My Weekly Calendar

I used to have a goal here about eventually reading one book a day and writing fifty pages each week. Someday I may be able to get to fifty pages written, but I've had to come to terms with my inability to read fast enough to ever reach the other goal. Instead, I've begun pacing myself for what I think I can accomplish around work and other priorities. It will drastically cut back how many books I get through each year, but sometimes life is also about accepting what you won't achieve. It's beautiful and necessary to believe in infinite possibilities, but it's also beautiful and necessary to understand limitations.






Sunday, November 21, 2010

Death in Venice

I wanted to get a taste for Thomas Mann before I read The Magic Mountain so I downloaded this book on the Kindle (Mountain isn't available on the Kindle). The version I got only included the first story, the title story, but that's okay as I paid less than a dollar.

So, the praise: There are some fantastic passages in this story. It's dark and involves obsession and is poetically written.

The criticism: Too much philosophy. I found myself glazing over during huge chunks of the story. The ending was too abrupt. Sometimes paragraphs went on for pages. It's hard to concentrate when you lose your place over and over.

Grade: C.
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