What I experience has direct affect upon my artwork. Literature can certainly cause life altering experiences, so I thought to blog share what I'm currently reading. I used to live with a book under my nose when I was a kid. I read whatever I could get my hands upon, which wasn't always the best material for a kid, but what's done is done; no rest for the weary nor hope for the wicked, eh? When I began to learn "Art" rather than just do it, I left behind the exciting tales of monsters, whales, and woes to be buried in every sort of art subject; life was ruled and devoid of fiction for longer than I care to admit! Recently, I decided life is too short to deny myself literary joy any longer, so have taken in hand classic titles that catch my interest. Eventually I hope to read again (as an adult), old favorites, but for now I'm enjoying the search for older books with voices new to myself.
I'd not read Faulkner before, but was drawn to "As I Lay Dying" after seeing a small PBS spot featuring the book. The preview left me feeling as if there were onioned levels to this story; layers of personal relation and similar relationships to my own experience, and a writing style I'd never before experienced. Being so intrigued, I set off to eBay to rescue a charity sponsered copy for myself. I've fallen in love with seemingly crazed conversations such as...
"I haven't got ere one," Darl said. "Because if I had one, it is was. And if it is was, it can't be is. Can it?"
"No." I said.
I am. Darl is my brother.
"But you are, Darl," I said.
"I know it, " Darl said. "That's why I am not is. Are is too many for one woman to foal."
I've only reached page 99, as of yet, but already find myself both nodding my head in agreement and scratching it in wonder. I'm moved to discussion, and so invite anyone who would like to share some experience with this odd little book title to do so; either in private contact or public comment.
My mother is a fish.
-----------------------------------------
* UPDATE 06/08
What a fucked up story, Mr Faulkner has given to us! LOL! I'm nearly through the book. It's slow going because I'm working on so very many projects, and I don't want to speed read this one. It's not dissapointing in all around odd-ness, that's for sure. ;)
I've found, and joined, a very interesting site called e-Notes. They happen to host a group for this book title. If you join e-Notes, add me to your list of pals there, I'm just getting started as "artist-tree".
The official eNotes group for As I Lay Dying http://www.enotes.com/lay-dying/group