Comments on: The 8Asians Writers Asks: Read Any Good Books Lately?

By: Paul Bens

Paul Bens — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:49:48 +0000

@Akrypti: Glad you enjoyed Colin Farrel’s Penis…I just had to word it that way. =-) That piece to me is one of the examples of perfect flash fiction.

And thanks for the heads-up about Soul Mountain, I will definitely check that out. (And it doesn’t surprise me China banned his book because of the reference to Tiananmen. How they can just pretend it didn’t happen is so very beyond my comprehension, but I guess they’re serious about it.

By: Akrypti

Akrypti — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:41:11 +0000

Paul Bens: That was a *FANTASTIC* read! I’m so glad I clicked into the link.

For Asian literature, try Gao Xingjian Soul Mountain. The book won the Nobel. I’ve read it twice now, and it’s on my nightstand as we speak, on round 3. He is in no way a political writer and yet all his books are summarily banned in China because ONE (out of a ton) of books he wrote tangentially made an implied reference that critiqued the Tienanmen Square incident. Color me confused.

By: Paul Bens

Paul Bens — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:54:49 +0000

Oh…I just thought of this…if y’all want a three minute read that’s free, Philip Huang has a piece in Velvet Mafia: Dangerous Queer Fiction called “Colin Farrell’s Penis” which is hysterical. It’s less that 500 words and really made me laugh.

http://velvetmafia.com/22/huang.php

(Warning: There is a not work safe image of a naked guy on the page).

By: Paul Bens

Paul Bens — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:45:48 +0000

@ Lily: I hope you enjoy them. Some of my all time favorite books.

@Phil C….Thanks for the rec on “The Boat.” I have to look that up.

By: Paul Bens

Paul Bens — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:42:27 +0000

Akrypti: Thanks for the heads-up of the interview with Alexander. His novel is just brilliant.

And I just did some reading on Kartika tonight. Some great stuff in what I’ve read so far (although, I have to admit, I know squat about poetry, so I can’t comment about that too much, but I’m liking what I’m reading).

I’ve been lurking here for probably about a month and just thought I tell ya’ll, I really enjoy the site.

Cheers!

By: Lily

Lily — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:40:54 +0000

@Paul- Thanks!! I’ll look for these at the bookstore and library.

By: Akrypti

Akrypti — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:32:31 +0000

Paul Bens: We’re featuring an interview with Alexander Chee in the upcoming issue, due out mid-December.

Efren: Yeah. I know. If the comment box permitted me to type in size 136 font, I would have.

By: Efren

Efren — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 06:14:29 +0000

Akrypti: You are SO subtle.

By: Paul Bens

Paul Bens — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:24:33 +0000

Akrypti…

Thanks for this link. Looks like I have some reading to do this weekend.

By: Akrypti

Akrypti — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:15:55 +0000

I love all the writing in Kartika Review at http://www.kartikareview.com.

….

Tee. Hee.