Comments on: Michel Faber and The Book of Strange New Things

By: Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf

Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 07:39:48 +0000

I love how Leah stated it, I agree with her. It’s strange though, I automatically apply that to music, wholeheartedly… but I usually forget or don’t bother to do so with authors and their fiction. 🙁

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 23:49:13 +0000

In reply to Andi (@estellasrevenge). Uh oh...what about Cynthia Bond?! That book shook me up without knowing anything about her! Off to google.

By: Andi (@estellasrevenge)

Andi (@estellasrevenge) — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 02:08:20 +0000

In scholarly study it’s frowned upon to delve too deeply into the author’s biography. It’s considered a passe way to study and evaluate. That aside, it certainly can enrich my reading experience to know about an author’s personal struggles. I’ve enjoyed reading Paul Auster’s memoirs and knowing more about him that helps his fiction resonate with me. Same thing with Cynthia Bond….her book, Ruby, in all its brutality, made a new kind of sense knowing about her own backstory.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:34:08 +0000

In reply to Shannon @ River City Reading. Well, I also feel that now I've colored the book for you if you read it and will be very curious to see what you think. When I read it that last line seemed tender but now it is crushing in its sadness.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:32:43 +0000

In reply to Cynthia Robertson. The NPR interview is the only thing I've seen or heard about his personal situation. All the big paper reviews are solely about the book and, as you say, that's how it should be. I don't disagree but am caught up in my personal reaction to the book now that I know this. Made the book infinitely sadder and more complex.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:30:00 +0000

In reply to Lisa. No, we don't, Lisa, and even after hearing Faber talk about it there is no way to know what he meant in the book. It's only after listening to him and hearing that this is his last novel that it all becomes freighted with meaning.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:27:25 +0000

In reply to Leah @ Books Speak Volumes. You're so wise- "literature isn't created in a vacuum" says it all. I guess because this is science fiction it never occurred to me it could be about real life. Which may be the way Faber wanted it. Or the entire thing is an allegory. So much to consider!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 18:25:37 +0000

In reply to Katie @ Doing Dewey. That's exactly it, Katie! I don't know (and will never know) how Faber meant to frame his grief in the novel- I just imposed my own feelings onto what I had read- after the fact.

By: Naomi

Naomi — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 02:00:27 +0000

I think a book has to be able to stand on its own, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate it even more knowing the context or where the book was coming from. This example is a bit different, because it doesn’t involve the death of a spouse, but I have been reading Billy Joel’s biography, and reading about where he was in his life when he wrote all his songs has made me appreciate them so much more. I liked them before, but now I really ‘get’ them. I think the same could be said for poets and their poetry. So, why not books? Thanks for the great post!

By: Katie @ Doing Dewey

Katie @ Doing Dewey — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 19:15:21 +0000

I agree with Leah, although she did a much better job of expressing the sentiment than I would have! I do think a book should stand on its own but, like Shannon said, most of the things I know about authors don’t connect as directly to what they’ve written as in this particular case. This reminds me how every reader brings something different to a book. For instance, someone who had recently experienced a loss in their own life might have found this book particularly moving. We all bring our own baggage to every book we pick up, but ideally (I think) an author will write in a way that’s relatable to many people, even those without similar experiences or knowledge of the author’s own circumstances.