Reads a bit like one of those Victorian-era English saga-novels – think Hardy or Eliot – but fresh and modern at the same time. Very vivid characters, a couple of unexpected plot twists. Great prose… it’ll do good for your vocabulary to read this book. It never totally drew me in though, and reading it felt a bit chore-like, thus only 3 stars.

This sufjan guy is onto something. He’s got his own sound – post-modern folk? – and really knows how to write a song.

Enjoyable, but not earth-shattering.

I am really impressed by this album. Apparently Bruce, feeling and exploring the weight of Pete Seeger’s influence, went to the store and bought all of Pete’s albums. A little while later came this album, Bruce’s reproduction of some of the signature songs. The big-band arrangement really works so well… it makes for a huge, full sound that borders on chaotic at all the right times. I appreciate how Bruce didn’t just replicate the material – he put his own spin on it, e.g. going from major keys to minor keys, and of course bringing his unique raspy Jerseyness to the table. Most of all… these songs are great, and I’m glad that Bruce has brought them back into the fold.

i just finished book 1 and am eagerly moving on with the story. it seems to me that dust = reason… does anyone share this reading of the story?

update: so now i’m done with all three. there were some great ideas in this series – particularly the concept of daemons, and the literal and metaphoric celebration of free will and critical thought. the first two books flowed along quite nicely, but then the third was slow-moving and complicated, and introduced lots of new characters and concepts that weren’t well-developed at all. what a shame how it petered out, but i’ll still say that’s it’s worth a read.

of sex. strangest book club book ever.