Rating ATD

[braam van bruggen]

Yes, I agree completely. Some of the most beautiful passages in ATD (for me) 
concern landscapes, the effortless identity between interior and exterior 
journeys/landscapes. Frank and Kit both travel through spaces that are both 
inside and outside. The world is not a place outside us, it
is a place in our own hearts. Of course, this is a comment on my own 
perspective, but it's the only place I can start. I've been a semi-lurker on
this list for a long time now and it's time I spoke up. I once experienced 
this inner/outer identity in an almost physical way. It felt as if I were a
glove that was peeled off and turned inside out at the same time. TRP does 
this too.

Braam
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ian Livingston
  To: braam van bruggen
  Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2008 4:36 AM
  Subject: Re: Rating ATD


  I have to say I think ATD is among the most enigmatic works of fiction I 
know.  It seems to me that whatever we say about it winds up mere comments 
on our own perspectives.  There is no way to successfully reduce it, I think 
to one "story".  I place it among the finest works written in English, but 
only because it is brilliant and new in ways we have difficulty as yet 
giving names to.  It is every bit as profound as GR and as fun to read as 
M&D, but TRP has really launched into a poignant way of talking about our 
experience in living on this rock with this one.  Those who try to minimize 
it miss the mark, I think.


  On Tue, Sep 9, 2008 at 3:28 PM, braam van bruggen 
<braam.vanbruggen at bigpond.com> wrote:

    I'm feeling that GR corresponds to the Sgt Peppers album,
    while ATD could be the mellower, more reflective White Album.
    V could maybe be Revolver and Vineland Abbey Road.  can't
    match COL49 or M&D though, and maybe I'm taking this all too far..

    I do have to say though that GR was my first and best love, I remember
    walking out of the bookshop in a trance of excitement as the
    saleslady said "please come back and tell me what it's all about
    because i can't make head nor tail of it" I never did.

    Braam