[ilds] merry christ

[James Gifford]

I'm curious if there's a way to reconcile Durrell's demonstrable
willingness to squeeze every penny and ounce of sympathy from fans
while at the same time refusing to play the part of the wise sage?

I suppose, for instance, one could compare any of his public readings
(I have a recording of one in NY) or indulgences in bafflegab during
interviews versus his consideration of the role of the artist in any
of the published versions of "No Clue to Living."  In short, my
suspicion is that the serious LD would "hate" being idolized or looked
to for answers (though he'd likely respect the enthusiastic indulgence
in aesthetic pleasure), but the guy looking for a buck and a free
drink would love idolatry when it was convenient and would indulge so
long as the spirits flowed...

In other words, at his serious moments, I see an author in Durrell's
works that refuses to grant resolution or answers to the reader,
because we should rely on our own resources, and if arts shows us
anything (without telling), it's that.  In the whimsical moments, I
also see an author gleefully spreading pure bunk because it will
likely draw in readers who refuse to stand on their own two feet.  I
like to think the most successful moments are when the latter runs
smack into the former, and we're hopefully struck enough to rethink
our willingness to grant authority to the author.

Best to all in the New Year!  My first resolution was to spend less
time on administration, which hopefully will mean actually responding
to some of the interesting posts on here.

Cheers,
James

2010/1/3 Bruce Redwine <bredwine1968 at earthlink.net>:
> Marc, I would have to say LD was never above being pretentious and awkward.  Happy New Year!
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
> On Jan 3, 2010, at 10:01 AM, Marc Piel wrote:
>
>> Hi Bruce, Happpy New Year.
>> I guess we don't agree!
>> That text was pretentious and awkward; not at all LD style!
>> BR
>> Marc
>>
>> Bruce Redwine a écrit :
>>> To the contrary, Marc, I think LD would have enjoyed RW's text, which seems indebted to /The Black Book./  Did the old guy ever discourage his fans?
>>> Bruce
>>> On Jan 3, 2010, at 5:41 AM, Marc Piel wrote:
>>>> Please excuse me I should not have used the word
>>>> "hate", what I meant was that I felt that
>>>> "Durrell" would not have liked that text about
>>>> LD...    sorry.
>>>> Marc
>>>>
>>>> Marc Piel a écrit :
>>>>> After reading your post I feel sure that "Durrell"
>>>>> as you call him, would hate you.
>>>>> Nothing personal, just....
>>>>>
>>>>> RW HEDGES a écrit :
>>>>>> Durrell is an island, that makes sense. New-york and the aftermath
>>>>>> of Paris and London of hard stone and flesh as solid as a broad splayed
>>>>>> shit heap. Chance found me Durrell; floating as light and orange as a
>>>>>> hint of honey and rum in a grape half sqweezed. Marine venus is exactly
>>>>>> the pin point of this moment Bruce pointed out. I have been reading it
>>>>>> as if I was sipping a fine drink. Yet I normally devour the drink or
>>>>>> book far too quickly. I really think that the marine venus is Prosperos
>>>>>> amendment. And that Durrell left Islomania is no surprise. He had his
>>>>>> fill and we can either talk or live it in admiration.
>>>>>> I expect to end up on an island myself if lucky, but what charcters
>>>>>> rise from his books, those places! Cyprus, Corfu and Rhodes....Amazing.
>>>>>> No-one can do more for the earthy sunrise of a Greek morning. I love
>>>>>> him. Simply love him. I will never make a Durrell get together but I
>>>>>> think I love him more each day. Thats because I only care about his
>>>>>> tables and sunsets and holy men and village idiots. Those and the women
>>>>>> he loves to raise from the depths of the clear blue. I love Durrell and
>>>>>> I wear a badge; "Durrell". Cheers David.+++
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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-- 
_________________________________________
James Gifford, University Core Director
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver
842 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2P6
http://members.shaw.ca/james.gifford