FF: Myself Distracting Myself
Dandy and Some of Library of the Sapphire Wind
You’ll see that I haven’t completed either of the longer works I was reading last week. This isn’t because they aren’t good. They are, but there’s one book I haven’t listed that I’ve spent a lot of time reading: my own manuscript of a work in progress, Library of the Sapphire Wind. Sometimes I’m so caught up, I read it on “break” as well as during work time.
For those of you unfamiliar with this column, the Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
A reminder that I’m always happy to hear what you are reading!
Recently Completed:
The Rhine Gold (Das Rheingold) by Richard Wagner, first volume in “The Annotated Ring Cycle” which includes a new translation and annotations by Fredrick Paul Walter. This lively and vivid translation also includes older illustrations, costume designs, and new “graphic novel style” line drawings. I believe it’s due for release in 2020. I received an ARC. This is the first for four volumes in the series.
In Progress:
The Last Hunt by Bruce Coville. Fourth book in the Unicorn Chronicles. Audiobook. This one contains several plot lines, and includes what might be considered several short stories within the larger plot. Definitely an interesting structure.
The title is deception but The Bible As History by Werner Keller. This book’s title in the original German was Und die bible hat doch rechet which translates as closer to “And the Bible is Right” with “Right” in the sense of “Accurate.” This comes closer to reflecting the intention of the book, which was to compare biblical texts with then current archeological research and see how many passages in the Bible provide good guides to cultures and landscape features of the time. Needless to say, since the book was published in 1955, more recent discoveries have invalidated some material, but this is still a very enjoyable read, excellently and fluidly translated by William Neil.
Also:
The most recent Smithsonian and a few articles here and there.
