Well, it got me looking up quantum mechanics and string theory, and it may have restored some of my belief, so all-in-all…pretty good book.
Merged reviWell, it got me looking up quantum mechanics and string theory, and it may have restored some of my belief, so all-in-all…pretty good book.
Merged review:
Well, it got me looking up quantum mechanics and string theory, and it may have restored some of my belief, so all-in-all…pretty good book....more
Like some of my favorite books, this is one that I find difficult to talk about and articulate my experience with. This is a truly "challenging" book,Like some of my favorite books, this is one that I find difficult to talk about and articulate my experience with. This is a truly "challenging" book, and not just because of the subject matter. It challenges storytelling conventions and expectations. It is both immensely readable and deeply philosophical and thoughtful. It combines genres and storytelling traditions to create a wholly unique experience that should inspire thought, curiosity and discussion.
*I did not mean to end up writing solely about reviewers who I think misrepresented this book and got me to nearly miss this book entirely, but the rest is about that. For an actual review of this book: It's fantastic and I think will/should be considered a "modern classic", for whatever that distinction means. Read on for some string-of-consciousness processing of the more vitriolic negative reviews of this book.*
I originally wrote a much longer version of how I almost missed this book, but suffice it say, I was interested, read/watched some "DNF" and extremely negative reviews, lost a lot of my interest and only read this because of the enthusiasm for the book by Roro Reads on Youtube. (Great channel). Was completely turned around by my experience of this book vs the book the "DNF" group led me to expect.
What has stuck with me, after reading and loving this book, is how many people in the comments mentioned how they were next in line for their library hold, but cancelled it or how they were now not going to read this book because of the review, and I think that is a shame, and it made me want to explore the role of reviews/reviewers on books that they find personally problematic or triggering.
First, I just want to say, this is not about policing someone's sensibilities, or writing a manifesto on how to read a book, this is more about trying to explore the function of reviews and recommendations when it comes to challenging, or even problematic, material. So, with this framework in place I would like to offer a version of how to discuss and share a work like this that is trying to challenge the reader on a few different levels.
Context: This book is a fable and is working in a realm of surrealism and absurdism that its plot and characters must be understood through. The "characters" in this story are not people, they are constructs, ideas and/or symbols. They are stand-ins for event, concepts and places. The story is not linear, the characters are not bound to human lifespans, their lives encompass kingdoms and nations. All the events are heightened beyond one person's experience, there is a purposeful remove there and one that I think should be understood by the reader. This is very different perspective from a Karin Slaughter book.
I heard many reviewers say, "I know this is a 'fable'..." or something similar, and I think if the primary reason that you "DNF'd" this book, or did not like it was explicitly because of the violence or sexual violence, then, sorry to say this, but I actually do not think you "know this is a fable" or what a fable is.
Which may beg another question: Why does it matter if this is a "fable" or not? Again, this is not about policing people's offense meters, it is about reviewers who make it a job/hobby to discuss and recommend books.
The book provides a great defense of itself, but to push a bit further, how else would you write a fable that is trying to take the history and the "real world" seriously? For example, if we are to read "Geumbok" as a representation of the "spirit" or the promise of Korea, I don't know how Korean history (or any other nation for that matter) doesn't involve a violent coercion or exploitation of that promise.
I am obviously not as familiar with South Korean history, but I think about the general readings of the "promise of America" that people have. America is a land of opportunity and freedom, built on promises of equality and self-actualization. But the reality is a much darker story, and that fable would not be a pleasant one. "Blood Meridian" comes to mind, another bloody, violent fable.
I need to think about this more, so I am not saying that Geumbok does represent the promise of the land or nation of South Korea, but I think that is the plane this story is operating on and to fail to provide that context and instead trying to hand wave it away by saying, "Yeah, yeah, fable shmable, this has r*pe in it..." fails to prove understanding of the text and perpetuates poor media/artistic literacy.
Function: Given the context of the story, the function then should be more about the implication of the violence and the message more than the biographical experience of a character. If we take what happens to Chunhui in prison, that is a horrible experience that made me think about the history of prisons and the industrial prison complex and its function in any society. It helps cut through the talking points and center the experience of prisoners and the history of prison systems on their nations and communities. Instead of reading that as one person's experience of prison, Chunhui was representative of a collective experience of incarceration. Her story is sad, and again, people can feel it is "too much" and stop reading, but I do feel like it would have been good to know that because this is presented as a fable, the function of the violence and plot is more about a historical experience than a personal one.
Sensibility: I think this is last, because it is mostly subjective and I think has the most sway with someone not finishing this book. Within all the context and function there is still the author's sensibility and writing style. Things that he may think are funny or descriptions of events or people that some may find offensive. I think, for me, nothing felt gratuitous, but I can see people taking issue with some of his writing, and that is fine. I think you can say to hell with the context and function, this book is obsessed with dicks, but I hate to think that people are not reading this because they are expecting a brutal, rape-filled, misogynistic tale of violence against women, when what it is, is a fable of human and Korean experience and history that is seeking to wrestle with the reality of existence rather than the simplified fable we are all conditioned to want.
Accomplishes the best of what fiction can do. A true Frankenstein's Monster of a book, except, much like the animal creations of Godwin, I could not sAccomplishes the best of what fiction can do. A true Frankenstein's Monster of a book, except, much like the animal creations of Godwin, I could not see the seams. Gray uses his knowledge, wit, humor and anarchic fire to their utmost with this story and has created an absolute modern classic, as well as two of my favorite literary characters of all-time: Godwin Baxter and Bella Baxter/Victoria McCandles. The most impressive feat is how he accomplishes this, with so much time and space given to an unreliable narrator's version of these characters and events there is such a relatively small space and time we spend with the actual characters, yet, it all works to build such a clear vision of who these people are. The structure of this book is similar to "Trust" and I wish I had read this one first. I was probably most impressed "Trust's" structure only to realize it had been done before and better. Needless to say, the last quarter of this book is something that I want to dissect and study closely.
Deepening my connection to these characters I see so much of myself in both of them. Bella is almost pure yearning, seeking to understand the world better so she can understand herself and eclipse any cultural, historical or even personal expectations of who she is. Godwin is accepting, has an understanding of the world and himself that provides clarity as to his place and function in it. I think it is telling that he is a character defined by a limitation, perhaps implying that Godwin's level of enlightenment and acceptance is, most realistically realized, through an outside restriction or limitation. There are too many factors at work on our psyche and souls that distract us from true sight and acceptance. We see that in Bella's sons and in the history this book explores. We accept the narrative presented to us, or we strive for our own personal provision and safety under the guise of success, recognition and a cock-eyed vision of "the greater good".
In my youth I was desperately hungry for clarity and answers. I was constantly looking and eager to find...something, anything. Age has tempered that eagerness, and I think time brings its own calming and clarifying hand. Even at a young age I wanted to be seen as a Godwin Baxter, I had an ascetic impulse, even as I was on Bella Baxter-esque personal and experiential focused expedition through my youth. Still to this day, I am fascinated by people like Chris McCandless (eerily close to "McCandles") -whose life is covered in the fantastic "Into the Wild"- as a person of deep conviction, who sought to know themselves apart from any expectation put on them. This is one of the only books that I have seen bridge that gap. I can see a roadmap of my own life between these characters and a vision of what I hope to still grow into.
As to the actual story. What can I say? My first impulse is to say something inane and embarrassing like, "This book is so good it makes me want to burn and delete anything I have ever written." But this is faux self-deprecation meant to provide an easy out for me and allow me to wallow in a false sense of modesty or whatever, but this, and novels like this, should encourage more and better writing. The only disheartening thing about this is that stories like this have been written for millennia and still the same stories of war, greed and power play out again and again. That doesn't mean we should write less or accept the inevitability of our struggle, I think that is the legacy of Victoria McCandles and a reason why she is one of the great characters in literary fiction. The post-script on this book is wonderful. Bella/Victoria has achieved that realization of herself she saw in Godwin, perhaps a final clarity that only staring into the mirror of mortality can bring. Amazing book....more
Among other things, this works as a thoughtful analysis of the "positive thought" craze I still feel pressured by in modern work and general culture. Among other things, this works as a thoughtful analysis of the "positive thought" craze I still feel pressured by in modern work and general culture. This is a much more nuanced view and far more difficult to market, I imagine. I did not know the examination of "positive psychology" was an aspect of this biography/memoir but I have been interested in this discussion and topic for a while. I remember speaking with a Professor of a course on positive psychology and trying to understand that approach and theory better. Based on that discussion, there didn't seem to be much consideration to the blind spots it introduces, or to the connectivity of thoughts and actions that can present a more tangled web of cause and effect than a "positivity approach" seems to account for. At least based on that discussion.
There are many words for it, but an abiding (let's go with) melancholy can be a weight, a cloud, a constant companion and a gravitational force. For me, I have tried to understand it and embrace it and understand that the world is rarely as binary as "good/bad" or "positive/negative". Even those descriptors are not purely negative in how I relate them to myself. Thoughts and emotions, sometimes...most times, don't work in a linear way for me. I will have fleeting thoughts and feelings of various utility and have always found it difficult to synthesize the reality of the world I live in with a "positive" outlook, but I still have one. As proof of my positive outlook, I still check my mail everyday with a sense of hope. Perhaps I won a lottery I forgot I entered 10 years ago and they finally tracked me down to present my winnings, or there is a letter with some answers to my past or just a really killer coupon, I don't know. Even with the decades of meaningless mail, I still have a sense of daily hope, minus Sundays and holidays.
Resilience. Not a word I have thought about in my own life much, or hear discussed as much as it should. Or, if it is discussed, it is usually linked to that "positivity" approach. This has me thinking of that word and concept as it's own thing now. Resilience removed from any other concept or idea. What does it mean to me to be resilient? Seems a question we each must answer. Perhaps this is my lack of reading more psychology and self-help oriented books, but I am very appreciative of Miller opening her life up as much as she has here. It has given me a lot of positive things to think about and consider. We can't get through this life with ignorance, nor can we allow awareness to halt our progress. We must be clear-eyed and know that purpose and meaning still lie in the chaos and darkness. My final question is if we need to actually know the answer or if we can trust the answer is correct by it's proof? I am still going and hopeful, I am not sure I could articulate why, and as moving as I have found many answers I have heard from various people, I don't know that any one synthesis of purpose works for me. Yet, I still check the mail with hope every day...I guess that is proof enough, for now....more
Definitely a book that makes star ratings feel inconsequential.
As someone who feels frustrated and disconnected from many of the cultural conversationDefinitely a book that makes star ratings feel inconsequential.
As someone who feels frustrated and disconnected from many of the cultural conversations that pass through my social media feeds and shared from major news channels, this definitely felt like drinking from a firehose and it not only satisfied, it woke me up a bit.
You can feel so helpless watching the headlines march by you. Global, national, local, social, personal...It all can feel so entwined and overwhelming. It feels like a parade, or a game of double-dutch where you feel you are supposed to join in at some point, but are unsure of when or where. You stand waiting for a moment of clarity to present itself but it's hard to know what, or when, that is. You just know that things are ramping up and you don't want to be left watching till the chaotic end.
I think about what "White Liberal Guilt" has meant over the past few decades. I remember reading White Dog and being surprised at the perspective of a book written back in 1970. This concept that (for me, I am no expert) was most easily applied to the affluent and powerful, and therefore felt most applicable to a narrowly defined demographic. "White Liberal Guilt" (again, for me) referred to the reaction to the feelings that awareness brings and the reaction to that shame and guilt, and the need to alleviate those feelings as quickly as possible, without pushing any deeper or further into that awareness. It is a desire for shallowness, and a fear of depth and understanding.
Awareness has become it's own type of ignorance, maybe it always was.
*And now a one sentence inner monologue of my modern "awareness" voter:*
-Yes, things are bad and that is why I am voting today, but I would rather go to a 1975 concert than actually engage in any debate or analysis of who is on this ticket.-
But alongside the awareness voter you have the awareness organizer:
-Thank you for coming to this meeting, remember the goal here is unity and progress. Baby steps are steps and when you look at what is at stake in this next election, can we risk losing another four years!?-
And the spiral of awareness minded voters and organizers extends out from there, to the awareness-activated party/dinner guest and co-worker. To the awareness-activates social media warrior and on and on.
None of this is to attack intention. I think the intention can be good, I think hearts can be in the right place and I think I am also an "awareness-activated" social participant. I am not in judgement of these people (as much as it may sound like it) I am just aware of them.
I think the struggle is with what to do with and at this moment? It is foolish to think that civility is still leading (or is even a primary player) in our social conversations and politics. I think awareness is proving itself bankrupt. It has spread from an elite group, who found that they cannot alleviate their guilt and shame through awareness giving and political action and now the general populace is realizing it. You cannot "vote your conscience" and then welcome Nirvana. The systems and forces at play (inside ourselves as well) are elder god-like. You are not just working against "capitalism" or "patriarchy". You are not just protesting for "human rights" and "civil rights", you are trying to stand against yourself and your own interests. A collective good would require a cosmic re-alignment. A self-sacrifice and a willingness to sacrifice this one life we all have to stand for that inarticulate alignment that would threaten to move heaven itself if it were to actually change and shift toward collective good.
Am I rambling? Yes. Do I know what I am trying to say? In my own head, yes. Do I feel I have conveyed it here? No. Will I delete this and replace it with a "Makes your think!" review instead? Probably should....more
I listened to the audiobook and it is much more like a radio play and I cannot imagine how this has colored my experience of this story, because the aI listened to the audiobook and it is much more like a radio play and I cannot imagine how this has colored my experience of this story, because the acting is pretty remarkable.
Now for the story. This was almost unbearably heartbreaking. As a father of a boy who reminds me a lot of Lanny this book was...tough.
I also cannot think of another time I heard a perspective like this. I have read books where it moves through various characters as they process a specific event, but never through this unique of a perspective. It is not just focused on the village's micro monologues and thoughts related to Lanny, but it is also not an omniscient God-perspective where you are privy to full outside narratives or stories. Just fleets. Snippets that seem to reflect a broader range of human experience and thought that really give this narrative context and dimension.
Looking to maybe read this physically, but there is much in this narrative that I truly find heartbreaking, I may need a bit of time to return....more
This is one of those books that you can't really do justice in summarizing so you just hand it to a friend, or So much to love here, where to begin...
This is one of those books that you can't really do justice in summarizing so you just hand it to a friend, or buy it for them and hope for that moment when they finish and you look at them and they look back and you both just nod and start laughing cause, yeah, this book has the juice. Or, I guess they could say, "Yeah, I guess I didn't get it." And then you will reach into your bag or pocket, and feel the knife there and clutch it tightly so tight your knuckles turn white and...oh, sorry, I mean they will say they don't get it and then you will just shrug and say, "Oh no, really? Well, I really liked it." And then delete them from your phone and find a new friend.
Instead of starting with my overall feelings and broad takes I want to start with a very specific point that hopefully helps convey what makes this book feel so special and unique. There is a moment where Abby asks Ralph if he remembers the promise they made to each other after watching Face Off. There is no further explanation or commentary, there is no, "You know, that we would always believe each other no matter how unbelievable the circumstance."-line to contextualize the sentiment. And we get it. Yes, of course we know the promise they made to each other. Ainslie Hogarth not only trusts the audience, but she trusts her characters. She knows how to write them, how they would talk to each other and interact in a way that (I think) would convey meaning, even if you didn't get the reference. Abby and Ralph have such real interactions and the specificity of their relationship and experience is truly something special.
Moving to a larger point, these characters are allowed to be unique and express a very specific (and dark) experience of the world, but in a way that is not self-conscious, on the part of the characters themselves and the author (which I think is truly special). One way to get me to desperately try and get my audible credit back, or drop kick your book into the book return bin at the library is to write a character who is W-E-I-R-D and knows it, and one more thing, they can't stop acknowledging how weird and quirky they are. Too many times it just feels so forced...for example, there is a running joke Abby and Ralph have about Ralph catching Abby daydreaming about diarrhea. The joke could have been overwritten or written in a way where you can almost hear the author yelling "I know right! Diarrhea! And they are at dinner!!!" I'm probably not conveying this well, but this has the tone just right. This book is funny and creepy and fantastic.
Moving even broader still. This book has something to say about gender norms and expectations that (to me) feels fresh and unique. Hyper conformity to any system, even a system presenting itself as a social norm, is ultimately a path toward mental illness and self-destruction. We aren't asked to look at the sacrifices made along the way toward our progress toward "normality" or social acceptance. Billionaires are people too dammit, they are just a perfected version of that American ideal of self-driven capitalism. And Abby is gonna become her own ideal, no matter who, I mean "what", it takes.
Damn damn damn, this is good. Now time to check out the discourse on this one....more
Calls it's shot, multiple times, and hits multiple home runs. Written with such confidence and care...I am fine accepting that this is, very much, my Calls it's shot, multiple times, and hits multiple home runs. Written with such confidence and care...I am fine accepting that this is, very much, my style of writing and genre, but this is one of those products that you end up reading mediocre reviews of and wondering what the hell those people are looking for? No book is perfect, but damn if this one doesn't execute it's vision with some fucking aplomb.
This works on so many levels. It is confident enough to present puzzles within each story and invite you to "play along", and I never felt like the stories, questions or solutions were cheap. This falls in line with a series of "5-stars" I have given to books this year. Books that show a deep love and appreciation for their genre, and a deep knowledge, research and intentionality in how the stories are written. From Babel, the short stories in In A Lonely Place and now this, I think these books are all great testaments to the authors, but also great representations of their genres. Wish this approach to writing was more the norm from "bigger" authors. ...more
I don't know what life has been like for others, but mine has been a series of de-locations. A constant re-orienting of myself to my relationships, myI don't know what life has been like for others, but mine has been a series of de-locations. A constant re-orienting of myself to my relationships, my politics, my career and myself. Life doesn't have a high view of our stasis. It wants to move us, to replant us, just as we are beginning to settle and establish roots in one idea of ourselves, it looks to violently uproot us.
I have read a few books recently that seem to suggest an opportunity for people to establish their identity within the context of nature. Humanity, as a species, has proven to be too unreliable. Too "human", with all the faults that implies, to sustain a patiently realized individual self, let alone any broad collective idea of a "shared humanity", to take shape. Perhaps we just do not live long enough to establish that sort of self-identity. I think of Scorcese recounting a story of Akira Kurosawa saying that in his old age he just felt like he had the insight to tell the stories he wanted to tell and bemoaned a lack of time to tell those stories. ()
Nature, has a clarity and longevity that offers an identity beyond what we can fit in our lifespans. The cycle of renewal plays out under our feet, as humans hope it will play out in the stars. Looking in the future the survival of the planet feels more certain than our species. Nature is resilient in ways we can only blindly hope towards.
Yet, we are resilient. Especially if you choose to look at this world and your life with clear, truthful eyes. There is much to despair about. There is much to fear and fret over. I cannot think back on a time of certainty in my life where I didn't feel the shifting underneath of uncertainty, like tectonic plates in my life. Yet, we persevere. We do good work. We invest in our families. We better ourselves and see things plainly and find our meaning.
I think humanity is in a solitary position to have a specific intellect and awareness that could allow for that unique self-identity to be fully (almost-fully...mostly-fullly) realized. We do not need to become nature, we should not "become" like anything we observe, but our self-awareness should give us the ability to transcend in a way that is meaningful. To know death, and accept it. To see the brevity of our influence and use it purposefully.
This book made me think of this, and a lot more. I think it hit me at a good place in life too. Pretty good book....more
In a year where I have read more than I have in decades, this is one of the few novels that have truly shown me something new.
In the little I read/heIn a year where I have read more than I have in decades, this is one of the few novels that have truly shown me something new.
In the little I read/heard about this novel I was set up for a slow and ponderous "mystery" that would focus more on smaller moments from the main character's life than the central "mystery", but this thing RIPS! I think people who find this book "slow" or "plodding" have not read a truly slow and plodding book in their life. Books have a monopoly on the concepts of "slow" and "plodding" in art. With paintings you can just walk to the next piece or next room. Film and TV episodes rarely compete with the sheer time demand of books, and I have read books that have made me weep at the sheer heft and boredom of them. This is not that, not even close.
Granted, I have come to realize that I am a sucker for process oriented stories, and this is definitely process oriented, but the insight to living with illness, and the slow unfolding of the central relationship at play here was as exciting as any "page-turning" thriller I have read this year.
I know I may sound like I am over reacting and swinging too far to the other side of reactions on this book, but I was truly hooked and thrilled by this narrative. Both the story and the way it is written and executed, it is utterly brilliant and completely devastating and heartbreaking. Just a staggering work of brilliance. Great, great book....more
Another tough one to discuss (because it is so much smarter than I am)...Just a deeply researched and deeply angry book. I think R. F. Kuang found a nAnother tough one to discuss (because it is so much smarter than I am)...Just a deeply researched and deeply angry book. I think R. F. Kuang found a new way to critique and address some of the larger, more dispiriting trends we see playing out across society today. This book is so nimble in how it moves through and around so many issues and arguments deployed by right-wing social media figures; and it disguises its cuts, so that there is not one "killing blow" but a thousand killing cuts that the people who would bristle at this book's "message" cannot help but be left completely unmasked, disrobed and bloodied by the end. (I hate to use "message", because this book is not interested in delivering a 'message' as much as it is in encompassing a history and opening a dialogue with us and itself about the philosophy of resistance and civil/uncivil disobedience).
The vision of this book is so much bigger than so much fiction I have read recently. There are two main areas that stood out to me that I would like to try and briefly discuss. First, the critique of those who praise "Western Civilization" and lay all the credit of modern society at the feet of large corporations and figures of exploitation and ruthless conquest. The people who like to crow about "Western Civilization" are the least interested in exploring or understanding the history of that "Western Civilization" they claim to love so dearly. Kuang has so deeply researched this book, that she is able to effortlessly reference and weave-in historical figures to make the blade that much sharper when she strikes. Books written by these "champions" of western civilization look like children's books in comparison, and let's be honest, they are children's books.
Second, she also defangs those religious goons who claim to care about an "inspired Scripture" while also, somehow showing pride, in their unwillingness to understand how their Scripture was compiled, translated and even came into existence. Instead, they found a book that says some things they want to hear and once they heard those few validations of their beliefs they just never wanted to hear another word about any of it again. She takes translation seriously and clearly loves translation and the work and philosophy of translation and I cannot help but walk away from Babel wishing that any religious person would care about translation half as much as Kuang does.
This book is so subtle in how it flexes too. After one read, I want to say it never preaches. It has a compelling story to tell, but also a hell of a lot to say about colonialization, immigration, assimilation, institutional and political power, rebellion, privilege, work, and manages to wrap this all up in a historical package with a very contemporary punch. I love that a book like this is as interested in exploring resistance as fully as it is. It doesn't soften it's approach, but I think is built to spark healthy conversation and analysis. This book is built for a book club, and I was going to try and get one started at work, and I think I have a great book to add to the suggestion pile.
P.S. I love how honest it is about the function and value of academics. I think this is a very honest and fair assessment....more
I need to stop reviewing in the app. It crashes every time now.
I feel ill-equipped to comment on books like this since I am not a critic. Of cou4.8.
I need to stop reviewing in the app. It crashes every time now.
I feel ill-equipped to comment on books like this since I am not a critic. Of course the writing is beautiful, the structure is solid as a Redwood and Powers is able to masterfully juggle the handful of overlapping plots and characters.
On the book itself, I generally liked the politics and I think it’s greatest accomplishment is its ability to depict and relay the worldview of the characters to the reader. I truly felt I was exposed to an entirely new (and not unconvincing) worldview. I think this was more of an intellectual exercise than an emotional one, but it is ambitious and timely. It is also clear eyed in where it places it’s hope for the future of Earth, and I gotta respect it for that.
Now I get to my biggest issue surrounding this book. Whatever algorithm Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ uses to elevate certain reviewers is completely out of whack. I can’t tell you the number of “There are only so many beautiful descriptions of trees I can readâ€�, and those reviewers need to be cast in the bottomless pit of reviews, never to be seen from again.
First, this book could have used more lyrical passages about trees. Second, the tree passages are woven in to the human passages, it is kind of the point. To elevate the lives and stories of trees and it is beautifully done, but the story is propulsive and thoughtful. Get the hell out of here with your, “I picked up this Pulitzer Prize winning novel and was bored.� You know what kind of books compete for the Pulitzer. Go read Verity again....more
Short story collections and anthologies are always going to fight a losing battle. How can you exert control and a focused artistic vision over a seriShort story collections and anthologies are always going to fight a losing battle. How can you exert control and a focused artistic vision over a series of stories that may want to show range and experimentation? There will be a natural flux in how each story lands with the reader. Sometimes a shift in tone, and not quality, can cause a reader to feel like a story might be “lesser�, but Wagner has such control of his voice and vision in these stories, I found myself anticipating stories while fully invested in the current one. Which I think is the highest praise one can give to a short story collection.
Also, his writing is 100000% my style and for me. This really is a gem.
1. Sticks 2. .220 Swift 3. In the Pines 4. Where the Summer Ends 5. Beyond Any Measure 6. The River of Night’s Dreaming 7. The Fourth Seal...more
The progression of the writing in this series, from He Died with His Eyes Open to this book is astonishing. I would re-enroll in school just to take aThe progression of the writing in this series, from He Died with His Eyes Open to this book is astonishing. I would re-enroll in school just to take a class analyzing the writing in this series...honestly, just discussing anything about this series.
This is not just a favorite, but a book that I will purchase for 'you', if I ever meet you in real life; or if you happen to be walking around with me and we pass a book store I might ask, "Have you read the Factory series?" and then you will (presumably) say "No" and I then I will usher us into the store to look for it, and if they do not have it, I will ask if you have read The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Beautifully written and what a fantastic character our unnamed (lowly) detective has become. Just truly one of the most tragic figures in literary history. This whole series is a study of empathy. Just the effects of unbridled and raging empathy.
I didn't want this book to end, so I extended it as long as I could. Some books are so good you can't put them down, others are so good you can put them down, you must. You can read them a chapter or page at a time, and find yourself full, more full than some whole books. It would be gluttonous to binge a book like this.
I want to keep writing and talking about this, but perhaps I will save my dissertation for when I complete the series. This book feels like the arrival of Derek Raymond's voice. I have loved the previous two books, but this felt special. I just can't believe how long it took me to find this series, perhaps this is the right time though......more
Pure psychological horror that I think only literature is able to deliver. The story is so deep inside of the main character that I shared one of his Pure psychological horror that I think only literature is able to deliver. The story is so deep inside of the main character that I shared one of his nightmares…perhaps not the book to binge in bed until 2am when you’re already tired.
Also, the narrator on Audible was reading like his life depended on it. Perhaps the best narrator I’ve ever listened to....more
Origin stories can feel routine and familiar. When I saw this volume was mainly a series of origin stories I was curious to see how they would handle Origin stories can feel routine and familiar. When I saw this volume was mainly a series of origin stories I was curious to see how they would handle it and dammit this isn’t my favorite volume yet.
It felt like the art and storytelling hit their stride. The story is already so outsized it should feel that it is ready to just jump off the rails and soar straight to the moon, but it feels…not grounded, but close enough to the ground to keep it contained and help with the momentum. I think the pace and momentum of this series is pretty remarkable....more
The emotional and existential build of this book is challenging to communicate, but it hit me pretty hard about the midway point and didn't let up tilThe emotional and existential build of this book is challenging to communicate, but it hit me pretty hard about the midway point and didn't let up till the end. No doubt it was also helped by me having read Migrations, The Overstory previously and having watched Oppenheimer right before the climax.
If I wanted to show my ass (which I guess I do) and offer any observation that is not just me struggling to process being alive, this does the thing that many other travelogues do, and tries to minimize the abilities of the author. I understand that need to be deferential to the people and places you are visiting, you don't want to seem like the outsider walking into every situation equally (or even better) prepared than the people living or working there, but damn if Robert Macfarlane doesn't seem to be a singularly gifted outdoorsman, and I had to sift through so much of his obsequious writing to see that. I also understand that it can be for comedic effect too, but I hate that joke, it's old. Perhaps it is just a necessary feature of the genre.
Anyway, it doesn't make sense what we've done to this place and perhaps the only hope is to start thinking in terms of "deep time"....more
Like the best graphic novels it finds a balance in extremes. The visuals and story are so outlandish, the art so outsized, feeling barely contained byLike the best graphic novels it finds a balance in extremes. The visuals and story are so outlandish, the art so outsized, feeling barely contained by the page; yet the story feels so true and has so much to say about what it’s like to have even a semi-conscious political life online.
Sad how normal this story feels when held up against reality. Doesn’t feel half as absurd as it should....more
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