from Love and Garbage, by Ivan Klima

[kokopopo]

I have found another remark by Kafka on the mission of literature: What we need, he wrote, are books which strike us like the most painful misfortune, like the death of someone we loved more than ourselves, books which would make us feel that we've been driven out into the forest far from another human being, like suicide. A book must be an axe

Comments

[kokopopo]

I found it a tough book (for me) on some levels. But of course, I think every book is about me. Maybe they are?

[supernaught]

I guess that leaves out Harry Potter! Interesting post, I've been bringing Kafka up often in conversation lately. It's been years since I've read his works; I've been eyeing his books in my collection lately.

Have you read any books lately that have driven you into the forest?

[kokopopo]

Of course, not literally, but if I understand what he means, I would say all of the novels of Paul Bowles drive me into the forest. In its melancholy way, so did Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, and maybe a few other (but not all) books by him. I'm re-reading Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being--it certainly drives me into a different kind of forest, maybe not the one his fellow Czech intended. McEwan's Atonement did it, despite his hopelessly bourgeois sentiments. They are out there.

Reading all these Czechs makes me want to visit Prague.

[estella_mare]

this has always (slight exaggeration here, eh :p)
been one of my favourite quotes.
glad to see you posting again.
xx
e

[kokopopo]

It might take more than an axe to conquer my frozen sea. Glad to be back. Have been on the road so much, but always love seeing your images and posts.