Book Time: Prochnik’s “In Pursuit of Silence”
In Pursuit of Silence: Listening for Meaning in a World of Noise, George Prochnik, 2010
Many interesting bits.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Pogue Harrison’s “Gardens”
Gardens: An Essay on the Human Condition, Robert Pogue Harrison, 2008
Can you be erudite and cranky at the same time? Like a high-brow Andy Rooney? Well, he keeps it short, and also keeps the ideas and associations flying.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Milgrom’s “Still Life”
Still Life: Adventures in Taxidermy, Melissa Milgrom, 2009
Really good, lively journalism.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Niebank’s “Agaat”
Agaat, Marlene van Niebank, 2009
I should have hated this: a 600-page family saga taking place on a South African farm. But Niebank writes so extraordinarily well — some unholy alliance between Faulkner, Ondaatje and Marilynne Robinson.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Book Time: Harding’s “Tinkers”
Tinkers, Paul Harding, 2009
A bit arty, but not bad at all.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Movie Time: Leigh’s “Nuts in May”
Nuts in May, Mike Leigh, 1976
Amazingly good! Who else can mix light comedy, sharp satire (which never has a trace of bitterness), and a harrowing kind of nihilism. Every character, every gesture, every scene and line of dialog (and song) is equally weighted.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Book Time: Carson’s “Economy of the Unlost”
Economy of the Unlost, Anne Carson, 1999
I’m not sure how much I want to write poetry like Carson — a little bit, sure — but now I’m sure I want to write essays like her.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Movie Time: Get Him to the Greek
Get Him to the Greek, Nicholas Stoller, 2010
I think its one of the best Apatow movies, even if it becomes kind of plotty.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Book Time: Hartman’s “Lose Your Mother”
Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route, Saidiya Hartman, 2009
Marked by Hartman’s unwaveringly brutal and incisive eye.
