Sept 12 2006
Fire in Iran, 29 go.
Benedict XVI criticizes,
International protests.
E. coli meets spinach,
2 go.
State of emergency
In Bangkok.
Pantheon publishes
Only Revolutions.
I purchased Mark Z. Danielewski’s Only Revolutions as soon as it came out (along with the new full color edition of House of Leaves to replace my old copy), assured I could conquer it in a week or two. Three years, four apartments and several dozen books later I am making my fifth and final attempt to read Only Revolutions. The only book I have started and failed to read more times is Ulysses but in all reality, I’m certain I will die before I finish that one. The reason I am taking this final stab at Revolutions is because I have to. Seven months ago I promised a friend I would read all of the unread books on my shelf by Jan 1, 2010. As of today, October 8th, 2009 I am failing miserably. But this book is the big one (Ulysses doesn’t count because my old roommate borrowed it three years ago and still has it, therefore it is not on my shelf). It has been taunting me for years, prominently displayed on my bookshelf, drawing such conversations as:
“Have you actually read Only Revolutions?”
“No.”
“So it is a ‘Hey I own this book’ book.”
“It’s more of a ‘I am aware of the existence of Only Revolutions’.”
Thirty-two pages in and I have no idea what the hell is going on. But I will read. And I will write. And I will enjoy this book and figure out what it is telling me and I will let you know what it says.
