Monday, August 24, 2009

Ten of the best concerts in literature

At the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best concerts in literature.

One book on the list:
Howards End, by EM Forster

Poor Leonard Bast! If only he had not aspired to culture and attended that performance of Beethoven's Fifth symphony ("Gusts of splendour, gods and demigods contending with vast swords, colour and fragrance broadcast on the field of battle, magnificent victory, magnificent death!"). Wealthy, Bohemian Helen Schlegel takes Leonard's umbrella by mistake, and a disastrous entanglement ensues.
Learn more about this concert in Howards End: "A goblin, with increased malignity, walked quietly over the universe from end to end."

Read about another novel on Mullan's list.

--Marshal Zeringue