Lydia Davis on Language and Literature

15 snips

Mar 23, 2022

Lydia Davis, a celebrated author and translator, captivates with her love for language and short, sparkling sentences. She shares her chaotic creative process and discusses how brevity shapes storytelling. The conversation touches on the humor of Proust in different languages and the intricacies of translating film subtitles. Lydia also reflects on her passion for visual arts, classical music, and the challenge of fostering young writing talent. With insights into the beauty of foreign literature, she highlights the cultural richness found in translation.

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ADVICE

Persuading Ants

Persuade ants to leave by blowing them away, not squashing them.
Then, thoroughly remove the food source attracting them.

INSIGHT

Humor in Writing

Many great writers possess a strong sense of humor, like Beckett and Proust.
Some writers, like Conrad, may not exhibit this trait as prominently.

INSIGHT

American Prose

Contemporary American writers tend to favor shorter sentences.
Sparkling and lyrical prose is still achievable with brevity.

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Proust's Way

A Field Guide to In Search of Lost Time

Roger Shattuck

Roger Shattuck's 'Proust's Way' is a seminal work that provides a deepened appreciation of Proust's epic novel, 'In Search of Lost Time'. It serves as a guide for readers to navigate Proust's complex exploration of memory, time, and consciousness. Shattuck's work is praised for its readability and depth, making it accessible to both new and seasoned readers of Proust.

Anything that moves

Dana Goodyear

In 'Anything That Moves,' Dana Goodyear delves into the outer edges of American food culture, showcasing the avant-garde culinary scene with its unique and often unconventional dishes. The book offers a fascinating look at how these extremes reflect broader trends in American society.

Geschichten zur falschen Zeit

Peter Bichsel

Peter Bichsel's columns, collected in works like 'Geschichten zur falschen Zeit', are known for their sharp critique of Swiss politics and culture. His writing style is characterized by simplicity and a keen eye for the mundane, often using humor and irony to highlight societal issues.

Harry Potter novels

J.K. Rowling

Eva Rechel-Mertens's translation of Proust

Eva Rechel-Mertens

Thomas Pynchon's Late Works

Overview of Later Novels

Thomas Pynchon

Thomas Pynchon's late works include novels like 'Mason & Dixon', which explores the Age of Enlightenment, and 'Against the Day', which critiques the military-industrial complex. His novel 'Inherent Vice' is a detective story set in the 1960s. These works continue Pynchon's tradition of blending historical and contemporary themes with complex narrative structures.

Peter Handke's Works

An Overview

Peter Handke

Peter Handke is a celebrated Austrian writer known for his novels, plays, and screenplays. His works often explore themes of language, identity, and the human condition. Notable novels include 'The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick' and 'The Fruit Thief'. Handke's writing style is characterized by its ultra-objective and deadpan narrative, often focusing on characters in extreme states of mind.

Short stories by Gunhild Øyehaug

Gunhild Øyehaug

Works by Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell's works are known for their unique blend of assemblage, collage, and surrealism. His shadow boxes, meticulously crafted miniature environments, often feature found objects and ephemera, creating evocative and dreamlike scenes. Cornell's work often explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time. His use of found objects and his ability to transform everyday materials into works of art have made him a significant figure in 20th-century art. His influence on subsequent artists and art movements is considerable.

My Unwritten Books

George Steiner

In 'My Unwritten Books', George Steiner reflects on seven book projects he never completed, delving into topics such as the work of Joseph Needham, the role of envy in intellectual history, and the intersection of language and sex. The book offers a unique glimpse into Steiner's intellectual and personal journeys, revealing why these projects remained unwritten. It is both a memoir and a philosophical exploration of the challenges and taboos that prevented these books from being written.

Samuel Beckett's works

Samuel Beckett

A Sorrow Beyond Dreams

A Life Story

Peter Handke

A Sorrow Beyond Dreams is a poignant and introspective memoir that delves into the life of Handke's mother, who struggled with societal pressures and personal demons, ultimately leading to her suicide. The book is a powerful exploration of grief, loss, and the human condition, written with stark honesty and poetic language. Handke's narrative style juxtaposes vivid memories with harsh realities, creating a complex portrait of his mother's existence.

The Left-Handed Woman

Peter Handke

The Left-Handed Woman, written by Peter Handke in 1976, is a novella that delicately explores the inner feelings of a young married woman who tries to live on her own with her child. The story follows Marianne as she navigates her new life, developing new relationships and finding a sense of contentment in her solitude. Handke's detached prose style adds to the introspective nature of the narrative.

Samuel Beckett's essay on Proust

Samuel Beckett

Sleepless Nights

None

Leslie Jamison

The afternoon of a writer

Peter Handke

In 'The Afternoon of a Writer', Peter Handke crafts a narrative that delves into the life of a writer who is emotionally detached from the world. The story explores themes of solitude, the role of language, and the writer's struggle with his craft. Through the protagonist's afternoon walk, Handke poses questions about the balance between isolation and creativity.

Works by Joseph Conrad

Joseph Conrad

Joseph Conrad's works are known for their psychological depth, exploration of moral ambiguity, and masterful use of language. His novels often feature seafaring adventures and delve into the complexities of human nature under pressure. Conrad's exploration of themes like colonialism, alienation, and the darkness of the human heart has made him a significant figure in modernist literature. His works often feature unreliable narrators and ambiguous endings, challenging readers to interpret the meaning and significance of his stories. His influence on subsequent writers and literary movements is considerable.

Franz Kafka's Diaries

null

Ross Benjamin

Franz Kafka's Diaries offer an intimate glimpse into the mind of one of literature's most enigmatic figures. Written between 1909 and 1923, the diaries reveal Kafka's struggles with writing, his anxieties, and his complex inner life. They showcase his literary experimentation and self-examination, providing a raw and unfiltered portrait of the author. The entries range from fragmented thoughts and observations to more developed pieces of fiction. The diaries are a crucial source for understanding Kafka's creative process and his personal evolution.

Heart of Darkness

Joseph Conrad

Heart of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, is a novella that examines the horrors of Western colonialism. The story is narrated by Marlow, who recounts his journey as a riverboat captain for a Belgian trading company in the Congo. Marlow's journey takes him deep into the African jungle, where he encounters the enigmatic and brutal ivory trader Kurtz. The novella delves into themes of power dynamics, morality, and the psychological impact of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. It is a landmark of modern fiction, known for its narrative and symbolic power, as well as its acute psychological penetration[2][3][5].

Dom Quixote

Xavier, Alberto

Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes, tells the story of Alonso Quixano, a middle-aged gentleman who, influenced by his extensive reading of chivalric romances, decides to become a knight-errant. He renames himself Don Quixote and, with his squire Sancho Panza, embarks on a series of adventures. These adventures often involve Don Quixote's misinterpretation of reality, such as mistaking windmills for giants and inns for castles. The novel explores themes of reality vs. imagination, the decline of chivalry, and the human condition. Eventually, Don Quixote returns home, regains his sanity, and renounces his chivalric ambitions before his death.

His Dark Materials

Philip Pullman

Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" is a fantasy trilogy following Lyra Belacqua as she journeys through a parallel universe where humans are accompanied by daemon companions. The series explores themes of free will, religious dogma, and the nature of truth. Lyra's adventures involve encounters with witches, armored bears, and other fantastical creatures. The trilogy's complex plot and philosophical depth have earned it critical acclaim and a devoted following.

Beowulf

Anonymous

Beowulf is an Old English epic poem that chronicles the daring deeds of its titular hero, Beowulf. The story begins with Beowulf's journey to help King Hrothgar of the Danes, whose mead hall, Heorot, is terrorized by the monster Grendel. Beowulf kills Grendel and later Grendel's mother, then returns to his homeland to become king of the Geats. After ruling for 50 years, he faces his final battle against a fire-breathing dragon, which ultimately leads to his death. The poem explores themes of heroism, fate, and the struggle between civilization and wilderness[1][3][5].

The Notebook

Nicholas Sparks

In Search of Lost Time

Swann's Way

Stephane Heuet

Marcel Proust

This graphic adaptation of Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' presents the first volume, 'Swann's Way', in a compressed and visually engaging format. The adaptation, likened to a 'piano reduction of an orchestral score', retains the fundamental architecture and themes of Proust’s work, including time, art, and the elusiveness of memory. Stéphane Heuet's detailed illustrations bring to life the narrator Marcel's childhood memories in Combray, capturing the humor, wit, and memorable characters of Proust's original text. This adaptation is designed to make Proust's work more accessible while maintaining its essence and beauty[3][5][4].

Madame Bovary

Gustave Flaubert

Published in 1857, 'Madame Bovary' is a seminal work of literary realism that tells the story of Emma Bovary, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who marries Charles Bovary, a dull and unambitious doctor. Emma's life is marked by boredom, romantic fantasies, and a series of ill-fated love affairs with men like Rodolphe and Léon. Her inability to distinguish between her romantic ideals and the harsh realities of her life leads to financial ruin, public scandal, and ultimately, her tragic demise. The novel is renowned for its masterful writing, detailed psychological insights, and its critique of bourgeois provincial life[2][3][5].

Essays

None

Michel de Montaigne

Montaigne's *Essays* are a seminal work that introduced the essay as a literary form. The book is a personal and introspective exploration of various subjects, including the human condition, skepticism, and the importance of concrete experience over abstract learning. Montaigne's skepticism is reflected in the title *Essais*, meaning 'Attempts' or 'Tests', indicating a project of trial and error and tentative exploration. The essays cover topics such as the education of children, the role of the body, illness, aging, and death. Montaigne's writing style is characterized by multiple digressions, anecdotes from ancient and contemporary sources, and quotations that reinforce his critical analysis of reality[2][5][4].

Essays

None

Michel de Montaigne

Ulysses

James Joyce

Ulysses is a groundbreaking and complex modernist novel that chronicles the experiences of three Dubliners over a single day. The novel is loosely based on Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey', with Leopold Bloom paralleling Odysseus, Stephen Dedalus paralleling Telemachus, and Molly Bloom paralleling Penelope. It explores themes such as antisemitism, human sexuality, British rule in Ireland, Catholicism, and Irish nationalism. The novel is known for its innovative use of language and narrative techniques, including stream-of-consciousness and multiple literary styles. It captures the essence of early 20th-century Dublin, providing a detailed snapshot of the city's social, political, and cultural landscape[2][3][5].

A prolific translator, author, and former professor of creative writing, Lydia Davis’s motivation for her life’s work is jarringly simple: she just loves language. She loves short, sparkling sentences. She loves that in English we have Anglo-Saxon words like “underground” or Latinate alternatives like “subterranean.” She loves reading books in foreign languages, discovering not only their content but a different culture and a different history at the same time. Despite describing her creative process as “chaotic” and herself as “not ambitious,” she is among America’s best-known short story writers and a celebrated essayist.

Lydia joined Tyler to discuss how the form of short stories shapes their content, how to persuade an ant to leave your house, the difference between poetry and very short stories, Proust’s underrated sense of humor, why she likes Proust despite being averse to long books, the appeal of Josep Pla’s The Gray Notebook, why Proust is funnier in French or German than in English, the hidden wit of Franz Kafka, the economics of poorly translated film subtitles, her love of Velázquez and early Flemish landscape paintings, how Bach and Schubert captured her early imagination, why she doesn’t like the Harry Potter novels—but appreciates their effects on young readers, whether she’ll ever publish her diaries, how her work has evolved over time, how to spot talent in a young writer, her method (or lack thereof) for teaching writing, what she learned about words that begin with “wr,” how her translations of Proust and Flaubert differ from others, what she’s most interested in translating now, what we can expect from her next, and more.

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Recorded February 3rd, 2022 Other ways to connect

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