Hadn't reread this since studying it in 8th grade English. The first thing I noticed was something we certainly didn't discuss in that class: BradburyHadn't reread this since studying it in 8th grade English. The first thing I noticed was something we certainly didn't discuss in that class: Bradbury's extensive use of free indirect discourse from within Montag's POV. It's actually quite disconcerting and usually done to show Montag's racing mind in chaotic circumstances, or when he's coming unhinged, or when he's confused and uncertain as he breaks free from the fog of his fireman's role. Also noticed that Bradbury unleashed a lot of vivid similes when describing, many of which still seem fresh today. There's a lot of references to hands and to Montag watching his hands do things that look foreign to him. Seems like a topic for literary analysis. Haven't read any of the reams of literary criticism on this book and wonder if those hands have been written about already?
After reading this again I went for the Audible audio book, which is narrated by Tim Robbins and is freaking amazing. He does all the voices and imbues the story with a passion that captures the chaotic events and emotions cascading through Montag's consciousness. Five stars for that version every day of the week!...more
Surprisingly found myself locked in and finished this in two sittings. Another holiday. Another road trip. Supposedly the last Bascombe novel, but I lSurprisingly found myself locked in and finished this in two sittings. Another holiday. Another road trip. Supposedly the last Bascombe novel, but I like the ending's openness, the way Ford left himself with options. What next, though? Bascombe's seventy-four here, and as Lorrie Moore said, "No one wants to hear what you think when you're eighty." Perhaps Ford will feel tempted to test that thesis. Perhaps not.
Some craft/litcrit stuff that jumped out at me: Meandering sentences exquisitely punctuated. When minor characters are given the stage, they steal it. Places explode as they are microscopically examined and described. Reported dialog casts certain words in quotes to show what narrator Bascombe (or is it author Ford?) considers notable (to flavor, to stress, to mark as cliche or emblematic). This stylistic use quotes to tag words is sure to be critically examined, and fully "academized." What to make of the structure that has two framing sections titled "Happiness" sandwiching two parts and eleven chapters? Paul's kitschy shirts! And, finally, there's Heidegger. Heidegger? Really? Give me 200o words on that. Due Friday....more
First read this back in Jr. high along with a bunch of other Lin Carter Sci-Fi and Fantasy books. He's probably wrote a bazillion of them! Always likeFirst read this back in Jr. high along with a bunch of other Lin Carter Sci-Fi and Fantasy books. He's probably wrote a bazillion of them! Always liked the cover art on this and there is plenty of similar action in the book. The prose gets a bit formal at times. Massive amount of world building and names here, and I wasn't in to making that much of an investment with this read so mostly skimmed. Good journey story. Strange man in a strange world theme....more
Equally brilliant and annoying. Not really a book you read, it's one you have to study. And, now, going on 25 years since it was published, an industrEqually brilliant and annoying. Not really a book you read, it's one you have to study. And, now, going on 25 years since it was published, an industry of commentary has flourished, including The Journal of David Foster Wallace Studies. Future students of 20th Century American Literature will no doubt have to read this. I did read this when it was published in 1996, after having previously read the chunks of it that were first published in literary journals, but confess to not having read it closely then. This time I read slowly, word for word, with pencil in hand to mark things, as if I were back in grad school, and continuously back tracked and reread sections. It's akin to assembling a jigsaw puzzle when you don't know what the picture looks like. Once you get through it the first time and you know what all the pieces look like, you can start putting some of it together. Then it's time to start rereading. Aside from that structural challenge, it is encyclopedic, philosophic, and a full-on cultural critique. DFW's mastery of free-indirect discourse is on par with James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, and he uses that narrative technique to capture the unique voices and experiences of multiple characters. It is grueling reading at times, but also full of slapstick scenes, and some of the speeches and conversations sound like stand-up routines. Most surprising to me on this reading was how often his descriptions would shift from clinically precise and concrete to stunningly beautiful lyricism. ...more
Gave this a go but it never took hold and I basically just skim-read the last 2/3s. Slow-moving, with a narrative voice not particularly engaging, andGave this a go but it never took hold and I basically just skim-read the last 2/3s. Slow-moving, with a narrative voice not particularly engaging, and it takes way too long before anything of substance happens. First in a series, so I wanted to check it out, but glad now that I only bought the first book. Too many better so going to pass on further Hank Janson....more
The last third had good pace and plenty of action and kept me in the groove. First two-thirds had a lot of waste and dialog that didn't really advanceThe last third had good pace and plenty of action and kept me in the groove. First two-thirds had a lot of waste and dialog that didn't really advance the plot, so it was a struggle to get to where the story improved....more
After a great first chapter that sets the stage as we meet two doomed (no spoiler, this is noir after all) protagonists - Walt Bonner, a cop planning After a great first chapter that sets the stage as we meet two doomed (no spoiler, this is noir after all) protagonists - Walt Bonner, a cop planning a bank heist, and Peggy Jennett, the devil in the dungarees, leading him on with herself as bait - the story slows down a bit as we meet the other robbers involved in the heist. At this point the narrative also shifts from Walt's POV to what will become an omniscient POV. What we lose with the close identification with Walt is repaid with a much broader sense of the action. And action is the key, because from the moment the robbery starts there is no let up until the end. Conroy (a pseudo of Marvin H. Alberts) adds a new complication every couple pages with the classic plotting technique of pose a problem, solve it, create another problem, and keep it up to the last page. As a page-turning, action-packed, crime-noir novel, this has all the goods. Would have a made a great movie....more
Totally nails the descent of gamblers. Probably didn't need a whole novel, though, for what it achieved.Totally nails the descent of gamblers. Probably didn't need a whole novel, though, for what it achieved....more
Barthelme, Frederick's prose is always so smooth and effortless, sucks you in. Had read this before, and for some reason thought more happened, but itBarthelme, Frederick's prose is always so smooth and effortless, sucks you in. Had read this before, and for some reason thought more happened, but it doesn't. A constant threat looming of sexual harassment that just never materializes. I imagine this was more edgy when it was published in 2003, but now, in 2018, just seems to have ducked all the issues. Still, though, Bathrtleme is smooth as silk, and the plot does "drive-bys" as he advised in his 38 steps....more
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