Tuesday

Paulo Coelho


The New York Times (me=immense love for the NYTimes) ran an article ("Paulo Coelho: Writing in a Global Language," August 30, 2005) about Paulo Coelho today. I thought it was a rather interesting article. Mostly it discusses his status as a literary icon in world literature--except in the States. Now, I can't be counted as any expert or fan here, especially since I've only read The Alchemist (which is a superb book, by the by), but I do think he deserves a greater following in the States.

And for the record, I think I am going to look for The Zahir. It sounds interesting. Especially given his thoughts here:

"The Zahir," an Arab concept borrowed from a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, is described by Mr. Coelho as a thought or idea that gradually becomes obsessional. In the book, the narrator's "Zahir" is the missing Esther.

"There's a lot of me in it," Mr. Coelho said, albeit noting that he has now been married to his artist wife, Christina Oiticica, for 26 years. "But the character is more egotistical. I'm also egotistical, but not the way the character is. This guy is successful, he has everything, but his wife has left him. The most important value - love - is missing. What is wrong with this institution called 'marriage'? What is wrong with this institution called 'the pursuit of happiness'?"


Anyway, that's not the whole point here. The point is that I think he says some interesting things about literature and readers:

"No one is going to change the way I write," he said. "Borges said there are only four stories to tell: a love story between two people, a love story between three people, the struggle for power and the voyage. All of us writers rewrite these same stories ad infinitum."

"But the one thing I cannot stand," Mr. Coelho went on, "is criticism of the reader, that the reader is dumb. You can speak badly of me, of my books, but you cannot speak badly of the reader. It's like saying, 'Everyone is dumb; the only one who isn't is the critic.' That's not fair."


I'm not exactly sure what I think of his statements, particularly regarding his summary of Borges. I'm sure I can think of stories that break the mold, but I'm not sure I can think of great stories that break the mold. I know that in my heart of hearts, I agree that it's unfair to speak badly of the reader. But I'm exposed (in the virtual world) to so many readers that I can't help but think badly of. Hmm. I wonder if this constitutes a moral quandary for me. I'm sure TexMom will have comments here. ;)

7 comments:

Desmama said...

*Grunts*

So, I'm assuming that your comments about readers in the virtual world that you can't "help but think badly of" is referring to a certain list you and I both masochistically subscribe to, eh? (Just making sure.)

Christian said...

Umm . . . yeah. Mostly I'm thinking of Toodles. I wonder if I would have such a negative feeling and impression if Toodles didn't exist.

Desmama said...

You know, I have thought about her too. Part of me just wants to scream at her sometimes. But then I wonder what I would think if I met her. She sounds like she's got her share of health problems and kid problems and mental problems. I hope I'd be compassionate, but it's hard right now when I can't picture her identity other than on the Web.

Desmama said...

It's like you already know how to post pictures and book covers on your web site. Pooh.

*Goes off to try it*

And I think you should put something in your "About Me" spot on how you got the name "Edgy Killer Bunny."

Christian said...

I just click on the little picture icon in the post blog section.

And I should post, well, information in my about me section. Maybe I'll do that today.

Desmama said...

Edgy, where are you?

Christian said...

Edgy is on vacation. Will try to post something tomorrow. :)