Adrift on the Nile
Naguib Mahfouz; © 1994
Fiction; 174pgs
This book is from the Nobel Prize winning author, Naguib Mahfouz. I have long desired to read his lauded Cairo Trilogy, but could only find the third installment at Half-Price Books. I figured this book would at the least be a adequate introduction to his award-winning prose.
Not entirely certain what to expect, I was delighted with the book. It is a quick read, both for its length and for the ease with which one can read the delicately structured sentences of the author. The plot revolves around a group of somewhat disenchanted middle-aged Egyptians inclined both towards the arts and the water pipe. Each is successful in their own path, but this success is marred by the overriding suspicions they hold for the absurdity of life. Nightly, they meet the protagonist ("the master of ceremonies") on his houseboat to partake in the illicit kif.
Much of the novel revolves solely around these nightly meetings, replete with conversations, hallucinations, and love triangles. Their mildly peaceable existence is thrown in disarray with an insertion of a new member who rebels against their absurdist leanings and argues for seriousness in life. Though both the absurd and the serious are buoys buffering the despair of life, they are diametrically opposed. It is these insoluble differences that drive the story forward and forever alter the makeup of these morally adrift citizens of Cairo.
CONSIDER IT.
September 28, 2009
September 25, 2009
Connect
No One Belongs Here More Than You
Miranda July; ©2007
Fiction; 224pgs
This set of short stories was recommended to me by a new found friend. There was a slight amount of trepidation experienced about the prospect of reading this book. My familiarity with Miranda July was slight. I had seen Miranda July's award winning film, You, Me and Everyone We Know. Though it didn't exactly knock me flat, I enjoyed it. It was a unique perspective to be certain. So, while I thought I would most likely enjoy the book, the amount of praise heaped atop the collection was slightly unsettling.
Upon reading the first story, I was hooked. July's voice, though somewhat constant and similar throughout the series, was devastatingly effective. Though I've never seen her art showcases, the theme of the book as well as her film, is one of loneliness and disconnectedness. For all the personal isolation, these stories are simple tales with strong undercurrents of optimism. With bouts of savage hilarity and cutting depth, this is great set of stories.
READ IT
Miranda July; ©2007
Fiction; 224pgs
This set of short stories was recommended to me by a new found friend. There was a slight amount of trepidation experienced about the prospect of reading this book. My familiarity with Miranda July was slight. I had seen Miranda July's award winning film, You, Me and Everyone We Know. Though it didn't exactly knock me flat, I enjoyed it. It was a unique perspective to be certain. So, while I thought I would most likely enjoy the book, the amount of praise heaped atop the collection was slightly unsettling.
Upon reading the first story, I was hooked. July's voice, though somewhat constant and similar throughout the series, was devastatingly effective. Though I've never seen her art showcases, the theme of the book as well as her film, is one of loneliness and disconnectedness. For all the personal isolation, these stories are simple tales with strong undercurrents of optimism. With bouts of savage hilarity and cutting depth, this is great set of stories.
READ IT
September 17, 2009
Introspection
Night Train to Lisbon
Pascal Mercier; ©2007
Fiction; 496pgs
This book received remarkable praise across the European continent. Given a dearth of US praise, I feared something might have gotten lost in translation. I began with minor expectations and was initially quite pleased with the book.
The nominal protagonist is a professor of languages, specifically Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He works in a secondary school in Switzerland. A man bound by letters and an unfailing memory, his somewhat catatonic scholarly state is severely shaken by a somewhat crazed Portuguese woman. Inspired, he begins browsing in a book shop where he inadvertently stumbles across an enchanting book by a Portuguese doctor. Dropping everything, he leaves Switzerland for Portugal, determined to find this man. What progresses from this point forward is as much the story of Raimund the Professor as it is Amadeu the doctor/posthumous author.
While there are many pratfalls throughout the text, my biggest problems were with the endless quotations from Amadeu's writings. Initially, I found them rather engaging, but they soon traveled down hill and I began to detest these interludes to the story itself. Paradoxically, I was alternately more interested in Amadeu's life as a doctor, resistance fighter, brother, husband, and lover than in Raimund's staid life. There was no driving force in Raimund. No tense moments, nothing over which he might prevail. He was simply there, delving into his own mind, searching for answers to his life.
The work is no doubt intellectual, the work of a true and learned man. It is, however, something I would recommend skipping unless you are in a particularly confusing point of life and uncertain of the future. In that instance, some of what is discussed could be quite beneficial to those in need of some soul-searching.
Consider It
Pascal Mercier; ©2007
Fiction; 496pgs
This book received remarkable praise across the European continent. Given a dearth of US praise, I feared something might have gotten lost in translation. I began with minor expectations and was initially quite pleased with the book.
The nominal protagonist is a professor of languages, specifically Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He works in a secondary school in Switzerland. A man bound by letters and an unfailing memory, his somewhat catatonic scholarly state is severely shaken by a somewhat crazed Portuguese woman. Inspired, he begins browsing in a book shop where he inadvertently stumbles across an enchanting book by a Portuguese doctor. Dropping everything, he leaves Switzerland for Portugal, determined to find this man. What progresses from this point forward is as much the story of Raimund the Professor as it is Amadeu the doctor/posthumous author.
While there are many pratfalls throughout the text, my biggest problems were with the endless quotations from Amadeu's writings. Initially, I found them rather engaging, but they soon traveled down hill and I began to detest these interludes to the story itself. Paradoxically, I was alternately more interested in Amadeu's life as a doctor, resistance fighter, brother, husband, and lover than in Raimund's staid life. There was no driving force in Raimund. No tense moments, nothing over which he might prevail. He was simply there, delving into his own mind, searching for answers to his life.
The work is no doubt intellectual, the work of a true and learned man. It is, however, something I would recommend skipping unless you are in a particularly confusing point of life and uncertain of the future. In that instance, some of what is discussed could be quite beneficial to those in need of some soul-searching.
Consider It
September 13, 2009
Realization
Of Love & Other Demons
Gabriel Garcia Marquez; ©1994
Fiction; 160pgs
As part of my continuing education in all things Marquez, I read this book directly after finishing A Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Though similar in length and setting, Of Love... is a wholly separate beast. Among other threads, it revolves mainly around a young girl and the affecting power she has on the world around her.
The prose in Of Love & Other Demons has a rather methodical gait. It plods forward, like an unassuming moose. As one reads, the book patiently leads the reader, lulling one into a sort of malaise. While one is vitally interested, one is never enraptured. In the last fourth of the book, the work blossoms into something unmistakably powerful and beautiful. It is a profound marvel, like walking out of a dark theater into a dazzlingly sunny afternoon...disorienting, yet wonderful. This book, of all I've read, illustrates Marquez's unique finishing power. I'm not certain I've ever found an author so adept with endings.
READ IT
Gabriel Garcia Marquez; ©1994
Fiction; 160pgs
As part of my continuing education in all things Marquez, I read this book directly after finishing A Chronicle of a Death Foretold. Though similar in length and setting, Of Love... is a wholly separate beast. Among other threads, it revolves mainly around a young girl and the affecting power she has on the world around her.
The prose in Of Love & Other Demons has a rather methodical gait. It plods forward, like an unassuming moose. As one reads, the book patiently leads the reader, lulling one into a sort of malaise. While one is vitally interested, one is never enraptured. In the last fourth of the book, the work blossoms into something unmistakably powerful and beautiful. It is a profound marvel, like walking out of a dark theater into a dazzlingly sunny afternoon...disorienting, yet wonderful. This book, of all I've read, illustrates Marquez's unique finishing power. I'm not certain I've ever found an author so adept with endings.
READ IT
September 8, 2009
doggy wisdom
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Garth Stein, © 2008
fiction; 320 pages
I'm back! After taking off the summer months from posting (not reading), I'm back to tell you about the latest book I've read. I can't remember where I read a review about this book, but what captured my attention was that the narrator of the story is a dog.
Sure enough, Enzo (a retriever, terrier mix) tells you the story of his owner's family and life. Denny is a professional race car driver, think sooped up Porsches and Ferraris not NASCAR, who marries the love of his life and has a daughter as well. While their child is still young and Denny's racing career is blossoming, the wife slowly dies from brain cancer. If this wasn't bad enough, unsuspecting villains emerge to make the reader really care about Denny and his struggle as a single parent.
Stein does a great job of mixing in great wisdom from a dog's perspective while fully developing his characters. It is a quick fun read.
read it
Garth Stein, © 2008
fiction; 320 pages
I'm back! After taking off the summer months from posting (not reading), I'm back to tell you about the latest book I've read. I can't remember where I read a review about this book, but what captured my attention was that the narrator of the story is a dog.
Sure enough, Enzo (a retriever, terrier mix) tells you the story of his owner's family and life. Denny is a professional race car driver, think sooped up Porsches and Ferraris not NASCAR, who marries the love of his life and has a daughter as well. While their child is still young and Denny's racing career is blossoming, the wife slowly dies from brain cancer. If this wasn't bad enough, unsuspecting villains emerge to make the reader really care about Denny and his struggle as a single parent.
Stein does a great job of mixing in great wisdom from a dog's perspective while fully developing his characters. It is a quick fun read.
read it
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