Comments on: the book meme http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/13/the-book-meme/ Gardening, rural life, nature and general observations from a west Texas perspective. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:17:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: michael rowe http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/13/the-book-meme/#comment-10558 michael rowe Fri, 14 Jul 2006 10:44:02 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/08/the-book-meme/#comment-10558 Hi, I came across your blog through surfing for bits and bobs on Michel Butor's "Passing Time". I first came across the book in the late 1970s; as a writer myself and also a lifelong citizen of Manchester, the books has had a double fascination for me. Recalling my pre-teenage years in Manchester in the 1950s, M Butor has the topography and the metaphysics of our 'rainy' city spot on. I must have read the novel over 20 times, squeezing a little bit more out of it each time. But I have come to realise that there are mysteries in it that have to remain forever unsolved: Jacques' parting shot of something important happening on a specific day in February but he hasn't the time to narrate it - I spent ages trying to work out that one, impossible task indeed! A few things that very much intrigue me about the novel: Throughout the full year Jacques never leaves the city - takes no trips to the countryside or seaside. He makes no reference to national events occuring outside the city. Although he procrastinates between developing a relationship with one of the Bailey sisters, Jacques' narration never touches on the subject of sex, not even implicitly. I'm sure much is lost in the translation; I've occasionally considered learning French so that I could read the novel in its original form - perhaps when I retire from work in 3 years time. Although I left school at 15 and have worked in shitty factories all my life, I have always been an avid reader (and writer) and the French Nouveau Romanists have had much influence on me during the years I spent honing my own writing style: Nouveau Proletarian. Anyways, nice reading of someone else who has been greatly affected by the book. I have lent it to many of my friends - they either find it extremely boring or, like self, a really intriguing read - no inbetweenies on this one. Best regards Michael Rowe Hi,
I came across your blog through surfing for bits and bobs on Michel Butor’s “Passing Time”. I first came across the book in the late 1970s; as a writer myself and also a lifelong citizen of Manchester, the books has had a double fascination for me. Recalling my pre-teenage years in Manchester in the 1950s, M Butor has the topography and the metaphysics of our ‘rainy’ city spot on. I must have read the novel over 20 times, squeezing a little bit more out of it each time. But I have come to realise that there are mysteries in it that have to remain forever unsolved: Jacques’ parting shot of something important happening on a specific day in February but he hasn’t the time to narrate it - I spent ages trying to work out that one, impossible task indeed! A few things that very much intrigue me about the novel: Throughout the full year Jacques never leaves the city - takes no trips to the countryside or seaside. He makes no reference to national events occuring outside the city. Although he procrastinates between developing a relationship with one of the Bailey sisters, Jacques’ narration never touches on the subject of sex, not even implicitly.

I’m sure much is lost in the translation; I’ve occasionally considered learning French so that I could read the novel in its original form - perhaps when I retire from work in 3 years time.

Although I left school at 15 and have worked in shitty factories all my life, I have always been an avid reader (and writer) and the French Nouveau Romanists have had much influence on me during the years I spent honing my own writing style: Nouveau Proletarian.

Anyways, nice reading of someone else who has been greatly affected by the book. I have lent it to many of my friends - they either find it extremely boring or, like self, a really intriguing read - no inbetweenies on this one.

Best regards
Michael Rowe

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/13/the-book-meme/#comment-4178 Anonymous Tue, 12 Jul 2005 11:06:35 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/08/the-book-meme/#comment-4178 I found your website after I have been surfing the internet to be useful I found your website after I have been surfing the internet to be useful

]]> By: Tricia http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/13/the-book-meme/#comment-3201 Tricia Wed, 15 Jun 2005 13:36:17 +0000 http://www.prairiepoint.net/journal/2005/06/08/the-book-meme/#comment-3201 very funny, Mr.Bill...Mary Lou is right. If Disney can do "That darn cat" w/Siamese, why not The Cat Who? But I don't see Kelsey as Qwill. She talks about his healthy walks & riding the recumbant bike and that luxurious mustach. Sounds more like Tom Seleck to me. very funny, Mr.Bill…Mary Lou is right. If Disney can do “That darn cat” w/Siamese, why not The Cat Who?
But I don’t see Kelsey as Qwill. She talks about his healthy walks & riding the recumbant bike and that luxurious mustach. Sounds more like Tom Seleck to me.

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