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y separately published work icon The Hall of Uselessness selected work   essay  
Issue Details: First known date: 2011... 2011 The Hall of Uselessness
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'An essential collection of essays from an eminent critic.

'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

    • Collingwood, Fitzroy - Collingwood area, Melbourne - North, Melbourne, Victoria,: Black Inc. , 2011 .
      person or book cover
      Image courtesy of Black Inc.
      Extent: ix, 453p.p.
      Note/s:
      • Includes index.
      • Publication date: July 2011.
      ISBN: 9781863955324 (hbk.)

Works about this Work

[Review Essay] The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays by Simon Leys Angelo Paratico , 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 ShadowsThe Death of NapoleonThe 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)

An Oblique Universe Nick Hordern , 2012 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February no. 338 2012; (p. 19-20)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
Opening Life's Windows Peter Coleman , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: Quadrant , October vol. 55 no. 10 2011; (p. 120-121)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
Untitled Linda Jaivin , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Monthly , July no. 69 2011; (p. 64)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
An Intellectual Omnivore Seriously Sinks His Teeth into Diversity Richard King , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24-25 September 2011; (p. 34-35)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
Cunning Like a Hedgehog Geordie Williamson , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 16-17 July 2011; (p. 18-19)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
[Review] The Hall of Uselessness Robert Lumsden , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Adelaide Review , August no. 378 2011; (p. 27)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
At Home in the Hall of Uselessness Luke Slattery , 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 Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
Useful Insights of a Scholarly Sinophile Simon Caterson , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Saturday Age , 24 September 2011; (p. 29)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
An Intellectual Omnivore Seriously Sinks His Teeth into Diversity Richard King , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 24-25 September 2011; (p. 34-35)

— Review of The Hall of Uselessness Simon Leys , 2011 selected work essay
[Review Essay] The Hall of Uselessness: Collected Essays by Simon Leys Angelo Paratico , 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 ShadowsThe Death of NapoleonThe 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)

Last amended 22 Oct 2013 10:17:41
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