Tuesday, May 18, 2010

literary discoveries



"greenest library in new york" 

THE PIANO TUNER
I have made a terrific literary discovery just browsing the library. The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason.

I've read that Werner Herzog is making a movie of it. It is an eccentric book in which the geography, the atmosphere, is essential to the meaning. Like Thomas Hardy who reveals his characters through his landscapes. Werner Herzog is just the guy to do that!

ASK YOUR NEIGHBOR
Another way to make literary discoveries: just ask your friends from other countries what they consider classics. Two books that my friend from South Africa read as part of her school curriculum, yet we in USA have never heard of: The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. And the young adult book Jennie by Paul Gallico.

Not all neighborhood libraries are full of junk. I have just discovered a new neighborhood library that has obviously hand-picked their literature section. Hooray for the opening of the Battery Park branch on North End Avenue in Tribeca.

No comments: