All Consuming : andj

A review of "A Disorder Peculiar to the Country: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 04:17:53 GMT

A Disorder Peculiar to the Country: A Novel

by Ken Kalfus

‘A Disorder Peculiar to the Country’ is the story of Marshall and Joyce Harriman, a couple in the throes of a particularly nasty divorce when both are nearly killed in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Joyce abruptly cancels her flight on one of the hijacked planes, while Marshall, who works at the Twin Towers, is late for work and on one of the lowers floors when the planes hit. Both think the other is dead, and both are secretly and perversely pleased by the thought. Ken Kalfus deserves credit for writing one of the first novels to deal successfully with 9/11. His description of the carnage at the World Trade Centre is beautiful, harrowing and free of cant.

Kalfus views religious and cultural hatreds through the lens of the Harriman’s protracted, awful divorce. Husband and wife work to sabotage each other—bugging phones, torpedoing assets, sleeping with friends and making no effort to shield their two small children from the battle. Like other political enmities, their conflict becomes entrenched and self-perpetuating.

All in all, the book is very illuminating—not to mention daring. But a few things failed to click: we never understand how Joyce and Marshall got to hate each other so (indeed neither do they, but so what?). A chapter narrated by the Harriman’s 4-year old daughter feels false as a depiction of a child’s thinking. And the final chapter, which describes the discovery of WMD in Iraq, the spread of democracy in the Middle East and the capture of Osama bin Laden is a perplexing departure from the historical realism in the first part of the novel.

A review of "To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 22:29:35 GMT

To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife

by Caitlin Flanagan

Flanagan’s controversial book is irritating mostly for its bait-and-switch argumentation. There’s also a disingenuousness to the way she includes herself in her criticism of working-moms/at-home moms. (Which is she?) Many of these “culture wars” books are disappointing for belabouring a point that’s not working of 250 pages of interest: in this case, the issue of staying at home or working outside the home. For Flanagan, the factors that mitigate the CHOICE aspect are so thoroughly glossed over that it ceases to be a serious discussion of the subject. And, again, like so many books on the “culture wars,” the goal is more glossy prose and slap dash sociology than critique. Oh well!

Seriously, the book isn’t worth the hype or the controversy.

A review of "Lipshitz Six, or Two Angry Blondes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 03:22:09 GMT

Lipshitz Six, or Two Angry Blondes

by T. Cooper

Lipshitz Six is a postmodern tale of identity, heredity and gender in two parts. The first is the story of Hersch and Esther Lipshitz and their family. They flee Russia at the beginning of the 20th century, only to lose their youngest child at Ellis Island when they reach New York. Years later, Esther becomes convinced that Charles Lindbergh is her long lost son.

The story continues with a protagonist who shares the name of/is a version of the author, T Cooper. Cooper is the author of one well received novel, but has since taken up earning money impersonating Emimen at Bar Mitzvahs. The second half is the weaker of the two. The narrator is less well realized as a character, and has the unfortunate habit of dully taunting the reader.

The ending is interesting. [Spoiler] It turns out that the narrator is the opposite gender of what I’d assumed, which (of course) forced me to examine my own assumptions.

Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 06:02:48 GMT

Lulu Dark and the Summer of the Fox

by Bennett Madison

These Lulu Dark books are actually kind of dumb. Maybe they’re a little too young adult for me? (I can’t believe I’m saying that…) They’re really quite tame ~~- no sex, no drugs, no swearing -~~ and the pop culture references aren’t very intriguing. Worst of all, they’re kind of unfunny. Meh.

A review of "Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 05:07:50 GMT

Mason-Dixon Knitting: The Curious Knitters' Guide: Stories, Patterns, Advice, Opinions, Questions, Answers, Jokes, and Pictures

by Kay Gardiner

This is a great book written in a charming style by two bloggers living on either side of the Mason-Dixon line. It’s full of good advice, knitting inspiration and cute projects (although the applique jean jackets are pretty cringe-worthy). After reading, “In Defense of the Washrag” I’ll probably be knitting dish cloths from now til forever.

A review of "Are Men Necessary?: When Sexes Collide"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Thu, 11 May 2006 02:06:54 GMT

Are Men Necessary?: When Sexes Collide

by Maureen Dowd

I really hated this book. It’s meandering, uninteresting, and utterly misses the point (or, alternatively, has no point). The things she says about dating don’t apply to me, or any of the women I know. I figure they must only be true for people working in media and living in NYC (isn’t it weird how often you can make this complaint?). When she talks about “science” she sometimes quotes marketing firms, and when she does quote scientists, their claims are totally unscientific. Furthermore, it’s almost impossible to know what she’s getting at, since formulating a thesis seems utterly beyond her. Yuck.

Only in Your Dreams (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Tue, 02 May 2006 22:50:54 GMT

Gossip Girl #9: Only In Your Dreams: A Gossip Girl Novel (Gossip Girl)

by Cecily von Ziegesar

So, I’ve been reading this series ever since book one, and of course it’s bad but it’s usually kind of fun. But this book was dull. I hope that the series isn’t going to be crap now that the characters are going to college? Like the way things happened with 90210 or Saved by the Bell?

A review of "Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:57:28 GMT

Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea

by Guy Delisle

I think the best thing about this book is that it provides us with a chance to get some information about what life is like in North Korea. Of course, while Guy Delisle worked there he was kept mostly cloistered, so the book gives us very little direct information about the lives of North Koreans. Still, the enforced distance between Koreans and foreigners is very telling. Unfortunately, Delisle is sometimes contemptuous of North Koreans because they appear to accept their or even love their dictator. His smugness is a real downer, and I couldn’t help but compare him with someone like Joe Sacco, whose journalistic memoirs are much more nuanced.

The Twilight of the Superheroes (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:52:14 GMT

Twilight of the Superheroes: Stories

by Deborah Eisenberg

Deborah Eisenberg’s stories in this collection are so amazing, I picked up another of her collections immediately. She reminds me of Joy Williams.

A review of "The Best People in the World: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:50:47 GMT

The Best People in the World: A Novel

by Justin Tussing

This book has been getting some great reviews, so I put it on hold at the library and waited and waited. When I got it I read it straight through, but I didn’t actually love it. It left too many ends loose, which is often taken as a mark of a strong work, suggesting a refusal to falsify the story or whatever. But this book wasn’t quite strong enough to be taken totally seriously, as good. It’s somewhere between a serious work of literature and an entertaining one, and I choose to accept it as the latter rather than be pissed of that it failed to be Great. Maybe I would have liked it more if the reviews were less strong?

Black Cherry Vanilla Diet Coke

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:45:07 GMT

Diet Coke Black Cherry Vanilla

by Coca-Cola Company

As a devoted fan of diet coke who likes both cherry and vanilla flavours, I might have loved this. But I don’t. It’s silly to complain about it being artificial, but it is. It’s too sweet. And it reminds me of when I used to mix all the fountain juices together when I was a kid. Ew.

A review of "Teach Me"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:39:52 GMT

Teach Me

by R.A. Nelson

An excellent read—I couldn’t put it down. It’s the story of a devastating affair between teacher and student. The prose is lyrical, and the narrative is observant. But the dialogue between precocious teenagers is a real stretch, and some of the plot points, when viewed in light of the book’s resoluation, are far-fetched.

A review of "Harvard's Secret Court : The Savage 1920 Purge of Campus Homosexuals"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 19:36:25 GMT

Harvard's Secret Court : The Savage 1920 Purge of Campus Homosexuals

by William Wright

This book’s chronicle of a purge of gay students at Harvard in 1920 is fascinating, if not shocking. Wright does a good job of parsing the homophobic mentality of Harvard administrators, explaining how their views were reinforced not so much social norms as by Harvard’s self-conception. What’s remarkable about the events of 1920 is not how far we’ve come, but how much of those attitudes remain as common places today.

My only complaint is with one of the final chapters ~~- “Homophobia’s Long March” -~~ in which the author attempts both a history of and a biological explanation for homophobia. The issue is too complex to be covered in one chapter, and anyway, it’s somewhat apropos a history book.

A story about "The It Girl"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 23:08:01 GMT

The It Girl

by Cecily von Ziegesar

I read these religiously, but I wouldn’t say they’re good.

A story about "Them : A Memoir of Parents"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:59:07 GMT

Them : A Memoir of Parents

by Francine du Plessix Gray

Another great read. I read Francine du Plessix Gray’s biography of Simone Weil several years ago, and enjoyed her writing style so much that I was excited to pick up her memoir about her mother and step-father.

Their lives move countries and continents as they confront the menance of war and revolution, moving from Russia to France and ultimately to the United States. In the States, Tatiana builds a successful career designing hats for the New York’s elite, while Alexander Lieberman rises through the ranks of Conde-Nast.

The two are dynamic, artistic people, and their friends are a who’s who of important 20th century figures. But they are both unfailingly narcissistic, not to mention social-climbers. They neglect their daughter (Francine) to such an extent that she develops malnutrition. The author, nevertheless, is compassionate, and succeeds in making sympathic figures out of these two highly compromised people.

A story about "Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:51:34 GMT

Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls

by Bennett Madison

This book is a great young adult mystery. It’s a coming-of-age story that is chatty, funny and sweet.

A story about "Wonderful, Wonderful Times"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 22:49:32 GMT

Wonderful, Wonderful Times

by Elfriede Jelinek

Reading Elfriede Jelinek has been one the best things I’ve done this year. I read The Piano Teacher over a year ago, although I may not have even finished it. In any case it didn’t hold my interest. I might pick it up again now.

But Wonderful, Wonderful Times was completely captivating: disturbing, hallucinogenic, heartbreaking, and ultimately horrifying. I plan to read Women as Lovers next, as the first few pages were wonderful.

A review of "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 22:46:21 GMT

State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration

by James Risen

This book is a good introduction to the interactions between the Pentagon, the Whitehouse and the CIA. It describes the erotion of checks and balances at the CIA under the Bush.

A story about "Drugs Are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 07:28:45 GMT

Drugs Are Nice: A Post-Punk Memoir

by Lisa Crystal Carver

I loved this book. It reminded me of being a teenager, was totally inspiring and completely hilarious.

A story about "The Gravesavers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 17:24:43 GMT

The Gravesavers

by Sheree Fitch

I didn’t finish this. The reviews for it are great. On some level I recognize that it’s good, but it was a little goody-goody for me, so I just stopped reading it.

A story about "Lying : A Metaphorical Memoir"

nobody@allconsuming.net (andj) — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:26:20 GMT

Lying : A Metaphorical Memoir

by LAUREN SLATER

Lauren Slater’s prose is beautiful. She has a gift for lyrical writing and her verbal associations are sharp and sensual. This is an excellent book (which, unfortunately, suffers from an uneven tone of voice) that straddles the binary of fact and fiction, focusing instead on the narrative or emotional truth of her story, even while admitting that some or many or most of the story elements are false or ‘not factual.’