The Effort to Fall

by Christopher Spranger

Aphoristic flashes and illuminating reflections on topics as widely varied as religion, literature, history, relationships, music, suffering, and love. A wild festival of wit, insight, and provocation served up with stylistic flair and philosophical verve by the author of The Comedy of Agony.

Genres: Poetry

112 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1998

Reviews

[Bill Kerwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I guess. But it ain't Cioran.

Spranger wrote this brief book of aphorisms when he was in his early 20's. They are primarily pessimistic, but--unlike the flamboyant perversity of Maldoror or the wry despair of Cioran--Spranger's pessimism seems more a disguise or a pose, like a high school poet/hipster's pork pie hat. Probably the best part of the book is the most positive: a section in praise of music, something Spranger obviously enjoys.

Interesting, but not memorable. And what use is a book of aphorisms if it is not memorable?

[univocity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aphorisms as if written by des Esseintes.