Daniel, this was a great piece. Thank you for sharing the bit that you translated. I enjoyed learning more about fabulism in the various cultures. I hope you’ll write more pieces like this in the future.
Thanks for this! I've often been confused by the way these categories and genres are defined. The names may be recent inventions, but the themes always seemed timeless...
When my book was on submission, my agent pitched it as fantasy (which it isn't) because it would theoretically be easier to sell, especially at its high word count. I wondered if it might be nearer to magical realism if anything, but everywhere I sought advice, I heard that it was almost exclusively a Latin American thing. I thought that was a weird and unnecessary distinction to make. Why can't anyone write any style or theme they choose? And, as you demonstrate, haven't they done so for ages?
Anyway, I really enjoyed the Josef Popper-Lynkeus translation (hope you do more!) and now I am going to have Lucian's wonderful image of men walking around on the moon with pregnant calves stuck in my mind :-) I don't know the etymology the Greek word for calf specifically, but I think I remember reading that the etymology of English "calf" probably goes back to a PIE root meaning "to swell, womb."
I’m working on a rewrite (in my own style) of Lucian’s “A True Story.” I love old stories. And I’m also bemused by any assertion that something is recently invented, especially regarding story. Storytelling is uniquely human and is what gave us the ability to create social order. It’s as old as we are.
One of the many things I love about your posts, this one in particular, is that many are short, densely packed morsels. I’m able to read them if I have a spare half hour or so and come away feeling that time was well spent. Thanks.
Daniel, this was a great piece. Thank you for sharing the bit that you translated. I enjoyed learning more about fabulism in the various cultures. I hope you’ll write more pieces like this in the future.
Thank you, John, for taking the time to read the essay and my story.
"On which side of the scale lies heaviest your heart?" O, that question!
I don’t think that’s a question any of us are ready to answer.
I agree.
The line has some of the depth of your own poetry. I enjoy your lapidary concision of expression.
Thanks for this! I've often been confused by the way these categories and genres are defined. The names may be recent inventions, but the themes always seemed timeless...
When my book was on submission, my agent pitched it as fantasy (which it isn't) because it would theoretically be easier to sell, especially at its high word count. I wondered if it might be nearer to magical realism if anything, but everywhere I sought advice, I heard that it was almost exclusively a Latin American thing. I thought that was a weird and unnecessary distinction to make. Why can't anyone write any style or theme they choose? And, as you demonstrate, haven't they done so for ages?
Anyway, I really enjoyed the Josef Popper-Lynkeus translation (hope you do more!) and now I am going to have Lucian's wonderful image of men walking around on the moon with pregnant calves stuck in my mind :-) I don't know the etymology the Greek word for calf specifically, but I think I remember reading that the etymology of English "calf" probably goes back to a PIE root meaning "to swell, womb."
I’m working on a rewrite (in my own style) of Lucian’s “A True Story.” I love old stories. And I’m also bemused by any assertion that something is recently invented, especially regarding story. Storytelling is uniquely human and is what gave us the ability to create social order. It’s as old as we are.
I really got a kick out of “A True Story”. The three-headed vultures serving as mounts for warriors reminded me of the 1980s video game “Joust”.
Completely forgot about that game until this moment. Yes! (Now I’m thinking of Dungeon Quest and a dozen others...love me some eighties.)
One of the many things I love about your posts, this one in particular, is that many are short, densely packed morsels. I’m able to read them if I have a spare half hour or so and come away feeling that time was well spent. Thanks.
Such a great compliment. Thank you so much, JayDub!