Gegen den Tag

[Thomas Eckhardt]

Karl May wrote adventure stories for boys, yes, but not boys' adventure 
stories. I cannot remember Pynchon mentioning him in one of his novels, 
but May would fit perfectly into GR. Stingl mentioned that he had tried 
Friedrich Gerstäcker (a huge influence on Karl May) but that it didn't 
work. Heinz Ickstadt sensibly remarked that any book must succeed on its 
own terms, whether in translation or in the original language, 
regardless of whether the reader is familiar with the texts imitated. 
The difficulty of translating parody or pastiche was one of the many 
interesting topics of the evening.

I agree with Kai on all counts. In my own, a little rushed words: 
Kittler was the mad scientist who may or may not have found the key to 
AtD, except that I know next to nothing about mathematics.  Stingl read 
remarkably good for a man who had recently spent a lot of time alone at 
his desk. His thoughts on the translation process provided much insight. 
Denis Scheck was his usual knowledgeable and competent self. His special 
interest in Pynchon showed. Heinz Ickstadt, who almost single-handedly 
introduced Pynchon to German academia in the 70s and 80s, personified 
what literary criticism at its best can be: He was precise without being 
pedantic, professional without disavowing subjective impressions and 
experiences, and, of course, highly competent.

All in all, I would have preferred a little more Ickstadt and a little 
less Kittler. But that's just me.

Thomas