Thank you to everyone who joined Sunday's discussion of Julian Barnes' novel The Noise of Time. We had much to discuss about the life of composer Dmitri Shostakovich, Barnes' approach to the work, the role of art and artists in society, and related contemporary events.
Links for further reading, viewing, and listening include:
The New Yorker's article about the book includes an explanation for the source of the title.
Take a look at Titian's painting "The Tribute Money," which Barnes describes Shostakovich keeping nearby as a postcard.
The San Francisco Symphony has an upcoming program that includes Shostakovich's First Symphony.
Two upcoming recitals at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music feature pieces by Shostakovich (free to attend):
One of the artists that Barnes' Shostakovich regrets criticizing is Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, author of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. Solzhenitsyn's The Gulag Archipelago tells the story of his imprisonment and exile.
Julian Barnes, winner of numerous awards, including Man Booker Prize, has an expansive oeuvre of novels, short stories, and nonfiction works. Explore them on his website.
In literary news, the Bay Area Book Festival has published the schedule for this year's festival, which will be May 6-7 in Berkeley. (Volunteers also are sought.)
Our April Discussion
On April 23, we will discuss Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing by journalist and podcast host Jacob Goldstein.
When & Where:
Sunday, April 23, from 11:00 a.m. to approx. 12:30 p.m.
In person at Books Inc. Opera Plaza, 601 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Online via Zoom
The paperback of the book is in stock and available for purchase at a discount at Books Inc. (Ask at the check-out desk.)
Ebooks also can be purchased through Books Inc.
Comments