David Albahari

May 13th, 2008

I went to see David Albahari last night with some of the other litfarmers. He talked about his writing in a way that managed to be both intellectual and down-to-earth at the same time. He began by reading a conversation between himself and his wife (who he described as his favorite character both in fiction and real life). In what I expect is normal Albahari post-modern trickery, the couple bickered while scheming to escape from the story, which took on the shape of a cage, trapping them between sentences without bread, kajmak or a suitable definition of love.

He has some interesting and serious ideas about memory, nostalgia and identity, but through it all is an unstoppable sense of humor and humanity that made the lecture feel more like a private conversation over strong coffee and a few dozen cigarettes. I’m extremely curious to read Snowman, the first novel he wrote in Canada.

Many thanks to SFU, Geist and Canada Council for inviting Mr Albahari to speak, and inviting us to listen.

Entry Filed under: on writing