Chris Via > Recent Status Updates

Macedonian story: interesting twist on the strangers-stuck-on-an-elevator plot. A good sketch about how space and time alter human perception. On to Montenegró!

Impressed by the Slovak story. Moving on to Macedonia!

Reading the Book of Job.

Finished with the first part of the Quixote, published in 1605. I'll probably read a couple book before starting the second part, if only to simulate the ten-year gap between publication of the second part in 1615.

Finished part one of the Quixote, published in 1605. Excellent, excellent translation, and terrific Yale Open Corse lecture to augment my study. I will probably take a break and read a couple of novels before moving on to part two, if only to simulate the ten year gal between its historical publication.

The highly amusing and subversive front matter of Don Quixote sets the stage perfectly.

It took some effort in the beginning to get into the rhythm of McCarthy's prose (common to most of his writing). Ever since I've savored the classic contrast of terse, cold dialogue and elegiac/poetic narration.

Why have I waited this long to experience Borges's work?

A bit disappointed that Gaarder lightly grazed such philosophic depths as Kant, Hegel, and Kierkegaard; but, at the same time, I have to remember that the purpose is to introduce the main "project" of each philosopher, while at the same time progressing the novel's fictional story. Luckily, the fictional story is entertaining and of philosophic depth itself!

I'm out of antiquity and classical philosophy, moving into Renaissance and Baroque! So far, the novel has a great balance between the mystery novels and the philosophy lessons. It would be a great introductory book for anyone interested in western philosophical thought.