Desert Protocol - Atlas Shrugs

originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Interesting comment re: Chabon. I just finished Yiddish Policemen's Union. While it's a fun, stylish read, it lacks substance, as all of his work seems to. He appears to be our Martin Amis, so much talent and so little to write about, yet entertaining nonetheless. Pity.
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I really don't like Martin Amis' work, though I do like some of his father's, but, though Chabon is not a crazy narcissist, I see why you make the comparison. Still, I disagree.

Chabon is not (maybe, and I'm not convinced really) a philosophical novelist, but he's a fine storyteller. He avoids a lot of the tiresome self-indulgence and solipsism of, well, some (see: Fortress of Solitude), and leaves the substance in the story. The patina of light-weighted-ness that adheres to him may be a result of his use of genre fiction in working through issues of family alienation, diaspora and nationalism, Jewishness....

I'm not his biggest fan, but I think he's a significant and--for me, someone who is largely disappointed in "serious" contemporary American lit--a welcome figure. Same for Cormac.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
originally posted by Doug Padgett:
Anyone else here a Mishima fan?
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Yes, but it's been many years. Maybe I should go back there.
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Temple of Dawn, long ago....liked it.
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Thirst for Love was ok. But the translation was a little stilted. My dad thought the translation unreadable, but he tends to be hyperbolic.

Temple of the Golden Pavilion is considered his best work, I believe. Though the reputation could be a byproduct of it being made into a highly regarded movie.
 
originally posted by Doug Padgett:
originally posted by Scott Kraft:
Interesting comment re: Chabon. I just finished Yiddish Policemen's Union. While it's a fun, stylish read, it lacks substance, as all of his work seems to. He appears to be our Martin Amis, so much talent and so little to write about, yet entertaining nonetheless. Pity.
Click to expand...

I really don't like Martin Amis' work, though I do like some of his father's, but, though Chabon is not a crazy narcissist, I see why you make the comparison. Still, I disagree.

Chabon is not (maybe, and I'm not convinced really) a philosophical novelist, but he's a fine storyteller. He avoids a lot of the tiresome self-indulgence and solipsism of, well, some (see: Fortress of Solitude), and leaves the substance in the story. The patina of light-weighted-ness that adheres to him may be a result of his use of genre fiction in working through issues of family alienation, diaspora and nationalism, Jewishness....

I'm not his biggest fan, but I think he's a significant and--for me, someone who is largely disappointed in "serious" contemporary American lit--a welcome figure. Same for Cormac.
Click to expand...

This bored seems to love Dick Lit.
 
originally posted by Joel Stewart:
Hyeh, no kidding....and as Inglorious Bastards did for me recently.
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Saw it on the airplane coming up and found the violence disappointing, only half a dozen scalpings! Maybe it was sanitized for plane viewing. In any case, didn't like it; too campy.

On the other hand, just came back from seeing Avatar with my 10-year-old and LOVED it. Odd to see 2D characters in 3D, but found the avatar gimmick brilliant & disbelief was gladly suspended. Despite the limitations of the genre, it's unbeatable as pure entertainment. Even bought the whole noble savage cliche setup, hook, line & sink.
 
Avatar did seem fresh and now all the studios are rushing to produce 3-D to get people back in the theatres. Can't wait to see the storylines and character development get completely tossed out altogether in favor of slam, bam, mashem up!

Actually...I think there may be at least one more decent application for 3-D: live concerts. I'd go see Scorcese's Stones film again...or several other bands' concerts if they did it.
 
Many classic examples. Someone must have mentioned Kesey and Barth. More off the beaten track: does any one read John Kennedy Toole's Confederacy of Dunces any more? Strange that never made it to a movie.

One the lighter side, F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack series is entertaining (especially the one with the wine obsessed accountant) as is Steven Brust's loose rewrite of The Three Musketeers in a fantasy setting (The Phoenix Guards et seq.).

Edit: Sorry Zachary, I missed your post as I skimmed through the thread.
 
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