Charles Foster wanted to know what it was like to be a beast: a badger, an otter, a deer, a fox, a swift. What it was really like. And through knowing what it was like he wanted to get down and grapple with the beast in us all. So he tried it out; he lived life as a badger for six weeks, sleeping in a dirt hole and eating earthworms, he came face to face with shrimps as he lived like an otter and he spent hours curled up in a back garden in East London and rooting in bins like an urban fox. A passionate naturalist, Foster realises that every creature creates a different world in its brain and lives in that world. As humans, we share sensory outputs, lights, smells and sound, but trying to explore what it is actually like to live in another of these worlds, belonging to another species, is a fascinating and unique neuro-scientific challenge. For Foster it is also a literary challenge. Looking at what science can tell us about what happens in a fox's or badger's brain when it picks up a scent, he then uses this to imagine their world for us, to write it through their eyes or rather through the eyes of Charles the beast.
Nouvelles sur la culture populaire et les rapports humains dans lesquelles l'auteur pastiche le roman moderne, évoque la figure de Lyndon Johnson, des animateurs surexposés de jeux télévisés à la rencontre de punks nihilistes et de jeunes républicains, etc.
Qu'il mette en scène un couple évoquant ses difficultés devant un thérapeute ou un jeune républicain bien sous tout rapport s'encanaillant avec un groupe de punk, obsédé par une petite fille aux cheveux étranges, David Foster Wallace ne cesse de balayer ses obsessions, avec l'amour en éternelle ligne de mire. Aussi drôles que décalées, ces deux nouvelles, tirées du recueil La fille aux cheveux étranges, offrent une excellente entrée dans l'univers d'un des auteurs les plus brillants de sa génération.
Portrait intime d'un écrivain talentueux et tourmenté, Bien qu'en fin de compte on devienne évidemment soimême est le fruit de la rencontre entre David Lipsky et David Foster Wallace, lors de la tournée du best-seller Infinite Jest. De conversations philosophiques en moments de complicité, le journaliste amène le jeune auteur à se confier.
Du séjour de Wallace en hôpital psychiatrique à son rapport avec les femmes et la célébrité, de la littérature contemporaine à la télévision, les deux hommes entretiennent des conversations aussi personnelles qu'universelles. Se dévoile le récit humain d'un écrivain en prise avec le succès, l'intériorité d'un être qui, sensible, brillant, troublé, captive et fascine par delà son oeuvre.
Ce qui n'aurait pu être qu'une interview éphémère et superficielle devient, grâce à l'intelligence des deux hommes et à leur amitié nouvelle mais sincère, la biographie littéraire unique d'un écrivain dont la disparition nous avait privé de mémoires.
"The Origin and Permanent Value of the Old Testament" is a book written by Charles Foster Kent, an American biblical scholar and theologian. The book explores the historical origins, composition, and enduring significance of the Old Testament, which is a foundational text in both Judaism and Christianity.
In this work, Kent likely delves into topics related to the authorship and historical context of the Old Testament books, as well as their theological and moral teachings. He may also discuss the enduring value and relevance of the Old Testament in the context of modern religious and moral thought.
Charles Foster Kent was a prominent scholar in the field of biblical studies, and his work aimed to provide insights into the Old Testament's role in shaping religious thought and morality. His writings have contributed to the understanding of the Old Testament's historical and theological significance.
Biblical Geography and History is a comprehensive exploration of the geographical and historical aspects of the Bible. Charles Foster Kent, a respected biblical scholar of his time, delves into the lands, people, and events that are central to the narratives found in the Old and New Testaments.
The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on different regions and historical periods. Kent provides detailed descriptions and analyses of the geographic locations mentioned in the Bible, helping readers to better understand the settings in which biblical events took place.
In addition to discussing the physical geography, Kent delves into the historical context of the biblical narratives. He provides insights into the customs, cultures, and historical events that shaped the biblical world. This includes the ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, which interacted with the Israelites and are crucial to understanding the broader historical context of the Bible.
Kent's work also examines the cultural and religious aspects of biblical history, shedding light on the religious practices, traditions, and beliefs of the people mentioned in the Bible.
Biblical Geography and History serves as an essential resource for students of biblical studies, archaeology, and history, as it provides a comprehensive overview of the geographic and historical background of the Bible. It aids in bridging the gap between the ancient world and the biblical texts, offering valuable insights into the settings and events described in the Old and New Testaments. Charles Foster Kent's book has been a valuable reference for scholars and readers interested in biblical history and its cultural and geographic context.
