"And she moved, not waiting for my assent, her body turning to carry her away." Body and mind are one yet separate, I may read too much into this one line but I found it hauntingly indicative of a sort of transformation. Either way, the words have found you! The whole piece seeps of mystery, so ominous. The end is nigh.
The way you play with language to create a world of flexible consciousness is fantastic. It's at once so human (in emotions for example, ie jealousy) and then ethereal.
Thanks, Kate. I value your comments and thoughts so much.
Perhaps you can see some inspiration from Solenoid? (I wouldn't want to compare myself to his prose, of course, but it's certainly been a driving force.)
Yes! I see it for sure. No need to compare; you each have a unique voice. Playing with Cărtărescu’s style seems to fit also with what you’re doing already. It’s hard not to be inspired by him. How does he do it? I guess he also grew up in a really strange world but then a lot of stuff he talks about is more ordinary (writing / gender / sickness) but in an extraordinary way.
Now you’ve got me started, I want to talk about the book! But I’m right where I left off as it’s back home waiting after my train tonight. 📚😍
I'm planning a big push through it this weekend. Have a little bit of downtime and need to try and centre my scattered brain and I know that getting sucked into his world will do that.
Was it you or someone else who told me he wrote it essentially in one draft that was barely (if at all) edited? Perhaps shows in the length, as some parts feel a little overplayed, but the idea that all this just fell out of his mind in a linear fashion blows my mind. There's a great interview with him and the translator on YouTube somewhere.
I'll definitely check out that interview. I hadn't heard that - who else has read it?
I can see how despite its darkness the book can center you. It's interior style helps one to consider one's place in time and space. I'll be getting back to it this week as well. Let's check in about it!
I could visualize the forest, the stars, their bodies. This series has such a dreamlike quality where reality slips into parable and then into hallucination. It's grounded and yet untethered. It's a love story and yet it's infused with an ominous thrumming that feels as though anything could happen.
Here’s to the completion of another useless string of weekdays!
There are so many great phrases woven together here, an another atmospheric sylvan reverie. Now I am also wondering exactly how many photons one absorbs over a lifetime measured in light.
I agree with Terry about the ending. The simplicity of the last line makes an excellently ominous contrast to the preceding prose—we are pulled back to reality. Jealousy or betrayal ahead, perhaps? Or something worse…
I’ve just read all five installments in one sitting and fell into a maelstrom that swept me back to my youth in Finland. Much of it feels like a dream now, and your story might be taking place on a trail close by the one I walked. The atmosphere of desolation and closeness to nature, or at least the attempt to understand its presence — you capture it.
You write beautifully and so visually that the cinematic effects unfold by themselves.
Thanks so much, Minna. You're a gem for reading through them all.
It's amazing to hear that the sense of the land and desolation and nature was captured. I'm essentially writing blind, there. I only visited when I was 12 or so.
(A friend also noted that from Part 1, Finland isn't technically Scandinavia. Ooops. That'll be an edit for when it's all finished.)
Echoing Troy, that scene was expertly handled, totally did justice to the tone of this piece, and to Emmi, I'm so impressed. Also, simultaneously terrified by your apology about what's to come!! And saddened that we're nearing the end, though I totally understand, everything must, eventually. I must say, though, the dreamy, de ja vu-ish haze that you've created with The Senox has been a joy. I've long been depressed by the fact that I was born too late to visit an opium den, but I feel as though I've come close, here 🙏
“Into the night we went. Into the forest we moved, along tracks and crooked paths, between the trees and moss, past branches and trembling streams, beside rocks and fallen trunks whose blackened bark housed fruiting spores.” Thanks again for this series, Nathan. These sentences really stuck with me. The pacing and imagery moved me quickly in a what felt so realistic as the path bends and straightens, goes crooked as we observe and step over or around the fallen objects. The discursive feel of wandering while off the beaten in a forest path seems to exist just under the surface off the images. Can’t wait for the next part and I like how you are keeping the suspense at the end of each post. That’s why we come back next week!!
Your words carry such rhythm, as if your own heart beat determines the cadence. I fell into the forest and then was jolted back by an ominous foreshadowing. You’re sorry for what’s to come?! Oh noooo!!!!!
Beautiful line after beautiful line, compare and contrast, and again, leaving me wondering what will happen, or the poet in me wondering, what does all this mean. For now that’s for each reader to answer.
"And she moved, not waiting for my assent, her body turning to carry her away." Body and mind are one yet separate, I may read too much into this one line but I found it hauntingly indicative of a sort of transformation. Either way, the words have found you! The whole piece seeps of mystery, so ominous. The end is nigh.
I love your analysis! Thanks, Alexander.
I went through about 20 variants of trying to capture a sense of dislocation of body and mind. I'm happy to see you highlighted this line.
"I'm sorry for what will come." So ominous!
The way you play with language to create a world of flexible consciousness is fantastic. It's at once so human (in emotions for example, ie jealousy) and then ethereal.
Thanks, Kate. I value your comments and thoughts so much.
Perhaps you can see some inspiration from Solenoid? (I wouldn't want to compare myself to his prose, of course, but it's certainly been a driving force.)
Yes! I see it for sure. No need to compare; you each have a unique voice. Playing with Cărtărescu’s style seems to fit also with what you’re doing already. It’s hard not to be inspired by him. How does he do it? I guess he also grew up in a really strange world but then a lot of stuff he talks about is more ordinary (writing / gender / sickness) but in an extraordinary way.
Now you’ve got me started, I want to talk about the book! But I’m right where I left off as it’s back home waiting after my train tonight. 📚😍
I'm planning a big push through it this weekend. Have a little bit of downtime and need to try and centre my scattered brain and I know that getting sucked into his world will do that.
Was it you or someone else who told me he wrote it essentially in one draft that was barely (if at all) edited? Perhaps shows in the length, as some parts feel a little overplayed, but the idea that all this just fell out of his mind in a linear fashion blows my mind. There's a great interview with him and the translator on YouTube somewhere.
I'll definitely check out that interview. I hadn't heard that - who else has read it?
I can see how despite its darkness the book can center you. It's interior style helps one to consider one's place in time and space. I'll be getting back to it this week as well. Let's check in about it!
I'm not sure, haha. Maybe I read it on a Goodreads review before purchasing.
Hmm Wikipedia says yes! Will look for the interview.
And THAT right there, folks, is how you write a love scene, rather than a sex scene... ;) ❤️❤️❤️Gorgeous!
🙏
Thank you my friend!
I could visualize the forest, the stars, their bodies. This series has such a dreamlike quality where reality slips into parable and then into hallucination. It's grounded and yet untethered. It's a love story and yet it's infused with an ominous thrumming that feels as though anything could happen.
Thank you for reading as always, Ben. It warms my heart to know it has this impact when being read.
Here’s to the completion of another useless string of weekdays!
There are so many great phrases woven together here, an another atmospheric sylvan reverie. Now I am also wondering exactly how many photons one absorbs over a lifetime measured in light.
I agree with Terry about the ending. The simplicity of the last line makes an excellently ominous contrast to the preceding prose—we are pulled back to reality. Jealousy or betrayal ahead, perhaps? Or something worse…
Looking forward to finding out, whatever happens!
Thank you, kind sir. Yes, Friday (as this is written). Phew.
Sylvan reverie. Wonderful!
Too many photons, no doubt. Especially many down here!
The things ahead ... Yes. Indeed.
Most poignant. Loved the ending Nathan
Thanks Terry!
I’ve just read all five installments in one sitting and fell into a maelstrom that swept me back to my youth in Finland. Much of it feels like a dream now, and your story might be taking place on a trail close by the one I walked. The atmosphere of desolation and closeness to nature, or at least the attempt to understand its presence — you capture it.
You write beautifully and so visually that the cinematic effects unfold by themselves.
Thanks so much, Minna. You're a gem for reading through them all.
It's amazing to hear that the sense of the land and desolation and nature was captured. I'm essentially writing blind, there. I only visited when I was 12 or so.
(A friend also noted that from Part 1, Finland isn't technically Scandinavia. Ooops. That'll be an edit for when it's all finished.)
Echoing Troy, that scene was expertly handled, totally did justice to the tone of this piece, and to Emmi, I'm so impressed. Also, simultaneously terrified by your apology about what's to come!! And saddened that we're nearing the end, though I totally understand, everything must, eventually. I must say, though, the dreamy, de ja vu-ish haze that you've created with The Senox has been a joy. I've long been depressed by the fact that I was born too late to visit an opium den, but I feel as though I've come close, here 🙏
Chloe, your comments are always the best! I'm glad I have edged you closer to living that dream visit ;)
Thank you for your thoughts, as always. 🙏
“Into the night we went. Into the forest we moved, along tracks and crooked paths, between the trees and moss, past branches and trembling streams, beside rocks and fallen trunks whose blackened bark housed fruiting spores.” Thanks again for this series, Nathan. These sentences really stuck with me. The pacing and imagery moved me quickly in a what felt so realistic as the path bends and straightens, goes crooked as we observe and step over or around the fallen objects. The discursive feel of wandering while off the beaten in a forest path seems to exist just under the surface off the images. Can’t wait for the next part and I like how you are keeping the suspense at the end of each post. That’s why we come back next week!!
Thanks, Brian. That's great to hear there is a hook to keep you coming back, as well as that this sentence stuck with you.
Appreciate you being here.
A thing of beauty...the pace and the imagery is simply stunning, with the edge of danger and ending lurking...expertly done, Nathan!
Thanks, Mya. I'm both glad but also sad that this one will be concluded soon.
The HORROR. (And the sheer delight!!!) What has she DONE to our dear narrator? Please promise you won't keep us dangling too long!
I won't. I promise. There are two instalments left, if everything in my head unfolds correctly.
Next week is our penultimate Dune readalong post, the week after will be back to this (unless something catastrophic happens!)
Your words carry such rhythm, as if your own heart beat determines the cadence. I fell into the forest and then was jolted back by an ominous foreshadowing. You’re sorry for what’s to come?! Oh noooo!!!!!
I debated whether to keep that closing footnote comment in there haha.
Yes. Advanced apology. :-\
Thanks for reading, Kimberly! I love the idea it is my heartbeat driving the cadence 🤗
Well, if it is, then your story must never end. ;)
😍
“She was talking to someone else.”
*Internal screaming*
This is beautiful, Nathan. Looking forward to the next update!
Thank you so much for reading, Olivia 🙏
Beautiful line after beautiful line, compare and contrast, and again, leaving me wondering what will happen, or the poet in me wondering, what does all this mean. For now that’s for each reader to answer.
Again and again, beautiful.
Thank you, Brian. I can't help but feel my exposure to more poetry now (especially thanks to you) is having an effect in these pieces ☺️