phonophore Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 It's quite a gripping story so far--not sure a movie can really do it justice. No, the movie will be better. Seriously. Link to post Share on other sites
phonophore Posted July 6, 2006 Share Posted July 6, 2006 This book, while quite demoralizing, is a terrific read. Tom Frank has a great tongue in cheek attitude while still being able to care about his subject. This is easily the most sincere assessment of the inner workings of the right wing politicos I have seen so far. This is a book that middle America must wake up and read, but sadly never will. Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 Really? I'm just really digging the dialog.The characters are just that. "Characters". I find the banter back and forth simply terrific.The enunciation, the regional inflections make it sparkle.If this thing were a play; (and it may have been adapted at some point for all I know ) I could see this being a real 'hoot' to perform.The story behind the author and publishing of Confederacy of Dunces is a southern gothic in itself. I know of at least two books that have been written about it. "By now, the tale of Toole's sprawling comic novel of New Orleans, A Confederacy of Dunces, lives on as a modern literary legend. A young novelist writes what he thinks is his masterpiece, is rejected by a famous New York publisher, and commits suicide only to be published posthumously and win the Pulitzer. But in this almost hagiographic account, first-time authors Nevils and Hardy reveal a story that is not quite so simple. Raised in New Orleans by a mostly distant and later mentally disturbed father and a clinging mother, Toole developed the love of reading early. When he finished Confederacy, he sent it to Simon and Schuster, where the famous Robert Gottlieb championed the manuscript and encouraged Toole to make some changes so that the book would be more publishable. Toole refused, asked for the manuscript back, and eventually descended into depression and paranoia, blaming Gottlieb for the novel's failure. After his death, his mother urged Walker Percy to publish Confederacy. The rest is history. Here, mother and son seem to have stepped right out of the Southern Gothic of a Tennessee Williams play, but this is a sad tale of one family's descent into despair and lonely ascent into posthumous fame." Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 The story behind the author and publishing of Confederacy of Dunces is a southern gothic in itself. I know of at least two books that have been written about it.And I'm so taken by this novel I'll probably have to go back and read those too. I bought this back in the early Spring and am just getting around to it. I can see now, this will be one of those cherished books I'll long to replace my paperback version with a hard bound edition. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 I picked this up yesterday. I'd never read him before. I nailed the first 100 pages or so last night and quite like his writing style. Very rhythmic pace to it. Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 "Place of Dead Roads" by William Burroughs... LouieB Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 we had to read Deliverance in high school I started this on the train this morning...... I was mad when the train got into the station, as I didn't want to put it down!! I know his other book Under the Banner of Heaven has been recommended on here......that is definitely on my summer reading list now. Link to post Share on other sites
Lammycat Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 I read Into the Wild several years ago and parts of the story pop into my head every now and then. It's the kind of book that stays with you, IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 7, 2006 Share Posted July 7, 2006 I just took a stab at it, after picking it up on the buy two get one free table.......glad I did! Link to post Share on other sites
awatt Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 David S. Reyonolds, Beneath the American Renaissance: The Subversive Imagination in the Age of Emerson and Melville. Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamin' Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 I started this on the train this morning...... I was mad when the train got into the station, as I didn't want to put it down!! I know his other book Under the Banner of Heaven has been recommended on here......that is definitely on my summer reading list now.I stayed up all night reading Into Thin Air because I couldn't fall asleep until the survivors got off the mountain. Link to post Share on other sites
skyflynn Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 My friend's first novel. I highly recommend it. Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 ^ Lovely title and cover. This makes three in a row from Steven Harrison that I have read in a month. Amazing, brilliant mind Link to post Share on other sites
parisisstale Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Did anyone read "The End Of Poverty" by Jeffrey Sachs ??? It's my recommended summer reading for grad school, but I'm not too excited about it. Link to post Share on other sites
WildMercurySound Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 Paulo Coehlo - The Alchemist a friend lent this to me, it's really good so far. Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 8, 2006 Share Posted July 8, 2006 I love that book - I have read some of his other stuff, but that one is by far the best IMO. Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I read Into the Wild several years ago and parts of the story pop into my head every now and then. It's the kind of book that stays with you, IMO.I was given the book a few years back and it is excellent. Both this one and Into Thin Air are fantastic. LouieB Link to post Share on other sites
Reni Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I am done with Into the Wild and now halfway through Under the Banner of Heaven, which is also excellent. Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 Into thin Air is one of the scariest books ever.... LouieB Link to post Share on other sites
Dreamin' Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 So is Under the Banner of Heaven. The chapter where Krakauer explores the boundary between bizarre faith/belief and delusion is fascinating. Link to post Share on other sites
EL the Famous Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 My sister got me the Anthony Kiedis auto-bio...i'm not sure I really want to read it. Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Kinsley Posted July 11, 2006 Share Posted July 11, 2006 I'm very slowly going back and hitting some classics that I somehow managed to miss during high school/college. The Grapes of Wrath is up now. Up next, Slaughterhouse Five. At my current pace I should be able to finish them by the time I go back to work... in September... of 2007. Link to post Share on other sites
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