Thread: Mourning

Originally Posted by icedog

There was a movie made about Chapman and Lennon called Chapter 27

Indeed. There was also another, lesser known film called The Killing of John Lennon. They both do a servicable job in telling the story with accurate historical facts.

Catcher in the Rye is certainly and influential work and still sells today. As far as I can find it was his only full length novel. Unless you are an aficionado it's difficult to bring to mind anything else he wrote. Could he really be regarded as one of the great writers on the basis of one book?

Hello, Welshwizard:

I am no authority on Salinger's works, but if I remember, his book "Franny and Zoey" also picked up a cult following. "Catcher in the Rye" was the classic.

Regards,

Obie

Originally Posted by Obie

Hello, James,

Yes, the book changes perspective somewhat depending on what age one reads it.

Salinger was a recluse and rarely gave interviews. He lived to be 91.

On another topic, James: I just noticed your name in Farsi with your identification and avatar. I am pleasantly surprised.

Regards,

Obie

Hi Obie,

Sorry to go OT a bit. I have taught several students from Iran (which I believe was Persia?) over the years, and I can tell you that our domestic students could learn a thing or two about respect, manners, and hard work from them.

I also currently have a tutor from Iran working for me. Hamid is one of the most decent, gentle, and pleasant people I have ever met - a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I have learned a great deal about many things from him in our general discussions. One of the things I have learned is what a beautiful language and script Farsi is.

And, on a final off topic note, I would heartily recommend that people try to see, if they can get hold of it (which I think should not be too hard as it is fairly well-known), a beautiful movie called Children of Heaven. It left me with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.

James.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

Catcher in the Rye is certainly and influential work and still sells today. As far as I can find it was his only full length novel. Unless you are an aficionado it's difficult to bring to mind anything else he wrote. Could he really be regarded as one of the great writers on the basis of one book?

I firmly believe if you produce great writing you are a great writer, regardless of quantity produced (or, in some cases, despite it ).

Harper Lee is another example in my mind. A mediocre writer could never have produced anything like To Kill a Mockingbird.

James.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I firmly believe if you produce great writing you are a great writer, regardless of quantity produced (or, in some cases, despite it ).

Yeah, after proving the poincare's conjecture you may as well spend the rest of your life in a cave (or at the opera)

Originally Posted by Jimbo

I firmly believe if you produce great writing you are a great writer, regardless of quantity produced

A fair point.
Though could you be regarded as a great composer on the basis of one symphony, a great actor after one play, or a great painter after one picture?
Would you not have to show range and depth of talent over a number of works to be accorded the accolade 'Great'. As opposed to say, a superb or excellent writer.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Hi Obie,

Sorry to go OT a bit. I have taught several students from Iran (which I believe was Persia?) over the years, and I can tell you that our domestic students could learn a thing or two about respect, manners, and hard work from them.

I also currently have a tutor from Iran working for me. Hamid is one of the most decent, gentle, and pleasant people I have ever met - a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I have learned a great deal about many things from him in our general discussions. One of the things I have learned is what a beautiful language and script Farsi is.

And, on a final off topic note, I would heartily recommend that people try to see, if they can get hold of it (which I think should not be too hard as it is fairly well-known), a beautiful movie called Children of Heaven. It left me with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face.

James.

Hello, Jimbo:

Thanks for your note. Yes, I know what you mean by good manners. I consider humility and good manners two essential virtues. I have a revulsion to arrogance and bad manners.

I must say, though, I have been lucky to come across more people with humility and good manner rather than the other way around.

I lived in Iran (Persia) until my early teens. I am a full-blooded Assyrian, though. We're the descendants of the ancient Assyrian empire in Mesopotamia, the present day Iraq. I studied Farsi and speak it, though I am a bit rusty. Of course, I also speak my own language, Assyrian (Aramaic, the language Christ spoke).

This is all a pleasant discovery, James. I am delighted to know you.

Regards,

Obie