February 04, 2004
The digested read
There is a feature in the Manchester Guardian called "The Digested Read." which is / really funny. (I happened upon it thanks to Moorish Girl) There are six contemporary novels reviewed in this manner - short, plot glued, deadpan and concrete -- including the new Ann Tyler and the new John LaCarre. I'm sure the author has already started on a collection of classics.
Wide-eyed Alice, the prepubescent blonde wearing blue, drops into hole, where she collides with nattily attired rabbit in a hurry. I am sorry to say that I do not remember the plot of Alice in Wonderland, nor any other classic for that matter, well enough to give you an adequate example. Struwwelpeter I could do in a heartbeat, which is probably why I can't remember anything much after that.
Photo note: This is a piece of sculpture entitled "The Reader's Digest Condensed Reading Chair" It is made entirely from Reader's Digest Condensed books, and stands about two feet high. A fine utilization of books that belong in the trash. Of course, I just happened to have it sitting around.
Gabor sighting: Just got back from the book launch for HOLD ON TO YOUR KIDS. It was an event. The room was *packed* with people, and the signing lineup was a mile long. There is something about this particular author that generates excitement, I guess. I did get to meet Dr. Gordon Neufeld, his co-author, who seems like a very nice guy but who plays tortoise to Gabor's hare. The man himself was there, the centre of attention, with various family members. I saw a middle-aged guy standing there who was a dead ringer for him and thought: hmm, I'll bet that's his brother (I was right). His wife and two of his kids were there (including Hannah, the one who left a message on this site - she's beautiful, with a Gabor-like radiant intelligence). I sensed a great bond of closeness in that family, though no doubt they've been through heavy stuff. As have all families; but some few strive to break through ancient generational barriers to make things truly better, so that the love can come through.
And so, to bed (I'm exhausted! Gabor did promise to get together some time to talk about the writing process . . . so you may get another report by and by!)
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret Gunning at February 5, 2004 12:31 AMHello Margaret!
When I read your last post, I really didn't think you would make it to the grand event. (Hope you are feeling much better!) I am always pleased when desire triumphs over viri.
And so another fabulous, personal report directly from the scene! A wonderful description of the kind of energy that can be produced rhrough living in the present, in the truth. As always, thank you for your beautiful lit gifts
Posted by: Dakota at February 5, 2004 06:09 AMWhy, thank you! My pleasure, of course. I do have some reporter in me (and in a sense, all writing is reporting, even poetry).
As for making it to the event: without the tomato soup, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Taking care of myself continues to be a challenge, but today I have to be Mummy to myself (a hard, ongoing lesson). Why it's hard, I don't know, as I doted on my own kids and adore my granddaughter; obviously there's a flood of maternal energy there, but too often blocked when it comes to myself.
Gabor's writing deals with all this stuff directly, which is why it speaks to me this way.
It's the next thing, so to speak (i.e. when the student is ready, the teacher appears, and vice-versa. . . )
What I love about your blog is that I never know what to expect. The Reader's Digest chair is a hoot! What a perfect use for those books. You could start a chain of furniture stores: RD Unlimited! (Remember those old brick-and-board bookcases? Why not a bookcase made out of books?)
I just love the eccentricity of it, and the photos are to die for. I have barely any visual sense (I'm almost completely auditory, wired for sound), so this really impresses me.
Blog on!
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret Gunning at February 5, 2004 08:13 AM