GtrPlyr Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 An up and down ride through the life of Eels frontman Mark Everett. The guy has had to endure a lot of tragic events, but somehow hangs on, thanks in large part to his music. My only real complaint about the book, it's too short, so many chapters aren't as expansive as they probably should have been. A minor quibble for sure, especially as this is for the most part a well written and engaging memoir. Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 I'm now 2/3 of the way through this 850-page monster. (..and I'm a slow reader) It's a great read, and hardly ever gets too tedious. Like the Guthrie bio (which I loved), the author mostly just paints the details, in a lot of detail.. and lets the reader draw their own conclusions about the guy. Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Moby-Dick Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 Moby-DickI recently read this, too. Let me start by saying this: boy was I surprised. Moby Dick was nothing like I imagined it would be. The whale did not make an actual appearance until page 625 (the book is 655 pages total). Has a title character ever been so under used? The structure of the book is very unique. It really is more a collection of short stories with a very loose plot outline connecting them. Each chapter is very small and usually tackles a different subject, of sorts (the last chapter is number CXXXV). The chapters are written with different styles: first person narrative, drama (complete with stage directions), non-fiction, … you get the idea. That being said, I have to admit I really enjoyed Moby Dick. I like the unexpected structure. Not only that, I was pleasantly surprised by the content: humorous, tense, poetic, fascinating. A large portion is devoted to non-fiction biology of the whale. It is interesting to see the 1850’s version of marine biology presented. Sort of historical science, in a way. I thought there would be more ‘action scenes’ (like a 19th century boom-boom popcorn movie), but that was not the case. Those scenes were in there, just not numerous nor at the forefront. The novel has its drawbacks, of course. The language is archaic and at times seemed cliché (“Avast” or “Ahoy” or “There she blows!”). Rampant racism and religious intolerance pervade the book. Non-white / non-christian people are referred to as ‘savages’ or ‘cannibals’. But as a slice of life, perhaps it is sadly accurate snapshot of the times. It is kind of disheartening to see such language in supposedly one of America’s greatest pieces of literature.Moby Dick is often referred to as being about Ahab’s obsession for revenge. While this is true, there is so much more to the novel than just that. Ahab himself doesn’t show up until 2/3 of the way into it. It is more about life in general; about all the things that make up this crazy world. From the practical, to the scientific, to the psychological, to the relationships we develop and those that we abandon. Characters like Stubb and Flask and (especially) Starbuck are just as interesting to witness as Ahab, in my opinion. All in all, I would very much recommend this book. It is not an easy read, but well worth it. Link to post Share on other sites
VenusStopsTrain2 Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I just finished The Horse Whisperer last night...the book was full of details that unsurprisingly caused me to enjoy it far greater then the movie based on it. Link to post Share on other sites
uncool2pillow Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 The novel has its drawbacks, of course. The language is archaic and at times seemed cliché (“Avast” or “Ahoy” or “There she blows!”). Rampant racism and religious intolerance pervade the book. Non-white / non-christian people are referred to as ‘savages’ or ‘cannibals’. But as a slice of life, perhaps it is sadly accurate snapshot of the times. It is kind of disheartening to see such language in supposedly one of America’s greatest pieces of literature.Moby Dick is often referred to as being about Ahab’s obsession for revenge. While this is true, there is so much more to the novel than just that. Ahab himself doesn’t show up until 2/3 of the way into it. It is more about life in general; about all the things that make up this crazy world. From the practical, to the scientific, to the psychological, to the relationships we develop and those that we abandon. Characters like Stubb and Flask and (especially) Starbuck are just as interesting to witness as Ahab, in my opinion. All in all, I would very much recommend this book. It is not an easy read, but well worth it.I appreciate your comments. There is a lot of humor and I appreciate much of the descriptive language. I'm only 100 pages into it, but so far I'd have to disagree with your take that there is rampant racism and religious intolerance. Ishmael's friendship with Queequeg shows he overcomes his prejudices to know him as an individual. Melville's use of the language of the time can't be held to our modern standards. It's like people saying the Adv. of Huck Finn is racist because of the N-word. Speaking on another point, my brother wants the Coen Brothers to make a new Moby-Dick moview. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Really liking this so far. Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 That's funny. I was just thinking about that book last night and remembering how someone recommended it to me awhile back and I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I'll have to add it to my to-read list. I went to the library yesterday. Even though I've been reading mostly nonfiction recently, I decided to stock up on novels. First up: I read the first 65 pages last night, and I'm already sucked in. Only about 500 pages to go Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share Posted June 17, 2009 Now on hold at the library (in addition to the Brooklyn Bridge one...): and by San Francisco's new Poet Laureate.Finished Diane Di Prima (the sweetest smut I ever read...), and nearly through with Three Cups of Tea. Don't know why I avoided this one for so long, I'm enjoying it much more than I thought I would for some reason. STILL working my way through Remembrance of Things Past (can't read more than a few pages at a time, no concentration these days), and haven't even cracked the Brooklyn Bridge one. STILL. Now on hold at the library: Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 i'm finally getting around to The Kite Runner. I'm halfway through and it is an amazing story so far. Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I appreciate your comments. There is a lot of humor and I appreciate much of the descriptive language. I'm only 100 pages into it, but so far I'd have to disagree with your take that there is rampant racism and religious intolerance. Ishmael's friendship with Queequeg shows he overcomes his prejudices to know him as an individual. Melville's use of the language of the time can't be held to our modern standards. It's like people saying the Adv. of Huck Finn is racist because of the N-word. Speaking on another point, my brother wants the Coen Brothers to make a new Moby-Dick moview. I do see your point. And perhaps I over-stated the negative. I do like the novel and really understand why it is significant. Just not what I expected. Only 100 pages? You are in for a treat. I would be interested to hear your review at the end. Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyjimmy Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Bogging down about two-thirds through...but good overall. Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Just finished this one and quite enjoyed it. She really gives an honest and demystified glimpse into life on the road, and the struggles an artist on the commercial fringe has to endure to make their music. She also delves into her struggles with depression, eating disorders, and social awkwardness: a real warts and all book. Link to post Share on other sites
anthony Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 I am a big TR fan and have had this on my To Read list for a while. I have read all of TR's books, save this one and Cowgirls. Link to post Share on other sites
Teh Fan Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 Gonna re-read this before the movie hits. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 * Highlander: The Element of Fire, by Jason Henderson — The chronicles of Duncan's training days with Connor MacLeod; the friendship between the two Highlanders through the centuries. A bloodthirsty and immortal pirate Khordas vows to kill the Highlander, making up for a fearsome enemy that haunts them for hundreds of years. * Highlander: Scimitar, by Ashley McConnell - When Joe Dawson receives an ancient sword, it triggers Duncan's remembrance of his involvement in the Arab Revolt in 1916. * Highlander: Scotland the Brave, by Jennifer Roberson - Annie Devlin returns to draw Duncan into a new quest to win independence for Ireland. He is reluctant, given his history with failed attempts to free his homeland, including his culpability in the fate of the Stone of Scone. * Highlander: Measure of a Man by Nancy Holder - In Venice, Italy 1655, Duncan meets legendary manipulator - and, apparently, Immortal - Niccolò Machiavelli. Duncan only narrowly escaped Machiavelli's machinations once; he may not be so lucky when the Prince of Lies resurfaces in 20th century North America. * Highlander: The Path by Rebecca Neason - In 1781 Duncan meets a different kind of Immortal - the Dalai Lama. Soon the Highlander embarks on the path to enlightenment and peace. But that peace may be short-lived when the Immortal Nasiradeen invades Tibet. * Highlander: Zealot by Donna Lettow - Duncan MacLeod was there when Avram Mordecai fought the enemies of his Jewish people in World War II, as he has for two thousand years. Now he finds himself trapped between his honor and his loyalties when he protects a Palestinian diplomat from his old friend. * Highlander: Shadow of Obsession by Rebecca Neason - Once Darius was a man of war, laying siege to Rome. Centuries later, as a man of God, Darius touched the life of Duncan MacLeod. Now a spurned lover from Darius' warrior days returns for revenge against all he called friend. * Highlander: The Captive Soul by Josepha Sherman - Three millennia past, Methos aided the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs when the Hyksos invaded. He reluctantly becomes a spy inside the Hyksos royal house, when he meets the Immortal - and thoroughly insane - Prince Khyan. Methos misses his chance to take the madman's head, a mistake that returns to haunt him as the Oldest Immortal in New York when Khyan returns to find his sword, killing all in his path. * Highlander: White Silence by Ginjer Buchanan - MacLeod, Hugh Fitzcairn and his young apprentice get trapped in the frozen Yukon. There they face their deaths... over and over and over again. * Highlander: An Evening at Joe's - An anthology written by the cast and crew of Highlander: The Series. Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 Just finished: Now Reading: Link to post Share on other sites
isadorah Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 onto the next book group selection: Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 6, 2009 Author Share Posted July 6, 2009 ... * Highlander: Scimitar, by Ashley McConnell - When Joe Dawson receives an ancient sword, it triggers Duncan's remembrance of his involvement in the Arab Revolt in 1916. * Highlander: Scotland the Brave, by Jennifer Roberson - Annie Devlin returns to draw Duncan into a new quest to win independence for Ireland. He is reluctant, given his history with failed attempts to free his homeland, including his culpability in the fate of the Stone of Scone. ... * Highlander: An Evening at Joe's - An anthology written by the cast and crew of Highlander: The Series. 1. I first read that as Highlander: Schmighlander. 2. I have a cousin named Annie Devlin. 3. Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted July 6, 2009 Share Posted July 6, 2009 3. :yay Holy crap. I need that. Link to post Share on other sites
gogo Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 And on hold for me at the library, once I've finished that: and: Two months, people! Damn. I've just now finished Swann's Way, plus this one: Why so many Brooklyn books for me recently? Still working on the one about the Bridge (never really started, actually). I had to return it to the library and check it out again to re-start the clock. I've also still got the Ishi book, that's actually in my bag right now, along with this: I've been avoiding that one, it didn't really look like something I'd enjoy, but it's the One City One Book pick for this year, and I always like to get in on those. I've promised my niece that after I finish these still-pending reads, I'll get to the last installment of Pendragon. And then after that, I've got my library hold on Columbine frozen for now, but I'll re-add myself to that queue. Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 1. I first read that as Highlander: Schmighlander. 2. I have a cousin named Annie Devlin. 3. I was going by all of those books by way of Amazon - but it would cost me a fortune in shipping and handling. There are some others that were announced, but never got published. In the show, the character of Annie Devlin was played by Sheena Easton. Eye For An Eye (October 25, 1993) MacLeod buys Charlie DeSalvo's dojo to live in and asks Charlie to run it for him. Richie attracts the ire of Immortal Annie Devlin (Sheena Easton) by foiling her attempt at a terror attack against the British Consulate. MacLeod trains Richie at swordsmanship and tries to convince Devlin not to fight Richie, but fails. Richie eventually wins his fight against Devlin, but is unable to behead her. MacLeod presents Richie with a Spanish rapier. Link to post Share on other sites
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