[lit-ideas] Well, well, well ...
- From: cblists@xxxxxxxx
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:58:21 +0200
From the Harper's Magazine "Weekly Review" of 23 March, 2010:
" ... psychologists in Arizona found that deep conversations yield
more happiness than does small talk."
Er ... I was about to ask how the weather is where you are, but -
after reading the above - I'll change that to something a little
'deeper'.
The 17 year old protégé of the 'helmet-less bicycle riding' incident I
reported to this list last December is here for a visit. She's
brought a bagful of books and we've been discussing literature and
philosophy in German and English for the last couple of days. Her
choice of books seems largely based on remarks (in German) something
like, 'X [an acquaintance] told me that this was good', etc. I have no
worries as to her introduction to and acquaintance with contemporary
literature, but would like to recommend - and have recommended -
books from my adolescence and young adulthood (which, by the way,
antedate those of my protégé by exactly 40 years) which had a profound
affect on me and which I feel represent the best or most important
literature of the 20th century.
I know much of this discussion was held 10 years ago, but I felt at
that time that was still too soon - largely (but not solely - see also
my postscript) because judgements made at that time were unfair to
'newer' publications and authors. Now it's Y2K+10 - and I'm asking
list members for a short list (i.e., a good armload) of books that
they feel represent the best - or most important aspects - of the 20th
Century.
Or, to put it more simply: what are you 'older' list members
recommending young people to read in order to form a picture of 'your'
time(s) - and what are you younger list members reading on the
recommendation of 'older' folks that you find of particular value?
Chris Bruce,
anticipating a bumper crop,
in Kiel, Germany
--
P.S. Further to my comment about such discussion having occurred too
soon - consider the difference between lists made on, say, 15 August
and 15 November, 2001 (i.e., before the occurrence of, and after some
reflection on, the events of Sept. 11th).
-cb
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