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The Big Book Project
The Big Book Project is a multi-venue reading experience for bibliophiles fascinated by long or dense works of fiction and interested in discussing them with others, one novel at a time.
The works selected will be capacious novels from the mid-nineteenth century through today that possess an abundant writing style or complexity in structure and themes.
The notion that reading need not be a solitary activity has special resonance with these novels given that there is much to discuss, elaborate upon and question in the authors’ expression of ideas. I like to think of these novels as abundant because I appreciate their richness and volume, characteristics bestow a sort of grace to luxuriate with the text.
The critic and scholar Alexander Nehamas writes that when a work of art beckons, it is because we do not fully understand it but feel the strong desire to do so. And it is this deliberative process, the journey, of trying to understand why a novel is extraordinary that I want to explore with fellow readers at The Big Book Project.
We discuss books like Roberto Bolaño’s 2666
The Big Book Project
Unraveling 2666: Literary Obsession, Violence, and the Mystery of Archimboldi with Tom Flynn
In this episode of The Big Book Project, Lori Feathers is joined by literary critic and bookseller Tom Flynn for an in-depth discussion of Roberto Bolaño’s 2666. As we near the end of our 11-week deep dive, we explore the novel’s most compelling themes—literary obsession, systemic violence, and the enigmatic figure of Archimboldi.
📖 Key Topics Discussed:
✔️ Tom Flynn’s experience reading 2666 and seeing its stage adaptation
✔️ How 2666 critiques literary academia and the obsession with authors
✔️ The part about the crimes—how violence is depicted and its chilling effect on readers
✔️ The concept of heroism in the novel—are there any true heroes?
✔️ Bolaño’s portrayal of women and systemic misogyny in Santa Teresa
✔️ What the title 2666 might mean and why it remains an enigma
This episode is a must-listen for lovers of complex literature, literary criticism, and anyone intrigued by Bolaño’s haunting masterpiece. Whether you’re reading along or reflecting on past readings, join us for an engaging conversation filled with insight and literary passion.
🔹 The Big Book Project is a guided reading journey through literary masterpieces. Subscribe for weekly deep dives into complex narratives and their cultural significance.
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