Posthumously Prolific: Roberto Bolano
According to The Guardian, two more novels have been found among the late Roberto Bolano’s effects, as well as what appears to be the sixth and final section of 2666. (Link from Blog of a Bookslut)
I’m going to take this to mean I’m off the hook for having to read 2666 for the Morning News 2009 Tournament of Books, even if it did win its first round.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Having read the commentary on the first match-up between 2666 & Steer Toward Rock, I now feel even more reluctant to try 2666. I never attempted The Savage Detectives, but I am really worried I’m not going to like his style at all…
March 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I started Savage Detectives last year, and put it down. I couldn’t get into either the style or subject. 2666’s hugenss, it’s unfinishedness, it’s less-than-stellar review in the matchup commentary that you mention, and now it’s lost ending. Nothing here makes me want to read it. The library queue for it is so long I don’t think I’ll get it for months, and I don’t really feel like paying for it. I think I’m going to end up giving this and Netherland a miss.
March 11th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Having worked for a major NY publisher that was known for dead authors who had left behind a trunk of manuscripts, I’m a tad suspicious. I will read all the Bolano lit crit I can and be happy with that. Ladies, life is too short and there are sooooo many books.
March 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I am still intrigued by Netherland - the commentary as well as the judging made me think I might like it. Mostly I need to see how anyone could think A Partisan’s Daughter could be better. I don’t think this is actually the state of the universe.
In a twist of ironic fate, I received a copy of 2666 in the mail today (along with all of Bolaño’s other published works, via a contest I entered on a whim and then won). I think I might try one of his shorter works first and see if I like the style… if not, I’ll be giving a lot of books away…
March 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
It does seem odd that he continues to “produce” from beyond the grave. And on such a periodic basis.
I’m likely to skip this one, unless it goes on to demolish the competition and win. Then I’ll have to at least try it, to see what all the ruckus is about.