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"Great minds are highly fuckable.", “Real life is physical. Give me books instead. Give me the invisibility of the contents of books - the thoughts - the ideas, the images. Let me become part of a book. . . . an intertextual being: a book cyborg - or- considering that books aren't cybernetic - perhaps a bibliorg.”, We are vast starry beings of Light Who are no longer limited and bound by the illusions of time - space and matter
Insupposable, Stupendous and Astonishing Tomes
(As with most of the finest tomes, try not to read anything in advance on this novel, above and beyond that which you are about to do.)
Number Five– The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas.
A stunning, cleverly wrought tale, and one that I first came across knowing naught about, and bought purely because the cover drew me in. It looked interesting, (there have been many different covers since, but the original, – see below – remains my favourite), and I am more than a little pleased to say my instincts were correct that day.
It is quite chewy in parts, for the story has much in the way of philosophy, quantum physics, Derrida, Husserl, Phenomenology, and the interrelation of science, faith, and language within. I know people who read the book and ‘just missed those bits out’, and yet enjoyed it immensely. This slightly baffles me, but chewy writing, one that gets the cogs whirring, the tick tocking and involves some concentration is something I enjoy when it is married with a fascinating plot and good prose, and I rather like the fact that she’s managed to make the story work whether you explore all the ins and out or not.
It also has swearing, sex and mice in it ( not all combined – steady). What more could you ask for in a tome?
I have read this book three times and have taken from it more and more on each occasion.
Esme's Cloud 
You have read it three times no less? That is some recommendation in itself. What does the end of Mr. Y look like may I ask? I read very little fiction myself sad to say, and the only book I have ever read three times is Waterland by Graham Swift; though I did read On Chesil Beach a couple of times, which is easy to do. I should drop the non-fiction these days, and have vowed to do so many times, yet there always seems to be 2 or 3 that simply must be read first, and this never alters. If you like a bit of philosophy, served up in playful and chewable chunks, you might like my blogging friend Tina’s place. Here’s her recent post on Heidegger: http://philosophyandfiction.com/2015/02/03/heideggers-being-and-time-part-i-phenomenology/ Tina’s a funny lass, and so great to engage with, but she’s not as weird as you. Still, you can’t have everything down here below the clouds. H ❤
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Damn, damn and double damn. WordPress published my reply when I was only halfway through and then got rid of the whole rambling thing!! It was extensive and I’ll have to come back to you again in a while, after having written something close to the original again. Gah!
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Aha! Thank you, I shall post the entire comment with the rest of the gibbering on shortly. beams a smile.
s.u.t.C
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Thanks to H, who had the first lot of gibber appearing in email form as a comment even though it vanished from the page…here is the full reply –
I should probably be sure to say on each offering if I have read the tome more than once, for I have read ‘House of Leaves’ – another on the list – twice – and I know for a fact I shall return again at some point. I only re-read books that either have a huge amount to get out of them that cannot possibly consumed in one go as the brain will have none of that, or, they are comfortable shawls that take me away fast from reality as I jump into their incredibly familiar and pleasant waters. Examples – All the Moomintroll books, all the Calvin and Hobbes comic books, the odd Terry Pratchett book, anything by Douglas Adams, and others. I am the opposite of you in as much as I have never been one for non-fiction, always preferring to get my ‘facts’ from novels that have something to teach within, good historical novels were a phase I went through in my twenties, I know much about Hawaii’s history and much more thanks to James Michener and….well…I just love stories and always have. These days I read quite a lot of non-fiction, but it is always in article form in the newspapers or on the web. I don’t find non-fiction books very….exciting I suppose. Your book is the exception that proves the rule methinks.
I’ve visited your friend’s blog. She makes me look like a village idiot of the highest degree. laughs somewhat ruefully.
This has not stopped me following her mind you as it does look very interesting.
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Oh, I’m sorry if Tina’s place wasn’t quite your thing Sonmi. When you mentioned Husserl and phenomenology in the review here I thought that they may have been topics of interest. The nice thing about Tina’s is the comments really, and she’s always so forgiving of my own stupidity and delightfully self-effacing as regards her specialism. She is an advanced student of philosophy and her hubby is a professor of philosophy. She’s also a writer, and recently sent me some chapters of her upcoming novel The Philosopher King, which is exceptionally well written and very funny too. If there’s any justice, she will get a deal for it once it’s finished, though of course there isn’t.
Judging by your obvious love of reading, I imagine you not to be one for television, and if so, that would be common ground for us. I might change my mind and invest in a box if Footballer’s Wives was to make a return, but otherwise – meh. I think what you say makes perfect sense as regards gleaning your knowledge from literature and the arts. The late Richard Rorty, an American philosopher as you may know, was famed for saying that philosophy was redundant, and that the knowledge it seeks to uncover is best revealed through literary works, drama and so on. I suppose that’s quite a radical stance given his profession, though he held to his view up until his death as far as I know. And if you’re going to write up your philosophy in the style of Heidegger, well, no one will ever understand you anyway.
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Noooo I was joking about being a village idiot. Well a little laughs, I do think she has an interesting blog – I’m laughing a lot here – I really do, and by the Gods the fact that she’s writing a novel which has philosophy within makes it something I’d like to delve into at some point. I just meant I’m not so bright a button as she, which is no bad thing, I’m probably far better than she at….erm…tap dancing or something, we all have our talents and they are all relative to our personal universe.
I do watch television, but despise a huge amount of it. It is mush for the masses for the most part. Footballers Wives – laughs. I watch films on it usually, though have a deep love for certain comedy series and will watch them again, and again on a loop if not slapped and taken out of the room.
sonmi strumming a finger up and down her mouth going ‘durrrrrrr’ upon the Cloud.
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“If only”, I think to myself at times like these [often gazing out a window upon an endless vista] this fear of reading that binds me so tightly could be undone, be it either by the ingestion of modern pharmaceuticals or through the imbibing of some ancient witch’s tincture, then I could, after finding a suitable spot where my privacy would go undisturbed, devote myself to the consumption of this or any other tome. But, alas, this was not the fate assigned me by those immortal gamblers who role each and every one of our futures as dice across the massive craps table hewed from trees felled deep within the Dark Wood.
A Victim of Circumstances
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“or through the imbibing of some ancient witch’s tincture” – what flavour would you prefer, banana, strawberry or custard apple?
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I had not considered the tincture’s flavor or where it may have originated from which I usually do (and warn others to as well) before I go imbibing willy nilly. But, I was being held against my will! That must be taken into consideration before judgement.
The President and Founder
I’d prefer Banana, thanks
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“before I go imbibing willy nilly.” – be aware you can get arrested for that in some public places.
I have taken everything you have ever done into consideration and presented your defense to a jury of, if not your peers (as if!), certainly a motley crew (not the band as their hair is too hilarious). I hope I can do you justice when the day of reckoning comes. notes banana flavour down.
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Everything I’ve ever done! Flashed before young malcontents like the Ludivico technique. Been used in the former Soviet Union for years.
The President and Founder
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You know too much! Shhhh…!!
Best to say you were simply improvising the lyrics to ‘Its a Sin’ – here – learn it verbatim quickly –
s.u.t.C
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Just eavesdropping here…don’t mind me.
I’m gonna have to check out this novel. I’ve heard about it so many times and it sounds right up my alley.
And Hariod, I’m actually VERY weird. I’m presenting my best face online. Just ask my husband if you want to know the truth. I don’t think you do.
Sonmi, you can rest assured that whatever your tap dancing ability, you will beat me. And I will be extremely jealous as I’d love to tap dance!
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laughing I forgot about the ‘weird’ part. The cheek! No, actually I can see it is quite true, though previously the word ‘quirky’ has been employed. I’m happy to have another weirdo in my company rung2 smiles ans yes, you MUST read the book. I don’t use caps very often, so it is important.
I can’t tap dance, it was all foolish lies!! Arrrgghhhh. I can play the spoons though.
s.u.t.C
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Well, hey, playing the spoons is just as cool!
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I can’t play the spoons either. But hey, I can lie really well!
My true er…..’talents’ are a deep love of words and once again I refer back to ‘the Cloudies’ link for everything else.
s.u.t.C
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I know you’re weird Tina, and I apologise abundantly for even suggesting in public that you might be otherwise disposed. Strictly entre-nous though, her upon The Cloud takes some beating in this regard, as soon you may well discover . . .
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I refer the honorable lady – Tina – to the evidence – some of which shows that Hariod could well be a serial killer –
https://sonmicloud.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/the-cloudies-2014-2015/
s.u.t.C
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I told you that was all pretty much in the past! 😡
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What happens on the Cloud stays on the Cloud H.
s.u.t.C
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