Review: The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊

The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊 by Various
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great collection of poetry and short stories, this time focusing on indigenous writers. My favorite was "Names of Our Fathers", by Walis Nokan.


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Review: Narrow Road to the Interior: And Other Writings

Narrow Road to the Interior: And Other Writings by Matsuo Bashō
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how to rate this. In fact, I'm not sure it can be rated. Part poetry, part travelogue, it should probably either be read alongside a map and commentary on the various places, or just consulted from time to time as a nice break from life. Regardless, I enjoyed it.

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Review: Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds

Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family's Feuds by Lyndall Gordon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emily Dickinson could probably never have imagined the century-long drama her poetry would spark. 

This book has it all: adultery, inheritance, multi-generational family feuds, ultra-religiosity, editing of original documents, 'canceling', etc. 

Fair warning: this book also has more 'Dickinson' than 'Emily'. While the first half is a biography of the poet's life, and covers her reclusiveness, possible epilepsy, relations with her family (including Sue), the second half is where the book really seems to get going.

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Review: The Journal of Socho

The Journal of Socho by H. Mack Horton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a pleasure to sit back and read Socho's musings and poems as a way to unwind. I do wish he had included more detail about his travel rather than travails, but I enjoyed the overall feel of the book.

Interestingly, I had bookmarked several of his poems and hokkus, but upon re-reading them I can't say they did much for me, until I re-read the circumstances under which they were written. They really reflect what he had been going through, and his feelings at the time.

I also found myself reading more of the notes, which comprise about 50% of the book, than I usually do.

If you don't expect too much from this book other than a pleasurable read from one of history's greatest linked-verse poets, then it won't disappoint.

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Review: The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 Winter/2022 - No. 203

The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 Winter/2022 - No. 203 by Taipei Chinese PEN
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again, this edition of the Chinese Taipei Pen is an interesting collection of Taiwanese poetry, short stories and artists.

"Preface to Temperature from a Bachelor", by Wang Ting-chun (王鼎鈞) had some interesting insight into how/why the names of publications can change, and the overall effects. 

"Tea from Hong Kong", by Hung Ai-zhu, was a sort of memoir. It felt like an outsider's glimpse into the memories and childhood of a Taiwanese girl running a tea shop with ties to Hong Kong. It was excellent. She has a collection of essays out, which I'd be interested in reading. 

Living Apart, by Chen Shu-Yao, seemed to jump around between characters and was very hard to follow for not much reward. It's too bad because I thinks he's the only author I know from Penghu.

The Fates, by Claire Pei, was an interesting, if troublesome, story about a Chinese in Alaska, why she was there and her situation while living there, as well as why she doesn't want to leave. This was my favorite short story of the book. The story also has an interesting addendum, although I admit I felt like she added it so the story would seem less autobiographical(?)

This edition's featured artist was Sun Ta-chuan (Paelabang Danapan) and indigenous writer of Chinese calligraphy and sayings, as well as a sketch artist.

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Review: Beginning with My Streets: Essays and Recollections

Beginning with My Streets: Essays and Recollections by Czesław Miłosz

I thought I would find the first part, discussing Vilnius and Lithuania, the least interesting, since I know so little about that region. But it turned out to be enthralling. Especially his back and forth with Tomas Venclova. I confess the other sections then didn't retain my interest all that long, and this book probably should've been a dnf for me. This is mainly because I think Milosz is too poetic and philosophical for me, and I just found it hard to keep up. For this reason I won't give a rating, but I'd rate the first part 4.5 stars. 

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Review: The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 夏季號/2021 - No. 196

The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 夏季號/2021 - No. 196 by Taipei Chinese PEN
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great collection of poetry and short stories, also featuring some Czech poetry. 

Out of the 2 short stories my favorite was probably "Lucy's notes of a Guest House" by Tsai Su-fen (蔡素芬), although it seems that the other author ，王定國， is the famous one.

It also had a great feature on Sculpture in Taiwan, discussing Pu Tian-Sheng and Huang Tu-Shui, all of which was new to me. 

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Review: Canzoniere

Canzoniere by Francesco Petrarca
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Ok. I'm throwing in the towel. I will not be able to finish this. The 14th century Italian is too intense, and I'm frankly not much of a poetry guy either way. I got to Page 63, then skipped ahead to find my favorite poem (number CLIX): 

In qual parte del ciel, in quale idea

era l'exempio, onde Natura tolse

quel bel viso leggiadro, in ch'ella volse

mostrar qua giú quanto lassú potea?

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Review: The Portable Dorothy Parker

The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a delight. And to think I found this in the Free bin of 2nd and Charles!

I will list my favorite poems and short stories below, but I should mention that she really seemed to shine in her theater and book reviews. I doubt anyone else could be that snarky while heaping that much praise all at the same time, and you can tell she loved every minute of it.

I recommend you keep this on your bedside table and read a little bit now and then. At least, that's what I ended up doing, and it never disappointed.


10 stars

My favorite poems:
Resume
Love Song
Observation
The Red Dress
Partial Comfort
The Maid-Servant at the Inn
Thought for a Sunshiny Morning
Second Love
Sanctuary
Tombstones in the Starlight IV: The Fisherwoman


My favorite short stories
The Custard Heart
Just Around Pooh Corner

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Review: Taiwan Literature: Special Issue on Kuo-Ch'ing Tu

Taiwan Literature: Special Issue on Kuo-Ch'ing Tu by Kuo-Ch'ing Tu
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

"Thus, long ago, I offered my heart to the goddess of poetry as an altar for her to trample it as she wished". Tu Kuo-ching is obviously a very serious poet. Unfortunately, every time I read poetry I feel like I'm probably just not deep enough of a person. I try, but most of it is just over my head.

It doesn't help that I'm sure there are a couple typos (i.e. corps instead of corpse).

I confess I only skimmed two of the final three essays, written by others as commentary on Tu's work. The second one (the one I read) discussed how his international background shaped his point of view. It is more specific than that, but that's the point I found interesting (the 'compound eyes' view he has).


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Review: The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 夏季號/2019 - No. 189

The Taipei Chinese PEN—A Quarterly Journal of Contemporary Chinese Literature from Taiwan《中華民國筆會英文季刊─台灣文譯》 夏季號/2019 - No. 189 by Yanwing Leung
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great collection of poetry and short stories, as well as a feature on Li Chi Mao, a Taiwanese artist, with some very versatile artworks encompassing different styles and subjects. I really enjoy these.

My favorite short story was Burning Lovers, by Marula Liu

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Review: Poesie

Poesie by Catullus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Why is it that every time I read something in Latin I revert back to being a middle schooler? Well, aside from the fact that I was a middle schooler when I studied Latin. I find myself finding all the curse words and "fun" expressions and seeing how they were used in Latin. And Catullus provided plenty of material for that.

Regardless, I enjoyed this, although more the translation than anything. I probably enjoyed some of his shorter love poems to lesbia (which were apparently dedicated to Sappho) more than the longer epics he seems to be known for.

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