Research for The Sublime

Summary

The speaker discusses various influential books used in research for a project on the sublime. These include Nabokov's autobiography 'Speak, Memory' for its chapter on childhood; Huxley's 'The Doors of Perception' fitting the sublime theme; 'The Parag Green' by an unnamed author, an obsessive account of birds; 'Mozart's Starling' on a woman's relationship with a bird; Ed Yangong's popular 'An Immense World'; and several philosophical works by Roberto Calasso on history and ancient ideas, namely 'The Ruin of Kos,' 'Gods and Literature,' 'The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony,' and 'The Celestial Hunter.'

Takeaways

• 😊 Used Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography 'Speak, Memory' heavily for childhood chapter
• 📚 Referenced many of Aldous Huxley's works due to relevance to sublime theme
• 🐦 Loved obscure book 'The Paragreen' about an obsession with birds
• 🎵 Read 'The Mozart Starling' about a woman's relationship with a pet bird
• 📖 Used Ed Yang's popular book 'An Immense World'
• 🌟 Appreciates works of favorite philosopher Roberto Calasso
• 🏛 Referenced Calasso's 'The Ruin of Kas' for previous book
• 📜 Using Calasso's 'Gods and Literature' and Greek mythology works for current book
• ⏳ Could talk for very long time about all the reference books being used
• 🤓 Provided some key examples but more references to come later

Q & A

What autobiography did the speaker use extensively for research on childhood?

The speaker used Vladimir Nabokov's autobiography 'Speak Memory' extensively for research on childhood.

Why does the speaker say Nabokov's writing style is strange?

The speaker says Nabokov's writing style is strange because it is not straightforward or easy to comprehend.

What book by Aldous Huxley does the speaker say fits well with the idea of the sublime?

The speaker says Aldous Huxley's book 'The Doors of Perception' fits well with the idea of the sublime.

What unusual book did the speaker love that involves an obsession with birds?

The speaker loved 'The Paragreen' by an unnamed author, which is about the author's obsession with following one or two birds daily for months.

What does the speaker say is probably the greatest book ever written about an animal?

The speaker says 'The Paragreen' is probably the greatest book ever written about an animal.

What book about a starling did the speaker find fascinating?

The speaker found 'Mozart's Starling' by Lyanda Lynn Haupt about her relationship with a starling she adopted to be fascinating.

What recent popular book on animals did the speaker read but not use extensively?

The speaker read the recent popular book 'An Immense World' by Ed Yong but did not use it extensively.

Who is the Italian philosopher the speaker has used extensively for this book?

The Italian philosopher the speaker has used extensively is Roberto Calasso, who recently died.

What types of books by Calasso does the speaker find useful?

The speaker finds Calasso's books dealing with history and ancient philosophies to be absolutely brilliant.

What mythological book by Calasso is the speaker using for the current book project?

The speaker is using Calasso's book 'Gods and Literature' involving Greek mythology for the current book project.