Comments for start narrative here

Comment on Letter: Carson McCullers to Reeve McCullers, late December 1944. by Irene Gale

Irene Gale — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:28:04 +0000

After reading Heart is a Lonely Hunter on ebook, sad to discover her other works, with exception of Member of the Wedding, are not also available on ebooks. I’m forced to buy paper editions.

Comment on A Cool Million by Nathanael West (1934) by Indexing: How much Wodehouse can you take(?), Cannery Row, Lispector, L.A. Review of Books podcast, and much more | Vol. 1 Brooklyn

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:01:32 +0000

[...] dreams, or writing as mercenary labor. This week I scored and scarfed his two lesser-known novels, A Cool Million and The Dream Life of Balso Snell. While neither sniffs Lonelyhearts‘ great heights, each has [...]

Comment on Looking for Alaska by John Green (2005) by Alyssa (Redhead Heroines)

Alyssa (Redhead Heroines) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:52:48 +0000

I agree that Alaska's character was a bit too contrived towards male fantasies, but I think Green tried to counteract that by making her a feminist. I'm not completely convinced that it worked out, but the entirety of the novel was an overall success! - Alyssa of Redhead Heroines Book Review of “Looking for Alaska” by John Green

Comment on The Wild Things by Dave Eggers (2009) by Book Loot: Week Ending October 31st, 2010 | start narrative here

Book Loot: Week Ending October 31st, 2010 | start narrative here — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:34:33 +0000

[...] The Wild Things by Dave Eggers – this hip adaptation of Sendak’s iconic picture book didn’t quite live up to my expectations. [...]

Comment on Short Story Soiree: Jeane by James Hopkin (2009) by Book Loot: Week Ending 14th March, 2010 | start narrative here

Book Loot: Week Ending 14th March, 2010 | start narrative here — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:31:40 +0000

[...] a few months ago I was quite taken with a short story called “Jeane” by James Hopkin? Well, this week I found his debut novel, Winter Under Water, in the the [...]

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Omar

Omar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:57:03 +0000

It’s hard to criticize Bellow if you don’t understand the philosophical issues and arguments that inform the author, both before and after he wrote the book. HINT: Alexandre Kojeve’s End of History.

Comment on The Radleys by Matt Haig (2010) by The Radleys | Susan Hated Literature

The Radleys | Susan Hated Literature — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:46:39 +0000

[...] reviews: Love Vampires ; Start narrative here ; The book frog This entry was posted in Books and tagged 7 Stars, family secrets, [...]

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Omar

Omar — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:29:01 +0000

Joseph in Dangling Man appeals to younger readers because he recognizes and confronts the spiritual emptiness of the modern world or at least of most of the life possibilities that exist in the modern world. The conversations with Alternatives and his entries about his friend ABT are the key IMO to Joseph’s entire outlook (or lack of one). They bring to mind a much larger discussion about the loss of the energies (conflict) that have always moved history, that when they stopped churning, mankind was forced back upon itself. Is the end of history (as we know it) the end of man — Nietzsche’s Last Man? That’s why even WWII is inconsequential as a great event for Joseph. Joseph believes it will change nothing “essential” about contemporary life. Why? Because the question from The Alternatives, “Do you want to change anything?” has become meaningless in a world that is destined towards one liberal democratic end. If there’s nothing essential to change, then how is one supposed to believe in anything worthy of a true calling?

Yes, his disposition makes him hard to sympathize with as a person, but in my experience, the most difficult people to get along with are usually those with the most interesting things to say. It’s good that they write books so we don’t always have to hear them say it.

Comment on A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (1934) by REVIEW: A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh « Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog

REVIEW: A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh « Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:44:28 +0000

[...] Start Narrative Here: “Whereas the social comedy is largely written in sparkling dialogue, but when Tony ventures to avoid all divorce proceedings and familial manipulations by taking an exotic trip overseas the tone significantly changes. Rather than relying on conversations to drive the narrative forward, it takes on a very different, more reflective and descriptive tone once Tony is abroad. Here the novel lost me a bit. Tony’s travels may have been interesting in their own right, but to become so involved in the inner workings of the social circles of the Lasts and then to be torn right out of it had a somewhat jarring effect.” [...]

Comment on Short Story Soiree: Sucker by Carson McCullers (1963) by Ariel

Ariel — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:29:23 +0000

I think that this story tells alot about how kids act torward one another. It is a good story.

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Jess

Jess — Tue, 03 May 2011 05:00:35 +0000

Oh hush you, no need to apologise. Your comments are always welcomed & read with great enjoyment on my part. Just boring old real life stress getting in the way of organizing my thoughts & just generally feeling pretty unintelligent and dull. I’ll be back.

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Matt

Matt — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:38:47 +0000

Hey,
Guess I’ll respond to this comment out of all. First, it’s sad to see no updates in a while. Second that I apologise for the last 2 comments on the Weird Sisters. I was experiencing my first night off after 4 weeks of constant gigs, and constant uni work. I also had that week with a nephew (who, mind my language, is a little shit.) Combine all of that with alcoholic tendencies, the fact that I had the tension of considering quitting uni to start a trade, and an internet connection, and you have a bad recipe for commenting.
Also, I actually have a blog I started (and deleted all posts on) this year: the Opulent Bugs Bunny. In fact, your comment may have been the clincher for me to review…everything via that blogspot (I’m arrogant enough to assume I can, and I reserve the right to do so.) Well, some day, some day…perhaps I could incorporate Bellow into my subtitle.
Hoping you’re doing well,
You know my name.

Comment on Monkey Grip by Helen Garner (1977) by andrea sherry

andrea sherry — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:05:55 +0000

Can’t agree with you about the book being dull – haven’t finished it yet but am amazed that a story about ‘nothing much’ has me gripped. I Can’t define exactly what it is that keeps me interested – may be able to so on completion.

Comment on The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (2011) by Matt

Matt — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:21:45 +0000

Oh, and if you dare criticise a single point in my earlier comment, then all I have to say is this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytc0U2WAz4s

Comment on The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (2011) by Matt

Matt — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:35:41 +0000

First off, reading does unfortunately become somewhat needless when one needs to spend his time thinking about how he’d become a music journalist, or whether he should cut his losses and become an electrician. Second, don’t consider “estrogen-fest” a detractor for me. Third, I’m no Richey Edwards disciple (though I copy his hairstyles and am concentrating on my lyricism.) Fourth, I LOVE the works of Camus; he’s my favourite philosopher; his absurdist model is IMO the most credible for living on an intellectual and pragmatic basis. Fifth, my uni library sucks. Most QLD unis are purely pragmatist, and as such are geared almost exclusively towards scientists and lawyers (my brother, as an upcoming scientist, can also vouch for this.) Finally, I live many Kms away from my uni (I live in Brisbane; my uni is at the Gold Coast, an hour’s drive away); this is not conducive to good free reading.
I may read Under the Skin next, as I just finished Junky, or I may read something else; either way, I’ll do as I please.
PS: I honestly didn’t remember commenting on this post; the only reason I haven’t looked at your comment earlier was because I figured both comments on this post were completely irrelevant to me. I deserve a severe flogging; I guess the whiskey that motivated me to check the comments will punish me cum Thursday morning.
PPS: Can’t wait for your next review.

Comment on An Eye on Carson McCullers: November 2010 by bybee

bybee — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 01:47:38 +0000

I love anything and everything about Carson McCullers. I want to read her books The Ballad of the Sad Cafe, Clock Without Hands and Member of the Wedding. I also want to read more of her short stories.

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Jess

Jess — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:38:53 +0000

Why the hell aren’t you blogging Matt? Got a title for you and everything: BETTER THAN BELLOW. Or bigger? Eh.

Comment on The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (2011) by Jess

Jess — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:31:33 +0000

There’s no such thing as needlessly reading! Yeah, this novel was pretty much an estrogen-fest. And as a constantly distracted reader myself, I understand about Under the Skin. You might get around to it eventually. Besides, the School of Richey Edwards required reading comes first! (I am so guilty of this. I was the nerd in high school (I could just end that sentence there) going up to the school librarians and asking if they had any Camus. Or Dennis Cooper. Awkward.)

Penguin Classics are brilliant, Vintage Classics have some good, cheap ($12.95ea) stuff now too. I go into bookseller mode even in my time off. Dammit. Anyway, poor uni reader?! Uni libraries are the best for poor uni readers, and they have great & weird stuff hiding on the shelves. Usually.

Comment on Dangling Man by Saul Bellow (1944) by Matt

Matt — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:13:04 +0000

While I do sort of (sort of) enjoy the work of Bellow, allow me to be completely arrogant in detracting from his works at my inexperienced age. I find he settles too freely in his own world, a world in which his characters follow Bellow’s teachings and demonstrate little more than their desire to be greater than what they are. Wow, how exciting…and I say this as someone who reads slice-of-life philosophy novels most of the time.

Or, more importantly, fuck Bellow’s accomplishments! Who is he to intimidate you? Let him know who’s boss (everyone) by reviewing this (and whatever else you read from him), and letting us know so we don’t have to bother with the non-existent consensus (if a consensus is one of attitude, then what is there to say that it truly exists?)
Whatever, it’s just another comment,
Matt.

Comment on The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown (2011) by Matt

Matt — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:53:34 +0000

Sorry, I wanted to read Under the Skin (as I said), but then I looked at the shelves, and Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea (which I hadn’t read) was $10, so I bought that. Then I finished it, and saw that William S. Burroughs’ Junky was also $10 (God damn you Penguin Classics, so enticing to the poor uni reader!) Maybe I’ll read this cum April.
I am a bibliophile…I am!
But I must admit that I’m not sure if I’d identify with this novel. Maybe I would, seeing as how I do spend my time needlessly reading, but I enjoy my occasional dick waving contests (they’re oh so fun!)
I wish I never discovered this blog,
Matt (please don’t flame me, I’m ever so sensitive!)