2666, again

I finally finished 2666.  The last book is masterful, as Archimboldi floats back and forth before the reader, slipping out of our vision while offering no satisfaction.  The first three books are mostly masterful.   Book 4 is, simply, a pornographic nightmare of death and terror, and I would never read a word of it again.    How would I react were a beautiful meal to include one course of rotten meat? Of course, I would be disgusted by everything.  Should not the same be true here?

El Bulli taking the piss?

I followed Tyler Cowen's link to a well blogged visit to El Bulli, probably the most famous restaurant in the world today.   I'm sure the food is actually good - too many people say so to be wrong.  But looking at the pictures, I just can't get away from the feeling that they're taking the piss, just a little bit.   On the other hand, the restaurant does look beautiful.