Better Than Friday - 122
Hi there everyone, how's it going? Reading anything good?
Just stuffed myself with dumplings and fig branch infused vodka at Kachka in Pdx.
I highly recommend if you ever visit town.
Just posted a review of The Master and Margarita.
Hope you have a great weekend.
1. Incredible looking book I'm surprised I'd never heard of - Njal's Saga
Surprised this one got past me!
Thanks for the tip John C!
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Written in the thirteenth century, Njal's Saga is a story that explores perennial human problems-from failed marriages to divided loyalties, from the law's inability to curb human passions to the terrible consequences when decent men and women are swept up in a tide of violence beyond their control. It is populated by memorable and complex characters like Gunnar of Hlidarendi, a powerful warrior with an aversion to killing, and the not-so-villainous Mord Valgardsson. Full of dreams, strange prophecies, violent power struggles, and fragile peace agreements, Njal's Saga tells the compelling story of a fifty-year blood feud that, despite its distance from us in time and place, is driven by passions familiar to us all. This Penguin Classics edition includes an introduction, chronology, index of characters, plot summary, explanatory notes, maps, and suggestions for further reading.
- Goodreads
2. Cool Video for those interested in learning how to cook
I found this very useful. I definitely didn't know about that knife grip.
Depressing but gorgeous atmospheric ambient music.
I really need to review some Girard.
5. The Creature From the Black Lagoon
Amazing film from the Universal monster era. Used to watch this as a kid.
Familiar textures
Comments (7)
It’s well worth it. Also, as an additional enhancement to the experience, may i suggest also the podcast “Saga Thing”. They do a whole series on Njal’s Saga alone. Good stuff.
Gotta get my hands on a copy of "Njal's Saga"
I am still trucking through War & Peace. I stand by what I said, one of the most rewarding and I'll add, enriching books I've read. Side note, that Basics with Babish channel is MONEY! I love it. I am the cook in my household. My wife cooks when it is required, or needed and would rather avoid it. Me, I love it. I wish I had more time to learn new recipes. Definitely adding Basics with Babish on the rotation.
Have seen Stars of the Lid live twice
Currently reading René's Flesh on your recommendation. I like how you're sort of forced to accept the existence of the flesh-cult's doctrine without getting any real explanation except some ramblings on chocolate. For me it's the same kind of uncomfortable acceptance of whatever fuckery is going on as in The Killing of a Sacred Deer which I really enjoyed as well.
Currently reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters which compared to Little Stranger I'm finding more difficult to get into. Also started re-reading Carol by Patricia Highsmith as my sort non-traditional festive read, if you could call it that.
Just finished reading Confessions by Kanae Minato, an amazing journey of revenge, highly recommend that book 👏