Comments for Asheville Society of Literature

Comment on Thank You Eric Jay Dolin For Crushing My Dreams by dakota1917

dakota1917 — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:38:48 +0000

Wow! You actually found this post on my website. Hahaha! I really hope you know I was joking. I am an aspiring historian and you just happened to write two amazing books. I will most certainly follow your career! Thanks so much, Eric!

Comment on Thank You Eric Jay Dolin For Crushing My Dreams by Eric jay dolin

Eric jay dolin — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:44:33 +0000

I am truly sorry that I crushed your dreams, but I have complete faith that you will find other topics that fascinate you just as much. I too have wanted to write books that, unfortunately, have already been written. I wish you the best of luck, and thanks for reading my books! Eric

Comment on True Grit: For Readers Who Hate Westerns by dakota1917

dakota1917 — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 03:17:19 +0000

It is interesting to me that “true grit” is the characteristic that Mattie Ross was looking for in a gunman. The Oxford English Dictionary defines grit as “firmness or solidity of character; indomitable spirit or pluck; stamina”. According to this definition and our general presumptions and mythology of the true American gunslinger, Cogburn had excatly that. Depiste his flaws, Cogburn retained a spirit, although his spirit seemed to be fuled more by whiskey and anger than firmness or solidity. As I relayed, though, Cogburn’s true character shown through, possibly due to his lack of self-awareness. Thus, Cogburn’s calloused and brash exterior is betrayed by his inate inner characteristics and morals. For instance, towards the end of the novel, Mattie injures her arm and is bitten by a rattlesnake. Rooster takes the chance of being bitten himself to save her, followed by a furious gallop through all manner of weather and through the night to deliver her to safety. Indeed, grit seems to be a characteristic that is waning in today’s generations.

Comment on True Grit: For Readers Who Hate Westerns by Micah Hanks

Micah Hanks — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 02:44:56 +0000

Yes, more Americans today need a bit of that… (true grit, that is)!

Comment on Sherlock Holmes vs. C. August Dupin by dakota1917

dakota1917 — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:17:59 +0000

I’m going to have to agree. While Poe is most notable for his tales of horror and suspense, had he continued to write detective/ratiocination tales starring Dupin, he would have rivaled A.C. Doyle, Wilkie Collins or any other famous detective novelist. It is a shame that the mythos of Sherlock Holmes overshadows Dupin, but I beleive that is because of the ratio of Holmes stories compared to Dupin stories. The inherent problem is that Poe’s Dupin is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Doyle’s Holmes. Thus it is easy to understand why Holmes is more popular. I am not attempting to trivialize Doyle’s character or his literary career, but it seems undeniable to me that Doyle used Dupin as a model for Holmes.

Comment on Sherlock Holmes vs. C. August Dupin by Warren Collins

Warren Collins — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:06:18 +0000

I feel it is entirely possible that had Poe lived a more healthy and longer life he would have likely written more stories featuring Dupin. He obviously enjoyed this character (using him in three) It is of course not certain, but I think very possible.

Comment on Music to Study to by Micah A. Hanks

Micah A. Hanks — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:22:50 +0000

I once heard Ricky Skaggs refer to certain songs he had written over the years as “a download from the mother throne.” Indeed, this album encapsulates all the best elements of songwriting craft; so well one might surmise they were divinely inspired, with a healthy dose of minor-oriented arrangements that are nothing short of haunting.

“Gulf of Mexico Fishing Boat Blues” and “Hills of Mexico” are romps about deeds done and years being weathered that are both idealistic in a heartfelt American way, as well as touching to the soul with their capacity for engaging the listener and evoking a sense of trial and, often, familiarity. “Mandolin Rain,” in its new manifestation (also transposed into a minor key) marks the brilliance of Hornsby’s talent; and yes, this is by far the better version, transforming a pop ’80s hit into a haunting ballad that keeps you awake at night.

And yet, arguably, the album’s opening cut, “The Dreaded Spoon,” is in every way the perfect song; strong sense of melody, a groovy rhythm, and something that is both happy and upbeat in subject matter while being lyrically oriented. This album, in addition to showcasing the musical brilliance of Skaggs and his band (arguably one of the best in the acoustic genre), also highlights the prowess of Hornsby as a multi-genre performer and composer. He is arguably one of the best around, and to borrow Skaggs’ earlier analogy of a “mother throne,” this album solidifies he and Ricky’s place in the industry as a throne that won’t be unseated any time soon.

Comment on The Purpose of this Blog by John Gustafson

John Gustafson — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:20:53 +0000

It shames and saddens me to report my ignorance regarding your quest into the wonderful world of blogging. I have read your political blogs before. Laughed, cried, and mostly got mad enough to throw my cat around the room until I had to stop participating in political blogs all together.

Glad to see you have moved into an informative outlet for the greater good of all.

I feel it is my duty as a class skipper and all-around gringa of the first order and highest magnitude to leave you with this:

1) Vaya con Dios solamente
2) En Vino Veritas
3) Nunca traiga un fusil a un combate del cuchillo