ATD: p. 734

[robinlandseadel at comcast.net]

I'm having an all-vegan mushroom/barley soup, with several 
other grains in a creamy puree of organic potatos, leeks and 
rutabegas.

Look again at the clear crystal calcite---iceland spar---
jacket for the first edition of Against the Day, with its 
multiple historical layers. Consider the many  "New Age" 
concepts expressed in the book. That final "Vege-tariano" 
Tango is clearly an overlay of the present onto the past.
Note as well that the magical systems in play in Against 
the Day are still in play. I can point you right to the shelf
where it's being displayed
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: kelber at mindspring.com
> Here's something that jarred me both times I read it:
> 
> ATD (p. 734):
> 
> "They ate a polenta with squid in squid ink, and a zuppa di peoci that couldn't 
> be beat."
> 
> "A" polenta? Why not "They ate polenta..."? This use of the indefinite article 
> might be a translation from the Italian. He may just be putting this in for 
> atmosphere.  But would TRP have said:  "a spaghetti with meatballs"?  This is 
> the voice of the narrator speaking, the same voice that, on the next page says:  
> 
> "Wasn't as if they'd ever had the time to get creatively lost in this maze of 
> calli, was it ...."
> 
> My own reaction to this was that TRP was lapsing into the present-day 
> Yuppie-restaurant-speak, with which, in his UWS neighborhood, he must be 
> bombarded on a frequent basis ("Tonight's special is a polenta with a squid ink 
> sauce ...").
> 
> If I recall, there are a number of other places where he does this in the book.  
> 
> Laura
> 
> PS- I'm going to have a brown rice with a provocative topping of chili for 
> lunch.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>