“ I considered the whole state merely a factory floor devoted to the production of futile biofuels and fattening corn syrup, but I’d come from Southern California, the land of a single season, the land of no leaves, where the sunshine’s monotony produced its own brand of laid-back insanity”
Yes, a thousand times yes!
I have seen most of Herzog’s films, including his pre-Hollywood, pre-documentary German films, and it’s a shame that nowadays, as much as I love some of the modern iconic ones, they don’t seem to be that well known. I mean, is there a stranger film than Heart of Glass? (yes, there are—but as far as I’m concerned, this is classic Herzogian). I’ve also watched many films of his contemporaries that came out of that era of Germany, and I have to say, Fassbinder was by far, the most talented of them. The marriage of Maria Braun puts everything Herzog has ever made to shame, that’s a crazy and incredible film, speaking of evoking raw feelings.
And now I have a similarly archaic and memorable recommendation for you, which also probably no one is buying or checking out of a library: VS Pritchett (whom I discovered via Paul Theroux): Mr Beluncle. This is a very strange, very cutting, perceptive, funny, sad, biting book written in the 1950s, about English life in the 20s.
Your prose isn't too shabby either. Dammit. Now I'm buying another book. Where am I supposed to sit?
I read the book too fast on the first go… still loved it. But I will start the peregrination on time and keep pace with J.A. this fall, excited!
“ I considered the whole state merely a factory floor devoted to the production of futile biofuels and fattening corn syrup, but I’d come from Southern California, the land of a single season, the land of no leaves, where the sunshine’s monotony produced its own brand of laid-back insanity”
Yes, a thousand times yes!
I have seen most of Herzog’s films, including his pre-Hollywood, pre-documentary German films, and it’s a shame that nowadays, as much as I love some of the modern iconic ones, they don’t seem to be that well known. I mean, is there a stranger film than Heart of Glass? (yes, there are—but as far as I’m concerned, this is classic Herzogian). I’ve also watched many films of his contemporaries that came out of that era of Germany, and I have to say, Fassbinder was by far, the most talented of them. The marriage of Maria Braun puts everything Herzog has ever made to shame, that’s a crazy and incredible film, speaking of evoking raw feelings.
And now I have a similarly archaic and memorable recommendation for you, which also probably no one is buying or checking out of a library: VS Pritchett (whom I discovered via Paul Theroux): Mr Beluncle. This is a very strange, very cutting, perceptive, funny, sad, biting book written in the 1950s, about English life in the 20s.
Sounds cool, but what’s the spice 🌶️ level?
Don't agree with your conclusion my friend, but in my opinion, this is the best thing you've written! Keep doing this😊👍
P.S. just ordered a copy.