Read in his own voice, this generous memoir follows a life and brings a family to life sometimes with searing intimacy. Having read other first personRead in his own voice, this generous memoir follows a life and brings a family to life sometimes with searing intimacy. Having read other first person accounts of the Dunne family's pain with regard to the slap-on-the-wrist handed down to his beloved sister's murderer, it was nonetheless painful hearing it from his point of view. Her loss is all the more poignant when learning of his introduction to her when her birth seemed a miracle, even more painful when reminded of the promise she showed so cruelly cut short. It makes the pain he shows in his character in This is Us even more pertinent....more
Short fiction in the "warmer" series on amazon that examines possible effects of climate change. In a not too distant future, Vic is 14 and will probaShort fiction in the "warmer" series on amazon that examines possible effects of climate change. In a not too distant future, Vic is 14 and will probably never be more than a child thanks to her mother's experience while pregnant with her, a condition that seems to have been prevalent for Vic's generation. Parts of this hummed with possibility, but there were several elements added that prevented it from being a true 5 star read....more
Such a pleasure when a book turns out to deliver so much more than expected. The story of an LA showdown between Florida (Florence) and Dios, who meetSuch a pleasure when a book turns out to deliver so much more than expected. The story of an LA showdown between Florida (Florence) and Dios, who meet as inmates in an Arizona prison, is in fact a meeting between Florida and the Florence side of her. As Florence, a child of privilege, she had always felt the need for speed. Underage, undersupervised, and unlicensed, she would accelerate the highways circling Los Angeles in her classic 1968 XKE, relishing the adrenaline rush when breaking limits, legal and speed. Truth be told, there was always a lot of Florida in Florence. On the side of the law is Lobos, an LA detective who has personal reasons for her methods.
Presented from many points of view, the story unspools like a cautionary fable with enough grit and sauce to keep a reader on edge, with some lovely language descriptions of some pretty horrific scenes. The timing, at the height of the pandemic lockdown, provides an indelible element, and since Ivy Pochoda lives in downtown LA and teaches at Studio 526 Skid Row, she knows whereof she speaks....more
I came to this book in an unusual way -- Matthew Specktor reviewed my favorite book this year in the Sunday New York Times Book Review, and, intriguedI came to this book in an unusual way -- Matthew Specktor reviewed my favorite book this year in the Sunday New York Times Book Review, and, intrigued, I listened to him narrate his own biography. NYT's choice of him to review Anthony Marra's Mercury Pictures Presents shows that they choose reviewers who share a commonality with the subject matter of the books they are presenting. This memoir by a Hollywood native, a person who grew up in the industry and counts among his friends many of Tinseltown's famous, contains insights into people who had blazing careers that crashed and burned, sometimes intentionally. I loved Specktor's style and honesty, his generous sharing of motivations. I plan on going back and reading more of his work....more
Fast paced noir which could've used a bit of editorial help, but I liked Happy Doll, his canine partner George, the atmospheric portrayal of the Los AFast paced noir which could've used a bit of editorial help, but I liked Happy Doll, his canine partner George, the atmospheric portrayal of the Los Angeles setting, and the setup for any further installments. ...more
It's been six years since publication of Anthony Marra's last book, and finally the wait is over. With Mercury Pictures Presents, he carries the themeIt's been six years since publication of Anthony Marra's last book, and finally the wait is over. With Mercury Pictures Presents, he carries the themes and style he'd honed in his two earlier masterpieces, and has created another. I'd thought the WWII era had been so thoroughly milked that further reworking would be redundant, but Marra has breathed life into a story centered around the collection of emigres attracted to Los Angeles and their contribution not only to the movie industry, but to the cultural enhancement of the country as well.
As with his earlier books, there is a large interlocking cast, but what he does so well is give life to even the participants occupying the smallest page count, like the bit players he is honoring. One of his strongest trademarks, the human connection, is a feature of all his plotlines. By playing the long game with his characters, he establishes threads that transcend time and distance against seemingly impossible odds, with satisfactory outcomes, not always expected or happy, but satisfactory nonetheless. I'm reluctant to provide any quotes since it would be hard to choose, but despite it being so early, this will be my favorite book of the year....more
The opening chapters of this series of interlocking stories features John Freis, a California highway patrolman who represents the embodiment of the hThe opening chapters of this series of interlocking stories features John Freis, a California highway patrolman who represents the embodiment of the history of Southern California. He carries in his dna the mixed heritage of Mexican settlers with Indigenous people who have inhabited the land ever since there was land to inhabit, and every day faces the insults of scofflaws he lights up (pulls over) during the course of his job. The rollout of this complicated history begins during the administration of a person who has made it acceptable to some (usually wearing MAGA caps) to denigrate those they deem inferior, those who could actually better lay claim to the land they both inhabit. Susan Straight has created a masterpiece, each segment fitting in with one another, with a keen eye for tragedy, humanity and familial connections. Carried through into present day, these characters endure elements of heartbreak and strength including the climate change induced firestorms, life under the pandemic, and the prevailing Santa Ana winds. Although it it the first, this is definitely not the last Susan Straight book I'll read....more
What a delicious surprise. Dana P, a published author who also reviews restaurants, is tapped to join the search committee for a new pastor for her chWhat a delicious surprise. Dana P, a published author who also reviews restaurants, is tapped to join the search committee for a new pastor for her church, a congregation of diversity both in character and age. Dana herself is in her 50's, and lands in a situation she had no idea would turn out to be so all-encompassing. Populated with a cast (I want to say of thousands) that comes to life and enhanced by recipes of dishes included in the narrative, this is a book that deserves credit and recognition and needs to be promoted....more
I wanted to like this book better than I did. Such obsessive navel-gazing wore me down after a while, and the excruciating, detailed accounts of dailyI wanted to like this book better than I did. Such obsessive navel-gazing wore me down after a while, and the excruciating, detailed accounts of daily chores (did we need to experience so many pages taken to clean up after a dinner, loading a dishwasher, please?) made my eyes cross. I'm not one for bang bang action, but a little movement would be nice, not consistent rehashing the trauma when she was nine. No. Not the book for me....more
Maybe I'm reading too many of these chicken-little dystopian novels, but I got impatient with this one. Here, water production has become privatized iMaybe I'm reading too many of these chicken-little dystopian novels, but I got impatient with this one. Here, water production has become privatized in California, and that is scary enough, and reading about the different grades of manufactured product just made me extremely thirsty....more
This family of surfers never really caught fire with me. There were teasers throughout, but when the climactic "out of control" party happens, even thThis family of surfers never really caught fire with me. There were teasers throughout, but when the climactic "out of control" party happens, even that didn't take off. There were too many characters, all pretty standard. Nothing original, but then, Daisy and the Six was good and a hard act to follow. Wish I'd liked it more....more
This is the first of David Duchovny's books I've read but it definitely will not be the last. Although better known as an intuitive, charismatic actorThis is the first of David Duchovny's books I've read but it definitely will not be the last. Although better known as an intuitive, charismatic actor, his bio proves that he is a renaissance man with talents that range from his acting gigs to music and here he proves himself a writer of originality. He has always been known for intellectual curiosity and prowess, having garnered his degrees at both Princeton and Yale with honors. He credits inspiration for this lengthy but totally involving novel to Prof. Harold Bloom and his study of Joseph Smith.
So here we have a former stuntman turned Mormon leader who lives with his wives and children in the desert near San Bernardino, completely off the grid and living the laws of the faith. Enter the outside world via Maya Abbadessa, a young turk employee of a predatory real estate company, who literally crashes into their compound, stoned but observant. What happens unfolds through the eyes of multiple characters, all accurately developed and completely involving. Highly recommended....more
The right book for the right reader, not for me. I read about ½ of it before going to a more traditional book, which suits me better. I did love this The right book for the right reader, not for me. I read about ½ of it before going to a more traditional book, which suits me better. I did love this author's book of short stories, but this one didn't work for me....more
Although I read this almost 40 years ago, I still remember it as being one of Wambaugh's best. So glad that it is getting a new readership this many yAlthough I read this almost 40 years ago, I still remember it as being one of Wambaugh's best. So glad that it is getting a new readership this many years later. ...more
For those of us who have loved the film Chinatown for almost 40 years, it is a surprise to learn that it wasn't the case for everyone, but its appeal For those of us who have loved the film Chinatown for almost 40 years, it is a surprise to learn that it wasn't the case for everyone, but its appeal has endured for these years for a reason. The part it played in the lives of its creators as well as that of Paramount Studios itself, and what has happened after makes for intriguing, immersive reading.
As with the book I read recently that delved into the backstory of Midnight Cowboy, Sam Wasson gives bios of the major players, their lives and backgrounds, dissecting the almost mythic personalities of Jack Nicholson, Roman Polanski, Bob Evans, and Robert Towne, who were close friends and had been so for years. Thanks to the contributions of people who were in the rooms where it happened, there are insights into the creative processes, the infighting and feuds, the shenanigans, and the combination of talents and histories without which this example of cinematic art never could have happened. The pall of the murder of Polanski's wife Sharon Tate still hanging over the city had changed LA forever, and all were in their own way looking for a Los Angeles that had disappeared, and had maybe never existed. By choosing to set the film in 1937 (not 1936 or 1938), there had to be a distinct look, which is why Faye Dunaway had to be the blonde. Richard Sylbert and his sister Anthea, who did the design and costumes, had worked with Polanski on Rosemary's Baby, and were responsible for the authentic look of the film. For me, another gem was the story of Jerry Goldsmith's score, still one of my favorites, a soundscape like no other, in which the main love theme was based on Bunny Berrigan's I Can't Get Started. There is even information about the trumpet player who created that longing, beautiful passage.
Matthew McConaughey reads his own unconventional memoir as a script, with all the emotion, humor and honesty we've come to expect from this exceptionaMatthew McConaughey reads his own unconventional memoir as a script, with all the emotion, humor and honesty we've come to expect from this exceptional artist. At times I felt we were sitting on a porch, gently rocking, sipping (whatever), and he's just talking, jumping up from now and then, waving his arms and laughing and wiping tears all at once. Taken mostly from journals he kept, and relating his sometimes hilarious life, with the main constant always being family. He says that being a father was always what he wanted to be most of all, and when he checked that item off his bucket list, you want to cheer....more
Although there probably isn't a home that Ken Kwapis's work hasn't been seen in through the various projects he's worked on, his name is probably unfaAlthough there probably isn't a home that Ken Kwapis's work hasn't been seen in through the various projects he's worked on, his name is probably unfamiliar to most. He's been nominated several times, and much of his work has gained iconic status, but his name is still not well known. What does come through is his dedication, his seriousness to the craft, his professional approach whether he's directing a puppet or creating something new as with The Office, and over it all, a kindness that is reflected in the accolades of those he's worked with. There is not a mean word here, and anyone planning to pursue a career behind the camera would benefit greatly from this well written, generously shared memoir.
Of great interest are the various references to the work of others, whether or not they provided inspiration for his eventual approach. I'll never look at 2001 A Space Odyssey or Lawrence of Arabia quite the same way again. I also will look into streaming if possible some of his works that I missed when they originally screened. ...more
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