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Category Archives: By others
The swift ants of India – extract from The Histories
Others however of the Indians are on the borders of the city of Caspatyros and the country of Pactyïke, dwelling towards the North of the other Indians; and they have a manner of living nearly the same as that of the Bactrians: these are the most warlike of the Indians, and these are they who [...]
Posted in By others Tagged extract, g. c. macaulay, herodotus, others, the histories, translations 1 Comment
Shells, bones and silence – extract from The Waves
‘Having dropped off satisfied like a child from the breast, I am at liberty now to sink down, deep, into what passes, this omnipresent, general life. (How much, let me note, depends upon trousers; the intelligent head is entirely handicapped by shabby trousers.) One observes curious hesitations at the door of the lift. This way, [...]
I wish you way more than luck – extract from This is Water
The point here is that I think this is one part of what teaching me how to think is really supposed to mean. To be just a little less arrogant. To have just a little critical awareness about myself and my certainties. Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically [...]
Also posted in David Foster Wallace Tagged David Foster Wallace, extracts, others, philosophy, this is water Leave a comment
The acts of madmen – extract from Has Man a Future?
In negotiations between East and West, both sides, if they were sane, would not regard each other as the enemy, but would view the H-bomb as the common enemy of both. Both East and West have a common interest, which is to escape the common destruction threatened by modern weapons. Both sides are blinded to [...]
The City of Brass part II – extract from The Arabian Nights
The Emir said to his Wazir Talib bin Sahl and to the chief officers about him, “How shall we contrive to enter this city and view its marvels?: haply we shall find therein wherewithal to win the favour of the Commander of the Faithful.” “Allah prolong the Emir’s fortune!” replied Talib, “let us make a [...]
The City of Brass – extract from The Arabian Nights
The Emir Musa asked the Shaykh, “What is yonder vast blackness and its twin fires?”; and the guide answered, “Rejoice O Emir, for this is the City of Brass, as it is described in the Book of Hidden Treasures which I have by me. Its walls are of black stone and it hath two towers [...]
Public Library 13.11
Borges on the Couch by David Foster Wallace. One of my favourite authors reviews the biography of my other favourite author – and nails it. From the NY Times.
In Retreat. Malcolm Knox on the future of gentlemen’s clubs, from The Monthly.
‘We Like Lists Because We Don’t Want to Die’. Umberto Eco interviewed in Spiegel Online.
T.S. [...]
Also posted in David Foster Wallace, Jorge Luis Borges, Public library Tagged borges, dfw, malcolm knox, ny times, paris review, t.s. eliot, the monthly, umberto eco Leave a comment
Chieko’s sadness – extract from The Old Capital
Takichiro was drinking festival sake with a guest in the back room. He was not so much drinking as keeping him company. Shige was up and down waiting on them.
“I’m home,” Chieko said.
“You’re early.” Shige looked at her daughter. Chieko greeted her father’s guest.
“Mother, I’m sorry I was too late to help out here.”
“That’s all [...]
Also posted in Japanese literature Tagged extract, j. martin holman, japanese literature, others, translations, yasunari kawabata Leave a comment
Double five – Extract from The Autumn of the Patriarch