I seem to be reading more these days. I’m a slow reader, but nevertheless I persevere. I’m simultaneously working my way through no less than four books right now.
- Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner. I’m reading this for the aptly-named Difficult Book Club, which was formed here at the University as part of our Read Today, Lead Tomorrow program. We are only reading one chapter a month, then meeting to discuss it, so it’s slow going.
- The Claw of the Conciliator by Gene Wolfe. This might be the fifteenth time I’ve read through the four volumes of the Book of the New Sun, which is my favorite novel of all time. I’m reading this aloud to Xy, for the second time, so one chapter every few nights.
- The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond. I got this on loan from Brother O’Mara. It’s been on my to-read list for ages, actually a part of my top secret research agenda. Sorry, can’t tell say anything more at this juncture, except that I’m digging the book so far.
- Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson. Wow, a book not written by a white male. I took a break from the previous book to read this one for the Octavia SF Club. It is set on a Caribbean-colonized planet during Carnival, so it’s perfect thing to read right now in New Orleans. Hustle on over to Octavia Books, score a copy, and join us for our next meeting. Great fun.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have some more reading to do.
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I first read “Absalon, Absalon!” during a college summer I spent in Oxford, Ms. I’d often read at Faulkner’s estate, Roanoke. Good times.
I, too, have been reading Faulkner. I just finished his “The Courthouse”, from “Requiem for a Nun”. The length and intricacy of his sentences and paragraphs make reading a little difficult, but I am adapting quickly. I plan to read more in “The Portable Faulkner”. He has an unusual talent.