Stumbling around the web today and I came across this gem on The Guardian website. The Guardian is exploring the literature of “new Europe” in a series of articles, compiling a reading list based on reader recommendations. While I do find this a commendable effort, the problems with this approach are pretty self-evident. A quick glance at their spreadsheet of suggestions will pick up on a number of duplicates – the list would have benefitted from being consolidated and edited in some fashion. I also perceive problems when it comes to leaving the selection solely in the hands of The Guardian’s readership. While they are certainly counted among the highly literary (the Guardian’s book section is excellent), it might have been interesting to speak with scholars or citizens or bookshops and newspapers of the country they are creating the reading list for, because an outsider’s vision of the best of a nation’s literature is certainly going to be limited. Still, a great way to broaden one’s literary horizons. Perhaps I will chime in with my own list of favourites by nation as I continue this blog.
Posted in Books | Tagged reader recommendations, The Guardian, worldliteraturetour | Leave a Comment »
Nothing whets my appetite for travel quite like reading. Generally, my choice of travel destination has been influenced by my reading habits: Obsessed with Flann O’Brien and Celtic myth? Ireland, Scotland, Wales. Reading Jose Saramago and Fernando Pessoa? A pilgrimage to Portugal. Immersed in Bohumil Hrabal? Beat a path to Bohemia.
On occasion, I travel to regions whose literature is not readily available here in North America. The Dalkey Archive Press is working to remedy that problem. Through their new Best European Fiction anthology series (2010 and 2011 available) they provide access to authors from regions not often represented by English language publishers. Indeed, have you ever read anything by a Moldovan, a Montenegran, or a Cypriot? Neither have I. But I intend to remedy that as soon as my special order for these anthologies arrives at the bookshop.
As well, Dalkey Archive Press has embarked upon a new National Literature Series, giving us a sampling of longer works of literature. Currently, there are titles available in the Hebrew, Slovenian, and Catalan series. I feel a trip coming on.
Posted in Books, Travel | Tagged books, Dalkey Archive Press, Europe, Fiction, Reading, Travel | 1 Comment »
The first sight upon emerging from a hike through the woods near Bled, Slovenia
This is really the only good photo I took on my recent trip to Eastern Europe. After a rain-soaked hike through Vintgar Gorge near Bled, Slovenia, we chose to walk back to the town, hiking through the woods. We emerged from the woods on the top of a hill, with this sight greeting us.
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This was one of the small beaches in Lagos, Portugal which turned out to be the most relaxing place on my Portugal excursion.
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Well, I’m years behind on the blogging phenomenon, but here goes. I’m hoping this blog will soon be full of photos and musings on my travels and literary adventures. The photo above is a shot from the top of Blarney Castle.
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