Wes Allen > Recent Status Updates

Currently toward the beginning of volume IV. Nearing the end of The Life proper, then onto his tour of the Hebrides.

The cover belies how good the book is.

This continues to be surprisingly good. Really impressive debut novel.

Into early-80s Ginsberg. "White Shroud" is a standout.

Back at it in earnest. Nearing the end of vol I of VI.

The shifting perspectives between the three books here effectively give life to the Watson legend. Matthiessen has talent in spades.

Funny and strange, with all of Pynchon's typical hijinks.

Some of the least likable characters I've encountered in a minute.

Unjustly forgotten. This could've been pared down a bit, but Bloom's critique of Wolfe is unfounded.

The somewhat difficult-to-come-by unabridged Life of Johnson. Turns out the typical 1500-pager is not all Boswell had to say. (Pictured is my own copy.)

A page-turner, as expected. Pop fiction of the better sort.

Fame and literature were irreconcilable enemies (802).

This section isn't poetry ipso facto, but rather a series of interconnected poetic vignettes. Bolaño doesn't disappoint.

Coming to the close of part four.

Part 3

Weirdly enough, a page-turner.

Just wrapped up the very long section on banking and interest rates.