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'Simon Leys' cultural and political commentary has spanned four decades, with no corner of the arts escaping his sharp eye and acerbic wit. The Hall of Uselessness forms the most complete collection yet of Leys' fascinating essays, from Quixotism to China, from the sea to literature.
'Leys feuds with Christopher Hitchens, ponders the popularity of Victor Hugo and analyses the posthumous publication of Nabokov's unfinished novel. He offers valuable insights into Mao's Cultural Revolution and the Khmer Rouge, and discusses Orwell, Waugh and Confucius. He considers the intertwined nature of Chinese art, culture and history alongside the joys and difficulties of literary translation. The Hall of Uselessness is an illuminating compendium from a brilliant and highly acclaimed writer - a long-time resident of Australia who is truly a global citizen. (From the publisher's website.)
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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[Review Essay] The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays by Simon Leys
2013
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Asian Review of Books 2013;'Simon Leys is the pen name of Pierre Ryckmans, a Belgian Sinologist who has been living, teaching and writing in Australia since 1970. He is the author of several books, such as Chinese Shadows, The Death of Napoleon, The Wreck of the Batavia & Prosper, and of a great translation of the Analects of Confucius; having translated the Analects into Italian myself, I can say with some assurance that Leys’s translation is the best available.' (Introduction)
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An Oblique Universe
2012
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February no. 338 2012; (p. 19-20)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
Opening Life's Windows
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: Quadrant , October vol. 55 no. 10 2011; (p. 120-121)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
Untitled
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Monthly , July no. 69 2011; (p. 64)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
An Intellectual Omnivore Seriously Sinks His Teeth into Diversity
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24-25 September 2011; (p. 34-35)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay
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Cunning Like a Hedgehog
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 16-17 July 2011; (p. 18-19)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
[Review] The Hall of Uselessness
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , August no. 378 2011; (p. 27)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
At Home in the Hall of Uselessness
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Australian Literary Review , July vol. 6 no. 6 2011; (p. 10-11, 22)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
Useful Insights of a Scholarly Sinophile
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 24 September 2011; (p. 29)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
An Intellectual Omnivore Seriously Sinks His Teeth into Diversity
2011
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24-25 September 2011; (p. 34-35)
— Review of The Hall of Uselessness 2011 selected work essay -
[Review Essay] The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays by Simon Leys
2013
single work
essay
— Appears in: The Asian Review of Books 2013;'Simon Leys is the pen name of Pierre Ryckmans, a Belgian Sinologist who has been living, teaching and writing in Australia since 1970. He is the author of several books, such as Chinese Shadows, The Death of Napoleon, The Wreck of the Batavia & Prosper, and of a great translation of the Analects of Confucius; having translated the Analects into Italian myself, I can say with some assurance that Leys’s translation is the best available.' (Introduction)