Any time I come across anything about John Banville, I must post it – because my dad loves him so.
I found this interesting: John Banville lists his “5 most important books”.
I felt the same way about Middlemarch for years … finally read it, and had the following response.
Oh, Rilke, now you’ve set me off I’m afraid…;-)
I’ve been fascinated by the Duino Elegies for a long time – they’re so complex, difficult to access and just breathtaking. I love what Banville says about it “running into [his] bloodstream” because it’s exactly the impact Rilke’s had on me, if more his other poetry (especially the “New Poems” and also his prose.
I’m also very much aware that I’m not alone feeling that way (of course Sheila will know everything about Marilyn’s fascination with Rilke, it was Letters to a Young Poet in particular, if I remember right…?).
Although, I’ve no experiences with translations of his work – they MUST be very good – it’s just so linked to the German and French language for me…I’ll have to check some English ones out.
Also: Middlemarch – I confess I just have a very vague idea. I’ll look it up.
Su – awesome stuff, thanks for sharing!
I went thru a big Rilke phase in college – I think a lot of people do … and yes, marilyn loved him!!
Middlemarch is a huge undertaking. It’s just one of those massive complex 19th century novels … but seriously = it’s SO worth it!
Dearest: I’m looking for something new–I’ll try Rilke. I loved Banville’s catechism note–we called it the “Baltimore” catechism–I bet I could finish many of the dogmatic sentences if prompted. I just don’t get “Lolita”, tho Pale Fire was of great interest to me once. I have your mother reading Banville’s latest [Christine Falls]–well worth reading. see you soon, love, dad