Well, it's a level above Dale Peck's "Hatchet Jobs", I'll grant him that. Beyond that? Well, I'm not a fan of the method of criticism which dredges thWell, it's a level above Dale Peck's "Hatchet Jobs", I'll grant him that. Beyond that? Well, I'm not a fan of the method of criticism which dredges through an author's entire oeuvre , selectively presents the worst sentences as being typical, then invites our mockery and rejection of that author's whole body of work. Since this pretty much sums up Myers's approach throughout this expanded essay, it's not an effort that I greet with unbridled enthusiasm.
Sure, maybe it's useful to be reminded that it's OK to have one's own taste diverge from that of the major mainstream critics, though this is something that is evident to me every time I read one of Michiko Kakutani's reviews.
Ultimately, though the book is something of an improvement over the essay, in that it presents more examples of prose that Myers admires, his selective approach to the work of the authors he takes down, and his evident glee in doing so, combine to undermine one's trust in his capacity to act as a neutral reviewer. In particular, I think a summary dismissal of the entire work of Paul Auster and Annie Proulx is unwarranted; by extension, though I am no great fan of Rick Moody or of Cormac McCarthy, my impulse after reading the attack on their work by Myers is to give the remainder of their work the benefit of the doubt.
So while this polemic is interesting, it is ultimately unconvincing. In fact, the overall effect may be to increase one's sympathy for the writers chosen for profiling, surely the reverse of the author's intention....more
This book just blew me away. Such a joy to read - the narrative voice manages to hit a tone that is charming, a little oddball, but totally engaging. This book just blew me away. Such a joy to read - the narrative voice manages to hit a tone that is charming, a little oddball, but totally engaging. I don't think I've come across a book that pulled me in as effectively and completely since "Bel Canto". This despite (or perhaps because of?) aspects which are decidedly quirky. I read it in a single three-hour sitting last night, and just found it completely, totally satisfying.
4.5 stars, really. The only thing that prevents me from giving it 5 stars is that I found one aspect of the plot a little too implausible for comfort. But, if I still feel as awed by the book in a couple of weeks as I did upon finishing it, I may well come back and revise my rating to give it 5 stars. Either way, I highly recommend the book.
This is such a great story, and Lansing does it justice. If you're not familiar with the facts of Shackleton's antarctic expedition, read this book.
IThis is such a great story, and Lansing does it justice. If you're not familiar with the facts of Shackleton's antarctic expedition, read this book.
If you do, you will undoubtedly want to check out Caroline Alexander's "The Endurance : Shackleton's legendary Antarctic expedition" as a companion volume. Lansing's book is excellent on exposition, but skimpy on photos. What makes Alexander's account compelling is the inclusion of ~ 150 photos, taken by the expedition's official photographer, Frank Hurley. The pictures are spectacular, not just those in which he captures the absolute desolation of the landscape, but also the faces of the crew members.
This was one of the great adventures of the 20th century, and both of these books are well worth reading....more
OK. Jasper and I started off on the wrong footing, when I mistakenly started with "The Well of Lost Plots". A number of people were kind enough to poiOK. Jasper and I started off on the wrong footing, when I mistakenly started with "The Well of Lost Plots". A number of people were kind enough to point out that starting in the middle of an established series, particularly one as eccentric as the Thursday Next books, was not really giving it a fair shake.
And they were absolutely right. I bought this book in Dublin on Wednesday and had devoured it by early Friday morning. It was hilarious. A few minor detours that didn't really move things forward, but never less than entertaining reading. So I look forward to continuing with the rest of the series....more
Rushdie is an author whom I had mentally classified over the years as clever, but difficult to like, while feeling slightly guilty about not having reRushdie is an author whom I had mentally classified over the years as clever, but difficult to like, while feeling slightly guilty about not having read more of his work. I had read "Midnight's Children", been put off by the controversy over the "Satanic Verses" and by the reviews and subject matter of some of his other books (e.g. "The ground beneath her feet").
"Shalimar the Clown" completely changed this assessment. It is a book I never would have read, if I hadn't been prompted to by book group. A strong argument for being nudged to read out of one's comfort zone. I loved the book. For reasons which I hope to elaborate on eventually. But the fundamental reason is easy - it's a great story, skillfully told.
A strong 4-star recommendation, and - for me - a reason to consider exploring more of Rushdie's work....more
Although I find myself more in sympathy with Franken's political views than with those of his opponents on the right, I find his writing distinctly heAlthough I find myself more in sympathy with Franken's political views than with those of his opponents on the right, I find his writing distinctly heavy-handed and not particularly funny. Self-righteousness tends to beget pomposity, not humor. Now that he is running for political office, one suspects things are unlikely to improve.
P.J. O' Rourke, in contrast, can be quite funny, despite his Republican inclinations. Or possibly because of them - it's possible that a willingness to transgress may be an important part of what makes him funny....more
A disturbing book, which I had not expected to like as much as I did. I don't want to reveal plot details here, but I knew enough about the plot beforA disturbing book, which I had not expected to like as much as I did. I don't want to reveal plot details here, but I knew enough about the plot before reading the book to have some misgivings. But I was drawn in to care about what happened to the characters. Despite the potential for bleakness, this book actually had the opposite effect on me, and I found it quite uplifting (though very sad) by the time I finished it....more
Horrifying story, rivetingly told. Regrettably, much of my reading of history has been centered primarily on the history of Europe and of the U.S. HocHorrifying story, rivetingly told. Regrettably, much of my reading of history has been centered primarily on the history of Europe and of the U.S. Hochschild's account of Belgium's exploitation of the Congo left me appalled. Despite the accounts of some truly savage atrocities, I ended up reading it in a couple of marathon sittings. A disturbing book, but one so well-written, I highly recommend it....more
Quite simply the funniest book I have ever read in my life. Written as a series of letters; as the correspondence mounts, the overall message becomes Quite simply the funniest book I have ever read in my life. Written as a series of letters; as the correspondence mounts, the overall message becomes hilariously clear. Never get between a man and his trees.
Starring Humphrey Mackevoy, a man who loves trees, maybe a little too much. The sudden epidemic of holes bored into local trees, all 33 inches from the ground at an angle of 15 degrees to the horizontal, has everyone in town buzzing. The authorities are outraged at such wanton vandalism, the police are on high alert, the ornithological society is ecstatic, believing that the fabulously rare crested woodpecker has returned to the British Isles. Humphrey is more concerned with occupational hazards like splinter wounds and the toxic effects of the new pesticide being sprayed on the trees.
What with the prison chaplain dedicated to making the Gospel more relevant by rewriting it as a Western (Posse from Galilee), assorted power-crazed local councillors, a sex-crazed sixteen-year-old girl desperate to get laid, and the ever-present Humphrey's Mummy, there is never a dull moment.
Given the spicy gumbo that the authors have concocted, rich with every hilarious village archetype you've ever come across, the tree-porn sections are lagniappe. A certain bewitching laburnum stirs Humphrey to flights of soft-porn eloquence:
"Lasciviously I turned my face, brushing the cold bark with my lips, and began to explore its texture with my tongue. And you couldn't stop me, my laburnum, you with your branches pinioned in the air, leaving your trunk so bare, so bare, so unprotected, so vulnerable..."
I would be happy to loan you my copy, if I hadn't sent it to a certain goodreads member MANY MONTHS AGO (she knows who she is).
Possibly the finest epistolary novel ever written.
In a field with some stiff competition (Liam O'Flaherty, Frank O'Connor, William Trevor), Seán O'Faoláin is the undisputed master of the Irish short sIn a field with some stiff competition (Liam O'Flaherty, Frank O'Connor, William Trevor), Seán O'Faoláin is the undisputed master of the Irish short story. Of course, that's just my opinion. But I strongly suggest that you see for yourself.
My two all-time favorite stories by O'Faoláin? "Dividends" and "Up the Bare Stairs". To be honest, I couldn't be fully sure if they are included in this particular collection or not. Be that as it may, if you buy this, or any other, collection of his stories, you won't regret it.
Many years ago, when I still lived in Ireland (so in the 1970's), RTE had a series adapting several of these stories for television. The series was masterfully done and did justice to the quality of the stories, no mean accomplishment....more
This is an unlikely candidate to be on my all-time list of the 5 best books I've ever read. But it is. An "autobiographical" account of a long-dead RoThis is an unlikely candidate to be on my all-time list of the 5 best books I've ever read. But it is. An "autobiographical" account of a long-dead Roman emperor (not even one of the glamorous, or truly filthy ones), written by a 20th century Frenchwoman - who'd have thunk it?
And yet, I beg, I implore you - if you haven't already - buy, steal, or scrounge a copy of this book. It will draw you in. Can't promise it will change your life. All I know is that I find myself re-reading it every two or three years. Why? Because each time I learn something more about what it is to be human. A sodden cliché, but I don't know how else to put it....more
When David Sedaris is in top form, there is nobody funnier. I think this is his best collection of all - hardly a dud story in the bunch, and the "rabWhen David Sedaris is in top form, there is nobody funnier. I think this is his best collection of all - hardly a dud story in the bunch, and the "rabbit of easter" story can make me howl just remembering it.
A very funny writer, at the top of his game....more
David Sedaris is a very funny writer and this is one of his better collections. I highly recommend it. Though my favorite among his books is still theDavid Sedaris is a very funny writer and this is one of his better collections. I highly recommend it. Though my favorite among his books is still the gut-splitting "Me Talk Pretty One Day". Archived episodes of the radio program, This American Life, contain portions where Sedaris reads some of the stories in these collections, and they are really well worth tracking down and listening to.
Oops! I just ended a sentence with a preposition. So, sue me!...more
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