Jango’s Comments (group member since Apr 27, 2007)

Jango’s comments from the Silverlake Classics group.

Not sure what you mean? I understand White Oleander is a great novel. It's on my list to read, and I really enjoyed her follow-up novel Paint It Black. I'm really looking forward to the next one.

It's still there, right next door to the Silverlake Coffeehouse.

Seven Crows Bookshop
2388 Glendale Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
323-913-9677

Funny enough, a friend of mine actually designed that crow logo. But what of this elusive Black Cat...?

Okay, so the second half of My Name Is Red was much more interesting than the first. It offers amazing insight into what happens when the traditions of the East are confronted with the West's relentless pursuit of modernism. Even though it takes place in the 16th century, the themes are extremely contemporary. Well worth checking out.

There's that one block of store fronts on Griffith Park Blvd. right where it hits Sunset. Across from the little park where the Farmer's Marker is held. That's my updated guess for the Black Cat's former abode. And, yes, Chatterton's! I need to brush up on my Silverlake history.

Since there's not too much traffic with our group, I've made the executive decision to take us public. Hopefully, this will bring in some more voices to the discussion. I hope that's okay with everyone.

I just got assigned Yasmina Khadra's "The Attack" for the Human Rights Watch book group, and I'm told "The Swallows of Kabul" was excellent (evidently better than "The Kite Runner"). Has anyone read her work?

I'm having trouble getting through My Name Is Red for similar reasons. As intersting as the plot is, I'm having trouble connecting with any of the characters. I read The New Life, and it suffered from the same problems, but since it was shorter, it was more easily digestible. I started The Black Book last year and think it might be my favorite (I got sidetracked by my wedding). The main story is interspersed with these amazing short stories, much like Pynchon's V. is. Once I get back to it, I'll let you know if it continues to keep interest. But maybe I should read Snow first, seems to be the one everyone's talking about...

I think Skylight Books might've been Black Cat Books. I know it used to be something else in the 80's. But that would put it on Vermont in Los Feliz. Otherwise, there's some sort of spiritual center where Griffith Park Blvd. meets Los Feliz Blvd. Maybe it's the book store for the Center? My only other thought is that it's run out of someone's house.

There were some murmurings from the East Coast of tackling Moby Dick. Anyone up for the challenge? That includes those of you (like me) that last read it in high school or college! It could be the first book in the Silverlake Classics "Summer Reading List."

Anyone read any Orhan Pamuk (Nobel) or Cormac McCarthy (Pulitzer)? Any recommendations for which of these authors' novels to read?