Comments on: W.G. Sebald: The Rings of Saturn

By: The Mookse and the Gripes » J.A. Baker: The Peregrine

The Mookse and the Gripes » J.A. Baker: The Peregrine — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:20:09 +0000

[...] still not the most fascinating aspect, Baker, in a tone that foreshadows W.G. Sebald’s great The Rings of Saturn. In many ways, this is a patient walk around the countryside, a walk that presents to the [...]

By: leroyhunter

leroyhunter — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:34:05 +0000

I missed this Trevor, what a great review. Sebald is wonderful, everything he wrote is worth reading. Austerlitz, gosh, what a treat you have in store.

Max, you should definitely give him a go. I’d be fascinated to see what you make of his work. Plus this comment saves me from hijacking your Lively thread!

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:53:26 +0000

The Rings of Saturn on film? I'm skeptical, but I respect the ambition. I'm going to check out your links! As for whether I still prefer The Emigrants, I do. As for why, I think it is more a question of my personal taste. Both are masterpieces -- just brilliant. I liked the more intimate personal portraits painted in The Emigrants. The Rings of Saturn's melancholic portrait is much much larger, and, for that matter, possibly achieves more because of its scope. So, while The Emigrants hit me in the places I like to be hit, I really couldn't say which one I think is "the best." I've been picking up and putting down Austerlitz because I'm not quite ready to be finished with Sebald.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:42:19 +0000

Here’s an article accompanying that video and some interesting comments:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jan/25/wg-sebald-suffolk-walk#start-of-comments

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:16:11 +0000

Over at mine Tom linked me to a Guardian video about a filmmaker creating a version of this for the screen. It intrigued me so I came over to read your review.

It does sound marvellous.Why do you prefer The Emigrants? Do you still?

By: Paolo

Paolo — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 04:29:00 +0000

This is my favourite of Sebald’s books. I love the quiet, calm and poetic nature of his books. Great blog by the way!

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:51:18 +0000

You won’t regret it, kimbofo.

Rhys, how’s the weather? The storm in this book is a horror.

By: Rhys

Rhys — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:14 +0000

I am in Suffolk at the moment…..

By: kimbofo

kimbofo — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:26:00 +0000

Thanks for this review. I read the Emigrants last year and very much enjoyed it. It was so different to anything I’d ever read before. I described it as “a strangely beguiling book, a weird mix of fiction, memoir and history”. I made a mental note to read the rest of his back catalogue, and your thoughts have reminded me that I must get around to doing that soon…