“Sometimes to walk in shaded parts of Manhattan is to be inserted into a Magritte: the street is night while the sky is day.”
— Joseph O’Neill (Netherland)

I love that quote, and I love the whole novel Netherland. I was listening to NPR a few years ago and Joseph O’Neill was talking about this book because it had just come out. I immediately requested it from the library, and a short 9-10 months later, it was mine (I really really hate owning books, so I wait and wait and wait.)

Notice- I did not paste a Magritte work of art. Why? Well, first off, I don’t like Magritte much. More importantly, though, is because when I first read that quote I just loved it, but I pictured the sort of eerie city gone wrong I remembered from this Kirchner painting. I’ve always been extremely drawn to expressionism above other periods of art and painting, and I think it has to due with the colors and emotion. The quote above, for me, paints words like expressionists paint pictures.

Here’s my elevator speech on why to read Netherland.

It includes post 9/11 Manhattan, (Indian) Cricket Leagues (this book was where I learned some of the best cricket slang and expressions ever), an incredibly eccentric but quintessentially “New York” hotel, family, divorce, London, and a Trinidadian and enigmatic character that is one of the most fascinating characters I’ve ever read in my life.

Have you read this book? Do you like modern art? Do you ever hear about a book and obsess about it until you get your hands on it? What’s your favorite painting or work of art? Do you see the way that visual arts and literary arts go together too?

I’m full of questions, and I feel full of life.

Happy September!

Meri