About this title: The heroine of David Markson's witty experimental novel is a woman named Kate, and she's convinced that she is the only person left on earth. Is she insane? And does it matter? As she ranges back through the events of her life, and through a ragbag of opinions on everything from Rembrandt's cat to Willem de Kooning's soccer shirt, Kate manages to find some kind of meaning for herself in the oddities she turns up.
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Dalkey Archive Pr
Date Published: 2006-03-01
ISBN-13:9781564782113ISBN:1564782115
Description: New. A great book in new condition. may show slight signs of shelf wear. We provide USPS confirmation tracking and email when we ship. We want your complete satisfaction. read more
Description: Fine. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. "Wittgenstein's Mistress is the story of a woman who is convinced----and may ultimately convince the reader as well----that she is the only person left on earth. Presumably she is mad. And yet so appealing is her character, and so witty and seductive her narrative voice, that we will follow her hypnotically as she unloads the intellectual baggage of a lifetime in a series of irreverent meditations on everything from Brahms to sex to Heidegger to Helen of Troy......." read more
Description: Very Good. Size: 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall; Covers show some shelfwear, edgewear, bumped tips, crease on bk. cover, no teras or rips. 248 clean and tight pages, one dog ear. Unmarked text. Third Printing. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Dalkey Archive Pr
Date Published: 1999-03-01
ISBN-13:9781564782113ISBN:1564782115
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781564782113. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Dalkey Archive Press
Date Published: 2006
ISBN-13:9781564782113ISBN:1564782115
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Dalkey Archive Pr
Date Published: 2006-03-01
ISBN-13:9781564782113ISBN:1564782115
Description: Good. 5th printing paperback, SIGNED BY AUTHOR on title page, tiny amount of marks noted on less than 5 pages, All of our products are cleaned with an disinfectant for your protection before shipping. read more
Description: Good. Used-Good. Reprint May contain highlighting/underlining/notes/etc. May have used stickers on cover. Ships same or next day. Expedited shipping takes 2-3 business days; standard shipping takes 4-14 business days. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9781564782113ISBN:1564782115
Description: New. Wittgenstein's Mistress is a novel unlike anything David Markson--or anyone else--has ever written. It is the story of a woman who is convinced--and may ultimately convince the reader as well--that she is the only person left on earth. Presum... read more
"Synopsis: A female artist writes about her life as the last person on earth.
Reasons why I stopped reading this book halfway through (and then skipped to the end.)
1.Interesting ideas, which is essential for me as a reader, but the language style was tedious. Even an intentional tedium is still tedious.
2. Male author speaking as a female. This often works, however the way the narrator speaks about her menstruation sounded like a man trying to sound like a woman and that "willing suspension of disbelief" got suspended right there.
3. Also halfway, I realized the narrator sounded exactly like me and I spend enough time in my own head; I want some relief.
4. It would have been nice if some resolution or growth occurred somewhere--I guess I'm a traditionalist after all."
"It would be an exaggeration to say that the entirety of the book sets the reader up, uneasily, for the final four lines, but not by much.
I too read this book after the massive amounts of praise given to it by David Foster Wallace, who when speaking about 'Jest' discussed how with a lengthy and difficult novel the burden of proof on the author increases. This book may not be nearly as long as 'Jest', but it's rather difficult. I can't say that the ending will satisfy everyone or make their trek through the rest of the book worthwhile -- all I can say is that it did for me.
Any efforts to elaborate on this will be moronic so I won't attempt to do so. This may be the most 'un-reviewable' book I've ever read, I want to do nothing but talk about it but am absolutely unable."
"This book was tough. Essentially the whole book was a stream of consciousness ranting from either the last person on earth or a crazy woman or both. My theory is that she is an artist made insane from not being able to realize his artistic vision. That however is me imposing a story on the novel that I am sure the author didn't intend. I can't call this an enjoyable read but I appreciate the intent. I also am not too proud to admit I didn't get it and it was only after reading wikipedia and other reviews that it even made sense to me. I am a little worried about talking about this book in book club."
"This fascinating discourse is stuffed with erudition. Since it is very American to distrust and dislike anything or anyone that demonstrates intellectual skills, there are a goodly number of reviews of this text dismissing it venomously as cheap manipulation. I say: Let them go back to Harry Potter and feel good again. For others, Markson is an amazing and challenging author.
If you aren't cozy with Dalkey Archive Press, GREP them on the net and enjoy the extensive lists of titles they are making sure remain available. Wittgenstein's Mistress is just one of them."
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