2008/11/05 New York
New incentives
Seriousness
In the last issue of the New York Review of Books John Banville reviews “How Fiction Works” by James Wood. Banville quotes from an earlier collection of essays by Wood “The Broken Estate” in which Wood quoted Thomas Mann: “To the artist new experiences of ‘truth’ are new incentives to the game, new possibilities of expression, no more. He believes in them, he takes them seriously, just so far as he needs to in order to give them the fullest and profoundest expression. In all that he is very serious, serious even to tears – but yet not quite – and by consequence, not at all. His artistic seriousness is of an absolute nature, it is ‘dead-earnest playing.’” I wonder where in Thomas Mann’s work these (beautiful) words can be found.
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50 comments 
"The Sufferings and Greatness of Richard Wagner."
See: http://scilib.univ.kiev.ua/doc.php?10327169
What do I win?
See: http://scilib.univ.kiev.ua/doc.php?10327169
What do I win?
Vilde Khaya
Thanks! What do you want to win? Dinner or a trip to the southern part of France?To spare you the trouble next time: please learn to use Google. Especially useful is the quotation mark: Enter part of a text or quote you're looking for in Google search, for example "the fullest and profoundest expression" (including the quotation marks that is) which brings up the quote you were looking for, including the source.
But I agree, it is a beautiful quote. And the least beautiful (and, to put it like Mann does: by consequence the most beautiful) thing about it is left unsaid: It is the part about when the game is lost.
But I agree, it is a beautiful quote. And the least beautiful (and, to put it like Mann does: by consequence the most beautiful) thing about it is left unsaid: It is the part about when the game is lost.
@ Ludwig Panzer
And why mister Panzer, if Google works so well as you say, didn't you find the quote from Thomas Mann?
And why mister Panzer, if Google works so well as you say, didn't you find the quote from Thomas Mann?
Arnon Grunberg
You may call me Vilde. But can't you come up with something more original? I hate to receive a gift intended for another woman.Vilde
The southern part of France is not good enough for you?You want me to take you to the southern part of Texas?
What's wrong with gifts that were intended for other women?
Arnon
Do you really believe that women all want the same things?Vilde Khaya in Jiddish: wild person, a savage.
Sorry Vilde, I wanted to share this with the rest of the people here.
Sorry Vilde, I wanted to share this with the rest of the people here.
I had done the same research, mieke. She seems interesting, doesn't she.
Dens
I'd like a little savagery down here, she might be perfect.Mieke
No need to apologize.Vilde
There is a distinction between the thought that most women would like to go to the southern part of France, especially on my expenses, and the belief that all women want the same thing.You objected to France because you were aware of the fact that I had made this offer already to another woman. For you the turn off was not France but the silly fact that you are not the only woman in the world who could go on a trip with me to the southern part of France.
Why change a sentence when the sentence seems to be effective?
Could you give me an indication what it is exactly that you want?
Oh come on Mieke and Dens, by now you should be able to recognize that style, that choice of words? The lingo??? Sorry Vilde, for spoling the fun.
(is she ignore me, she's Margot, if she doesn't she's Neria).
Noa
Hubris can be dangerous.Arnon
There's no doubt you have admirable standards for how women ought to be treated. But I might suggest they tend to the generic. How about letting a woman indulge the fantasy that she is the only woman in the world?Noa
I'm not sure what you mean by "lingo," but I wouldn't have thought Margot knew any Yiddish.As for Neria, you insult my writing abilities!
Vilde
The fantasy to be the only woman in the world for a certain man is fairly standard isn’t it? Speaking about the generic. Coming from a person who is named Vilde Khaya I expected a less common fantasy. You cannot expect special treatment after helping me with one Thomas Mann quote. We start with normal treatment i.e. dinner, trip to southern part of France etcetera. After that we can see if you deserve special treatment. Does this sound reasonable to you?@Arnon - that was such an exciting word that I had to look it up.
Hubris = pridefulness or arrogance. For men in similar situations the adjective used would be: confidence.
Hubris = pridefulness or arrogance. For men in similar situations the adjective used would be: confidence.
@Vilde, so you do know them, In that case you may be Mayli. That's a great rhyme. Or a title for something.
"She may be Mayli."
"She may be Mayli."
ps Arnon, please tell me - why in your opinion can pridefulness and/or arrogance be dangerous?
Noa
Overconfidence is always potentially dangerous. If you want examples just read the Greek tragedies.Was it not myself (yes, I'm being arrogant again) who on this very blog mentioned the moment of grand insight, alas this insight then coming too late - for I was certainly going to have one final confrontation with my antagonist and then be destined die? Is this then to be that final confrontation? Please - if you will - make it bold, skilled and grand enough to merit a (greekly) tragic death.
Fairly standard and common
Arnon and Vilde..... Nice conversation. Somehow, it reminds me of a lyric of “the smiths” a very common name by the way.....How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say :
"Oh ! Would you like to marry me ?
"And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me ?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone - except myself !
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William
Arnon
Yes, within the standards of this discussion it sounds eminently reasonable. So when shall we have dinner?Noa
Vilde is her own creation.Vilde
In what city do you want to have dinner? Where do you live if I may ask so?Arnon
Maybe after we get to know each other a little better. I look forward to continuing our conversation.Fiction
I think fiction is superior to an autobiography, because the latter points the attention of to reader too much towards the author. Fictional characters should provide a better mirror of recognition for the reader.Noa
Maybe Vilde is indeed just her own creation , but her style and her intonation definitely make me think of Margot.Vilde
Usually I offer women the choice between four cities for dinner: New York, Dublin, Montreux or Amsterdam. But if you go for Amsterdam you might have to wait a long time.What city do you prefer?
Arnon
In which city will the wait be shortest?Vilde
1. Dublin2. New York
3. Montreux
I don't have any Asian city to offer. Do you happen to live in Asia?
Arnon
Enough with the personal questions!Vilde
A wild animal like you deserves the best setting there is. Be demanding, Arnon will only respect you more because of it.In the Netherlands, there is 'Oud Sluis'. Only a taxidrive away from Amsterdam. My mother had lunch there last week. She recommends it.
If you go fot NYC, ask for a dinner in 'Per Se', an even recommended restaurant.
Don't forget, Arnon can afford it.
@ Arnon
A savage creature needs to be handled with the utmost care.
Mieke
Thank you for the advice.Vilde Khaya
Have you made up your mind?Where do you want to meet me?
@Vilde, please, please for the hope and glory of all the women out here I beg you - have him begging for mercy (it's a pity you can't upload files here, I'd have added Duffy's Mercy - Arnon you'll find it on Itunes).
Arnon
I think you owe me a little token of your sincerity first. I'll give you a hint: no flowers, no chocolate. Although I do appreciate nice lingerie.Vilde
What is your bra size?Dear Vilde,
please do listen to all the advise Mieke gives you.She "knows"
Especially the frase: "Be demanding, Arnon will only respect you more because of it."
is important in this, since Mieke is already happy with a 'broodje kroket' behind Amsterdam Centra (or was it just the 'kroket').
yours,
Eric
Arnon
Unlike some others here, I don't like to publish the size of my body parts on the Internet. Please use your imagination.Eric
I'm afraid you will have to translate this for me, since I don't speak Dutch.Vilde
Imagination is a dangerous thing when it comes to buying a gift for somebody.Anyhow I don't have time to buy a bra for you, but my assistant Johannes will take care of your underwear. Could you please contact him (johannes@arnongrunberg.com) with your sizes and wishes?
Dear Vilde,
kroket = croquetbroodje = small bread or roll
What nationality are you?
yours,
Eric
Arnon
Sorry, but I won't be delegated. How would you like it if I sent my assistant to have dinner with you?Vilde
I wouldn't mind. Are you upset? Do you want me to buy your gifts myself?Eric
I am Yiddish, of course.Dear Vilde
I thought you were born out of a Finish mother and an African father.That you were a kind of 'Betula verrucosa Diala iri'.
Are you sure you are not?
yours,
Eric
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