tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post2057117265579433518..comments2023-12-24T17:41:42.989-08:00Comments on seraillon: Catalan Victoryseraillonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-91803935112576713712015-04-25T13:07:51.571-07:002015-04-25T13:07:51.571-07:00Thanks, Jacqui - I will look for it. I'm tryin...Thanks, Jacqui - I will look for it. I'm trying to write up a small post - regarding another work - that indirectly has to do with <i>Hunters in the Snow</i>. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-20841391832237390062015-04-24T23:55:22.435-07:002015-04-24T23:55:22.435-07:00Talking of The Hunters in the Snow, I caught a rad...Talking of The Hunters in the Snow, I caught a radio arts programme yesterday featuring a discussion about the new Roy Andersson film, A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence. The film was apparently inspired by Bruegel's painting - there's a little bit about it here if you scroll down to the director's note of intention.<br /><br />http://www.royandersson.com/pigeon/<br /><br />Another movie to add to the list of works featuring or inspired by The Hunters in the Snow. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-63232598724362241452015-03-25T10:13:26.182-07:002015-03-25T10:13:26.182-07:00Thank you! If I've made it sound like a book y...Thank you! If I've made it sound like a book you must read, then I suppose I've succeeded with the post. I had never heard of Caterina Albert i Paradis (or Victor Català either, for matter) before learning of this, but I'll certainly be on lookout for any other of her works that might find their way into English one day. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-54667668613017869432015-03-24T15:29:15.535-07:002015-03-24T15:29:15.535-07:00You've made this sound like a book I must read...You've made this sound like a book I must read! The images seem powerful and the quotes are wonderful. The book and author are completely new to me. Thanks Scott.Séamus Dugganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574186409184247059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-81368481390852539612015-03-11T06:23:11.575-07:002015-03-11T06:23:11.575-07:00I am a great fan of indignation, and better yet, c...I am a great fan of indignation, and better yet, courage. Those would be the two qualities that would most appeal to me in this book you've reviewed, with those character traits alone making it modern. Or, perhaps more modern than what I've come across even today where I'm hard pressed to name one truly courageous heroine from the 21st century...I'll have to think about it.Bellezzahttp://dolcebellezza.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-24437019437041805192015-03-10T20:51:37.922-07:002015-03-10T20:51:37.922-07:00Bellezza - the marital situation in Solitude - thi...Bellezza - the marital situation in <i>Solitude</i> - this "marriage of the most common kind" - is hardly unusual. Removed to another familiar context, her husband would be lying on the couch drinking beer and watching football. Mila, though, is a great dynamic character - and not one to put up with this for very long. Her indignation and courage make <i>Solitude</i> stand out for its time. But I was even more impressed by Català's expert manipulation of setting and imagery to convey Mila's story. I found it a rich and remarkably modern work. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-50290749286451101752015-03-10T17:17:45.061-07:002015-03-10T17:17:45.061-07:00I am struck by the image of Anna in the hermitage/...I am struck by the image of Anna in the hermitage/mountain fortress, cleaning cobwebs, dusting and polishing as a very apt picture of the gritty part of marriage. Her husband stuck in his too tight clothes, herself stuck in a dirty house, seems a paradigm for marriage of the most common kind. An illusion of princesses in castles, damn Disney anyway, is not often where we find ourselves when we grow up. Perhaps I'm reading too much into the situation, having not read this author, that's merely what occurred to me from your review. I like the idea of exploring a woman's wants...now that's a vast topic! Coupled with her courage and conviction? I'm fascinated.Bellezza https://www.blogger.com/profile/18073864187188953633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-80523911762676453812015-03-10T07:25:47.060-07:002015-03-10T07:25:47.060-07:00I'd almost assumed that you'd posted on Ca...I'd almost assumed that you'd posted on Català, since she seems right up your alley. I'll be curious to know what you think when you do get around to her. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-13392684184363997592015-03-09T10:30:14.836-07:002015-03-09T10:30:14.836-07:00I've wanted to read Català for a while but hav...I've wanted to read Català for a while but have yet to get around to "him/her." However, these descriptions you've cited--esp. the one about the snails--are quite lively! Will keep this in mind for after I complete my next Catalan novel (prob. by Mercè Rodoreda). Fins aviat!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-86580783668880845842015-03-07T09:44:05.767-08:002015-03-07T09:44:05.767-08:00*in fact
More haste, less speed. *in fact<br /><br />More haste, less speed. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-22112607891390031322015-03-07T09:42:31.024-08:002015-03-07T09:42:31.024-08:00How interesting! Yes, I have seen Tarkovsky's ...How interesting! Yes, I have seen Tarkovsky's Solaris (in fac,t I think it might have been the catalyst for my interest in Brueghel's painting). It's been a while since I watched that film so I'll have to add it to the DVD rental list. JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-57212878931534502532015-03-06T09:08:52.205-08:002015-03-06T09:08:52.205-08:00Thanks, Jacqui - my bringing in painting was direc...Thanks, Jacqui - my bringing in painting was directly a reflection of how Albert seems to do so herself. In fact, funny that you mention <i>Hunters in the Snow</i>, a favorite of mine as well, since a description of hunters and their dogs in <i>Solitude</i> is in fact what first made me think of Brueghel. I'm nearly convinced that Albert had exactly that painting in mind when she wrote the description. (By the way, have you Andrei Tarkovsky's film <i>Solaris</i>? That painting features prominently). <br /><br />I'm glad too that you mentioned the cover art of the original edition. I was struck by it too, and think it captures both the mood and the aesthetic texture of the novel almost perfectly. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-39265543254007182052015-03-06T09:03:18.467-08:002015-03-06T09:03:18.467-08:00Thanks, Brian. I suspect that Albert may have been...Thanks, Brian. I suspect that Albert may have been strongly influenced by <i>La Regenta</i>, as there are some remarkable similarities (including a "consumptive" looking statue of St. Pontius like a similar statue of Christ in Alas' novel). I think she's also deliberately challenging the models of women in oppressive relationships and situations. Mila is an incredibly courageous character. <br /><br />As I noted above in response to Miguel's comment, the snails actually sound pretty good once you get past the vile descriptions of how they get eaten. The characters utterly revel in eating them!seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-81984978792726248482015-03-06T08:59:13.347-08:002015-03-06T08:59:13.347-08:00The imagery throughout is striking. Believe it or ...The imagery throughout is striking. Believe it or not, despite the hideous way the one character eats the snails (and another repulsive image of a dog eating them), Albert actually manages to make this sound like an appealing feast. But yes, there's a kind of alchemical magic in the ability to carve such indelible images. seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-9352712158687888682015-03-06T02:31:37.158-08:002015-03-06T02:31:37.158-08:00I like how you've compared some of the novel&#...I like how you've compared some of the novel's scenes to images from paintings; it helps in conveying a feel for the book. (A slight aside, but Bruegel's Hunters in the Snow has long been a favourite painting of mine.)<br /><br />The snail passage caught my eye too, quite remarkable stuff. The cover art is quite haunting; it fits perfectly with your commentary on the book. <br />JacquiWinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16220597283351925721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-37259941384220366982015-03-05T03:52:43.316-08:002015-03-05T03:52:43.316-08:00This sounds really good.
I like the way that you ...This sounds really good.<br /><br />I like the way that you contrasted this to other works involving memorable women characters in similar circumstances. <br /><br />I second Miguel's comment, that part about the snails is so striking and amusing. Perhaps if they were cooked properly they might not be so bad...Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2609668304633418767.post-88340281271324734002015-03-04T14:27:16.147-08:002015-03-04T14:27:16.147-08:00The imagery is remarkable, the snails must be utte...The imagery is remarkable, the snails must be utterly disgusting! I'm always so envious of these inventors of memorable descriptions, how I wish I could write sentences this powerful.LMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08538873868140070018noreply@blogger.com