Comments on: Roberto Bolaño: Nazi Literature in the Americas

By: Matias

Matias — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:48:37 +0000

It took me several hundred pages to trust Bolanos in 2666. But by the third part, I was completely committed. The book does not resolve anything, but is very insightful. If you are not looking for a tightly wound story, then 2666 could seem brilliant. Its the best book I’ve read in years!!

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:20:59 +0000

Thanks Chris! Unfortunately for me, I’m sure much of that stuff flew by me, Chris. Little by little, I hope I can appreciate even more of what he did here!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:42:54 +0000

There’s a sly joke in the third quote you posted, in the phrase “in an irreproachable style, worthy of Sholokov”. Sholokov was accused of plagiarizing parts of ‘And Quietly Flows the Don’, his reputed masterpiece. Supposedly there was a great difference in quality between that book and his others.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:33:23 +0000

I'm not sure, cb. My own readings haven't been the product of any book bloggers. I read 2666 last year because of the hype, it being my first Bolaño. Nazi Lit was just released in paperback by New Directions, so that was my next one. New Directions has been steadily releasing and will continue to release much of his backlist, so I'm thinking that also might have something to do with it. I have seen that several bloggers have a 2666 project for this summer, but I'm not aware of any of them reading other Bolaño books. I could have missed it too, but from my experience recent superstar status combined with a steady output of new translations is the main reason. Surely book bloggers are spreading the fire, though. I think I'm going to keep with the New Directions backlist before I move on to The Savage Detectives. Maybe I'll have come full circle by that point and can appreciate his more massive work better. Might might even give 2666 a go again in several years' time!

By: cbjames

cbjames — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:49:41 +0000

This does sound very good. I’ve Savage Detectives in my summer reading pile. It’s interesting to see Bolano getting so much play this year. Is this a book blogger product? I’ve not seen anything in print or on MSM websites.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:37:18 +0000

I’m looking forward to your thoughts on 2666, Jackie. I think you know mine, and I’m wondering if you’ll feel intrigued enough to read more.

By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)

Jackie (Farm Lane Books) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:00:28 +0000

I’ve just started reading 2666, so was interested to read your thoughts on this. 2666 is feeling very disjointed at the moment and am really hoping it pulls together a bit more towards the end.

I’ll have to wait until I finish 2666 before making any decisions about reading more of his books, but it was great to read your thought – thanks.