| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
 Posted - 04/29/2006 : 00:46:01
|
I've just finished reading A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0330484559/qid=1146296497/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_3_2/202-6848734-0569410).
I believe this is a book that polarises opinion somewhat, even on this forum: me, I liked it. I liked that amid the vulnerability and angst there's glimpses of invincibility - the brothers driving along the cliff-top, playing frisbee, these were really evocative. I liked how he was sometimes brutally honest with himself: as he states in the somewhat unneccessary preface, it's not just self-consciously self-referential, he knows that he knows it's self-consciously self-referential. This would normally really annoy me, but I found it pretty charming in the end. Eggers appears to realise that he's pretty annoying and doesn't try and talk his way out of it.
I liked it. You?
 I have joined the Cult Of Frank/And I have dearly paid |
|
|
Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 08:27:14
|
I loved it, and his second work, first novel, AND YOU SHALL KNOW OUR VELOCITY, i think was even better. I subscribe to the literary journal he publishes, McSweeneys.
-Brian
|
 |
|
|
floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 09:28:12
|
Shmeggers.
"I don't have any money to buy new clothes and if they paid me to get some I'd probably buy more hoodies." - Mark Wainfur |
|
|
|
kathryn
~ Selkie Bride ~
Belgium
15320 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 17:44:37
|
I'm still riding the Eggers backlash eventhough it's so year 2000.
I do agree with Brian, Velocity was better. Or at least less distracting and cloying than the overly self-concious Work.
I’m the only one who can say that this light is mine
|
|
|
|
Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 18:05:27
|
No relation to Samantha Eggar?
 |
|
|
|
Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 20:00:38
|
I am gonna hurl!
 I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
|
Edited by - Homers_pet_monkey on 04/29/2006 20:01:01 |
|
|
|
Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 20:06:10
|
Sorry, yeah, that's a bit gross.
|
|
|
|
Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2006 : 20:12:12
|
If only she didn't look like she was gonna eat it.
I'd walk her everyday, into a shady place
|
|
|
|
offerw
* Dog in the Sand *
South Africa
1264 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 00:55:40
|
I didn't like the novel very much. There was some MTV(?) interview bit with the main character which I found extremely grating. Never read any Eggers again.
I'm curious about the McSweenys stuff though. Anything good Brian? I think there is one edition whith a Chabon contribution which sounds promising.
wilhelm |
Edited by - offerw on 04/30/2006 00:56:58 |
|
|
|
Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2006 : 05:49:20
|
McSwys is great but frustrating. Each issues comes in a different format - some are softcover anthologies, some hardcover, some come in a box where each story is encased in their own little 10-20 page booklet, one recently came as if a day's delivery of mail - fake ads, stories in envelopes disguised as bills, etc. Sometimes the theme of the issue is 'stories written in 20 minutes' - sometimes its 'crime stories' or sometimes there is no apparent theme at all.
Chabon edited the crime stories/film noir edition. It's good.
-Brian
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Eggers
