Ahhh, the drinking life. So very romantic, until one bright day like Malcolm, you don't wake up so very bright. Sad, sad story, but well written. That's what we like about him. Thanks for this Grant.
True enough Sal. That one short passage I read, I don't think I really got the pathos of it, but the realization that some of the best years have been squandered, that one hit me pretty hard. I think I'm still on the fence about this one, probably because it might be written for people who have gone through some heavy drinking years. I'm not sure. Maybe the reason why people rate this book so highly is because it's so hard to get a definite grasp on what we want it to mean. Hope you are doing well!
Thanks Contraband! Sometimes it stays in, but often it depends on how long the video is. Anything over 20 minutes I have to cut out all the excess. (Keep your eyes on your mailbox.)
Hello Jelena, I'm happy you are getting something from the videos. The Modern Library 100... has been a huge influence on my reading for the last 25 years!
I only saw the John Houston film, which I barely remember but wasn't motivated to read the novel, which is acclaimed. While your thoughts on alcohol consumption were compelling, 20th boozing lit hasn't aged well and there's so much of it,. Beer. I gave up alcohol for health, I loved drinking but I could take it or leave it. A buddy of mine who is in AA, I asked him what his drink was and he said beer. The ritual of drinking can be as appealing as the buzz. Maybe switch it with a new ritual. Drinking sadly is not as intellectually relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 20th. Wine comes in cans, you can't smoke in bars and there's still no cure for cirrhosis of the liver. You're looking healthy, love the colors, Japan suits you. Cheers!
hi Grant, oh, how i understand you!... I haven't stopped yet because I hate not finishing a book (I think I've only done it once, and I don't even remember the title), how can something well written be mostly boring! (and the edition I'm reading has small print and little spacing between lines! I'm really taking the opportunity to complain!!!) Anyway, a huge dose of persistence and I'll get there, 'only' a hundred and something pages left...and then, what will remain of this book?...In summary, well written, and as you have said, boring, with some very good interludes where reading is a pleasure. Stay well.
Hello Cristina, I think you will find that it is worth reading, but very hard to love. (That bit with the dying Indian and the horse and the coins on the side of the road!!) This is why I had to read it again, to see if my memory of it was accurate. That's a shame about your small print edition, that must make it extra unlovable. What I always do after a difficult book is read a short one that I know I will enjoy. I just finished The Book of Eve, and it was nice and light. Good luck. I won't say a word about those last 100 pages!
@@grantlovesbooksjust finished and these last pages were even more oppressively descending. The scene with the Indian repeats, indeed! Phew. But one thing must be unanimous, the choice of the book's title is masterful! (and yes, thank you for the suggestion, I do the same, after a heavy one, I switch to an easier book!)
Hi Grant. Seems Malcolm Lowrey's fiction certainly interacts with his personal being.as well. I read this book in the 1980's. Don't remember much though I remember it depressing despite attempts to throw in philosophical tangents. Interesting juxtaposition between Lowrey's demon and the total possessive demon of Charles Bukowski.
Hello James. I was hoping to take a day trip to Lowry's 'cabin' that he supposedly build and wrote this novel in, which is really not very far away from where I live. It makes the comments in the book about "leaving Mexico and going somewhere, maybe British Columbia, by the water..." very enjoyable. I'm not sure about the philosophical tangents, the majority of the novel feels like all smoke and no fire. I have to admit, I think it's worth the read, but maybe it takes someone more clever than me to appreciate it.
Hello Duane, thanks for writing, I'll check out that other channel. This one was really a hard one to make. I never like to discourage anyone from reading anything. But, I also want people to read good stuff and be happy and surprised with my recommendations. Considering it's lauded reputation, I suppose this annoying book has had more than enough promotion in the past.
Well Grant, if you'd like a more positive take on Mescal, try listening to the dulcet tones of one Sammy Hagar, Esq., and I'll remind you that when drinking it, you have the opportunity to eat a pickled worm for the full experience! ;) Also, your description of the main character being sneaky with his drinking reminds me of this sketch by the fantastic duo, Mitchell and Webb: th-cam.com/video/uRbj1Q4tXNo/w-d-xo.html
Hello Lemur, I'm actually trying to live the straight and narrow these days, no booze whatsoever. Those hard liquor days, I don't think they'll be coming back. I will watch the Mitchell and Webb video, I'm a big fan, especially of Peep Show. Who's Sammy Hagar? Was he that guy in the other wheelchair in that Tom Cruise movie Born on the Forth of July?
Ahhh, the drinking life. So very romantic, until one bright day like Malcolm, you don't wake up so very bright. Sad, sad story, but well written. That's what we like about him. Thanks for this Grant.
True enough Sal. That one short passage I read, I don't think I really got the pathos of it, but the realization that some of the best years have been squandered, that one hit me pretty hard.
I think I'm still on the fence about this one, probably because it might be written for people who have gone through some heavy drinking years. I'm not sure.
Maybe the reason why people rate this book so highly is because it's so hard to get a definite grasp on what we want it to mean.
Hope you are doing well!
The Forest Path to the Spring? (S)hell? ...or his unfortunate last night in England?
I hope you never stop including the "stuff at the end" segments. 👏
Thanks Contraband! Sometimes it stays in, but often it depends on how long the video is. Anything over 20 minutes I have to cut out all the excess.
(Keep your eyes on your mailbox.)
Indeed, I was hoping for some Japanese B-roll at the end!
@@lemurcat That's coming in the next video!
I learned a new word! Thanks! Also, didn't know about the Modern Library Best list.
Hello Jelena, I'm happy you are getting something from the videos. The Modern Library 100... has been a huge influence on my reading for the last 25 years!
This book was an incredible shock when i read it in 1980. Once finished i read it again.
A shock in what kind of a way?
This was also my second reading, but I found it a lot less enjoyable this time through.
Nice screen behind you.
Thanks Deb! That was my Christmas holidays with my in-laws in Japan. They have such a beautiful traditional Japanese home.
I only saw the John Houston film, which I barely remember but wasn't motivated to read the novel, which is acclaimed. While your thoughts on alcohol consumption were compelling, 20th boozing lit hasn't aged well and there's so much of it,. Beer. I gave up alcohol for health, I loved drinking but I could take it or leave it. A buddy of mine who is in AA, I asked him what his drink was and he said beer. The ritual of drinking can be as appealing as the buzz. Maybe switch it with a new ritual. Drinking sadly is not as intellectually relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 20th. Wine comes in cans, you can't smoke in bars and there's still no cure for cirrhosis of the liver. You're looking healthy, love the colors, Japan suits you. Cheers!
hi Grant, oh, how i understand you!...
I haven't stopped yet because I hate not finishing a book (I think I've only done it once, and I don't even remember the title), how can something well written be mostly boring! (and the edition I'm reading has small print and little spacing between lines! I'm really taking the opportunity to complain!!!) Anyway, a huge dose of persistence and I'll get there, 'only' a hundred and something pages left...and then, what will remain of this book?...In summary, well written, and as you have said, boring, with some very good interludes where reading is a pleasure. Stay well.
Hello Cristina, I think you will find that it is worth reading, but very hard to love. (That bit with the dying Indian and the horse and the coins on the side of the road!!)
This is why I had to read it again, to see if my memory of it was accurate.
That's a shame about your small print edition, that must make it extra unlovable.
What I always do after a difficult book is read a short one that I know I will enjoy. I just finished The Book of Eve, and it was nice and light.
Good luck. I won't say a word about those last 100 pages!
@@grantlovesbooksjust finished and these last pages were even more oppressively descending. The scene with the Indian repeats, indeed! Phew. But one thing must be unanimous, the choice of the book's title is masterful! (and yes, thank you for the suggestion, I do the same, after a heavy one, I switch to an easier book!)
Hi Grant. Seems Malcolm Lowrey's fiction certainly interacts with his personal being.as well. I read this book in the 1980's. Don't remember much though I remember it depressing despite attempts to throw in philosophical tangents. Interesting juxtaposition between Lowrey's demon and the total possessive demon of Charles Bukowski.
Hello James. I was hoping to take a day trip to Lowry's 'cabin' that he supposedly build and wrote this novel in, which is really not very far away from where I live. It makes the comments in the book about "leaving Mexico and going somewhere, maybe British Columbia, by the water..." very enjoyable.
I'm not sure about the philosophical tangents, the majority of the novel feels like all smoke and no fire.
I have to admit, I think it's worth the read, but maybe it takes someone more clever than me to appreciate it.
I had 2 false starts with this. The guy from The Falcon Reads also agrees with your take
Hello Duane, thanks for writing, I'll check out that other channel.
This one was really a hard one to make. I never like to discourage anyone from reading anything. But, I also want people to read good stuff and be happy and surprised with my recommendations.
Considering it's lauded reputation, I suppose this annoying book has had more than enough promotion in the past.
Well Grant, if you'd like a more positive take on Mescal, try listening to the dulcet tones of one Sammy Hagar, Esq., and I'll remind you that when drinking it, you have the opportunity to eat a pickled worm for the full experience! ;)
Also, your description of the main character being sneaky with his drinking reminds me of this sketch by the fantastic duo, Mitchell and Webb: th-cam.com/video/uRbj1Q4tXNo/w-d-xo.html
Hello Lemur, I'm actually trying to live the straight and narrow these days, no booze whatsoever. Those hard liquor days, I don't think they'll be coming back.
I will watch the Mitchell and Webb video, I'm a big fan, especially of Peep Show.
Who's Sammy Hagar? Was he that guy in the other wheelchair in that Tom Cruise movie Born on the Forth of July?
Saw the movie. Thanks.
People tell me the movie is as good, or better, than the novel. I have a strong feeling they are right about that!