The works and musings of an american fiction and technical writer living in Milan, Italy • Updated: Oct 27, 2008 - 9:34AM • 7021 hits past day
Literary Works Read
In case one any cares to know which books that I have read, plan to read, or am reading, I've put this page together. Since I'm a writer, these books have not only affected my character, but also my writing style. Some books have influenced me more than others, of course. In my novel (In Search of Kafka), the main character, Oliver is written very much in my voice, and also in the voice of P.G. Wodehouse. Oliver is similar to Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster character, but with the cleverness of his related character, Jeeves. Oliver's situation is reminiscent of a Franz Kafka character in that he is a person normally protected from the world, but is not forced to interact with it and all of its non-sensicalness. The overall plot, however, follows a thriller novel style like a John Buchan novel in which the main character is hotly pursued by the police--for a crime which he is wrongly accused--as he tries to find the true criminals to hand to them in his stead (e.g., The 39 Steps). Similar to a Raymond Chandler novel, amongst the usual happenings of the character are some wisdoms, as well as insights into the character and thereby into me. Glancing through my lists of books read below and reading my web log will help you better to understand and appreciate Oliver.
Books Currently Reading
In the past year people have asked me if I've read novel by their particular favorite authors and quite often I've had to say No since they invariably refer to a modern day author. Most of the novels I've read have been written by people prior to 20th century: I like to say that I've only read books by dead people. However, since the 20th century is now finished, I've decided to try to read some novels from that period, to fill in a large gap in my have read list. So, I've been reading books by Willa Cather, Edith Wharton, Pearl Buck, Graham Greene and a few others. If you want to see how I'm doing so far, books that I've recently read are shown in the longer list below in blue.
Here's what I'm currently reading:
What Maisie Knew by Henry James (United States of America 1897)
The Double by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russia 1846)
A Study in Greene: Graham Greene and the Art of the Novel by Bernard Bergonzi (United Kingdom 2006)
Ways of Escape by Graham Greene (United Kingdom 1980)
I'm still struggling to finish What Maisie Knew after a year. I suspect some sort of psychological barrier for me on this particular novel of his, one of my favorite authors.
Books on my Reading List
Below is a list of books that I've purchased with the thought of reading. This may not occur any time soon, though. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please email me. My address is at the bottom of almost every page of my web site.
The Tempest by William Shakespeare (United Kingdom 1608)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (United Kingdom 1865)
Middlemarch by George Eliot (United Kingdom 1871)
A Killing in this Town by Olympia Vernon (United States of America 2006)
Tunnel Boys by Tony Junker (United States of America 2005)
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (United States of America 1931)
The Lessons of the Master by Henry James (United States of America 1888)
Books that I Read
Below is a list of books that I have read. As part of my on-going study of literature and language, I like to keep track of what I have read. This not only gives me a sense of accomplishment, but also helps me to determine whichs books I need to read based on gaps in periods, countries, or authors.
By default, the list is sort by date. To resort the list, click on the heading that you wish to sort by.
Literary Works Read
In case one any cares to know which books that I have read, plan to read, or am reading, I've put this page together. Since I'm a writer, these books have not only affected my character, but also my writing style. Some books have influenced me more than others, of course. In my novel (In Search of Kafka), the main character, Oliver is written very much in my voice, and also in the voice of P.G. Wodehouse. Oliver is similar to Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster character, but with the cleverness of his related character, Jeeves. Oliver's situation is reminiscent of a Franz Kafka character in that he is a person normally protected from the world, but is not forced to interact with it and all of its non-sensicalness. The overall plot, however, follows a thriller novel style like a John Buchan novel in which the main character is hotly pursued by the police--for a crime which he is wrongly accused--as he tries to find the true criminals to hand to them in his stead (e.g., The 39 Steps). Similar to a Raymond Chandler novel, amongst the usual happenings of the character are some wisdoms, as well as insights into the character and thereby into me. Glancing through my lists of books read below and reading my web log will help you better to understand and appreciate Oliver.
Books Currently Reading
In the past year people have asked me if I've read novel by their particular favorite authors and quite often I've had to say No since they invariably refer to a modern day author. Most of the novels I've read have been written by people prior to 20th century: I like to say that I've only read books by dead people. However, since the 20th century is now finished, I've decided to try to read some novels from that period, to fill in a large gap in my have read list. So, I've been reading books by Willa Cather, Edith Wharton, Pearl Buck, Graham Greene and a few others. If you want to see how I'm doing so far, books that I've recently read are shown in the longer list below in blue.
Here's what I'm currently reading:
I'm still struggling to finish What Maisie Knew after a year. I suspect some sort of psychological barrier for me on this particular novel of his, one of my favorite authors.
Books on my Reading List
Below is a list of books that I've purchased with the thought of reading. This may not occur any time soon, though. If you have any suggestions or recommendations, please email me. My address is at the bottom of almost every page of my web site.
Books that I Read
Below is a list of books that I have read. As part of my on-going study of literature and language, I like to keep track of what I have read. This not only gives me a sense of accomplishment, but also helps me to determine whichs books I need to read based on gaps in periods, countries, or authors.
By default, the list is sort by date. To resort the list, click on the heading that you wish to sort by.