Our next book is Labyrinths by Jorge Luis Borges

If Jorge Luis Borges had been a computer scientist, he probably would have invented hypertext and the World Wide Web. Instead, being a librarian, he became the leading practitioner of a densely layered imaginistic writing style that has been imitated throughout this century, but has no peer.

Borges is the father of nearly all the titles we read here at the Experimental Literature Book Club. This is not the month to miss.

The library did acquire copies for us, so make sure to grab yours at the Main Library return desk!

We'll be meeting to discuss this book March 19th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Some thoughts about Dhalgren...

Wow. I'm not sure where to start (I think Delany would consider that a literary victory on his part), but I will try:

- Where or what is Bellona?

- What is the Kid's real name?

- How is Kid's state of mind portrayed? Is he insane?

- How are gender roles portrayed in the book?

- Who or what is Roger Calkins? Who or what is Ernest Newboy? What role they play in creation and publication of Kid's poems?

- Did Jack kill Paul Fenster?

- What about the all the sex; is it necessary?

- Dhalgren was begun in 1968. How might the political events of that time influenced its subject matter?

- What are some the other ambiguities that are never resolved (e.g., the red eyes, the scratch on many of the female characters calves, etc.)? Do these have a function within the story?

Here's a literary biography of Delany written by himself under a penname. Towards the end is an extensive bibliography of critical texts dealing with his work.

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We'll be meeting to discuss this book January 15th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Dhalgren is now ready for pick up

Our next book is Samuel Delany's nonlinear masterpiece Dhalgren.

Kirkus reviews sums it up this way, "A futuristic, postapocalyptic narrative, Delany's circular and heavily allusive fiction surveys the American 'autumnal' city of Bellona, where some sort of disaster has taken place, altering not just the social structure but the nature of the space-time continuum. An anarchist community evolves, prominently featuring Delany's protagonist, "the Kid," a pansexual gang leader and poet."

Speaking for myself, I can't wait to sink my teeth into this one. Copies are now available for pick-up at the Main Library return desk. It is lengthy. I would start early.

We'll be meeting to discuss this book January 15th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Some thoughts about Watchmen

- Is this literature? If so, why? If not, is it genre fiction? Quality genre fiction?

- What did you think of the art? Are there any aspects you find particularly striking? Did you notice any recurring motifs?

- Do the “mockumentary” intercapitulary chapters work?

- Was Veidt’s plan morally right?

- All the characters seemed to be based on superhero stereotypes. Can you think of any examples (real or fictional) who some of the characters might be based on?

- RORSCHACH. I find him to be an unforgettable character. His personal politics / moral code distill the political and moral themes of the book. Any thoughts?

- Who are the Watchmen?

Cass provided this great portal to Watchmen critical resources:
http://www.watchmencomicmovie.com/watchmen-analysis-criticism-reviews.php

Jeremy gave me this link to a minority report on the impact of Watchmen:
http://www.slate.com/id/2131269/

We'll be meeting to discuss this book November 20th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Watchmen now ready for pick up

Our next book, Watchmen by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons, is one of the most critically lauded works of fiction of the last quarter century. Find out what all the fuss is about.

Many members of the book club owned personal copies, so there are quite a few copies left for pick up at the Main Library Return Desk.

We'll be meeting to discuss this book November 20th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Some thoughts about Pale Fire...

- Does this novel succeed on a dramatic level?

- Is Nabokov lampooning academia? Is he more sympathetic to John Shade or Charles Kinbote?

- How do the circumstances surrounding Shade’s death relate to his ideas about mortality found in the poem?

- Did you notice any recurring formal motifs in the novel?

We'll be meeting to discuss this book on September 18th at the Main Library in Conference Rm 3 at 6pm. Feel free to bring food and drink.

Great News! Experimental Literature Book Club books now ready for pick up!

Great news! The Friends of the Library have generously agreed to sponsor the Experimental Literature Book Club. That means copies of books will be specifically reserved for our book club and can be picked up at the Main Library Return Desk. Just ask for the Experimental Literature Book Club book. Books will have a special due date and won't have to returned or renewed until the after meeting said book is discussed. The next meeting's book should be available the evening we discuss our current book; e.g., the evening we discuss Pale Fire (Sept. 18th) you can pick up a copy of The Watchmen which you won't have return or renew on until after our discussion Nov. 20.

Copies are limited and will be available in first come first serve basis. You can always call the Library (862-5400, ask for the Main Library Return Desk) or call me (862-5853, ask for Bryan) to check if any copies are still available.

Of course there is kind of a catch. Two of our titles are not available from the vendor that library uses to purchase books. That means we're on our own with those two titles. Which titles: Labyrinths by Jorge Borges and Bearheart by Gerald Vizenor. Labyrinths is in print and can be acquired quite easily due to Borges' popularity and if I pull the library's copies I can make a very limited number available. Bearheart is also in print but in far smaller numbers, and library owns no copies. Bearheart may have to be purchased from used book sellers. I can help folks track down copies if need be.

Huge thanks to the Friends of the Library, the Technical Services department, and the Circulation department.

We'll meet to discuss Pale Fire on Sept. 18th at 6pm in Conference Room 3 at the Main Library.