Robert de Boron and the Prose Merlin
There are so many wonderful things about the internet: there was a time when a scholar had to order through ILL and wait for weeks or months before he or she could set eyes on such works as Geoffrey of Monmouth's Vita Merlini or Robert de Boron's Prose Merlin . No more. from Prose Merlin Robert de Boron Full wrothe and angry was the Devell, whan that oure Lorde hadde ben in helle and had take oute Adam and Eve and other at his plesier. And whan the fendes sien that, they hadden right grete feer and gret merveile. Thei assembleden togedir and seiden: "What is he this thus us supprisith and distroyeth, in so moche that oure strengthes ne nought ellis that we have may nought withholde hym, nor again hym stonde in no diffence but that he doth all that hym lyketh? We ne trowed not that eny man myght be bore of woman but that he sholde ben oures; and he that thus us distroyeth, how is he born in whom we knewe non erthely delyte?" Than ansuerde anothir fende and seide
Steven,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Bolano yet, but I might one of these days.
I've read several by Mieville though. He's a difficult and intriguing writer. The one I liked best was _The City and The City_.
Dear Fred,
ReplyDeleteI did try. The City and the City seemed most promising, but alas--there was nothing there for me, and given what little time we have to read, I felt it better to leave it for another time when, perhaps, I would be better oriented to it. But thank you for the encouragement. (I guess also his personal comments about other writers--Tolkien among them--makes me suspect that our sensibilities may not be compatible.)
shalom,
Steven
Steven,
ReplyDeleteI had recommended City for the SF book group and the reactions were rather mixed. Some of those who had liked the earlier Mieville didn't like this one.
I also have problems with his personal comments about other authors. This is one of those times when I will focus on his fiction and ignore his other writings.
I think most writers are lousy critics for they mistake their own personal prejudices and writing styles for universals. One size does not fit all.