an unfinished novel . . . 4.15.11

17 August 2010

I'd like to jest infinitely



This is what I think of when I think of "grunge."

Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger.

By somewhat popular demand, here are the books I referenced today. Also, I maintain a list at the teacherweb site.

Come on, let's talk & write about books.

Kevin Brockmeier, The Brief History of the Dead. I judged this one by its cover, & I was justified.



The View from the Seventh Layer, also by Brockmeier. Short stories. Very cool.


Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace. The masterpiece. This one is absolutely brutal, brilliant.


NOTE: SOME MATERIAL MAY BE CONSIDERED OBJECTIONABLE BY SOME READERS.


Juniors: we discussed the idea of writing a "paper" about a "book," and several folks provided great ideas about character, theme, sources, and style. I really enjoyed this, as we considered ideas, style, and structure of essay writing. Have your novel with you tomorrow, as you will do small-group open-book close-reading exercises.

Sophomores: we talked about our favorite fictional characters, including Yoda, , Twister, Stimpy, Brian Griffin, Eric Cartman, and the fantastic Atticus Finch. Bring your writing shoes tomorrow as you will revise your timed essay from Friday. Also have the orange sheet I gave you today to remind you of possible errors. Everyone will re-write, as there were no perfect papers.

So, make them better.

& be cool.

2 comments:

  1. Just picked up The Breif History of the Dead, The Busdriver who wanted to be God, and the Nimrod flipout from the library. don't let me down, McBride.

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  2. I am officially very, very nervous . . . by the way, Jeff borrowed my 'Bus Driver . . .' so you can chat w/ him, too

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