All of my books — all three Parts among them — are filled with music. But in
The Remembered Part, the songs and melodies go one step beyond and become, more than ever, a decisive factor in the story. Here are some (a very few) of those songs. The rest of the playlist waits for you in the novel.
Tune in.
1. Helter Skelter, I'm The Walrus, A Day in the Life, Hey Bulldog, etc. by The Beatles
In the end, the book you wrote is sort of equal to the songs you heard. Or something like that. Yes. The Beatles. And nothing more to declare except that, this time, The Beatles are an important part of the plot, not just inspiring music. By the way: my favorite Beatle is Johnpaulgeorgeringo. And, yes, they show up again in my new book, Melvill (no final e intended and not a typo) with the author of Moby-Dick. Yep: everything goes.
2. Goldberg Variations by J. S. Bach, performed by Glenn Gould
The second version of the J. S. Bach music for insomniacs by the cut-up piano player Glenn Gould recorded just before he died in 1982. Also, at last — a sort-of explanation about how the Writer stops writing.
3. Shine On You Crazy Diamond by Pink Floyd
Always on my mind (and in the protagonist's mind). Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd is still the most modern/atemporal record in the history of rock-pop history.
4. Station to Station by David Bowie and Tusk by Fleetwood Mac
Both fighting for the title of Best Cocaine Record Ever Recorded. Also, of course, great music.
5. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, And Me) by The Ink Spots
Composed by Nelson Cogane, Sammy Mysels, and Dick Robertson and performed by The Ink Spots (great name). One of the most chilling and, at the same time, comforting odes to psychosis ever written or sung. There's also a nice cover by Paul McCartney on his álbum, Kisses on the Bottom.
6. Remain in Light by Talking Heads
Another eternally brand new album and ever present in the three Parts. Here comes (again) the twister.
7. Everyday Robots By Damon "Blur/Gorillaz/Etc." Albarn
Please listen to this song on your cd or vinyl player, but never on your iPhone. Candidate for the best diatribe ever about our stupid, online, aging age.
8. Can't Get Arrested by Lloyd Cole
Here, the one and only Lloyd Cole puts lyrics and music to that Fitzgeraldean/
Crack-Up feeling of, you know, no second act. But still...
9. L'Era Del Cinghiale Bianco by Franco Battiato
The late but immortal Italian Franco Battiato singing to that ecstatic feeling of something great returning soon, hopefully. And thanks for my boar at the end of Remembered, Franco — I will never forget you.
10. Poor Fractured Atlas by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Is there a better song about the impossibility of writing? If there is one, I'm sure it's also by Elvis Costello.
11. A Place in Your Heart by Ray Davies and Scattered by The Kinks
By the Great Ray "The Kinks" Davies. My Big Sky.
12. Visions of Johanna by Bob Dylan
"The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face." Bob Dylan. And enough said. More details and melodies in
The Invented Dreamed Remembered Part.
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Rodrigo Fresán is the author of eleven works of fiction, including
Kensington Gardens, Mantra, The Invented Part, winner of the 2018 Best Translated Book Award, and, most recently,
Melvill. A self-professed "referential maniac," his works incorporate many elements from science fiction (Philip K. Dick in particular) alongside pop culture and literary references. In 2017, he received the Prix Roger Caillois awarded by PEN Club France every year to both a French and a Latin American writer.