There's some good stuff in here about Dublin and Ireland and the politics and culture of Irish Nationalism in the first part of the 20th century. But There's some good stuff in here about Dublin and Ireland and the politics and culture of Irish Nationalism in the first part of the 20th century. But there's also a lot of tediousness as well, inside jokes that don't make sense to outsiders, and an abundance of pure blarney.
If I were in a pub with Gogarty, I would probably have a good time, but I am sure that I would tune him out when he started down a long conversational dead-up and brought up stories of long-part quarrels and spats. It's harder to do that in text. ...more
The plot is even more preposterous than usual, but there's good "noirish" atmosphere in 1930s provincial Belgium.The plot is even more preposterous than usual, but there's good "noirish" atmosphere in 1930s provincial Belgium....more
Intriguing proto-lesbian British novel published in 1943, never employing the word "lesbian" but clearly depicting a relatively high-functioning lesbiIntriguing proto-lesbian British novel published in 1943, never employing the word "lesbian" but clearly depicting a relatively high-functioning lesbian couple.
The ending is somewhat peculiar and in my mind disappointing, but it doesn't detract from some excellent and perceptive characterization. It would be interesting to teach this novel NOW and see what young people of 2022 think about it - and its evasions.
Also, the novel is interesting in its depiction of what it was like to live on a houseboat on the Thames in the 1930s....more
"Rivera reached a level of understanding about himself, his work, and the world that is reflected in the DeI concur with the author's final paragraph:
"Rivera reached a level of understanding about himself, his work, and the world that is reflected in the Detroit murals and that does not appear in any of his work before or after. . . In its Pan-American perspective, thematic richness, complexity of design, boldness of presentation, and vibrance of color, the Detroit mural cycle has no peer in the history of modern art. _Detroit Industry_ remains today a historical record of a fictive past, a utopian vision of the industrial culture of Detroit played out on a cosmic scale, an inspiration to the entrepreneur and social reformer alike, and a monumental modern work of art to be contemplated, studied, and enjoyed."
I was down in Detroit a few months ago, and had the ability to visit the DIA in ideal conditions, when they were limiting the number of admittances (due to COVID-19), yet most of the galleries - and the Rivera courtyard - were open. I haven't seen the DIA ever look better - and I was able to spend a good half hour contemplating the _Detroit Industry_ murals without the pressure of crowds (and school groups, hahaha). I left convinced more than ever that it really is a great work of art, and Detroit is incredibly fortunate that the circumstances of its creation worked out the way they did. Linda Bank Downs does a fine job of showing how everything had to come together "just right" in order for the mural sequence to be such an ideal representation of its creator, its patrons, and its city....more
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Books:
1930s
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