Backstrom, etc.

I happened to belatedly catch the first episode of the new cop series featuring the Rainn Wilson as the epyonymous hero of Backstrom last night. I thought Joyce would have liked his riposte to his colleague's complaint that he saw the worst in everyone. He eventually tells her,"I don't see the worst in everyone, I see the everyone in everyone."

I see that everyone is tweeting it...

Tristan and Isuelt

I put up a short review of Joseph Bédier's The Romance of Tristan and Iseult on a website I write book reviews for, but my original catalyst was our discussion of the legend during the last couple of sessions. Leslie filled us in on Wagner's take on the story (among other things, she told us that Wagner was  not too interested in the power of the love potion). Joyce knew this opera well, but he was also familiar with Bédier's retelling. I really enjoyed reading Bédier's version (in English, not his original French), and of course I hope it will help me understand what Joyce was up to just that wee bit more...


In any case, you can find my review at Escape Into Life. I put up a more current cover there, but this is the edition I actually read:

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A progress report from Waywords and Meansigns

I got an email over the weekend from Derek Pyle over at Waywords and Meansigns, where they are spearheading a collective effort to record all of Finnegans Wake. Things are hopping apparently, with 17 individuals or groups at work on each chapter. (Including apparently our roving correspondent PQ over at Finnegans, Wake!) They are currently expecting to debut a first edition mid-spring. Because there was so much interest in the project they are already planning to do a second edition. Derek says that there are still a few slots open on that one, so make haste if you are one of those people. 

I'll post updates here as they appear. 

A bunch of new links over at Finnegans, Wake!

While you're waiting for new content here, why don't you head on over to Finnegans, Wake!,where PQ has just posted a bunch of new links to other enterprising Wakers.


Yes, he (and they) do the work so we don't have to.


More anon.

Happy Birthday