The Vulgar Eclectic
Vulgar: of the usual, typical, or ordinary kind*
* definitions courtesy of Merriam-Webster
Eclectic: composed of elements drawn from various sources*
recent blog posts
- Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Other Stories by Nikolai Leskov
I finished reading Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk and Other Stories by Nikolai Leskov (translated by David McDuff), a collection of novellas and short stories originally published between 1863 and 1894. Of all the literature I’ve read from this time and place, these are some of the most unique and unusual I’ve come across.
Stories in this collection include:
Musk-Ox
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
The Sealed Angel
Pamphalon the Entertainer
A Winter’s DayLeskov is a gifted storyteller, and the tales in this collection have an immense range of tone, theme, setting, and character. Sometimes intense and shocking, sometimes soft and playful, his stories seem to expand like the delta of a river, with everything stemming from a basic acceptance of human nature.
“But you know, Father, man is a sly creature and in every situation he seeks fig leaves with which to conceal his nakedness.”
Portrait of Leskov by Valentin Serov, 1894 - Athanasius, the Hero by Lynn Harold Hough
I just finished reading Athanasius, the Hero (1906) by Lynn Harold Hough. It is a biography of Athanasius, a 4th century Alexandrian bishop.
The book begins with an overview of the period of time between the fall of the Roman republic and the life of Athanasius. I found this part particularly compelling; Hough is able to compress hundreds of years of history into a flowing narrative that imparts a sense of curiosity and a desire to find out what unfolds next. Hough then moves into a historical description of Alexandria, the city of Athanasius’ birth.
A good portion of the rest of the book deals with Athanasius’ struggle against the influence of Arianism. This includes the Council of Nicaea and several periods of exile handed down to Athanasius from Roman emperors. The book is written from a Christian point of view and delves somewhat heavily into the theological arguments of 4th century Christian thought.
I know very little about this period of history and theology in general, and found this book an interesting introduction.
“Often earnestness does not seem to sparkle and glitter much, but it carries in its heart a fire which will at last burst out in bright and lasting luminousness.”
- And a fish!
- Another bee and flower
I took a nice walk yesterday afternoon. It was overcast and cool for most of the walk; towards the end the sun emerged with a late summer warmth. After passing through the park, I followed an alley for a long block. It’s a route I like to frequent because there is a beautiful garden along a fence that runs parallel with the alley. It is full of flowers and fruit, and often visited by birds and bees.
I think these beautiful orange and yellow flowers are gaillardia or blanket flowers. The vibrant petals contrast wonderfully with the dark green stems and leaves.
- Su Tung-p’o: Selections From a Sung Dynasty Poet
The following is an old book jot from December 2021:
I just finished reading Su Tung-p’o: Selections From a Sung Dynasty Poet, translated and with an introduction and notes by Burton Watson (1965). This book is a selection of poems by Su Shi, also known by his literary name of Su Tung-p’o, and contains poems written between 1059 and 1101.
I very much enjoyed these poems. Most were descriptive scenes from Su Shi’s personal experiences, often infused with philosophical reflection. Due to the particulars of his life, he was often in transition from one place to another and many of his poems deal with journeys, travel through the natural world, and exile.
These are wonderfully crafted poems, written in clear and natural language, and are a joy to read.
One cloud, a slanting sun—I gaze southwest
And envy crows that know the way back home.