Always, but perhaps the effort gets sabotaged somehow.
Explosion in a Cathedral came close, last year; fascinating mixture of Sentimental Education and The Revolt of Islam in scheme, something all Carpentier's own in all else. But maybe the Sentimental Education side prevented it from being quite lovable? I think Carpentier goes on the list of writers I respect the hell out of, like Conrad and Blake and Kleist and Dante and McCarthy, but nevertheless feel somewhat distant from overall. Well, aspects of McCarthy--other bits of (e.g.) Suttree and Crossing crossed my blood brain barrier immediately.
no subject
Explosion in a Cathedral came close, last year; fascinating mixture of Sentimental Education and The Revolt of Islam in scheme, something all Carpentier's own in all else. But maybe the Sentimental Education side prevented it from being quite lovable? I think Carpentier goes on the list of writers I respect the hell out of, like Conrad and Blake and Kleist and Dante and McCarthy, but nevertheless feel somewhat distant from overall. Well, aspects of McCarthy--other bits of (e.g.) Suttree and Crossing crossed my blood brain barrier immediately.