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In the evening, some of us went to a Spanish restaurant, the Bodega Espanola. They overcharged us for the wine, but luckily Hans and Harald were there to correct the mistake. (Photo by Robert Nicholson) |
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Day 3 (August 8). In the morning, we discussed the end section of Oxen; this crux was led by Harald and Clive; we tried to assign meaning and speaker to each sentence, made possible in some cases by the specific dialect or speaking idiosyncracy of a character. Scarlett then presented some of her work on Flaubert's letters; this crystallized the question of how to define fact vs fiction, and introduced the catch phrase: "Is that a fact?" (Photo by Fritz Senn) |
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In the afternoon we went to the Kunsthaus (Art Museum). It held a special exhibit of Swiss artists Peter Fischli and David Weiss; I very much enjoyed the humour of the clay sculptures, and the vicarious trip around the world using transparencies. Some also visited the Giacometti collection (seemingly outstanding) of the Kunsthaus. (Photo by Robert Nicholson) |
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The weather was beautiful. We took a boat across lake Zürich to Rapperswil, a small town on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella. The town's symbol is 2 roses. Ruth pointed out picturesque old homes, and sloping vineyards. We saw a fig tree, but the fruit was not ripe to eat. (Photo by Robert Nicholson) |
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We had dinner at an elegant restaurant called Rössli Hurden. Here are John G. and Sam chatting before the meal arrived. Clive's wife Kay joined us, and we had a nice conversation; she is part of a Latin Poetry reading group, and enjoys Scottish dancing. We should have a talent show sometime. |
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Day 4 (August 9). The morning topics were the end section of Oxen, and the microtopology of the Ormond hotel (that underwent several renovations since 1904) and of 9 Eccles street. In the afternoon, we discussed Eolus (including the offices of the Freeman, the Phoenix park murders and the Parable of the Plums). John Gordon pointed out the influence of Thomas de Quincey in some of the 'unrealistic' passages from Oxen. The evening gathered the Finnegans Wake Reading Group. (Photo by Robert Nicholson) |
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Day 5 (August 10). The morning focus was on the letter/s Bloom writes to Martha Clifford, then assorted small topics. (Photo by Amanda Sigler) |
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The evening was devoted to a reading of selected prose and poetry by Amanda McKittrick Ros (1860-1939). She is an Irish writer from Belfast. The ZJJF has an exceptional collection of her works, including rare never-ever reprinted first editions. This photo shows Sam and Gerry deeply moved by her writings. (Photo by Amanda Sigler) |