The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays (Paperback)

Simon Leys

ISBN 10: 1863955852 / ISBN 13: 9781863955850

Published by Black Inc., Melbourne, 2012

About this Item

Paperback. Simon Leys' cultural and political commentary has long been legendary for its profundity and acerbic wit. In The Hall of Uselessness his most significant essays are finally gathered together, on subjects ranging from China to Orwell, from Quixotism to the sea.Leys feuds with Christopher Hitchens, ponders the popularity of Victor Hugo and analyses whether Nabokov's unfinished novel should ever have been published. He dissects Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Khmer Rouge, and discusses Waugh, Simenon and Confucius. He considers Chinese art, culture and politics, the joys and difficulties of literary translation and the fate of the university.The Hall of Uselessness is an illuminating compendium from a brilliant and highly acclaimed writer - a long-time resident of Australia who is truly a global citizen.'Everyone knows the usefulness of what is useful, but few know the usefulness of what is useless.' Zhuang Zi A new paperback edition of this essential collection of essays from an eminent critic. Simon Leys' cultural and political commentary has spanned four decades, with no corner of the arts escaping his sharp eye and acerbic wit. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781863955850

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays (Paperback)
• Publisher: Black Inc., Melbourne
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1863955852
• ISBN 13: 9781863955850
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Simon Leys' cultural and political commentary has long been legendary for its profundity and acerbic wit. In The Hall of Uselessness his most significant essays are finally gathered together, on subjects ranging from China to Orwell, from Quixotism to the sea.

Leys feuds with Christopher Hitchens, ponders the popularity of Victor Hugo and analyses whether Nabokov's unfinished novel should ever have been published. He dissects Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Khmer Rouge, and discusses Waugh, Simenon and Confucius. He considers Chinese art, culture and politics, the joys and difficulties of literary translation and the fate of the university.

The Hall of Uselessness is an illuminating compendium from a brilliant and highly acclaimed writer - a long-time resident of Australia who is truly a global citizen.

Praise:

'a rich and richly rewarding book' - Sydney Morning Herald

'Everyone knows the usefulness of what is useful, but few know the usefulness of what is useless.' - Zhuang Zi

Awards:

Shortlisted for the Non-Fiction Prize in the 2012 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards

Shortlisted for the Non-Fiction Prize in the 2012 NSW Premier's Literary Awards

Author:

Simon Leys is a writer, sinologist, essayist, literary critic and author of The Hall of Uselessness, Other People's Thoughts, The Death of Napoleon, The Wreck of the Batavia & Prosper.

Review

“That early on I developed a critical distance from the ideologies of the epoch I owe to writers like Simon Leys and Guy Debord. They kept me from being a dupe.”

(Olivier Assayas)

“The message these pieces drive home with wit and uncommon clarity is this: there is a central truth that may—no, must!—be spoken. There is a manner by which life may be lived fully and well. And there is a richer, deeper, grander conception of human nature than we are currently given to understand. To see Leys’s essays assembled is to appreciate, if you haven’t already, the range of philosophical, artistic and literary interests that sustain even his slightest productions.”

(Geordie Williamson, The Australian)