Woops – been away for a while, but I have several books to report on. I’ve read three since I last posted. They are:
“Ex Libris” by Ross King (literary historical thriller, mediocre)
“Dangerous Laughter” by Steven Millhauser (mysterious short stories, intriguing and good)
“Pattern Recognition” by William Gibson (cyber-uber materialistic thriller, good)
Can you tell I’m looking for some escape in my bedtime reading these days? Not going to spend a lot of time on “Ex-Libris” – it was okay, not the worst one of its kind I’ve read but certainly not the best (that designation would go to “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, which was awesome).
“Ex Libris” by Ross King (literary historical thriller, mediocre)
“Dangerous Laughter” by Steven Millhauser (mysterious short stories, intriguing and good)
“Pattern Recognition” by William Gibson (cyber-uber materialistic thriller, good)
Can you tell I’m looking for some escape in my bedtime reading these days? Not going to spend a lot of time on “Ex-Libris” – it was okay, not the worst one of its kind I’ve read but certainly not the best (that designation would go to “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, which was awesome).
“Dangerous Laughter” was a nice change of pace for me as I don’t often pick up books of short stories these days. The recommendation came from the same friend who recommended “The Outlander” (thanks Dozier!), and though not as great as that, the stories were very different/creative and refreshing. The author – Steven Millhauser – wrote the novel on which the movie “The Illusionist” was based, which might give you some sense of what the stories were like. The writing is lucid; its combination with the subject matter is often startling, as the subjects are strange and surreal. Some of the stories’ central ideas are particularly fun to think about: not talking again for the rest of your life or the idea of a machine that produces touch (the sense) much as television produces vision. In some of the stories, Millhauser has a talent for disguising the absurdity of his central theme until you’re solidly into the story; it’s a jarring but fun effect. My favorite of the stories was probably the last one – “The Wizard of West Orange.”
And finally, “Pattern Recognition,” another inhalation read. Good plot, definitely scores high on the addiction measure. Gibson’s writing style is hip and modern. Although it was written in 2003 and depends heavily on cyber/modern sci-fi themes, it still feels fresh today. I haven’t read a lot of novels that often reference 9/11 (actually only one – “Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud, which was fine), as Gibson does here; I thought it was quite well done. The most intriguing part of the novel, for me, was how Gibson hammered home the materialistic nature of his heroine. She works in advertising, is generally likable. The descriptions of her interaction with the external world are fascinating and sometime hilarious in the commentary they offer on our brand-permeated lives. At first, I found these descriptions exhausting and slightly irritating – I think I was probably taking it personally/judging the character. Before long, though, I got used to it and came to appreciate it (and I think Gibson toned it down after the character was sufficiently built and the plot came more into focus).
And finally, “Pattern Recognition,” another inhalation read. Good plot, definitely scores high on the addiction measure. Gibson’s writing style is hip and modern. Although it was written in 2003 and depends heavily on cyber/modern sci-fi themes, it still feels fresh today. I haven’t read a lot of novels that often reference 9/11 (actually only one – “Emperor’s Children” by Claire Messud, which was fine), as Gibson does here; I thought it was quite well done. The most intriguing part of the novel, for me, was how Gibson hammered home the materialistic nature of his heroine. She works in advertising, is generally likable. The descriptions of her interaction with the external world are fascinating and sometime hilarious in the commentary they offer on our brand-permeated lives. At first, I found these descriptions exhausting and slightly irritating – I think I was probably taking it personally/judging the character. Before long, though, I got used to it and came to appreciate it (and I think Gibson toned it down after the character was sufficiently built and the plot came more into focus).
