Goody goody gumdrops? Wow, did I ever dredge that one up from the depths of childhood. Next I’m going to start worrying about breaking my mother’s back if I step on a crack in the sidewalk. I wouldn’t mind a good game of red light, green light though.
Anyway, the thing that prompted the goody goody is How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer by Sarah Bakewell. It isn’t due out in the U.S. until October but it is just as well since my reading plate is full. I am still trying to figure out when I can get to On Leaving: A Reading in Emerson which has been patiently sitting on my desk since the beginning of April.
But I digress. Those in the UK can get the book now, you lucky dogs you. The book is reviewed at Prospect (via Arts & Letters Daily) and sounds marvelous.
Reader’s Block moves apace and I continue to love it. Here is a snippet I read today that made me say, “doh! Why didn’t I ever notice that?”
Early in the Iliad, on the battlements above the Scaean Gate, Helen points out the several Greek chieftains for the benefit of King Priam.
After the siege has ostensibly been in effect for a decade.
Off to be a good girl and do my homework.
I am so sleepy/fatigued, that none of this post made any sense to me. However, it did induce a massive craving for spice drops!
(PS: Reader’s Block sounds like a good fun read)
Well, after a decade of siege I guess it’s about TIME he started taking an interest!
You sound a little punchy here, which is fun & hilarious.
We also did step on a line and break your mother’s spine… why were we so hateful to our mothers? This inevitably brought up all sorts of arguments about whether you had stepped on a line or a crack. I think the semantic difference was that cracks are unintentional; however, we never noticed that there really isn’t much difference between breaking someone’s back or breaking their spine.
Red light, green light has a counterpart in Japan called ‘Daruma ga koronda’, which means Dharma fell down. We have Daruma dolls here, which look similar to Weebles. They are used to bring good fortune in a difficult undertaking (e.g., political campaign, opening a new business, etc.). In this game whoever is ‘it’ says the phrase and turns around. While they are facing away, people can move toward them. They vary the pace of their voice to trick people into over committing. Naturally, anyone moving when they turn around must go back to the start line.
I will have to look out for the Montaigne book. I think he is possibly the only author we don’t feel the same about, but maybe I was too young and callow when I tried to read him? I’d certainly be happy to read a good biography, in any case, and it may get me closer to his work in a fruitful way! Good luck with the homework!
Daph, hope you get some rest!
Emily, I know! He must have thought if he ignored them long enough they’d go away. And yes, this is what a tedious project at work and too much homework does
Bikkuri, I know, our poor mothers. And how fascinating that there is a similar game to red light, green light in Japan! I wonder if some games are archetypal or if they somehow manage to migrate from country to country?
Litlove, you don’t like Montaigne? I have been asleep as I have never caught onto to this. He seems like someone you would love too. Perhaps a good biography will help you make up with him and even become friends
Enjoyed your interview! Isn’t the anticipation of a book you want to read just the best thing? Study hard – you’re reaching the finish line.
With regard to Homer, if you ever feel like taking chance in the otherwise mysterious swamp of science-fiction, I heartily recommend the “Iliad” and “Olympus” duet by Dan Simmons. In fact, I can’t recommend the story enough. It’s hard, far-future sci-fi, but mostly the science fiction seems to be a mere excuse: the duet is really a love letter to Books.
Love it … knew I should read The Iliad. What other pearls of wisdom am I missing?
I always seem to want the books published first in the UK, too. I wouldn’t mind it so much as the Book Depository makes it so easy for us now, but since I am on a no book buying regime I can’t even find the books through ILL. NOT that I don’t already have plenty to read, but…
I’m very curious about the Montaigne biography…will see if I can get it here from the UK. I admit to being a little skeptical about the title, which seems a little blithe to me. I suspect the publisher made Bakewell go with it.
I had forgotten all about “goody goody gumdrops.” I think it’s a phrase that must reenter my lexicon. Not as giddy as you over the Montaigne, but I must check out Writer’s Block.
Grad, thanks! Sometimes the anticipation ends up being better than the book.
Cameron, I have those Dan simmons books on my shelf and fully intend to read them one of these days!
whisperinggums, the Iliad is marvelous. Like it much better than the Odyssey.
Danielle, I try to avoid the Book Depository or I’d be in really big trouble!
Verbivore, yeah, I’m not thrilled with the title but the write up of the book makes it sound pretty good.
Emily, heh, glad to know you have used the phrase yourself
I imagine you would like Reader’s Block.