Culture thoughts: Recent reading and listening

As this is my first culture note, there is something of a backlog.

Books

Mother London, by Michael Moorcock
Extraordinary novel. Should be read as one of the greats of the twentieth century.

Vermilion Sands, by J.G. Ballard

The Hour of the Star, by Clarice Lispector
I don't know why the wonderful Lispector is enjoying a revival, but it is good to see her books in print, and on bookshop shelves.

VALIS, by Philip K. Dick
Not just 'mad but interesting', VALIS is a staggering formal achievement. I will be writing more about this. Comparable to Foucault's Pendulum by Eco.

The Transmigration of Timothy Archer, by Philip K. Dick
The last book Dick wrote before his untimely death. A masterpiece of a philosophical novel, with no trace of science fiction left. An excellent companion to VALIS, and with an extraordinary well-written female protagonist (against Dick's reputation). Ostensibly based on the life of Dick's late friend, episcopal bishop James Pike, the story is as much about Dick with the narrator, Angel Archer, functioning, as the voice of reason while egos around her collide.

Music

Dakar, John Coltrane
Always Trane. Picked up the 1981 Disques Carrère French reissue. My Coltrane discography is now only missing some very early work, one late work and some odds and sods.

A new score for Koyaanisqatsi, Chantal Acda & Eric Thielemans
No, really. Very good. Second movement in particular, consisting of lengthy drum-roll and vocoder followed by an excellent, broken rhythm.

Einstein on the Beach, Robert Wilson and Philip Glass
Probably Glass's most serious work. Fascinating libretto by Christopher Knowles, Samuel M. Johnson and Lucinda Childs.

1,000 Airplanes on the Roof, by Philip Glass
Lighter work by Glass.

Sam Sauvage, Sam Sauvage
Mesdames, Messieurs !, Sam Sauvage
10-inch and LP by distressingly young, witty French singer. Saw him live in 2025, supporting Sparks.