Literature Class, Berkeley 1980
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Author Description
A master class from the exhilarating writer Julio Cortázar “I want you to know that I’m not a critic or theorist, which means that in my work I look for solutions as problems arise.” So begins the first of eight classes that the great Argentine writer Julio Cortázar delivered at UC Berkeley in 1980. These “classes” are as much reflections on Cortázar’s own writing career as they are about literature and the historical moment in which he lived. Covering such topics as “the writer’s path” (“while my aesthetic world view made me admire writers like Borges, I was able to open my eyes to the language of street slang, lunfardo…”) and “the fantastic” (“unbeknownst to me, the fantastic had become as acceptable, as possible and real, as the fact of eating soup at eight o’clock in the evening”), Literature Class provides the warm and personal experience of sitting in a room with the great author. As Joaquin Marco stated in El Cultural, “exploring this course is to dive into Cortázar designing his own creations.… Essential for anyone reading or studying Cortázar, cronopio or not!”
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
The book offers a unique window into the mind of Julio Cortázar through his own words during a series of lectures. These eight classes, delivered at UC Berkeley in 1980, serve as both a retrospective on Cortázar's writing career and a reflection on literature within its historical context. Cortázar discusses his personal journey as a writer, navigating influences like Borges while embracing the vernacular, and explores the nature of the fantastic in literature. The collection aims to provide readers with an intimate experience, as if present in the room with the author.
THE SCOPE MAP
- Eight lectures delivered by Julio Cortázar at UC Berkeley in 1980.
- Exploration of Cortázar's personal writing career and creative process.
- Discussions on the concept of 'the fantastic' in literature.
- Insights into the historical and cultural context of the late 20th century.
- Reflections on the writer's path and aesthetic development.
- Analysis of influences and the integration of diverse language styles, including street slang.
- The book provides a personal and intimate experience of the author's thought process.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
This collection of lectures by Julio Cortázar is presented as an essential resource for anyone studying or reading his work, offering deep dives into his creative process and literary philosophy. Critics have noted the value of exploring Cortázar as he designs his own creations, providing a warm and personal experience. The lectures cover a range of topics, from the writer's journey to the nature of the fantastic, making it a comprehensive look at his literary thought. The material suggests a text that is both insightful for scholars and engaging for general readers interested in the craft of writing.
Page Count:
280
Publication Date:
2017-03-28
Publisher:
W. W. Norton
ISBN-10:
0811225356
ISBN-13:
9780811225359
Non-Fiction
Literary Fiction
Literary Criticism
Author Studies
Writing Craft
