J.A.'s Friend Comments

Mike wrote: "Evening, fellow traveler. Many thanks for your friendship request. Here's to mining the literary gems that enhance our lives immeasurably. With all good cheer."
Well, I am glad you responded and now I will do what I said I would and recommend an author. I notice you've read some Roth--he is one of my favorites. I was introduced to the British author, Howard Jacobson, after Roth--saw an interview with him and he was very funny. He was asked to respond to the allegations that he was a cross between Philip Roth and Jane Austin, to which he replied in his very cockney accent, "I am their love child."

Jacobson writes with the "tears of a clown," my favorite style--meaning amid the laughter, he hits you with sudden poignancy that makes you breathless. His new novel, J, is a departure from his usual, and I hear it is dark. I haven't read it yet. My favorites of his are The Finkler Question and The Act of Love. He won the Man Booker for Finkler.

I saw that you are reviewing a new book, so I expect you're rather busy. But if you get a chance, check out Howard Jacobson.

As for me, I seek out impeccable writing, but I don't like books that leave you feeling disturbed. Books where kids die or creepy things happen. I'm a baby about that ;). I don't mind dark--Nemesis, by Roth is one of my favorite books of all time and it's not a happy ending sort, but it didn't leave me feeling...creeped out and disturbed. So that's me. Any recommendations you have would be most welcome!

Cheers!

Evening, fellow traveler. Many thanks for your friendship request. Here's to mining the literary gems that enhance our lives immeasurably. With all good cheer.