James’s Comments (group member since Feb 22, 2013)

James’s comments from the William T Vollmann Central group.

Thanks. I just saw this in my email. Ordered.

George wrote: "Sounds like a great deal. James did he just sign his name, or did he put a nice drawing with your copy of Dying Grass?"

It was just a plain signed edition. I wasn't there in person, so I didn't get to ask for an illustration. Any idea of what you would want illustrated? For The Dying Grass ask for an illustration of his personal wyakin. For the carbon ideologies maybe a lump of coal or fracking rig. Most seem to be pretty quick sketches.

Just got off the phone with Powell's. I was told there would likely be a pre-order for a signed edition, but that their April schedule wasn't finalized. I was also told to check back in about three weeks. I think I paid the cover price plus $10 for my copy of The Dying Grass.

Does anyone know if Powell Books will offer signed pre-orders for the Carbon Ideologies like they did for The Dying Grass? I'm holding off on my order until then.

The ebook for Imperial is $22. If they went to the effort of typesetting an ebook I'd hope they'd just give us a new print edition. What was the original list price of the print edition. Was it significantly more than $140. It would be nice if this even made its way back into a few libraries. The entire Madison library system doesn't have a single copy.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "A recent nicely done blog=review of The Dying Grass ::

"Blind Vision – The Dying Grass"
https://yswriting.wordpress.com/2016/..."
That was well done

Russell wrote: "http://www.kcrw.com/news-culture/show...

The man himself talking with Michael Silverblatt on KCRW's Bookworm. Haven't listened to it yet, but their..."
Russels's the man! I usually have to wait a year until I get the book read to listen to these. They're pretty great.

Tom wrote: "I think the formatting is an attempt by Vollmann to help readers unpack those long sentences, which would otherwise be almost incomprehensible at times. People aren't going to read an 8-page one-se..."

I don't see Vollmann ever winning a Nobel. That prize won't be going to an American white male any time soon based on recent trends. I'm not saying that others aren't as or more worthy, just that he isn't what they're looking for. Here's an interesting article from 2012 on the subject.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisf...

Trying to link the 2015 odds

https://m.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/#!event...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Geoff wrote: "At first I was thinking the presiding voice was going to be Whitman"

I kind of wish that Whitman had accompanied us a little further into the novel. Obviously, Bill's writing from s..."
I actually figured there would be more. He heavily leaned on the Yellow Bear (I think!) biography for the Nez Perce parts from what I remember. Wood obviously is huge and gives the book someone who is grappling with the moral issues. It's interesting to me how Howard's attitude towards African Americans differs from his attitude toward Native Americans down the road. It's almost like his compassion has been exhausted by the end of the NP War.

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Jonathan wrote: "Is anyone else finding this a little less, i don't know, SOMETHING, than some of the other dreams? "

I'm missing the Dream=specific voice -- The Ice-Shirt had the saga voice ; F&C..."
Doesn't the formatting give The Dying Grass a specific voice?

Looks like they are sold out of signed copies at Powells now.

Chris wrote: "Each dream represents a gift of sorts, but not necessarily "technology" (although there are parallels in each dream). On the pg. 29 footnote for Argall WTV specifically states his intention to ". ..."
That's somewhat in line with what i was thinking. In the dying grass the us government seeks to implement manifest destiny. As a result, conquered tribes are forced on to reservations where they have to take on formal government rather than the loose structure that plays out during the book. When tribes are involved now in anything with the US government its a government to Government relationship because recognized tribes are considered sovereign governments. At least, that's my loose understanding of a complex situation.

I found this interesting.http://www.standbyformindcontrol.com/...

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Got another review ::
"William T. Vollmann's new novel on the Nez Perce is 1,376 pages long"
http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index...

And discussion que..."
I hadn't really heard technology, but I do know each focuses on a different aspect such as Christianity in Father's and Crows. I would think the Dying Grass could be the imposition of Government.

Brian wrote: "How feasible is it that I could jump into Vollmann with this book? I've been eyeing the copy in my local bookstore for the past few days, and though it's daunting, I think it might be right up my a..." Do it!

Brant wrote: "For those so inclined (and who don't already have their copy or just want another), Powell's is offering preorders of signed editions at pub price of $55. Can't manage to embed a link at the momen..."


I took advantage of this one. http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-97806...

http://www.washingtonindependentrevie...
Another review.

Did it arrive with the alternate cover? Looking forward to your review.

Greg wrote: "I don't think this review has been posted before:

Booklist Review" Nice

I thought there were times where it was fantastic, where it really emphasized and intensified what Vollmann was going for. Otherwise I felt it was just kind of there, but really it's there as a courtesy to you the reader. It makes it much easier to follow than the text of something like JR in my opinion. At least that's how I felt about it, just wondering how others were feeling.

How are folks feeling about the formatting of the writing?