T.C. Boyle, born on December 2, 1948) in Peekskill New York,is a writer who almost makes you believe there is a future for fiction. His 2006 volume of short stories, Tooth and Claw, in the eponymous narrative, concerns a young man of no discernable ambition who suddenly finds himself with both a girl and a feral cat in his apartment.
Boyle mentioned some books in his library in an article in the New York Post, (February 20, 2011); among the books which he discusses are two in particular, which caught my attention. And here is what he said::
Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee:
I like to be depressed, since life is such a sunny affair, so I turn to J.M. Coetzee to help me battle the joy. Recently re-read one of the truly great novels of our time, “Disgrace,” about a man learning humility in post-apartheid South Africa. Bleak, brilliant, amazing stuff that makes you feel that there is no point in life but art, and the art here shines so brightly it’s blinding....
I mention the Coetzee comments, since Boyle is so head and shoulders above other writers, the sense of admiration in his remarks interested me. And there is an innocence about his enthusiasm for Herriot. T. C. Boyle's latest book is When the Killing's Done (2011).
Boyle mentioned some books in his library in an article in the New York Post, (February 20, 2011); among the books which he discusses are two in particular, which caught my attention. And here is what he said::
Disgrace, by J.M. Coetzee:
I like to be depressed, since life is such a sunny affair, so I turn to J.M. Coetzee to help me battle the joy. Recently re-read one of the truly great novels of our time, “Disgrace,” about a man learning humility in post-apartheid South Africa. Bleak, brilliant, amazing stuff that makes you feel that there is no point in life but art, and the art here shines so brightly it’s blinding....
and, All Creatures Great and Small, by James Herriot
After I broke my leg last August, [2010] I was laid up for a bit and depressed in a way wholly different from the playful depression that takes me to Coetzee, so I turned to one of the truly cheery books in the history of our literature. These reminiscences of a small-town Yorkshire veterinarian in the 1930s had me laughing aloud on nearly every page. If that doesn’t knit your bones, I don’t know what will.
After I broke my leg last August, [2010] I was laid up for a bit and depressed in a way wholly different from the playful depression that takes me to Coetzee, so I turned to one of the truly cheery books in the history of our literature. These reminiscences of a small-town Yorkshire veterinarian in the 1930s had me laughing aloud on nearly every page. If that doesn’t knit your bones, I don’t know what will.
I mention the Coetzee comments, since Boyle is so head and shoulders above other writers, the sense of admiration in his remarks interested me. And there is an innocence about his enthusiasm for Herriot. T. C. Boyle's latest book is When the Killing's Done (2011).
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