The Tournament of Books, every literature geek’s equivalent to March Madness, is in full swing, and my bracket is already devastated. Sure, Bolano’s juggernaut 2666 steamrolled over the competition yesterday, but how about the titanic upset of O’Neill’s Netherland today? I didn’t foresee that one, but I am predicting a return in Zombie Round.
Why do I get excited about this? I don’t even know.
Oh, and make sure to read the From the Booth commentary. It’s like overhearing really fun banter of smart-ass literary folk in the gym, if you go to the type of gym where people are actually literate enough to read something other than James Patterson.
2 comments
John,
I just read the 2666-Steer Toward Rock Tournament. Hilarious!
I know you were reviewing 2666 right on your blog. Going to look it up. How’s it sitting with you now? Is the worth the trudge?
I know, wasn’t the sports-metaphor-gone-wild just hilarious to read?
2666 is still sitting pretty with me. I enjoyed that book much more than The Savage Detectives, although that one certainly had flashes of brilliance. I have been highly recommending 2666, just because I feel it’s the type of book that will change how you think of the structure of a novel, how you think of writing and character. Just staggeringly beautiful.
And you know a couple more Bolano’s are coming down the pipeline, in the next few years?