To the National Gallery, where I was shocked by El Greco’s Laocoön. The three figures on the right are like wraiths or spirits, perhaps shades visiting the dying men, for they cannot be the spirits of already-dead sons of Laocoön: there are only two of them. In this painting, one is lying dead and the other is arched at the point of the fatal bite. The whole picture is stretched, like the world is being sucked and pulled away from Laocoön and his sons as they lose consciousness. The only realistic part is Laocoön’s face, which is the same as the face on
Well it felt like you’re far away I suppose; then I found myself reading an essay more reminiscent of your earlier posts, so it seemed like you had returned.
If that should appear facile, then consider, I might have blamed the algorithm.
Re: Submission—The guy saw the alignment of the Left and Islamists years before it actually happened (in the US anyway). For that alone he deserves big plaudits.
It will be ‘monastic’, I think. Bookishly cloistered in sacred space of privacy. But I hope with excursions to coffee houses. I enjoyed this piece, Henry. Good to read you again.
> The future of the West relies on the right sort of attention being paid to thinkers like Houellebecq.
There's no future in any optimistic sense or "course correction". Like there wasn't for the Roman Empire. Centuries later, some people remaining in what's now Europe, might build something new that can sustain itself, but it would be as remote from the Western civilization as the 14th century was from Rome.
"I have been thinking about Houellebecq because I recorded a podcast with Rasheed Griffith with whom it is always enjoyable to talk Houellebecq, Naipaul, Mahler, and many other topics. I do not find Houellebecq to be either a misogynist or a nihilist, although Serotonin is a boring blowjob fantasy."
Interesting... I don't know how you can read Houellebecq and not come away with the understanding that he hates women. Not, mind you, because he thinks they are worse than men, but because the holds them to the same standards as men, who he equally detests
'the future of the West depends ' on not being bombed into kingdom come. Just had a giggle at the thought of Trump reading Mr H. As for el Greco. Erotica posing as art. Perhaps he had the same penchant as Huw Edwards.
Ah, but it is good to have you back, Henry; very good indeed.
Thanks someone else said something like this had I gone away?
Well it felt like that at the time, My Lord 😉
I still don’t understand!
Well it felt like you’re far away I suppose; then I found myself reading an essay more reminiscent of your earlier posts, so it seemed like you had returned.
If that should appear facile, then consider, I might have blamed the algorithm.
Re: Submission—The guy saw the alignment of the Left and Islamists years before it actually happened (in the US anyway). For that alone he deserves big plaudits.
It will be ‘monastic’, I think. Bookishly cloistered in sacred space of privacy. But I hope with excursions to coffee houses. I enjoyed this piece, Henry. Good to read you again.
Thanks :)
The passivity of Submission reminds me a little of Flaubert’s Sentimental Education.
It is as though the clouds parted and a ray of calm intelligence shone through. Thanks for this.
When will your podcast with Rasheed Griffith be available?
Not sure yet
After reading your article, can you recommend a 'first book' to read by Houellebecq? Thanks for all your interesting and enriching comments.
Submission is a good one to start with imo but I have not read them all
> The future of the West relies on the right sort of attention being paid to thinkers like Houellebecq.
There's no future in any optimistic sense or "course correction". Like there wasn't for the Roman Empire. Centuries later, some people remaining in what's now Europe, might build something new that can sustain itself, but it would be as remote from the Western civilization as the 14th century was from Rome.
"I have been thinking about Houellebecq because I recorded a podcast with Rasheed Griffith with whom it is always enjoyable to talk Houellebecq, Naipaul, Mahler, and many other topics. I do not find Houellebecq to be either a misogynist or a nihilist, although Serotonin is a boring blowjob fantasy."
Interesting... I don't know how you can read Houellebecq and not come away with the understanding that he hates women. Not, mind you, because he thinks they are worse than men, but because the holds them to the same standards as men, who he equally detests
'the future of the West depends ' on not being bombed into kingdom come. Just had a giggle at the thought of Trump reading Mr H. As for el Greco. Erotica posing as art. Perhaps he had the same penchant as Huw Edwards.