Unbeknownst to me, this work was a third part of a trilogy focusing on the citizens of the fictional town of Lexington, Alabama, in the early 1940s. GUnbeknownst to me, this work was a third part of a trilogy focusing on the citizens of the fictional town of Lexington, Alabama, in the early 1940s. Going in blind to this—apparently, I “won” this in a sweepstakes, this turned out to be merely decent. While, the cover screams romance or at least jilted lover/s, this book despite the numerous dalliances was far from steamy. It boils down to the main characters of Hubert and Jessie who have found themselves in a marriage of convenience. For Hubert, a closeted gay man who has lost his previous wife and son in succession, marrying Jessie provides coverage for finding “love” (or at least sex) in other places. For Jessie, the best friend of Hubert’s previous wife Maggie, Hubert represents an increase in station and respectability, as his family is practically royalty in Lexington, being the son of the most esteemed Black pastor in town. In spite of Hubert’s “pecker” or “tallywacker” (yes, these two synonyms for penis were constantly bandied) not working due to him not being attracted to women, their marriage had its moments. They were fairly compatible, enjoyed each other’s company and even shared a life-altering secret, which could put both of their freedoms in peril. Ah, the secrets, namely Hubert’s love life out of town with the barber Leroy and Jessie’s affair with a married man in town who visited the same moonshine establishment, is what fuels much of the intrigue. Besides a harrowing scene in which Leroy’s former wife, Sadie and kids make an appearance, much of the “action” is far from suspense driven. Jessie’s dalliance is even more benign; she shacks up with a ne’er do well who is constantly borrowing money from her. While, the primary focus is on the secrets kept by the main characters, there is also a homicidal maniac who is targeting Black folks. Not much thought was given to this storyline, and if someone like me who gets stumped by mysteries designed for elementary students can figure out the culprits, you know it must be obvious. Overall, this was quite a strange book. Frankly, it did not know what it wanted to be. The language was often stilted and would change from formal (I lost count of the number of the statement, “I declare” was used) to colloquial, especially in describing the food or eating of it, to just plain odd, hence “tallywacker.” The ending was rather off-putting and seemed to be inspired by Mike Pence. Even with the many flaws in the plot and dialogue, the author, Mary Monroe, does have a strong ability to move the story forward. While, by the end of the book it felt like a bit of a chore to finish, the beginning and even the middle progressed quickly. As such, it is deserving of 3 confusing stars. ...more
This audiobook worked as a fun, popcorn movie style listen, full of whimsy and contrivances. As a philosophic tract on free will and utilitarianism, iThis audiobook worked as a fun, popcorn movie style listen, full of whimsy and contrivances. As a philosophic tract on free will and utilitarianism, it was not nearly as effective. Jamie, the most empathetic bank robber to be found, is gifted with the ability to “read” people’s minds and to transplant memories. Zoe, his adversary, is equipped with the classic combination of superhuman strength, speed and an ability to hover/fly. Jamie, known as the “Mind Robber” and Zoe, known as the “Throwing Star”, first encounter one another after one of Jamie’s robberies. While, they are on different sides of the law, their actions are not nearly as binary.
After their initial standoff, Jamie and Zoe go on their merry ways, until they meet in the most unusual circumstances: at a memory loss support group. This group patterned after AA or Al-Anon, is meant to provide complete anonymity to foster an environment of sharing. Introverted by nature and filled with confusion about their lost memories, Jamie and Zoe are not the sharing sort. Though they have trepidations about each other especially in regards to the use of their superpowers on each other, they begin to bond over their mutual circumstances and frankly misanthropy.
The friendship that blossoms between the two was for me the zenith of the story. Though it never grew into a love affair, due to having different sexual preferences, their platonic love was quite endearing. Even though they were “gifted” with these special abilities, the whereabouts of not only how they acquired them, but even their origins was still a mystery. While, piecing together their origin stories, they both realize that they have more in common than at first glance. Will they be able to solve their own mysteries together or will their own mutual distrust rear its ugly head and derail them?
Of course, you could not have much of a superhero story without a villain. The villain in this case, is a mad scientist working for a shady NGO known as Telos. What is her grand scheme? She wants to harness enough energy to create an environment that will allow for completely fecund land. Essentially, through some sort of energy transference she will be able to create enough energy to rectify starvation and be able to feed all of the world’s hungriest population. All she has to do is perform some sort of necromancy with her dead husband and the town of San Delgado’s energy supply for this very noble goal. Unfortunately, there is a flip side to this energy conversion; San Delgado would be wiped off the face of the earth. Is the loss of a few (San Delgado) worth the promise of a potential hunger-free world?
While, I thought the memory loss aspect and subsequent friendship between Jamie and Zoe was well done, the plot involving Telos became convoluted and overwrought. In attempting to create more suspense, Mike Chen, the author just ended up creating confusion. Much like in many superhero films, I found myself drifting off towards the beginning of the third act. The best action sequences should be cathartic, not drawn out. There was also a bit with a nebulous police detective, Chesterton which was important to the plot, but which I completely forgot about, before reading a few reviews.
While, I appreciated the opaque characters and the budding friendship of Jamie and Zoe, the book was at least 50 pages too long. The premise of people having acquired superpowers without having any memories of the how, what, why or when, is a great one, but the execution was not as strong. Suspense is a very tricky thing to do correctly and in this case it could not sustain the climax well enough. I would definitely watch this at a theatre, munching popcorn in the dead of summer. With a little refinement it could have much better, but even with its warts it is still a 3 star read. ...more
Wafting through the air a foul odor of fried seafood filled the environment. Was it fish? Shrimp? Clams? Whatever it was, the air percolated the malodWafting through the air a foul odor of fried seafood filled the environment. Was it fish? Shrimp? Clams? Whatever it was, the air percolated the malodorous scent of my 7th grade homeroom as I came back from lunch. Ugh. This had to be the worst homeroom in the entire school. The only form of “entertainment” that was permitted was watching the soap opera (Bold and the Beautiful perhaps?) that the teacher religiously watched (until a student bitched to their parent about it). While, other 12 and 13 year olds were playing board games, going outside or listening to music, we were stuck in a stinky quiet room through no fault of our own. How could I keep myself busy? Fantasizing about Kathy Ireland was always an option, but you had to be careful not to get too carried away. In this lull, I had a giant literature book to keep me company. Thankfully, it was filled with Ancient mythology, though of an age appropriate level, it still filled me with joy and most importantly prevented any unseemly bulges. While, I enjoyed many of the Ancient texts, I cannot say I longed for those times. Needless to say, a book involving Ancient Greek mythology with romance infused throughout seemed as pleasant of an idea as revisiting that fishy homeroom. Though I am fairly certain I would not want to go back to those pubescent corridors, I was dead wrong about this book. Beautifully rendered, achingly tender, this masterpiece told through the eyes of Patroclus leaves an impression as deep and cutting as the Trojan War itself.
The story itself is of little consequence. Don’t get me wrong, it is incredibly well-written filled with glorious victories and debilitating losses, but these details feel superficial compared to the abiding love between Patroclus and Achilles. This passionate romance is further deepened by the impending knowledge that fate is acting upon them. Events that will precipitate the prophecy are in effect and this inevitability, though devastating is not something that can be prevented, due to the character of both Patroclus and Achilles. Achilles, a warrior nonpareil is many things, but foremost among them is prideful. This pride is not one based on boasts or conformity, but one that is much more dangerous. It is a pride infused in him from birth. A pride that denoted that it is his destiny to become the most revered and feared warrior in history. To be anything else would be an eternal shame, the likes of which he could not suffer. Out of the many lessons that Achilles has taught Patroclus, it is this lesson that is the most difficult. This foreknowledge of doom, this proverbial sword of Damocles, which is set above them, is inescapable, yet they still must live their lives. The destiny of Achilles is written, but that does not mean that his entire life must also be preordained. The love between Patroclus and Achilles is one of beauty. Not merely the superficial, but a deeper and more penetrating beauty. The beauty of bettering each other, in mind, body and spirit. Of forming bonds forged in play and defiance, literally telling Gods and Goddesses no when they attempt to split you apart. Yes, there is also a physical component, but frankly I was surprised by how tame the “spicy” scenes were. Typical of this novel, they were dealt with in a compassionate yet gentle manner. There was heat radiating, but it was not laser focused on the loins. All in all, Madeleine Miller has created a monument that I am sure will stand the test of time and hopefully be as consecrated as any Homeric epic. ...more
As a sucker for multigenerational sagas, I had high expectations for this work. It vastly exceeded them. Starting in the tiny Louisianan burg of MallaAs a sucker for multigenerational sagas, I had high expectations for this work. It vastly exceeded them. Starting in the tiny Louisianan burg of Mallard and bouncing around the country we see the different paths in which twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes and their progeny take. Filled with tension and nuance, things are rarely what they seem to be and yet there remains a familiarity in each of the main characters. It is quite an ability to write characters with such depth and honesty, yet Britt Bennett does it with ease. Even with warts and all, the characters come across as real and lived in; their motivations clear even if the means by which they do it rankles and frustrates.
Born in an insular community which in effect has genetically engineered its population to appear whiter with each new generation the twins, whose names appear to be allusions to Tennessee Williams’ characters, inhabit a gray area: being recognized as Black but very light skin. In an era in which lightness was preferable, in which the words octoroon (1/8 Black) and quadroon (1/4 Black) were common nomenclature, one’s identity was often interwoven with their race. Even in modern times, as evidenced by Sammy Sosa the concept of whitening or bleaching one’s skin is still acceptable in some cultures. [image]
Inseparable since birth, the twins have gone through trials and tribulations, including witnessing a heinous act against a relative and being forced to quit high school to work with their mother as maids. Stella, the more astute and serious of the twins has been academically inclined, whereas Desiree has been the more vivacious and extroverted one prone to acting in plays. They continue to share an intimacy as they decide to move away from Mallard in hopes of experiencing a different life. They migrate to New Orleans, where their paths begin to diverge. Desiree finds love in the form of a man of some means and is off to greener pastures, while Stella stays in New Orleans. During a job interview, Stella makes an impromptu decision that changes her life. Seeing a pathway to a more lucrative job, she does not correct the interviewee who assumes that she is white. Changing her identification gives her opportunities which she previously had been denied. Soon she has leaned completely into her new life and is being courted by a wealthy white beau. In the process of “becoming white” she has had to abandon her previous life, including her twin sister and family in Mallard.
The sisters’ lives would continue to diverge. Though strongly independent and headstrong, Desiree is not given much of a choice and is forced back to Mallard, in what seems like defeat for her. In tow is her daughter, Jude, who is largely ignorant of why her mother had to leave. As opposed to Desiree who is very light skin, Jude is close to ebony. An introverted girl, Jude is further chastened by her darkness which is ridiculed in Mallard. In many ways she feels like an outsider and like her mother is anxious to get out of Mallard. Desiree, though not living the life she envisioned for herself has found love with Early, a genial fellow who has earned everything in his life. In addition, she has become a staple of the community, running the diner with aplomb and sass. The biggest thing troubling her is what has become of her sister who has vanished from the face of earth?
Ensconced in California, Stella is living a life of luxury. In a loving marriage with a precocious child, Kennedy, she seems to have it made. Though her life revolves around dips in the pool and idle gossip with neighbors, she tries to convince herself that she is content. This illusion is tested when the first Black family has bought a home in her exclusive Brentwood neighborhood. Due to the fear of being found out and also guilt of her lie, she becomes a strict segregationist, adamantly opposed to the family. Eventually, they move in and little by little, Stella’s resolve is broken and she brings a house warming gift. Though Stella has befriended her, it is on the sly, as she wants to keep up appearances. A fateful incident involving a doll sets the stage for the dissolution of the friendship. While, it ends acrimoniously, Stella’s friendship has reinforced that her life is one of pointlessness. As such, she decides to go back to school and eventually finds a career in academia.
Athletically gifted, Jude receives a scholarship for track to UCLA. During a party she has a fortuitous meeting with a young man by the name of Reese. Reese is unlike anyone she has ever met, full of life and sorrow at the same time. Sinewy arms yet somehow a baby face that belies his maturity. Though Ms. Bennett has done many things admirably with her work, the tenderness and beauty of the relationship between Jude and Reese is imho the most endearing. Identity can cut in so many different ways and their relationship is strengthened by each other’s vulnerabilities. While, at UCLA Jude may have also stumbled upon a missing familial link. Working as a server for a catering company, she sees someone who could be a doppelganger for her mother.
Kennedy, the daughter of Stella, lives a seemingly charmed life. The scion of affluent parents, she is not only wealthy and well connected, but a great beauty as well. Skating through life, the next logical step for her is college. She attends USC, but is unmotivated by the regimented class schedule and is hoping to pursue something else. Always, a bit of a drama queen and wanting to be larger than life, she has become infatuated with acting. Disappointing her parents, who want her to settle down and earn a regular paycheck, she is following her dreams. Kennedy is a character that in lesser hands would be portrayed as a spoiled brat with little depth, but Ms. Bennett is able to mold her into a complex individual.
While at the party in which she sees her aunt, Jude also recalls an impish young lady who though not quite 21 is enjoying a tipple. She notices an intimacy between her aunt and the young lady and puts it together that it could be her cousin. Jude attempts to keep tabs on her aunt but is thwarted. Through the grapevine, Jude learns that her cousin, Kennedy is about to be the lead in an off-off-Broadway production and makes it her mission to befriend her. Her plan is fairly successful until she attempts to corner Stella on the last night of the play and things go awry. With everything to lose, Stella makes it clear that she is not interested in the past.
The cousins have a falling out and drift apart. Stella attempts to make amends. Stella answers some of Kennedy’s questions which she has asked her for years, regarding her previous life, which creates a greater understanding. Kennedy is a bit of a vagabond as a working actress, reaching her greatest acclaim in a soap opera. Jude is in medical school and is still with Reese. Will the cousins reconcile and tie up the loose ends or will they continue to have bare branches in their family trees?
Months have passed since I listened to this work and it is not so much the plot or even the words that echo to me, but that indiscernible feeling you get when you read/listen to something special. You want to savor it and hope it lasts just a little longer, yet are anxious to continue it. It can turn the mundane or even the tedious into something special. That is how I often felt when listening to this great work. Thank you, Britt Bennett for this 5 star read, I will be eagerly anticipating your next piece. ...more
"She likes to be cavalier about things that would change other people’s lives. Isn’t that the very definition of power? Watching people kill themselve"She likes to be cavalier about things that would change other people’s lives. Isn’t that the very definition of power? Watching people kill themselves over something that means nothing to you?"
"People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth."
"Sometimes reality comes crashing down on you. Other time reality simply waits patiently, for you to run out of the energy it takes to deny it."
"And that you have to be willing to deny your heritage, to commodify your body to lie to good people, to sacrifice who you love in the name of what people will think and to choose the false version of yourself time and time again, until you forget who you started out as or why you started doing it to begin with."
"No one is just a victim or a victor. Everyone is somewhere in between. People who go around casting themselves as one or the other are not only kidding themselves, but they’re also painfully unoriginal."
4.5 stars. Largely told as a flashback, this book has the power to captivate and titillate. If ever a person could be described as a tour de force, it would be Evelyn Hugo. Blessed with great beauty and most importantly, unbridled ambition, she is able to seemingly will those around her. In the twilight of her life, with her acting career put to rest, Evelyn has decided to have someone tell her story; unvarnished, raw and powerful. Who would have the privilege of this honor bestowed upon them?
Writing for a small publication, Monique Grant is almost the complete opposite of Evelyn. Whereas, Evelyn is larger than life, Monique is having a challenging time just living her own modest life. She has recently broken up with her husband and her career has stagnated. She is in desperate need of something to reenergize her existence, when out of the blue; Evelyn makes a most random request for the writer of her life story.
In a world in which connections are paramount and it is not what you know, but who you know, Monique is baffled why Evelyn would choose her. Her only contact with the glamorous world of major motion pictures was her father, who has long been deceased. He worked in some nebulous role as a photographer of some sort. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Monique eagerly accepts this offer of a lifetime.
Filled with intrigue, Monique catalogues the various marriages that have marked the career and life of the mercurial, Evelyn. The various marriages act as landmarks in the storied life and career of Evelyn. Whether she is using one of her husbands to escape her humble origins or to boost her fame by marrying a co-star or prestige from a Hollywood producer, Evelyn is often Machiavellian in her motives. Unfortunately, in this timeframe circumstances dictate that Evelyn must follow a prescribed role. In an era in which same-sex marriage was illegal and partnerships would be career suicide, Evelyn has to be careful to keep her relations out of the sight of preying paparazzi.
Evelyn cleverly uses the social construct of marriage to manipulate the media. She is profoundly aware that the trade mags and the gossip rags eat up marriages. This also gives her safety to fulfill her secret ambitions and loves. In addition, she is able to provide cover for her dearest friend, Harry Cameron. Initially, marriage acted as a hindrance, but Evelyn found a way to wield the power from this sacred institution.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The author, Taylor Jenkins Reid (TJR to the cool kids) has crafted an indelible character whose spirit has manifested a complex of emotions. She has had to make so many sacrifices and bargains in her rise for fame and fortune, but the character never feels like a cliché. She is an original, written with verve and passion, with an unwavering faith in her own desire to be someone of importance. Her complexity is further added by her complicity. She is morally gray and whether it is her talent as an actress or TJR’s talent as a writer, her final chapters in her life are eventually explained and her motives understood. For transporting me into a bygone era in which I am woefully ignorant of and presenting a storyline that was fit for its lead, this book is well deserving of 4 and a half stars. [image]...more
I can say without hyperbole that I thought I would never be interested in Manga. Though the visual appeal was clear; large doe eyed vixens with even lI can say without hyperbole that I thought I would never be interested in Manga. Though the visual appeal was clear; large doe eyed vixens with even larger enhancements made me think many deviant thoughts, the stories seemed at best silly and at worst contrived. For all the people who I skewered in my mind for liking this genre I offer an apology. This first volume in a whole slew of them is written with gusto and most importantly humor by Rumiko Takahashi. If you want a piece of literature to proverbially refresh your palate then this is highly recommended. It is important for me to realize that while literature has many functions chief among should be to entertain. From that perspective this delivers in spades.
The main storyline focuses on the relationship between Akane Tendo who is betrothed to Ranma Saotome. Despite never having met, these two are forced by their fathers to marry. Akane, who is a tomboy, is adamant that she hates boys. While at first her animosity seems like typical teenage angst, her hatred soon makes sense. Before entering school every morning, she is faced with a gauntlet of males vying for her hand. While, this unwanted attention would be obnoxious in itself, the way they go about showing their affections is through battle. She has to dispatch numerous suitors every day, facing a “Groundhog Day” situation.
Ranma faces a different complication. While, he and his father, Genma were in China doing ninja things they entered cursed waters which change them into things that drowned there. So, when faced with cold water Genma turns into a panda and Ranma changes into a female. This comic handles this absurdity deftly, showing the two in their altered states rampaging the city while the polite Japanese citizens ignore the destruction.
At the first meeting between Akane and Ranma, there is a lack of chemistry. With her no boys stand and his body in constant flux, it is understandable that there is a significant amount of awkwardness. When Akane catches Ranma growing through a metamorphosis, she accuses him of being a “pervert”. While, Ranma is initially defensive about his new appearance, he oftentimes chides Akane that in addition to being a better fighter, he is “built better to boot!” Through their mutual dislike of the gentleman caller Kino who has challenged Akane for much of her teenage years and is now pining for Ranma, they find common ground. As the story progresses, their rivalry has transformed into a friendship and potentially more. I would be remiss if I did not mention Akane’s sisters, Kasumi and Nabiki. There is also the archrival of Ranma, Ryoga who in an incredibly circuitous route has tracked him to the Tendo Martial Arts School of Indiscriminate Grappling and is trying to engage in mortal combat.
Bristling with humor and absurdity, this work seems ahead of its time. Published in 1987, it tackles the ideas of body image and identity without being heavy handed or flippant. While the situations are played for humor, the main characters are not fools. There is a playful tenderness that is sweet but never cloying. For balancing out a complex situation and consistently making me chuckle, this is worthy of 4 stars. It is also good to know that even in my dotage, my prejudices can be transformed. ...more
As someone born in 1983, video games have been a commonality in my life. Some of my earliest memories are of playing them. Shooting at ducks-an[image]
As someone born in 1983, video games have been a commonality in my life. Some of my earliest memories are of playing them. Shooting at ducks-and the dog inches from the TV, never getting beyond the tortoise on the power pad game, and more often than not watching my brother and older friends defeat bosses that I had neither the dexterity nor hand-eye coordination to slay. Later on my love affair with video games continued. Though it was a one-sided affair; me loudly yelling profanities-often in creative, Tourette’s-like fashion, while the pixelated objects mocked me from the screen. This beautifully crafted work gave me a nostalgia boner, but it is more, much more than describing the coding process or referencing Commander Keen. It had the thing which makes not only great video games but all works of art resonant: it made you care.
Eminently quotable and filled with kernels of insight, this work is accessible for even those who would not know Mario from Luigi. Filled with intriguing characters especially, the main characters of Sadie and Sam, we go on a journey filled with dizzying highs and perilous lows. This is not no hero quest though, no Joseph Campbell fervent dream, but an evolution of a relationship between two people who have found each other. A relationship that started out in a hospital ward between two people undergoing great trauma in their lives. Video games, though the polestar for this book is merely the vehicle used in crafting this formidable story.
This collaboration would craft and mold their lives in unexpected ways. Sadie was a technical genius, obsessed with detail and the appearance of the game, while Sam was less interested in the nooks and crannies and more about how the game transformed the gamer. Essentially, Sadie was the brains and Sam the heart. While, alone they could craft intriguing games, as partners they created magic. Bouncing ideas off each other, driving one another, picking each other up and formulating the perfect symbiosis, they concocted games that were critically and commercially beloved.
While, their relationship fuels much of the creativity in this work, the third part of the isosceles triangle is Marx. Charismatic, handsome and wealthy, at first blush, Marx what have been an easy target for scorn, but the author Gabrielle Zevin does not fall into this trap. Instead, she creates a character that is emphatic and eager to please. As opposed to Sadie and Sam, who are often on their own wavelengths, Marx acts as a trusted confidante for both of them. He is a man of restrained passion who has subjugated his own creative pursuits as a theatre actor to help his friends and to build their burgeoning company. He is the person in the often unglamorous position of keeping the lights on, the paychecks going and the talent maintaining their focus on creating not only works of art, but one’s with commercial appeal. His heartfelt love for both Sadie and Sam and the Zen-like patience he demonstrates is yet another checkmark.
Another thing I enjoyed about this work was how the characters’ backgrounds enhanced their understanding of how video games are truly an egalitarian experience. As a female in the frontier of video gaming, Sadie was subjected to sexism both passive and aggressive. From a trusted professor who used his expertise and position to seduce Sadie, who became his lover to the male executives who scoffed at her choices, her position was hard fought. Being an outcast due to her gender, shaped many of her choices whether making a character androgynous or more vulnerable than the typical hero. Sam, on the other hand, was mixed-race with an infirmity that resulted from a tragedy. Due to his physical limitations, he is compelled to make larger-than-life characters that are more brainy than brawny. His sexual orientation is also unique, not quite asexual, as he has had sexual partners both male and female, but rather fluid. This understanding frames his thinking and even his most famous character Mazer who acts as the guide in a Sims like video game, which promoted love without boundaries. Even, Marx’s background as a privileged child who is constantly moving to a new locale influences how he perceives the world. Having to ingratiate himself to new people and situations regularly he has an understanding of how to charm and disarm people and to act as a peacemaker. He also is the ultimate guinea pig, providing a litmus test if something can be commercially viable. By seeing the world through a different lens, the characters were able to design new and intriguing games.
While, this is a story in which video games play an important role, it is far more than just a trip down memory lane. Filled with heartbreak and one of the most touching and unconventional love stories I have read, it is at times painful, yet hope is always on the horizon. As, Sam said early on: “To play requires love and trust”, or as Sadie said later on: “There were so many people who could be your lover, but, if she was honest with herself, there were relatively few people who could move you creatively.” Even though there is much to take away from this magnificent work, the realization from the characters about their special and unique bond and the journey in which their paths cross, crisscross, divert and go every which way is the most inspiring. Whatever the forces that are called in which these two are bonded together, it has almost made me a believer in fate in real life. This is well deserving of 5 stars. [image]...more
“He concentrates on the most unerotic thoughts imaginable; jail food HIV testing, square dancing, dead move-star vulvas; anything to keep him from co “He concentrates on the most unerotic thoughts imaginable; jail food HIV testing, square dancing, dead move-star vulvas; anything to keep him from coming.” 2.5 stars bumped to 3 stars because John Waters is a boss. “Liarmouth” is ostensibly about a rotten person named Marsha Sprinkle who has conned and deceived a litany of people and is going to face her comeuppance. In reality it is a chance to get in the delightfully demented mind of auteur John Waters who decided to pen his first work of fiction. Undoubtedly Waters is a man of many talents who has crafted a unique style that has elevated many of those who are considered outcasts. Even in the most absurd of circumstances he is able to find a shred of humanity. Unfortunately, this medium does not seem to absorb his gonzo stylings as well as the cinema. This is a mixed bag that starts out fairly entertaining but gets repetitive and stale. What I Enjoyed This is a novel with no redeeming characters. Normally this not a positive but Waters is able to turn their despicable nature into grist. The characters are hedonistic, self-centered and reject the world at large. The character with the most heart is the autonomous cock of Marsha’s underling Daryl known as Richard. Even with his constant spewing of fluids, Richard is the feel good character who realizes that in spite of Daryl’s protestations he is attracted to men. Another thing that stuck out was the delight that Waters had spoofing modern times. Whether it is Adora, the mother of Marsha who has spent a fortune on plastic surgery for her dog Surprize or the annual Anilingus Festival held in Provincetown, Waters takes great glee. He also mocks the cult-like followers of Marsha’s daughter, Poppy. These disciples of Poppy great passion is bouncing, preferably on a trampoline or surface that has rebounding properties. In their quest to achieve this high they are oblivious to their surroundings and are reminiscent of the Merry Pranksters of the 1960s. What Did Not Work for Me Even with details that get filled in as the story progresses, it is difficult for me to feel any sense of relief let alone joy when someone as despicable as Marsha gets anything positive so the ending fell flat. Her whole allure was that she would gut a nun for a Gucci bag so the trope ending, no matter how odd still felt contrived. There are certain things you expect from John Waters and he delivered. The “King of Camp” has plenty of shit, piss, jizz, ass-licking and blood in this novel but after a while you become immune to it. It loses its punch and just becomes boring, feeling like a contrivance. Though on the shorter side it is still more time consuming than a movie (at least for non-speed demons such as myself). This length hinders the shock value and then we are left with a meandering story and a host of oddball characters that did not resonate with me. Overall, if you a devotee of Waters or just mind don’t characters with few redeemable traits than this could be for you. There are probably sharp societal critiques that I have missed but despite the fun opening chapters the story never progressed to be noteworthy and is not a novel I will probably remember unless I get my luggage stolen, am on a bus ride from Hell or have my penis develop autonomy. ...more
This is the fifth Frederick Backman book I have read and as is the case with his previous works, at some point I get a lump in my throat and goosebum This is the fifth Frederick Backman book I have read and as is the case with his previous works, at some point I get a lump in my throat and goosebumps. Even with his use of various tropes and archetypes he has a way of roping me in and this was the case here. There are some things that you come to expect when you read Backman: a cantankerous older person, a plucky foreigner, a homosexual character/s, a couple undergoing a crisis, an unexpected death and a rehash of the 2008 financial crisis. Along with this, I have come to expect an interesting storyline and plenty of twists and turns. This book is Backman, at his most Backman-like (Backmanian?), in that it delivers all of his greatest hits while still being enjoyable and fresh. He takes an outrageous premise, a bank robbery, which has devolved into a hostage situation of an apartment, into a reflection on modern day life. With his characters, Backman has created a story that is diverse without feeling schmaltzy. There is a taciturn banker, Zara. A bickering retired couple, Roger and Anna-Lena who do not know how to relate with one another; stuck in empty nest purgatory, going to IKEA and apartment listings. A lesbian couple, Julia and Ro who have different personalities and sensibilities, which they fear will make them less than ideal parents to their expectant child. Estelle, an 87 year old, who is in search of companionship and fears she will end up dead in her domicile, discovered weeks later. With different motivations, these characters are visiting an open house for an apartment at the ending of the year. It is here where a hapless bank robber takes them “hostage” and hijinks and revelations occur. It is up to two detectives, a father and son team, Jim and Jack to solve the mystery of the hostage taker. Both men are uncommonly decent and suffering from profound loss. They have lost their wife/mother to an illness and their daughter/sister to a disease. These poor men have the unfortunate task of trying to get information from the recalcitrant motley crew that made up the apartment dwellers. These hostages have taken the idea of, “Stockholm Syndrome” to the extreme and are now protecting the robber. Even though the hostage attempt lasts hours, the bond that has developed will lead to a lifetime of friendships. With all of the tomfoolery and heart tugging, once again I fell for a Backman work. Though not my favorite of his works, it was still a deeply satisfying experience. His characters always are written with a depth and though it would be nice to have a villain or at least someone contemptuous, it was not the case. I guess a case could be made for the bank robber’s ex-spouse and boss but they were too superficial to even warrant a name. I felt, Backman was unsuccessful trying to tie incidents on a bridge to the larger narrative but it was a minor hiccup in my view. Overall, maybe I am becoming weepy or too sentimental in my old age, but I will gladly take this maudlin story or any other that Backman wishes to write with relish.
Quotes: P.57 “The truth of course is that if people really were as happy as they look on the Internet, they wouldn’t spend so much damn time on the Internet, because no one who’s having a really good day spends half of it taking pictures of themselves.” P. 209 “Nothing is easier for people who never do anything themselves than to criticize someone who actually makes an effort.” ...more
While, short in length (little under 170 pages) this book packs a heavy punch. It finds a way to be common yet completely unique. Mostly, set in 1950 While, short in length (little under 170 pages) this book packs a heavy punch. It finds a way to be common yet completely unique. Mostly, set in 1950s Paris, it tells the tale of David, an expatriate who is trying to figure out his life. David is like most wayward youth in that he is prone to fits of passion one moment and cold distance the next. Complicating matters for David is his burgeoning feelings towards the same sex. His homosexuality hangs over him like the proverbial sword of Damocles. Whether it was an incident in his youth, his military service or the inner circles of gay Paris, David does his damnedest to guard his feelings with self-denial. He is mostly successful in keeping his feelings at a distance, until he meets an intriguing man, Giovanni, a bartender at a popular nightclub. David, as the protagonist and narrator of this story is used to being the one in control. He is someone who is adept at exploiting others, whether it is his grief stricken father, who continually sends him money from the United States, his finance Hella who he is stringing along or the old men who he derisively labels, “faeries”. He has been an expert chameleon and has fooled everyone until Giovanni. He and Giovanni start a deeply psychological relationship fraught with emotion. To compound the typical rollercoaster that is young love, their love is still also illegal. They also have kept dark secrets from each other about previous relationships. Faced with inner turmoil and external pressures, socially and monetarily, David has to decide what to make of his future. In the presence of Giovanni, he is increasingly feeling constricted and vulnerable. While, it would be lovely if Giovanni and David could have found a workable solution, it was never an option. Whether due to the times or just their circumstances, these two faced obstacles that neither were willing to face head-on. David, was too indoctrinated in macho culture and social norms and Giovanni was someone who was dealt such an unfathomable psychic wound that he never fully recovered. Tragically, Giovanni put his broken heart in the hands of David, who realized that he could never have the future he thought he deserved with Giovanni. Overall, James Baldwin has created a deeply emotional experience that has some of the most thought provoking prose I have ever read. It has great importance and significance as a book that explores a romantic relationship between two men. Beyond that, Baldwin is able to portray two characters who view love and life in different ways. David is cold and calculated, one might say a pragmatist until, he meets Giovanni who stirs up deep seated feelings. Giovanni is supercilious, a bauble to be showcased for his beauty and wit. With David, he is able to show off a wellspring of emotion and develops more gravitas. He is able to feel a love that he thought was forever lost. A tale filled with self-deception and bondage, this is a work that will forever leave a mark on my soul. ...more
I vacillated a bit on whether or not this was a 3 or 4 star read for me. On the positive side, the author Conner Habib writes in a very lyrical style I vacillated a bit on whether or not this was a 3 or 4 star read for me. On the positive side, the author Conner Habib writes in a very lyrical style with passion and intelligence. Negatively, even with all the purple prose it became a slog to get through. Vivid descriptions and infinitesimal narration can be fine in small amounts but for someone with my attention span it becomes rather tedious. The plot is worthy of 4 stars with twists and turns that eventually lead to a surprising if slightly predictable outcome. The characters though left me wanting. Specifically, the protagonist Todd Nasca. Fuck, at some point I started to loathe him. For me the main takeaway is do not be like Todd Nasca. The first part of this novel, which I enjoyed more so than the second part dealt primarily with the persecution of Todd Nasca during senior year of High School. This recollection was spawned by the reappearance of Jack, his bully during his final year of primary school. Before this Todd was living his best milquetoast life. He led an ordinary life that was neither glamorous nor hellish. He had a maybe/could be girlfriend and was looking forward to coasting through his final year. He was set up to go Keene University and was anxious to get on with a life he was sure was only going to get better and better. Todd makes a cardinal sin by snickering when a poem written by Jack is read aloud. Todd has now made a mortal enemy. After this transgression, Jack attempts to humiliate Todd in a myriad of ways. He eggs him on mercilessly, repeatedly questioning his manhood and sexuality and tries to goad him into a fight. At one point he even physically assaults him, punching him in the gut. Through his charm, good looks and aggression, Jack has marginalized Todd into an outcast. At this point in the story, it is easy to relate and feel for Todd but the swerve is soon to occur. While the first part seesawed between present day Todd, a single father of a young boy, Anthony and his senior year, the second part was focused on how Todd coped with his life gradually unravelling. This is where the switch occurred for me when Todd went from being a sympathetic character to being something different. There is no doubt that Todd is in a bit of a pickle. His ex-wife after a half decade is all of a sudden interested in establishing a relationship with their son. He has just moved in part to make sure that she cannot find him or their son, so he is trying to establish himself and his son. His job molding the minds of the youth is challenging without all of the requisite stresses and he is trying to do it alone. Not to mention, the mysterious and possibly diabolical figure from his past is starting to impose. On the pretext of meeting him serendipitously Jack has weaseled into their lives, finding refuge on the living room couch. To top it all off, Jack charms Anthony with his effortless magnetism. Fearing some nefarious plot to turn his own kid against him, Todd decides to act. People have snapped for far less than what Todd has endured but a fuller and more distorted picture emerges. Even precluding the act and subsequent cover-up, Todd’s sainthood does not hold up. Todds’ relationships paint a picture of a man who at best has a hard time relating to people. Whether it was his high school girlfriend who he accuses of being promiscuous or his wife who he ignores and does not try to find out what is going on with her, he comes across as aloof. He even treats Anthony’s flirtatious and fun-loving teacher as a prop meant to convey to his ex-wife Lidia that he has a new girlfriend. Quite frankly Todd is a user. Another example of this narcissism is when he catches the high school librarian in a compromising position and does not initially convey understanding. He makes him sweat it out and only confirms that he is with him when he knows he cannot take advantage of the situation. He does not get along with his parents, dreading having a conversation with them. As a teacher he targets one of his students who he forces to say that he loves the entire class. Knowing full well how high school trauma can follow one around, this seemed especially cruel. This poor boy is soon the object of derision forced to put up with bullies mocking him. The most prominent example of Todd being less than stellar is his treatment of Jack. While, the first part of the book makes Todd seem like the victim, the more you learn, Jack is victimized more than him. Not only is Jack a fish out of water, going from rural Maine to suburban New Hampshire his family life is tragic. He lost his mom and his father is abusive. He lives on the wrong side of the tracks and he is essentially given a scholarship to go to his new school. Being put on the spot, he gamely recites his award earning poem and gets mocked by Todd. While, he makes life for Todd difficult he shows him compassion during a school field trip to Hawk Mountain. Compassion, that Todd would not have shown him or probably anyone who had the misfortune of being in his orbit. There was much to admire in this debut effort by Conner Habib. He crafted a work that left me guessing but my annoyance with the main character, Todd Nasca clouded my judgement and makes it a 3 for me. ...more
What a book! John Boyne is able to merge a repudiation on naked ambition with a singular focus on winning prizes and make it both informative and enteWhat a book! John Boyne is able to merge a repudiation on naked ambition with a singular focus on winning prizes and make it both informative and entertaining. He has the cocksureness to let the story develop while not giving anything away. He has crafted an indelible character, one of the most odious and despicable I have come across in Maurice Swift. Mr. Swift's actions and justifications form the backbone of this stellar work and for me to analyze them too intently would potentially rob the reader of how diabolical he is. Needless to say, he is a character that is quite unforgettable, even if you would like to.
The story begins with the famous fictional author, Erich Ackermann, whose most recent work has left him shortlisted for a major literary prize. On a reading, promoting his work, he crosses paths with a handsome waiter at the Savoy hotel in West Berlin. Sparking his formerly latent feelings, Erich becomes entranced with the waiter, one Maurice Swift. With different motivations and feelings, Erich and Maurice form a partnership that changes both of their lives. After some prodding, Erich reveals his darkest secret to Maurice who leverages this knowledge to his advantage. Erich is left in shambles, disgraced, while Maurice is on the fast train to literary recognition and fame. Mr. Boyne is able to demonstrate how celebrity culture and the constant need for clout, mixed in with ambition and cancel culture can create a devastating concoction.
After jettisoning, Erich, Maurice takes up with the affable writer Dash Hardy. While, Hardy's work pales in comparison to Erich's his celebrity far exceeds his. Maurice uses his good looks and Hardy's insecurities against him. I am not sure if Hardy is supposed to be someone in particular or is just a composite character. Hardy is so enthralled that he has a younger and good looking lover that his normally facetious ways are transformed into real feelings. While, Hardy's feelings are genuine, Swift's are not. He uses Swift as a stepping stone for access to the literary world. We see this in a fascinating interlude which involves the famous novelist and gadfly Gore Vidal. During one juncture, Swift tries to leverage his looks and boyishness but Gore is too wise to the game and has faced off against more manipulative people than Swift.
We then get a section written from the point of view of Edith, a rising author and professor that Maurice Swift has married. Edith, is on the upswing while, Swift has fallen on tough times. His star is no longer shining and his agent and publisher have essentially dropped him. Once again his inability to write compelling plots has doomed him. It should not surprise anybody that a man as psychopathic as Swift would have an impossible time developing stories that would resonate with people. While technically proficient, Swift suffered from a lack of ideas. Swift's inability to write and Edith's incoming fame comes to a head and the betrayal is as swift as it is unexpected. Not to be too melodramatic but it left me briefly breathless.
Not skipping a beat, Swift uses his fame and wealth to startup a literary magazine called, Stori. He becomes an editor-in-chief for this "prestigious" publication and is able to capitalize on easy access to stories from some of the world's most talented authors. This is the proverbial wolf guarding the henhouse. He also has a son, Daniel who he replies flippantly, is from an Italian chambermaid. This is not surprising, as he is only able to view things transactionally. Daniel and him form a strong bond that is amplified by its singularity. To his credit he is a hands-on father who even interrupts his work schedule to attend mundane functions. Having everything he set his mind on from an early age: a famous literary career and a child, one would think that Swift would be completely contented.
The final section, Swift is a miserable drunk whose daily habits are dictated by which bar he is going to attend. Every day belongs to a different bar, so not to appear desperate or to develop a kinship with the bar personnel. He receives a letter from a college-aged man who is interested in writing his thesis on him. While, he is leery at first, he soon begins to find solace in revealing himself. He finds a bit of catharsis in unpacking his past wrongs to the intrepid, Theo Field. He has a breakdown and soon is having a difficult time distinguishing between Theo and Daniel. All of his transgressions are brought to the surface and despite his efforts to deflect we are privy to how diabolical his actions are. It takes a special kind of narcissist to justify what he has done, but he is up to the task. He seems to have no regrets which for me is the most startling realization of this amazing character study.
This amazing work, has that unique ability of being both original and traditional. Boyne is able to create suspense and his burn is slow and encompassing. After the first 50 pages I thought it might be a little slow but my patience was paid off tenfold. We get a modern day classic on the ambition of a man who lacks talent but is consumed with, "becoming a literary success." There is nothing that will deter him from his fate. In his own mind, he is destined to become someone and in a roundabout way he fulfills this very prophecy. ...more
There was much to admire in this graphic novel. The illustration was top notch and thoughtful. The pop cultural references were astute. It was also anThere was much to admire in this graphic novel. The illustration was top notch and thoughtful. The pop cultural references were astute. It was also an honest portrayal of a woman's ongoing struggle between the physical and mental. Even with all of these praiseworthy attributes, the further the work went the more annoyed I got at the author. She came across as melodramatic and quite recalcitrant in her actions. Her relationships, namely with her partners seemed one-sided and based on her convenience.
If I were to rate solely on illustration, this would be a 5 star novel. The ability to showcase movement and frenetic energy is amazing. Whether, Alison Bechdel is drawing herself in adolescence or a scene between William Wordsworth, his sister and Samuel Coleridge Taylor, her expertise is demonstrated. The various contortions and even the moments of gentle contemplations are shown with a passion. I gravitated towards the kinetic scenes but even the flashbacks were awe-inspiring.
The pop culture references as she navigates the various healthcare and self-improvement fads mostly worked. Whether it was describing the few options of footwear or sports available to women in her youth, my interest was piqued. It was clever the way she showed how each fad appealed to a particular decade. In the 60s', Jack Lalanne promoted a healthy lifestyle which relied on good nutrition and exercise along with showmanship that was geared to the "housewife" of the time. Towards the 70s and 80s, a more holistic approach which focused on the spiritual became in vogue. She is able to capture her experimentation with various forms of exercise and self-improvement with humor and affection.
An area where I felt an ambivalence was her constant tie-in to different time periods. While, I appreciate the ambition of tying in the Romantics, Transcendentalists and Beatniks with her ongoing transformations, it felt forced and frequently unconvincing. No doubt it sucked that Ralph Waldo Emerson did not treat his second wife with affection or Dorothy Wordsworth is largely forgotten but how they relate to a modern day woman cross-country skiing felt tenuous. She felt a bond between Jack Kerouac which is better explained as they shared a love of Buddhism and nature while both having issues with alcohol and anxiety.
My biggest gripe was the frustration I felt towards the author herself. The totality of the book is about the authors' personal growth and her constant desire to prove herself whether physically or mentally. She takes up all sorts of challenges and indulges in a slew of practices and activities to improve herself yet she oftentimes neglects her partners. To her credit she does go bike riding and skiing with her current wife, Holly but many of her previous relationships depicted her pursuing solitary activities simultaneously pushing away loved ones. The most glaring of the issues was her lack of compromise in domiciles. While, her partners including Holly advocated moving to a less desolate location she was adamant about staying put, even muttering, "she would die". I am far from an expert on Vermont's population density but moving from an area where your nearest neighbor is only 1 mile away instead of 3 miles does not seem very extreme. Another time was when she insisted that she must climb a mountain in Yosemite despite the strenuous protestations of her partner, Holly. Holly had previously lost her girlfriend, who was a cliff diver on a mountain that was similar to the one Alison was about to climb.
There is plenty to enjoy about this work but the hiccups gnawed on me. Whether it was the various explorations of previous eras or the sporadic references to her self-medication with pills or booze I felt a lack of coherence. While, the illustration and layout of the novel was superhuman the lack of a strong storyline proved it be its kryptonite.
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