tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post5260568252259576996..comments2024-02-20T03:18:43.590-05:00Comments on Magnificent Octopus: The parts about Fate and about the crimes and a vast introductory digression in which I compare and contrast 2666 and Infinite JestIsabella Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10735198478395875257noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post-85152399536768790052022-02-04T13:16:03.520-05:002022-02-04T13:16:03.520-05:00I am currently on page 373 of Bolano's "2...I am currently on page 373 of Bolano's "2666". A few of the references have sent me to Google to dig deeper on contextual basis. The current google excursion is sponsored by the word "sacraphobic" used by the director of the asylum in regards to the church desecrator. Amazing to find this wonderful piece of writing from 2009 comparing 2666 and Infinite Jest. Amazing how much the world has changed then. Those changes are providing a different overlay of my reading this as compared to what I would have had if I read it before or around 2009. This is my first read of Bolano. So far, I have to say "wow". This is a dark novel, but intriguing. I'll check in once I'm finished with the book.SubZeroPoethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17631742453353583237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post-71669350198500862062009-09-04T18:40:28.175-04:002009-09-04T18:40:28.175-04:00I'm not sure where to start here, Isabella, si...I'm not sure where to start here, Isabella, since you covered quite a lot of ground in this long and interesting post! I don't think Haas is Archimboldi, though, because of their ages (Haas was born in 1955, and Archimboldi was born long before that if I recall correctly). I did think there could possibly be a Haas/Archimboldi connection; the muttering Haas did in prison about a real monster on the loose made me wonder if Haas was sort of an evil John the Baptist preparing the way for Archimboldi's antichrist figure! And I think your points about <em>2666</em>'s apocalyptic and metaphysical elements are right on the money--points overlooked a little by the reading group as a whole. You brought up a question about Fate's name; it's actually not translated as <em>destino</em> in the Spanish version, so the "obvious" reference would be lost on Spanish readers who don't know a little English as well. Anyway, thanks for an interesting post--I look forward to reading your book 5 summary when you get to it!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post-26847920918432342002009-09-03T17:13:30.937-04:002009-09-03T17:13:30.937-04:00"There was a tipping point with IJ: there cam..."There was a tipping point with IJ: there came a page when something clicked, it made some kind of sense, I got it, and everything that came before was richer and being informed by what came next. I am still waiting for such a point in 2666."<br /><br />Exactly my thought having picked up the same two books this summer. But what I especially like about your many insights here are your Haas comments. I pulled out one of the same sections, and think, though reserving this a bit until part 5, that Haas seems to be Archimboldi, and that Bolano's own voice is channeled through Haas. But I could be totally wrong. Some muddle-headedness is to be expected after a summer with two doorstops for books.Franceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12597485569740436880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post-12868312196115693742009-09-02T10:33:42.545-04:002009-09-02T10:33:42.545-04:00You'r too kind, Claire. I feel like I'm no...You'r too kind, Claire. I feel like I'm not capable of scratching past the surface — I'm snatching at interesting-to-me passages and have yet to determine their significance.<br /><br />Isn't that odd about Fate? I keep checking back for hints of him appearing at one of the many press conferences regarding Haas, but no sign. When I firt read the opening of part 3 I accepted it without understanding, but now — now it's laden with mystery.<br /><br />It's hard to identify, let alone articulate, all the little connections. As for Florita's shepherd, the language and images later echoed in regard to Haas are too close to be coincidental. But I guess, if nothing else it shows that Bolano did in fact have pretty tight control over the structure, or continuity, of this monster of a book. I think his other books are more "poetic," but this one is certainly crafted.Isabella Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10735198478395875257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5767816.post-77049550432120439222009-09-02T01:43:17.133-04:002009-09-02T01:43:17.133-04:00Wow. You covered a lot, and I mean a lot.
You poi...Wow. You covered a lot, and I mean a lot.<br /><br />You pointed out that Part 3 began with its end. With a rereading of that first paragraph, I see it in a new light. What happens to Fate in the end? What hurts? What ghosts? I hope he shows up in Part 5 just so we know. <br /><br />Adam Kirsch's review. Love that. It just goes to show I need to pay more attention. Also, there are allusions I can't quite catch without someone explaining them to me, like this one, because I've never read that Yeats poem, although am fairly familiar with Revelation.<br /><br />The title. I think you hit the nail. I've always thought it might be the number of murdered women. Although the 666 would be too strangely coincidental. But the second beast.. could certainly be.<br /><br />I'm not entirely convinced Haas is a scapegoat. I think he has some part in it somehow. He may really turn out to be Archimboldi, but I don't want to think that he is. Yet. Florita's shepherd.. wow. I never thought it might be one of Archimboldi's works. Now that you mention it, quite likely.<br /><br />And that is one of my fave sentences, too.<br /><br />Now I need to contemplate on what you wrote, everything's swimming in my head. This is all so intoxicating.<br /><br />By the way, I would love to read Infinite Jest someday. But at the moment I'm quite devoted to Bolaño. You pointed out it wasn't quite poetry, but a mood. You're right. It is that. Also, his writing has a clear, concise quality which, at the same time, is extremely mysterious and puzzling. Like a mirror, clear as glass, and then misted over.<br /><br />Wonderful post!clairehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397226316253896335noreply@blogger.com