An online portal for several aging men, formerly of Wesley Ave
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Anachronistic English of "Lincoln"
Although I thoroughly enjoyed Spielberg's new film Lincoln and wouldn't be surprised if it won Best Picture, I found this article regarding historic usage of language to be quite interesting- particularly in how using online databases, you can more easily analyze the frequency of common words and phrases. The interesting question is whether more writers (of film or even literature) would use these resources in the future to hew to an even more accurate depiction of language as was once spoken.
Thursday, January 03, 2013
broadening the audience
By the way, I've just invited all of your wives as authors to this blog. When it was created, none of them were around (except for Emily). There was never an intent on my part to make it exclusive. It just so happened that our posting has trickled off over the years as we've gotten older. Hopefully, new blood might revivify the blog.
We shall see.
We shall see.
Happy new year!
Well, as a new year's resolution, I'm going to try and post periodically on the blog. In spite of (nay, because of) aging, I still have many things to say. Even to those who'd rather not listen.
This year is the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (just passed) and Battle of Gettysburg (this July 4th). I'm thinking of trying to go back to Vicksburg for the major re-enactment this summer. On the premise that most of the focus and crowds will be on Gettysburg at the same time.
Some resolutions of mine:
1. Lose weight. I am now 211.8. I was as high as 218 recently. My record low is 200. So, here's hoping to get back to 200.
2. Read less. Or more properly, revise my reading strategy. I currently have 25 books checked out of the library. (And yes, I not only have thoughts on Joe Queenan's column that Zack posted in October, but I read the guy's memoir several years back, too.) I recall a conversation with Zack towards the end of 2011, when I declared my 2012 resolution to be to phase out my library usage. I own several hundred books that I have yet to read and it seems pointless to have them sit there. I presumably bought them because I found them worthy of my attention. Unfortunately, I gave myself 2 exceptions: 1) to continue to read Newbery award winners over the years (more on that later), and 2) to read award-winning books recently published. I'd gotten out of the habit of actually reading new books. Granted there are hundreds of great old ones, but they will always be there. There's something to be said to do more than reading book reviews in the NYTimes, New Yorker, etc.
Unforunately, the exceptions swallowed the rule. Admittedly, it has been quite successful insofar as I've read several great new works that I would otherwise never have noticed. But my bookshelves at home still stare at me with guilty eyes. So, here's to a second year of trying to focus my reading.
3. See the Oscar films. This is something the college-Matthew would be ashamed of. I've been very tardy these last few years in checking out the acclaimed films. I blame my wife. :) But this year, we've been pretty on top of things.
Already seen: Zero Dark Thirty (with family and Dave), The Master (with Grayce), Moonrise Kingdom (brother Zack), Lincoln (opening weekend in NYC w/ Grayce), Argo (Grayce), Beasts of the Southern Wild (with Grayce from Redbox- a coup since she hates watching films at home), Silver Linings Playbook (Dave), Django Unchained (brothers Zack and Jon), Looper (Redbox by myself- I knew it would be too violent for Grayce), Skyfall (IMAX at Franklin Institute with Grayce- oh yeah), The Avengers (on airplane).
Yet to see: Amour (considered Best Foreign flick. coming to Philly soon), Life of Pi (Grayce is stubborn but I'll try to drag her), The Dark Knight Rises (couldn't drag her to this one, even though we saw the last one together), The Sessions (again, Grayce is being mule-ish).
Still, fairly good showing all-in-all.
Last but not least, go see the Best Shorts when they hit theaters. In case you don't know, for the last few years, you can go see the 5 nominees in Best Short Film Live, Best Short Film Animated, and Best Short Documentary, as 3 separate ticketed movies at the theater in February. It doesn't play everywhere, but all the larger cities do this. First, we did this, but then I found out that you could buy the shorts on iTunes for only a couple bucks a piece and it made cost sense to do that instead. What I forgot (or willfully ignored) is that Grayce doesn't like to watch films on the laptop, so most of last year's nominees sit unwatched on her MacBook. So this year, I'm biting the bullet and we'll go back to the theater. And I recommend all of you do the same as well.
4. More Wudan get-togethers. This year there were 3, although 2 were weddings, so it's hard to count them. There's the social obligation and all of that. I'll be emailing people in the near future about summer plans.
OK, that's my quick resolutions. What's yours?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
books!
I don't agree with all of this article, but I really liked the end, on the concept of ebooks from the perspective of a book lover.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444868204578064483923017090.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read
Sunday, July 15, 2012
summer roadtrip- Boston (pt. 1)
So, we briefly took a family vacation at the beginning of the month. Hannah and Zach (brother) drove East, then we packed up and headed to Boston. I've been to Boston at least a dozen times, but thanks to Dave, haven't really had the opportunities to do much tourist viewing (except the MIT Museum- which was admittedly pretty good).
So, now that Dave is south, we hit some of the classics. Boston Common was nice in a "small Central Park" kind of way. (or maybe "large Rittenhouse Square"?) We also did a part of the Freedom Trail run by the National Park Service (herein "NPS"). Normally, I'm a big fan of NPS stuff, but this was somewhat lacking. Partly, it was the 90+ temperature. Partly, the x-factor of the individual guide. But then, I have to admit that I felt the tour itself both too much and too little- not much time spent on the 1760s backdrop to the Revolution, while simultaneously focusing on things (First North Church, Faneuil Hall) that were overtly familiar.
I must admit- and drop a name- that I read David Hackett Fischer's Paul Revere's Ride several years back, which is often considered the definitive historical write-up on the whole incident, plus the preceding events well summarized. (And if you want a better book, check out his Washington's Crossing, which won the Pulitzer, and does an even better job of focusing on the events of December 1776 outside of Philadelphia.) All of which is to say, I was underwhelmed.
But that was compensated by the Black Heritage Trail, also run by the NPS in Beacon Hill. Now, if you've never been to Beacon Hill (and I haven't), it's a lovely small neighborhood to walk around to, right behind the State House. For historic interest (and I knew nothing going in), it was where the Black community lived in the 19th century. We proceeded to have a fascinating walking tour about the history of integration, segregation and civil rights that went on in Boston in the early 1800s, which is something that I--and presumably most people--know nothing about. Fascinating and highly recommended.
The next day, we went to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). Impressive, august collection. Not as large as the Met, but along the lines of Art Institute or PMA. That was followed by a less impressive tour of the JFK Library and Museum. Now, for those who know, Grayce has a thing with Presidential Libraries, and we are trying to hit them all. (For those interested, technically, the only "official" ones are those created subsequent to FDR, who created the first in Hyde Park (Hoover was also added)). Yes, there are many NPS sites and museums and birthplaces, etc., but not Presidential Libraries. Anyhow, one thing that I've discovered is that the location isn't so much dependent on the individual and his accomplishments or politics, but when the museum was built. Thus far, the better ones were Carter and Reagan, while LBJ and JFK both lacked. I think part of this is simply that museum design and content have vastly improved in the last few decades. You can tell this if you ever go to a science or natural history museum. Take the Natural History Museum in NYC. It's pretty impressive. Great planetarium (so I'm told- it's frickin expensive). The dinosaur collection is amazing and quite informative, having recently been completely overhauled. But if you go back to the geology hall, to take an example, it's a time warp to the 1950s- literally, since that's when the placards were made.
Of course, I often assume (though honestly can't say that this is true) that there is a chicken-and-egg problem to unimpressive and unloved museums and exhibits. If they had more resources, they could revamp the collection- and thus get more interest and visitors. But you can't get more resources (from admissions, etc.) unless you improve your collection. It's an unfortunate cycle that too many inadequate institutions seem trapped in.
Anyhow, that was our brief trip to Boston. Stay tuned for our adventures in Acadia . . .
Also- others can feel free to post or share their recent adventures (at home or on vacation). This is an attempt to spur on the blog. I'll be out, recovering from my gall bladder surgery next week, so should have time to revive the blog.
And read a book for August if people chime in.
So, now that Dave is south, we hit some of the classics. Boston Common was nice in a "small Central Park" kind of way. (or maybe "large Rittenhouse Square"?) We also did a part of the Freedom Trail run by the National Park Service (herein "NPS"). Normally, I'm a big fan of NPS stuff, but this was somewhat lacking. Partly, it was the 90+ temperature. Partly, the x-factor of the individual guide. But then, I have to admit that I felt the tour itself both too much and too little- not much time spent on the 1760s backdrop to the Revolution, while simultaneously focusing on things (First North Church, Faneuil Hall) that were overtly familiar.
I must admit- and drop a name- that I read David Hackett Fischer's Paul Revere's Ride several years back, which is often considered the definitive historical write-up on the whole incident, plus the preceding events well summarized. (And if you want a better book, check out his Washington's Crossing, which won the Pulitzer, and does an even better job of focusing on the events of December 1776 outside of Philadelphia.) All of which is to say, I was underwhelmed.
But that was compensated by the Black Heritage Trail, also run by the NPS in Beacon Hill. Now, if you've never been to Beacon Hill (and I haven't), it's a lovely small neighborhood to walk around to, right behind the State House. For historic interest (and I knew nothing going in), it was where the Black community lived in the 19th century. We proceeded to have a fascinating walking tour about the history of integration, segregation and civil rights that went on in Boston in the early 1800s, which is something that I--and presumably most people--know nothing about. Fascinating and highly recommended.
The next day, we went to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). Impressive, august collection. Not as large as the Met, but along the lines of Art Institute or PMA. That was followed by a less impressive tour of the JFK Library and Museum. Now, for those who know, Grayce has a thing with Presidential Libraries, and we are trying to hit them all. (For those interested, technically, the only "official" ones are those created subsequent to FDR, who created the first in Hyde Park (Hoover was also added)). Yes, there are many NPS sites and museums and birthplaces, etc., but not Presidential Libraries. Anyhow, one thing that I've discovered is that the location isn't so much dependent on the individual and his accomplishments or politics, but when the museum was built. Thus far, the better ones were Carter and Reagan, while LBJ and JFK both lacked. I think part of this is simply that museum design and content have vastly improved in the last few decades. You can tell this if you ever go to a science or natural history museum. Take the Natural History Museum in NYC. It's pretty impressive. Great planetarium (so I'm told- it's frickin expensive). The dinosaur collection is amazing and quite informative, having recently been completely overhauled. But if you go back to the geology hall, to take an example, it's a time warp to the 1950s- literally, since that's when the placards were made.
Of course, I often assume (though honestly can't say that this is true) that there is a chicken-and-egg problem to unimpressive and unloved museums and exhibits. If they had more resources, they could revamp the collection- and thus get more interest and visitors. But you can't get more resources (from admissions, etc.) unless you improve your collection. It's an unfortunate cycle that too many inadequate institutions seem trapped in.
Anyhow, that was our brief trip to Boston. Stay tuned for our adventures in Acadia . . .
Also- others can feel free to post or share their recent adventures (at home or on vacation). This is an attempt to spur on the blog. I'll be out, recovering from my gall bladder surgery next week, so should have time to revive the blog.
And read a book for August if people chime in.
evil movie marketing companies and stupid people
I occasionally hit the Redbox, and so I'm always curious to find certain blatant rip-offs as new DVD selections. Take, for instance, the new animated film on DVD, titled "Kiara the Brave", but as you can see the logo below
it's hardly clear what the first two words are. This happens quite often- especially with children's/family films. The question that always occurs to me is: are there really stupid people out there who rent this film thinking that they are getting the actual famous product? The answer must be one of several: 1) yes, they are that stupid (maybe they are harried parents too distracted to know the difference), 2) no, they know it's not the same but still stupidly think that the two sentence description on Redbox and the case totally sell the film, 3) they and/or their children are actually completely satisfied to try a product sight-unseen that has clearly been marketed in a quasi-copyright infringement attempt to mimic the real product.
Anyhow, one must ultimately assume that if a product is being sold in the market, someone must be buying it and someone else must be making a profit. Still, it leaves me vaguely perturbed and somewhat depressed.
it's hardly clear what the first two words are. This happens quite often- especially with children's/family films. The question that always occurs to me is: are there really stupid people out there who rent this film thinking that they are getting the actual famous product? The answer must be one of several: 1) yes, they are that stupid (maybe they are harried parents too distracted to know the difference), 2) no, they know it's not the same but still stupidly think that the two sentence description on Redbox and the case totally sell the film, 3) they and/or their children are actually completely satisfied to try a product sight-unseen that has clearly been marketed in a quasi-copyright infringement attempt to mimic the real product.
Anyhow, one must ultimately assume that if a product is being sold in the market, someone must be buying it and someone else must be making a profit. Still, it leaves me vaguely perturbed and somewhat depressed.
Happy Birthday Brian
There's not much to be said for turning 32. (did anyone do anything meaningful when they turned 30? seriously, I'm curious.) Still, it's a chance to congratulate a friend for another 365 days on the planet. Way to run those actuarial tables!
Separately, here's looking forward to having fun in Indiana next month. I recommend people bring party games (pictionary, scattergories, etc.) so there will be stuff to do while I am ignoring you all in the hot tub.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
return of the book club?
OK, so Zack really was the one who proposed a new book back in May. But I read "Watership Down" last year, coincidentally, and didn't really care for it (more in a later post). However, considering that we're all planning to gather in one month's time (T minus 30 days), it might be a good time to read a book and discuss it in Indiana (possibly while in a hot tub).
So, thoughts?
So, thoughts?
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Wudan Book Club - Watership Down?
Clearly the blog has been dead for a while, but Brian and I were talking last month about resurrecting the book club idea. Anyone in?
Today's David Brooks column got me thinking of a book that was mentioned on the book jacket of a book I read when I was 12. That's right, Brooks's column today was entitled "Warfare or Courtship in 2012?", which, through the idiosyncrasies of the human brain, made me think of the book Watership Down, which was mentioned on the book jacket of Redwall, which I read when I was 12 (great book by the way - but that's another story (literally!)).
Anyway, it's an epic fantasy book that's pretty famous, and described on Amazon as "a corking good adventure." It's about rabbits, so it might be a bit jejune for our crowd. On the other hand, literary fiction may be too much to ask for people with busy and stressful lives.
Anyone interested?
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
I finished Invisible Man, it was a pretty good book. Thanks for recommending it, Weisberg.
I can tell that it took Ellison long time to write- it seems a little disconnected overall, doesn't seem to have the same feeling flow throughout. Maybe I just don't get it. I really enjoyed the individual stories as they stood alone.
Also, Emily and I are listening to "The Help" book on tape and there was a reference to Invisible Man. Also a lot of references to To Kill a Mockingbird...
Recently I was reminded quite pointedly that we haven't gotten over race differences in America. Based on my day-to-day interactions, I thought we were over it. But we were serving a free Thanksgiving meal at our church and I volunteered to sit with people that were eating and engage them in conversation. One man was very interested in making his points clear to me: 1. My history lessons have intentionally left out the accomplishments of African Americans and 2. If my word were to ever go up against his word in a court of law, who do I think would be believed? I know it's a different crowd than I'm used to talking to, and this guy was looking for a free meal, so maybe he had other problems (he mentioned he had been in prison for a few years). I'm pretty sure that it would be hard to be white and be this guy's friend. There must be a sizeable population out there (of African Americans?) that STILL can't bring themselves to integrate?
There was an incident that happened here recently:
http://thegazette.com/2011/11/30/iowa-student-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-officer-assault/
A black friend of mine watched the video and said afterwards, "I'm glad that kid wasn't black."
Here's a side question: Can we talk candidly about race relations on a public blog like this? I don't ever plan on holding a public office, but I know some of you others might.
-Owen
I can tell that it took Ellison long time to write- it seems a little disconnected overall, doesn't seem to have the same feeling flow throughout. Maybe I just don't get it. I really enjoyed the individual stories as they stood alone.
Also, Emily and I are listening to "The Help" book on tape and there was a reference to Invisible Man. Also a lot of references to To Kill a Mockingbird...
Recently I was reminded quite pointedly that we haven't gotten over race differences in America. Based on my day-to-day interactions, I thought we were over it. But we were serving a free Thanksgiving meal at our church and I volunteered to sit with people that were eating and engage them in conversation. One man was very interested in making his points clear to me: 1. My history lessons have intentionally left out the accomplishments of African Americans and 2. If my word were to ever go up against his word in a court of law, who do I think would be believed? I know it's a different crowd than I'm used to talking to, and this guy was looking for a free meal, so maybe he had other problems (he mentioned he had been in prison for a few years). I'm pretty sure that it would be hard to be white and be this guy's friend. There must be a sizeable population out there (of African Americans?) that STILL can't bring themselves to integrate?
There was an incident that happened here recently:
http://thegazette.com/2011/11/30/iowa-student-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-officer-assault/
A black friend of mine watched the video and said afterwards, "I'm glad that kid wasn't black."
Here's a side question: Can we talk candidly about race relations on a public blog like this? I don't ever plan on holding a public office, but I know some of you others might.
-Owen
Monday, November 14, 2011
relevant trivia
Here's something interesting- common trivia is that River Phoenix (and his siblings Summer, Rain, et al) were given their odd names because their parents were hippies.
Less common trivia is that River was specifically named after the river that was the focus of the end of Hesse's Siddhartha (you know, where he lived with the ferryman).
Extremely less common trivia is that River's mom was originally a Jewish girl from the Bronx. Apparently, later in life she divorced River and Joaquin's dad and remarried a guy named Jeffrey Weisberg. So Joaquin Phoenix is Jewish, and his step-dad is a Weisberg.
---
Also, I have finally gotten into Invisible Man. Not sure if I will make end-of-month deadline, but will aim for it.
---
Lastly, I read and posted my thoughts on The Invention of Hugo Cabret last month. Well, it turns out that Martin Scorcese has directed it as his first animated film and it's being released next week. So, here's an inducement to check out the book (and maybe the film- I'll play wait-and-see). The author Brian Selznick has just come out with his first book since, Wonderstruck, that also looks to be a winner.
Less common trivia is that River was specifically named after the river that was the focus of the end of Hesse's Siddhartha (you know, where he lived with the ferryman).
Extremely less common trivia is that River's mom was originally a Jewish girl from the Bronx. Apparently, later in life she divorced River and Joaquin's dad and remarried a guy named Jeffrey Weisberg. So Joaquin Phoenix is Jewish, and his step-dad is a Weisberg.
---
Also, I have finally gotten into Invisible Man. Not sure if I will make end-of-month deadline, but will aim for it.
---
Lastly, I read and posted my thoughts on The Invention of Hugo Cabret last month. Well, it turns out that Martin Scorcese has directed it as his first animated film and it's being released next week. So, here's an inducement to check out the book (and maybe the film- I'll play wait-and-see). The author Brian Selznick has just come out with his first book since, Wonderstruck, that also looks to be a winner.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Game 6
Okay, I was at Game 6 of the World Series on Thursday night, and I feel something needs to be said about it. The problem is I - like many pundits and pretty much everyone who was there on Thursday - have a hard time putting it into words. It was an utterly unforgettable experience.
It exemplified the reason I love baseball so much, and so much more than football or basketball. The reason I love baseball so much is that it is truly not over until the very last strike. There's no clock, so no matter what the statisticians tell you, there is always that chance. So you can be one strike away from losing the World Series twice - twice! - and you can come back from two down in the bottom of the 9th, and then do it again in the bottom of the 10th, and then win it in the 11th on a walk-off home run. All those things can happen in baseball, which is why I love it so much. Obviously those things won't happen often. But just one time being at a World Series game where all those things did happen was so electrifying, such a sensory and spiritual roller-coaster, that I think my idealistic belief in unlikely comebacks is recharged for a good ten years or so.
Was it the greatest World Series game of all time? I'm sure Brian will point to Bill Mazeroski in 1960 Game 7... But his team was never on the verge of elimination in that game; indeed, the Pirates had been leading into the 9th. I put Game 6 2011 as the top game of all time not just because I was there, but because of the way it fits into one of the most exceptional baseball seasons ever. Both wildcards decided on the last day of the season when two historic franchises completed historic collapses. The Cards beat the heavily-favored Phillies on a complete game shutout from Carpenter pitching against his best friend (and probably the superior pitcher). They beat a Brewers team with whom they had plenty of bad blood throughout the season. And then they create the circumstances demanding an amazing Game 6 by blowing Game 5... They showed an amazing ability to win with their backs to the proverbial wall, and very little ability to win when not so situated. So they go out and play pretty horribly for 7 innings of Game 6 until they have really reached the utter end, the nadir, the point from which no one should ever in any sane universe be able to come back. And having reached that point, they come back. It was a thing of surpassing beauty, and I'd be happy to tell you about it over a beer sometime. (You have a beer, I'll have an Arnold Palmer).
By the way - are we still reading Invisible Man for Oct/Nov?
It exemplified the reason I love baseball so much, and so much more than football or basketball. The reason I love baseball so much is that it is truly not over until the very last strike. There's no clock, so no matter what the statisticians tell you, there is always that chance. So you can be one strike away from losing the World Series twice - twice! - and you can come back from two down in the bottom of the 9th, and then do it again in the bottom of the 10th, and then win it in the 11th on a walk-off home run. All those things can happen in baseball, which is why I love it so much. Obviously those things won't happen often. But just one time being at a World Series game where all those things did happen was so electrifying, such a sensory and spiritual roller-coaster, that I think my idealistic belief in unlikely comebacks is recharged for a good ten years or so.
Was it the greatest World Series game of all time? I'm sure Brian will point to Bill Mazeroski in 1960 Game 7... But his team was never on the verge of elimination in that game; indeed, the Pirates had been leading into the 9th. I put Game 6 2011 as the top game of all time not just because I was there, but because of the way it fits into one of the most exceptional baseball seasons ever. Both wildcards decided on the last day of the season when two historic franchises completed historic collapses. The Cards beat the heavily-favored Phillies on a complete game shutout from Carpenter pitching against his best friend (and probably the superior pitcher). They beat a Brewers team with whom they had plenty of bad blood throughout the season. And then they create the circumstances demanding an amazing Game 6 by blowing Game 5... They showed an amazing ability to win with their backs to the proverbial wall, and very little ability to win when not so situated. So they go out and play pretty horribly for 7 innings of Game 6 until they have really reached the utter end, the nadir, the point from which no one should ever in any sane universe be able to come back. And having reached that point, they come back. It was a thing of surpassing beauty, and I'd be happy to tell you about it over a beer sometime. (You have a beer, I'll have an Arnold Palmer).
By the way - are we still reading Invisible Man for Oct/Nov?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
books I've read recently
I've really refrained from TV/film in recent months and focused on books. Here's some quick reviews of ones that have either been worth a recommendation or worth a warning.
Banvard's Folly - Paul Collins- 3.0/5.0.
On Owen's recommendation, I checked this out. While several of the chapters are quite interesting, the book is quite conflicted. Many of the chapters are about individuals who perpetrated hoaxes- like forging “new” plays of Shakespeare. Some hoaxers even believed the mistake- like an older acclaimed French physicist who believed he had discovered N-rays because he mistakenly saw changed results by looking through his eyes peripherally. Quite separately are artists who were critically acclaimed but later disappeared- like John Banvard, who created an artistic diorama of the Mississippi River thousands of feet long, or a bestselling British poet, who the next generation considered his writing quite poor. These just go to show that popular taste is ephemeral. The best chapters, in my opinion too few in the book, were men who truly attempted great feats and failed or succeeded without the acclaim. Here includes a man who created a new language using 7 musical tones, the creators of pneumatic subways, and the man who developed the Concord grape. I wouldn't mind a full book of more of those men.
Chicken with Plums- Marjorie Sartrapi- 4.0/5.0
First- just go read Persepolis. If you really like Persepolis, then check this out. It's not as great, but really well imagined, written, and drawn.
Pride of Baghad- Brian Vaughan- 4.5/5.0
Vaughan is the creator of the acclaimed graphic novel series Y: The Last Man, which I would recommend, although it has some faults. Created by the author of Y: The Last Man, this work tells a wonderful short story about 4 lions escaping from a zoo during the Iraq War. But the simple tale also serves as a morality play for freedom vs. security, man vs. nature, war vs. peace, trust vs. caution, and a whole number of other things. Ultimately it’s about 4 creatures trying to find a place in the sun but tragically failing.
Push- Sapphire- 4.0/5.0
Better known as the film Precious, this was actually a surprisingly engaging and interesting book (never saw the film, by the way). The writing style is very "Flowers for Algernon", with the narrator's writing improving as her education improves. Challenging work (what with rape, abuse, etc.) but uplifting in the end. The only two knocks is that it has a premature ending, and also, there's a coda of sorts of journal entries from Precious' classmates which, while interesting on their own merits, distracts from the focus of the book.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret- Brian Selznick- 4.0/5
This story is quite a mix of mediums. It won the Caldecott a few years ago, but it's a blend of comic book and written novel. The plot is complicated but involves a young boy who lives in a Paris train station. Also, it largely concerns George Melies and early silent film, which is right up my alley. The real challenge is to know who the audience of the book is. The protagonist of the book is a child, and he’s the narrator. On the other hand, the story has many literary and film references that would only make sense to an adult, and a well-educated one at that. Having said that, it was a very interesting piece of work.
Banvard's Folly - Paul Collins- 3.0/5.0.
On Owen's recommendation, I checked this out. While several of the chapters are quite interesting, the book is quite conflicted. Many of the chapters are about individuals who perpetrated hoaxes- like forging “new” plays of Shakespeare. Some hoaxers even believed the mistake- like an older acclaimed French physicist who believed he had discovered N-rays because he mistakenly saw changed results by looking through his eyes peripherally. Quite separately are artists who were critically acclaimed but later disappeared- like John Banvard, who created an artistic diorama of the Mississippi River thousands of feet long, or a bestselling British poet, who the next generation considered his writing quite poor. These just go to show that popular taste is ephemeral. The best chapters, in my opinion too few in the book, were men who truly attempted great feats and failed or succeeded without the acclaim. Here includes a man who created a new language using 7 musical tones, the creators of pneumatic subways, and the man who developed the Concord grape. I wouldn't mind a full book of more of those men.
Chicken with Plums- Marjorie Sartrapi- 4.0/5.0
First- just go read Persepolis. If you really like Persepolis, then check this out. It's not as great, but really well imagined, written, and drawn.
Pride of Baghad- Brian Vaughan- 4.5/5.0
Vaughan is the creator of the acclaimed graphic novel series Y: The Last Man, which I would recommend, although it has some faults. Created by the author of Y: The Last Man, this work tells a wonderful short story about 4 lions escaping from a zoo during the Iraq War. But the simple tale also serves as a morality play for freedom vs. security, man vs. nature, war vs. peace, trust vs. caution, and a whole number of other things. Ultimately it’s about 4 creatures trying to find a place in the sun but tragically failing.
Push- Sapphire- 4.0/5.0
Better known as the film Precious, this was actually a surprisingly engaging and interesting book (never saw the film, by the way). The writing style is very "Flowers for Algernon", with the narrator's writing improving as her education improves. Challenging work (what with rape, abuse, etc.) but uplifting in the end. The only two knocks is that it has a premature ending, and also, there's a coda of sorts of journal entries from Precious' classmates which, while interesting on their own merits, distracts from the focus of the book.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret- Brian Selznick- 4.0/5
This story is quite a mix of mediums. It won the Caldecott a few years ago, but it's a blend of comic book and written novel. The plot is complicated but involves a young boy who lives in a Paris train station. Also, it largely concerns George Melies and early silent film, which is right up my alley. The real challenge is to know who the audience of the book is. The protagonist of the book is a child, and he’s the narrator. On the other hand, the story has many literary and film references that would only make sense to an adult, and a well-educated one at that. Having said that, it was a very interesting piece of work.
an entertaining B-book
Response review of The Bat
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of The Mousetrap at all, but after you mention it, it's quite striking. As I remarked to a friend, although the phrase "American Agatha Christie" is used to praise Rinehart, it really is a backhanded compliment. I mean, if Rinehart were the greater artist, then Christie would be the "British Mary Rinehart".
Having said that, I think Zack's point about The Mousetrap actually leans in favor of The Bat. Realistically, this isn't a book that's survived. It's pretty hard to get a copy of. Rinehart is basically completely forgotten. Therefore, just as Mousetrap fails due to too high a bar, this book was OK by me since I didn't even have any bar.
As for the plot, it's really silly. At first, I thought this was going to be a real crime novel, but as soon as it transitioned to old-lady point of view, I was just waiting for her to be murdered (darn). I began to get fairly tired of the clichés and inadequacies of the book. But at some point in time during the night of the murder, I turned the corner. The dialogue and plot devices had become so clichéd that they were enjoyable. Furthermore, the most humorous part of the story is how stupid the characters (good and bad) are. I don’t mean “stupid” as in “I don’t appreciate them”, but “they have low intelligence.” There are dozens of moments in the story when a choice is presented to a character and almost invariably, they choose the wrong one. ("let's split up!" "let's leave vulnerable alone in rooms by themselves repeatedly!" It became almost farcical.
In fact, it reminded me of the recent play version of The 39 Steps where what was once done for suspense has been converted to farce. I imagine it would easy to do similar work with The Bat. Ultimately, your view of the book is largely going to depend on what you expected it to be and what you compare it to. So, while by no means a great work, it fits up there with old-time Hollywood B-movies- works that are artistically inferior but provide great pulp to enjoy.
I give it a 3.0/5.0. While I wouldn't recommend it to someone with reading time to spare, I honestly had a pretty good time with it by the end.
Hmmm. I hadn't thought of The Mousetrap at all, but after you mention it, it's quite striking. As I remarked to a friend, although the phrase "American Agatha Christie" is used to praise Rinehart, it really is a backhanded compliment. I mean, if Rinehart were the greater artist, then Christie would be the "British Mary Rinehart".
Having said that, I think Zack's point about The Mousetrap actually leans in favor of The Bat. Realistically, this isn't a book that's survived. It's pretty hard to get a copy of. Rinehart is basically completely forgotten. Therefore, just as Mousetrap fails due to too high a bar, this book was OK by me since I didn't even have any bar.
As for the plot, it's really silly. At first, I thought this was going to be a real crime novel, but as soon as it transitioned to old-lady point of view, I was just waiting for her to be murdered (darn). I began to get fairly tired of the clichés and inadequacies of the book. But at some point in time during the night of the murder, I turned the corner. The dialogue and plot devices had become so clichéd that they were enjoyable. Furthermore, the most humorous part of the story is how stupid the characters (good and bad) are. I don’t mean “stupid” as in “I don’t appreciate them”, but “they have low intelligence.” There are dozens of moments in the story when a choice is presented to a character and almost invariably, they choose the wrong one. ("let's split up!" "let's leave vulnerable alone in rooms by themselves repeatedly!" It became almost farcical.
In fact, it reminded me of the recent play version of The 39 Steps where what was once done for suspense has been converted to farce. I imagine it would easy to do similar work with The Bat. Ultimately, your view of the book is largely going to depend on what you expected it to be and what you compare it to. So, while by no means a great work, it fits up there with old-time Hollywood B-movies- works that are artistically inferior but provide great pulp to enjoy.
I give it a 3.0/5.0. While I wouldn't recommend it to someone with reading time to spare, I honestly had a pretty good time with it by the end.
Sunday, October 09, 2011
The Bat (2.5/5.0)
I guess I’ll kick off our September book discussion, re: The Bat by Mary Roberts Rinehart. Brian, this will contain SPOILERS, so don’t read if you haven’t finished.
My initial impression was this book reminded me of The Mousetrap. Anyone remember seeing that show in London? Matthew, I think we saw it together in 2004. I’m not saying it’s like the Mousetrap because they have similar plot elements (though they do) or because Mary Roberts Rinehart was known as the “American Agatha Christie” (though she was). I’m saying it’s like The Mousetrap because I think they’re both mediocre, and they both survive because of their compounded fame. This is particularly true in the case of The Mousetrap, which is still the longest-running play of all time. When you’re the longest-running play of all time, you don’t have to be good. You just have to continue existing, and your fame will self-perpetuate your existence into infinity because everyone wants to say they saw the longest-running play of all time, whether it’s great or not. The Bat kind of reminded me of that.
I mean, it wasn’t that bad. It had lots of amusing murder mystery stereotypes. I admit I thought the butler was going to be the one who did it a couple of times (and I later learned that Rinehart is credited with the origin of the phrase “the butler did it”). The stereotypical characters did amusing stereotypical things. The beautiful debutante trusted her true love and trembled tremulously. The falsely-accused lover carried on indefatigably in the face of cruel fortune. The crazy maid was appropriately batty, and the laconic butler didn’t say much. There were gun shots from the dark, and mysterious bloody figures wandering in from the night. Cheesy, but fun.
I certainly didn’t figure it out. This is probably because I never figure it out (with the exception of The Usual Suspects, which for some reason I saw coming from the very beginning).
I really loved the bit with the old lady (ahem - cough, cough, Miss Marple, cough, cough) telling the bad guy that she took the bullets out of the gun. That was a nice touch, and my favorite part.
Finally, I don’t understand why this is considered an inspiration for Batman. Because he dresses in black? Knowing that this is supposed to be a Batman precursor, I spent the whole book expecting The Bat to be a misunderstood superhero. Which turned out to be wildly inaccurate. That’s the trouble with reading seminal works of literature with an informed retrospective perspective...you expect the inspirational link to be clear, when in reality ideas bud from oddly disjointed fictional fragments. You read a book about an evil super-criminal who dresses in black and occasionally nails dead bats to doors, and suddenly you’re penning the annals of a dark, misunderstood bat superhero who works out of a cave beneath a Gothic mansion and invents crazy devices. Fiction is fascinating.
My initial impression was this book reminded me of The Mousetrap. Anyone remember seeing that show in London? Matthew, I think we saw it together in 2004. I’m not saying it’s like the Mousetrap because they have similar plot elements (though they do) or because Mary Roberts Rinehart was known as the “American Agatha Christie” (though she was). I’m saying it’s like The Mousetrap because I think they’re both mediocre, and they both survive because of their compounded fame. This is particularly true in the case of The Mousetrap, which is still the longest-running play of all time. When you’re the longest-running play of all time, you don’t have to be good. You just have to continue existing, and your fame will self-perpetuate your existence into infinity because everyone wants to say they saw the longest-running play of all time, whether it’s great or not. The Bat kind of reminded me of that.
I mean, it wasn’t that bad. It had lots of amusing murder mystery stereotypes. I admit I thought the butler was going to be the one who did it a couple of times (and I later learned that Rinehart is credited with the origin of the phrase “the butler did it”). The stereotypical characters did amusing stereotypical things. The beautiful debutante trusted her true love and trembled tremulously. The falsely-accused lover carried on indefatigably in the face of cruel fortune. The crazy maid was appropriately batty, and the laconic butler didn’t say much. There were gun shots from the dark, and mysterious bloody figures wandering in from the night. Cheesy, but fun.
I certainly didn’t figure it out. This is probably because I never figure it out (with the exception of The Usual Suspects, which for some reason I saw coming from the very beginning).
I really loved the bit with the old lady (ahem - cough, cough, Miss Marple, cough, cough) telling the bad guy that she took the bullets out of the gun. That was a nice touch, and my favorite part.
Finally, I don’t understand why this is considered an inspiration for Batman. Because he dresses in black? Knowing that this is supposed to be a Batman precursor, I spent the whole book expecting The Bat to be a misunderstood superhero. Which turned out to be wildly inaccurate. That’s the trouble with reading seminal works of literature with an informed retrospective perspective...you expect the inspirational link to be clear, when in reality ideas bud from oddly disjointed fictional fragments. You read a book about an evil super-criminal who dresses in black and occasionally nails dead bats to doors, and suddenly you’re penning the annals of a dark, misunderstood bat superhero who works out of a cave beneath a Gothic mansion and invents crazy devices. Fiction is fascinating.
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