14 Comments
User's avatar
Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

Oh my gosh Im racing to this. I've been in such a serious mood lately. Utterly glum. I need out!

Anna Schott's avatar

Thanks for re-stacking, Jeffrey

Linnesby's avatar

I love Out of Sheer Rage too. The best thing I’ve ever read about the intense experience of not-writing. In a different tone, but also deeply enjoyable, is Emma Darwin’s This is Not a Book About Charles Darwin.

Anna Schott's avatar

I'll check it out!

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

He spells his name the wrong way, but otherwise I'm a fan of Dyer. I really enjoyed Out of Sheer Rage. A book worthy of its great title.

Anna Schott's avatar

I know, it should be "Dire," right? (Sorry.)

Larisa Rimerman's avatar

I think I read the same book by Geof Dyer, where he complains that he can't read Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, though he dragged the heavy book with him on his trip through Italy(?). And I thought, of course, you can't, you are preoccupied with your lover and D. H. Lawrence. Or it was his later written book. I liked him also before reading this self-assured note.

Anna Schott's avatar

I just read that one last night!

Larisa Rimerman's avatar

I forgot the title of the book, but I loved his novel, Jeff in Venice, Death in Var?, forgot the name of the city in India, where they burn the bodies of dead people. Very interesting novel, but he stopped writing fiction. He is also on Substack. I saw his name, but never opened his page.I always enjoy reading from you.

Wendy Varley's avatar

I‘m a Brit but have never heard of Geoff Dyer. Intrigued now!

Anna Schott's avatar

He wrote a lot, so if you like him you're in luck!

Mark Diacono's avatar

Excellent as ever, thank you, and I don't know Geoff Dyer and shall investigate

Anna Schott's avatar

Thanks! Maybe try "Yoga for people who can't be bothered to do it" ...it's travel essays and includes "Hotel Oblivion".