Oh wow, Silvio, I love this. I knew nothing of 2666, nor how it catapulted Bolaño to fame. Consider it on my list, along with the other previous work of this that you recommended.
But moreover, your ability to use this as inspiration and leave me, right up until that footnote, feeling that this was a true story you were placing here, and for there to be no diminishment, but actually the opposite, when reading that footnote -- magical!
Thank you so much, Nathan! 2666 is quite an undertaking (a thousand pages), but worth the effort, in my humble opinion. It was originally supposed to be five separate novels, according to the instructions the author left for the executor of his will, to be released one after the other in order to secure a constant stream of financial support for his children. But then the family decided to publish it all at once. So fascinating!
I love cemeteries too… Coincidentally I spent a peaceful, surreal afternoon in a Wiltshire graveyard just yesterday. Autumn leaves on wet grass, moss on stone, withered wreathes, crows sweeping arcs in a paper white sky as I vainly attempted to decipher the weathered words and dates with my finger… So many stories buried with those lying below.
“…a string of disconnected stories barely held together by whispers and memories, pieces of her family’s history she had picked up over the years, which no one could confirm or deny anymore.”
Silvio, this resonates with me right now. Something about the season of autumn makes me long for the stories of my ancestors. I especially want to know about my Great-great Grandmother Greta, who was born in Finland and died tragically here in America. She is the doorway through which that entire branch of our family came to be here. How can we just let her disappear?
I think getting a bit older makes one more and more curious about long deceased family. Did my parents speak about this time?? or was I just too young to think it was in any way interesting? (probably the last one!)
Oh wow, Silvio, I love this. I knew nothing of 2666, nor how it catapulted Bolaño to fame. Consider it on my list, along with the other previous work of this that you recommended.
But moreover, your ability to use this as inspiration and leave me, right up until that footnote, feeling that this was a true story you were placing here, and for there to be no diminishment, but actually the opposite, when reading that footnote -- magical!
Thank you so much, Nathan! 2666 is quite an undertaking (a thousand pages), but worth the effort, in my humble opinion. It was originally supposed to be five separate novels, according to the instructions the author left for the executor of his will, to be released one after the other in order to secure a constant stream of financial support for his children. But then the family decided to publish it all at once. So fascinating!
Ah wow, that's really interesting to know. I'm very intrigued and certainly want to read it.
I love cemeteries too… Coincidentally I spent a peaceful, surreal afternoon in a Wiltshire graveyard just yesterday. Autumn leaves on wet grass, moss on stone, withered wreathes, crows sweeping arcs in a paper white sky as I vainly attempted to decipher the weathered words and dates with my finger… So many stories buried with those lying below.
Yes, 100%. Thank you for reading and sharing these beautiful words, Zinenataza!
“…a string of disconnected stories barely held together by whispers and memories, pieces of her family’s history she had picked up over the years, which no one could confirm or deny anymore.”
Silvio, this resonates with me right now. Something about the season of autumn makes me long for the stories of my ancestors. I especially want to know about my Great-great Grandmother Greta, who was born in Finland and died tragically here in America. She is the doorway through which that entire branch of our family came to be here. How can we just let her disappear?
Very intriguing and well written story; it spoke to me. I wish I knew more than I do about my own family history.
A departure from your other writings...layer upon layer...time eternal broken up by us into past and present.
Yet, a story of common, somewhat sad experience as attested to by your readers.
I think getting a bit older makes one more and more curious about long deceased family. Did my parents speak about this time?? or was I just too young to think it was in any way interesting? (probably the last one!)