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Turning Tricks
This is a small book of writing by Molly Young. It is produced by Pobrecito Press and includes full-color cover art by Daniele Frazier. There are 19 “tricks” contained in the book, and it is available for $9, including shipping. Limited edition of 150 copies.
Chapbook
First published January 1, 2009
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February 4, 2009
Kevin asked me why I've taken so long reviewing this book since we talked about it last week. The reason is I wanted it here in my hand for the evaluation. I put it down somewhere and can't find it. This is not a good sign when quantifying this book's weight in the world. My apartment is not large. It's in here. I am sure.
Fortunately bulk is not the what we're here to talk about. It is already well-known amongst the literati that this is not so much a book as a pamphlet, although someone insisted on renaming it a chapbook after I entered it into goodreads. As if that word actually means anything.
Okay! It had slid between my bed and the wall. Let's begin.
I am very fond of the writings of Molly Young. The body of Turning Tricks is content from her Magic Molly tumbler. Possibly some of it has been retitled to suit it to the theme of the book, but if you have read the site from the beginning you will, I think, have read all of this excepting the introduction.
It is fine work. Mysterious, idiosyncratic, beautifully formed. I most like How to be still and How to think rationally.
BUT: I had in mind that I was getting an original publication. A special piece of work for me and the hundred-odd others buying the book. Molly's distant, mysterious internet-persona very effectively draws in readers, but it also means she didn't really communicate: "Hi! Here is a book of my best blog posts. Would you like it?" I can't help but compare it to Kevin's Fever Dream Ghost Book , which, while similarly short, is a collection of original stories with a real rather than latterly-imposed overarching theme (ghosts!).
I'm not grousing. I don't feel in any way cheated by the purchase, I'm just interested in what comes next. Since Molly can write my socks off, I'm very hopeful the next book is something more substantial.
Fortunately bulk is not the what we're here to talk about. It is already well-known amongst the literati that this is not so much a book as a pamphlet, although someone insisted on renaming it a chapbook after I entered it into goodreads. As if that word actually means anything.
Okay! It had slid between my bed and the wall. Let's begin.
I am very fond of the writings of Molly Young. The body of Turning Tricks is content from her Magic Molly tumbler. Possibly some of it has been retitled to suit it to the theme of the book, but if you have read the site from the beginning you will, I think, have read all of this excepting the introduction.
It is fine work. Mysterious, idiosyncratic, beautifully formed. I most like How to be still and How to think rationally.
BUT: I had in mind that I was getting an original publication. A special piece of work for me and the hundred-odd others buying the book. Molly's distant, mysterious internet-persona very effectively draws in readers, but it also means she didn't really communicate: "Hi! Here is a book of my best blog posts. Would you like it?" I can't help but compare it to Kevin's Fever Dream Ghost Book , which, while similarly short, is a collection of original stories with a real rather than latterly-imposed overarching theme (ghosts!).
I'm not grousing. I don't feel in any way cheated by the purchase, I'm just interested in what comes next. Since Molly can write my socks off, I'm very hopeful the next book is something more substantial.
Displaying 1 of 1 review