Okay, so sadly there are a lot of not-so-good books out there.
Sadder still is that there are loads of really, really good books out there, but how-oh-how to unearth those gems? Recommendations are rockin' but I feel like many of us are in the same vicious cycle of not knowing where to begin to find the good books.
I'm a self-proclaimed word whore, so part of the reason I started this blog was to do mini-reviews and suggestions for, well, things! books, of course, but also music, film, food, art, fun stuff, new rides at disneyland, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
This is a big world & the only way to tackle it is piece by piece & sharing! (As scary as it is, Barney, that goofy dino was right.).
So, recently I had the pleasure of reading David Mitchell's 2006 novel, "Black Swan Green." And to echo the words of the protagonist, this book is "epic." Well, not the "Gone with the Wind" epic variety, but in the quiet, easy and luscious story of a year in the life of a thirteen-year-old boy growing-up in a UK burb. It reminds me a lot of our own Holden Caulfield (sans the pink shirt), but more relatable and just as sarcastic. (More relatable because we have more characters around to offer views and interact, whereas Holden was distant and removed.) The first person voice is well-crafted and rich in detail and turning this boy's experiences into vivid images as he wrestles with the confident older sib, the squawking parents, the bullies at school, trying to make with girls, his non de plume, and all with a comic, self-criticizing voice that reminds me of my own teenage years.
Anyway, this author is fantastic. This is the second book that I've read ("Cloud Atlas" being my first and I've one word for that book: WOW.) and I look forward to picking up "Ghostwritten" --as soon as I finish the precarious stack on my nighstand.
For more deets on the man behind the words, check these out: http://ianhocking.com/2007/03/david-mitchell-podcast-now-then.html
http://books.guardian.co.uk/manbooker2006/story/0,,1852819,00.html#article_continue
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Great post Christineee! You know how badly I need book recommendations. Even though I can't read as fast as you, I am so happy you are finally here to help the illiterate. LOL
wow, batman (or should i say wonder woman?), you quoted Barney. I have to digest that.
However, how well-put, this description. That there book you're raving about is awaiting mine eyes, but with a review like this, i think i will be moving it up on my list of "things to read."
tanks, christineeee, you rock it like a hurricane.
Post a Comment