You know what I really really want to do on this long, tiresome and rainy day? Put on my orange nightgown, put my favorite Beauty Diary masque on my face, get into bed and reread Manhattan Transfer.
I first discovered this beautiful novel in a class on American Modernist literature back at McGill. There was no pre-registration for the courses in those times, and the professor expected the usual 20-25 students to attend. The material was so exciting, though, that he discovered 150+ students waiting for him in front of the classroom on the first day of class. At first, the professor was confused but then he realized we were all there for his course and practically bloomed with joy. I can just imagine him going back to the department and saying casually, “Oh, and my class on Modernism? I need a classroom to seat 150 people and 4 TAs, please.”
Actually, the class was not that amazing. The professor was enamored of the pathetic fallacy and kept talking about it for hours. He was also very much into counting rhetorical devices to see which ones were used the most. But everybody loved the course anyways because the readings were so damn good.
I was taking 6 courses that semester (and every semester during my BA), so I didn’t have the time to dedicate as much attention as I would have liked to Manhattan Transfer. Isn’t that a good excuse to re-read it? Or is that still too indulgent? I have a pile of new books I need to read urgently from here to the skies, so can I justify re-reading something I don’t need for work?
The temptation is strong.
Clarissa's Blog 
You should absolutely (re)read it. You have taught me so much about psychological hygiene. Take your own excellent advice here. 🙂 Besides, there is no such thing as “wasting time” reading when you are a literature professor. ALL reading contributes to your career. ………….. P.S. Tell me more about the masque. I’m intrigued. Why is it your favorite? I’m looking for some new skin care.
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These Beauty Diary masks are the best. I have tried all kinds of different masks because I love the process of applying them but these are the best.
They come in a million different kinds and they moisturize really well. When the hearing season starts, they are very helpful with the skin dryness. It’s important not to wash your face for about an hour after applying the mask because it keeps working after you remove it. And there is enough liquid left over in the packet for hands and elbows.
And the best thing is the cost about $1 a mask.
Seriously, these things are good.
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I’ve placed an Amazon order for Manhattan Transfer. I should be getting it after Thanksgiving. I also ordered the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream !!!. Hahahahaha. That post was very effective Clarissa!.
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I’m very glad several people will be reading the novel at the same time. Yay!! 🙂
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I’ll read it too. Love Dos Passos, love this period and topic, never have gotten around to reading this novel, so it’s a trend. I think it is related to your work, and I also think you should read things not related to work.
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Meaning: you can justify it as work related if you want to, but I recommend recreational reading as well.
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This is his best novel, in my opinion.
You are right, let’s start a trend here!
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I want to read it again too! I read it in French when I was 17 and it had a huge impact on my literary tastes. Obviously, I want to read it in English now.
My first TT semester is almost over and I deserve recreational reading. I want to read U. Sinclair (who I never read…) but Dos Passos may be on my list too.
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Read Sinclair’s The Jungle! It is very powerful, and it’s all completely true. The book is hardly fictional at all.
Congratulations with surviving the first semester on the TT. I remember the second being difficult too BUT after they are done with, it gets much easier after that.
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Yes, reading those books is to be not only exciting but also creativity-boosting, productive and economically sound. Gee, there are offers on internet asking you almost $500 for a course on ‘Think creative, Be Productive’, promising the world to you. I guess than in these very challenging financial times and desperate search for jobs we are susceptible to believe every promise invented for us. What a bunch of charlatans!.
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