I got into an argument with a friend a few days ago over the controversial work of Henry Miller. The whole subject of the debate was whether or not his books could and should be listed in a “Quality Literature” section of a book store. I was strongly against that idea and I was trying to prove in a very puritan, “mother of twelve”, “I’m going to church every Sunday” way that his texts have so few connections with literature and so many with pornography that the choice of the book store manager should be simple: put it right between the Hustler and the Penthouse. My suggestion was met with such virulent protests by my lady friend that for a few moments I was genuinely afraid for my life: how dare I compare such trivial publication meant to amuse the masses with the subtle mélange of metaphors and vivid descriptions which … More

Here is a small fact: you are going to die.

A reassuring announcement: Please, be calm, despite that previous threat. I am all bluster – I’m not violent. I’m not malicious. I’m a result.

The Book Thief was written by Markus Zusak and was first published in 2005. Since then it has reached the rank of best seller in many countries, won a panoply of awards and enjoys the support of many readers, writers and critics. I bought it in Zurich a couple of years ago because luck, destiny or whatever your personal superstitions allow you to call such things, made it to be the only one in English in that book store. Ever since then I can’t shake the feeling that I didn’t choose the book, but on the contrary, it chose me. … More

After seeing the movie I decided to read the books to see what the whole fuss is about. I must admit I couldn’t bring myself to read the whole damn thing so I just cheated and read only the first and the forth book from the series created by Stephenie Meyer. After this traumatizing experience and must demand some sort of explanation: what is wrong with you people? Yes, you, the one that bought the books, you back there that created a blog or a forum on the subject, yeah, I mean YOU, the one that supported them and gave them good reviews and prizes of all sorts. I know this is going to turn into a shower of toxic comments, but I must know, I must understand. And I’m not going to pick a fight with the writer or the publisher because I couldn’t possibly hope to blame them for the books’ popularity, it’s not like they forced anyone to buy them. … More