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Bezig met laden... Severance: Storiesdoor Robert Olen Butler
Books Read in 2022 (1,493) 2021 Christmas Gifts (44) Dead narrators (40) » 1 meer Very short stories (22) Bezig met laden...
Meld je aan bij LibraryThing om erachter te komen of je dit boek goed zult vinden. Op dit moment geen Discussie gesprekken over dit boek. A nice literary exercise and cool collection of microfiction. One of those poetiprosaic experiments which is fascinating and has many sparkling lines. However, couldn't agree more about the "creepiness" mentioned by many readers of this work: It is a bizarre premise that tends to overshadow any other points made. Much like any experiment, it both hits and misses. But, it is worth a read. Not sure worth a reread or study; however, I find all writing to be worthy on some level, so give it a try. I admire any author who experiments and attempts to break down boundaries, Faulkner to Calvino and all points in between. Severance is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. In fact, it’s a little creepy. The premise is based on two scientific theories: 1) that a person’s head remains conscious for one and a half minutes after decapitation and 2) that humans speak at the rate of 160 words per minute when they’re in a heightened state of emotion. These two theories indicate that a person who is decapitated might think 240 words before they’re completely dead. Based on this figure, Butler has written a series of short (240 words each, to be precise) monologues of decapitated people, fictional and non-fictional. These monologues are presented in chronological order, starting with Mud (“man, beheaded by saber-toothed tiger, circa 40,000 B.C.”) all the way through the author himself (“writer, decapitated on the job, 2008”). Fortunately, Robert Olen Butler was not decapitated in 2008—that would’ve just been too weird. The book is interesting especially because of the glimpse it gives you into the lives of famous characters you’ll recognize: Medusa, John the Baptist, George (AND the dragon), the lady of the lake, Marie Antoinette, and so on. I’m mostly intrigued by the format of these monologues. I’ve never heard of a book quite like this and I’m always impressed with books that are out of the norm. I doubt, however, that I’ll read the book again. It was entertaining and engaging, but not something I would gain insight from by reading it another time. I definitely think it’s an interesting read, but I’d suggest borrowing it from the library rather than buying it. This book has an absolutely lunatic premise. It is said that a decapitated head can remain in a state of consciousness for 90 seconds. In heightened states of emotion or agitation, people can speak at the rate of 160 words per minute. Combine the two and you have the micro stories in this book. Read the rest here: http://ireadoddbooks.com/?p=231 Recommended by folks into microfiction; seems to be one of those books that people either totally love or absolutely hate. I sampled about 1/4 of it at the bookstore over the course of a week, trying to get myself to buy it. I couldn't. Brilliant writing, but I agree with other reviewers--I couldn't get over the disconnect between what the pieces were and what the pieces were supposed to be (i.e. the thoughts that can take place during the last 90 seconds in the brain of a decapitated head). geen besprekingen | voeg een bespreking toe
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The human head is believed to remain in a state of consciousness for one and one-half minutes after decapitation. In a heightened state of emotion, people speak at the rate of 160 words per minute. Inspired by the intersection of these two seemingly unrelated concepts, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler wrote sixty-two stories, each exactly 240 words in length, capturing the flow of thoughts and feelings that go through a person's mind after their head has been severed. The characters are both real and imagined Medusa (beheaded by Perseus, 2000 BC), Anne Boleyn (beheaded at the behest of Henry VIII, 1536), a chicken (beheaded for Sunday dinner, Alabama, 1958), and the author (decapitated, on the job, 2008). Told with the intensity of a poet and the wit of a great storyteller, these final thoughts illuminate and crystallize more about the characters' own lives and the worlds they inhabit than many writers manage to convey in full-length biographies or novels. The stories, which have appeared in literary magazines across the country, are a delightful and intriguing creative feat from one of today's most inventive writers. 'In concept, Severance is brilliant. In execution, it’s even better-beautiful, hilarious, horrifying, and humane' - Dave Eggers Geen bibliotheekbeschrijvingen gevonden. |
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Google Books — Bezig met laden... GenresDewey Decimale Classificatie (DDC)813.54Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999LC-classificatieWaarderingGemiddelde:
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Fast forward to last week, when I just happened upon it online. Kismet!! It was at Half Price Books, and I ordered it immediately. Imagine my delight when it arrived signed by the author!! Of course, it is signed "To Lauren", but that matters not to me.
On with the review. First of all, the premise of this one is magnificent! The last thoughts of a freshly decapitated person (well ... almost all are people). I would have found it interesting to know what the person was thinking about their current situation, but I'll bet it would have all been the same. Kind of a "Well, crap!" trail of thought. Instead, Olen Butler writes their last thoughts as the thing they loved most in life. It may be memories of a father, a lover, or a Messiah. What they would more than likely miss most.
Taking this vantage point not only varies the stories a great deal, it also gives insight into the lives of these people. As much as 240 words can.
I also love the fact that there is no punctuation. I can imagine the rambling thoughts of a dying person being just like this, and stopping in mid-thought, as all of these do.
All-in-all, this is a brilliant little book, and highly recommended. ( )