tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post109693934272748521..comments2024-03-20T19:40:58.078-05:00Comments on The OF Blog: Just How Universal is Speculative Fiction?Larry Nolenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097750690507469042004-10-14T05:44:00.000-05:002004-10-14T05:44:00.000-05:00Well, Larry, be sure to drop me a mail when you ha...Well, Larry, be sure to drop me a mail when you have more time to read. It's a slim book and I like it well enough to seriously want others to read it. Take care.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01544406500208399638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097658977373638782004-10-13T04:16:00.000-05:002004-10-13T04:16:00.000-05:00Well, I found this local writer out who managed to...Well, I found this local writer out who managed to bag a slot with Datlow, Link and Grant's "Year's Best" anthology this year. See his story at Strange Horizon: <br /><br />http://www.strangehorizons.com/2003/20030106/estrellas.shtml<br /><br />He's not a grandmaster like you're looking for but he's young and promising, methinks.banzai cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11163422172627686782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097417489668680442004-10-10T09:11:00.000-05:002004-10-10T09:11:00.000-05:00Thanks, both of you, for replying. JP, I don't kn...Thanks, both of you, for replying. JP, I don't know if I have the time right now to read what I'm sure is an excellent book and it's very difficult for me to read much online at the present time (about to take on a third job to help pay for my return to college next year), but if I can manage it, I'll send you an email in the near future.<br /><br />Holly, right now, it's slightly fuzzy, because I read it almost 4 months ago in Spanish and my brain is currently finding it hard to think in English right now! What I do recall is that I loved the juxtapositioning between the artificial world of NYC and the more realness of the jungle. Also caught the musical tonalities that you mentioned. Need to re-read it again in the near future to form more firm opinions, but my initial read was a very favorable one. I'll certainly keep your recommendation in mind as well, although again I'm not going to have that much free time for a while still. And thanks for your concern about my health and well-being. Doing as well as can be expected after that scare last month. I should know on the 26th the results of all my tests on my lungs and heart. I'll probably post that in my wotmania Journal or maybe on wotmania's Com MB if it's serious, but I'm feeling much better now though, so it's likely just a minor thing.<br /><br />And now this Freebird needs some sleep - I'm tired!Larry Nolenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16001420558511460998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097295516708604242004-10-08T23:18:00.000-05:002004-10-08T23:18:00.000-05:00Yay! You finally read Los pasos perdidos! I must ...Yay! You finally read Los pasos perdidos! I must have missed it when you mentioned it on OF - I have not been as much as a regular there lately. Did you read it in Spanish or English? I would love to hear your thoughts on the book, your time allowing. It has actually been awhile since I read it myself; I keep giving my copies away, but I did buy a shiny new one mostly for the purpose of re-reading it again and being able to discuss it with you or whomever. <br /><br />To answer your question and add to your list, I have another by Alejo Carpentier - Concierto Barroco. I would further contribute works by Carlos Fuentes - off the top of my head the short story Aura comes to mind, but his novels would fit as well. After stealing a quick look at my bookshelf, I would also have to add the Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder - Sophie's World is his most well known, but actually I find The Solitaire Mystery even more imaginative (though the two are quite similar). If you haven't read anything by Gaarder, you might wish to check him out. Heavy-handed at times, and if you read too many of his books they are all a bit too similar, but I was blown away the first time I read him, and it definitely fits into the realm of the fantastic. <br /><br />That's all for now, time for dinner. Take care, Larry - I'm thinking of you and wishing you well.Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01410129434433231514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097231846438919122004-10-08T05:37:00.000-05:002004-10-08T05:37:00.000-05:00I think the net swallowed my previous comment - an...I think the net swallowed my previous comment - anyway, to sum up, there's an interesting book of short stories called 'Fair Tree of the Void' by Indian writer Vilas Sarang I'd like to introduce you to, given the other works I've seen you mention here and elsewhere. Magic realism, influenced by the likes of Kafka, Borges and Becket but driven by a very original vision. Drop me a mail at jayaprakash at gmail dot com, we can sort something out...the book is OOP and hard to find even in India, but perhaps I could send you a photocopy or a scan...it's really worth checking out. <br /><br />My previous comment explained this a little better, but that plane has flown.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01544406500208399638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8068873.post-1097227446368944612004-10-08T04:24:00.000-05:002004-10-08T04:24:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01544406500208399638noreply@blogger.com