Ken’s review of The Child and the River > Likes and Comments
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Ah, another river story by the author of Malcroix
I bought a copy of Malcroix, too, but I wanted some time between reading two books by the same author.
Ken wrote: "I bought a copy of Malcroix, too, but I wanted some time between reading two books by the same author."
I'm like that. I can't do completism. Malcroix is a curious beast of a thing.
This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when one craves this kind of ordinary magic. By the way, are you collecting NYRB editions? They are really great!
Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when one craves this ..."
I actually FEAR nyrb books because I'm afraid I'll keep buying them. I even looked into subscribing to their nyrb Classical series and getting them in the mail, but oh, the financial implications of indulging!
Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when ..."
I don't have that problem. Postage to Australia is prohibitive. I'm safe for now.
Bookshops only carry a limited range. They had a 40% off sale a couple of weeks ago. I had to let go at the checkout once postage added.
Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when ..."
OH NO, I wish I didn’t know about the subscription. At least Nick is safe.
I’ve just noticed we can send them recommendations, there are some titles I’d love to see in NYRB collection. Not sure they will listen to me, but I might try and send them an e-mail.
Nick wrote: "Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winte..."
40% is a nice discount and would lead me to spend silly. I suppose I should sign up for their emails. Everyone wants your email these days.
Maryana wrote: "Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winte..."
What titles would you like to see included? I like how they go back and look for out-of-print or obscure titles. I also like how many translations they put out, opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world (stuck with native speakers).
I recently found a copy in a 2nd Hand Bookshop of his Vassily Grossman's Journey to Armenia.
I like the idea that NYRB curates stuff didn't deserve to fall off a cliff, or no one had heard of. I doubt its all good, though. I also like New Directions for keeping obscure 20thC writers on the list. The even have a philanthropy option so people can donate and nominate from their list to re-issue Another publisher whose books I can't afford to get posted to Oz.
Thank you for this helpful and informative review, Ken. Good to know in advance what to expect in a book.
Ken wrote: "opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world"
You are free to learn a new language :D
But yes, their initiative is great. These days NYRB, Fitzcarraldo Editions, New Directions, Two Lines Press are some of my favourites.
Regarding NYRB titles I would like to see in print, The City, for example. Also, I believe I haven’t come across a Portuguese author yet. I would nominate poet and painter Mário Cesariny, but maybe he is too surrealist and obscure.
Nick wrote: "I recently found a copy in a 2nd Hand Bookshop of his Vassily Grossman's Journey to Armenia.
I like the idea that NYRB curates stuff didn't deserve to fall off a cliff, or no one had heard of. I d..."
I bought a bundle of three poetry/essay books by contemporary authors from New Directions yesterday. I hold you directly accountable. If I like even one of them very much, I'll also hold you directly accountable. ;-)
(And hey, free shipping! How little to takes to persuade readers.)
Laysee wrote: "Thank you for this helpful and informative review, Ken. Good to know in advance what to expect in a book."
Your welcome as always, Laysee!
Maryana wrote: "Ken wrote: "opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world"
You are free to learn a new language :D
But yes, their initiative is great. These days NYRB, Fitzcarraldo Editions..."
I have tried. Five years of French in school and I played with Duolingo French during the Covid mess, too, but France has little to worry about from me. It seems immersion is the only way. Drop me in France for a year and I'll speak like not only Guy but de Maupassant.
Good choices. Not sure about the Portuguese. I've read Pessoa, of course (he's having his moment!) and Portuguese by way of Brazil (Machado de Assis) -- all a welcome change from the typical American or British fare.
I'm Portuguese and I'd say Mário Cesariny is obscure even in Portugal. Not exactly a household name, that's for sure.
Pessoa has been "having his moment" for decades now, and is the terror of Portuguese students. He is also, by far, the one author everyone gets their phd on, I've heard in Brazil it is even more common.
Nocturnalux wrote: "I'm Portuguese and I'd say Mário Cesariny is obscure even in Portugal. Not exactly a household name, that's for sure.
Pessoa has been "having his moment" for decades now, and is the terror of Por..."
Interesting about Pessoa's decades-long "moment." I'll amend it and say, because I only discovered his Book of Disquiet a few years ago, Pessoa appears to be just having his moment. You know better, so thanks for sharing.
And while you're here, might I ask who Portugal considers its greatest writer? Its Shakespeare-in-England, Flaubert-in-France, Twain-in-the-USA equivalent?
Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous.
I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to translate his poetry. Sorry it was a bit of a personal choice here, I thought NYRB might want to consider both well-known and obscure authors even in the country of those authors. On the other hand, I understand there are some household names (which might not be translated yet) that Portuguese people would rather see translated and published in English or other languages.
I'll come for the same year, too, Ken, I need that amount of immersion to pin down the language.
Maryana wrote: "Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous.
I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to translate his p..."
No need to apologize at all.
I'd rather it picked Vergílio Ferreira, Eugénio Castro, Miguel Torga, not to mention our female authors who tend to languish in translation. Lídia Jorge's Misericórdia may be one of the most important books published in Portugal in the last decade, this without considering her older material that may be more suited to this kind of collection.
"A lazy float down the river" that's sounds okay......anyway, great review Ken.
Nocturnalux wrote: "Maryana wrote: "Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous.
I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to..."
All these names you and Maryana bring up sound intriguing indeed. If only I were an editor at nyrb!
Mark wrote: ""A lazy float down the river" that's sounds okay......anyway, great review Ken."
Thanks, Mark. I'm pretty good at "lazy." The occasional river, too.
You can't help but judge NYRB books by their covers. They're evil that way.
Ulysse wrote: "You can't help but judge NYRB books by their covers. They're evil that way."
True. Some are actually ugly, but many are beguiling in the worst way, covering a multitude of sins (like the writing inside).
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Jul 11, 2023 04:33PM
Ah, another river story by the author of Malcroix
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I bought a copy of Malcroix, too, but I wanted some time between reading two books by the same author.
Ken wrote: "I bought a copy of Malcroix, too, but I wanted some time between reading two books by the same author."I'm like that. I can't do completism. Malcroix is a curious beast of a thing.
This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when one craves this kind of ordinary magic. By the way, are you collecting NYRB editions? They are really great!
Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when one craves this ..."I actually FEAR nyrb books because I'm afraid I'll keep buying them. I even looked into subscribing to their nyrb Classical series and getting them in the mail, but oh, the financial implications of indulging!
Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when ..."I don't have that problem. Postage to Australia is prohibitive. I'm safe for now.
Bookshops only carry a limited range. They had a 40% off sale a couple of weeks ago. I had to let go at the checkout once postage added.
Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winter read when ..."OH NO, I wish I didn’t know about the subscription. At least Nick is safe.
I’ve just noticed we can send them recommendations, there are some titles I’d love to see in NYRB collection. Not sure they will listen to me, but I might try and send them an e-mail.
Nick wrote: "Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winte..."40% is a nice discount and would lead me to spend silly. I suppose I should sign up for their emails. Everyone wants your email these days.
Maryana wrote: "Ken wrote: "Maryana wrote: "This sounds lovely, thank you for sharing, Ken! I’ve just finished Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book a week or so ago, so I might save this for my next summer read or winte..."What titles would you like to see included? I like how they go back and look for out-of-print or obscure titles. I also like how many translations they put out, opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world (stuck with native speakers).
I recently found a copy in a 2nd Hand Bookshop of his Vassily Grossman's Journey to Armenia.I like the idea that NYRB curates stuff didn't deserve to fall off a cliff, or no one had heard of. I doubt its all good, though. I also like New Directions for keeping obscure 20thC writers on the list. The even have a philanthropy option so people can donate and nominate from their list to re-issue Another publisher whose books I can't afford to get posted to Oz.
Thank you for this helpful and informative review, Ken. Good to know in advance what to expect in a book.
Ken wrote: "opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world"You are free to learn a new language :D
But yes, their initiative is great. These days NYRB, Fitzcarraldo Editions, New Directions, Two Lines Press are some of my favourites.
Regarding NYRB titles I would like to see in print, The City, for example. Also, I believe I haven’t come across a Portuguese author yet. I would nominate poet and painter Mário Cesariny, but maybe he is too surrealist and obscure.
Nick wrote: "I recently found a copy in a 2nd Hand Bookshop of his Vassily Grossman's Journey to Armenia.I like the idea that NYRB curates stuff didn't deserve to fall off a cliff, or no one had heard of. I d..."
I bought a bundle of three poetry/essay books by contemporary authors from New Directions yesterday. I hold you directly accountable. If I like even one of them very much, I'll also hold you directly accountable. ;-)
(And hey, free shipping! How little to takes to persuade readers.)
Laysee wrote: "Thank you for this helpful and informative review, Ken. Good to know in advance what to expect in a book."Your welcome as always, Laysee!
Maryana wrote: "Ken wrote: "opening the world to we the deprived English speakers of the world"You are free to learn a new language :D
But yes, their initiative is great. These days NYRB, Fitzcarraldo Editions..."
I have tried. Five years of French in school and I played with Duolingo French during the Covid mess, too, but France has little to worry about from me. It seems immersion is the only way. Drop me in France for a year and I'll speak like not only Guy but de Maupassant.
Good choices. Not sure about the Portuguese. I've read Pessoa, of course (he's having his moment!) and Portuguese by way of Brazil (Machado de Assis) -- all a welcome change from the typical American or British fare.
I'm Portuguese and I'd say Mário Cesariny is obscure even in Portugal. Not exactly a household name, that's for sure. Pessoa has been "having his moment" for decades now, and is the terror of Portuguese students. He is also, by far, the one author everyone gets their phd on, I've heard in Brazil it is even more common.
Nocturnalux wrote: "I'm Portuguese and I'd say Mário Cesariny is obscure even in Portugal. Not exactly a household name, that's for sure. Pessoa has been "having his moment" for decades now, and is the terror of Por..."
Interesting about Pessoa's decades-long "moment." I'll amend it and say, because I only discovered his Book of Disquiet a few years ago, Pessoa appears to be just having his moment. You know better, so thanks for sharing.
And while you're here, might I ask who Portugal considers its greatest writer? Its Shakespeare-in-England, Flaubert-in-France, Twain-in-the-USA equivalent?
Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous. I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to translate his poetry. Sorry it was a bit of a personal choice here, I thought NYRB might want to consider both well-known and obscure authors even in the country of those authors. On the other hand, I understand there are some household names (which might not be translated yet) that Portuguese people would rather see translated and published in English or other languages.
I'll come for the same year, too, Ken, I need that amount of immersion to pin down the language.
Maryana wrote: "Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous. I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to translate his p..."
No need to apologize at all.
I'd rather it picked Vergílio Ferreira, Eugénio Castro, Miguel Torga, not to mention our female authors who tend to languish in translation. Lídia Jorge's Misericórdia may be one of the most important books published in Portugal in the last decade, this without considering her older material that may be more suited to this kind of collection.
"A lazy float down the river" that's sounds okay......anyway, great review Ken.
Nocturnalux wrote: "Maryana wrote: "Ken, I hope you can find a way to keep up with your French. A year in France sounds fabulous. I know Mário Cesariny is not that well-known in Portugal and it would be difficult to..."
All these names you and Maryana bring up sound intriguing indeed. If only I were an editor at nyrb!
Mark wrote: ""A lazy float down the river" that's sounds okay......anyway, great review Ken."Thanks, Mark. I'm pretty good at "lazy." The occasional river, too.
You can't help but judge NYRB books by their covers. They're evil that way.
Ulysse wrote: "You can't help but judge NYRB books by their covers. They're evil that way."True. Some are actually ugly, but many are beguiling in the worst way, covering a multitude of sins (like the writing inside).
