I've been debating whether or not to buy this for near on a year now, but after watching this, consider it sold. Cheers for your stuff man. If there's a channel on youtube that's better than food, it's this one. Unless I'm really, really hungry.
I just read The Torture Garden, and it reminded me of Mishima's The Temple of Dawn. All that imagery of decay, disease and rot being attributed with some kind of erotic and sacredness.
Yes, dude! This book is my favourite of all time (up there with Blood Meridian, Story of the Eye and Silence by Shusaku Endo) I was waiting for you to get to this one. This whole discussion of violence reminded me of a film I watched recently called Brimstone starring Guy Pearce. Great film, though very, very brutal at times. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. Also I thought it might interest you that I just found out that I am related (not by blood, thank Christ) to Peter Sutcliffe, The Yorkshire Ripper. He married my Mums cousin! Anyway great video!
There's a recent film called Apostle that's directed by the director of The Raid films that reminded me of Brimstone, though it looks to be even more brutal. Bone Tomahawk probably takes the cake for the most impactful and earned moment of extreme violence that I can remember for some time... But now, I'm off to sleep! (I'm sure I haven't poisoned my dreams AT ALL.)
I have a crumply copy of this book that had been in my shelf for years. I bought it in a bundle of second hand books, that were mostly works from lovecraft, my main reason for aquiring it. I really never gad much intention of reading it, until last summer, being in lock down and having nothing else to read, after going trough a reading binge. Wow i was not expecting it. Its not only a page purner, but also a gut clencher!
As always your choice of books are amazing and your reviews are always beautiful It is amazing how your current novel somehow reminds you of past Novels I guess it shows hiw much you read Thanks again for the great review we really appreciate it
I like your point about the translation. There might be places in our minds we can't visit in quite the same way without knowing the original language.
This is one of my favourite books and your review is amazing. You make me want to reread it like, now. And yes you have to learn French to read it in French. :) Even the title sounds great right? Le jardin des supplices. In my ear, Mirbeau's fin-de-siècle French is sweet, languid and putrid. "Clara, elle-même, fée des charniers, ange des décompositions et des pourritures, moins soutenue par ses nerfs, peut-être, avait légèrement pâli... La sueur perlait à ses tempes... Je vis révulser ses yeux et faiblir ses jambes." (And I think its satire on French politics is still so relevant! I was shocked when i read the first part "En mission".)
Love your channel man! Introduced me to so many good books. I've been wondering, have you read any Denis Johnson? I would think Train Dreams would be right up your street.
Just finished The Torture Garden, after this suggestion, watched the first half then read the book so there were no more chances for spoilers. Then came back. Wild tour in the garden. Enjoyed it. My copy was very poorly edited. I thought maybe I didn't get The Symbolist methods, but the misspelling and somewhat random punctuation would be closer to Dada if it were intentional. Despite the horrid proof reading it was well worth powering through. My copy did not have a forward by McCarthy. Very bare bones, it doesn't even have an author's Bio.
Man, you've got to try out Aurelia by Gerard de Nerval. It's in the same branch as Mirbeau, although he lived a bit earlier than him and was more of a romantic, yet this peculiar novel of his is very decadent. Dreamy, psychotic, highly idioosyncratic. It has a special charm. ..
So, I read "Eat Me" by Bill Schutt, at your recommendation. It was really good, right up my alley. I have a feeling I'll order this one off of Amazon in a few days. I'm building a mini-library based on your reviews 😁😁 thanks
Book suggestion: "Untitled XII" by an estonian author Kaur Kender. Why would it be interesting? It's a transgressive piece, quite short (about 60 pages) + the author is currently under trial for that book, being accused of making child pornography. Would like to hear your thoughts on this book some day.
I am liking the old literature as I am reading the various writers;I find most of the writing genuine regardless of artistry.I am starting to have contempt for much of contemporary literature as far as I have read. I am finding them false and trying to sound intellectual apart from the bad writing.
Was going to order a copy but the OCD Virgo and Capricorn in my chart said...nah. The title is The Torture Garden yet at amazon the various editions are entitled Torture Garden.
I took a class called "multiculturalism" and they spoke a little bit about "open your eyes and recognize your inherited fault and strive to be better".
I wish I knew some books where there was more scat. I was disappointed that story of the eye only had pee sex, but it never involved any scat. Apparently 120 days of sodom has more scat, but I lost a lot of momentum in that book after reading the 60 page introduction. I do plan on picking it up again eventually though.
