The PBCS

RIP PBCS

2008-07-25T14:17:00.006-05:00

I think the PBCS is dead. There may be another bookclub, but it will not be this bookclub. So, the books we read are:

Under the Volcano - Malcolm Lowery (Patrick)
Midnight's Children - Salmon Rushdie (Anne)
The Known World - Edward P. Jones (Devin)
At Swim Two Birds - Flann O'Brien (James)
The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov (Maggie)
Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami (Catherine)
Tsotsi - Athol Fugard (Kathrin)
Ada, or Ardor - Vladimir Nabokov (Patrick)
The History of Love - Nicole Krauss (Anne)
The Stranger - Albert Camus (James)
Inheritance of Loss - Kiran Desai (Maggie)
Children of Men - PD James (Kathrin)
The Sea - John Banville (Jerusha)
Miss Lonelyhearts and Day of the Locust - Nathaniel West (Patrick)
Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates (Anne)
The Long Goodbye - Raymond Chandler (Devin)
Lucky Jim - Kingsley Amis (James)
Dud Avocado - Elaine Dundy (Maggie)
The Leopard - Giuseppe di Lampedusa (Patrick)
The Sheltering Sky - Paul Bowles (Devin)
American Gods - Neil Gaiman (James)
Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (Maggie)

A fitting tombstone: for my birthday Devin gave me an awesome old copy of Under the Volcano, our first book and one of the best ones we read, that he inscribed with PBCS-abelia and illustrated with themes from UTV. Check it out:

The Leopard

2007-09-20T15:41:00.001-05:00

It is finally here!! I had a little trouble ordering it. I'm sorry it took so long but they are ready to be picked up.

PBCS Selections Thus Far

2007-09-05T15:54:00.001-05:00

PBCS Selections

Under the Volcano - Malcolm Lowery (Patrick)
Midnight's Children - Salmon Rushdie (Anne)
The Known World - Edward P. Jones (Devin)
At Swim Two Birds - Flann O'Brien (James)
The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov (Maggie)
Kafka on the Shore - Haruki Murakami (Catherine)
Tsotsi - Athol Fugard (Kathrin)
Ada, or Ardor - Vladimir Nabokov (Patrick)
The History of Love - Nicole Krauss (Anne)
The Stranger - Albert Camus (James)
Inheritance of Loss - Kiran Desai (Maggie)
Children of Men - PD James (Kathrin)
The Sea - John Banville (Jerusha)
Miss Lonelyhearts and Day of the Locust - Nathaniel West (Patrick)
Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates (Anne)
The Long Goodbye - Raymond Chandler (Devin)
Lucky Jim - Kingsley Amis (James)
Dud Avocado - Elaine Dundy (Maggie)
The Leopard - Giuseppe di Lampedusa (Patrick)

Lucky Jim

2007-08-03T11:58:00.000-05:00

We met to discuss Lucky Jim last night. Well, TC and I discussed since we were the only ones present who read the entire book. Everyone else listened and with good reason. It's near the end of the summer and people have things going on. FP's move comes immediately to mind.

I thought the book was great. The one thing that caused people some trouble was that the book starts in the middle of a conversation and it takes you a moment to get accustomed. You're not really introduced to the characters.

Once you get used to it, the book flows. I like the character of Jim. I know that the book is obstensibly an academic novel, but to me it's a novel of conflict. Yes, it's a comedy, but there's conflict between department chair and department peon and between Jim and Bertrand over Christine.

Next Up: Lucky Jim

2007-07-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Those of you who read my blog and receive my emails should know by now that I selected Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis to be the next book club read.

So far, it looks like there's been general approval of my choice. I was asked last night why I chose the book. DTrane had known that I was seriously considering this Graham Greene book.

For several years I've had a fondness for novels with an academic setting such as Richard Russo's Straight Man and Jane Smiley's Moo. For what it's worth, I prefer the Smiley book if only because the fictional university in her book reminded me a lot of Mississippi State University, where I earned my B.A. and M.A.

I've also been known to email links to articles and columns that are found in The Chronicle of Higher Education. A few weeks ago, I was at the website and noticed this article.

Initially intrigued, I did some further research. I liked what I read about the book and thought it'd be good. We'll meet just once because Lucky Jim is less than 300 pages and also due to some actual and potential scheduling difficulties in the next few weeks. I'll send out suggested dates later today.

The Long Goodbye

2007-07-11T08:34:00.000-05:00

So we read DTrane's selection The Long Goodbye and met last night. Some of us couldn't make it-- whether it was because of happiness, sadness, or newly found Texasness. We also had a early birthday party for FP, and she brought the cake.

It's safe to say that we're impressed with Chandler and expressed a desire to read more of his work.

lemuria's blog

2007-05-19T15:05:00.000-05:00

Hello all, I haven't posted in awhile but I wanted to let you know that Lemuria is now blogging! We are on this system so take a look if you get a chance. See you all next week!

oops

2007-04-27T07:55:00.000-05:00

We haven't updated in a while. I think since the last post we've read Banville's The Sea and Nathaniel West's Miss Lonelyhearts and Day of the Locust.

The next book is Richard Yates' Revolutionary Road. Dates and shit forthcoming.

P

wrong date

2007-02-27T11:51:00.000-06:00

As James pointed out...the second meeting for Children of Men will be March 13, not Feb 13.

Children of Men Schedule

2007-02-20T09:26:00.000-06:00

First meeting for Children of Men is slated for Tuesday, February 27 at 8:00. Location: LemCom building.

Lets have the first part of the book complete for that meeting. Part 2 meeting should probably take place on Tuesday Feb. 13. That should complete this book.

Will this work for everyone?

inheritance of loss schedule

2006-11-28T11:05:00.000-06:00

Hey guys, See if this works for everyone. I know with holiday stuff it might be tough so we will probably need to be flexible.

With the idea of meeting at DotCom:

pages 1-113--We could meet after Richard Ford on Dec. 7 (i think most of you are coming anyway) or we could meet on Dec. 12 at 8:00.

Pages 114-209 Dec. 19 at 8:00.

Pages 210-357--after the first of the year. we can decide that together

take a look and see if this will work with your schedule.

There are some events on these dates but they should be over by 8:00.

The PBCS 2-for-1 Special

2006-11-08T15:54:00.000-06:00

I was asked last night what I was going to pick for book club. TC already had a good idea what it was going to be. I wasn’t sure-- mostly because I was thinking that a good number of pbcsers might have read the book. Anyway, when I mentioned the book, the fellow pbcsers were pretty agreeable with it, so here it is...

The Stranger.
So next week we're at FP’s for one more HOL, and then we’ll meet the following (Thanksgiving) week for a very special PBCS 2-for-1 combo: The History of Love wrap-up & The Stranger since my selection is fairly short.

The History of Love

2006-10-30T11:44:00.000-06:00

Dear All:

I think we could knock this book out in two meetings. I can host the first meeting Tues. Nov 7th at 8pm. The book is The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. How about we read the first 134 pages?

Anne

Enough Ada Already

2006-10-02T14:44:00.000-05:00

I propose that we scrap the meeting that we have been postponing and blaze ahead and meet next Tuesday October 10 having finished the whole of the flaming tome.

Thenseforth and thereupon I do believe it will be Anne's choice.

We need party ideas though, so blog away.

Ada Online

2006-09-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

Penn State has a really cool Ada website which incorporates the annotations, fore- and afternotes, and additional supplementary information. One of my colleagues has been reading the book and emailed me the above link.

Disclaimer from the Penn State site:

You should use ADAonline only if you have already read Ada in book form. Otherwise you may spring surprises in the novel that you would be much better to learn in the way and in the order that Nabokov has prepared with such care and imagination.

next meeting

2006-09-13T15:55:00.000-05:00

tuesday, september 19 @ my house, I guess

P

change of venue

2006-08-29T17:16:00.000-05:00

Hi, I just found out that we can't use the DotCom. There is a play rehearsal and it wasn't on the calender. The Diplomat said we can meet at his house at 8:00 p.m.

The Schedule

2006-08-17T18:34:00.000-05:00

1st meeting Aug. 29. Through chapter 25, page 160.
2nd meeting Sept. 12. Through the end of Part 1, page 325.
3rd meeting Sept. 26. Through end of Part 2, page 446.
4th meeting Oct. 10. Finish book.

ok?

Ada At Last

2006-08-14T15:33:00.000-05:00

Sorry so long in getting this down, it's been one crazy summer for most of us, as evidenced by almost effin no one picking up the damn book from my effin house. So, shall we say, for the next meeting read...the chapter ending closest to page 120 by the 22nd, or the chapter ending closest to page 180 on the 29th? Lemme know. Pick up your books. Or we can meet at lem-com one evening and I can hand them out. I don't need 8 copies of this book. You know who you are who asked me to order one for you. I know who you are too.

meeting 08/08/06

2006-08-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

I'm assuming that we aren't meeting tomorrow night but I just want to make sure. I had reserved the DotCom building so I need to tell them we will not be using it.

They're here

2006-08-03T09:32:00.000-05:00

I think they got here monday. They were in the porch side nook by Diplomats front door. I just happened to look over there and see them, so who knows, they might have been there before. But it seems like I would have seen them over the weekend if that was the case. Anyhow they're ready for consumption. It's likely we'll need to move back the first meeting.

reading AA

2006-08-01T18:20:00.001-05:00

What's up with the books? Have they gotten here and if so do we have a reading schedule? I know the Diplomat has been out of town but I think we are scheduled to meet on the 8th. I didn't order a book so I just want to make sure I haven't missed the notice.

Still not in folks

2006-07-27T14:13:00.000-05:00

The package has not arrived if you are talking about the box of books. However, I'm selling anything out of the diplomats bookcases for three dollars hardback, two dollars paperback. I think that's a fair price. Also DVD's are two dollars. Call for appointment.

Ada, or Ardor

2006-07-19T15:52:00.000-05:00

For the next book I choose Nabakov's Ada, or Ardor: A Family Chronicle, specifically the 1990 Vintage International paperback.

I'll be out of town until August 2. How's the 8th for the first meeting? 8:00 at the lem-com? I guess pages can't be assigned until the books come in. Trane will be at my house while I'm gone, so he can disseminate the books when the package arrives.

The Plan

2006-07-12T18:33:00.000-05:00

Monday evening, the 17th, at 7:00 we will meet at New Stage to watch Crossroads' screening of Tsotsi. We will then go somewhere and have a drink and talk about the book.

I remain,

P_.

Tsotsi

2006-06-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

Hey Y'all, Great time last night!! I have ordered some copies of Tsotsi and I will let you know when they get here next week. I looked at the book this morning and it really looks good. I will be in touch soon.

No Time To Lose

2006-06-26T11:03:00.000-05:00

The final Kafka on the Shore meeting will be Thursday, June 29th. 8:00. At some sort of Japanese-style or otherwise appropriately Asiatic eatery as yet to be determined?

first Kafka section

2006-06-10T19:54:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone,

As discussed at last meeting, the next book to read will be Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Since I going to be m.i.a. for most of July, I would like to finish the book by the first Tuesday in July, if possible. This means bigger reading chunks, but don't worry. In my experience Murakami is very straight-forward in his prose... and very fun. For the first meeting (the 20th?) if we are going to divide the book into thirds, the page assignment is 1-150.

The question is when and where should we meet next?

Murakami-author of the month

2006-06-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

If you go to
www.lemuriabooks.com

and click on author of the month and you can read some great stuff about Murakami that Catherine and Walker wrote.

Final M&M tea party

2006-06-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

Where are we going to have this meeting? Diplomat, do you mind having it at your house? I will help you clean up afterwards, since we will be eating.

The Russian Tea Party

2006-06-01T09:11:00.000-05:00

So the final Master & Margarita meeting is tonight, correct? At Maggie's parents still?

I think I'll make a stroganoff. And Devin's bringing his funny potato.

Dip out.

M&M meeting change

2006-05-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

Would anyone mind having the next meeting on another day? I know that Tuesdays are the best for everyone but I forgot that I have me dice game on this next Tuesday. Please post if any other days would be convienent for anyone. I'm open anyday next week except Tuesday and Wednesday (Lost and I have no tivo, if its a rerun then I'm free).

M&M 05/02/06

2006-05-01T18:04:00.000-05:00

My email is down so I can't send the directions out. Please call me at the bookstore for directions to the meeting place. Penguin Fairy knows how to get to the house also.

M&M reading schedule

2006-04-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, James I tried to find some stopping points but you know it's a Russian novel there just aren't any really good stops. I think for the May 2 meeting that we should to page 97. It is the end of chapter 11.

I think that it is enough time to read that much. If someone has any concerns please let me know and we can shorten it. It is a dense book.

I hope that the books have come to you, Patrick. Let me know if we need to change the date.

@S-2-B: The Aftermath

2006-04-12T13:28:00.000-05:00

Yes, I'm using TD's shorthand.

We had a good meeting last night at the Edison Walthall bar.

One last thing to clear up:

The Greek phrase at the beginning of At Swim-Two-Birds is a quote from Euripides' "The Madness of Hercules."

All things pass and give way to one another.

Thanks go to Dylan, a friend of mine who happens to have a minor in Latin, for the translation help.

I thought the last @S-2-B meeting went well. The conversation was great. Cotton was tending the bar, and there was a run on Bass by many of the PBCS.

At Swim-Two-Birds was a book I chose on a whim. I had said I wanted to choose something different.

This blurb by Dylan Thomas convinced to me to try out the book:

This is just the book to give your sister if she's a loud, dirty, boozy girl!

It's certainly a different book. It's playful. The way O'Brien writes. I couldn't help but laugh.

One final thought, and something that came up in conversation last night... Trellis' final pondering: Ars est celare artem.

True art is to conceal art.

As far as the possible pun is concerned, just consider what Trellis was doing at the time...

At Swim-Two-Birds: Tuesday Night, April 11

2006-04-10T18:26:00.000-05:00

We are meeting at 7 p.m. at the Edison Walthall Hotel bar. Considering that Tuesdays are Open Mic Nights at Fenian's, we thought that a change of venue would be a good idea as far as book club is concerned. For those unfamiliar with Downtown Jackson, here are directions to the Edison Walthall.

This is the final At Swim-Two-Birds meeting.

Edited Apr 11 at 9:30 a.m. to reflect the change in time & at noon in response to Otherjay.

Okay, so we didn't meet Tuesday night...

2006-03-23T10:43:00.000-06:00

Not surprising in retrospect what with people being under the weather, it being the Tuesday after St. Patrick's Day, etc. The next (and last) meeting was originally planned to be on April 1. Do you want to meet then, have another meeting this coming Tuesday and then meet April 1, or set everything back a week?

For what it's worth, I am open to having a meeting on March 28. I'm also open to not having a meeting on that date-- whatever y'all think works the best. I prefer that April 1 to be the last meeting if only because I'm an incurable romantic who thinks it'd be quite cool to be at an Irish pub on the fortieth anniversary of O'Brien's death.

In Schwimmen-zwei-Vögel

2006-03-21T12:09:00.000-06:00

Friday night, I mentioned to Otherjay about the German language movie version of At Swim-Two-Birds.

Here's an image of the movie poster:

In Schwimmen-zwei-Vögel

Incidentally, Brendan Gleeson also said in a recent interview that he is adapting the book as a screenplay.

03/21/06

2006-03-20T09:17:00.000-06:00

What's up, everyone?

I need an address and time for the meeting tomorrow. I'm going solo this time.

Peace,
CC

Finn MacCool

2006-03-08T17:43:00.000-06:00

Last night we dove into the layers upon layers of At Swim-Two-Birds. One question that came up was "Who is Finn MacCool?" Finn is a character in the book. And as also noted, he also appears in Finnegans Wake. Hopefully, the link will help shed a little light about Finn MacCool.

Hopefully, Satsuma has made some progress on the Greek front...

03/06/06

2006-03-06T17:30:00.000-06:00

Shall we meet in someone's bed since that is where our new friend the drunk and puking Irishman seems to spend the majority of his time? If so, whose bed and what time? I'm very interested in hearing what everyone has to say about Mr. O'Brien and his At Swim Two Birds!!

hello everyone

2006-03-02T08:17:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to say hello en masse before turning up at book club in a week or so... I'm Maggie's friend Catherine and, although I think I've met most of you, I am excited to see the Pussy Book Club Scarers in person on March 7th...

The Trending Curve

2006-02-23T08:23:00.000-06:00

James, as always, keeps us a step ahead of the teeming hordes. There's an article about Flann in today's NY Times (I haven't watched the show, but it's also about Lost).

At Swim-Two-Birds Proposed Reading Schedule...

2006-02-22T11:00:00.000-06:00

The Cat has asked about a reading schedule. I'm thinking that because this book is not particularly long (and likely is the shortest one we've done) that we have three meetings.

At Swim-Two-Birds is not divided into chapters. Chapter I is the whole book; however, O'Brien has provided some convenient stopping places.

Meeting One: March 7. Most of you are reading the white book. You will be reading from the beginning through the section beginning at page 59, specifically called Synopsis, being a summary of what has gone before, FOR THE BENEFIT OF NEW READERS.

Since TD & I have the blue book, that section begins on page 85. Others who may have the blue book need to take note.

Meeting Two: March 21. Picking up from where we left off, we'll read through the section beginning at page 162, again specifically called Synopsis, being a summary of what has gone before, for the benefit of new readers.

Since TD & I have the blue book, that section begins on page 235. Others who may have the blue book need to take note.

Meeting 3. By this time, we should finish the book. FP had asked about the scheduling a couple weeks ago, and I mentioned that I was hoping that the last meeting would be on April 1 (a Saturday) because I found out in the course of doing a little research that Flann O'Brien died on April 1, 1966. There appeared to be some general agreement with my notion if I'm not mistaken. I'm thinking we could raise some pints in honor of the author on the fortieth anniversary of his death.

and BTW, which one's Pink?

2006-02-19T13:41:00.000-06:00

One thing I would like to throw out there is my phone books. I don't know where to recycle them, and although I've been told someone can take them at Rainbow, I would just rather wait and find a recycle bin where I can dump them. I don't know why. Rainbow's a nice enough place. The second thing I would like to throw out there is that if we plan on eating a down home Southern dinner, we could go to Cracker Barrel. Otherwise, I might can fry up some green tomaders ... but as I write that I realize it is winter and there are none. I could bake some bannana nut bread - however I only did that once in 8th grade, and it isn't especially Southern anyway. However, watching the Historical Writers DVD would also be fun, yet I think if we do that then bringing a dish should be optional, in that the dishes of this genre take some cooking that I'm not prepared for. So write back with opinions and a guess as to how many bricks fell out of the wcdons wall. The one that gets nearest the correct amount wins a free drink poured on their head.

Edward P. Jones on MPB Thursday night at 9...

2006-02-15T18:48:00.000-06:00

MPB is rebroadcasting an interview of historical fiction writers. I thought I'd post it on the blog. Thanks go to Lemuria for the heads-up.

The Known World banquet night

2006-02-15T14:20:00.000-06:00

I was wondering if we are going to plan a menu for the 22nd? I was thinking of bringing cornbread and/or white bread and a green bean casserole. Does anyone else have any ideas?

Also, my friend Catherine said she would love to join the PBCS. I thought that I would bring her on the 22nd to meet everyone since it will turn social after we discuss TKW. I will pay for her part in the food. Is this ok with everyone? She has purchased her copy of the new book and is looking forward to reading it with us.

I hope all is well with you all.

The Cat

The fiasco our literary fellowship

2006-02-07T10:47:00.000-06:00

We are meeting tonight. It is officially a postponement, so the schedule of getting through the 5th chapter still holds. Although I talked to FP at the grocery store and we agreed we should go for another chapter. As always it's up to Diplo, but if it's my call we meet.

Addendum. I'm editing this after I've read Diplos response to tonight. Why don't we just scrap this book and make plans for the next one. I mean really. I won't take offense. I personally don't want to go into the reading and hear things mentioned that I haven't read about. I don't know what to do. I say lets scrap TKW, get At Swim, and set the first meeting date on that one.

Great bright student vegetarian*

2006-02-07T08:49:00.000-06:00

So did anyone go to see Mlle. Sittenfeld?
I had to skip The Known World to read, among other things, this for work. I'm really enjoying it but I'm a sucker for the old Latvians-living-in-Milwaukee-in-the-late-80's-with-sweet-yet-comical-results chestnut. I've optimistically ordered At Swim-Two-Birds though. James Joyce says, about Flann O'Brien, "that's a real writer." Isn't that like Chuck Norris begging you to take it easy on him? Or maybe it's like making a sandwich and then Emeril or that formerly fat Subway commercial man telling you that it's a really very good sandwich. Hmm. Well, it's like something.

*This title is composed of words my web browser suggested when I clicked in the title box. It must have a meaning but it's certainly not autobiographical.

meeting?

2006-02-06T19:23:00.000-06:00

Hey, are we going to meet this week?

PREP

2006-01-31T17:08:00.000-06:00

I was going to tell you all about this tonight but since we are not meeting here it is...

Curtis Sittenfeld will be signing and reading from Prep. Her book was named one of the top 5 notable books of 2005 by the NYT book review. The whole event starts at 5 in the Dot Com building. I read the book last weekend and really enjoyed it. Remember beer is $1 so come by after work and have a literary happy hour!!

Hope to see some of you here!!!

Postponement

2006-01-31T14:44:00.000-06:00

Due to the passing of Ortho I am cancelling the meeting tonight. We can either pick up Thursday, or next week, or next scheduled time - either at Diplo's or a place to be named.

2006-01-28T13:12:00.000-06:00

The Cat has called me questioning exactly what we will be discussing Tuesday. We need to decide: is it the next 3 chapters, or the whole book? I've got to start Light in August today for class 0n Monday. Therefore, I most likely will not be able to finish The Known World by Tuesday; however, I will be able to meet the original scheduled deadline. Mr. Satsuma, it's your call. Name it.

Jumping the gun slightly here...

2006-01-27T13:02:00.000-06:00

I'm going to go ahead and make the announcement regarding the next book to read for book club. It had taken a little while for my copy to arrive when I had special ordered it via Lemuria, and so I wanted to make sure there were copies on hand when I made the announcement.

The book, as most of you probably know, is At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien. I had stated when we were reading Under the Volcano that I was probably going to choose something more comedic.

A few days later, Time magazine comes out with its 100 greatest novels list. Lev Grossman noted that Dylan Thomas had said that At Swim-Two-Birds "is just the book to give your sister if she's a loud, dirty, boozy girl." When I saw that blurb, I was intrigued enough to put it on my shortlist and subsequently have decided to select it.

The book has arrived at Lemuria. According to The Cat, it costs $14.93 and when we have our last Known World meeting, she can bring copies by and you can pay her so long as you have correct change or pay with a check (right?). According to Lindsay, the books are on hold and in my name at the moment if you want a copy of the book sooner.

The book cover may be different than as indicated on the Dalkey website (my book's cover is blue while the site's book cover has a white background), but it should have the introduction by William H. Gass and have an ISBN of 156478181X, which is the version of the book that I'm using.

Edited to add:
Five copies were ordered-- making a total of six available copies at Lemuria-- if no one bought the one copy that was available at Lemuria Tuesday afternoon. TD & I already have copies of the book. The five I ordered should cover TC, FP, DT, Buck, & Coppertop. If anyone else wants a copy, it might be advisable to contact Lemuria.

noise...backward glance...shadow...(run)

2006-01-25T10:37:00.000-06:00

I just read on the librarian's blog that he finished the book. The Diplomat has already read it. So. All bets are off I guess. Run as fast as you can you little good person, that wasn't the wind.

The Known World temporarily hijacked...

2006-01-15T16:27:00.000-06:00

I'm currently at my mother's house in Canebrake. I brought the copy of The Known World that I had checked out of my library along and was planning to read it. My mother's reading the book now & may buy herself a copy here in Hattiesburg. I've not had a chance to start reading it yet what with me having been under the weather. I hope I get a chance to start reading it tomorrow afternoon or evening after my dental appointment. I'll be at the meeting Tuesday,

New Book

2006-01-04T13:05:00.000-06:00

The Indian dinner was a whopping success. Good food, interesting company. I think everyone liked the Rushdie, even if some are glad to be out from under its weight. Before the main course I clinked my glass and announced our new book: The Known World by Edward P. Jones. There were gasps and applause from the table. Such a magnificent selection! Such moral ambiguity! I have looked at the length of the chapters, and a likely schedule would be...
Jan. 17th ----- Ch. 1 and 2
Jan. 31st ----- Ch. 3,4, and 5
Feb. 14th ----- Ch. 6,7, and 8
Feb. 28th ----- Ch. 9,10,11, and 12
Chapters 1 and 2 combine for around 50 pages, and the other meeting page counts are 100 and change. If it seems like faster reading, we could combine the last 3 meetings into 2, but we can decide that on the 17th. I leave you with this question: Does it hurt your teeth to bite into ice cream? AHA! Fooled you! I actually leave you with no questions!

OK, Homos

2005-12-21T14:04:00.000-06:00

Last night's Scarer covey (or coven?) was a failure. Frankly, I'm ashamed by all of us and pissed at Father Christmas to boot. For the first time, The Pussy Book Club Scarers gimped its way into the exhausted loonshit of mediocrity.

So! Redemption is the word used by civilians the world over to mean an atonement greater than that found through the cutting of Sunday-morning coupons for both a medium Steak Fanatic pizza and the competitor’s that pays Dan Marino to hawk his famous "Go Deep" Papa's Perfect Pan. Redemption! Homos! To redeem oneself is to find one's soul in comfortable balance when staring into the unbelievably sad face of God; The Pussy Book Club Scarers direly needs to do this. Stare at God, ye sad homos, with your souls! (and talk about what you saw on Tuesday, January 3.)

TUESDAY January 3, 8:00: Every sad homo Scarer is compelled for the good of her soul to come to the India House down the I-55 frontage road from the Sam's Lounge Love Tub to sample the colorful maize of our native peoples and, with MC, occasionally to be referenced between bites of sweet potato, dutifully and snuggly tucked between elbow and sternum, engage in boisterous discussion. We are a crapulous cooperative now representative of an irresponsible and half-assed indignity; we're not proud of that. For our own sake, let our indignities be wholly-assed! We are proud because we are annihilationists without inhibition, so let's start acting the fuck like it! So finish the Goddamn book!

Winners will get to enjoy the company of both The Diplomat and George Dickel in the frothy warmth of Sam's Lounge Love Tub. Winners are to be decided solely at the discretion of The Diplomat. Enter as often as you wish.

Meeting Today, Right?

2005-12-20T09:36:00.000-06:00

12-20-05 8:00 p.m. STOP
PBC Scarers reconvene at Southern HQ STOP
Myrtle Street Mafia STOP
Let God bless highballs & conversation STOP

ladders and snakes and several guns if you got em

2005-12-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

I read some of Rushdie's Art of Fiction interview in the latest Paris Review, and he said it took him five years to write Midnight. He also said he wrote "Children of Midnight" and "Midnight's Children" over and over for about two pages until he decided on Midnight's Children. Another thing: There was originally another Padma type character. Saleem sent the manuscript away to a reporter who was reading the written manuscript while Padma was listening in the room. The editor didn't like it, so he edited her out. Which I think was smart. Another thing: The whole concept of the book (special children being born on that night) was a few sentences in another book he had been writing for a year. He scrapped the year's work, and kept those sentences. Another thing: The first page is basically the way he wrote it the first time. Which book out of the following would you want to read next: Light in August, The Hamlet, The Sound and the Fury (WF) Delta Wedding, Losing Battles (EW)?

The Next Meeting

2005-12-05T14:37:00.000-06:00

Hello Scarers.

I know a lot of you are behind in your reading because I saw you socializing all weekend instead of being the good little bookworms you all so aspire to be (except for you Mr. Satsuma, I know you were assiduously engaged with another project which stole your precious reading time - and will demand more of it in the future.) However, the next meeting is still scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6the at 8pm. The diplomat is still our generous host. So, think of this as an opportunity to read for long blocks of time, to really submerge yourself in Rushdie's prose. It is not a chore, but a grand experience. Catch the optimisit's disease and come ready to discuss!

FP

another lemuria event

2005-11-29T15:41:00.000-06:00

Jack Pendarvis is going to be signing and reading on Wednesday (tomorrow) night. It all starts at 5. He will probably read at 5:30. This guy is really funny. His book is The Mysterious Secret of the Valuable Treasure. It's a collection of "Curious Short Stories".

Barry Hannah says "Young Pendarvis writes gutbusting high wit so very rare these dumb ass greedy times. I've not seen such low disgust and language brilliance married to character in too, too long. I cheer him and insist you general readers are in for the longest laughs of the early century."

William Gay says "He uses language the way pyromaniacs use fire."

I really think that y'all would like this guy. He really is kinda a freak. Anyway I hope to see you here. I will be at this reading!

Maggie

Magical Realism

2005-11-17T14:07:00.000-06:00

Before the first Rushdie meeting, I think it would be helpful for everyone to familiarize themselves with the literary genre, Magical Realism. You can also read about Rushdie on Wikipedia from that link as well. If you'd like to peruse some literature professors' thoughts on the genre, Professor Moore at Emory is helpful, particularly because she also includes a paragraph on the Carnivalesque, which is a technique Rushdie also uses (the baudy humor, the bodily functions, exagerrations). Like a carnival, this technique is supposed to subvert established, stale patterns of thought (or any opressive system, government, class, patriarchy, etc...) in order to liberate the imagination (or individuals). For a view of why the term Magical Realism is problematic, especially when applied to Rushdie's Midnight's Children,check out this professor's page.

Also if any of you are writing a story that could be described as magical realism you may want to consider submitting it to Margin. They also have a link to other journals looking for this kind of prose.

Thanks to the cat for the link to the Rushdie interview!

Now that I've gotten all professorial, I'd also like to say that after we at least mention the genre, we can then decide to chuck it at the spitoon if we want. I'm liking this book club because its regenerated my love for reading for its own sake, instead of approaching everything I read from the attitude of "How can I teach that?"

So subvert me if the professor's nose gets too snotty. Use the carnivalesque to bring me back down to earth.

yours in flight,

FP

P.S. At our last meeting - or maybe even the first???? I think we should play a game of "Hit the Spitoon."

Rushdie interview

2005-11-16T17:32:00.000-06:00

Here is an interview with Rushdie from Powells Bookstore.

http://www.powells.com/interviews/rushdie2005.html

Lemuria event

2005-11-14T16:43:00.000-06:00

I thought that y'all would be interested in this event at Lemuria.

Davy Rothbart-the guy who does Found Magazine- is going to be at the DotCom building on Wednesday night (Nov. 16). It starts at 7:00. He has written a collection of short stories called The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas. I think there is going to be music and other such also. Also remember the beer is only $1.00!!

Hope some of you can make it by.

The Next Meeting

2005-11-10T14:27:00.000-06:00

It seems the Diplomat has taken my doubling theory to new heights! UTV ehoes Hamlet! And now the PBCS book club seems to be doubling itself! And in Hot Yoga we do every pose twice! When will the repetition end?

All right, in order to welcome all new members (especially since y'all seem quite sincere, and aren't just wannabee doppelgangers of the original crew who read the first book), I propose that we move the first meeting of *Midnight's Children* to Tues. Nov. 22nd at 8pm. The Diplomat has generously offered to host again. The only problem I can think of would be if anyone is leaving town early for an extremely long Thanksgiving Holiday. So, please comment away and let me know if this day, time, and place will suffice. (We will be discussing Book I.)

Here's some opening thoughts on Rushdie: I think structure is going to be quite interesting in this new book: the personal and domestic story mirrors the historical story (at least in terms of time). Yet, Rushdie also ignores chronological time's convention, and blatently breaks the codes of narrative convention, such as how the narrator's wife, Padma, who is not yet a character of the book (in terms of chronological time), looks over the narrator's shoulder as he is writing and makes a comment, which the narrator includes. The real, non-fictional person literally walks into the realm of the fictional story. Fascinating.

I'm also getting a kick out of the amazing noses this family has: how they show different characteristics depending on the personality of the person, as well as serve as a sixth sense to sniff out danger. Other joys: the baudy humor, digs at unquestioning traditionalists, references to Hindu gods and goddesses (which I hope someone knows a lot about, or will research and enlighten us.... )

Question: When Dr. Aziz hits his nose on the ground while praying, three drops of blood fall and turn into rubies and diamonds. This event causes him to doubt his faith and creates his spiritual "hole". Doesn't it seem like the reverse would happen? If you were bleeding rubies and crying diamonds while praying, wouldn't that make you believe in God? At least a materialistic one? Or did I just miss some detail or cultural reference?

P.S. I am very excited about the growth of the PBCS! I look forward to hearing new voices and insights!

Happy Reading!

FP

One More Thing

2005-11-10T11:39:00.000-06:00

There was so much about UTV that was left unsaid. Last night as I reposed all snuggly and wine-buzzed beneath my soft blue blankie waiting on the Slumberland Express (Choo! Choo!) I thought, "Jesus, we didn't even mention the fact that the Consul blew up at Yvonne and Hugh at the Café Ofélia!"

Prepare thyself for a barely coherent rambling.

OK - so here goes: In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet, being aware of Polonius' shenanigans (which were to exploit his own daughter, Ophelia, to show King Claudius why Hamlet’s acting funny), convinces Ophelia that he's actually crazy, kinda unintentionally, or at least that wasn't his primary intent, which was for Claudius to think him crazy. Ophelia gets real sad, because she kinda digs on Hamlet and vice versa. Then Hamlet kills Ophelia's dad (oops!), thinking he's killing Claudius (who killed Hamlet’s own dad, who was king before Claudius) and Ophelia goes bonkers-for-reals and drowns herself. It was at her funeral that Hamlet finds Yorick's skull, which was his connection to a time of innocence and boyhood, before he became obsessed with revenge. And in the end everyone is dead.

Remember in that Kevin Kline movie Soapdish when Kevin’s character starts talking about a one-man production of Hamlet? That it’s all in his head? Well, it’s kinda like that – but not exactly. See, the Consul, being drunk and proud and ashamed and in love all at once, misallocates his emotions, shall we say, and, since blind drunk, is both Polonius and Hamlet (father and lover to Ophelia, right?), and he’s maybe King Hamlet too, who is Prince Hamlet’s father who haunts the young Hamlet and tells him to avenge his murder (or at least, as they are both the victim - the ones in need of vengence. The difference being that the Consul wants revenge for wrongs done to himself.). The Consul, being aware of Yvonne’s shenanigans, convinces Yvonne that he is crazy (incuarbly drunk. No return to the good ole days), as revenge for her indiscretions. (Or, at the Ofelia, was the Consul really trying to punish Hugh, and Yvonne was a consequence, as Hamlet was trying to fool Claudius, and Ophelia was the consequence?) Anyway, playing the part to a fault, the Consul then goes to the Farolito and finds Yvonne’s letters (Yorick's skull) that represent a time before he became obsessed by his own cuckoldry and Yvonne’s infidelities (with his half-brother no less – incestuous as Hamlet’s mom taking with Claudius after King Hamlet’s murder!). At the Farolito the Consul also gets Yvonne’s father figure and lover (himself) killed. Yvonne gets frantic, convinced that the Consul’s crazy, drunk and doomed, and then dies under-hoof (The horse is not thirsty!), as Hugh (Claudius) is by her side.

See, Hamlet was accidentally the cause of the deaths of both his mom (by the poisoned goblet (mescal – the extra drink Hugh and Yvonne had in honor of the Consul on their way to the Farolito; without that drink they could have saved the Consul’s life)) and Ophelia. Mom and Ophelia are the only people in Hamlet’s life who Hamlet loves. Hamlet, Mom, and Ophelia all get killed due to that very love; or rather, Hamlet's obsession with revenge so taints his love that it results in the deaths of not only the only people he really cares for, but also himself, just as the Consul’s obsession with Hugh so taints the Consul’s love that it results in both Yvonne’s death and his own. Et voilà.

midnite kids

2005-11-07T20:09:00.000-06:00

jaxxie and i went to lemuria tonight (monday 7 november) after dinner at broad st. maggie wasn't working, and the guy at the counter said it looks like the order might be here in 10 days. maggie "has" the only copy.
we didn't feel like hitting the 'burbs, so we stopped by BAM. no dice there, either.

according to borders.com, the flowood store has it in stock.

my question: who already has the book, and are we starting on the 15th regardless? i'm going to try to get it at borders tomorrow, but i'm sure some creep like dtrane will beat me to it.

thoughts? comments? rumors? suggestions?

anyone?

have a blessed day.
jaysus

ps: Good Night and Good Luck is playing at tinseltown. go go go!

"Midnight's Children" by Salmon Rushdie

2005-11-03T13:00:00.000-06:00

Although at last night's meeting, I was still attached to the classic British religious family story, *The Way of All Flesh,* this morning UTV has given me a taste for another foreign country, the Consul's own birthplace: India. What say we read *Midnight's Children* by Salmon Rushdie? That's what I propose.

If there aren't any major objections, and you haven't all read it already, let's plan the first meeting and page numbers. I enjoyed UTV so much I'm eager to dive into another book!

FP

FP's Original Post

2005-11-01T13:03:00.000-06:00

Dear PCBS members other than the Diplomat:

So, we need to get organized about food for this evening. I will volunteer to go to Moe's and pick up platters, enduring the embarrassment of being yelled at, if all of you will chip in monetarily. Also, I plan to get a variety, and some doubles, so if there is something you particularly desire or despise please blog here.

I am not quite finished with the book, but am working on a thesis about the use of doubles; here are some examples:

2 volcanos
2 William Blackstone's
2 brothers
2 Rousseau's (philosopher and artist)
2 Doctor's
Yvonne's 2 extramarital lovers
Hugh's 2 ships
2 Oedipus's (Oedipus the ship and Oedipussy the cat)

what are some others? come on I'm not the only one seeing double....

Oh yeah : 2 Jays (Jaysus and Otherjay)

FP

doubles

2005-11-01T12:11:00.000-06:00

2 Day of the Deads!!! We even talked about it at the last meeting and I got confused. Seeing double again. Ok, I sent an email out, waiting for your vote/comments.

Where, by the way is my first post?

Foiled by technology once again.....

Ok, I found it. It's under "Comments" after "Class Trip."

A Little Light

2005-10-30T11:08:00.000-06:00

Final UTV meeting with movie and mescal for everyone on La Dia De Los Muertos, Wednesday, 7:00, 67 years after the Consul walked to the Farolito.

"The way his son tells it, his dad created this oil while consuming a gallon of California red after just finishing off Malcolm Lowry's "Under The Volcano."

"Under The Volcano"
Charles Surendorf
oil on board
1966

If anyone wants to get me happy, I'll take the top poster. -Dippy

Día de Los Muertos: Last UTV meeting

2005-10-28T11:34:00.000-05:00

I think November 2 is a most apropos day to meet if I do say so myself.

This website has some nice Day of the Dead related stuff-- including postcards. As far as posting something more relevant to the book, I'll post some thoughts either tonight or tomorrow-- I'm heading to Hattiesburg after work, but will be back in Jackson Saturday afternoon.

Skull Candy

2005-10-21T11:16:00.000-05:00

This is a candied skull:

Wikipedia on the Battle of the Ebro. The battle formally ended on November 16, 1938, cementing Franco's rule of Spain.

The Day of the Dead, the day of UTV, is on November 2. The child's funeral procession at the beginning of the book would have been the end of November 1, when the dead children's spirits return. November 2 is for adult spirits.

Chapter 7 kicked holy amounts of ass.

Professor Plum, in the billiards room, with the candlestick

2005-10-18T07:50:00.000-05:00

Last night I saw Broken Flowers, during which Bill Murray searches for a son that he never knew he had. Before going to bed I read to the end of chapter 5, during which the Consul and Dr. Vigil drink.

At 6:03 this morning my cat Ortho jumped onto my bed and meow'd into my ear. During the brief period that I was awake I had a thought. I don't think I've come across any explicit textual evidence of this, but keep in mind that Yvonne has expressed to the Consul and to Clueless Hugh her unhappiness about the cold state of her marital bed. She also has a history of losing infants.

What if Yvonne left the Consul that day one year ago so that she could go birth the illegitimate child of Jacques Laruelle? Eh...?

Meeting: The Next

2005-10-13T17:40:00.000-05:00

Okey-dokey Oakies and squirrels, we're kicking it up a notch. By Tuesday, October 25, chapters through number 7 will be talked about. That's to p. 239 in my copy. We'll stick to the 8:00/my house paradigm that seems to be working out thusly.

Dippy out.

William Blackstone

2005-10-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

There are at least two famous William Blackstones. One, a British judge, whose commentaries are apparantly precursers to the ideas set forth in the Declaration of Independence.

The other William Blackstone, whom the Consul is always referring to as leaving the puritans to live with the Indians, apparently did so to avoid their intolerance of other beliefs......yet, this Blackstone is also considered a pioneer clergyman in the American Episcopal Church. (according to a tourist website about the Blackstone River in Rhode Island.) Sorry, I can't recall the url....sloppy of me. in a hurry.

Volcanic rumblings

2005-10-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Well, perhaps not. *grin*

Oh yeah, the reading this evening at Lemuria. I'm going to try to make it. I am rather tired though.

I went to Martin's after book club and listened to the Scissormen in concert. I caught the first set of their show and bought the CD. I recognized the guitarist's name from some stuff he's written. He's a showman-- and so is the drummer. It's too bad it wasn't a weekend show. I couldn't fall asleep until after 2 a.m. and I'm working on four and a half hours of sleep.

Back to Book Club. It was indeed enjoyable. The company, cameraderie, and Coronas certainly were positives.

I think the thing that's struck me most so far about UTV is the obvious gap between Geoffrey & Hugh and Yvonne. Geoffrey, to me, recognizes that things are changing to something he doesn't like-- war. With him being the oldest of this trio, he's got a different perspective than Hugh. Geoffrey's war weary and Hugh's the opposite. And Geoffrey's an alcoholic.

I don't know what to think yet. It's beginning to look like one of those books I'd normally have to read more than once. I've not begun reading Chapter 5 yet so I can't even begin to try to address Anne's thoughts. I don't know what to think yet. But that particular problem will be addressed the more I get into the book. When I finish the book, who knows what I'll think of UTV as of the end of Chapter 4.

This is admittedly a little bit different format for me than I'm accustomed. I'm traditionally a speed reader. There's no way I could speed read UTV, but not having read the book previously & not looking ahead kind is interesting. I'm looking forward to reading all of it, but am doing my best not to. I want to whet my appetite instead of gulping it down.

Oh, by the way-- I did a little google searching and found this Under the Volcano crossword puzzle.

Promise of lightness, certainty of brightness

2005-10-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed book club last night. If any of you feel like doing something literary this evening, Lemuria is hosting a reading of stories from "The Best of the South" published by Algonquin. There will be free Maker's Mark if anyone feels like toasting the Consul. It starts at 5pm.

Ok, so I'm not just using this blog space to try to develop my miniscule social life. I do have a legitimut question about the beginning of Chapter 5. What is going on in the italicized section? Is the consul literally dreaming, or is this another hallucination? And is the pastoral place Yvonne's Canada? And why Canada anyway - is there some other significance other than its beauty? Also, the first sentence begins unitalicized. Why? Who's pilgrimage is this - at first I thought he was watching a dog following Hugh and Yvonne, but now I think the dog is following the pilgrimage of the dream/hallucination, in which case the pilgrims are Geoff and Yvonne, or perhaps all of our miserable souls.... Anyone clearer on this?

I may be making a mountain out of a molehill (or a volcano out of a crawdad hole), but do the phrases "promise of lightness" and "certainty of brightness" recall Yvonne's whimsy on the places on the moon "sea of darkness" and "sea of tranquility".....of which Hugh only remembers "marsh of corruption" (129). Is it a coincidence, or does it show the Consul's and Yvonne's similar romantic hopes for there doomed relationship....their similar nostalgia for the lost brightness of a once full moon.

I haven't read further than the italicized section, so my questions may work themselves out. I just wanted to attempt an actual post. However, I must say it was a quite a beautiful little piece, and I myself would like the sensation of drinking promise of lightness, certainty of brightness. Not in a drunken sense, but a metaphorical one.....of feeling that kind of hope. Lovely. What kind of cup could hold such a thing.......A Volcano?

Fairy Penguin

Lowry's Cuernavaca

2005-10-08T17:05:00.000-05:00

This site is kinda neat. Though it does contains some spoilers, it maps out what is left of Lowry's Cuernavaca of 1938 with a population of 8000 in today's Cuernavaca with a population of over 300,000.

Ole Popeye and the White Lady

2005-10-08T10:28:00.000-05:00

Popocatepetl (the Smoking Mountain) and Ixtaccihuatl (the White Lady) are adjacent volcanoes at the south end of the Valley of Mexico. The Aztecs believed the two volcanoes were lovers that could not bear to be out of each others sight. Ixtaccihuatl's profile looks like a reclining women.

Legend cribbed from here: In a century long since past, when the earth, moon and sun were still young, there flourished in the arid valley of Mexico a great Aztec city called Tenochtitlan. The ruler of Tenochtitlan was an elderly Emperor whose authority was absolute. Laws were made or unmade at his whim and brutal execution was the penalty for those who incurred his slightest displeasure.

One of the old Emperor's most difficult decisions directly affected a member of his own family. He had a daughter named Ixtaccihuatl, known to her friends as Ixtla. She was an exceedingly lovely girl with raven hair and dark, impenetrable eyes. Many of the young Aztec men would have vied for her hand, but her father had decreed that she should not marry. His reasoning was simple. In the course of a long reign, he had learned that he could trust nobody and that it was dangerous to confer power on any one individual. Since authority would inevitably devolve upon a son-in-law, the Emperor was not prepared to sacrifice his guiding principle of government for the happiness of his daughter.

Of all the Emperor's warriors, there was only one who had the audacity to risk his master's wrath by falling in love with Ixtla. His name was Popocatepetl and he was a Jaguar Knight...a soldier of the imperial bodyguard whose uniform of wild ocelot skin proclaimed the elite status he had attained within the court. Whenever Ixtla appeared at the palace, her father's arm resting on her shoulder, Popocatepetl could only dream of what might have been.

One summer, when the heat baked the red earth of the valley as hard as a stone, the Emperor fell ill and this was the moment for which the Aztec's many enemies had waited. Like condors at the kill, they swept down from the mountains, flanking Tenochtitlan and circling around the city walls crowing for blood. The Emperor's warriors crowded into the palace and awaited their monarch's command.

At long last, the old man appeared and disclosed a desperate strategy. Every soldier, he declared, must drink deeply of the spirit of Tezcatilipoca, the ancient god of war. The warrior who proved himself to be the bravest in battle would be richly rewarded...he would be given the hand of Ixtla, heiress apparent of the Aztec empire.

A wave of murmured amazement swept through the crowd and then, all at once, the palace courtyard erupted into a riot of jostling bodies. It had taken a terrible crisis to reverse the Emperor's decision, but now Ixtla was available and the path of eligibility for suitors plainly marked. Men ran back to their homes, already howling the chilling Aztec battle cry, and feverishly dressed themselves with bells, feathers and bracelets...the trappings of war.

Only Popocatepetl remained where he stood, transfixed as he watched Ixtla help her father down the long corridor to his bedchamber. Almost swallowed from sight by distance and shadows, the Princess finally turned and looked at him. He believed he saw a glimmer of love in her eyes, but then she was gone. With his heart racing, the young warrior marched from the courtyard and up onto a high battlement. Scowling down upon the foe through the gaping jaws of his helmet, Popocatepetl steeled himself to fight harder than he had ever done before. Then, drawing his obsidian machete, as smooth as polished glass, he strode out to meet the enemy.

The atrocities and deeds of reckless courage performed that day long fueled the ritual storytellings of the Aztec people. Blood flowed from so many wounds, that it trickled beneath the city gates and into the marketplace. As was the custom, the women wailed to the divinities to protect their menfolk and poured ashes over their heads in order to blacken their tears. In the sanctuary of her father's palace, Ixtla prayed hardest of them all.

Eventually, the cacophony of warfare receded and then ceased altogether. The women stopped their bemoaning and waited in suspense. Finally, there came a knocking at the gate and a small party of Aztec soldiers entered. The Emperor himself, aided by Ixtla, staggered out into the dark of night to meet them. He demanded to know which way the battle had gone. Triumphant, the soldiers announced a wonderful victory...the enemy had been annihilated.

Then, the Emperor asked by whose hand this glorious conquest had been achieved. "The bravest of all was Popocatepetl, the Jaguar Knight," chorused the party of soldiers. "He was constantly in the forefront...the very heart of the battle...his machete slashing a bloody trail through the ranks of our enemy." "He was an inspiration to us all," added yet another of the warriors, "spurring us on and encouraging us to fight harder, which makes what followed all the more tragic." The Emperor looked inquiringly at his guards.

"It is sad that Popocatepetl, the noblest of men, should have met with such horrible death," said one of the soldiers cunningly. "The enemy, in a last desperate stand, surrounded Popocatepetl, fell on him like a pack of rabid dogs and then ripped his body to pieces."

Although nobody in the city knew it, the warriors were lying, for Popocatepetl had only been wounded and not killed. Even as the soldiers were delivering their report to the Emperor, Popocatepetl was regaining his strength. He had bound up his wounds and, like the natural commander he was, had decided to let his exhausted troops rest before returning to Tenochtitlan. By spreading false stories of his demise, his rivals for the hand of Ixtla hoped to claim the girl for themselves...but their conspiracy was shattered by the despair of the Princess.

Some accounts tell that the daughter of the Emperor died by her own hand...others that she simply willed herself to death, having lost all reason to remain in this world. Whatever the truth might be, the lifeless body of Ixtla was discovered later that night lying on the floor of her bedchamber, curled like an autumn leaf.

Early the following morning, Popocatepetl marched into Tenochtitlan at the head of his weary army, bounded up the steps to the palace, and claimed the Princess for his bride. At the sight of his champion, the Emperor buried his face in his hands and left it to the women to tell Popocatepetl of Ixtla's death only hours before.

The great warrior's wrath was terrifying. Drawing his scarred and splintered machete once again, he stalked through the streets of the city and dragged out the soldiers who had cheated him. Without a word, he killed them all. Then, so it is said, he faced the crowd that had followed and guided him from house to house, and commanded them to build a massive funerary pyramid outside the walls of Tenochtitlan.

Every able-bodied man and woman set about the task, and soon the monument was completed...sheer and white, crowned by a golden bier. Popocatepetl carried the body of his beloved Ixtla to the summit and laid it down. He then called to the people below to build another, higher pyramid nearby, so that he might stand atop it and see forever his lost bride. When this too had been completed, Popocatepetl took a crackling pinewood torch and slowly scaled the steps. Not once did he look back, never again did he return to Tenochtitlan, and no Aztec ever dared follow in his footsteps.

The torch Popocatepetl carried for love of Ixtla will blaze for all time, for it is said that the great warrior became one with the rock of the pyramid and the pyramid itself became one with the earth...and the volcano known as Popocatepetl, the Smoky Mountain, will burn throughout eternity above the snow-capped peak called Mount Ixtaccihuatl.

Class Trip

2005-10-07T15:52:00.000-05:00

Sones found this UTV themed bar in NYC.

Goethe Swings Low

2005-10-06T07:55:00.000-05:00

In case anyone else paused and was left a little curious about all that “Goethe’s bells” shit that the Consul keeps bringing up, here’s the skinny. And, no, it’s no about Goethe’s humongous testicles:

In Faust, Part 1, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the tragedy opens with Faust sitting in his study, contemplating all that he has studied throughout his life, and he is unhappy because despite all his studies he is unable to discover the workings of the world. He is dissatisfied with what can be discovered by science, and attempts to look for knowledge in Nostradamus and by invoking spirits. After he fails at this, Faust contemplates suicide, but upon hearing church bells decides not to kill himself.

There’s also a poem by Goethe called “The Walking Bell” (which is more to the Consul’s point than the above (not that the above should be ignored – Hell, I dare any one of you mofos to ignore Faust)) that for spatial considerations I’ve re-spaced in this quotation. It goes a little something like this:

A CHILD refused to go betimes
To church like other people;
He roam'd abroad, when rang the chimes
On Sundays from the steeple.
His mother said: "Loud rings the bell,
Its voice ne'er think of scorning;
Unless thou wilt behave thee well,
'Twill fetch thee without warning."
The child then thought: "High over head
The bell is safe suspended--"
So to the fields he straightway sped
As if 'twas school-time ended.
The bell now ceas'd as bell to ring,
Roused by the mother's twaddle;
But soon ensued a dreadful thing!--
The bell begins to waddle.
It waddles fast, though strange it seem;
The child, with trembling wonder,
Runs off, and flies, as in a dream;
The bell would draw him under.
He finds the proper time at last,
And straightway nimbly rushes
To church, to chapel, hastening fast
Through pastures, plains, and bushes.
Each Sunday and each feast as well,
His late disaster heeds he;
The moment that he bears the bell,
No other summons needs he.

In Dreams

2005-10-03T08:40:00.000-05:00

Last night I read some of UTV before going to bed. That book is bound to play with my dreams. During the night I dreamt that Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was sitting in a cantina in Quauhnahuac with American naturalist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. Ortiz, who’s Dominican, but I think in this dream represents a larger embodiment of the non-outsider, said something about how Cuernavaca (the name he used) was an excellent place to raise a family. Thoreau responded with a quote of his own as remembered by Emerson when he gave Thoreau’s eulogy, "What you seek in vain for, half your life, one day you come full upon, all the family at dinner. You seek it like a dream, and as soon as you find it you become its prey."

It was Roy Orbison who sang about a candy-colored clown they call the sandman who tiptoes to my room every night just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper, "Go to sleep. Everything is all right." It was Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth in Blue Velvet that really went ape shit crazy for that song. How all this ties back to UTV I'm not so sure.

Except that maybe Yvonne is like Ortiz, in that she strives for normalcy, where she too can be a non-outsider, to take the consul back to England, or to anywhere but Quauhnahuac (which she refuses to recognize for what it is). The Consul like Thoreau as he refuses to fall prey to any idea of normalcy (the family at dinner), especially since their divorce. The Consul is like Frank too, because he is self-indulgent but in a profoundly solipsistic, Cartesian way; but maybe the Consul's the candy-colored clown who freely encourages the consumption of barbituates.

Here it is!

2005-09-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

Quauhnahuac = Cuanahuac = Cuernavaca

Here's a map. It's right on the 19th parallel like he said.

And for our next act...

2005-09-28T14:28:00.000-05:00

Hello Readers. Last night’s meeting went well. I know some of you have just now gotten your books, so here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll stay at this slow pace for another couple of weeks so that everyone can catch up and play along. The next meeting will be October 11, 8:00 p.m. to discuss chapters I-IV, that’s like 120 pages altogether.

Peeps need to start posting for all our long-distance homies. Katie, tell us about the Day of the Dead. Where have you been? What goes on? Who cares about the Consul? Who cares less for Yvonne? How do you pronounce Quauhnahuac?

Meeting: 1

2005-09-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, September 27, 8:00 pm
Chapters 1-2, UTV
Local: Perhaps Myrtle Street, perhaps not. Myrtle Street ain't friendly to the smokers. See comments for latest.

Notes on posting:
Members are welcome to post all questions, observations, and drunken rants. There are no stupid Scarers. I, The Diplomat, will serve as site administrator, and will remove anything I find especially desultory and/or unseemly and ignorant.

Some folks will be participating from a long ways off. And Katie, I expect a lot out of you as you are our resident expert on Mexican language and culture. All questions having to do with Mexican language and culture should be addressed to Katie.

If you want to become a member, simply leave a comment with your email address and I'll add you. Laissez les bons temps lire.

Inaugural Read: Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry

2005-09-19T18:55:00.000-05:00

We'll take this one slowly. People lead busy lives. Shall we say the first two chapters, which look to be about 60-something pages, by some point next week? What evenings are good? And where?

And how!