Random Readings 12

"Remember the story you learned as a child: When the hour arrives for us to proceed to the next world, there will be two bridges to it, one made of iron and one made of paper," Peretz intoned. His words were heavy, but his voice floated on rings of smoke, a breath of fire and ash waiting to descend and consume them. Der Nister swallowed, breathing in the master's air. "The wicked will run to the iron bridge, but it will collapse under their weight. The righteous will cross the paper bridge, and it will support them all. Paper is the only eternal bridge. Your purpose as a writer is to achieve one task, and one task only: to build a paper bridge to the world to come."

– from The World To Come by Dara Horn

Lately I've been trying to only read one book at a time – I used to do this more often when I was younger, and seemed to have a never-ending supply of time at my disposal. But as an adult I find it very hard to ignore this sense of urgency as one ages – the realization that it's over so fast, and that this isn't a dress rehearsal for anything else (in spite of that appealing title). I prefer to read one book at a time, but it's that nagging urgency that compels me sometimes to pile on the stories. Problem is, if you eat too much at once, you can't taste anything. For reasons beyond my understanding, Kalooki Nights and The World To Come are pulling at me from different directions. What is so fascinating to me is that the subject matter in both books are so similar – neurotic, troubled Russian Jewish male protagonists, a friend/enemy who has a dramatic effect on his past and present, the authors' interest in the history of Jews in Russia, the significance of artists in the novels (in one a cartoonist, and in the other, an author and illustrator of children's books). What does it all signify? I can't wait to find out.

Comments

[Jane]

Is that illustration from the jacket cover? I haven't seen that version. It's beautiful!

[Patricia]

Yes, Jane. The cover is enchanting. Much better than the hardcover, I think.

[Heather]

That's such a wonderful quote!

I went the opposite way. When I was a child I'd routinely read up to three books and five magazines at a time. Now I'm rarely reading more than one fiction, one non-fiction, and one magazine at a time---at most.

[Julie]

I feel the same sense of urgency, but for me the result is that I no longer feel the need to finish a book just because I started it. I give up halfway much more often than not. But I always have several going at a time.

And [enviously] CONGRATS on the gorgeous typewriter!

[DJ Cayenne]

I loved The World to Come. I'm looking forward to your thoughts when you finish - and the Kalooki Nights review.

LOVE the typewriter.

[donna]

Nice quote. Good inspiration for writers....

I read bits and pieces of so many things - I think it's a habit now from reading blogs. It's rare for me to read a book cover to cover in a few sittings.

Except for Bujold - she always does it for me, for some reason. ;^)