Sep 28 2010
Kindle for Web
New component of the Kindle. What do you think?
Sep 28 2010
Penguin Radio: The Literary Life
In this episode of the Penguin’s The Literary Life Sigrid Nunez, author of Salvation City, discusses where she finds inspiration when she’s writing; musician Joe Pernice performs and speaks about his new novel It Feels So Good When I Stop; Amy Einhorn, publisher and editor of The Help, discusses how an editor finds and works with prominent authors and Virginia Ironside, author of You’re Old, I’m Old, Get Used To It, rants about why you shouldn’t write in the present tense.
Sep 24 2010
Colm Toibin on To the End of the Land
This NYT Review of To the End of the Land by David Grossman makes me want to pick up the ARC I have in the TBR pile and start reading. But to be frank, I am not sure I have the time or energy for a 576 page book touching on such serious/emotional subjects.
Here is a taste of the review:
It is a testament to Grossman’s novelistic talent, indeed perhaps his genius, that “To the End of the Land” manages to create and dramatize a world that gives both the reality and the echo their full due. He weaves the essences of private life into the tapestry of history with deliberate and delicate skill; he has created a panorama of breathtaking emotional force, a masterpiece of pacing, of dedicated storytelling, with characters whose lives are etched with extraordinary, vivid detail. While his novel has the vast sweep of pure tragedy, it is also at times playful, and utterly engrossing; it is filled with original and unexpected detail about domestic life, about the shapes and shadows that surround love and memory, and about the sharp and desperate edges of loss and fear.
Sep 24 2010
In the Mail: Red State Uprising
Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America by Erick Erickson, Lewis Uhler
Synopsis
Fed up with our arrogant federal government? Don’t want massive programs we don’t need and can’t afford? Then join the Red State Uprising! In his new book, RedState.com founder Erick Erickson clearly outlines what needs to change in Washington and what we can do locally to make it happen. Red State Uprising is not about anarchy or a revolution—it’s about reshaping government to maximize economic growth, individual liberty and private property rights. Barack Obama has shown his determination to move the country towards a socialist nanny state, culminating in the government takeover of health care. The vast majority of Americans reject this vision and Red State Uprising calls upon this majority to stand up and take action. There is a “right size” for government, Erikson argues, but it is much smaller, much cheaper, and much less intrusive than what we’ve got now. Red State Uprising offers conservatives a plan to take back the people’s government.
Sep 23 2010
Tutankhamun: The Book of Shadows by Nick Drake
Tutankhamun: The Book of Shadows: 384 pages; Harper; (June 29, 2010)
Publishers Weekly:
At the start of Drake’s superlative middle book in his ancient Egypt trilogy (after Nefertiti), Rahotep, the chief detective in the Thebes police force, visits a horrific crime scene. Someone has mutilated a young man and removed his eyes—and possibly pacified him with narcotics during the assault. When the killer strikes again, Rahotep wonders if the murders may be connected with efforts to destabilize the regime of the young Tutankhamun. The ruler’s foes include Ay, the regent who effectively runs the country, and Horemheb, commander of the country’s armies. Rahotep must tread carefully to identify the parties behind both the killings and the threats to Tutankhamun without jeopardizing his life and the lives of his family members. Drake seamlessly introduces a serial killer plot line into his vivid evocation of the past. Admirers of such great historical novelists as Robert Graves and Mary Renault will hope that he continues working in the field after concluding this series.
My Take:
The second book in this series is much like the first, an interesting historical mystery that too often – at least for me – gets bogged down in description and language to the detriment of pace and plotting.
Rahotep is a melancholy poet turned investigator who gets pulled into the intrigue of the palace during the reign of the famous Tutankhamun. What seems a simple investigation into mysterious objects found in the palace turns into a mystery that may cost Rahotep everything and puts the future of Egypt at risk.
The characters and backdrop are interesting but too often Drake – a poet and playwirght – insists on detailed descriptions of both interior (ie emotional) and exterior scenes to the point that the story loses its pace. Rahotep is supposed to be a unique perspective – agnostic when it comes to the gods, introspective and prone to question everything – too much musing and description means less tension and action.
Those who like historical mysteries with lots of details may disagree.
