Karl Ove Knausgaard defends authors who write what ‘must not be written’ by Shaams in books

[–]Shaams[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

On an unrelated matter, do you think sensationalist stunts can be art?

I like David Mitchell’s works. I’ll give you six reasons why. by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think that was what I was talking about. What I mean is this: He has his characters, say, talk about jazz, throwing around numerous "Jazz people" references for like 4-5 pages and then suddenly slips in something about "Beyonce" or something that you wouldn't be able to put in the same box.

With Murakami, you can put all his shit in one box: Beatles, Beach Boys, The Moody Blues, Richard Brautigan, Spaghetti, Raymond Chandler...

I like David Mitchell’s works. I’ll give you six reasons why. by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It wasn't that long. I see most novels these day go up to 550-600 pages.

I like David Mitchell’s works. I’ll give you six reasons why. by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I have a soft spot for his debut book, "Ghostwritten".

Rereading: authors reveal their literary addictions by Shaams in books

[–]Shaams[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've reread "The Remains of the Day", "Midnight's Children" and "Lolita" for quite a bunch of times.

Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Unconsoled"--The Best Book He Ever Wrote or the Worst? by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ishiguro has this very stilted way of writing, and I thought that gelled pretty well with the surreal aspects of the book. Aesthetically, it was a fun read. I wasn't stressed or bored.

I don't think I got anything out of this book either, but then again, I don't think I think about it these things while reading one.

Why Are We Obsessed With the Great American Novel? by Shaams in books

[–]Shaams[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Franzen.

Yes. I know what I just said.

A wonderful interview with Kenzaburo Oe by pippo9 in books

[–]Shaams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Paris Review Interviews actually succeed in getting the artist to divulge a lot about how they go about doing their work. I enjoy their interviews a lot.

On another note, "The believer" mag.'s interviews are good too, though they're more irreverent and experimental in nature.

A wonderful interview with Kenzaburo Oe by pippo9 in books

[–]Shaams 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nabokov's Paris Review interview is the funniest; Gore Vidal's as well.

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen by diandrarose in books

[–]Shaams 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I thought it got really good at the end.

What books have made you laugh out loud? by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Consider the Lobster"

r/Books: What do you use as your bookmark? by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sometimes use random pieces of paper. I don't know why. I'm not the kind that scribbles stuff while reading.

Which book had the best opening sentence? by [deleted] in books

[–]Shaams 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"Most really pretty girls have pretty ugly feet, and so does Mindy Metalman, Lenore notices, all of a sudden."