GR 'Streets'

[Paul Mackin]

On Fri, 2003-04-18 at 10:22, Richard Romeo wrote:
> > 
> > jbor wrote:
> > > 
> > > Good grief. It seems that the American atrocity in
> > bombing Hiroshima, > 
> 
> terrance:
> Well, I don't know if it's a taboo to discuss it,
> > but you have to expect
> > (not accept) that there are people who don't think
> > that bombing
> > Hiroshima was an American atrocity. I think it was.
> ----------
> as paul noted before, lots of guys who would have had
> to fight for japan were sure happy the a-bomb ended
> the war.
> the act itself is horrific but i think a wee bit
> different from auschwitz. i.e conflicted about use of
> such a horrible weapon but also considering the
> situation as it existed on the ground in late 45.
> a very complex issue that can't be summed up half
> century later as one thing and one thing only.
> I don't believe Mr Pynchon is very much concerned
> about it beyond the legacy that atomic/nuclear weapons
> represent. can be argued I suppose tho.

I think this is a good statement with regard to the a-bomb on Japan.
Atrocity is a word that would need further definition. I think if Aug 6
were allowed to come under the atrocity umbrella then much of the Allied
effort to win WW II might not be far behind.

I did my post in order to disabuse anyone of the idea (if they had any
such idea) that the normal expectation for the emotion an American
soldier upon seeing and understanding that August 6 news would be one of
misery and pain. Of course who knows what this one particular soldier
was supposed to be thinking?  Not so very much would be my guess. All
the thinking has to be on the part of the reader at this point. Slothrop
is by now but a leaf on the wind.
 
> 
> p.s.--fwiw
> cosmopolis is really delillo mimicking himself--i have
> to agree overall with mr woods review in the New
> Republic
> i miss the understated-ness of the Names vs the
> bombast of Mao II, large chunks of Underworld.

I picked up both Cosmopolis and Actress in the House (McRlroy) and
decided to read the latter first. I'm only on chapter 2 but a telephone
conversation between a lawyer and his prospective client may be almost
worth the price of admission. Only time will tell.

p.


> 
> I haven't enjoyed Banville's Shroud as much as I'd
> like, partly becuase the main character is so
> repulsive--not unique in banville's work but this book
> seems more than gloomy--maybe it's not the right time
> for me to read something like this--the language is
> lush as usual--I couldn't help think that the Body
> Artist parallels banville's writing in style and theme
> somewhat tho it doesn't compare well to the latter's
> work imho.
> guess i need more talking dogs and rolling cheeses in
> my reading fiction.
> 
> michael chabon has edited a new collection of
> fantastic stories which has some named favorites
> included. maybe work a look--jim shephard, moody,
> ellison, etc.
> 
> Hunter Thompson's Kingdom of Fear is also a
> bummer--besides some interesting anecdotes about the
> being in Chicago at the DNC in 1968 and the invasion
> of Grenada, he, like DeLillo, seems to be running on
> fumes, parodying himself.
> 
> from left field as usual
> 
> rich
> > 
> 
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