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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 15 to 39 of 39. Go back in thread:
Posted by evenintherain on March 10, 2010, at 18:49:31
In reply to Re: Cormac McCarthy » evenintherain, posted by sigismund on March 10, 2010, at 0:48:43
yeah, unfortunately he did kill himself a year and a half ago. he was on nardil for 15 years or so and then went off it. his depression returned and when he tried to go back on the nardil it didn't work anymore. he also did a bunch of ECT, which didn't help. really sad.
anyway, his name is David Foster Wallace. His writing is not for everyone, but i thought "Infinite Jest" was a lot of fun (and often funny). it is not an easy read but well worth the effort.
Posted by sigismund on March 10, 2010, at 20:04:37
In reply to Re: test for double quotes, posted by sdb on March 9, 2010, at 14:26:04
You had me worried there :)
Posted by sigismund on March 10, 2010, at 20:16:20
In reply to Re: Cormac McCarthy, posted by evenintherain on March 10, 2010, at 18:49:31
In the night as he slept Boyd came to him and squatted by the deep embers of the fire as he'd done times by the hundreds and smiled his soft smile that was not quite cynical and he took off his hat and held it before him and looked down into it. In the dream he knew that Boyd was dead and that the subject of his being so must be approached with a certain caution for that which was circumspect in life must be doubly so in death and he'd no way to know what word or gesture might subtract him back into that nothingness out of which he'd come. When finally he did ask him what it was like t be dead Boyd only smiled and looked away and would not answer. They spoke of other things and he tried not to wake from the dream but the ghost dimmed and faded and he woke and lay looking up at the stars through the bramblework of the treelimbs and he tried to think of what place could be where Boyd was but Boyd was dead and wasted in his bones wrapped in the soogan upriver in the trees and he turned his face to the ground and wept.
(p400)
Posted by sigismund on March 10, 2010, at 20:26:15
In reply to Re: test for double quotes, posted by sdb on March 9, 2010, at 14:51:58
I remember reviews of that from some time ago.
Maybe the video shop will have it?
Speaking of wires, I enjoyed the series "The Wire", which is a series set in Baltimore involving the various protagonists in the drug trade and the war on drugs.
But more than that it is about the absolute triumph of capital and the fear and wonder of us who have to live within this wreckage.I needed English subtitles on though. There's lots of wonderful slang.
Posted by evenintherain on March 10, 2010, at 21:03:24
In reply to Re: test for double quotes, posted by sdb on March 9, 2010, at 14:51:58
"Man on Wire" really is wonderful.
It is available to stream on Netflix if you have it...
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Man_on_Wire/70084167?strackid=600790fc978b6171_0_srl&strkid=635381215_0_0&trkid=222336
Posted by sdb on March 11, 2010, at 12:22:24
In reply to Re: test for double quotes » sdb, posted by sigismund on March 10, 2010, at 20:04:37
> You had me worried there :)
I am sorry I was very tired.
Posted by sigismund on March 12, 2010, at 5:30:00
In reply to Re: test for double quotes to Sigismund, posted by sdb on March 11, 2010, at 12:22:24
Evelyn Waugh?
I tried to read 'Put Out More Flags', and something to do with Guy Crouchback, which a friend had said was wonderful but I felt I didn't understand or something, and of course I saw (and did I read?) Brideshead, which I enjoyed more because many of my political friends hated it.
I admired (in a terrible way) his drinking habits....the drives in the country with stops for cocktails at 11am (keep the riffraff off the roads).
I feel I missed him.
At one point I read some *really* good PG Wodehouse, and then I read some of his which just didn't make it. Farce is like that. Timing is everything.
No need to be sorry. I'm sorry too.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:39:49
In reply to Re: double double quotes » evenintherain, posted by Dr. Bob on March 6, 2010, at 9:56:36
I've read the road, and would never, ever make it two minutes into the movie!
Have you seen it? I saw a trailer--what a botch-job of a soundtrack! IMHO
Posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:42:11
In reply to Re: Cormac McCarthy, posted by evenintherain on March 4, 2010, at 19:48:33
Yes! Awesome it is!
I just stumbled across this thread--will read the rest of thread later.
McCarthy is some writer!
Posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:48:06
In reply to Re: double double quotes, posted by evenintherain on March 6, 2010, at 14:33:18
Felt that was an excellent screen adaptation.
And barely any intrusive music! Well, Cohen's brothers can make some excellent films--and they use the same cinematographer--I forget his name.
Have you seen the man who wasn't there? A sleeper--black and white. Who was it that said if you get enough cliches together, they begin to speak amongst themselves? The effect is strangely moving. One of my favorite films.
Posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:07:19
In reply to Re: double double quotes » Dr. Bob, posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:39:49
The people I saw it with felt is was a bit bleak.
Not me though.
Posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:08:29
In reply to Re: double double quotes » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:07:19
Although I would have put a bullet through my head in the first year.
Posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:11:14
In reply to film: no country for old men » evenintherain, posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:48:06
That's a coen(sp?) brothers movie?
About a barber kind of person?
if so I saw that.
I liked it.
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 14, 2010, at 1:25:36
In reply to Re: double double quotes » Dr. Bob, posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:39:49
> I've read the road, and would never, ever make it two minutes into the movie!
>
> Have you seen it? I saw a trailer--what a botch-job of a soundtrack! IMHOI did see it. Augmented by winter in Chicago...
Bob
Posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 4:06:10
In reply to Re: double double quotes, posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:08:29
> Although I would have put a bullet through my head in the first year.
Well, I clearly identified with the wife (novel). I'd be out of there (never mind that my current prescriptions would be unavailable). Though, there is the child....
Posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 12:23:50
In reply to Re: film: no country for old men » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on March 13, 2010, at 20:11:14
> That's a coen(sp?) brothers movie?
>
> About a barber kind of person?
>
> if so I saw that.
>
> I liked it.Yes, the barber. And I'm a wickedly awful speller :)
Posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 12:31:37
In reply to Re: Cormac McCarthy, posted by evenintherain on March 10, 2010, at 0:34:36
The NYer had an interesting piece on DFW last year. I admire that you have the head for his novel(s). Short stories are all I can do. "The Depressed Person" comes to mind. Great and regretted reading it for at least a week. Don't remember the name of the collection.
> thanks for reminding me how much i love his writing, i will move on with The Border Trilogy.
>
> right now i am re-reading "infinite jest", i pick it up every couple years when i need a good companion (as it is so long). i also recommend that to anyone here. the author took nardil for many years.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 12:38:26
In reply to Re: the road, posted by Dr. Bob on March 14, 2010, at 1:25:36
What did you think of it? I would have liked to have seen Guy Pierce...though I imagine it's only for a moment.
Posted by sigismund on March 14, 2010, at 22:54:56
In reply to Re: the road » Dr. Bob, posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 12:38:26
Yeah, he appears just at the end.
"Memento" was a good film he did.
He started on Neighbours, I think, something I've never watched.
Posted by evenintherain on March 15, 2010, at 1:36:53
In reply to film: no country for old men » evenintherain, posted by floatingbridge on March 13, 2010, at 13:48:06
yes, i do remember seeing that one in the theater. enjoyed it, though it didn't stick with me, perhaps i should have paid more attention.
>
> Have you seen the man who wasn't there? A sleeper--black and white.
One of my favorite films.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 15, 2010, at 2:12:42
In reply to Re: the road » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on March 14, 2010, at 22:54:56
> Yeah, he appears just at the end.
>
> "Memento" was a good film he did.
>
> He started on Neighbours, I think, something I've never watched.Yes, I've seen Memento at least 10 times--that's why I like Mr. Pierce. Imagine my
disappointment 3 minutes into The Hurt Locker (a film I have some problems w/ BTW).I believe the fellow who inspired the
short story that inspired Memento died in 2009.Don't know Neighbours....
Posted by evenintherain on March 15, 2010, at 2:23:49
In reply to Wallace » evenintherain, posted by floatingbridge on March 14, 2010, at 12:31:37
yes, i read that article, it was a good one.
and yes, reading the novels do take some commitment (i think it took me 3 full months of reading every day to complete "infinite jest"), but i found it very rewarding and had a ton of fun. so much so that i look back at the time in my life as very happy, though i doubt this could have been the case (crummy temp job and long-distance relationship?)
"the depressed person" seems to come up a lot, and i don't remember if it's one i've read (always bad with titles!), i don't know which collection it's in either, but i will find out and read it.
i definitely remember "good old neon" in which the narrator (a golden boy with a charmed life) reflects upon what is wrong with him while plotting his own suicide and "david wallace" even makes a cameo in the story (or the memory of him, the awkward character in comparison).
and the character Kate in "infinite jest," his description of her depression being terrifyingly accurate.
i mostly remember funny, astute little observations he would make, like how we always look into the tissue after we blow our noses.
what do we expect?
Posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 11:33:43
In reply to Re: Wallace » floatingbridge, posted by evenintherain on March 15, 2010, at 2:23:49
His ability to convey his observations so simply, letting irony seem so natural (and maybe it is) is quite unnerving.
Interviews with Hideous Men, I believe, is the collection.
Good Old Neon sounds interesting. I'll build my mood up in order to withstand it :-D
So Infinite Jest is readable? I get so intimidated by reputation--you know--the Joyce's Ulysses litmus test (no I haven't read it!).
Meanwhile, I was thinking about his non-fiction....
(Yes, I look in my tissue, too.) Glad you are enjoying your reading.
Posted by evenintherain on March 17, 2010, at 20:24:50
In reply to Re: Wallace » evenintherain, posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 11:33:43
definitely readable, i think. not too hard if you can keep your concentration! (which is hard for me when i get depressed). don't shy away from the dictionary, either. it can get a little complicated, but just read through it and get enjoyment from the writing and worry about piecing the story together later. at least, that's what i did. that is why it is still fun to read later, because i can pick up on things i didn't quite get before.
i was reading "gravity's rainbow" a while ago, and like a billion people came up to me and where like "whoa, you're reading that, that's so hard!"
i had no idea it had a reputation and was really enjoying it, but then after all those comments i got scared and stopped reading the book. so stupid. it made me mad. i hope i will go back to it later.
the non-fiction is good! i recommend "a supposedly fun thing"
Posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 22:44:56
In reply to Re: Wallace » floatingbridge, posted by evenintherain on March 17, 2010, at 20:24:50
Thank you for the recommendation--looks good.
Cheers!
This is the end of the thread.
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