can't believe this one hasn't been done.

one of my favorite authors.


not crap for Hopscotch alone.


what say you, rock n' roll cronopios?

I've only read Hopscotch and Cronopios y Famas, but both were decidedly not crap. Maybe I'll reread Hopscotch in the alternative order this summer; I've only read it the regular way.

N/C

I am going through his short stories and am enjoying them. However, I cannot help but compare him to Borges, utterly unfairly. Aside from the obvious parallels (in this case, short story writers, 20th century Argentinians, a tendency to the mysterious and bizarre), they are very different writers. But my stupid brain still compares them, and Cortázar comes up short - but very few wouldn't. His writing in these shorts is more overtly emotional and tense (for me); but his mysteries are not as uncanny, they don't amuse or shock me anywhere near as much as Borges.

Reading the "Blow-Up" collection, a dumb idea popped in my head: Cortázar writes as if he's had sex, Borges writes from another universe. The sex makes Cortázar more human; but Borges is otherworldly.

Like I said, dumb, derived from sleep deprivation, but it works for me.

My nonsense aside, NOT CRAP from what I've read. Distances has impressed me the most out of what I've read. Hopskotch is waiting for me, and I am truly excited by the idea of it. I am intrigued as to whether the structure is a true innovation rather than an entertaining gimmick.

sparky wrote:I am going through his short stories and am enjoying them. However, I cannot help but compare him to Borges, utterly unfairly. Aside from the obvious parallels (in this case, short story writers, 20th century Argentinians, a tendency to the mysterious and bizarre), they are very different writers. But my stupid brain still compares them, and Cortázar comes up short - but very few wouldn't. His writing in these shorts is more overtly emotional and tense (for me); but his mysteries are not as uncanny, they don't amuse or shock me anywhere near as much as Borges.

Reading the "Blow-Up" collection, a dumb idea popped in my head: Cortázar writes as if he's had sex, Borges writes from another universe. The sex makes Cortázar more human; but Borges is otherworldly.

Like I said, dumb, derived from sleep deprivation, but it works for me.

My nonsense aside, NOT CRAP from what I've read. Distances has impressed me the most out of what I've read. Hopskotch is waiting for me, and I am truly excited by the idea of it. I am intrigued as to whether the structure is a true innovation rather than an entertaining gimmick.

pretty spot on, sparky. i read them both around the same time too & preferred borges' short stories, though they both have their strengths. cortazar's stories tend to hinge on a surreal image or some kind of strange juxtaposition or magic "intervention". they often hit me emotionally, but haven't stayed with me like the little timebombs that borges plants in your brain.

hopscotch is however los tits. have fun with it!

the structure is at worst an enlightening gimmick. i would definitely read it according to the proposed order, as it is much less heavy-going than reading front to back. all in all, it's an incredibly endearing philosophical choose-your-own-adventure for adults.

I'm pretty obsessed with Bolaño (just got the english translation of 2666, mothertruckers) who is pretty obsessed with Cortázar so I guess I should go buy a copy of Hopscotch, huh?

coolio jortázar would make a fine juggalo name, now that i think of it.



hop to it, connor! though i should practice what i preach: josé lezema lima's paradiso, recommended often by cortázar, has been lying unread on my shelf for the past seven or so years.

jimmy spako wrote:los tits

magic just happened

not crap, but maybe a little overrated. what say you all about alberto moravia (of contempt fame)? have yet to read his stuff...

jimmy spako wrote:the structure is at worst an enlightening gimmick. i would definitely read it according to the proposed order, as it is much less heavy-going than reading front to back. all in all, it's an incredibly endearing philosophical choose-your-own-adventure for adults.

I will take your advice - thank you, you recognised the indecisive subtext of my post.

I have the feeling that the emotional side to the stories I've read is going to work well on me given the extra space of the novel. That might make sense?

jimmy spako wrote:los tits

Magnificent.