Who is Roberto Bolaño, and why should you be reading him?
Earlier this week, Ed Champion observed: "Four people have mentioned The Savage Detective in the past forty-eight hours." I just finished that book--Bolaño's newly translated masterpiece.
It's my first time reading him, and I was sad to discover he died in 2003. The book takes a dark, pulpy look at the evolution of Latin American poetry during the 1970's, featuring plenty of hardboiled action and mind-blowing dream sequences.
It's inspiring. I finished the book in two weeks, and I've been writing like mad every time I close the book. Here's my favorite passage, something to think about for the rest of the weekend. Dig it:
"Do you know what the worst thing about literature is? said Don Pancracio. I knew, but I pretended I didn't. What? I said. That you end up being friends with writers. And friendship, treasure though it may be, destroys your critical sense."
As long as you are visiting Mr. Champion's site, check out his comprehensive Kurt Vonnegut memorial post. I've read almost every novel that Vonnegut wrote, and the best way to remember him is to read some more...
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