i didn't really have a choice about reading this book. i may dislike thrillers, but it's a patent attorney in marshall, texas investigating the death i didn't really have a choice about reading this book. i may dislike thrillers, but it's a patent attorney in marshall, texas investigating the death of a stand-in for judge ward/gilstrap. there's a lot to question about why that makes something a must read to me and why patent law has gotten so deep in my mind, but that's for therapy.
in terms of patent law, it was an odd mix of very detailed and patent nerdy and trying to come off like an expert, while getting some things very wrong (like the entire edtx only having one judge?) and just clearly muddling some others (like a poorly argued motion to dismiss that mixed up types of patentability and infringement and claim construction). you also got to watch the many many ways in which one man was ready to ruin his career because he doesn't think shit through.
but i loved it. i could not put it down and got surprisingly emotionally invested. the final twist got me good. i also appreciated that this was a book written by a man that didn't feel like it was written by a man. women are treated respectfully, and even in romance they're not over sexualized or excessively feminized, and there was no sexual harassment. women in general were just respected without question, and one got to be queer without it even being a thing. there was also a good discussion about the lack of racial diversity in patent law, which i appreciated.
i hope there's a (non-murdery) sequel that takes us to waco....more
this is easily one of the most powerful plays i've ever read. it's about a southern town in the 50s where a white man is put on trial for murdering a this is easily one of the most powerful plays i've ever read. it's about a southern town in the 50s where a white man is put on trial for murdering a black man (inspired by the murder of emmett till), and the racial tensions in the town become louder than ever. baldwin's voice is powerful and poetic, and he holds nothing back about the realities of american racism. this is a must read....more
This is a really funny, absurd play. Jimmy is a failed actor, who on the same day loses two jobs, his girlfriend and his cat. He's fed up, and takes oThis is a really funny, absurd play. Jimmy is a failed actor, who on the same day loses two jobs, his girlfriend and his cat. He's fed up, and takes out his rage on Vito, who he catches burglarizing his apartment for the third time. The two work out a few of life's problems, celebrate New Year's Eve and give the ex-girlfriend hell, all while Vito is tied to a table half-naked. It's hilarious, but also cringeworthy at many parts — a few things don't hold up as well four decades after it was written. The treatment of Vito being gay and the men's overall attitude were not ideal, but it wasn't unforgivable. ...more
I do not have enough good things to say about this play. It's fucked up and wonderfully creative and imaginative. It's hilarious and absurd but dark aI do not have enough good things to say about this play. It's fucked up and wonderfully creative and imaginative. It's hilarious and absurd but dark and heavy. I only regretted that it took me so long to find out it existed.
The Pillowman takes place in a jail in a totalitarian state, where author Katurian is being questioned for the murder of several children whose deaths eerily follow his short stories. In the next room is his brother, who has confessed to the killings. Katurian is willing to do anything to protect his brother and to stop the police from destroying his work, as they hope to do.
What unfolds are incredibly imaginative and dark stories from Katurian's works and horrific abuse described from the hands of their parents. It's not for those who can't handle reading about violence, but rather those who can enjoy the creativity behind different kinds of violence.
It reminded me so poignantly of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, so I was less than surprised to find out Martin McDonagh is behind them both. It's a must-read if you enjoyed that movie....more
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