Joe M’s last login was 2 hours ago. « hide recent activity
Joe M reviewed On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy yesterday.
“ I am a clinical psychologist, and I tell my clients with great chagrin that I should have read this acknowledged ‘classic’... ”
Joe M is now reading An Inquiry into the Good.
Joe M added On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy as a favorite 3 days ago.
Joe M rated On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy 3 days ago.
Joe M finished reading On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy 3 days ago.
Joe M is now reading Vertigo.
Joe M now owns Passions of the Nightless Night.
Joe M is planning to read Passions of the Nightless Night.
Joe M now owns Vertigo.
Joe M rated Testaments Betrayed: Essay in Nine Parts, An 9 days ago.
Joe M’s last login was 2 hours ago. show recent activity »
Rated 5 stars
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Read the review for The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea (Vintage International)
Read the review for Runaway Horses (Vintage International)
everything is well. I will write more later when I have more time. there is very little left over after the holidays. it seems I used it all up then.
Hi, I just wanted to say hello and to thank you for the journal extract; I found it informative and entertaining and you certainly write very well. I hope you do get round to writing some more one day!'Dont Look Now' did indeed star a much younger Donald Sutherland, and itis based on a Daphne du Maurier story. When I saw it recently it seemed rather dated. I wonder sometimes where the years have gone; time just slips away so quickly. My grandparents on my father's side are well into their eighties now and it is a struggle for then to stay in their own home. They have always been eccentric, but now they are deteriorating so much faster (mentally and physically). The postal strike has been resolved! Things are still quite harsh economically, jobs are scarce and unemployment is growing, especially among the young. Oooh, dont get me started on the eighties, the Thatcher years, Arthur Scargill and the Miner's strike! I was very young, of course, but people seemed to have more of a social conscience back then. I have been busy today putting books on my new bookshelves. I am running out of room very fast! I also have the new Nabokov book, but I cant quite bring myself to unwrap it yet- I keep looking at it in the cellophane wrapper...I hope all is well with you, Tracey
...of course, I ended up with a volume of 'Cahiers' (this time, the first one, which covers 1957-1965) in my hands today, I was missing like one misses a glass of water our common acquaintance, EM.C.- I could never read too much of his essays, but I greatly enjoy the brief, fake journal-like, quasi-intimate notations, of this causeur and poseur of dejection. I would read in the subway on my way to school, to cheer me up,(what a wonderful lift of morale!) and read again on my way back, to dissolve in their acid the disappointments of the day."There is in me a nostalgia after something that doesn't exist in life and not even in death, a desire that nothing of this world can fulfill, except music, in those moments when it evokes the lacerations of another world." "This world has no more consistency than the episode of a smile.""I am a howling-philosopher. My ideas, if can be called ideas, bark; they don't explain anything, they explode"I have no idea why I find him so delectable and savory...
Hey Joe,Good to hear from you. Martin Buber seems interesting. I'll keep an eye out for that book.I am reading *Essential Groucho Marx* and Auster's *New York Trilogy* The Groucho is a bit of a drag. I feel that the humor is a little dated. I have never seen him on Tv. I suppose the essence of his humor is in the way he delivers his lines. The Auster is brilliant. You must have read it I guess. I loved the second novel in the series - Ghosts - best. I don't re-read too many books. But I have a feeling that I'll be revisiting this book many times. The references to Whitman, Thoreau and Hawthorne has inspired me to try and read these authors. Another book that I just finished reading is A C Grayling's *What is good?* - a good clean introduction to ethics. Very absorbing. I also recently read Jose Saramago's novel on political disillusionment - *Seeing*. It's a sort of sequel to his best known work *Blindness*. On the face of it there seems to be precious little material to build a novel on - In an unknown city, in an election 80% of the voters cast blank votes. The book is about the fall out from this act. The usual Saramago tropes are found in this books too - his wry wit, long sentences, use of sayings etc. Very entertaining. The find of the month was Joseph Moncure March's "lost classic" *The Wild Party*. The illustration by Spiegelman - resembling wood cuts - are brilliant and adds to the atmosphere. Usually I find illustration (like Cinema adaptations of novels) irritating because it imposes the imagination of the artist on us. We are not free to imagine the characters as we want them to. After watching the movie *Troy*, every time I think of Achilles, it is Brad Pitt's face that pops into my mind. Hehe.
oh, well, sorry for any inconvenience, it's because I can't exorcise my (quite prominent) geek part (blushes). well, I was not familiar with Sendrail either until yesterday, when I discovered/purchased the book in one of my fruitful used-bookshops raids. ;-) One of those lucky encounters. Quite an awesome book.
Hi Joe,Sorry for not keeping in touch! How are you doing. I see that you have been reading some interesting books lately. And so have I, I am glad to say. Keep in touch :)
(I post this here, facebook apparently has something against long posts on walls). Well, that quote from 'Cloud of Unknowing' is very tricky, it got my attention, waiting for thoughts on the rest. I have, as always, slipped from the paths of the required bibliography and read from a very interesting book, 'Sagesse et delire des formes' by Marcel Sendrail. right now I am reading the chapter about the human face (and can't wait to get to the chapter on the expresivity of hands) "of all the structures in which matter seems to apprehend thought, there is none who can state better than the face a meaning through which it can justify itself and at the same time, justify the universe. One can wonder if not the ascendant burst of creation, in its totality, didn't have another purpose than to culminate in the human face.[...] On no other fragment of life one can observe better the mysterious passing from organic to spiritual. The face belongs simultaneously to both realities. [...] It belongs to the most corruptible substance and descends from an eternal beauty. Its beauty expresses another beauty." and"however naked our body might get, it vests with enigmas"
by the way, did I mention that soon, very soon, I will have my paws on a copy of Kavafis Poems? yes, I discovered it in my favorite (and I say, the best - for the quality and abundance of titles, the more than reasonable prices and the cordiality of the shopkeepers) used bookstore in Bucharest and they have put it aside for me... they are so nice, to put aside any book you want, even though you confess you probably won't have the money to buy it until one or two weeks,... but between a student and its bookstore shopkeeper develops a strong and sympathetic bond usually.
tz,tz,tz, up so early?!?
I get the same pleasure from used bookstores that an alcoholic finds in bars. Both places, though public, make room for feverish solitude and both allow unhealthy cravings to be filled to excess - Art Spiegelman in his introduction to Joseph Moncure March's *The Wild Party*
Hello again, I was pleased to read your message; it perked me up after a long day. I have taken a temporary job in a contact centre, and the lack of traning and organisation is shocking. You have never told me about your trip to Argentina before. My interest in the country was inspired by writers like Jorge Luis Borges. Thankfully the Falklands 'war' is long past! I would never have guessed that your profile picture was take there, but the scenery looks amazing. Glad you survived the encounter with the puma; must have been terrifying and awe inspiring at the same time, to come so close to a wild animal. In fact the whole trip sounds like a real adventure, and I would love to read an excerpt. I suppose if you are travelling there isn't much time to write. I have never been to Italy either, but yes I have read Death in Venice; in fact, I think I studied it at some point as well. When I think of Venice I also think of Henry James, and of the film 'Don't Look Now'. I worry that if i vsited I would be disappointed, that it would just be an overcrowded overpriced tourist trap. The late Roberto Bolano is the rare Chilean author who seems to be getting quite popular in the UK at the moment; his books are suddenly being translated and published very quickly. I read some of his short pieces a while back and was really impressed. The first part is about academics who are experts on an elusive German writer, and I am sure you can see why I would find that entertaining. It consists of five parts, sort of linked novellas really, and I have only read the first two parts as yet. (it is around 900 pages in all) I am pretty sure that it isn't science fiction, though I can't explain the title yet!I am sorry to hear that you lost your father so recently, and offer condolences to you and your family. My Grandad also had cancer; he was diagnosed in September 2001 (on my gran's birthday) and died a month later. In a way I am glad he didn't suffer too long, but feel sad that he didn't have one last Christmas. He had another grand daughter born in September, and he did get to see the baby before we lost him, so that is some consolation. I like the idea that he is in good company, in a peaceful place somewhere. Anyway, the big news in the UK at the moment is the postal workers strike! Unemployment is still high, and everyone hates politicians and banks. I shall bid you good night, and hope that is well with you. I have added you as a friend on facebook, but I must warn you that I dont tend to take it too seriously- I tend to be silly and have a bit of fun, but not everyone appreciates the humour!Take Care, Tracey
Dear Joe,Thanks for the non-fading interest, and just for the last time about the hat, actually it's pitch black, but the light indeed makes it look blue, that's one of the magics of light, never really got to do it on purpose, though i actually spent some useful and hard days as a cinema-photo-media student, yes, all of those :P But my oldest love is literature, though that doesn't stop me in trying out myself in other media as well, i have a blog, been at a radio-training, loved hearing my voice in the ether, so that's another option, but i'm not tying myself down on anything just yet. I lived in Cluj-Napoca all my life, i went to (both) university(s) there, it's quite a lovely town, a big cultural center, but of course i can't be impartial. We even have a relatively well know (that is, mostly in Eastern and Central Europe) film festival, the TIFF, though it's probably not the first option that pops up when you google "international film festivals" :P The link with Hungarians is a long story, i myself am Hungarian, that's quite common in the western and central regions of Romania, called Transylvania, yes, the one who gave the world Dracula, even though it was actually an English writer who did that.Oh yes, and Mythologies. It's a very readable and enjoyable piece of... journalism mostly, though if then editorials, nowadays i think the appropriate genre for it would be blog. But i always blamed the edition i read for not putting a context to those essays, which in the 50s' France might have been perfectly understandable, but now is sometimes... hieroglyphic. Start reading it, and tell me what you think, it was quite a revelation for me sometimes. Sincerely or Yours truly or however they like to end letters nowadays: Biborka.
Hi there!Accepted your request, of course, took a look at your shelf, it looks impressive, though there are a lot of books i haven't even heard of. So i should look into those (God, i used that word a lot!) when i get the time and an opportunity to find a copy, and i am hoping for your guidance in choosing which ones i should give a chance to. Thanks for the compliment, I love that hat, found it in a vintage store, but except for pictures, i could hardly wear it. I wish we were living in an age where i could just go out with that hat, a pair of long sating gloves and jump into a carriage. But i guess, then i wouldn't be able to write you this note, so let's just settle for present time then ;)
Hello again,I know that feeling, when you have expectations of a book that are not quite met it can be quite disheartening. I have been disappointed many times, but now and then (very rarely) I find a book that surpasses all expectations. I do like travel books that are a kind of hotch potch of style and content, that defy clear categorisation. However, it can feel a little 'thrown together' if not done well. Maybe when you travel you could write some journals; you seem to have a keen eye and a real passion. My sister went to South America for a month last year, and I was quite jealous. I don't think I could cope with the practicalities of travelling, but there are a few places I would like to see. I tend to want to visit cities. I know it is a cliche but I would like to see Venice before it is too late. And I would like to go to Argentina, and, thinking about it, most of europe!I am reading Roberto Bolano's 2666 at the minute; I bought the paperback version as soon as it was available but then forget I had it. I found it still in the Amazon packaging on top of a bookcase the other day! I am quite enjoying it so far- its not all engrossing but a decent read nonetheless. I was just thinking of my late Grandad, a devout Catholic. I remember he loved Gregorian chants, and we used to buy him CDs for hos birthday and Chrstmas and he used to listen to them on his Walkman....
Hi,I thought I should give a chance to Stephenie Meyer's book.I was curious why everybody is fascinated about these books;she is a good writer but not great.Currently I'm reading about yoga,psychology and philosophy and I 've chosen to read Twilight for fun.Thanks for sharing so much information ,as u know I'm in love with every country in Asia.Certainly I 'll check out what u r reading.Now I moved to Madrid ,I'm looking for a job here and I like very much Spain.The weather is better than Romania and people r nice too.Now I want to travel in Spain cause it has so many beautiful places to explore and their culture is so vast.Hope to go to Ibiza next summer cause I never went to an island.There r a few places to see in Romania but I'm not so enthusiast about my country.I grew up in Constanta,the seaside town and I'm not very fond of the mountain side.Also u should go to visit Bran castle;it's in the way to the Prahova Valley and it's beautiful.Bye and take care!
OOHH THE CURTAIN!!! I have read it before 'Testaments Betrayed', in July and it was awesome as well, but it was all about literature, so that's why I choose to strongly recommend rather 'Testaments Betrayed' to you. I think I did say something about it on shelfari after reading it, but I can't remember well. anyways, it's ok after all, yes, I still think 'Testaments...' you would like a lot more. if you get captured by Kundera, you will naturally want to read the other book too. :-))oh, I am still sad Kundera didn't receive the Nobel... or Salman. Herta Muller...well, I am romanian and though I have crossed some times by essays of her in different magazines, (I am anxiously waiting for the 'Dilema Veche' to appear this week, to see the reactions of romanian intelligentsia) I still don't think it was a good choice, as the Nobel for literature becomes more and more interested in issues like politics and history, and social controversy than focusing on literary art. I don't say she doesn't write well but...come on, you've got Kundera, Salman Rushdie, Michel Tournier, Amos Oz, alive and...for my part, the last good choice for Nobel was that of Orhan Pamuk three years ago.
well, I translated badly, in fact it was 'omul plat' - the basic meaning of 'plat' is 'flat', but when it is used to describe people can be placed in the range of insipid, sterile, inexpressive, platitudinous... I hope it's clearer now...well, obviously, I have no idea of psychoanalysis, alive or not, I want to see Ion Vianu, the man interests me a lot - being the son of Tudor Vianu, and the friend of the regretted Matei Calinescu, but also I have read several interviews with him in Dilema Veche, and Idei in Dialog, and he is not using a tiny bit of 'psychoanalytical psychobabble' and also seems to be one of those formed with the cultural awareness of 'old Europe', so, able to discuss charmingly on various subjects, besides his primary specialty - I always enjoy listening this kind of person speaking. But I haven't decided yet ... but if I go, be sure I will take notes - I will keep my ears open for the things that sound absolutely unintelligible and then pray for you to explain it to me :-))) (this is my secret plan)
there is a conference held in our university called "The flat man. Does he need psychoanalysis anymore?" on 19 of october by Ion Vianu, one of the best romanian psychiatrists ( I am specially interested as he is the son of one of the best literary critics,Tudor Vianu, and was a good friend of another figure I am very fond of, Matei Calinescu, they have wrote together some time ago a sort of a 'double journal', called 'Memories in dialogue' which I badly want to read'). So, should I go, take notes and 'report' ;-)))
Hi there, It is good to hear from you. I did write a detailed reply to your earlier post, but my computer crashed when I tried to publish it! I am glad things are going well on your side of the pond. You must have all the sunshine it has been raining for days here! Still, at least the garden is getting well watered. I am not famililiar with the work of Henri Michaux; I know of him but have never got around to reading anything that he has written. I do know what you mean about Kertesz. He is an important writer in terms of his status as Holocaust survivor/witness, but he isn't a 'great writer'. I do wonder if the translation is as good as it could be. I read 'Kaddish for a Child Not Born' as research into a project on postmemory, as, in a way, it is indicative of a transitional focus from first to second generation Holocaust literature. I am not explaining very well I am afraid!Portsmouth is pretty quiet at the moment. The biggest news is that we have the iconic Greyhound bus! (Only Portsmouth and Southampton have them in the UK) We can travel to London by Greyhound bus in less than 2 hours, although the train is still much faster. I may have to steal your ascetic wedding idea! Will you still have a wedding list at a major department store? :)
I will plead/beg/ insist/won't rest/be a constant nuisance until you decide to look into Milan Kundera's 'Testaments Betrayed'! as I advance my reading, the more I think you will like it - a lot! besides the entire chapter on Stravinski, he talks a lot about a composer I haven't heard of until reading this - Janáček ,- whose passion was, Kundera says, to walk around with a notebook in his hand and to transcribe in musical notes the intonation of people speaking - and from this, Kundera raises two questions:1. should a musician accept the existence of the sonorous world outside music and study it?2. what is the melodic truth of a lost instant? well, this is only a very small part, he speaks a lot about Janáček and Stravinski - but I won't unveil the wonderful 'bet' of the book - I will only say he blends beautifully, witty and pleasant, literature and music - so well than I, simple classical music dilettante am able to understand- it's great how something he says about literature is taken and fit perfectly into the domain of music, and the other way round, the two blending and complementing each other. I got some very valuable hints of understanding Flaubert (and especially 'Education Sentimentale' which is one of the books I am currently reading and Flaubert is a problematic read) by reading Kundera's parallels between music and Flaubert's writing&style. And I think this could work very well for you in the opposite direction - if I, by knowing more literature, I got to understand music better, you, knowing music, could get a better insight on literature. This is what I hope for, and I won't add how terribly in love I am with Kundera's writing - so elegant, and witty, clear, able to unveil complex ideas with simplicity... hm...I wonder how well known M.K is in your country, another friend on Shelfari, Jason R, said he likes him and have read his novels, but I have no idea if he is as well known and appreciated there as he is here - he is a bit of an icon, in Europe and especially in south-eastern Europe, naturally.
