:
“But perhaps because the German term Kinderlandverschickung (‘relocation of children to the countryside’) is too redolent of collaboration, the same initials have been given a Flemish meaning: Kracht, Leven, Vreugde, or Power, Life, Virtue.”
Place that sounds interesting: Vrijdagmarkt...more
Although I had been hoping to learn a bit more about what it was like actually in Holland during the war or after the war (I felt the story rather focAlthough I had been hoping to learn a bit more about what it was like actually in Holland during the war or after the war (I felt the story rather focussed much more on Anna and on Lotte’s relationship towards Anna) I did learn a lot about the relationship between Holland and Germany in relation to this period, or at least how one subjective exchange could go. It is not a straightforward topic so I value the consideration gone into it. In addition there is the very clear view that a German person would defend themselves, insistently. However overall I did find the writing too long winded and not sharp enough. I think the whole novel was a lot longer than it needed to be and that dilutes its impact. I also found the rhythm a bit difficult to deal with.
Quote on the interesting point:
“The Dutch, yes … damned spice traders!’ Anna retorted. ‘You have a different attitude towards foreigners because you were involved in world trade from early on.”
“Life became increasingly complicated not only in a practical sense but also in the abstract. From then on anxiety was permanently present, slumbering, subcutaneous. A sudden silence, a strange noise, hugely swaying tree tops, rumbling in the distance, a vague rumour – a trifle was sufficient to inflame it.”...more
I felt unnerved, which is a sign of success for the writer if that’s what you are aiming for, though also probably means I’ll be trying not to think tI felt unnerved, which is a sign of success for the writer if that’s what you are aiming for, though also probably means I’ll be trying not to think too much about this again. Probably also doesn’t help that I was cold a lot of the time while reading this, it’s a chilling book.
““How long has Switzerland been independent?” “I don’t know,” I said, “it’s hard to say.””...more
I was glad to read something from rural France as a terrible city person who has only ever visited Paris. I think the little quirks of village life (II was glad to read something from rural France as a terrible city person who has only ever visited Paris. I think the little quirks of village life (I very much like the automatic tour guide, and am interested in how its translation was settled on to convey his character) are balanced delicately with people’s complicated frustrations and difficulties with monotony or feelings of being caged in.
I actually hadn’t heard of a gîte before but interesting to think about in the context of this collection.
“The short cut was a country road that had brought me almost directly from the station to the cemetery. But I had stages to pass through: the city, the river at its edge, between the centre and the zone, the narrow iron bridge between the two where the city seemed to choke and where the traffic jams were all part of the journey, the zone itself, the industrial no-man’s-land, the in-between places.”
“They don’t come for the automatic guide, they come for the drama of the panoramic views, or just for the shrill, brutal air of the plateau, for the blue-shadowed snow on very cold days, for the autumn blaze of the maples, the great daubs of green in summer. Some end up in the area more or less by chance and the tourist office sends them along without warning them. They’re surprised, that’s for sure, and sometimes taken aback.”
And finally my ‘would love to asks’ for the translators (who clearly make an excellent team and this is a very fine piece of work by them): -“a load of old twaddle” -“caddish” -statement in the translators’ note that the English book is shorter....more
-Plenty of indications that the Naples dialect is rough or harsh, while Italian is ‘proper’. “They all spoke to me in a cordial dialect mixed with Ita-Plenty of indications that the Naples dialect is rough or harsh, while Italian is ‘proper’. “They all spoke to me in a cordial dialect mixed with Italian, and I made an effort to do the same, or at least I made room in my hypercorrect Italian for some Neapolitan cadences”. -People are complicated is what I take from this book. “The bracelet, however you looked at it, in whatever type of story you inserted it—a fairy tale, an interesting or boring story—showed only that our body, agitated by the life that writhes within, consuming it, does stupid things that it shouldn’t do.” I do think the bracelet backstory gets a little over-complicated but this quote is cool. -When my sister saw the blurb she asked if it was a reference to the Picture of Dorian Gray. I wonder if there is some subversion there, especially “The beauty that Roberto had recognized in me too closely resembled the beauty of someone who hurt people.”...more
Packed with detail and a real historical insight. Read across a couple of plane journeys (Dubai-Kenya, Abu Dhabi-Greece).
-The style of writing, converPacked with detail and a real historical insight. Read across a couple of plane journeys (Dubai-Kenya, Abu Dhabi-Greece).
-The style of writing, conversational but also quite verbose (reflective of the time it was written I assume and perhaps of the account given by Wangrin to the author) makes for a great account and display of skill, as usual by both writer and translator teams. Humour often woven in, eg: “The rest of the journey was going to take another week; the stations that dotted the way were announced from time to time on unusual placards. Some read: “Danger - Lions” others: “Danger - mosquitoes,” and still others: “Danger - snakes.” But the most threatening of all was the one in Zindinnguesse which warned in large letters: “Danger - thieves, mosquitoes, lions and snakes.” -Interesting list of languages spoken by Wangrin: Bambara, Fulfulde, Dogón, Mossi, Djerma, Hausa, Baule and Bete. -Another demonstration of the humour: “Sleep, always stronger than man, overcame him and carried him off to the kingdom whence people return with an unpleasantly dry mouth.” -Tigi-naana dance -“White-white” concept...more
-A few times where the importance of David’s book being in the Basque language was emphasised: “He couldn’t bear the A few interesting layers to this:
-A few times where the importance of David’s book being in the Basque language was emphasised: “He couldn’t bear the thought of them appearing for the first time in English. It felt to him like a betrayal of the old language.’” and “There are so few Basque speakers, fewer than a million. And every time even one of us abandons the language, it feels as if we were contributing to its extinction” -Lots of Basque words woven in, including rantxo, abeletxe, mitxirrika, Elurra mara-mara ari du. (“It was what people in Obaba said when it was snowing softly.”), gudari, salastrajo, pantasi aundiko neska, ik baino obeto, aguria -Saying “you can take a horse to water, but twenty men can’t make it drink” -An isolated place like Iruain. It was a small, green, bucolic valley, which seemed custom-made to welcome Virgil’s ‘happy peasants’. -Basque schools movement -The Teresa character (and how bittersweet what she represents is)...more
What I take from this is the author write about a very divided society.
“Arab. I never felt Arab, you know. Arab-ness is like Negro-ness, which only exWhat I take from this is the author write about a very divided society.
“Arab. I never felt Arab, you know. Arab-ness is like Negro-ness, which only exists in the white man’s eyes. In our neighbourhood, in our world, we were Muslims, we were given names, faces and habits. Period. The others were the “strangers”, the rouimis God brought here to bring us to the test, but whose days were numbered anyway: One day or another, they would leave, there was no doubt about that.”
“I’ve lived there - I’mon the fourth floor - for twenty years now, I think. The whole place is falling to ruin. When I lean over my balcony and observe young children playing, it seems like I’m watching a live broadcast of the new generations, in ever-increasing numbers, as they push the old ones toward the edge of the cliff.”
Incidentally, top quoted paragraph would be very interesting to chat to the translator about. As would the overall tone, as it relies very heavily on capturing Harun’s voice for what is essentially a monologue (and he is of course, psychologically interesting).
The premise of the narrator speaking about an author’s book about the murder of his brother is clever, and very original. I see also from much more sophisticated reviewers than me (eg this Guardian review) the novel takes its place within a literary cannon, and adds perspective to it. In summary, this book comes from a creative, intelligent and bold writer, together with an extremely skilful translator....more
My heroine Ann Morgan’s review https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/20... is very good. Interesting the discussion re sex scenes does not just seem to bMy heroine Ann Morgan’s review https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/20... is very good. Interesting the discussion re sex scenes does not just seem to be there but here too. Also interesting this is the case for a book translated from Spanish. But really key point is agree this extremely enjoyable a read, fun, clever, knowledgeable and engaging....more
Read mostly on the plane from London to Abu Dhabi.
The introduction by Henry Newbolt to the version I read set it up really nicely. It states how ThomaRead mostly on the plane from London to Abu Dhabi.
The introduction by Henry Newbolt to the version I read set it up really nicely. It states how Thomas Mofolo was born in about 1875, was a Mosuto, a native of Basutoland, and wrote in Sesuto. On style, it states “Translation is here more than usually thwarting, because the book is not a mere record of events, or a historian’s analysis of motives, but a piece of imaginative literature.” And finally it notes the difficulty translating Mofolo’s prose to do it justice (implying it does not) but this is fair enough and a privilege I should be denied for not knowing Sesuto.
Agreed overall that this is a fantastic read. I wonder if the premise was ripped off to an extent by Scarface (I am joking .. partly). And I hope one day to chat to someone who has read the original who will have had an interesting experience I am sure....more
Absolutely love that the “quest” in this is to go and find a book.
But as a much larger point, this is an incredibly well written, very valuable book. Absolutely love that the “quest” in this is to go and find a book.
But as a much larger point, this is an incredibly well written, very valuable book. It’s clever in the statement it is making, it gives a wonderful insight into simple village life, and it is so enjoyable to read. I cannot understate how important I think this last part is for good literature. The prose is sophisticated, but also accessible, the main characters are heart warmingly nice but not annoyingly perfect, the plot is well developed and original while also being charming and refreshing, and the tone is funny and sweet but also self aware. It is no mean feat to get this all right and is a demonstration of the magic of good storytelling. I can’t say any bad things about it....more
Though what I also find intruiguing - and I write this completely openly, without having thought it through so its still inelegantly expressed - is the point around closeted gays being the biggest homophobes. I think that exact line is uttered in the book but right from the beginning I thought that was a big feature of Jeanphi. I'm very glad the book raises the issue....more
It's interesting that I didn't realise that the aim was to tell the stories 'wanderers of Pointe Noire' until after I'd read the book (I'm sure I shouIt's interesting that I didn't realise that the aim was to tell the stories 'wanderers of Pointe Noire' until after I'd read the book (I'm sure I should have just been paying more attention) - when I did see that, I can understand that these strands are all woven into the story. Perhaps a little like The Tribe: Portraits of Cuba in concept only, the style and execution are very different. Anyway, I did enjoy getting to know the wanderers of Pointe Noire. I learnt a lot about history too and about some folklore and traditions.
-A number of tribes mentioned, including: Bembé, Lari, Vili, Téké, Mbochi, -Background to the flag: red symbolised the greatest struggle for independence during the 1960s, green for nature, yellow for the wealth of natural resources, pillaged and stolen by Europe, the hoe and hammer to remind to look ahead and track down the enemies of the Revolution -orphanage separated (and doesn't seem to be in touch with) other parts of the country, includign neighbouring parts -Ancestor Nzinga and her children N'vita Numi, Mpaânzu a Nimi and Lukeni Lwa Nimi
Would love to chat to the translator about: "Let's not make a dish of pork adn plantains out of it". Presumably it's the same as 'let's not make a meal out of it' but there was a choice not to use the normal phrase?
I will admit I was losing the voice of the narrator a little towards the end though I think the plot and storytelling is overall excellent. Glad to see it was Booker prize longlisted....more
I learned a huge amount from this, and found myself unexpectedly quite absorbed. Very much worth a read for an insight into a culture where there is nI learned a huge amount from this, and found myself unexpectedly quite absorbed. Very much worth a read for an insight into a culture where there is not so much written information available and for a sympathetic, well-written and engaging piece.
Really glad to see this won a PEN translates award and that it is part of the Deadalus Africa series, both of which (in my experience) do really great work in this space.
Snapshot of some of the helpful cultural references (skilfully left in the original French, and I understand there are also Arabic or Bedouin tribal influences but with extremely helpful footnotes):
-Rayhana's tribe is the Smacides, and she was born in Terwen -griotte is the feminine form of a West African wandering poet and musician who passes on oral storytelling traditions -Chella tribe, an offshoot of the Ghassem -and practice of introducing yourself to show 'good blood' -med'h song and bendje song - the latter an expression of joy, for dancing to -Imraguen fisherman and their strategies protecting themselves against sea djinns and for tming them -Sheikh Tijane -the marabout they go to visit has Cherifean lineage
Also some of my favourite quotes, first tying in with theme of traditional tribal life vs urbanisation:
"'No, my sister,' I told her, 'tribes are not in charge here. No one's in charge. These people have no brands for their beasts, no names in their heads, no past in their veins. No, there are so many different people, from all the regions of the country, adn none of them know the language of the heart. There are so many houses, so many tall buildings, but no real roofs, no tents that provide support and shelter. There are crowds in every street, but never anyone around you, people don't see you. I can't wait to find my child and get out of here .. no don't be afraid, my tribe doesn't exist here."
Another example where there is societal outcasting of sex workers/homosexuals together, and those groups were very endearing to me as a reader (like also in 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World):
"Hama, I soon discovered, was a treasure. He knew the whole city, the whole country in fact. He could recite numerous poems. He told me stories of true loves and dubious relations. He was very funny. He guided me gently towards some understandings of the failings and the falsehoods of people. He had a beautiful voice and was a virtuoso on the tom-tom, which he could beat with one hand, two hands, one foot, two feet, all while dancing. He gave me a demonstration that left me flabbergasted."
Finally on the titular desert:
"The immense desert is actually a tiny place: every step bears the name of its owner, every presence tells its story." ...more
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