two questions
1. what is the earliest written work that you think is worth reading?
2. what is your favourite book and how much money would someone have to offer you in order for it to be stricken completely and forever from your memory?
posted by kaylen @ 9:45 PM
5 Comments:
a) 'the epic of gilgamesh,' the earliest known recorded work, and 'worth reading' because it is the first example of story structure, etc. runner-up goes to 'oedipus rex' or the greek plays for largely the same reason.
b) as i just discussed, "house of leaves", and no thanks.
-- subquestion!
should we discuss the answers to these questions in comment-form, or in new-post form? this form, comments, seems to kind of discourage active debate.
a) i agree on The Epic of Gilgamesh, an amazing narrative. the version by Stephen Mitchell is quite good, though not a true translation. Gilgamesh reads amazingly well today.
b) my favourite book changes all the time. but it just might be Amerika by Franz Kafka. and i can't imagine ever not reading it, it's a constant inspiration.
oh boy-- i guess i should have expected a bulk 'at no cost!' response to #2. i answered witht he same about my favourite. my favourite is a secret, though.
earliest book? i think aphra behn's oroonoko (or the royal slave) is a hilarious read. so much "Bosom Clutching" and "Weeps" and "Sighs" and racism. otherwise, everyone knows how i feel about Candide...
candide is great, and behn is good too, but earliest book? that's leaving out all of the greeks, romans, and tons of other rich cultural history, not to mention the bible itself (and the bible is worth reading, even if you're an atheist like me)
sure, the bible has its moments of sass- but i certainly can't vouch for the whole thing. i do have a little soft spot for cupid & psyche.
i know it's "recent" but candide is the first one where i start to get full-up with disbelief, and my level of you-have-to-read-this-scocity rises.
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