Just finished Michel Houelbueq: "Atomised" ("Elementary particles"). I found it fascinating, but it seems that his books are either loved or hated. Anyone has any thoughts on it? Just started "Magic Hoffman" by Jakob Arjouni. Other interesting recent reads: "The Dogs of Riga" by Henning Mankell. Pretty interesting detective story taking place half in a small city in Sweden and half in Riga, depicting the grim social situation, while trying to solve a mystery. J.C. Izzo: "Solea", great great detective set in Marseille. Fabulous characters, great descriptions of the city atmosphere. Michel Houelbueq: "Platform", I liked that one very much as well. manolis
Just finished Michel Houelbueq: "Atomised" ("Elementary particles"). I found it fascinating, but it seems that his books are either loved or hated. Anyone has any thoughts on it?
Yes, still haven't figured out if he is an optimist or a pessimist. He was a bit -in- and was often high and book sale lists, why many people are distrustfully about him. And there are moments where it's better not to read him . . .
I read Haruki Murakami's The windup bird chronicles. Great book, set in tokyo in the 80s, a man in search of his estranged wife and himself. Hes got some interesting jazz references in there. Some amazing historical WWII stories, delves into some mystical stuff. Great translation. Really worth the read.
It's funny to read "The windup bird chronicles", "Hard-Boiled Wonderland", "A Wild Sheep Chase " etc and than to finish it off with "South of the Border, West of the Sun". Everything from the former books is turned around in the last one and i don't know what to think of it.
There are some other uses of the 2nd person, most that I know of are from the late 20th century, though there could well be earlier works too.
"De Elementen" of Harry Mulish is written like that, but he is being very sarcastic about you and in the end you die. but that is also written much later. arthur
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