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Originally Posted by demonrail666

What's his brand of morality?

i may be wrong under the influence of gin and tonics (one of the best things about the summer) but i recall a kind of pathetic nihilism, a "poor little humans, look at the poor little humans," attitude or vision. it's like being an atheist he lost his god but misses having him around to make sense of things and can't enjoy his freedom.

i remember now what i read: history of the word in 10 1/2 chapters (that's the one w/ the wormwood, right? and the ship's hijacking?), flaubert's parrot (it's all gone from my brain now)... i believe i ditched him in the middle of talking it over… mostly all gone from memory except for that displeasure at his sorry pity.

the most vivid thing i remember is the wormwood making fun of the human obsession with number 7 (but dh lawrence was better and more rabid). yes barnes can be funny at times, and he's clever, i will give you that, but i can't stand his overarching lack of guts or glory. in the end, i like writers with a big appetite. in the end, i must believe that sishyphus is happy with his rock. i enjoy a morality that embraces the void and takes a bite out of it with the teeth of luis suárez.

oh, speaking of that era in literature, russell hoban's medusa frequency was hilarious and i still reread bits from it from time to time because it's simply so awesome. i tried other books by him but they didn't take. that one however is still fantastic.

anyway, inglés, you like gin? what gin you like? i'm a fan of beefeater for some drinks (salty dogs, foghorns, rickeys) and bombay blue for others (tonics, martinis though im not a big fan). not sure about hendrix cucumbers and roses are good for much. gordon's is too watery (80 proof). i used to like tank (my 1st gin at 15) but befeeater beats it and not just cuz the name-- the juniper is just right.

cheers from the desert.