After last night's harrowing 7-hour drive, we are ensconced comfortably in that neverland zone between moving from one home (my in-laws') to another (my sister-in-law's) on this, Thanksgiving Day. The girls are watching the parade which, for a reason that remains vague to me, currently features Rick Astley singing "Never Gonna Give You Up." Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I love that freakin' song.
I don't usually bring my laptop along on this particular roadtrip, but I have some writing to do and knew we'd have downtime. Instead of using said downtime wisely, however, I've been sucked into the Black Hole of the internet. The most fascinating find of the day has been...
...The Golden Notebook Project...
which, according to the FAQ, is "an experiment in close-reading in which seven women are reading the book and conducting a conversation in the margins." Doris Lessing's publisher has given permission for the entire book to be published online, so you can follow along with the participants as they read.
I think this is a brilliant idea, and am also thinking it would be wonderful to do with Filipino and Fil-Am literature. Anyone have the energy for a new project? E-mail me! Or text me! Or leave a comment! Or shout when you see me crossing the street! Or ignore me completely and go back to your peaceful day!
To you and your families, Happy Day.
14 comments:
Your Fil-Am lit book project sounds like fun. Here are 3 suggestions to start with:
Carlos Bulosan, America is in the Heart--classic autobiography by a radical labor organizer in the 1930s
Jessica Hagedorn, Dogeaters--gritty novel by Fil-Am author/poet, set in contemporary Philippines, narrated from multiple points of view
Luis Francia, Eye of the Fish--travel book based on experiences in Manila by Fil-Am poet/journalist
Um, yup, those are definitely 3 classics...
I guess I'm saying I am completely psyched for a Fil-Am lit close- reading group--of any books. My husband did his dissertation on Filipino lit and both of us did PhD work with Patrocinio Schweikert, so I think this is long past overdue.
aaaahhhh-kwaaaaard.
**raises hand**
If you get this project off the ground and you think I'd be a good match with the group, I'm definitely interested!
Thanks!
(word verification: messi
Argrh! My comments came out all wrong. Here is what I meant:
1)I love Fill-Am lit. and I think it is greatly underrated.
2) I'm out of academia right now and would welcome the opportunity to talk about any Fill-Am lit, as I don't get much of a chance in my daily life to discuss it.
3) I suggested the books that I did, not because I thought that you didn't know them, but rather because I was trying to think of classic texts a la The Golden Notebook.
4) Sorry for any misunderstandings and for my inability to post what I mean on the internet,
Christine
Lessing's The Golden Notebook would be challenging. So would Eileen Tabios' I Take Thee English, or The Blind Chatelaine's Keys. Both, especially the former, would have the added plus of creating extremely entertaining margin notes and discussion. Heh.
p.s. I'd be up for participation in that, but I don't have time to put such a project together.
J
Ooooh, takers! I will see what I can pull together, though it will probably take awhile.
Christine, no worries!
I would be totally in support of Tabios. I love language poetry.
Did toi hear that, Chatelaine? You have another fan!
Eileen has extended her Galatea Resurrects deadline, Christine, if you want to submit. Click here for info.
Thanks for the heads up! I'm totally signing on.
Christine,
Would be delighted to see your participation in a future Galatea Resurrects...
You've heard of "flash fiction" moi presumes. Well, here's a
FLASH PROSE POEM
I'm a crappy gardener because of language poetry. Fortunately, "F"s begin "fado" and "flamenco" as much as "failure". As well, "fire," for as Jean once memorably flamed to Flips, "Poetry should burn!"
wink,
Chatty One
...or at least keep you warm on a cold night like tonight! heheh!
thanks, Eileen!
Jean
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