What an interesting comment, though I don't quite understand why the plot-driven stuff is aligned with the tone, which is not quite "tongue in cheek" to my ears but something close. But the bare-bones version of that family, stripped of any actual magic, is funny and a bit disturbing to contemplate. It's true, most our experience of such generations deep indirection in a family tends to hover around things that warp. The enchantment, in other words, is precisely in the writing style itself.
I will be curious how this treats you. Many many passages I found terribly moving but not always in a "deep" way, which made it all more...deep? meaningful? not TOO meaningful? Now I am plotting when to take on the tetrology again.
That’s interesting…what we consider “deep”…deep thought vs. deep feeling. I’d suggest that what is being moved is the heart and soul. The mind tends to seek out more…more ideas, more thought. When reading a book like Little, Big it’s a good practice to let the mind relax and simply take it in, surrender it to the mythopoetic soul food being offered up. I know you probably get this, I just wanted to try and articulate it for myself.
So nice to hear. When I first heard about and purchased the "25th" anniversary edition, I vowed to not reread it until I could do with this edition. It was a long wait! It's an illuminating experience when you really want to reread a favorite -- why now, what does it provide, etc -- but can't (or won't). It was worth the wait, partly because it inspired me to write about it. I will reread the tetralogy soon.
This is probably the most brilliant sales pitch for a book that I’ve ever read. I myself am proud owner of #160. Thank you for helping to deliver the project to completion.
This is one of my favorite books in existence and I think it may the actual most beautifully written thing I’ve ever read. I ordered it back when it was “Little Big 25th anniversary edition” for a spouse that I haven’t been with for 15 years now. What a long, incredible road to get here.
In some alternate universe, there must exist the totally sincere, purely character-driven versions of Crowley's novels that eschew most of the tongue-in-cheek plot-driven stuff.
That version of Little, Big would focus on what it's like to be part of such a weird family, and how their belief that they have a magical destiny warps their lives, even as they avoid talking about it.
Thanks for this reco Erik. Little, Big has been on my iPad since I read the Aegypt books a couple years ago and I’d forgotten about it. Started reading yesterday and it’s just the kind of book I was looking to read next. Like you, lately I’ve been getting into more subtle magical experiences, largely through books and movies and their ability to transport me to other worlds and provoke soul stirring contemplations.
What a nice cosmic coincidence. I was reading Robert Kirk's The Secret Commonwealth or A TREATISE DISPLAYING THE CHEIF CURIOSITIES AMONG THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND AS THEY ARE IN USE TO THIS DAY BEING FOR THE MOST PART SINGULAR TO THAT NATION A SUBJECT NOT HERETOFORE DISCOURSED OF BY ANY OF OUR WRITERS DONE TO THE SATISFACTION OF HIS FRIENDS BY A MODEST INQUIRER, LIVING AMONG THE SCOTTISH-IRISH.
And this put me in mind to pick up Little Big once again. Then your email arrived. The Gentle People are watching...
What an interesting comment, though I don't quite understand why the plot-driven stuff is aligned with the tone, which is not quite "tongue in cheek" to my ears but something close. But the bare-bones version of that family, stripped of any actual magic, is funny and a bit disturbing to contemplate. It's true, most our experience of such generations deep indirection in a family tends to hover around things that warp. The enchantment, in other words, is precisely in the writing style itself.
“The enchantment, in other words, is precisely in the writing style itself.” Yes! To this.
I will be curious how this treats you. Many many passages I found terribly moving but not always in a "deep" way, which made it all more...deep? meaningful? not TOO meaningful? Now I am plotting when to take on the tetrology again.
That’s interesting…what we consider “deep”…deep thought vs. deep feeling. I’d suggest that what is being moved is the heart and soul. The mind tends to seek out more…more ideas, more thought. When reading a book like Little, Big it’s a good practice to let the mind relax and simply take it in, surrender it to the mythopoetic soul food being offered up. I know you probably get this, I just wanted to try and articulate it for myself.
Wow I love concordances like this. I still remember when I first read Kirk, back in my 20s in NYC. It definitely opened doors, and clearly still does!
Yes it is a bit of an infomercial. But what a charmed commodity! Glad you are a lover...
Big fan of TechGnosis and delighted to see you are still around--loved the xlnt review
So nice to hear. When I first heard about and purchased the "25th" anniversary edition, I vowed to not reread it until I could do with this edition. It was a long wait! It's an illuminating experience when you really want to reread a favorite -- why now, what does it provide, etc -- but can't (or won't). It was worth the wait, partly because it inspired me to write about it. I will reread the tetralogy soon.
This is probably the most brilliant sales pitch for a book that I’ve ever read. I myself am proud owner of #160. Thank you for helping to deliver the project to completion.
This is one of my favorite books in existence and I think it may the actual most beautifully written thing I’ve ever read. I ordered it back when it was “Little Big 25th anniversary edition” for a spouse that I haven’t been with for 15 years now. What a long, incredible road to get here.
In some alternate universe, there must exist the totally sincere, purely character-driven versions of Crowley's novels that eschew most of the tongue-in-cheek plot-driven stuff.
That version of Little, Big would focus on what it's like to be part of such a weird family, and how their belief that they have a magical destiny warps their lives, even as they avoid talking about it.
Thanks for this reco Erik. Little, Big has been on my iPad since I read the Aegypt books a couple years ago and I’d forgotten about it. Started reading yesterday and it’s just the kind of book I was looking to read next. Like you, lately I’ve been getting into more subtle magical experiences, largely through books and movies and their ability to transport me to other worlds and provoke soul stirring contemplations.
What a nice cosmic coincidence. I was reading Robert Kirk's The Secret Commonwealth or A TREATISE DISPLAYING THE CHEIF CURIOSITIES AMONG THE PEOPLE OF SCOTLAND AS THEY ARE IN USE TO THIS DAY BEING FOR THE MOST PART SINGULAR TO THAT NATION A SUBJECT NOT HERETOFORE DISCOURSED OF BY ANY OF OUR WRITERS DONE TO THE SATISFACTION OF HIS FRIENDS BY A MODEST INQUIRER, LIVING AMONG THE SCOTTISH-IRISH.
And this put me in mind to pick up Little Big once again. Then your email arrived. The Gentle People are watching...