It struck me as strange that the author of Notes from Underground would next write "The Crocodile," an allegorical, theater-of-the-absurd type story to have been published in D's dying periodical Epoch. After all, Notes from Underground was an innovative exercise in narrative technique, with all sorts of interestingly problematic aspects. "The Crocodile", by contrast, is … Continue reading The Crocodile
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Christopher Hitchens
I don't know what other OPers think of Hitchen's work, if they think of it at all, but I recently picked up his memoir, Hitch-22. The prologue alone makes it clear that he's a brilliant writer, very funny, and has led a very interesting life, qualities which, if you're lucky enough to possess all … Continue reading Christopher Hitchens
Notes from Underground
“… my apartment was my mansion, my shell, my case, in which I hid from all mankind…” (Notes from Underground, trans. Pevear and Volokhonsky, 113) That is just one of the many expostulations I felt compelled to underline while re-reading Notes from Underground. And while I know this is one of those “great works of … Continue reading Notes from Underground
Winter Notes on Summer Impressions
In 1862, D. took his first trip to Europe. He had, however, dreamed of this day for many years, apparently since childhood, when he was enthralled with British and French novels, especially the Gothic tales of Anne Radcliffe. He had apparently planned and planned for this opportunity, probably to such an extent than his actual … Continue reading Winter Notes on Summer Impressions
The House of the Dead
My thoughts about D's prison/exile memoir, The House of the Dead, are somewhat vague and disjointed. This is mostly because while I'm working I just never seem to get around to reading anything. I started this book more than a month ago, and whenever things are spread over that wide a timeframe, I just lose … Continue reading The House of the Dead
Some Firsts
Some absent-minded link-hopping on Wikipedia last night led me to some interesting first human achievements in photography. I thought you might enjoy them as well. So, here's the very first photograph, from 1826! The photo is by a Frenchman, with the wonderful name of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. It's an amazing image, capturing the view outside … Continue reading Some Firsts
Three Stops from the City to the Suburbs
One of my favorite things to experience from great albums is a sense of place. Sometimes it’s over-the-top and therefore a failure (I’m apparently in the minority, but I just can’t get into Exile on Main Street). Sometimes it’s more subtle, but therefore more compelling. Every time I’m in London, The Clash’s London Calling or … Continue reading Three Stops from the City to the Suburbs
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
I was tempted not to see this movie, assuming it would be just another hipster-doofus romance in Michael Cera's increasingly arrested film development. And Scott Pilgrim certainly is that. But I'm happy to report that it's also a remarkably inventive and entertaining movie. If you haven't seen the previews, the basic idea is to imagine … Continue reading Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
More Handwringing about the Value of Philosophy
Via Leiter Reports, I checked out a recent NYT feature called 'Room for Debate' (http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2010/8/19/x-phis-new-take-on-old-problems) in which smart people weigh-in on questions of general interest/social importance. In the latest installment, six eminent philosophers (one, I hate to admit, younger than me) offer responses to this question: Do experimental methods offer new horizons for philosophy departments, … Continue reading More Handwringing about the Value of Philosophy
Spanning Time
There's a fun discussion of Vincent Gallo's Buffalo 66 over at the AV Club -- including a clip of the great photo-booth scene. I was struck by the fact that Scott Tobias seemed very concerned that his readers' lack of empathy for Gallo's character would prevent them from being able to appreciate the movie. I … Continue reading Spanning Time
Original Positions 