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What are you reading? May 12, 2023 [1]
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Date: 2023-05-12
In WAYR?, I note what I’m reading and comment...you note what you are reading and comment. Occasionally, I may add a section or a link related to books…
I have finished reading:
Patricia Highsmith: Her Diaries and Notebooks: 1941-1995 by Patricia Highsmith and Anna von Planta - Finally!
Interesting life that Highsmith lived as basically a nomad in the U.S. and especially Europe. She wanted to be loved so much (especially by her mother) but no one could give her enough, it seems. Or not what Highsmith wanted in the way she wanted. One thing that Highsmith never explicitly says is that she’s disappointed by the reception of her novels in the United States.
In the end, it seemed as if she settled for a few friendships. The infamous bigotry of Highsmith does come out in the somewhat sparkly written last 10-15 years of the diary (especially the antisemitism) but still...I do feel some empathy with her.
Highsmith’s true love was pen, paper, typewriter, and carbon paper. Her cynicism seems appropriate even if it goes too far.
Nice afterwords section written by Highsmith biographer Joan Schenkar about the international network of lesbians in the arts that Highsmith loved, partied with, and sustained her work. Highsmith did note this at various times in her diaries and cahiers.
A great read, especially for fans of Highsmith or mystery/suspense authors that want to peek behind particular curtain of how that particular sausage gets made.
9/26/81 It is best to learn at a very early age, say ten, that the world and the people in it are 80% phony. (I think that I realized it at 10? Speaking for myself, it began when I began to question god. CK) This may avoid a crack-up later. However, most people do not realize the phoniness, but begin conforming at an early age. Most people need only an ego-satisfaction, whatever that may be: a successful marriage, career, love life, sufficient money. Mainly it is the failure of one of these that causes a breakdown. One has to be rather intelligent to realize the phoniness. 6/5/91 Man praying to God is man talking to himself. Why does man make thing complicated, when they are simple?
Suspect by Scott Turow - A pretty good read, although not one of Turow’s standards. The ultimate villain is known early and is a Professor James Moriarty-type. The trick is how to catch him. I’d like to see the main character, Pinky, team up with The Weird One (TWO) or even the one of the police officers for a series of novels.
I am reading:
I mago by Octavia Butler - Just getting back into this book...have to reread a couple of chapters to get re-oriented.
Found in the Street by Patricia Highsmith - Interesting. Greenwich Village, early to mid 1980’s (but it could be the Village in the 50’s or 60’s). A security guard who has a dog named God finds a wallet, returns it, and can’t stay out of anyone’s business (anyone = young waitress at a diner and a married couple). Fairly dry story to this point but I can feel an explosion of action coming on in a few.
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