a few more (humble) points

adam zerbinopoulos (abamzvbh@flash.net)
Fri, 16 Jan 1998 07:18:19 

Well, I've been on the list a while now, and this is my first post.  I have
a few varied and general comments I'd like to make, so here goes.

First, I have to admit that I am a big Scottie Bowman fan.  As a veteran of
the Hemingway list, I have heard read many of his posts and found them all
to be enjoyable and enlightening.  I'm glad to see him on the list, despite
the initial controversy.  He is an intelligent, well-read, articulate
individual who I think has a lot to contribute to the list.  Jim
Antiutopia, could you further explain your comment about the Swedenborg
parody?  I'm too ignorant to understand the allusion, and I'd prefer to
believe that Scottie outthought the list rather than think him an employer
of racist (albeit sophisticatedly so) humor.

As for _The Way of a Pilgrim_, I found it in perhaps the most soul-less
place on earth:  a Border's book store in Plano, Texas.  It was a
worthwhile $11.  I think what someone was referring to as a 3x3 book is the
Shamballa Pocket Classic version.  I own _The Way of Chuang-Tzu_ in a
similar version.  Does anyone have any thoughts on Salinger and Taoism?
I'm not sure if it was big here when he was discovering Zen or not.

As for Fluxis (or ecas, or Eryk) (whatever) HERE IS A BOOK I RECOMMEND:
The Cliff's Notes on _Catcher in the Rye_.  Don't everyone line up to
assault me all at once, now.  I saw it on the rack while searching for the
notes on Ulysses (again:  let me explain.  None of my friends are very
literary and if a book isn't being read in English class then I get no
discussion of it) and thought to myself:  the concept of irony has been
good to me over the years.  Surely I owe it enough to buy those notes, to
give a little something back.  I'll admit they are mostly worthless, but
there is an interesting article at the end involving Holden's place in the
Salinger canon.  _APDFB_ is discussed, and the reason for Seymour's suicide
is that he is so stuffed with sensations (bananas) that he is trapped in a
hole and can no longer swim in society.  I don't particularly believe that,
just presenting it as someone's opinion.  (Throughout, this Dr. Kaplan is
very good at presenting his opinion as if it was The Last Word.)  He also
comments on the title, though I would rather hear what everyone here has to
say.  Why is it a perfect day for bananafish?

Finally, I merrily used the phrase "subtle condescencion" in English class
yesterday.

Tentatively posting,


Adam Zerbinopoulos

P.S.-- Because I believe in being polite, I have used capital letters for
Scottie.  I normally don't.