Reading doesn’t mean finding answers but having a lot of questions.
“I’m the sort of person who finds others fascinating. Not that I imagine for a moment that people are inherently good. Nor evil, for that matter. Experience suggests that the diversity of human behavior and character is limitless. Any degree of good or bad is feasible. To assert otherwise must be at best wishful thinking; at worst, stupidity. Within the bounds of moderation and morality, that is precisely what is so fascinating, the richness of variation and nuance, the multiplicity of style and manner. What interests me most is finding out what others think about life, how they strive, if they strive at all, to live a life that is as satisfying as it could possibly be. What does happiness consist of for them? What is the extent of their dreams?”
Bjorn Larsson (From Cape Wrath to Finisterre, Haus 2005,
translated by Tom Geddes)
Are there limits to wickedness?
Can cruelty be measured?
Are there boundaries to despicable actions?
Does the ability to see evil make you a better person?
I wish all of you to find thousands of questions in those odd places, those “natural oases”: bookshops. Because books are the best companions to share your experiences and concerns with.
10 SUGGESTED READINGS
BRIEFWECHSEL
Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Edgar Karg von Bebenburg, Suhrkamp Verlag 1978
MANDEVILLE
Matthew Francis, Faber & Faber 2008
ATLANTE DELLE ISOLE DEL MEDITERRANEO
Simone Perotti, Bompiani 2017
MOBY DICK O LA BALENA
Roberto Abbiati, Keller 2017
LOIN DE TOUS RIVAGES
Jean-Claude Izzo, Ricochet 1998
BENITO CERENO
Herman Melville, Palgrave Macmillan 2018
THE STORM WHALE
Benji Davies, Simon & Schuster 2017
WHY THE WHALES CAME
Michael Morpurgo, Egmont UK 2007
MUNDO DEL FIN DEL MUNDO
Luis Sepúlveda, Planeta 2016
MRS. HAROY OU LA MÉMOIRE DE LA BALEINE
Jean Portante, Éditions Phi 2006