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For Christmas Bill bought me a lovely copy of Popul Vuh, which I'd been wanting to read for ages. The copy he bought was a secound edition new translations with a 70 page introduction and about 150 pages of notes, mostly about translating and history, at the end. It also had lovely illustrations. It was translated by Dennis Tedlock and I'd definitly recommend it to anyone interested in reading the myths. The myths were as enjoyable as I was hoping, I love the myths of the hero twins and how they defeat the gods of the underworld. And the story of the first humans and their gods, and stealing people for sacrifice were really great. Dunsany claimed he got his inspiration from the King James Bible, but really his writing reminds me a lot of Popul Vuh. I actually got really touched at one point where it was talking about the fasts of the chiefs and their prayers for there people when "They cried their hearts and their guts out".
I also read Tipping the Velvet which I've had for ages but haven't read yet. I bought a copy for a friend for Christmas so thought I'd better read it too. There were parts that I really liked, when she was talking about falling in love, and her times with her friends. I could really believe in it, and found it really touching. When she became a "male" prostitute and then lived with the rich people I was less impressed. But the third part I also liked. I couldn't understand why the author seemed so mean to the rich and old lesbians, perhaps it was a social class thing, as they all became socalists in the end. It was interesting, the author obviously knew a lot about Victorian history and culture. But just didn't write in the voice of the period.
I also picked up a book on Chinese Jade at the Seattle Art Museum from the university book store for cheap. That was very nice and had lots of pretty pictures. I'm really starting to enjoy books from museum collections. I heard of one in Paris that is all Victorian pictures of the supernatural, fake ghosts and ecotoplasm and things. One day I shall have to find that!
I'm having terrible trouble finding a new Chinese class. Why is it so hard to learn Mandarin in this town? I guess my terrible work schedule is to blame. And I waited too long. But it's very depressing. I really want to learn Chinese!!!
I also read Tipping the Velvet which I've had for ages but haven't read yet. I bought a copy for a friend for Christmas so thought I'd better read it too. There were parts that I really liked, when she was talking about falling in love, and her times with her friends. I could really believe in it, and found it really touching. When she became a "male" prostitute and then lived with the rich people I was less impressed. But the third part I also liked. I couldn't understand why the author seemed so mean to the rich and old lesbians, perhaps it was a social class thing, as they all became socalists in the end. It was interesting, the author obviously knew a lot about Victorian history and culture. But just didn't write in the voice of the period.
I also picked up a book on Chinese Jade at the Seattle Art Museum from the university book store for cheap. That was very nice and had lots of pretty pictures. I'm really starting to enjoy books from museum collections. I heard of one in Paris that is all Victorian pictures of the supernatural, fake ghosts and ecotoplasm and things. One day I shall have to find that!
I'm having terrible trouble finding a new Chinese class. Why is it so hard to learn Mandarin in this town? I guess my terrible work schedule is to blame. And I waited too long. But it's very depressing. I really want to learn Chinese!!!