Sadly, even my updated Art of the Novella Challenge goal of “fanatical” will have to fall by the wayside as I give in to the incipient joys of a business trip. I can’t thank Frances or Melville House enough for sponsoring this challenge. I didn’t make it to 42, or even to 37, or even to 27, but the 25 novellas I read were, overall, a joy and a much-needed shock to my reading system.
The last one I completed is Michael Kohlhaas, which I can now rightfully call a masterpiece by Heinrich von Kleist. It was this that made me determine to end the challenge: I simply don’t have time to write about it adequately before my seven AM flight tomorrow. (GAH! It’s already past my bedtime.) It deserves more.
Your Face Tomorrow also deserves more than a rush-job through the last volume, so, Richard, please forgive me for posting late on that. I have a lovely four-day weekend coming out that should get me back on track for this.
September as a whole will get me back on track, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s my official mental beginning for autumn, even though it will still be summer weather for a while, and we know how I feel about fall. The first of the month is my anniversary, and however much it may not really count with that darn ring still missing from my finger, seven years seems like an auspicious occasion. And, most importantly for this blog, it means a return to longer books. And boy, do I have plans.
What are they? Well, without giving too much away, I have a few projects I’m planning to follow, spending one book per month on each. The first is the Nabokov read-through; The Eye is coming up in September. The second is the Great Dehumiliation Project, and the first book on the menu there is Robinson Crusoe. I’m also going to continue my Conrad/Ford co-project with their first joint work, The Inheritors. And I’ve also decided it’s time to get in some of the big re-reads that I really, really should do. I think Dead Souls will be first. You can see a more complete list of my plans here, though they are, of course, subject to change. But do let me know what you think.
Coming to the end of this post, I realize that last August I was in a similar situation. I took a trip the last week of that month, though a personal one, which would end up being the last time the consumption partner and I saw my grandfather still doing well, not to mention an occasion for excellent literary tourism. And I was rush-rush-rushing to blog before I left then too—but the project was vastly different. One August, I spent a month with what may the longest English-language poem of all time, and certainly not the easiest. The following year, I spent August with dozens of short prose fiction works. What is it about this month and crazy projects?
Not a problem, Nicole–I only hope you enjoy the last volume of YFT as much as I did (despite the book version of post-partum depression that has visited me ever since I finished it). And although you and I have several project reads in common judging from your snazzy list, I guess you’re going to be too busy with all those to join me for a little War and Peace action (my prospective bibliographing Reading Challenge title, ha) in October thru December, eh? (Don’t worry, I can always think up something shorter if you’re not all challenged out.) Congrats on your anniversary, by the way!
If Michael Kohlhaas is your first Kleist there are other masterpieces awaiting you in Earthquake in Chile and The Marquise of O, equally subversive stories.
What a wonderful, ambitious reading schedule.
Richard—Oh no no no! The bibliographing Reading Challenge remains in full effect! You get dibs. Besides, it’s not like War and Peace doesn’t count as a dehumiliation. We’re doin’ it!
Anthony—”Earthquake in Chile” was my first Kleist, actually, and the thing that made me knew I would love him and read all his work. I love when just one piece, often so short, can do that. And I owe you a challenge book too. Are we still on for Goethe?
Uh-oh, what have I gotten myself into now? Looking forward to the semi-insane dehumiliation party! :D
I am on board for The Eye if you want a Nabokov reading buddy. Let me know!
And who needs a ring? Congrats on seven years. Also, when I was celebrating my 7-year anniversary people started making lots of annoying “seven year itch” jokes. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen to you, as it was truly obnoxious.
And I just pushed for a single obscene play! I feel like a sucker. Next time, next challenge, The Tale of Genji, or the Mahabharata.
The Eye is extra-short, a, dare I say it, a novella. Everyone should join in. Not at all a heavy book.
Kleist’s plays are also something else. And he has this essay about puppets that is the strangest thing.
Good luck with all of these outstanding plans.
Sure we are still on for Goethe, and looking forward to it. Your plans are way more structured than my own feeble intentions, chances are that I can fit Goethe in to suit you.
Go, you, and congrats on the novella challenge (25! no slouch, m’dear) and your anniversary. Your schedule is intense. I’ve only heard of reading schedules but have never seen one in the wild!
Emily–Awesome! Although, admittedly, I was counting on you a little. And I have the seven-year itch of my own for that ring, unfortunately, but you are right. At least I’m the only person on our case about it.
AR–It is indeed. And I was a bit surprised you didn’t challenge me to something like that. Next year. What is the next Clarel? Haha.
Anthony–Excellent. I’ll email you soon to make plans.
gina–Thanks so much! We’ll have to see how well I can tame it, so to speak.
I was just joking about the Mahabharata. There is a tradition that it is so powerful that a terrible punishment will fall on anyone who reads the entire text.
But: I will borrow one of your Major Classics slots for my upcoming Scotch-style Challengerino, details coming soon. I can make it up to you, though, by saving you a book – double-check Nabokov \ November & December.
Your meticulously planned and organized reading always makes me hang my head in shame. Not only am I an utter failure at getting to those important books and classic writers (I’m not even going to start listing them, it’ll be far too humiliating…), but I can’t even plan my reading one book ahead. Seriously, I have nothing but respect for those who can… I figure my reading life would be so much simpler if I could just stick to a schedule.
Also: 25 novellas is still pre-tty impressive. I don’t think the universe will make faces at you for having “only” read 25. Anyways, it’s the enjoyable reading experience we all aim for, so I think that means you won!
AR–Doh. Thank you! Can’t wait for those details…
Biblibio–Don’t talk me up too much before I have a chance to do anything. Which I certainly wouldn’t if I didn’t at least try to make some lists. And you’re even younger than me, I think, so I can use Amateur Reader’s usual reassurance that you’ll get there someday.