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Lectures on Don Quixote - Vladimir Nabokov
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Books
- Hits: 912
A selection from the lectures Nabokov gave at Harvard on Cervantes's "Don Quixote".
He was never a fan of the novel, and fulfilled these lectures as a requirement, or debt to Harvard and American Academics.
Now, really, I should have given it (Cervantes's "Don Quixote") a quick reread before reading this. But - that said, there are enough quotes embedded in the notes to the lectures that I already feel I've reread it, and can give it a few more years yet.
Nabokov is certainly one of my favorite authors, and I've a fine appreciation/remembrance of "Don Quixote", so - while it might seem like a bit of a dry read it isn't.
And while I respect and admire a lot of what Nabokov brings to the table, I can't say I entirely agree. There are many things I never thought of, and others I surely recognized but overlooked in service of enjoying the story, and a great many of his observations I took for granted. Nabokov's dissection, a little drier, more academic, and - as always with Nabokov - not necessarily sincere - the inventive force undoubtedly informs and reforms his lectures as much as it does his writing.
Nonetheless it forces me to reconsider my own views and reminds me to perhaps revisit it in it's entirety and not just scraps and quotes.
Which is a good thing, and while I'm enjoying this one-sided argument, it would have been something to sit in on these lectures in person, wouldn't it have?
The Banshees of Inisherin
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Film
- Hits: 1097
This was an excellent film - alternating comedy and very dark moments that somehow resonated.
The emotional landscape - so well depicted in the film, struck a chord.
And - curious - how on earth is Colin Ferrell Will Ferrell's brother? I mean, the difference in talent is ---- .
Maybe it's just Will's choice of films. Anyways, this was different.
And a welcome relief from everything else that's out there.
Dr. Firkins Marvelous Merkins
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Creative
- Hits: 799
I was inspired all out of proportion by the previous photograph, and - while too busy with my own projects, I took it upon myself to inspire my Son. Who's a Thespian, as you've undoubtedly guessed.
I'm like that. Too many ideas of my own, pass it on in the hopes I get free tickets to opening night...
Merkin
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- Written by: Rod Boyle
- Category: Blog
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Sometimes - albeit rarely, Reddit is an amazing place.
Above, see antique photo of Travelling Merkin Salesman.
Who seems to be wearing one upon his chin as a sort of endorsement, or badge of the trade.
Now - these all are far too bushy for my taste - were I to come across one of these in real life I'd definitely flee in horror - but, something about the trade amuses me and I can't quite put my finger on it...
Imagine, after a hard day of fitting merkins coming home to your wife - "Honey, I'm bushed".
I mean, between the start of the day and the end of the day the many adventures of the travelling merkin salesman. Which I'm sure in every way beats a day in the life of James Bond, I'm sorry.
I most definitely missed my calling.
And - somewhere in this furry mess there has to be a Netflix movie or miniseries...
Oh, and it's very definitely still a thing (I've never seen one in the wild, others must have), but I'll let you do your own google searches and - note the abundance of festive and seasonally themed merkins.
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