Journal Entry 1 by E-sr from Tenerife, Islas Canarias Spain on Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Dario Fo Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature 1997.

In spare comic vignettes translated from the Italian, the author chats about growing up in a mountain village during the 1930s and '40s and how those boyhood roots affected his storytelling and performance art. He hints at some exciting stuff, and readers will wish there was more about his family's work with the partisans in smuggling Jews and Allied prisoners across the border to Switzerland. But he is so concerned with avoiding the heroic that the narrative, full of ruminations about first love, becomes almost too laid-back in tone. Most interesting is the talk about his discovery of "underlying paradox," which became the basis for his writing. In a hilarious chapter, he shows how paradox works in the Ulysses saga ("it's clear that Ulysses never had the slightest intention of returning home. He was more than happy with his round of non-stop affairs"). Many of these vignettes, ripe with ironic fun, are perfect for reading aloud. Hazel Rochman, from Amazon. 

Journal Entry 2 by E-sr from Tenerife, Islas Canarias Spain on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Journal Entry 3 by E-sr at San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain on Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (5/7/2010 UTC) at San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife Spain

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Journal Entry 4 by tximeleta-vlc from Dénia, Alacant/Alicante Spain on Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Recibido hoy en el correo. ¡Muchas gracias! Es muy probable que me lo lea pronto... 

Journal Entry 5 by tximeleta-vlc at Valencia, València/Valencia Spain on Saturday, July 10, 2010

This book has the freshness, originality and naughty character of a writer which always surprises me. The origins of his comic and satiric spirit are revealed here, but this book is much more than just that. It is also a tribute to his father, his grandfather, the storytellers, friends and in short, to all the people who contributed to his way of writing and seeing life.

It has some comic moments that remind me of Fellini's films (especially the last chapter), and its bitter moments are rendered in such a form that a bit of comic vision remains under the surface.

To sum it all up, this book makes you laugh and celebrate life, and gives a personal account of the formation of a singular person. A wonderful autobiography by a wonderful author.

Available for all of you readers! 

Journal Entry 6 by tximeleta-vlc at To Rotterdam, post office -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (10/5/2010 UTC) at To Rotterdam, post office -- Controlled Releases

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Sent to Rapturina in exchange for her sending me "The Bride Stripped Bare". Thanks a lot! ^^ 

Journal Entry 7 by rapturina at Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, October 16, 2010

This arrived yesterday, together with a beautiful little pendant, thank you tximeleta-vlc! This book is going to Mt TBR for now, but hopefully I will get to it soon, it looks very interesting! 

Journal Entry 8 by rapturina at Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Saturday, February 12, 2011

I finished reading this a few days ago, and I'm sad I finished it. What an entertaining book! I really liked the style and the sense of humour of the writer, it made for a delightful read, despite the sometimes dark background of history. A very interesting book!