tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post7684790165964276862..comments2024-03-27T16:48:21.039-05:00Comments on Wuthering <br>Expectations: Reading Scandinavian literature - Iceland and Finland - Gapes the grisly earth-girdling serpent / when strides forth Thor to slay the worm.Amateur Reader (Tom)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-54281849668371841932014-04-03T17:04:38.151-05:002014-04-03T17:04:38.151-05:00Ah ha, you have cleared up the issue. As the Abou...Ah ha, you have cleared up the issue. As the <a href="http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/scandinaviatripplanning/p/scandnordic.htm" rel="nofollow">About.com link</a> says:<br /><br />'Although in the rest of the world the words "Scandinavian" and "Nordic" are happily used in similar manner and are interchangeable, in northern Europe they are not.'<br /><br />I live in the rest of the world, not northern Europe, and thus follow the ordinary usage of my language. When I visit Norway, though, I will be sure to adapt to local usage. That is very interesting - thanks for the clarification.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-64154186168705234922014-04-03T16:47:36.171-05:002014-04-03T16:47:36.171-05:00Sorry, mistake. I meant, to the British/ American/...Sorry, mistake. I meant, to the British/ American/ German... mindsets, Scandinavia also includes Finland (sometimes Iceland). But it only includes 3 countries. Hai Di Nguyenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230670162621139739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-23314504415165535862014-04-03T16:33:44.625-05:002014-04-03T16:33:44.625-05:00Most people in the world, that is, people outside ...Most people in the world, that is, people outside East and Southeast Asia, use the term Chinese New Year- that doesn't mean it's correct. The correct term is Lunar New Year. To non-Chinese people from East and Southeast Asia that celebrate Lunar New Year, it matters. <br />People often use the word Asians to refer to East and Southeast Asians. That doesn't mean it's correct. People from South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East would react. It matters. <br />People also confuse the terms Great Britain and the UK all the time. Someone like you may not care, but to many people, especially Scottish and Irish people, it matters. <br />This case is similar. <br />You can look at a few links: <br />http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/526461/Scandinavia<br />http://snl.no/Skandinavia<br />http://snl.no/Norden<br />http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/scandinaviatripplanning/p/scandnordic.htm<br />https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120101115526AAiZfDo<br />http://lostinstockholm.com/2010/03/09/the-confusion-between-scandinavia-and-nordic/<br />etc. <br />To the British/ American/ German... mindsets, Scandinavia only includes 3 countries (just think of SAS), mostly because of the Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Swedish and Danish), which are mutually intelligible. As I live in Norway, I do not regret wasting my time on these comments but wouldn't bother more- whether you are convinced is your own business, but when you travel to a Nordic or Scandinavian country, or talk to somebody from any of these countries, and use the wrong term, well, that's your problem and I've said what needs to be said. <br />Still, thanks for those links. I'll see what I can do. <br />Have a nice day. Hai Di Nguyenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230670162621139739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-58961891903797193962014-04-03T15:59:26.951-05:002014-04-03T15:59:26.951-05:00I am a really easy person to convince, but I need ...I am a really easy person to convince, but I need some kind of argument. Words are more or less free on the internet.<br /><br />When you have convinced me, you can try your argument out on <a href="http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/europe/scandinavian-europe-travel-guide-11/?lpaffil=lpsearch-shoppod" rel="nofollow">Lonely Planet</a>. And then the <a href="http://scandinavian.berkeley.edu/undergrad/language.html" rel="nofollow">Scandinavian Department</a> at UC Berkeley. And then on to <a href="http://scandinavian.wisc.edu/" rel="nofollow">U Wisconsin - Madison</a>.<br /><br />But start with me.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-16877123048042261062014-04-03T15:34:08.039-05:002014-04-03T15:34:08.039-05:00It matters. It matters. Hai Di Nguyenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230670162621139739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-76554320836684017172014-04-01T14:30:42.410-05:002014-04-01T14:30:42.410-05:00Way to get into the spirit of the thing, Di.Way to get into the spirit of the thing, Di.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-85910617439149551982014-04-01T14:20:56.649-05:002014-04-01T14:20:56.649-05:00Hi.
Actually, Scandinavia only means Norway, Denm...Hi. <br />Actually, Scandinavia only means Norway, Denmark and Sweden. <br />These 3 countries plus Iceland and Finland and their autonomous regions have a different name: the Nordic countries. Hai Di Nguyenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230670162621139739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-70660150989339933092014-01-12T17:11:30.854-06:002014-01-12T17:11:30.854-06:00The saga I am reading now, The Saga of Hrolf Kraki...The saga I am reading now, <i>The Saga of Hrolf Kraki</i>, is a hoot and a scream, and it is not even one of the best. Reading them in bulk would be a great project.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-2185035061872975182014-01-12T15:42:43.599-06:002014-01-12T15:42:43.599-06:00This sounds like such an interesting reading plan....This sounds like such an interesting reading plan. I know almost nothing about Scandinavian literature beyond a smattering of Norse mythology. I'm actually interested in the medieval lit--I'd have to look at my shelves to know just what I have, but I believe I have some of the sagas already--but I think that shall have to be a project for a future year. I look forward to your posts!amanda @ simplerpastimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14127945915013121105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-3084980538255178072014-01-07T16:02:59.559-06:002014-01-07T16:02:59.559-06:00Exactly what I mean, exactly. I have doubts that ...Exactly what I mean, exactly. I have doubts that Herman Bang or Selma Lagerlöf will displace anyone on your list. No offense meant to them or anyone who recommended them - it is more a matter of prioritization.<br /><br />"Don't miss X, a book as good as Flaubert. If you like that, try Y, who is as good as prime Balzac. And if you are still happy, try Z, which is as good as second-tier Balzac."<br /><br />Something like that. Admittedly unwieldy. Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-89319086869782939402014-01-07T15:39:41.956-06:002014-01-07T15:39:41.956-06:00As good as Flaubert? Flaubert being among the top ...As good as Flaubert? Flaubert being among the top 20 of modern Western fiction, there can only be about 20 matches. From my very ignorant point of view (limited to the handful of writers I like):<br />Andersen<br />Hamsun<br />Proust<br />Celine<br />Cervantes<br />Borges<br />Eca de Queiroz<br />Machado de Assis<br />Pirandello<br />Kafka<br />Walser<br />Austen<br />Dickens<br />Kipling<br />Henry James<br />Joyce<br />Faulkner<br />Gogol<br />Dostoyevsky<br />Tolstoy<br />Bulgakov<br />NabokovAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-52175578135947800362014-01-07T09:06:22.055-06:002014-01-07T09:06:22.055-06:00Njal's Saga in February, then! Closer to the ...<i>Njal's Saga</i> in February, then! Closer to the end than the beginning of the month is likely, but there is no need to wait for me.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-38532455512650778752014-01-07T08:56:46.994-06:002014-01-07T08:56:46.994-06:00February would be good for me!February would be good for me!Alisonhttps://twitter.com/thecongeriesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-47402014592171065102014-01-06T15:42:14.354-06:002014-01-06T15:42:14.354-06:00I should ask for a ranking of each recommended wri...I should ask for a ranking of each recommended writer or book, not just that it exists. <i>The Maias</i>, to reach back to the Portuguese year, is actually As Good As Flaubert. Which Norwegian or Swedish or Danish book in these comments is AGAF?Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-55952998949713101642014-01-06T15:21:18.980-06:002014-01-06T15:21:18.980-06:00Either way, satisfying my curiosity is worth $20. ...Either way, satisfying my curiosity is worth $20. And at parties I'll be able to say, "I can't believe you haven't read <i>Pontoppidan.</i> Do you live under a <i>rock</i>, or what?"scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-7465994762091121692014-01-06T15:03:16.241-06:002014-01-06T15:03:16.241-06:00If it's a dud - if it's merely a passable ...If it's a dud - if it's merely a passable period piece - send the bill to your co-worker.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-38752609652762468482014-01-06T14:57:01.470-06:002014-01-06T14:57:01.470-06:00I'm less patient. I purchased the BL POD of Th...I'm less patient. I purchased the BL POD of <i>The Apothecary's Daughters</i> last night. Fingers crossed.scott g.f.baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05726743149139510832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-34296254397445986262014-01-06T09:46:34.098-06:002014-01-06T09:46:34.098-06:00A Time for Everything sounds much more directly ap...<i>A Time for Everything</i> sounds much more directly appealing than <i>My Struggle</i>, although I am almost a champion of boredom as an aesthetic choice, so <i>My Struggle</i> has its appeal, too, as you have noted in other comments. I do not hold that publisher's blurb up above against the book itself!<br /><br />The seraillon piece on <i>A Time for Everything</i> is <a href="http://seraillon.blogspot.com/2011/04/time-to-every-purpose-under-heaven.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-49885177423168206972014-01-06T09:36:27.687-06:002014-01-06T09:36:27.687-06:00Super. This is going to be one fun year, and I can...Super. This is going to be one fun year, and I can't wait to follow your northern travels. <br /><br />I second Jeffry's recommendation for <i>Independent People</i>, so unlike a 20th century novel that it will nest quite comfortably on the fringe of the Wuthering Expectations preferred date range.<br /><br />I should wait until your next post to comment on Norway, but if there is a Knausgaard for Wuthering Expectations, I would wager that it's <i>A Time for Everything</i>, which in addition to being one of the most deeply engaging contemporary novels I've read in recent years, also contains sections that seem steeped in 19th century atmosphere. <i>My Struggle</i> is a different thing altogether.seraillonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17654593356535433945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-47287881723169624322014-01-05T10:33:04.797-06:002014-01-05T10:33:04.797-06:00Welcome, Alison! What do you think for Njal's...Welcome, Alison! What do you think for <i>Njal's Saga</i>, sooner (say, February) or later?Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-10134221157372915432014-01-05T06:16:38.504-06:002014-01-05T06:16:38.504-06:00I'd love to join in on reading Njal's Saga...I'd love to join in on reading Njal's Saga, and also The Long Ships, if you do take it up -- both have been on my to-read list for centuries (slight exaggeration).Alisonhttps://twitter.com/thecongeriesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-5647202114276147542014-01-04T15:09:37.390-06:002014-01-04T15:09:37.390-06:00The newer Kivi translation may be a pain to get, a...The newer Kivi translation may be a pain to get, actually. Yet I will persevere.<br /><br />The Icelandic stuff is wild. It is like reading an alternate history, where there also happen to be ghosts and dragons. And vomiting contests.<br /><br />I did not mention the scope of the sagas. They go where the Vikings go - everywhere. America, Constantinople. They upend the map.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-52949204492575831542014-01-04T13:06:55.588-06:002014-01-04T13:06:55.588-06:00I have the Aleksis Kivi on my list to read soon. I...I have the Aleksis Kivi on my list to read soon. It's the old translation, but frankly sounds like fun.obookihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03885121629202810216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-2533259346182792062014-01-04T11:40:13.338-06:002014-01-04T11:40:13.338-06:00Great project!
I know nothing about Icelandic and...Great project! <br />I know nothing about Icelandic and Finnish literature, I'm going to learn things when I read your posts.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383938214852108244.post-8220612436177980052014-01-04T10:34:28.071-06:002014-01-04T10:34:28.071-06:00Woohoo! A book (or at least an author) has been s...Woohoo! A book (or at least an author) has been selected for me. I'm looking forward to it.Sparkling Squirrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10899640164757220074noreply@blogger.com