Funnily enough, I’m reading ‘L’ombra del vulcano’ by Marco Rossari which is a novel created from his experience in creating a new Italian translation of this book.
“It is a torrid and alcoholic summer, after the end of a great love. While the city around him empties, the translator fights with an explosive and cursed novel: Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry. In those still days of August, Milan borders on Mexico, and to avoid his memories dying the translator loses himself among the pages in search of the Consul, the protagonist of the book, to meet him, talk and drink with him. Because translating, after all, is the best way to never be alone. Marco Rossari takes his summer of heartbreak and turns it into a sentimental, obsessive and incandescent story, in which autobiography and fiction mix like life and alcohol, at night, in a bar on the outskirts of town.”
"I have been thinking about doing this for a few years, but I wanted to wait until the Day of the Dead falls on a Saturday – as it does this year – so that I can get over the inevitable hangover before Monday morning . . ." and "I will publish the full drinking schedule in due course" are my love languages. Thanks for bringing the kind of content I expected from Substack. Hurrying to the bookshop to get a copy of the book. The alcohol has already been taken care of.
What a terrific idea, Henry! Alas! I will be flying on the very day, but I celebrate your commitment and dedication to keep us "knowledgeable" and entertained. Cheers!
Okay, I am having a little problem maneuvering around SubStack. I need the author and title again before the one day read. How do I find this again? I had restacked it, but I almost didn’t find it. Also how will I find it on October 31, November 1? Do I search for Henry Eliot?
Funnily enough, I’m reading ‘L’ombra del vulcano’ by Marco Rossari which is a novel created from his experience in creating a new Italian translation of this book.
What are the chances? That sounds interesting.
Quick translation of blurb:
“It is a torrid and alcoholic summer, after the end of a great love. While the city around him empties, the translator fights with an explosive and cursed novel: Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry. In those still days of August, Milan borders on Mexico, and to avoid his memories dying the translator loses himself among the pages in search of the Consul, the protagonist of the book, to meet him, talk and drink with him. Because translating, after all, is the best way to never be alone. Marco Rossari takes his summer of heartbreak and turns it into a sentimental, obsessive and incandescent story, in which autobiography and fiction mix like life and alcohol, at night, in a bar on the outskirts of town.”
I'm tempting myself with this. Saturdays are normally a jaunt into London, but I've nothing booked that weekend.
I just wonder if I can manage 400 or so pages in one sitting (sort of).
As a non-drinker, I could volunteer to be the designated driver.
Yes! Join us! I've read other books in this way and it's surprisingly manageable . . . And thank you for offering to drive!
I'm keeping the day free, so I should be able to make it. Sundown on the Friday should be fairly early, so I may even get out on Friday evening.
"I have been thinking about doing this for a few years, but I wanted to wait until the Day of the Dead falls on a Saturday – as it does this year – so that I can get over the inevitable hangover before Monday morning . . ." and "I will publish the full drinking schedule in due course" are my love languages. Thanks for bringing the kind of content I expected from Substack. Hurrying to the bookshop to get a copy of the book. The alcohol has already been taken care of.
Excellent news! I'm looking forward to it . . .
This is great to see! We share Anthony Burgess's love of the novel, and last year featured it on our Ninety-Nine Novels podcast. We spoke with Mexican-British poet/editor Michael Schmidt, who wrote the introduction to the Penguin Classics edition and has some very unexpected thoughts on the novel. You can listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-international-anthony-burgess-foundation-podcast/id616742782?i=1000629296386
What’s your time zone? I hope to do the reading, but given your accent😉 it might not be possible. I am in USA central
Good point! I’m in the UK so I’ll be on GMT . . . We can still do it though, out of synch, and compare notes!
I think I will bee ahead of you? But we can take notes!
What a terrific idea, Henry! Alas! I will be flying on the very day, but I celebrate your commitment and dedication to keep us "knowledgeable" and entertained. Cheers!
Okay, I am having a little problem maneuvering around SubStack. I need the author and title again before the one day read. How do I find this again? I had restacked it, but I almost didn’t find it. Also how will I find it on October 31, November 1? Do I search for Henry Eliot?