Thursday, October 27, 2011

An Imagined Rendering

Author's Note, 2011

I moved slowly and carefully. I didn't want it to end.

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje

23 comments:

  1. The sign of a very good book, indeed.

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  2. Oh, I so want to read this. It sounds so wonderful and your post has me wanting to rush out and get a copy right now.

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  3. and those are the best kind of books right?
    going to add to my to read list ;)

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  4. I've had a few of those recently...
    I can't think of a better compliment for a book...looking it up now.

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  5. Ah, yes. I have known a few books like that.

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  6. I'm so glad you read such good books.I'm enjoying this one so much. Thank you.

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  7. as an inveterate (and rather ashamed) speed reader and skimmer of books, my heart leaps when I find a book that makes time slow. looks like this may be one of those.

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  8. Ah, Michael Ondaatje. I remember you telling me about him in one of your comments.
    I'm intrigued.

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  9. You know I am an Ondaatje fan, too. I read about this one the other day and can't wait to pick it up.

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  10. oh, was it just wonderful? i've heard such amazing things. going to st. mark's bookstore this very moment to go purchase for my long travel day ahead. thank you, madam!

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  11. Heading to bookstore now... These are the books we long for, the ones we linger on the last page and wish for a few more pages to magically appear after each turn so the dream will never end...
    I will give him a second chance (was not a huge fan of the english patient)

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  12. I am currently re-reading Running in the Family and I can almost feel the humid heat of Sri Lanka. I absolutely adore Michael Ondaatje's writings. So much so that a couple of years ago when I found myself invited to a small, very informal dinner where he was also a guest I was rendered pretty much mute. It was a beautiful summer night on an island just off of Vancouver and the five of us sipped wine and ate boiled new potatoes and salmon with dill sauce. I was so in awe that I spoke very little that night but I kept my ears wide, wide open. I went home with a signed version of his collection of poems, Handwriting. A treasure, both the night and the book.

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  13. 'literature slows down the velocity of life.'A Danish author said this in an interview recently. can't stop thinking about it.

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  14. I haven't read a book in ages that I hoped would not end. Those are always the very best books.

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  15. Yesterday, me too tried to make it a little bit longer to finish a book. In the middle of doing so, I left home and went to see an exhibition. On the way back home, while pedaling, I thought about the (Russian) photos that I saw, but also how the book might end. It is tricky, sometimes, the ends of books.

    The Saturday was filled with books too. So much that I thought to dream of them (I did not). There was a book fair in Helsinki and so many books to look at. I carried only four home. Others will wait.

    Happy new week, lots of warm thoughts.

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  16. Michael Ondaatje is one of my most loved writers so it was such pleasure to see this blog. "Anil's Ghost" is one of my favorites as well as "Divisadero". I have not read "The Cat's Table" but it is in my reading stack so I think I will move it to the top to savor next. Thanks.

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  17. I love books that make me feel that way.

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  18. I do adore this book, and several of his others. I hope those of you who read this one enjoy it. Liking or disliking a book is such a personal thing.

    Amelia, I really loved The English Patient, so I hope I haven't sent you out to by a book that isn't quite right for you.

    Julie, Running in the Family might be my favorite. Wow. The dinner you describe. And only five people. What a special meal. I bet I would have behaved in a similar awestruck fashion. I haven't read Handwriting, but I will now.

    carina, I agree.

    Anna Emilia, It is tricky. I am often so curious about what will happen as I reach the end of a book, but at the same time am not quite ready to close the door on the characters I've come to know.

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  19. "I moved slowly and carefully. I didn't want it to end."

    A delicious sensation! This book is on my list that is long and I am looking forward to it all the more now.

    Happy reading,
    g

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  20. Just what i needed, some book inspiration!

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  21. I love this photo of the dappled light on the pages - and oh how I know this feeling. I've been reading the last chapter of my book for weeks now, because the idea of letting go of that world is just too much to bear! But now, perhaps, I have something new on my horizons thanks to you :)

    XOXO
    D

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