Comments on: Cynthia Ozick: The Shawl

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:18:34 +0000

Thanks for giving me another image when I think of “pithy” John. I also have my own that comes to mind when I hear the word, but it’s much less fun. A law professor once used the word to describe Oliver Wendall Holmes, a famous U.S. Supreme Court justice who really had a way with words. For example, it is from him that we have the “fruit of the poisonous tree” doctrine when examining evidence procured in violation of the constitution. I’m glad to now have a comical context!

By: John Self

John Self — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:33:37 +0000

When I hear the word ‘pithy’ I always think of the episode of Fawlty Towers where Basil has been assaulted by an irate guest, and is trying to laugh it off as though it’s a private joke between them, to try to avoid looking bad in front of the other guests.

BASIL: (recoiling in agony from the punch but smiling gamely) Ha-ha-ha-ha!
GUEST: Did I say something amusing, Mr Fawlty?
BASIL: …Well, more pithy, I suppose.

Anyway, nicely done, Trevor. I don’t have much to add except to urge Kevin and others to read these stories as soon as possible.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:06:01 +0000

Thanks Isabel! I consider being pithy a great compliment!

I don’t know much about Ozick’s other word, just a bit about Heir to the Glimmering World and The Puttermesser Papers. I’m anxious to get to know Ozick better.

By: Isabel

Isabel — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 05:31:39 +0000

Pithy review, but well done.

I hope to find her works soon.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 02:20:44 +0000

The great thing about this book is that it can move from your TBR list to your R list very quickly. I’m excited to hear your thoughts when you get through it – and Gilead!

By: _lethe_

_lethe_ — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:16:11 +0000

What a great review, this book goes straight onto my TBR list.

I have Ozick’s collection “Levitation”, but read so long ago that I hardly remember a thing about it. As it happens, Jayne Anne Phillips (“Black Tickets”) is Ozick’s neighbour on my bookshelf.

Also, I’m halfway through “Gilead” and think it’s beautiful so far.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:48:01 +0000

You are doing a good job of investigating American women writers.

That’s because I have done such a bad job up to now. By the way, speaking of American women writers, I finished Jayne Anne Phillips new book about a week ago and she has my interview questions in hand and said she thinks she’ll be able to get to them in the next week or so, probably allowing me to post it on February 20 – so there’s another American woman writer I’ll have investigated! It’s been a great experience!

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:02:30 +0000

Most interesting thoughts on a book that I have not read, but have every intention of visiting. You are doing a good job of investigating American women writers — personally, I prefer Ozick to Robinson, but suspect I am in the minority opinion there. Then again, most of my opinions are in the minority. Oh well. What I particularly like about Ozick is her ability to frame a story in a way that allows the reader to approach it from a number of different perspectives — it is kind of like looking at a well-cut diamond in that you can adopt a number of observation points and they all work. Whereas with Robinson I feel that I am being forced/directed into one interpretation — and since it is one that I am not comfortable with, I find myself resisting the book.