NO. NO. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOOOOO! Zero. Okay, I listen to recorded books most of the day while I paint. Apparently youNO. NO. No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NOOOOOOOOOOO! Zero. Okay, I listen to recorded books most of the day while I paint. Apparently your average CD player is not up to the task. I'm burning out one after another. So, sometimes I have to get tapes. Usually there's not much of a selection at the library so I'll just grab anything I'm not familiar with. Enter Joy Fielding, Grand Avenue. This did not present as a likely fave but, good God Almightly, I was not prepared for anything so poorly conceived and written. Could not get past the first side of the first tape....more
I ran into the movie of The Children's Hour on tv one night so watched it again. I thought, that's right, Lillian Hellman . . highly regarded writer oI ran into the movie of The Children's Hour on tv one night so watched it again. I thought, that's right, Lillian Hellman . . highly regarded writer of an earlier time. I should learn more about her and her writing. Hence, an Unfinished Woman was secured and eagerly fired up on the old tape player. In a tired and arrogant voice Hellman lets us know that she was a big deal in her day. Stultifyingly dull right up to the last tape when in brain-cramp agony it became the unfinished book. ...more
It was fascinating to learn about the epic undertaking required to create the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. The parallel story of a serial killer operIt was fascinating to learn about the epic undertaking required to create the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. The parallel story of a serial killer operating at the same point in history made a nice contrast to the fair's architectural striving, and a lascivious break from the fair's set-backs/triumphs....more
I was really looking forward to this book--probably why I was somewhat underwhelmed. Franzen is a fine writer though, and The Corrections is a valuablI was really looking forward to this book--probably why I was somewhat underwhelmed. Franzen is a fine writer though, and The Corrections is a valuable experience....more
I got this book bec I couldn't find a sound recording of The Corrections at my library, and was ignorant regarding Jonathan Franzen.
While it wasn't pI got this book bec I couldn't find a sound recording of The Corrections at my library, and was ignorant regarding Jonathan Franzen.
While it wasn't published until 2002, most of these essays are from the 1990's. I found myself surprised at how very much has changed in the past decade. The terminology used to discuss computer components, the internet, telephones etc. is already archaic. The topics on which Franzen opines seem almost quaint compared to post 9/11 worries, the reality of global climate change and this repression induced recession. But if you need to research life styles of the 1990's this book will refresh your memory and sense of humor. ...more
This story seemed quite compelling for a while. Then the title character does something that seems nonsensical. Well, okay, we all do uncharacteristicThis story seemed quite compelling for a while. Then the title character does something that seems nonsensical. Well, okay, we all do uncharacteristic things now and then. But there comes another, and yet another head-shaking action from the protagonist. The story spans 20 years and 2 continents with some intriguing descriptions of life in Africa. However, for each major life decision to be a radical change seemed contrived to make the twists and intrigue possible....more
I am learning something about how to write by studying Larry Brown's characters and their manner of speaking. His internal dialogues are also most excI am learning something about how to write by studying Larry Brown's characters and their manner of speaking. His internal dialogues are also most excellent and entertaining. As with The Rabbit Factory, I love how the story comes around full circle in a quietly profound way. ...more
I love a book that is profound but plain-spoken. The speech patterns Larry Brown has his characters employ are rich, honest and funny. He lets us, conI love a book that is profound but plain-spoken. The speech patterns Larry Brown has his characters employ are rich, honest and funny. He lets us, convincingly, into his characters' heads so we experience their internal thought processes/streams of consciousness. These are surprisingly similar to the dialogues I have in my own head--(upon recognition, very funny). And I always love a story that seems, almost accidentally, to come around full circle....more
Parts of this true story have stuck with me for 10+ years. William Styron took me right into the days of American slavery and the hideous human hatredParts of this true story have stuck with me for 10+ years. William Styron took me right into the days of American slavery and the hideous human hatred that made it possible. To begin to imagine the characters' fear, agony and hope for just a few minutes is difficult. To try to understand the vast scope of human suffering absorbed by African Americans is mind-boggling and humbling. To realize what a short time ago these practices were commonplace is shocking. And how the Negro race has managed to keep from turning on the rest of us, I do not know....more
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