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SOLENOID by Mircea Cărtărescu | Book Preview

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  • Опубліковано 14 сер 2024
  • A preview or pre-review of Mircea Cărtărescu’s SOLENOID (trans. Sean Cotter), focused on Part 1 (pp.11-166) of the novel. This is not a full review.
    Softcover, 638 pages
    Published 2022 by Deep Vellum (Originally published in 2015 by Editura Humanitas as Solenoid)
    ISBN: 1646052021
    0:00 Intro
    3:18 Solenoid
    For an extremely thorough full review of SOLENOID, check out the review by ‪@wastemailinglist726‬ : • Solenoid by Mircea Că...
    If you are planning on buying this book, consider buying from your local independent bookstore, however, If you are going to use Amazon, consider using my affiliate link to support me!
    amzn.to/3DsNJy2
    WASTE Mailing List's Blinding Review: • Blinding Vol. 1 by Mir...
    Check out Andrei’s review at his wonderful blog The Untranslated: theuntranslate...
    Support me on Ko-Fi or by becoming a Channel Member on UA-cam!
    ko-fi.com/trav...
    #solenoid #mirceacărtărescu #seancotter

КОМЕНТАРІ • 54

  • @akeeperofsheep
    @akeeperofsheep Рік тому +15

    I just finished reading this and was absolutely blown away by the ending. I was not expecting everything to come together in the miraculous way that it did. I'm very curious how you would respond to the rest of this incredible book.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +3

      I was likewise surprised by how effectively it all came together. I wasn't expecting it to just continue to get better and better, but it really did! Not sure if I'll do a full review right away as I don't really have the time right now, but hopefully soon!

  • @yoyoioana16
    @yoyoioana16 Рік тому +6

    I am glad to see a Romanian author being read outside of Romania. It is a pity that not a lot of Romanian authors get translated into English, cause there is a lot of good literature being produced here nowadays.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      I've only heard wonderful things about contemporary Romanian literature -- I hope Solenoid's success leads to more being translated into English!

    • @munaali840
      @munaali840 Рік тому

      Are there any authors you can recommend?

    • @yoyoioana16
      @yoyoioana16 Рік тому

      Some contemporary authors that I am aware have been translated are Filip Florian and Gabriela Adameșteanu. Hertha Müller(although she wrote in German). For clasics, you could try Mircea Eliade, Marin Preda and Liviu Rebreanu. And if you like absurd theatre, you should try Eugen Ionesco.

  • @patricklavecchia-burke789
    @patricklavecchia-burke789 Рік тому +1

    About 200 pages in and absolutely love it. Great mid-view and looking forward to the full review when it’s out. Thanks for pumping out the content!!

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому

      Thanks for watching! Good to hear that you're really enjoying Solenoid too. I'll definitely make a more informed follow up video when I finish.

  • @Paromita_M
    @Paromita_M Рік тому +1

    I finished reading this and am kind of overwhelmed by how beautiful the writing was. There were some passages which just moved me so much.
    Thank you for this video which motivated me to read this book 🙏🏽.

  • @teodordumitrescu
    @teodordumitrescu Рік тому +1

    Great review, Sir! I have the priviledge to listen to Cărtărescu in his native language and to read his books also, but to be fair I really enjoyed this review in English, it is similar to how I feel about the book.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      Thank you! As much as I liked Sean Cotter's translation, I'm very jealous that you can read the original.

  • @solenoide3154
    @solenoide3154 Рік тому +2

    Amazing book. Every and each sentence it's breathtaking.

  • @makebelievestunt
    @makebelievestunt Рік тому +2

    I had this on my pre-order list, then nixed it when I could not quite get into his BLINDING -- though I think it was one of those cases of just not being in the right frame of mind for it. I will try again on BLINDING. But this novel sounds amazing, something I will need to purchase. Thanks for the mid-read review.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      Interesting you say that. While I've heard mostly positive things about BLINDING, I have heard some negative reactions from some readers that I trust. SOLENOID, as far as I can tell, does seem to be in a category all its own though. I'm looking forward to going back to BLINDING later, but I'd be *very* surprised if it even comes close to SOLENOID.

  • @kiranreader
    @kiranreader Рік тому +2

    this sounds so good!! hadn't heard of it before your review, but now i'm def interested in checking it out!!

  • @Johanna_reads
    @Johanna_reads Рік тому

    This book sounds fascinating, and I’m so impressed how much you were able to unpack though you’re not yet finished with the book. By the way, I always love your selection of quotes and the way you “bookend” them with great analysis. I hope you enjoy the rest of Solenoid!

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      Thanks for the kind words, Johanna! This book has so many great moments that it was hard just picking a couple of quotes, but I'm glad they sounded interesting.

  • @Elizabeth-Reads
    @Elizabeth-Reads Рік тому +1

    Oh my gosh, this sounds like it'll be right up my alley, I've just pre-ordered. The language is beautiful, and I think I could spend an hour or more sitting on any of the sections you quoted. (My "it" is trying to consume me with its chronic kidney disease, so the last passage hit incredibly hard, but was also strangely freeing.)
    I hope you'll do a followup review once you've finished! Have you ever thought of doing a reading vlog, updating thoughts as you go within one video? I love those, and think it might be perfect for long, complex books like this.
    (Sidenote: I love that you own a huge copy of the Voynich manuscript. Now I want to buy that too...) You are bad for my pocketbook, Sean! But please don't stop featuring these incredible experimental novels I likely wouldn't have heard of otherwise.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +2

      I'm happy it piqued your interest! The meditations in this book about living with a chronic illness are really powerful - I like how he explores how the mind can go beyond the body.
      A reading vlog style video could be interesting. I like watching them too, but never really thought of doing one myself. I'll think on it! Thanks for the idea.
      The facsimile of the Voynich manuscript is useful to have around, hah. Whenever I'm feeling particularly smart, I open it and immediately get put back in my place. (I honestly just own it to show to students to get them excited about the mysteries surrounding many medieval manuscripts! This particular facsimile edition is really well done, though it wasn't cheap.)

    • @Elizabeth-Reads
      @Elizabeth-Reads Рік тому

      @@travelthroughstories Hi Sean, I’m wondering if you’ve gotten further in Solenoid and are planning a follow up review? I’m about to start reading it tonight, and I’d be so interested in your final thoughts, whenever you have them.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      @@Elizabeth-Reads Hey Elizabeth. Yes, I've finished it! It continues to be as good as the first 200 pages. It's one of those big books that really earns every page, in my opinion. I'm not sure if I'll do a full review, especially as Seth over at the channel WASTE Mailing List just posted a 2 hour review of it and, after watching just the first half of it (so far!), I'm not sure that I have anything to add. I'll let it sit for a couple of weeks though and I may decide to revisit my notes and write up a follow up. Thanks for following up though! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It's a truly remarkable book.

    • @Elizabeth-Reads
      @Elizabeth-Reads Рік тому

      @@travelthroughstories Thank you! I'll have to listen to Seth. I'm excited to get started, the quotes you read just fascinated me. Thanks so much for bringing this onto my radar!

  • @Paromita_M
    @Paromita_M Рік тому

    Reading this now (about 20% through) and really liking it. There is something rather beautiful about the writing.
    Really nice discussion.

  • @ramblingraconteur1616
    @ramblingraconteur1616 Рік тому

    I’m up to the point where you started your discussion, so I wanted to listen to your thoughts, Sean, thanks for sharing.
    I haven’t found the influence from Borges to be as pervasive as those of Kafka or even Daniel Schreber. The passages on his teaching/work at school are . . . less inspiring . . . I am hoping that there is a different gear in the second half. The moments of surrealism still seem to be overwhelmed by the Proustian autofiction. Thanks for sharing the other influences you’ve found.
    Hope you’re having a wonderful break!
    Cheers, Jack

  • @lachenmann
    @lachenmann 9 місяців тому

    Please make a full review of the book, the ending is so important!

  • @kieran_forster_artist
    @kieran_forster_artist Рік тому

    Amazing how many insights into psychological reality come from a powerfully surreal novel.

  • @BrandonsBookshelf
    @BrandonsBookshelf Рік тому +1

    How strange! I just read Above Us The Milky Way this month and loved it. Will have to go find your review on it. Also need to dive into this publisher. "the greatest surrealist novel of all time" ! man that gets me excited.Wonderful hype, I am ordering it asap.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      Wow, what a coincidence! That book didn't get nearly enough attention when it was published -- I'd be keen to hear your thoughts on it. My video on it is quite old and probably quite bad, but it's such a brilliant book. I think you'll like Solenoid!

  • @emilioromero7846
    @emilioromero7846 Рік тому +3

    I read this in the spanish translation, and it is now probably my favourite book of all time. Its just awe inspiring and beautiful, its reflection on death and escape from reality were really impactfull for me. Even though its dense and pretty long everyone should give it a try!

  • @kewl0210
    @kewl0210 Рік тому

    I've gotta say, your review has really *sold* me on 'noid. (Actually I pre-ordered it months ago but I couldn't resist the pun.)

  • @Sam-y63tt54
    @Sam-y63tt54 11 місяців тому

    Any books you'd consider recommended reading beforehand for comprehension?

  • @mitch8948
    @mitch8948 5 місяців тому

    About 70% through right now and really enjoying it. Choosing not to take notes was definitely a mistake though haha

  • @sphor1004
    @sphor1004 11 місяців тому

    Thank you for your video; I am not a fan of Carturescu, but I heard a lot about Solenoid, and out of curiosity, bumped into your video.
    Now I know I won't be reading this book, and I understand the reluctance and change of demeanor from librarians when I asked about his books.
    Obviously to each their own, beauty is I the eye of the beholder, et cetera.
    Just not for me 🤷‍♂️

  • @bookmark_kl
    @bookmark_kl Рік тому

    Thanks this, the new McCarthy, Vasquez's Retrospective are the three books i am waiting to be availble in India atm. Thanks for the video.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +1

      Thanks for watching, Abhilash! I'm also very excited for the new McCarthy. I've read some Vasquez, but I haven't heard of this new one yet - I'll check it out.

  • @authorleetee
    @authorleetee Рік тому +1

    Just into Blinding; Solenoid soon. Even more eager now.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому +4

      Very nice! I'm really eager to read Blinding now - I've only heard great things. I'm hoping that Solenoid sells well so that they can fund Sean Cotter to translate the next two volumes of Blinding.

  • @arefinedsolitude5199
    @arefinedsolitude5199 Рік тому +1

    these fat books should be published as hardbacks, not in paperback format. But that would drive up the selling price, I guess. nevertheless, fat paperbacks are hard to handle whilst reading. thanks for the review, btw. looking fwd to the full review.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому

      For what it's worth, it doesn't feel like an ordinary paperback. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly, but it feels more sturdy than other paperbacks I own. I certainly wouldn't have minded a hardcover though! Thanks for watching.

  • @firestarter7680
    @firestarter7680 Рік тому

    best living writer

  • @AnnNovella
    @AnnNovella Рік тому

    It,was on my TBR but you beat me to it 😅

  • @RSelcov
    @RSelcov Рік тому

    Thanks. I'm hooked.

    • @travelthroughstories
      @travelthroughstories  Рік тому

      Thanks for watching. I hope you find it as worthwhile as I'm finding it!

  • @GlossaME
    @GlossaME 2 місяці тому

    Some very intricate bullcrap. I'm from Romania, almost nobody (it's on TV sometimes) talks about him or his books.

  • @williamgass9242
    @williamgass9242 Рік тому +1

    I guarantee no one actually finishes this book. It's a test for reader dilettantes.