It's the weekend once more. That means it's time for my book-blogger hopping.
You are suddenly transported into a future time in which (horrors!) books are unknown. How would you explain books, and how wonderful they are, to the people of that time?
I would say they are items of great magic. Some are repositories of information: a way to pass knowledge down through the generations, or a means by which to acquire a new skill. Others are doorways into fantastical worlds, that sweep you away from your own life and into that of another, only to bring you safely home at the end.
You are suddenly transported into a future time in which (horrors!) books are unknown. How would you explain books, and how wonderful they are, to the people of that time?
Opening sentence:
The black two-headed bird, the triple-crowned eagle, convulsively grips in its talons a golden apple and an unsheathed sword.
From page 56:
He locked the house containing all his possessions: the bed, trunks, pots--and all his hopes.
The Salt of the Earth
Józef Wittlin
The villagers of the Carpathian mountains lead a simple life at the beginning of the twentieth century - much as they have always done. They are isolated and remote, and the advances of the outside world have not touched them. Among them - Piotr, a bandy-legged peasant, whose 'entire life involved carrying things'. A notional subject of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, all he wants in life is an official railway cap, a cottage with a mouse-trap and cheese, and a bride with a dowry.
But then the First World War comes to the mountains, and Piotr is drafted into the army. Unwilling, uncomprehending, the bewildered Piotr is forced to fight a war he does not understand - against his national as well as his personal interest.
In a new translation, authorised by the author's daughter, The Salt of the Earth is a strongly pacifist novel inspired by the Odyssey, about the consequences of war on ordinary men.
I like the sound of this one. Great and poignant excerpts. Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “AN ANONYMOUS GIRL”
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laurel. I finished last night. I was a good read.
DeleteWhile it is not the sort of thing I choose to read, it does sound interesting. This week I am featuring A Murder By Any Name by Suzanne M. Wolfe from my review stack. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Kathy. Happy weekend reading.
DeleteSounds like a difficult topic, but an important one. Wonder how the new translation differs.
ReplyDeleteGood translations are important to me. (I have a PGDip in Translation.) I don't know Polish, so I can't comment except to say that the flow of the language is nicely done, so I would think it is a good piece of translation, judging by that. You can usually tell the clunky, awkward ones.
DeleteI love the descriptive writing, it pulled me right in. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Happy Reading to you too!
DeleteVery interested excerpts. Sounds like a difference perspective than most world war stories. See what book MK French is featuring at Girl Who Reads
ReplyDeleteYes, it was an interesting and thought-provoking read.
DeleteWhat an interesting exploration. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia. You too.
DeleteI'd say that's a good answer to the hop question. :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings) + 50/50 Friday and The Nightmare Before Christmas Book Tag
Thanks Lauren. Happy Reading.
DeleteGreat answer....I love the word "doorways." Perfect and plausible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks Elizabeth. Have a good weekend.
DeleteWhat a horrible future to imagine with no books! Your answer is the perfect explanation! Thanks for sharing! Happy reading! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ashley. See you next week.
DeleteIf I was a time traveler, I would take a few books with me to the future.
ReplyDelete*Note: I deleted my original comment due to a grammar error.