Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Savage Detectives: A Book Review


Hat tip to Paul for the pointer.
The Savage Detectives is a novel by the Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño. Bolaño's style is reminiscent of García Marquez and even I. Allende. However, the voice of the author comes across quite uniquely. Bolaño seems to manage to navigate with relative ease from character to character. And what marks him, in my view, is the ability he has to clothe each and every character ever so individually and memorably.
To those of you interested in Latin America and Latin American literature, The Savage Detectives will be a most helpful addition to the library. While the many Dionysian trips that Bolaño describes could perhaps give one a sensory overload at times, for some reason they seem to be comfortably housed in a rather conventional domicile. The narrative seems to develop organically and naturally.
So, why read this book?
It is one of those literary experiences that a reader simply needs to have: it's a happy marriage of the Apollonian and the Dionysian. Also, I find Bolaño's gendered expressions most interesting and worthy a read. I recommend.

Could One Create In This Space?


Could one work well in this environment? How much does the nature of a space influence the psychology of those who work in it?

Florida suggests that: "...office layout and contemporary design are just part - a very superficial part - of the deep problems vexing the professions. How many professional firms out there are addressing things like flexible schedules, work-life balance, greater autonomy and control over work, valuing the entire person, true diversity, and intrinsic rewards."

True, but some professionals do, de facto, find themselves spending 50-60 hours a week in one confined space and being in a creatively decorated environment could perhaps alleviate some of the weight of quotidianity?
graph via creativeclassroom