It was a busy weekend but somehow leisurely too. Even my volunteer shift at the library Saturday morning was quiet, especially since my nemesis, Librarian Mike wasn’t there.
Time reading was spent with Clarissa, Heordotus, and Flaubert’s Parrot. Clarissa has been arrested much to everyone’s horror including Lovelace’s. One of his lackey’s had her arrested claiming an outstanding debt. Clarissa’s health is failing and the end creeps ever closer for both the character and the book.
I reached the chapter in Herodotus where we get the battle at Marathon. Of course the battle takes place at the end of the very long chapter so there will be some slogging as I try to keep straight who is ruling what city where. For traveling to be such an undertaking back in BC times, there was quite a lot of it but I suppose if there is the potential for plunder at the end of it, people would endure almost anything.
As for Flaubert’s Parrot, this book is pure fun. I am three-quarters of the way through and enjoying myself immensely. It will be a hard book to write about because while it is fun there are lots of ideas in it too any one of which could keep a person talking for hours.
I watched a movie too over the weekend. Several months ago Iliana mentioned Helvetica and it sounded intriguing. And it was. Who would have thought a movie about a font could be interesting but it is. It’s not the font itself that was so fascinating, though it’s history and how it was designed was fun to learn, the people–the graphic designers and font designers past and present–were a quirky bunch who all had definite Opinions. They alone were worth the price of admission, er–rental. I recommend it if you are ever in the mood for a documentary that is a little out of the ordinary.
Hi,
You have a wonderful site here and I have bookmarked it for more perusal. I ran across your site and linked you to my blog post today. I would be honoured by your visit to quoteflections.
I love your stories about Librarian Mike…he’s my favorite workplace villain these days (I kind of picture him standing over your desk and twisting his mustache in his fingers while he stares at you). Can’t wait to hear what the little man does next.
I was a graphic design major and learning about Helvetica was a Big Deal. I didn’t know there was a movie about it! I will have to check it out. Interesting how Helvetica seems so commonplace now but it was such a revolution. Font geekery.
Yay for Flaubert’s Parrot! It is tricky to write about, I agree. And I’m glad the ghastly Librarian Mike was out of action - have we managed to give him the evils sufficiently to be responsible for his absence, do you think? A kind of black enchantment by blogging?
I must read Clarissa one of these days. Meanwhile, so glad to hear you’re enjoying Flaubert’s Parrot. I must RE-read Julian Barnes one of these days. I’ve realized that although I rave about him all the time, I don’t remember much about his books, so it’ll be fun to re-read them.
I think Librarian Mike works at my library, too. Though I suspect it’s a long commute. He alternates reference desk duty with a very nice woman. I have been hauling grocery bags of book donations for the past couple of months and the woman lets me bring as many as I want, but Mr. Nemesis will insist on only one bag a day: “That’s the rule. I can’t carry and shelve all those books.” And she can??
Paul, hello, welcome and thank you. I will be happy to stop by your site and say hello.
Sam, oh how you made me laugh! Thanks for that
Daphne, then I think the movie is right up your alley. I had no idea Helvetica was everywhere and came out of such high ideals. I never put fonts and idealism in the same thought before.
Litlove, you know, I think everyone’s angry psychic emanations have sent him reeling since I haven’t seen him in quite some time now. The real test will be when I do see him again if he is actually nice!
Emily, when you read Clarissa, be sure to either get the abridged version or clear your calendar for the year
This is my first Barnes and I am sure there will be more in the future.
Writer Reading, I am sorry Mike works at your library too. Any way you can clandestinely leave a whole bunch of bags of book donations while he is there?
I love quirky documentaries — Helvetica sounds great. And yes, Flaubert’s Parrot is hard to write about, but I’m looking forward to what you have to say anyway!
My library has Helvetica (I even ordered it!). Maybe I’ll check it out and watch it next weekend. Strangely enough, it sounds very interesting!
Hmm…Mike has been missing long, you think? Maybe he’s fired? And he had to find work at Writer Reading’s library?
I might have to pick up Herodotus again soon, except I still have Proust and the food memoirs I’m reading right now are fun. :p
Like Sam, I’m kind of looking forward to more stories involving your nemesis (I’m actually slightly jealous…I don’t have a nemisis).
I’ve added Helvetica to my Netflix queue, it sounds exactly the type of movie I like. (Ooooh! Sorry
I slogged through Clarissa eons ago and evidently retained NOTHING of it.
Hi Stefanie,
I dedicated a post today about your site and added you to my esteemed Blog Roll at quoteflections. I am amazed at the depth and breadth of your reading, your sensitive reviews… Best wishes.
Thanks for the link back to the original library Mike story. It provided much needed (and infuriating) info. So glad he wasn’t around Saturday. Maybe you’ve shaken him off for good. Now I really must think seriously about Flaubert’s Parrot…perhaps I can add one more to the summer reading list (which is already way too long). Sounds worth it. Like one of the other bloggers, I read Clarissa ages ago, and forgot most of it. But it’s been fun to be reminded in your recent posts. Sounds like the end is in sight!
Your comment about Julian Barnes’ Flaubert’s Parrot being great fun yet full of ideas is very much the experience I have just had reading his latest non-fiction work, Nothing To Be Afraid Of. I found myself musing much too long over what to say about it and finally managed a blurb of sorts. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
Dorothy, I suspect you would like Helvetica. And thanks for the encouragement. I will do my best to come up with something good.
Danielle, after Iliana mentioned the film I thought the same thing and it was strangely interesting. There is this whole other world of font geeks out there I had no idea existed.
Dark Orpheus, I don’t think Mike has been fired. Maybe moved to a different library? Or his schedule has been changed as library hours have changed for the summer. He’s still out there. I have Proust to read still too. I have undertaken reading too many big books at once.
Wil, you made me laugh. A nemesis isn’t something I ever thought I’d have. They do make for good stories
Carrie, LOL! No pun intended?
Paul, thank you, you are too kind.
Fiona, Flaubert’s Parrot reads fast so wouldn’t be too hard to fit into your summer reading. As for Clarissa, I’ve been working my way through the book for an embarrassingly long time. I hope it stays in my memory for awhile at least.
Chumley, thanks for the link. I didn’t know Barnes wrote nonfiction too!
Yay - I’m so glad you liked Helvetica! Naturally, my husband quickly ordered the DVD once it came out. One of these days I may watch it again - those designers are a hoot aren’t they?