As a gay middle-aged man, reading this one was pretty much a requirement -- in fact, I feel like one of my earliest memories is watching the Sonny & C As a gay middle-aged man, reading this one was pretty much a requirement -- in fact, I feel like one of my earliest memories is watching the Sonny & Cher show (and even, The Cher Show), so Cher is someone who I feel like has been a part of my entire life. As one hopes with most memoirs, there is a lot to learn here and a decent amount of juicy tidbits. The only thing I feel like I probably need to explain here, is why "only" 4 stars instead of 5?
Well, this is a two-part memoir with the second part being published late 2025 and while I appreciate Cher splitting things up a bit and not making this a 1,000-page memoir like Streisand's, I still think it could have been done in one volume. I think there is too much time/pages spent on her childhood and it is a bit of a slog and repetitive and, at least initially, the writing didn't "sound" like Cher. I was never under any illusions that Cher wrote this herself (you only had to follow her on Twitter/X to know how she writes/things), but still I was discouraged when I found myself not enjoying the first chunk of the book. Thankfully things take off when Cher meets Sonny, the book becomes breezier and the "Cher-isms" that us fans know and love started to emerge. I still wouldn't call this a stellar-ly written memoir, but it ultimately was the guilty pleasure I was looking and hoping for. Meet me back here in about a year, to see what I think of Part 2! ...more
To start off this "review" of Mammoth, the last book in Eva Baltasar's Triptych trilogy (perhaps a redundant phrase?), I'll include what I had to say To start off this "review" of Mammoth, the last book in Eva Baltasar's Triptych trilogy (perhaps a redundant phrase?), I'll include what I had to say about the first book I read in the series ("Boulder"):
"This is a bold, unapologetic, simmering, seething examination of relationships, pregnancy, and motherhood -- and Baltasar doesn't pussy foot around, be prepared for some (brief) strap-on sex scenes as if you are not ready for that you will definitely not be ready for a scene late in the novella that might have physically made my jaw drop."
That quote could apply to all three of the slim but powerful novellas in this series, well not necessarily the strap-on sex, but there is always some frank sex and some very shocking actions going on with each of these lesbian lead characters. They can be read in any order (I did "Boulder" (Book #2), Permafrost (#1), and Mammoth (#3)) and are independent stories, but linked by the themes and tone of the first sentence of that previous paragraph. But each contain stories and settings that feel new and fresh to me and slightly uncomfortable, tho in a "good" way. Tho I still wonder what Baltasar is working through with these novels as I believe I read she is happily married (to a woman) and with kids, because these are not very loving takes on relationships and motherhood, but again that's what makes this series interesting.
I still think "Boulder" is my favorite out of the three, but again all good in different ways. I'll look forward to see what Baltasar does outside this series (and kudos to translator Julia Sanches who worked on all three books as well). ...more
This is my 7th Strout having read most of the books in the "Stroutiverse" about these characters (have an e-book of "The Burgess Boys" that need to ge This is my 7th Strout having read most of the books in the "Stroutiverse" about these characters (have an e-book of "The Burgess Boys" that need to get to!) and pretty much she can do no wrong in my book. These books are so comforting and just hit the spot for me on aging and the struggles of life, which granted doesn't sound comforting -- but Strout just hits on some truths that are always, perhaps increasingly, relatable to me with my own aging as well as that with the parents that are still around.
While it smacks a bit of fan fiction where we finally have Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton and Bob Burgess interacting with each other in the fictional Maine town of Crosby, it was still very satisfying. Tho I really have a hard time getting Frances McDormand out of my head having played Olive in the HBO limited series and Laura Linney who was in a stage production of the first Lucy Barton book ... not sure why these haven't made the move to the small screen, but a boy (or middle-aged gay man) can wish!
I also feared it was going to dip into "cozy mystery" status with the case that Bob takes on, tho it managed to dodge that ... plus the "mystery" being a bit too dark and disturbing to be considered "cozy." But fortunately, it managed to dodge that as well. And one consistent Strout oddity is just randomly throwing in an odd LGBTQ tidbit that feels very awkwardly handled. In this one, it is the cross-dressing son of one of the characters, which granted does not necessarily make it an LGBTQ thing. I feel like Strout is trying to be inclusive, but again I find these little details are a rare miss-hit for her.
Overall, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I am landing on 4 stars here, tho if I could, I would probably bump it up fractionally a bit more as again these books just feel like spending time with old friends (even if they're annoying sometimes) and what's better than that!...more
I think my love affair with Isabel Dalhousie may be over. Think it's a case where I may have been charmed by her quirks in the past, but in this 9th iI think my love affair with Isabel Dalhousie may be over. Think it's a case where I may have been charmed by her quirks in the past, but in this 9th installment they just all ended up being annoying. Tho always well-intentioned, increasingly it seems she is just not very nice to anyone in her life these days. Also, in the past it seemed at least there was some self-awareness of her own quirks but again that has seemed to slip away in been judge-y and/or passive aggressive.
I have used these books as a literary palate cleanser in the past -- something light, fun, quick. While those elements certainly were still there, I still struggled through this one more than ever.
I read these last two installments as bookends to a vacation/trip to Isabel's hometown of Edinburgh, Scotland. It was nice to finally have the visuals. But again, I think this may be it for me and the series (tho never say never). Tho I will worry about Jamie, Grace, Eddie, and heck even Cat and how they're dealing with Isabel!...more
I wasn't even sure I was going to read this sequel as while I enjoyed 'The Guncle' it just a week bit too adorably saccharine for me (despite it bein I wasn't even sure I was going to read this sequel as while I enjoyed 'The Guncle' it just a week bit too adorably saccharine for me (despite it being a lot about grief too). But given my mental struggles during this bleak 2024 election cycle (pretty devastated re: Biden's first debate performance and the ensuing media frenzy), I thought I needed to pull out some literary big guns to try to right my state of mind.
Initially it was still a struggle and Rowley was not succeeding in cheering me up, sure there were a lot of things that were supposed to being doing that, but I found myself having many of the same eye-roll-y/'oh brother' reactions to the corny-ness of it all, the humor, 'Guncle rules' (and even the phrase 'Guncle' itself) -- tho given that protagonist Patrick's niece and nephew have grown up, thankfully things were a little less cute-sy ... and thankfully his nephew has lost that lisp! So yeah, I was plugging along and it was all enjoyable enough ... but close to the end (maybe 75% through?), Rowley threw in a plot twist that finally knocked down what felt like an impenetrable wall of cynicism and grinch-ness and really won me over in the end. It all was very sweet and tender and satisfying. A lot of credit to Rowley for that, tho I still stand that's it's corny and formulaic (in retrospect, that "twist" probably shouldn't have been a surprise).
So yes, "The Guncle Abroad" did achieve its purpose of giving me something light and fluffy to take my mind off things for about 4 hours when news broke of the assassination attempt on Tr&mp... so I hope Rowley has another book in him... STAT! ...more
I had the good fortune of seeing Tommy Orange at the 2024 Santa Fe Literary Festival (get ready for this opening line a lot more in upcoming reviews), I had the good fortune of seeing Tommy Orange at the 2024 Santa Fe Literary Festival (get ready for this opening line a lot more in upcoming reviews), so in preparation for that I re-read Orange's debut "There, There" -- a book I admired and liked, but did not love -- but one that did improve on a second reading, tho granted still with some of my same nit-picks. But whenever I see an author in-person, they tend to get a goodwill bump when I do read them again -- but alas, I still had some trepidation going into this one as it being a prequel and sequel to "There, There."
And while I think that goodwill is part of what was going on while reading "Wandering Stars," I still think I would have liked this one more overall regardless as this work somehow manages to be a smaller novel, focusing on a subset of "There, There" characters -- but still a grand/expansive story of not only this particular family, but hundreds of years of Native experience and trauma.
I still don't feel like me and Orange are a perfect reader-author match, as I still felt I lost my way in the middle of it (tho nowhere near the extent of the overwhelming and, at times frenetic, cast of characters in "There, There") -- but again, there is so much good stuff here story and history-wise that kept me much more engaged and impressed with Orange. I was also reading Hampton Sides' "Blood and Thunder" (another Santa Fe Lit Festival book/author) a history of "the conquest of the American West" simultaneously -- and while I initially questioned my subconscious decision of picking up both of these books, the synergy of reading a non-fiction and fictional account of Native history was really quite amazing. I am continually amazed at how much "we" don't know about the history of this country and again contemplating when exactly America was "great" (and what part of history some folks want to return to to make it great again).
On a quick side-note, Orange was very shy/introverted on stage, seemingly wanting to disappear under a wide baseball cap, but still very dryly funny and engaging.
While "There,There" on a second reading was still a 3.5 stars round-up to 4 stars read, "Wandering Stars" was definitely a solid 4-stars and, if Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ allowed it, even a smidgen beyond that -- again, the middle got a bit muddy for me here, but the beginning and end were gangbusters. ...more
Circling back to this one having read and liked "Boulder," Eva Baltasar's 2nd novel in a "triptych which aims to explore the universes of three differ Circling back to this one having read and liked "Boulder," Eva Baltasar's 2nd novel in a "triptych which aims to explore the universes of three different women in the first person." If I can add to that descriptor, and now given the evidence of now having read this fiction debut "Permafrost" (Baltasar's day job prior to this debut novel was as a poet), I think it is likely going to be about three pretty (pretty!) messed up (aka "complicated") lesbians.
Ultimately, I preferred "Boulder" over this one as it's more of a character study of the nihilistic, suicidal unnamed protagonist, and lacks the strong narrative/plot. I generally don't have issues with this approach, but I needed just a wee bit more of a story to latch on to in this instance. That said, the writing (and translation from Julia Sanches) remains stellar and Baltasar certainly packs a punch and paints a big picture in few pages (both novels come in under 150 pages). And I have the same caveat with "Boulder," that if you are timid about lesbian sex scenes - proceed with caution! So while this is not my favorite Baltasar (out of a sample size of two!), I'm sure I will pick up the final book in this planned series, "Mammoth," due out later this year (August 2024). Unofficial 3.5 stars with a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ round-up to 4 stars for the prose and for "going there." ...more
A totally sentimental and based on pure emotion 5-star review. I've been reading 'Tales of the City' novels for probably around 30 years and have had A totally sentimental and based on pure emotion 5-star review. I've been reading 'Tales of the City' novels for probably around 30 years and have had so much affection for these characters and these stories that it is always feels like such a gift when Armistead Maupin gives us one more of these novels (and it's really hard to believe it has been 10 years since the last one, 'The Days of Anna Madrigal'!). Much like Maupin himself these days, this novel finds Mona living in England in the 1990s and running a country manor and B&B with her adoptive son. I have to admit I really don't remember if we/readers already knew Mona was doing this in past 'Tales' novels, but honestly it doesn't matter as Maupin just works his magic and serendipity, that nothing is ever a surprise or seems out of place. There's fun new characters and the typical mysteries and odd occurrences with Maupin tackling some serious issues along the way in his own special way.
I can't imagine anyone reading this one standalone and not having any of the history or connection with these characters -- guessing it would all seem pretty silly/trite. But I am fairly confident that anyone who has loved this series as much as I have would not welcome this latest addition. Now to wonder if or when we'll see another, and when/if there is I know I'll be there for it. Tho maybe I'll not have to whip through it so quickly (feels like I read this one in only a few sittings)....more
Picked this one up in anticipation of Percival Everett's latest novel "James" which is a re-telling (or re-imagination) of Mark Twain's "Adventures ofPicked this one up in anticipation of Percival Everett's latest novel "James" which is a re-telling (or re-imagination) of Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from the perspective of Jim, a runaway slave. Also, figured it's considered an American classic and one I don't believe I had read for school, tho I honestly can't imagine how this was *ever* taught in school (but more on that later).
Despite this novel's fame/acclaim and iconic characters, I had really no idea what to expect out of this novel plot-wise other than a young man floating down the Mississippi River. Expecting a fun and rollicking adventures, I was surprised how dark the novel was with Huckleberry coming from a very troubled family and the titular adventures involve a lot of charlatans and other bad folk doing pretty despicable things with Huckleberry, Jim, and Tom Sawyer (recurring at the beginning and end of this novel) providing a bit of the moral center.
And then there's Jim. Knowing that Percival Everett was taking on (and I assume taking down) this novel as well as knowing the novel is among the most banned 'classics' around, I knew large swaths of this were going to problematic -- and I was right. While I am guessing having Jim as one of the main characters of this novel and Huck trying to keep him free was progressive at the time this book was written/published, through today's lens it was often cringe-inducing. Jim is a very sympathetic and again morally good person (again, one of the rare instances in the book) but he is presented as very naive/childlike, certainly reinforced with Twain's use of dialect. And (in)famously, there are over 200 instances of the "n-word" in the 325 pages of my copy of the book, tho it felt like a whole lot more. Again, a lot of this presentation of Jim and the language was likely okay at the time (and again, perhaps even groundbreaking) -- but this aspect of processing and reconciling 'Huck Finn' as a historical work was umm... interesting.
But my 3 star rating (which is slightly generous) was more for my general lack of enjoyment of reading it, which I find to be the case with a lot of old/classic novels -- it's just a different way of talking and writing that feels more formal and stilted, as it feels like you are almost reading a different language (or say an American going to say Ireland and having difficulty understanding their "English"). And besides Jim, Twain uses a lot of other dialects that again made the physical act of reading this pretty difficult for me at times. On top of that, it just seemed like a lot of Huck's adventures were repetitive.
So again, the whole "analysis" of Jim and wondering what Twain's motives and intentions were and reading this book as a moment from the past and not trying to force today's lens over it was the most valuable part of reading this -- and one that I am really looking forward to seeing what Percival Everett does with it....more
This is a weird way to start off a book review, but my reading has been pretty hosed the last month or so as my father passed away (at age 92, so not This is a weird way to start off a book review, but my reading has been pretty hosed the last month or so as my father passed away (at age 92, so not a shock ... but it was still a shock), so I have spent the last month or so cross country helping my mom through the paperwork and transition. So yeah, my mind has been frazzled and my normal reading routine akilter. So when I managed to crawl across the finish line of the book I had been reading before all this hit, I struggled what to read next.
But then Elle Cosimano's first Finlay Donovan book came up on Kindle sale. I had been aware of the success of the series and while I am guessing I am not the target audience for this book/series as a middle-aged gay guy, it still seemed like it might fit the bill of what I could handle ... and sure enough, it did in spades. It was light, funny, madcap, quick, entertaining ... sure, not any feat of fine literature, but it kept me flipping pages (or screens!) and easy to pick up if I had to skip a day or two (which has been happening a lot lately). So yes, a bit of good fortune and I am guessing it has to be already optioned for a movie or (limited) series or something -- tho I could never quite figure out the casting, but I am sure it could be a huge hit on the screen as it has been on the page.
Overall, I'll give it an unofficial 3.5 stars just to balance things, it got a bit too madcap at times for me and the jury is still out of how much I actually like Finlay (ha!), but I will give it a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ round-up to 4 stars for being the book I needed in order to keep up with at least some reading during this crazy time. ...more
Book 2 in Colson Whitehead's Harlem/Ray Carney trilogy. Once again, this is a vibrant portrait of NYC and Harlem with a colorful cast of characters -- Book 2 in Colson Whitehead's Harlem/Ray Carney trilogy. Once again, this is a vibrant portrait of NYC and Harlem with a colorful cast of characters -- this volume moving in to the early and mid-1970s. Similar to the first volume (Harlem Shuffle) I had some issues keeping track of who's and what's and why's of the plot, but when it's backed by Whitehead's skill of spinning a story and prose like this...
Pepper lived in a two-room apartment above the Martinez Funeral Home, corner of 143rd and Convent. The sound of the organ swam between the floorboards like a ghost. "The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended," "All People That on Earth Do Dwell," etc. It wasn't too bad, living over the dead. It was like living on top of the subway, which he had also done for a time: Commuter or corpse, those below were just people in transit, en route to where they had to be.
... it's really had to quibble much of anything. A couple of noteworthy things about this is that it really felt like 3 connected novellas vs. a traditional novel. This has been dubbed the "Ray Carney" series, but I was kind of surprised when Ray disappeared (not literally!) for much of the middle part of the book -- with his partner in the crime (literally and figuratively!) Pepper taking center stage. And each section has a fun hook in the midst of the hijinks: Ray trying to secure Jackson 5 tickets for his kids, Pepper working security on a Blaxploitation film, and Ray avenging an arson that injured one of his tenant's children.
A solid 4 stars, again with knocking off a star for not fully digesting the intricacies of the plot but fully enjoying and loving the world and character Whitehead has created in this series. ...more
For my regular review followers, you know the drill. I had the good fortune of seeing Jennifer Egan at the 2023 Santa Fe International Literary Festiv For my regular review followers, you know the drill. I had the good fortune of seeing Jennifer Egan at the 2023 Santa Fe International Literary Festival. In preparation for that I re-read Egan's "A Visit From the Goon Squad," a book I had a lot of challenges with and did not particularly enjoy. My thought was that maybe it was "right book, wrong time" or knowing what to expect structure-wise would be helpful on the re-read, but funny enough I ended up disliking the book even more on the second go-round.
Given that experience, I figured I hold off reading "The Candy House" (a "Goon Squad" sequel of sorts) until I could see if Egan could convince me otherwise. I am happy to report Egan was smart, engaging, and funny (not that I was expecting otherwise) and while I still had some trepidation going into this one I felt a bit more confidence going in... and as with many authors we see at the Festival, I expected there would be a goodwill bump.
The initial (and even ultimate) good news is that I liked this one better than "Goon Squad," it was still challenging but I felt like I was following along and enjoying the overarching themes of relationships, memory, and technology (and memory-related technology). And while I think this novel can stand on its own, it was still nice to have the allusions and connections to "Goon Squad" (and for that reason, I was glad that I had recently re-read it). But as you can see by my review stars, the wheels eventually came off for me. One of the "jokes" of people who know me is that I am a human GPS of sorts, I have a good sense of direction and I can typically find my way back to places based on directional memory - so I am not a fan, even in books, to feel lost. I felt like for a good portion of the book, I was following along as Egan took me down this alley and then that one and another one - but then I just lost my way to what felt like an almost the point of no return. Much like "Goon Squad's" lauded PowerPoint chapter, there are two experimental chapters in this one -- and where Egan lost me (or more accurately, I lost her!) was the chapter that was written in verse (or I think it was?) -- tho funny enough, I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter that was completely rapid-fire email/text exchanges between a dozen or so characters.
While I continue to have no doubts/quibbles with Egan's prose and literary skill - this particular type of book from her is obviously not in my wheelhouse/comfort zone. I do have a copy of Egan's "Manhattan Beach" which I certainly plan to get to one day, especially given that from what I hear it is a more traditional, historical fiction work vs. this bouncy kaleidoscope of characters, writing styles, and worlds. Regrettably, I have to give my overall reading experience for this one 3-stars (still liked it territory, tho it never feels that way) -- for Egan herself and for "parts" (vs. "the whole") of this one -- definitely 4 stars (or more). ...more
So many of recent reviews have started off saying I saw this author at this year's Santa Fe Literary Festival, in this case I had the chance to see Do So many of recent reviews have started off saying I saw this author at this year's Santa Fe Literary Festival, in this case I had the chance to see Don Winslow at *last* year's Festival -- thus the "problem" with now attending this festival, I just have piles and piles of authors I want to keep reading. I read the opening book of the Danny Ryan trilogy, "City of Fire," around this time last year and just liked it but gave it a bump due to having just seen (and liked) Winslow. The good news here, is that I liked this book far better -- and really flew through it, tho not difficult with Winslow's quite breezy and page-turning prose here.
While I am a fan of mob stories, my weakness is that I always find it hard to keep track of who's who and who's against who and that I think was some of my (personal to me) issues with the first book - but here, the cast is fairly whittled down (in the ways you would imagine) and the plot was more straightforward. I particularly liked the Hollywood plotline and his (birth) mother's increased role -- but as noted in the book, what was Danny thinking??! It still feels hokey and stereotypical at times, but Winslow is clearly having some fun with the genre and I look forward to the end of the trilogy (and apparently the end of Winslow's publishing career) this time next year. ...more
Tough ratings call here as I am a *HHHHUUUUGE* fan of the Netflix series and only coming into this one being quite familiar with the characters and stTough ratings call here as I am a *HHHHUUUUGE* fan of the Netflix series and only coming into this one being quite familiar with the characters and storylines -- so unsurprisingly and not unexpectedly, there was not much new or discover here other than to see the inspiration and very much admire the fine job that was done with the casting and making the graphic novel into a series. I was kind of surprised (and maybe not) that the Volume 1 only covers the first 3 episodes of the 8-episode first season (with at least two more seasons coming).
But much like the series, it is very adorable and heartwarming -- but of all the graphic novels I have read (maybe a dozen??) this one has to have the least amount of text -- so pretty darn great if you are looking to pad up some book/page reading goal counts, ha!
Given all that and while I truly do think it is a fine story and artwork, I am leaning towards probably not continuing on with the book series as I'm guessing Season 1 of the Netflix series likely covers the plot lines of the another volume or two and even less as the series expands on what's in the books. But again, glad and totally satisfied with reading and seeing the genesis of this project from Oseman -- and getting ready to re-watch Season 1 (something I very rarely do given all the streaming TV show options out there these days!) in anticipation of the Season 2 dropping in August of 2023....more
I should have complained that my 2023 reading year was lacking earlier in year as ever since I have done so, i have had a couple of really great reads I should have complained that my 2023 reading year was lacking earlier in year as ever since I have done so, i have had a couple of really great reads. This one was a bit of surprise as while I have always though Elizabeth Strout novel's are uniformly excellent, they just never had that extra oomph to pull a 5 star rating from me (this is my 6th Strout after the 4 Lucy Barton/Amgash novels + the original Olive). It's also kind of funny as I finally picked this one up for pure convenience as I knew I was headed for 4-5 days off from reading -- ironically enough because I was going to the 2023 Santa Fe Literary Festival -- so I wanted a book that I could put down without losing momentum and Strout's linked Olive stories, sitting on my purchased/but not read shelf for over 2 years(!) seemed to fit the bill.
Not sure what was different about this one, there is still a lot of Strout's trademark hokey and exclamatory characters. While Olive is still pretty cantankerous, there is certainly a mellowing out with aging and all its triumphs and tragedies. Strout's novels tend to be pretty melancholic, but this one really kicked it into sad and depressing territory -- which, on the surface, is the total opposite tone I need with all the horrible things going on in the world - on top of personally dealing / worrying about aging parents plus having a local family member in assisted living. But the world Strout creates here is such a living and breathing space with a vibrancy that counterbalances all the sad stuff, or maybe again it's just "life" and "living." We all have our baggage and this was just a beautiful collection that in a very odd way celebrates and acknowledges the struggle. ...more
I should have bitched about not having read a novel thus far in 2023 that knocked my socks off, as while I am guessing this won't be at the top of my I should have bitched about not having read a novel thus far in 2023 that knocked my socks off, as while I am guessing this won't be at the top of my reading list this year, it will likely be in upper tier. I came around to this one thanks to it being shortlisted for the International Booker Prize and has the distinction (I'm pretty sure!) of being the first Catalan translated work I have ever read (apparently 85% similar to Spanish according to Google). Despite its short length (110ish pages), Baltasar's story of a lesbian couple packs a wallop and traveling from Chile to Reykjavik certainly makes it unique (tho if you are looking/hoping for a Icelandic travelogue look elsewhere). This is a bold, unapologetic, simmering, seething examination of relationships, pregnancy, and motherhood -- and Baltasar doesn't pussy foot around, be prepared for some (brief) strap-on sex scenes as if you are not ready for that you will definitely not be ready for a scene late in the novella that might have physically made my jaw drop. It is certainly about life choices and the risk and danger of putting others needs before you own, or perhaps sacrificing them in hopes that they will bring happiness. It's a bit of dark, but fascinating tale that almost feels like a low-speed thriller, a similar vibe to what I got from Elena Ferrante's "The Lost Daughter." Baltasar's author bio states that she "lives a simple life with her wife and two daughters in a village near the mountains" which I am happy to hear, but kind of makes you wonder what she was working out/through here - ha!
This definitely makes me curious to go back and read Baltasar's first novel "Permafrost" -- one that was a mere blip of my reading radar before reading this one. Apparently these two books will soon be joined by a third in a "Triptych" trilogy (redundant??) where Baltasar "aims to explore the universes of three different women in the first person." So we'll see if that indeed happens in my infinitely changing and increasing TBR pile -- but yet another instance, that I seem to be a fan of an poet turned author.
I feel like I have been hearing about 'Age of Vice' for almost a year now and already feeling a bit bogged down so far in my 2023 reading year, it see I feel like I have been hearing about 'Age of Vice' for almost a year now and already feeling a bit bogged down so far in my 2023 reading year, it seemed like this sprawling epic crime thriller - an Indian "The Godfather" -- would be a good anecdote. But would it live up to the hype? Yes and no. For them most part I was pleasantly surprised through much of the first half (2/3rds?) of the novel. You don't go into this type of book expecting great literature -- and you won't get it here (if you are not a fan of fragment-y sentences, look elsewhere), but still I was fairly impressed and read it at a pretty good clip.
I enjoyed Ajay's tragic childhood and eventual rise and fall as a cog in New Delhi Wadia crime family machine. This is not a spoiler as Kapoor does quite a bit of timeline jumping here, so the reader know of Ajay's fate fairly early on -- and does a bit perspective/protagonist jumping to. So I was a bit wary, when we ultimately left Ajay's story behind and moved onto Neda's, a journalist who also finds herself also in deep with Wadia clan. The good news is that Kapoor still kept me engaged and entertained as her story filled in some of the gaps from Ajay's story and creates new gaps to be filled in the final part with Sunny Wadia, the playboy heir to the throne, at its center.
Alas we reach the "but" part of the review as you may have guessed was coming given my star rating. At this point, the plot seems to get overly (and unnecessarily) complex and the cast of characters grow and I just lost track of the who, what, and why of things. It almost felt like this last third-ish of the novel wasn't edited or revised. I suspect there were mysteries that the reader is supposed to still be in the dark about, but I just felt there were things that I was supposed to understand/know that I did not. The "good" news here is that, particularly in this type of book, it didn't really matter all that much -- by the end, I think I figured out enough that I would still be interested in continuing the series (tho hard to imagine after 500+ pages here, there are twice that much of a story still to tell).
No big surprise that FX has optioned this for a limited series -- it should be fantastic and I am sure it will also befuddle me with its non-linear storytelling and large cast of characters (what ever happened to books and shows that tell a story in a straightforward manner and from start to finish, ha!). An unofficial 3.5 stars but a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ round-down to 3 stars for the shaky last section despite a slight save at the very, very (very) end. Would have still been 3.5 stars with a round-up or even an outright 4 stars if my feelings re: that last section were similar to the first two parts. ...more
Elizabeth Strout is turning into one of my "comfort food" authors. I have often described her characters, particularly in the Lucy Barton/Amgash booksElizabeth Strout is turning into one of my "comfort food" authors. I have often described her characters, particularly in the Lucy Barton/Amgash books, as having "quiet desperation" and that has certainly taken on new (or renewed) meaning through the COVID-19 pandemic and what feels like an exponential political divide that has/had left us feeling both physically and mentally / emotionally / spiritually alone and isolated. What felt different about this book was Strout bringing so much "real world" into the narrative - from the pandemic and masking and vaccines to George Floyd/BLM to the unnamed (at the time) current president to the Capitol insurrection.
While this novel could be very triggering and perhaps feeling "too soon," somehow it didn't feel that way for me ... tho granted it certainly helped that Strout's Lucy was coming from my end of the political/ideological spectrum or else doing a bang-up job of writing outside her "box" ... something that author Lucy Barton is trying to do in her own writing in her short story/novel within this novel. Where Lucy (Strout?) drops the ball maybe a bit is that many of these political and social issues are often merely observed, lightly struggled with, and moved on from in a "rinse / lather / repeat" manner. But the more I think of it, this is actually a pretty accurate portrayal of a person -- white, straight, financially comfortable -- not directly impacted or likely to be impacted in the future by all that's going on. Still, it's all still pretty angsty, and something that I may have not tolerated as well a few years back -- but these days I can happily (?!) relate and wallow in it as well.
There are also some nice surprises on what may be the start (?) of a larger/expanding Strout universe as well as some clear indications that Lucy's story will continue. "Oh William!" is still my favorite from this series thus far, but Strout's reeled me in for any future installments -- and also encouraging me to get to some more of her back catalog. ...more
Less is Lost... on me. I have to admit I was a bit wish-washy on 'Less' -- but found it pleasant enough, well-written, tho maybe a bit of whiplash by Less is Lost... on me. I have to admit I was a bit wish-washy on 'Less' -- but found it pleasant enough, well-written, tho maybe a bit of whiplash by the narrator twist at the end. And okay, have to admit I was pretty surprised/shocked it won the Pulitzer. So while I came into this one with tempered expectations, I still liked the idea of a 'road trip' novel and thought it would be a fun/quick/breezy read with again a character and story that I found pleasant enough the first time around. But I found myself pretty bored by it, while some of the situations that Less bumbled into were at times fun and engaging, there were enough of them. And while it was humorous at times, it wasn't humorous enough. And while it raised some interesting social issues, maybe it was all a bit too subtle or did not go far enough for my tastes. I think you probably are getting my point and will spare you a lot of felt "less"/"less than" references that I am tempted to pepper into this review.
I have to say it's all a bit surprising, as in reviews of LGBTQ books I feel like I often say I can't relate to the narrator or their experiences, but here we have a white, gay male in his 50s ... just like me - and we even have a pug! ... and still didn't feel much of a connection. I almost wished for a novel was more about the (sometime?) narrator Freddy (and maybe it is!) with Less in the periphery and did find the Freddy interruptions into novel a bit jolting, much like my reaction in 'Less.'
If you are interested in this novel, I would still recommend giving it a go ... given that it seems to have pretty good reviews/ratings and particularly if you liked/loved 'Less.' I have read glowing review of this one (Hi Bonnie!) and think it's terrific that folks are getting so much out of this novel - but, on the other hand, it still feels to me like we've read totally different books. But that's the great thing about reading and readers, as we all bring/want something different to the table and extending that metaphor... getting something different off the table. I just wished I got there in time for the mashed potatoes and not the green bean casserole. ...more
Well, this was a case where social media made me do it. Obviously, it's hard not to be familiar with the legend that 'Lonesome Dove' has become -- perWell, this was a case where social media made me do it. Obviously, it's hard not to be familiar with the legend that 'Lonesome Dove' has become -- perhaps the epitome of what one immediately thinks of when asked to name a literary western -- but just never got around to it. I have to admit being born and raised on East Coast (NJ), the western genre never super appealed to me/drew me in, but now living in the Southwest (AZ & NM) for most of the latter part of my life it does hold some allure. So when "Bookstagram" (aka. book nerd Instagram) did a group read of this awhile back and I saw so many readers similar to myself (i.e. readers of primarily "literary fiction") read and rave about it, it got me interested. Likewise, I really loved and was super drawn into the 'Yellowstone' prequel/origin story Paramount+ mini-series '1883' -- so it seemed like the stars proverbial aligned to have me tackle this modern classic -- and as you can tell by my rating, I'm certainly glad I did as Larry McMurtry pretty created a masterpiece here and certainly vaulted onto my list of all-time great books.
There is just so much here: memorable well-drawn characters, action, suspense, loyalty, betrayal, love and hate, and on and on... and most surprisingly humor and quite a bit of it, even in some of the most dark and emotional moments of the book, McMurtry continually comes up with something funny. And twists and turns that you would think after a few hundred pages I should have seen coming, but still find myself surprised and even at times kind of devastated when they do happen. It says something when you start approaching the end of an 858-page book and about 6 weeks into it and start seriously slowing down because you don't want it to end. It's one of those books where its sprawl is one if its strengths. Even today I was thinking ... I can't believe I'm done with 'Lonesome Dove!' I read some other books in tandem and the unavoidable comparisons, emotions, and engagement of the 'Lonesome Dove' reading experience was much to their detriment (perhaps apologies are in order for Andrew Sean Greer's 'Less is Lost!).
And kudos to this 2010 Simon & Schuster physical edition of this book. Just loved the gorgeous cover and the size/dimensions and heft of it also added to a great experience. The back cover blurb from USA Today proclaims "If you read only one western novel in your life, read Lonesome Dove.' I couldn't agree more - and talk about a book hangover! ...more
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