Roberto Bolaño’s Tantrums, by Ilan Stavans

Essay “Literature was a vast minefield occupied by enemies,” Roberto Bolaño, who enjoyed accruing enemies in the pantheon of Latin American letters, writes in the short story “Meeting with Enrique Lihn” (New Yorker, December 22, 2008): except for a few classic authors (just a few), and every day I had to walk through that minefield, where any false move could be fatal, with only the poems of Archilochus to guide me. It’s like that for all young writers. There comes a time when you have no support, not even from friends, forget about mentors, and there’s no one to give you a hand; publication, prizes, and grants are reserved for the others, the ones who said “Yes, sir,” over and over, or those who praised the literary mandarins, a never-ending horde distinguished only by their aptitude for discipline and punishment—nothing escapes them and they forgive nothing. Aptitude for discipline and punishment Bolaño himself had aplenty, too. And in spite of his precarious health, he had stamina. At a young age, he had made up his mind he would die. Who cared if he annoyed others? His mission, as is clear from The Savage Detectives (1998), was to upend that tradition, to take it by the neck and expose its platitudes. What is the use of sacred cows if not to be desecrated? Indeed, every tradition needs an enfant terrible, maybe more than one. When was the last time a rabble-rouser came along in Latin American literature? As Bolaño put it in... Continue reading at 'World Literature Today'

[ World Literature Today | 2022-02-28 21:05:10 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "Roberto Bolaño’s Tantrums, by Ilan Stavans"


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-31 13:37:54 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Octavia Butler Avenue Designated in Lake Forest Park, Wash.

City officials in Lake Forest Park, Wash., dedicated a section of 37th Avenue NE to science fiction and fantasy author Octavia E. Butler on July 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Best New Korean Literature In Translation

Here is the best new Korean literature in translation, from science fiction like Counterweight by Djuna and translated by Anton Hur to literary fiction, short stories, and poetry. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-27 10:30:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


My big Birmingham bookshop crawl: why booksellers are suddenly thriving

In 2009, two bookshops a week were closing in the UK and the days of physical books seemed numbered. Now, indie stores are booming. What explains the turnaround – and can it be sustained?When Sarah Mullen was asked to set up a children’s book festival in a leafy suburb of Birmingham in 2012, she... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-07-27 09:00:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this


When the Sensibility of Art Meets the Pragmatism of Science: A Conversation with Tlotlo Tsamaase, by Darlington Chibueze Anuonye

When the Sensibility of Art Meets the Pragmatism of Science: A Conversation with Tlotlo Tsamaase, by Darlington Chibueze Anuonye Interviews [email protected] Wed, 07/26/2023 - 15:13   Photo by Lorraine KinnearTlotlo Tsamaase’s science fiction... Continue reading at World Literature Today

[ World Literature Today | 2023-07-26 20:13:50 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for $5 or Less!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-24 13:36:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this


7 Novels That Reveal Librarians Behind the Shelves

It isn’t unusual for libraries to feature prominently in novels; novelists, after all, are merely adult versions of the little people who fell in love with books at public libraries. But what of librarians? The keepers of the books, the ones who know you prefer romance, science fiction, or... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2023-07-20 11:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


10 of the Best Historical Science Fiction Books

History and science fiction collide in these historical science fiction books like Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente, where the future is retro and retro is the future. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-20 10:34:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


An A-Z Alphabet of Science Fiction and Fantasy Authors of Color

Looking to diversify your reading list? Then this alphabet of SFF authors of color is a great place to start! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-19 10:37:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-17 13:53:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Rest is History: Andrew Ridker on Writing About the Recent Past

For years I refused to read historical fiction. It seemed to me that there was something artificial—dishonest, even—in summoning a time and place that hadn’t been experienced firsthand. I couldn’t see past the affected dialogue, the funny hats, and my suspicion that the author was making it all... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-07-12 08:51:46 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Christian Publishers Add More Sci-fi/Fantasy Titles

With more adults and young adults looking for faith-based science fiction and fantasy books, publishers are responding by expanding imprints and new titles. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Jerusalem’s Educational Bookshop at 39 Years: ‘The Palestinian Point of View’

Jerusalem's Educational Bookshop has focused on Palestinian literature and nonfiction since its first location opened in 1984. The post Jerusalem’s Educational Bookshop at 39 Years: ‘The Palestinian Point of View’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-07-11 18:34:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-10 14:20:58 UTC ]
More news stories like this


SFF eBooks On Sale Today for Under $5!

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-03 14:54:55 UTC ]
More news stories like this


I love my Kindle even more than my iPhone. 4 reasons why

As someone who works in the tech field, I have a lot of gadgets hanging around the house. While I enjoy playing around with my custom-built theremin (yes it’s a real thing) or my embarrassingly decrepit iPhone, there’s one gadget that I always seem to reach for: my Kindle. I’m a... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-07-03 14:05:14 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth' is a new game set between the two movies

Annapurna Interactive is developing a game based on the iconic science fiction film Blade Runner. The game’s set between the events of Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, so you can get some closure as to what Deckard was doing before meeting up with Ryan Gosling in an abandoned casino or... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-06-29 19:38:28 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The Care and Feeding of Magical Veterinarians

Here are 10 books that feature magical veterinarians in science fiction and fantasy settings, ranging from YA to adult books. Start with Super Extra Grande by Yoss, translated by David Frye. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-28 10:31:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Apple has posted the entire first episode of ‘Silo’ on Twitter

Apple is borrowing a marketing tactic from Twitter pirates. The company made the unusual move of uploading the entire first episode of its series Silo to the social platform, allowing anyone there to watch the opening installment for free. The gambit follows Twitter’s move to allow longer video... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-06-27 18:24:03 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Book Riot’s SFF Deals for June 26, 2023

The best science fiction and fantasy book deals of the day, curated by Book Riot. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-06-26 13:58:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this