This is the testament of Paul Bäumer, who enlists with his classmates in the German …
Review of 'All Quiet on the Western Front' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Good lordt. What a book. I’m some ways it’s hard to believe this is 95 years old. In other ways it’s easy to believe. Nothing had changed. Humans are humans. War is horrible. Aside from the setting or technology this book could’ve been written about prehistoric tribal warfare or the seemingly inevitable WWIII.
Not sure why I haven’t heard more about this other than “there’s a movie adaptation”. This should be required reading in school.
Review of 'Stella Maris (The Passenger, #2)' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Hugely enhances The Passenger. I maybe enjoyed this more. I certainly found this less frustrating. Some of this was over my head but it’ll be over nearly everyone’s head. That’s the point.
Still not my favorite Cormac at all. But definitely well made and worth a read for fans or people who like philosophy and math.
Review of 'The Old Man and the Sea' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
My first Hemingway. I never even realized how short this book was. A very simple story. A nice time. A meditation on stoicism, man’s role in nature (how much are we allowed to take?), etc. I can’t pretend to know what all the deeper meaning is (if there is any), but I enjoyed my time with Santiago a lot.
Review of 'Killers of the Flower Moon' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Holy mother of god…
How is this not taught in schools? I know. That’s a rhetorical question.
One of the best (???) non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Incredible journalism.
I wish I could make everyone read this. Yes. It is enjoyable to read despite the subject. It is a page turner as thrilling as Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; but it’s also a history lesson. The skillful writing and narrative is the hot dog and the horrible history of white supremacy and pure unblinking evil is the pill.
The silver lining is that there are some good ones out there. Some of us aren’t monsters.
Philip Marlowe, a private eye who operates in Los Angeles's seamy underside during the 1930s, …
Review of 'The Big Sleep' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Pretty phenomenal. I enjoyed that Phillip was smarter than me (and likely most readers). I still have questions about a few loose ends. It is a bit too messy at times. But an incredible novel. Amazing prose. Basically invented a whole genre (or electrified it). Obviously reading this in 2022 I could’ve done without some of the slurs, but it didn’t ruin it for me. Made sense in context and character. Just made me like Phillip a little less.
Indulgent Cormac. For the converted only. I found it deeply moving and upsetting and beautiful. Seeing Billy Parham and John Grady Cole together feels almost like fanfic at first. But then it turns into a standard Cormac story. If you’re lucky you get a friendship like there’s once or twice in your life.
I've slowly read Karl One Knausgaard's "My Struggle" series over about 6 years. I'm not a fast reader and I've taken breaks between each book. The sixth book, the longest by over triple the next longest book in the series, was a slog to get through at times — more than his previous books. The infamous 800+ pages on Hitler and the third reich while ridiculously fascinating and interesting is admittedly tough to get through. And it is only Knausgaard's ability as a writer that keeps you reading.
I don't really know what to say other than these books made me feel the way that the best art has always made me feel — less alone. To say I relate with him is an understatement. And the parts where we are very different people he writes in a way where you completely get his headspace and logic.
I know the …
I've slowly read Karl One Knausgaard's "My Struggle" series over about 6 years. I'm not a fast reader and I've taken breaks between each book. The sixth book, the longest by over triple the next longest book in the series, was a slog to get through at times — more than his previous books. The infamous 800+ pages on Hitler and the third reich while ridiculously fascinating and interesting is admittedly tough to get through. And it is only Knausgaard's ability as a writer that keeps you reading.
I don't really know what to say other than these books made me feel the way that the best art has always made me feel — less alone. To say I relate with him is an understatement. And the parts where we are very different people he writes in a way where you completely get his headspace and logic.
I know the entire premise of this project is controversial and if you wish to throw the whole thing out because you think it's exploitative I won't try to change your mind. But Karl Ove has given me one hell of a gift with this series and made me feel a lot less alone. Reading this series has deepened my love for my wife in ways no traditional romance film or book could've; it has reignited my passion for reading; and it has helped immensely with my depression.
I cannot recommend this series though. Like a lot of great art, you have to be open to it and interested. It can't be forced upon you. If this series sounds at all interesting pick up vol. 1. It's a hell of a read on its own. And if you do read this series and know me I'd love to talk about it.
Thanks for this hellish, harrowing, beautiful, naked, raw, boring, dull, selfish, narcissistic, exploitative, heart-wrenching gift, Karl Ove.
Following All the Pretty Horses in Cormac McCarthy's Border Trilogy is a novel whose force …
Review of 'The Crossing' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Not his best book. This one McCarthy gets up his own ass a bit. All traits & tendencies that make his best writing masterpieces here he indulges in without restraint. After part 1 I lost interest but kept reading. The main character isn’t terribly known or likable other than he’s a tough and resourceful young man. I didn’t give a shit about the brother. At least three sections where some random person he encounters tells a 20+ page story that’s filled with riddles and cryptic bullshit.
Cormac is a master. And extremely worth reading. But like Bob Dylan’s Christian era this book is for completionist only. Here’s hoping “Cities on the Plain” is more reigned in.
In a world where addictive technology is designed to buy and sell our attention, and …
Review of 'How To Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I wish I could make everyone read this book. It’s just so damn good and very powerful.
It’s short. Please read it. I’ll be revisiting sections of this probably for the rest of my life. And also reading this has ballooned my “to read” pile immensely.
As the American century draws to an uneasy close, Philip Roth gives us a novel …
Review of 'American Pastoral' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Forgot I hadn’t reviewed this one on here. Read about 11 years ago. It stuck with me. The movie isn’t terrible, but it works best as a novel. Few books deal with the questions raised by this novel.
