Lemar > Recent Status Updates

I guess this is a DNF for me although I read about half and there was a lot I liked about it. There were moments that were just too offputting for me.

I always look forward to a new Jonathan Lethem book It’s like hearing a favorite band coming to Oakland and playing at the art deco Fox Theater. At first this one, seemed good but very scatter shot and I hoped it would take shape. Characters do recur so there’s a narrative thread, but gradually I am accepting and appreciating the fact that these folks are features on the face of Brooklyn.

Often brilliant, Pynchon describing a character’s face is unmatched. There are sections about the brutality of the occupation of South Africa that is horrific and tragic in the indifference of the perpetrators. The novel has a ton of characters and can be hard to follow, these aspects make it a “difficult” book. I had to return it to Libby, my progress was so slow, but I will definitely finish it. 5stars easily

I watched a terrific live zoom conversation yesterday with David Mitchell and Michael Chabon. They clearly enjoy each other‘s work and each other. Mitchell made the observation that what he called ‘long form/small screen narrative’ was having an influence on his work. Mitchell thanked everyone for tuning in and said there should be a better verb, Chabon immediately came up with ‘zooming in’!

It’s like I had an olfactory receptor for Vineland and finally caught a whiff

I just can’t find a character I care about, time to jettison this one.

This book is s gold mine. Instead of getting a lot of shiny rocks you can sell, you come out of the mine with an altered perception of the world (harder to sell). Time feels different, like it slips and speeds up, reverses on itself rather than ticking away in an acceptably proper manner. The random string of life’s events take on a story arc with symbols that reappear.

Near the end of a long writing career, Hesse explores the metaphor of how we use symbols, especially letters and musical notation, to distill and transmit the essence of human culture. This is a tremendously deep and powerful book.

Crackling with energy and salted with wisdom!

All the raw material is here, earnest enthusiasm and an encyclopedic knowledge of forests and trees but he sure could have used an editor to keep it from being scattershot. It's format makes it a book that's fun to dip into while reading other books. The work itself is fascinating and fun to read

Ben Lerner illuminates and sings the unsung moments, adding a layer to Whitman's attention to everyday people by finding and burnishing moments prose has previously deemed pedestrian and unworthy.

Beware the Ides of March

I am about 1/4 through and find that, as Ian said in his excellent review, reading quickly helps me approach Mrs. Ramsay's quick, restless mind. I love the way characters' opinions of each other change by the moment, that is so true and yet I've never seen it rendered so (seemingly) effortlessly! Another thing, I just really like Mrs. Ramsay.

Tova Mirvis deals with religious fervor with the balance of a tightrope walker. The zealots and the more secular characters all just want to be happy, to fit in and to have meaningful lives. By establishing this commonality she minimizes the element of judgement and makes for an unusual read in that we explore the lives of people for whom religion permeates even the seemingly mundane aspects of life.

Either the perfect or worst book to be reading on a stormy night in an house with no electricity

This is a deep and wonderful book. It turns out that Henderson may have been drawn to closely to myself for me to warm to quickly. I'm into it now.

About 20% in and have yet to warm to any of the characters. Bellow's general observational insights and language are keeping me going but just barely.

Thoreau is an engaging guy, a true seeker. He employs his powers of reason and observation in a setting and state of mind chosen to render the most pure conclusions he can. His insights are marked by this honesty and his willingness to share these personal moments and thoughts.