Another Philip Roth -- the novella
The Ghost Writer. I wasn't caught up in it -- story about a young short story writer meeting a mentor -- until a certain reveal cast everything in a whole new light. I like Roth's style, but after having read three of his books close on each others' heels, I do kind of wish he'd branch out of the first person, or something.
Gioco,
All good points, as usual. If I'm wetting myself a little in fear as I prepare to go through Ulysses again, well, you can imagine what happens when I think of diving into Finnegan's Wake. Of the Joyce companions you've (or anyone else ITT has) read, is there one that gives a good picture of the literary landscape surrounding Ulysses -- what led up to it and how it impacted the novel form? I had a feeling that I'd go a bit ape**** on Ulysses when I picked it up again, just trying to dissect it and pick apart Joyce's techniques, but now that I'm in its midst, I'm a little bewildered at the volume of criticism and interpretation this novel has spawned. If an expert such as yourself would deign to point me in a direction....
I was a little surprised to find how formative Joyce was for Joseph Campbell's ideas on mythology, but when I actually sat down and considered, it all made perfect sense. (The Vogler companion for Campbell you recommended to me a while back, by the way,
) I've also had that Salter book stashed on my to-read list forever. One of these days.
Deep,
Every time someone mentions Octavia Butler I think of Kindred, which is one of the best books I've read, so I always recommend it. It's one of those that's so good I'm a little afraid that anything else I read by her might not measure up. Which is silly, I know, and should be rectified as soon as I get a chance.