It's just about impossible to adequately describe this book, so I'm just going to say it's remarkable and you should read it if you haven't already. Five flaming stars from me.
Cover image of Theory of Bastards by Audrey Schulman. A woman with striking green eyes looks into the camera from behind the shoulder of a man in a white dress shirt. We see only the upper half of her face and hair.
#TheWriteWomen: In March, post book by a female author every day
β’ It has to be a book youβve read
β’ It has to be a book you enjoyed or learned something from
#booksky ππ
Theory of Bastards by Audrey Schulman (Europa Editions, 2018)
For anyone looking for another novelistic depiction of a modern-day sworn virgin, Albanian author Elvira Dones has written a novel (in Italian) titled 'Sworn Virgin' (trs. Clarissa Botsford, And Other Stories 2014).
Some of the detail missing in the novel can be found in Young's comprehensive and sympathetic book, still I think the only major academic work in the subject in English. Part of Berg's excellent Dress, Body, Culture series this is well illustrated and pretty fascinating, if not a light read.
... and some interviews with remaining sworn virgins to write a novel depicting one. It's a pretty good book, poetic, vivid, and touching but it feels underdeveloped to me.
I chose this rather esoteric book of cultural anthropology because of the nomination of Rene Karabash's novel 'She Who Remains' to the Booker International longlist. 'She Who Remains' is by a Bulgarian writer who's apparently never been to Albania and was inspired by Kadare's 'Broken April'...
Cover Image of 'Women Who Become Men: Albanian Sworn Virgins' by Antonia Young. Yellow-tinted black and white photograph of weathered short haired woman in traditionally masculine clothing with a cigarette perched above one ear gazing sidelong at the camera. "Dress Body Culture" black and white circular logo at the bottom right corner.
#TheWriteWomen: In March, post book by a female author every day
β’ It has to be a book youβve read
β’ It has to be a book you enjoyed or learned something from
#booksky ππ
Women Who Become Men: Albanian Sworn Virgins by Antonia Young (Oxford Berg, 2000)
9/31
Increasingly of the opinion that the correct answer to the Trolley Problem is "fuck you, why are you so fixated on finding reasons to justify killing people?"
I've just started this and am enjoying it so far. Is this shorter than the Karabash novel? I just finished that and it was quite brief (and, to my taste, somewhat underdeveloped). I generally read ebooks so it's hard to tell just how "long" something really is.
Thanks so much for the info on the streams! I likely won't be able to listen live tomorrow but can make time for it in the next couple of days. Very much looking forward to it!
That looks like an amazing program! This group is new to me but I'll be listening to their 2025 album soon.
Sincere condolences.
This form is new to me as well. How beautiful they are, and so effective at such a minuscule length!
Landays. I had no idea.
βBright moon, for the love of God,
Donβt blind two lovers with such naked light.β
#Spring
Next time, get it! I have a 50 year old friend who's been buying herself the things she really wanted as a child and it's actually helped with her anxiety and depression. None of them are expensive and they don't take up a lot of space, so why not? Also, you've been in my thoughts, Alex. π
Yeah, that sounds exactly like the kind of man my friends have described. Just deeply unpleasant and callous.
If anyone's interested, the redoubtable Lady Izolde has the latest on her YouTube channel.
Wondering if I have the intestinal fortitude (or just plain patience) to listen to almost four hours of Wagner today. Even featuring Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres that's lot to ask right now. May just save it for the weekend.
That should read "science fiction and fantasy authors". Was going to use SFF but then thought non-fans might now know what that was so I opted to spell it out and forgot half! Serves me right! π
I have friends and acquaintances who are old school science fiction authors and fans and not one of them has a good word to say about this man. I think he is almost universally disliked and I don't think he cares (which says a great deal about him, I think; none of it good).
I just noticed it and thought, "Wow! She looks fantastic!". The glasses, the lipstick, the hair, everything.
Oooh, good to know! Thanks, CCC!
Cover image of Elevator in Saigon by ThuαΊn (trs. Nguyα» n An LΓ½, New Directions 2024) A single dark and eye and eyebrow lie at the center of what may be an elevator shaft or some other narrow, four-walled vertical space.
#TheWriteWomen: In March, post book by a female author every day
β’ It has to be a book youβve read
β’ It has to be a book you enjoyed or learned something from
#booksky ππ
Elevator in SaΓ¬gon by ThuαΊn (trs. Nguyα»
n An LΓ½, New Directions 2024)
8/31
Great review, btw!
I greatly enjoyed Scodellaro's book of short stores, 'Some of Them Will Carry Me' published way back in 2022 (has it really been that long!?!) so I am definitely looking forward to this.
https://www.shawroadceramics.com/shop/p/pekapeka-tou-roa-nz-long-tailed-bat
π¦ #BatsInArt #PreciousBats #DecorativeArt #MelissaHastings #NewZealand #Pekapeka #Contemporary
Melissa Hastings (Shadow Road Ceramics Studio)
PEKAPEKA-TOU-ROA / NZ LONG-TAILED BAT
Sculptures, black stoneware and oxide
OH FFS! This is just inexcusable. What the hell is wrong with them. Shame!
Probably the perfect vanilla for the vanilla-poached lobster that was once so popular, though.
I've had Tahitian vanilla before and even used it myself but never in such generous quantities and it is just a bit much. Too fruity maybe? Not a good match with the brown spices in the cobbler, better for a custard or something. Give me good old Madagascar or Mexico for baking anyday.
