NYRB on the ER program

Did anyone get one of the NYRB offerings from LT's Early Reviewer program last month? I think they had four.

In March when I requested Opera and the Morbidity of Music I didn't notice that it was a New York Review Book, and I was a little surprised by it when I got it; I thought they did only reprints. I didn't notice them last month.

Robert

Yup, Opera and the Morbidity of Music is an NYRB title, just not one in the classics series. Most of the books in the "collections" line are by contributors to The New York Review of Books.

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I won Names on the land but haven't received it yet, and on the thread for listing received books it doesn't seem anyone has gotten their NYRB titles yet.

Yes DieFledermaus I noticed. I did not get one.

Oh, that's exciting that NYRB is putting out Names on the Land. My mother had this book and it fascinated me as a child. I actually may have kept it when I cleaned out my parents' apartment, but if so, it's buried in a box.

I won Names on the Land too, but have not received it yet. I had no idea it was a NYRB! Now, that makes it even more exciting!!!!!!

I got Opera and the Morbidity of Music.

When I first saw the name of this thread, I thought it meant that an NYRB was going to appear in a "cameo" on the television program ER. Such things have been known to happen!

rbhardy3rd: not only did I think the same thing you did when I first saw the thread, I thought it the second time too. I guess hope springs eternal...

And I will look into the issue with not receiving Names on the Land. I don't know how the ER program works, and if there's anything we can do about it.

Thank you sarajill! I really look forward to reading it.
:-))

Before checking to see if anything went amiss with the early reviewers' copies of Names on the Land, I wanted to make sure that I understand what's at issue. I see that over 1,000 people requested the book, but that there were only 15 available copies. Were those of you who didn't get it, actually told that you were? or did you only request it? Sorry to be so ignorant of the way things work!

I was notified I would receive it--I just left a PM on your profile in regards. Thanks for your help!

sarajill,

It might be best to touch base with Abby (abby AT librarything.com) since she runs the ER program from the LT end. She presumably already has a contact person who deals with earlier reviewer stuff for your publisher.

sarajill, I received my copy today!!!
I am very excited, at a first glance it looks very interesting.
:-))

Names on the Land has now arrived in Chicago! Super excited.

I am full of anticipation to read your reviews aluvalibri and nperrin!

Marensr, you will have to wait a bit for mine as I am a sloooow reader and reluctant/laconic reviewer!
:-))

Mine is up, but I'm afraid it's not a particularly well-written one -- I did it in a hurry so I would have it up before the next ER batch. I may go back and revise it at some point. Opera and the Morbidity of Music is a collection of essays written over a period of 30 years about a variety of musical subjects. Some were fascinating and some were -- well, not. Overall I enjoyed it, but some of the academic-ese made me want to scream. Kerman's perspectives are very interesting, but his use of language isn't always, shall we say, transparent.

As it turns out, we weren't sending the copies to ER participants ourselves. All the NYRB titles (except Opera and the Morbidity of Music) in the program have been going through our distributor—a much larger entity than our small operation. I'm sorry to say that I don't have much information: when your names went out, etc. But if some of you are still having problems, let me know and we can delve in some more.

Does it seem like some of the books have begun arriving?

Yes, sarajill, I have mine!
:-))

This month's batch of ER books has one title from NYRB - In Hazard by Richard Hughes. Has anyone already read this book?

No, but I've been impressed by other books by Richard Hughes (The Fox in the Attic and The Wooden Shepherdess) and have A High Wind in Jamaica on my TBR pile.

23 - rebecca - That one's on my TBR pile also; I saw in the blurb about Hughes that the other books by him were two in a trilogy but he hadn't completed it - did you feel like the books felt unfinished or unsatisfying? Or were they only tangentially related?

#24, DieFledermaus, They are related conceptually and thematically, not primarily plot-wise or character-wise -- Hughes is trying to portray early and mid-20th century history and mixes real people (e.g., Hitler) with fictional ones. I found the books a little odd but nonetheless compelling.

Did anyone get an ER copy of In Hazard?

There's a NYRB in the latest batch of ER books - The Chrysalids by John Wyndham. I signed up, but I doubt my library will match - not enough sci fi.

Ah I noticed it too DieFledermaus and requested it and had the same thought about not being their most likely choice.

I also signed up for it. I do have a bit of science fiction.

I was wondering what books the NYRB publishers would have sent as being a good match for The Chrysalids. Maybe some other ones by John Wyndham or sci fi from the 1950's. Most of the books on the ER program are new and people have speculated that the list of books that publishers send to match libraries consists mainly recent, popular literary fiction as opposed to older or more obscure books that might be a better fit. LT recommendations for The Chrysalids are - some more Wyndham and some very popular sci fi books like A Canticle for Leibowitz, 1984 and On the Beach.

Alas,
I received no books on Early Readers this last time, and I was so hoping to receive The Chrysalids.

I didn't get The Chrysalids either - I don't think I had enough sci-fi in my library. There's another one out for this month - Pinocchio by Collodi.

I know, but I read Pinocchio over and over again as a child and now I'm over it.

Pinocchio is part of me, and it is for most Italian children. It is probably the first book we are introduced to (or it was when I was a child.)
I have read it countless times, and still occasionally go back to it, even just to enjoy the purity of its 'Tuscan' flavour. I would like to get a copy (in fact, I requested it), just to see how well the English translation works, and if I don't, I am going to buy one.

Paola,

I did not mean to slander Italy's favorite child hero. I loved the book when I was a child, and I still think fondly of it. In fact I have referenced it frequently in my teaching. (By the way, I'm amazed at how many of my students did not read the book as children and know it only through the Disney film . . . if they know it al all). However, I'm at that point in life, which could change tomorrow, where I don't feel an overwhelming desire to reread it. Now if NYRB had offered Carbonel, another chlldhood favorite, I would probably have marched all the way to LT head quarters and plopped myself down in the office until the staff promised to send me the book. Alas, it just hasn't made the cheap remainders list yet. I'm probably going to splurge and get it anyway. In fact, I feel my fingers creeping that way. See you later. I have a date with abe or amazon or someone. Sarajill, where are you? You have influence at NYRB. Remind them of all the impoverished NYRB lovers whose 401(k)s have gone south and may now face a bookless old age. Can't you start a special charity fund for us? ;-)

Oh Mary! I never thought you meant disrespect to my beloved Pinocchio! ;-)
Yes, Sarajill, where are you????????
I also would like to know if the people at NYRB are going to consider reprinting House of Liars, which is almost impossible to find anywhere, and the few copies around are overly expensive.
I have never heard of Carbonel, I heve to go get some information about it. See ya!

I was surprised to learn that NYRB was issuing Pinocchio, as there are other English translations still in print (I read it in an Oxford World's Classics edition a few years ago). Only a few other NYRB Classics titles can also be found new in other editions. But for years NYRB has been issuing books by Italian authors; I suspect one of the editors has a special interest in Italian literature and a particular fondness for Pinocchio . . .

You're right about a certain editor's fondness for Pinocchio. In fact, he recently wrote a letter about it for the NYRB mailing list. The letter is aimed at those (the majority of Americans, it seems) who have not read the original book. But it still makes for entertaining reading.

http://www.nybooks.com/nyrb/letters/pinocchio

I didn't realize Carbonel was back in print! For a long time it was one of those childhood favorites like Beyond the Pawpaw Trees which is remembered with great fondness by many, but almost impossible to find. I last read Pinocchio when I was about 11, so it's definitely time to revisit it. My children only know the Disney version, which is a fabulous piece of animation, but bears little resemblance to the original. Time to expose them, too.

Alas, I was hoping someone in the group would get the early reviewer copy and tell us about it.

Oh Mary, it is worth getting Carbonel. I got it without having found it in childhood and it is wonderful and the Children's books are so beautifully bound.

I wonder sarajill, is it the same editor who picked The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily? That was a fascinating book and I still can't decide if it is really a children's book.

Not having read the original Pinocchio I must say I am intrigued.

Prompted by what urania said, I went on Amazon and bought a copy of Carbonel. I love children's books, and no I am really looking forward to reading that.
When my daughter was small, I bought all the Betsy Tacy books for her. I realized it was an excuse, because I wanted to read them more than she did!

ok Carbonel lovers, prepare yourselves, we're also publishing the two follow ups to Carbonel. And The Kingdom of Carbonel will be out next year. Ohh the beautiful gray cat Grisanda is a terrible character. Second only to Lady Macbeth in raw ambition. Quite a treat.

I think that Carbonel was selected by a former editor, and The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily was chosen by the series editor—but the later was recommended by Daniel Lemony Snicket Handler. We have another Buzzati book coming up, a graphic novel for adults called Poema a fumetti.

Must check out Beyond the Paw Paw Trees. Are those Edward Ardizzone illustrations?

sarajill....WHAT ABOUT ELSA MORANTE??????????????????????????????
Why do Italian male authors have the priority?
:-(

No, Palmer Brown wrote and illustrated Beyond the Pawpaw Trees and its sequel, The Silver Nutmeg.

>43 aluvalibri: I second that suggestion. More women!!!!!!!

It always makes me angry to see that male authors are prioritized. For example, in Italy, Alberto Moravia (who was Morante's husband) is considered much more highly than she is whereas, in my opinion (and not mine only) she was far better!

This is our quandary, and believe me, we're actively trying to include more women writers in the series. We have had many discussions about it. The Morante, which I read and enjoyed (though not as much as some others) is a special case—or a special problem. A fair amount was cut in the original english translation, which is otherwise readable. We would want, most likely, to restore the cut pages. But how to translate it? And now I am troubled by Tim Parks' resent assertion that House of Liars, in its original Italian, uses a self-consciously elevated language. This does not come through in the English at all. Actually, I'd be curious to know from an Italian speaker if this is true. Morante's other two novels are in print, I believe.

I was just about to post a link to the article about Morante in the NY Review of Books, but I've just realized that it's not out yet. I'll let you know when it is. And I'm going to start a thread about women writers.

sarajill, thank you very very much for considering Elsa Morante. I don't really understand what Tim Parks is talking about! I read the book many years ago and just fell in love with it. As a native speaker of Italian, I really did not perceive the language as "self-consciously elevated", but just beautiful.
Have you ever considered contacting Stephen Sartarelli? He is the translator of Andrea Camilleri (the 'father' of Inspector Montalbano), among others, and has collaborated with William Weaver on other translations. It would be very interesting to hear his opinion on Morante's language.

>42 nyrbclassics: Sarajill I love Buzzati's The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily (I have the NYRB edition as well as a first edition of the original English translation) and I recently read his Tartar Steppe, so I'm looking forward to Poema a fumetti.

Anything that has anything to do with Edward Ardizzone will eventually make it into my library!

I got the announcement through ER that I will be getting Pinocchio. I am very pleased. I will be sure to share my review after having received and read it.

I notice Elaine Dundy's The Old Man and Me is on this month's list.

>51 Marensr: Maren, I noticed too; however, I didn't request it since The Dud Avocado proved to be such a dud.

I did request it.

Oh urania, it may not be a substantive as some of their other selections but I found it amusing. But I can see why you might not seek another helping of avocado if you didn't like the first.

I loved The Dud Avocado but I can see why others wouldn't,

I got The Old Man and Me this time which, since I seem to be unusual in having enjoyed Dundy, I am looking forward to reading.

I got it too, Maren!!

>56 Marensr: I enjoyed Dundy--I think those that don't are unusual. ;)

>58 christiguc: Doth someone take my name in vain???? ;-)

Ah good Paola we can compare notes when we are done.

Definitely! However, I still have to receive it, as well as the previous one, which perhaps got lost in the mail.

I'm getting The Old Man and Me too! And I really liked The Dud Avocado, so I'm holding out hope for this one.

Excellent, Heather! It will be interesting to hear what you think about it too.
:-))

Great Heather! Ooh a small book discussion will be splendid!

I know that a couple people from the group have finished The Old Man and Me (based on the new reviews) - has anyone else read it? I enjoyed it quite a bit. Had one question though, for those who've finished the book - did anyone have an idea of who the Legend might be?

>>65 DieFledermaus: It's Cyril Connolly, author of The Unquiet Grave, with whom Dundy had an affair. No secret about this, it's all in Life Itself!

Here's a picture of the "Old Man" http://twitpic.com/57vyg

Oh dear, I hadn't gone sleuthing for a picture that is actually more appalling than I had imagined while reading.

I enjoyed it too DieFledermaus. Did you have any other thoughts about it?

Yes, I agree - not a flattering picture. His eyebrows could really use some editing. Thanks for posting it - but the Legend I was thinking about was actually the unnamed character from Chapter 17 - the one who calls Honey crazy. I think it was implied that he was an American.

(spoiler)

I rather liked the ending - it was abrupt in a funny way. It reminded me of The Custom of the Country, where the main character also gets what she wants, but is still unsatisfied at the very end. For Honey, it seemed like a personality defect - she could singlemindedly pursue what she wanted, but in the end, regardless of whether she got it, was just left empty. Same thing in her previous experiences with her father and Pauly and the real Honey and her fiancee.

Dundy mentioned in her intro that she was trying to make Honey into an anti-heroine and I think she succeeded very well. She did quite a few things that were actively malicious and selfish, but I was always interested in what was going to happen to the character. It was a good use of the first person.

That is interesting DieFledermaus. I will have to look at Chapter 17 now.

I like what you say about Honey and the personality defect. Especially if she is read as a metaphor for Americans at large and to some extent the novel begs us to look at the flaws of Brits and Americans.

She was a good anti-heroine. I am afraid I never found a trace of something to like about Becky Sharp so I never cared what happened to her in Vanity Fair but this anti-heroine I can enjoy.

I see NYRB has some interesting books in this ER batch. And there's one by Vasiliĭ Grossman! (His Life and Fate is so far one of my top books of the year!)

I am so looking forward to that Vassily Grossman. Life and Fate is a masterpiece.

It's all about No Tomorrow for me...this is what I've always wanted, actually. NYRB is forever printing awesome-looking books translated into English from languages I speak, and now I finally get to have one without feeling guilty about needlessly reading a translation! Plus it sounds amazing.