Radical islam

'The inner walls were adorned with paintings executed by a Byzantine artist on the orders of the Ka'ba's pagan masters; they portrayed scenes from the life of Abraham and certain idolatrous customs. There was also a representation of the Holy Virgin and Child. Protecting this icon of the Holy Virgin with both hands, the Prophet ordered that all others be effaced...

If the Ka'ba is the heart of Man, the idols, which inhabited it, represent the passions which invest the heart and impede the remembrance of God.'

--Titus Burckhardt, Art of Islam. p.5

Which makes you think (the obvious): there are images which do not distract, but that lead to concentration. In fact, isn't the emphasis on beauty ('jamal') a prolongation of this thought? 

Joy in austerity, I think Aquinas would say.

~~~

If there's anyone to be trusted on books it's anton (flowerville). After that, the dougal, of course (though you could never really take to Elizabeth Taylor). Then you have to always take Charles Boyle-over on sonofabooksseriously, for the simple reason that he thinks Alfred Hayes is a god (I feel a bit guilty writing that word given how this post started). But, er, okay, a 'god'? Though I'm not so sure on his poetry recommendations. For that, there is the sure guide, Tom (over on tomclarkblog.blogspot.co.uk). All others (Nick Lezard, asylumwordpress etc. I have less confidence in). Michael Hofmann: yes! James Wood: yes, definitely yes!

So, so, going by CB you've placed orders for Leila Berg's Flickerbook, J. Buchan's Slide, and M. Watts's Deadly Funny. All for seven pounds, believe it or not. Given that you're rapidly running out of money that means Joubert will probably have to wait another year. But, you still have a photocopy of A Journal of a Disappointed Man waiting for you back in the land of the pure (one of anton's). Also, Walser's Microscripts.

In the meantime: work on the book is progressing at quite a slow rate. Sure and steady, but slow. At the end of the day it's just second-hand anyway so it's not as if you can invest that much in it. But, but..you do think it is important to get a book out on this topic..now! By the time I complete it I just know neoliberalism will be all the rage again! 

Khair..time will tell.