Reading Player Piano right now... In light of the economy, especially up here in the rust belt, it's very depressing, so I wonder every few pages why I'm reading it. But Vonnegut is always worth it, so I keep up the fight.
Well, Charles, both those passages are to my mind poetry written to look like prose. They go directly to another part of the brain that is not story because they're nonlinear.
But I believe it's the source of story in us. In that lizard's eye is the fountain of an infinite number of untold stories. And that Bradbury is like the opening shots of a movie during the credits and inside you is the excitement of letting go - suspending disbelief - and being willing to let yourself be taken anywhere, where anything can happen.
The more I hear you talk like this, the more that idea about you comes together for me.
Glad to see Loren Eiseley on your list. He's an old favorite of mine. Another Nebraska boy, too.
Heh. easy to identify with a character in his novels, for better or worse. I am certainly Kilgore Trout, the crazed newspaper man. And maybe novelist manque'.
Hi Charles. I ran across a link that you might find interesting, for space opera works. http://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/09/28/interview-of-me-in-lightspeed-magazine/
Ron Scheer, I think you're absolutely right about the Matthiessen quote. But the Bradbury quote does evoke a sense of story in me. Matthiessen is pure description but Bradbury has added a sense of character almost. Eiseley is just amazing. I just finished reading a couple of his poetry collections. My favorite work by him is the collection "The Night COuntry," which ties in with Bradbury in fact.
Deka Black, I've only read very little Vonnegut. I'm not sure why he doesn't light my fire.
ivan, when I was young and first exposed to Vonnegut I wasn't interested in his humorous take on things. I should try him now that I"m older and more apprecitive of such absurdities. I like Paperback writer. Always brings me a smile.
Great post Charles, I know you have mentioned it before, but I'll have to find a copy of Snow Leopard.
ReplyDeleteThanks, David. I bet you'd like it.
ReplyDeleteWonderfully done, over at Novel Spaces.
ReplyDeleteReading Player Piano right now... In light of the economy, especially up here in the rust belt, it's very depressing, so I wonder every few pages why I'm reading it. But Vonnegut is always worth it, so I keep up the fight.
ReplyDeleteIvan, thanks much, man.
ReplyDeleteEric1313, I've not read a lot of Vonnegut. A little of his humor goes a long way with me.
Well, Charles, both those passages are to my mind poetry written to look like prose. They go directly to another part of the brain that is not story because they're nonlinear.
ReplyDeleteBut I believe it's the source of story in us. In that lizard's eye is the fountain of an infinite number of untold stories. And that Bradbury is like the opening shots of a movie during the credits and inside you is the excitement of letting go - suspending disbelief - and being willing to let yourself be taken anywhere, where anything can happen.
The more I hear you talk like this, the more that idea about you comes together for me.
Glad to see Loren Eiseley on your list. He's an old favorite of mine. Another Nebraska boy, too.
My girlfriend tried i read vonnegut, but.. failed. I like more Cordwainer Smith.
ReplyDeleteThe great Vonnegut.
ReplyDeleteHeh. easy to identify with a character in his novels, for better or worse. I am certainly Kilgore Trout, the crazed newspaper man.
And maybe novelist manque'.
Beatles' song running through one's head,
Paperback writer.
OK :)
ReplyDeleteab fab!
ReplyDeleteHi Charles. I ran across a link that you might find interesting, for space opera works.
ReplyDeletehttp://whatever.scalzi.com/2010/09/28/interview-of-me-in-lightspeed-magazine/
Ron Scheer, I think you're absolutely right about the Matthiessen quote. But the Bradbury quote does evoke a sense of story in me. Matthiessen is pure description but Bradbury has added a sense of character almost. Eiseley is just amazing. I just finished reading a couple of his poetry collections. My favorite work by him is the collection "The Night COuntry," which ties in with Bradbury in fact.
ReplyDeleteDeka Black, I've only read very little Vonnegut. I'm not sure why he doesn't light my fire.
ivan, when I was young and first exposed to Vonnegut I wasn't interested in his humorous take on things. I should try him now that I"m older and more apprecitive of such absurdities. I like Paperback writer. Always brings me a smile.
Cloudia, thanks.
laughingwolf, appreciate it, man.
writtenwyrdd, thanks, I'll check it out