Comments on: Novels Give You Time Back

By: stephen fallis

stephen fallis — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:59:40 +0000

I am rereading the last three or four chapters of Fever and Spear before I acquire the second volume, and I just wanted to add that I can think of very few other reading experiences that compare to being swept away by Marias. The power and quality of his writing is so rarely encountered. Perhaps, I have experienced similar effects while reading Le Clezio’s The Prospector, Carpentier’s The Lost Steps, and Austerlitz by Sebald, but otherwise. . .

By: David Gordon

David Gordon — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:11:50 +0000

I am reading Vol 3 now. I recently re-read the first two (I admit I skimmed here and there) and when I met Marias at his 92nd Y reading here in NY, I told him this and he seemed, shocked and told me not to bother, that things in the new book would remind me of what had happened. Nevertheless one odd experience I had (re)reading was that due to his complex and non-linear Time, I kept thinking I’d skipped or forgotten something important: I would mention for example, sex with a woman, as having happened in the “past” yet the actual event was still to be narrated. Hence, as a reader I felt as if I was remembering, or more precisely, “forgetting” something that I had yet to read.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 07:37:30 +0000

I read Vol 1 Fever and Spear a few months ago, and came away greatly impressed. It was my first experience with Marias, and he is an amazing talent. I would totally participate in Your Face This Summer!

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:14:03 +0000

I am re-reading A Heart So White at the moment, and have Vol 3 of YFT at home, with the other two on the way. Such a wonderful talent Marias is!

By: DCN

DCN — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:10:06 +0000

Count me in as well. Infinite Face!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:22:27 +0000

I’m in. Your Face This Summer!

By: mike

mike — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:03:47 +0000

Yes, please do! (“Infinite Tomorrow?” “Your Face Summer?”) I’ve had the trilogy sitting on my shelf for months now. I new-year’s-resolved to read it in January, but with the days slipping away (and my pile of other books to read piling higher), I doubt I’ll get to it without some external motivation.