Luis Panini

Years ago, while dining with Michael Silverblatt, Orhan Pamuk came up as a topic. He said, “You know, I was supposed to have dinner with him tonight.” “Why didn’t you?” I asked. “I had already made plans with you,” he said. “You’re nuts!” I yelled.
Dear Michael, I will miss you.

I thought about including that one as well, but I re-read it recently. Thanks for the suggestion.

So excited about this reading project. 2026 will be The Year of the Faustian Bargain for me and these are the books I’ll read, except my own novel (it’s in the picture because it features a Faustian bargain, a topic I’m passionate about and one I hope to revisit someday).

This 3rd volume, as you may remember, consists of 2 parts. Each one represents exactly half of the book. With the first one I struggled a bit because there are about 300 pages of pure gossip and became somewhat tedious, but he redeemed himself on the second half. I still thought it was so worth it.

😂 I struggled a bit with the first half of the book, but I’ve been told that volume 4 is outstanding. Won’t find out until January of next year. Just push through.

It doesn’t until page 421. The fist 100 pages are slow, and then you’ll get over 300 pages of pure gossip (I’m not exaggerating). The second part of the novel is where he shines.

Done with The Guermantes Way. Another jewel, although not as beautiful as volumes 1 and 2, but the 47 pages (425-471) in which the Narrator describes his grandmother falling ill and eventually passing contain some of the most beautiful and heartbreaking passages I’ve ever read.

Oh. That’s. A good thing. Love when that happens. That little, 60-page Jaeggy book renewed my interest in Keats (haven’t read any of his poetry in 2 decades!) and Marcel Schwob, too, whom I adore.

I knew about De Quincey, just didn’t get to him. It was a masterful biographical sketch by Fleur Jaeggy in this book that led me to the sudden interest in De Quincey. I’ll check out the book you mentioned. Not familiar with Dillon’s work yet.

I know I’m rather late to the Thomas De Quincey party, but I’ve arrived.

That is one fine specimen!

“Stellar” doesn’t even begin to describe today’s book mail. Finally, John Cowper Powys is in my house. I know a new edition of A Glastonbury Romance is coming out fairly soon, but I couldn’t resist owning the one featuring Jan Provoost’s work on the cover.

Both of those publishers had impressive catalogs! ☹️

In January of 2024 I read Swann’s Way and since then I set out to read one volume of In Search of Lost Time every January, so it’s time for The Guermantes Way. While reading Proust I like to picture everything as if it belonged in an impressionist painting, which makes it even more beautiful.

There are 10 in total translated into English. 3 I bought, the other 7 I borrowed from the public library. I’ve sampled quite a bit and it reads beautifully.

You mean the entire La Comédie humaine? You are one brave man!

Of course! Trying to decide on a couple of authors to tackle next year. I’m so excited.

Thank you, Radz. That book was recently translated as The Hills Reply, which I just got.

Thanks, Jacqui! So excited about discovering his work.

Can’t wait. I just got my hands on everything of his that has been translated into English. You know what that means…

‘Tis the season of Norwegian arrivals. I’ve been told that Tarjei Vesaas only wrote masterpieces. Looking forward to reading his work in 2026.

I’m done with the first 2. Starting The Water Statues tonight!

It is a great tome. I almost want to turn it into a reading project and tackle all the novels mentioned in it.

The Benefactor, Death Kit, The Volcano Lover, In America.

Prose poems are 🔥! Which Sontag novel?

Perfect setting for it!

😂 I also love his Marat/Sade. First thing I read of his.

Hey, David! Nice to see you here. I have too many Twombly catalogs and I need a few more!

Here’s the table of contents.

*sitting. Mea culpa.