I heard nothing about this book. I just saw it at the bookstore and was just like. "That looks interesting, yoink." I could tell before I read it that I was either going to love it or hate it.
And I really enjoyed it, this man is a natural born writer, I haven't felt that way since I first read Salinger. The way he is able to just come up with metaphors that I have never heard of is a God given talent and I will forever be amazed at his ability. This is one of the few books that I can talk about the writing as well as the story with equal enthusiasm as both offer their own mark to the book yet join hands so effortlessly. I love how the writer continuously goes on about these obscure moments in history like with Nicolae Vashide and Nicolae Minovici, as well as his never ending fascination with Kafka and Voynich (Gadfly)
This is a book that I will be thinking about for a long time, it might be a new favorite. If anyone else has read it then I'd love to know your thoughts as well.
by NotBorris
7 Comments
Completely agree. A stunning translation and one of my absolute favorites, for the relentlessly beautiful prose, the introspection of a less than admirable narrator, and the maximalist nature of the rabbit holes like the Voynich manuscript as you mentioned.
I’ve got Blinding and Nostalgia on the bookshelf which I need to get to soon, but right now I’m reading the first book that has struck me with the same power as Solenoid did a year ago, A Bended Circuity by Robert S. Stickley.
Thanks for the recommendation, sounds great.
Loved it as well! I went in nearly completely blind and was struck by the seamless combination of history, memoir, philosophy and magical realism. This contained everything I love in a novel.
Be sure to also read Nostalgia (published by Penguin Modern Classics, which has a breathtaking prologue) and Blindness, the first installment of his Orbitor trilogy.
I’m blessed to live in a country that translated the whole trilogy, and having read the first 2 installments now, they’re both nearly as amazing as Solenoid (though I still think Solenoid is his masterpiece).
I’ve been putting off reading the 3rd book of the trilogy as that will be the last book available of his to read. We need more translations, darn it!
Very good book, funny and horrifying and interesting, great narrator.
I read that, and I loved it. I was very engaged in it, because I felt like I never had any idea what was coming next. The writing was constantly surprising and fresh.
If you like excellent prose that includes tangents into historical moments and persons, you would probably like W.G. Sebald.
I recently bought this based on the cover alone as well! I hadn’t heard anything about it. I haven’t gotten to it yet, so glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Returning to this thread after starting Solenoid. Wow!! Blown away by the beauty of the translation. I wonder if there is a lot of work for Romanian literary translators? If not, how does anyone get this good? Is there a whole Romanian literary world that I never knew existed? So many questions. Also, loving the book.