The Mookse and the Gripes discussion
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Unknown Language
Rep of Consciousness Prize UK
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2021 RofC longlist - Unknown Language
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Feb 04, 2021 04:26AM
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Unknown Language by Hildegard von Bingen and Huw Lemmey (Ignota Books)
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I hope this makes the shortlist because it sounds like a book I would like.
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Sounds intriguing
I might just order it since it will be the only book I buy for the prize. I love religion, mysticism, meaning of life type books.
I just ordered it. I feel bad not ordering from Ignota, but their banner said shipping is delayed, I did the second best thing I could do which is order new from B&N.
WndyJW wrote: "I just ordered it. I feel bad not ordering from Ignota, but their banner said shipping is delayed, I did the second best thing I could do which is order new from B&N."I had to do the same with Jacaranda - the book, which is 10 euro but with postage it came to 24 euro , which means that it will be stuck in customs and I'll have to spend another 22 euro in taxis to get to customs (there and back). So I ordered from Blackwell - 16 euro. Not too shabby.
We do the best we can, Robert.
I actually thought of this for the Listopia but didn't include as I couldn't work out what it was! Looking forward to finding out.
This is the one I have requested as my RoC book for February.
The author on the book ... https://tankmagazine.com/tank/2020/11...I'd forgotten he was the author of Red Tory: My Corbyn Chemsex Hell
Paul wrote: "The author on the book ... https://tankmagazine.com/tank/2020/11..."Thanks for the article Paul, I'm not familiar with Huw Lemmey and this was a valuable read. I've read one book by Bhanu Khapil, Ban en Banlieue, which I recall mainly as a poetical work of vivid images.
This books might have the mix of genres the Grief is a Thing with Feathers, Mindset, Dalai Lama book you thought would win the prize, Paul.
Ha yes! Perhaps it is a real book after all - but where's the Mindset!
Mindset talks about having a growth mindset, according to the blurb, and this book is also about, “this woman’s bold involvement in an intellectual and creative endeavor..” So, a unique approach to growth, religion, poetry, and it’s about an unknown language-Porter definitely used language in a unique way Grief is a Thing with Feathers.This might actually be the Goldsmith book of 2021!
Just wrote a review of this book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Not doing my usual video review as I need to think about it some more before talking about it. I will say it had one of the most sensual bathtub scenes I have ever read!
peg wrote: "Just wrote a review of this book. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Not doing my usual video review as I need to think about it some more before talking about it. I will say it had ..."
I started reading it last night. I didn't realize that Hildegard of Bingen was a real person. I think I will do some reading about her before digging in.
I hadn’t heard of her either but enjoyed learning about her....her “visions” sound pretty wild!
Just made the connection - which post dates the book’s publication - that one of the authors won the TS Eliot poetry prize (UK’s most prestigious and valuable poetry prize) in January and (just prior to the publication) one of the the very lucrative Windham Campbell prizes. That’s not a bad 12 months. Also just noticed she is based at the college where Paul and I studied maths.
I though this was a very impressive book - much deeper than I had expected. I will try to gather some thoughts tomorrow.
Here is my review which has taken quite a long time to write - on reflection this goes top of my rankings (with two books to go). Not sure it will appeal everyone though - I think an interest in eschatology assists,https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I’m fascinated by theology: death, the afterlife, is there one and what might it be so I am really eager to get this book now.If I was braver I would have pursued my dream of teaching philosophy of religion in grad school. I’m still grateful for the classes though.
I don’t know why everyone doesn’t ponder these theological/philosophical questions to the extent that I do. I feel like why are we here, is there something after death, why are some people born into great privilege while others are born to suffer and die alone, is there a god and if so what is the nature of god, are good and evil balanced in some way after death are the big questions. I never wonder why others don’t agree with my ideas about these questions, I just wonder why they aren’t as curious about the questions.
I’m sure your review is excellent, Gumble, but I’ll wait until I read the book to read your review.
WndyJW wrote: "I’m fascinated by theology: death, the afterlife, is there one and what might it be so I am really eager to get this book now.If I was braver I would have pursued my dream of teaching philosophy ..."
"I don’t know why everyone doesn’t ponder these theological/philosophical questions to the extent that I do. I feel like why are we here, is there something after death, why are some people born into great privilege while others are born to suffer and die alone, is there a god and if so what is the nature of god, are good and evil balanced in some way after death are the big questions. I never wonder why others don’t agree with my ideas about these questions, I just wonder why they aren’t as curious about the questions." I feel like I spend a lot of my time wondering about these same things. I'm awaiting delivery of the book and would love to talk with you once we've both read it.
Excellent, Margaret! I would love that. I have some things I believe after a decade of reading and contemplation, but I love to hear what others believe because of course I would never say I found the truth and I’m correct, I just know what resonates with me.I’ve friend requested you, we can chat through private messages here or exchange emails.
A Guardian review today of the TS Eliot prize winning poetry by the Churchillian co-author of "Unknown Language".https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...
Should I read the ending essay first? I’m on page 71 so the beginning of Part II. If not for Gumble’s review I would’ve been lost. I’ve read the first 50 pgs 4 times! I finally had to read a summary review to understand what is happening. I have forgotten what scripture I learned and know nothing of Hildegard except the Wikipedia page about her. I can’t say I’m enjoying this book yet, which is disappointing because I am fascinated by good/evil, salvation/damnation (which I don’t believe in,) the nature of God (also not a believer,) visions, revelations (I believe in these,) so I expected to be caught up in this book. I will continue reading with a positive attitude now that I’ve read Gumble’s summary.
I just read the essay at the end and I’m glad I did. It makes more sense of the first 70 pages. I also looked up the art of Hilldegard, some are similar to Buddhist mandalas and some are abstract, all are very engaging.This is a fascinating woman and I think Richardis was her lover.
WndyJW wrote: "This is a fascinating woman and I think Richardis was her lover."Interestingly, she wrote the earliest known description of the female orgasm in 1150.
I finished the book and didn’t like it all. I’m now very interested in Hildegard, but this book did nothing for me.Debra, please elaborate, where did you read that? I think Hildegard is fascinating!
She was a true Renaissance woman (never mind that she predates the Renaissance by at least a century or two) -- artist, musician, writer, playwright, theologian, healer, power broker, and natural scientist.Here is the excerpt I mentioned...
When a woman is making love with a man, a sense of heat in her brain, which brings forth with it sensual delight, communicates the taste of that delight during the act and summons forth the emission of the man’s seed. And when the seed has fallen into its place, that vehement heat descending from her brain draws the seed to itself and holds it, and soon the woman’s sexual organs contract and all parts that are ready to open up during the time of menstruation now close, in the same way as a strong man can hold something enclosed in his fist.”
— Hildegard von Bingen, Causae et Curae
It’s surprising that the patriarchal church approved of her and that they allowed a nun to discuss sex. My understanding of the Catholic Church teachings was that sex was solely for procreation, not enjoyment, maybe not now, but historically.
I just finished this (and thereby finished the long list). I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I expected to although I can't quite put my finger on why. There are lots of things in its favour but somehow, for me, the whole is less than the sum of its parts.
I was eager to read it and expected to like, but did not. I wasn’t as eager to read Alindarka’s Children and worried I wouldn’t like it, but so far I am.Over all did you think this was a good list, Neil?
Overall (which I should probably comment on in a different thread!), I think it is the strongest RoC list so far. Even better than the one I helped pick! I can also see why even the books I didn't like rate highly with other people.
I just rated it 3 (or 3.5 to be more precise) for similarly uncertain reasons as Neil. I love it theoretically but it failed to engage me as a novel / story / “a mutant fiction of speculative mysticism” as the back cover says / whatever! But if a cliché may be added, here’s an author to look out for, I mean, the living one. The dead one I prefer and have preferred for some years for the music. Despite my penchant for esoteric writing.
I think there are three living authors - if you mean the writer of the main part of the book then to be honest his other books look a little of an acquired taste unless you have a particular interest in the various intrigues of the left wing of the labour party
The main part, yes. The author of the first part is unknown to me and the author of the “lecture” a little more familiar from the LRB. And yeah, I’m not exactly rushing to the By the way, GY, your review was highly useful in making sense of the book (as usual), so thank you. I could see this resonate better if, for instance, I knew my Bible better.
Glad to be of help. By coincidence I subscribed to the LRB starting this week and Alice Sprawls has an article in my first edition.
Looking forward to receiving that edition in the mail next year.Okay that’ll be my last joke on postal delays.
The Mookse and the Gripes
Books mentioned in this topic
Ban en Banlieue (other topics)Unknown Language (other topics)
