Brilliant primer for those interested in approaching Arno Schmidt (like me)! ( )

Just read that Umberto Eco passed. Moments arrive and depart with a languid pulse. Mr. Orthofer reconciles that with the crashing din of a planet of narcissists. His blog and reading compendium are an amazing asset to the book nerd's trek. I highly recommend both ( http://www.complete-review.com/main/main.html and http://www.complete-review.com/saloon/index.htm).

This is an interesting print-on-demand context for the sublime albeit obscure world of Arno Schmidt. My phone now knows Arno Schmidt, I like that. I had two coworkers tell me today not to read School for Atheists, not for any aesthetic reasons, but for the peril the title boded for my eternal soul. Yes -- in such a world, a pamphlet on a esoteric writer is indeed a political act. The Schmidt-initiated will sweep through the book and smile in appreciation. Novices may just be charmed by the promise. The price point may be an obstacle. I could support the cause with Sierra Nevada-fuelled reading on my porch. ( )