Now Reading in the Old Year

[MattZ]

People who influenced Matt (the Z) (in order of importance):

 

1. Mom

2. Dad

3. Bill Watterson

[mpolak21]

I love the idea of a great Watterson book, but every review I read of Martell's bio was pretty negative, so I stayed away. I am interested to hear what you end up thinking about it.

 

--Mike

[uncool2pillow]

Stereotyping people by their favorite author

[The High Heat]

I love the idea of a great Watterson book, but every review I read of Martell's bio was pretty negative, so I stayed away. I am interested to hear what you end up thinking about it.

 

--Mike

Just finished the Watterson book today. While I would not call it a great inspection of Watterson and his fantastic work, I will call it a good work. I don't know what the criticism is on Martell's current work. I take all non-fiction with a grain of salt, so reviews of the genre hold no water for me.

 

The biggest obstacle Martell faced in his research was lack of access to his subject. Watterson's reclusiveness dates further back than his retirement. He did very few interviews during his carreer and virtually nothing has been heard from him since he called it quits. And this is all by design on Watterson's part. Much of this information can probably be scratched together from various web sites and from the introductions he wrote in his own collections, as well as other artists' books he contributed to. There is some new information here. There are interviews with close friends and instructors from various points of Watterson's life, close colleagues, other artists from all genres of art, and one family member. That being stated, no one undermines Watterson's privacy here. The respect and reverence they all have for Watterson is steep. For instance his managing editor at his affliated syndicate gave examples of issues that arose during their association: He noted the problem, the opposing stances, the emotions involved and the decisions rendered; but he never went into the exploitive details of words or actions exchanged. They are not necessary and the reader gets the gist of the situation. Therefore this work lacks seediness.

 

I would imagine some academics and journalists might take exception to Martell's use of first person by involving himself in the story. Part of Martell's book on Watterson is his personal and professional pursuit of his favorite cartoonist, and he writes openly of this. I think he probably had to do something to add volume to the book because of the lack of access to Watterson himself. Then again it could very well be a vehicle to relate to the reader. After all we, too, had Calvin and Hobbes (and Watterson) come into our lives, swoop us up, take us on a glorious ride and dump us before we knew what had happened; so maybe a re-tracing the journey of one of his artistic heroes was necessary in this work. Martell is obviously a fan, and I wouldn't say he is perfectly even-handed in his work. There is a very slight tilt of hero worshiping and a little bit of daydreaming of what could have been. That's not to say there is no criticism of Watterson. There is indeed, mostly on Watterson's hard-line approach towards fame and commercialism. His stance on these matters makes Bob Dylan look like a grubby whore.

 

In reading this I felt like I was reminiscing with a friend about a subject we both adored. I'll never forget the first time I came across the Calvin and Hobbes strip, nor will I ever forget the sinking feeling I had on the day I saw a notice of retirement in my favorite spot on the funny pages instead of a fresh piece of Calvin and his best friend Hobbes. This book pieces all of the story together in one place. Is it hard-hitting and in-depth? Not really, but considering Watterson's stance on accessibility there may never be any other attempt at this; so take this reading for what it is: A trip down memory lane. I'm sure Martell wanted to do more with this effort, but that's pretty much impossible without Watterson's help (He did not even receive permission to include strips for context in this work - there are none. There is, however, a previously published photo of Watterson on the back cover.) I'm sure throughout his research process when it came to dealing with the core of his subject matter, Watterson, along with rambunctious Calvin and the indomitable Hobbes, left Nevin Martell feeling like he was chasing his tail.

[The High Heat]

Stereotyping people by their favorite author

I am not a liar! I swear!

 

And we never had a Grandparents Day in elementary school (which is good because Granny would have NEVER made up all those stairs).

 

 

 

Where the hell is Dennis Lehane on this list?

[Moss]

 

 

Just finished this one. What a fantastic book. Very highly recommended.

[Dreamin']

English refers to my generation as, Trudeau's children. So true. "Je t'aime, Papa."

[mountain bed]

The Clinton Tapes (wrestling history with the President) - Taylor Branch

 

I loved Branch's Parting The Waters. One of the definitive historical documents of that time frame imo. I think that ultimately The Clinton Tapes will serve the same purpose for the '90s. Truly a work of scholarship, from a very insider's point of view.

[Analogman]

Strange Things Happen - Stewart Copeland

Night Passage - Robert B. Parker

Death In Paradise - Robert B. Parker

Under The Lake - Stuart Woods