I loved the review! Your comment on the second person, though, had me sweating a little bit -- I think, yeah, we're taught that the second person is risky as hell, and you're right, its because it makes us feel uncomfortable, *especially* in novels... BUT I'd argue it's the riskiest point of view with the biggest rewards if done right. I'll admit that I'm a little biased towards the short story playing field, but the second person is alive and well and flourishing when it comes to less sustained narratives :) thanks for the review!
+ForTheLoveOfRyan I see what you mean and I largely agree - to me it's a bit like metafiction, it's become quite stale but it can still be very very powerful if you either use it in very small doses (like Don DeLillo in Underworld's Triumph of Death) or go over the top and drop it all over the place (like some DFW stories, Forever Overhead I think is all in the 2nd person and it's my favorite story out of the Brief Interviews). Thanks for the feedback as usual ^^!
Would you ever consider reviewing The Pale King? I read it recently, and although I don't think it's any Infinite Jest I do think it's discusses some important themes and has some funny concepts. I would really like to know your thoughts on it.
+Adam Currie The Pale King is among the very few works of fiction by Wallace I have never read! (That, and one or two stories in Oblivion). I have some problems coping with the whole idea of it being a fragment, and what I have studied about it has always suggested me it was a terrible idea for a book... I never thought it would be "funny" though! I might read it sometime in the future, and if I do I'll definitely film a review ;)
Hey buddy. I am trying not to buy any new books and am trying to use the library. My local library doesn't have this book but it does have quite a lot of McInerney's other titles. It has 'Ransom', 'Brightness Falls', 'How It Ended', 'Story of my Life', 'The Juice' and 'The Good Life.' Which of these titles do you recommend? This interview with Jay is very good: th-cam.com/video/x6F04HA76Us/w-d-xo.html Also have you read Armistead Maupin? Would you please do a video on him if you have? Grazie! Andrew.
+Andy McKinney Sorry for the suuuper delay in my reply, but alas Bright Lights is the only McInerney book I've read so far! Also I don't know Armistead Maupin, sorry about that!
Great review. I loved the book. Short, yet moving; and very capturing of the emptiness and lack of fulfillment that materialistic pleasure will result it. I just finished reading an absolutely fantastic novel that contrasts this lifestyle well, it's (the book) called Stoner by John Williams. I really recommend it if you haven't read it already. here's a link if you're interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_(novel)
+peaceandllov lol no. The main character's name is William Stoner. It has nothing to do with drugs. It's about a man who lives a simple, boring, and ultimately meaningless life when looked at just upon his actions. A life that is remembered by few and forgotten by many. But the authour shows you that by living it with integrity, stolid passion, and a rugged grace it is the exact opposite. And where most novels would try and do this by romanticizing the protagonists life, Williams (the authour) does it by not romanticizing any part of it; and is thus able to succeed. It explores human truths and the beauty found in its simple virtues. It is easily one of the best books that I have ever read, and one of my favourites. An absolute gem. Books like these are the reason I read.
I loved the review! Your comment on the second person, though, had me sweating a little bit -- I think, yeah, we're taught that the second person is risky as hell, and you're right, its because it makes us feel uncomfortable, *especially* in novels... BUT I'd argue it's the riskiest point of view with the biggest rewards if done right. I'll admit that I'm a little biased towards the short story playing field, but the second person is alive and well and flourishing when it comes to less sustained narratives :) thanks for the review!
+ForTheLoveOfRyan I see what you mean and I largely agree - to me it's a bit like metafiction, it's become quite stale but it can still be very very powerful if you either use it in very small doses (like Don DeLillo in Underworld's Triumph of Death) or go over the top and drop it all over the place (like some DFW stories, Forever Overhead I think is all in the 2nd person and it's my favorite story out of the Brief Interviews). Thanks for the feedback as usual ^^!
Hi, I saw the movie, and I liked it a lot, I've always wanted to read it, thanks.
Would love a review of a Donna Tartt novel
Would you ever consider reviewing The Pale King? I read it recently, and although I don't think it's any Infinite Jest I do think it's discusses some important themes and has some funny concepts. I would really like to know your thoughts on it.
+Adam Currie *it not it's
+Adam Currie The Pale King is among the very few works of fiction by Wallace I have never read! (That, and one or two stories in Oblivion). I have some problems coping with the whole idea of it being a fragment, and what I have studied about it has always suggested me it was a terrible idea for a book... I never thought it would be "funny" though! I might read it sometime in the future, and if I do I'll definitely film a review ;)
loving your channel, and enjoying listening to these reviews. thanks new sub :)
Hey buddy. I am trying not to buy any new books and am trying to use the library. My local library doesn't have this book but it does have quite a lot of McInerney's other titles. It has 'Ransom', 'Brightness Falls', 'How It Ended', 'Story of my Life', 'The Juice' and 'The Good Life.' Which of these titles do you recommend?
This interview with Jay is very good: th-cam.com/video/x6F04HA76Us/w-d-xo.html
Also have you read Armistead Maupin? Would you please do a video on him if you have?
Grazie!
Andrew.
+Andy McKinney Sorry for the suuuper delay in my reply, but alas Bright Lights is the only McInerney book I've read so far! Also I don't know Armistead Maupin, sorry about that!
Thanks!!!!!😅
Great review. I loved the book. Short, yet moving; and very capturing of the emptiness and lack of fulfillment that materialistic pleasure will result it.
I just finished reading an absolutely fantastic novel that contrasts this lifestyle well, it's (the book) called Stoner by John Williams. I really recommend it if you haven't read it already.
here's a link if you're interested:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoner_(novel)
I just got that in the mail. It's not about an actual stoner, right?
+peaceandllov
lol no. The main character's name is William Stoner. It has nothing to do with drugs. It's about a man who lives a simple, boring, and ultimately meaningless life when looked at just upon his actions. A life that is remembered by few and forgotten by many. But the authour shows you that by living it with integrity, stolid passion, and a rugged grace it is the exact opposite. And where most novels would try and do this by romanticizing the protagonists life, Williams (the authour) does it by not romanticizing any part of it; and is thus able to succeed.
It explores human truths and the beauty found in its simple virtues.
It is easily one of the best books that I have ever read, and one of my favourites. An absolute gem. Books like these are the reason I read.
+Vlado Scekic I have heard great things about Stoner, I will definitely read it sometime in the near future! Thanks for the suggestion :)
NP. Please let me know what you think of the book, I'd love to hear your take on it.
Great book. Have you read Augustus?