1 to 5 of 5
Review Date: 7/14/2016
Though all of Wilson's books are rather dated, I enjoy the time-capsule feel of them. Most of them follow similar themes: wealthy men and women unhappy and unfulfilled with adulthood but not unfulfilled enough to give up that nice sailboat. Most of Sloan's characters come from a privileged background (much like Sloan's was I imagine). Nursemaids and cooks are very common in Sloan's world, even for a family of four.
All the Best People wasn't really any different. Lots of martinis and cigarettes are consumed while talking to shrinks and trying to figure themselves out, all the while becoming wildly successful and wealthy. I don't think Wilson could imagine characters without money.
Dana and Caroline,are not very sympathetic characters. They become rather annoying going through the same old arguments. Though life on the surface always seems rather good, Sloan's characters are forever unhappy. They should try doing without all that money and see if they enjoy life any better.
Never the less, as I said I enjoy his books, probably for exactly some of the reasons I dislike them; characters and a time which no longer exist.
All the Best People wasn't really any different. Lots of martinis and cigarettes are consumed while talking to shrinks and trying to figure themselves out, all the while becoming wildly successful and wealthy. I don't think Wilson could imagine characters without money.
Dana and Caroline,are not very sympathetic characters. They become rather annoying going through the same old arguments. Though life on the surface always seems rather good, Sloan's characters are forever unhappy. They should try doing without all that money and see if they enjoy life any better.
Never the less, as I said I enjoy his books, probably for exactly some of the reasons I dislike them; characters and a time which no longer exist.
Review Date: 12/11/2013
Dubus has (or sadly, had) a great knack for storytelling.
I love the spiritual aspect of his writing, though I would never classify him as a "religious" writer. His characters simply have a spiritual side to them, and that often plays into his stories. I love the flawed, humanness of his characters.
Dubus wrote some wonderful short stories. I just discovered him a few months ago. If you have not read his work, do yourself a favor and check him out.
I love the spiritual aspect of his writing, though I would never classify him as a "religious" writer. His characters simply have a spiritual side to them, and that often plays into his stories. I love the flawed, humanness of his characters.
Dubus wrote some wonderful short stories. I just discovered him a few months ago. If you have not read his work, do yourself a favor and check him out.
Review Date: 4/11/2019
Interesting/enjoyable, but only if you're familiar with his earlier work and don't mind his particular "brand" of writing.
Review Date: 9/24/2019
I discovered Tropper's work when I ran across The Book of Joe in a used book store. I immediately obtained the rest of his novels, ending with This is Where I leave you. It turned out to be my favorite. Great characters. Funny, yet thoughtful. Though Tropper's books all sort of revolve around similar characters, the characters in TIWILY felt more fleshed out; fuller.
Review Date: 9/5/2012
Recently read The Town and the City. Strange that while it was Kerouac's first book, it is the last of his collection that I read. (OK, I haven't read EVERYTHING Jack wrote because, frankly, I'm not a big fan of his poetry.)
Though Kerouac can definitely get a little wordy, I really enjoyed this book. Kerouac is so well known for On the Road, spontaneous prose, and his SF/NY beat scene books, that it was actually very nice to read a book by Jack written in a more traditional prose style. Actually, having read his other works first it's kind of fun to see The Town and the City characters, subjects and style that would mark his more famous works.
If you're a fan of Kerouac I'd definitely recommend this book.
Though Kerouac can definitely get a little wordy, I really enjoyed this book. Kerouac is so well known for On the Road, spontaneous prose, and his SF/NY beat scene books, that it was actually very nice to read a book by Jack written in a more traditional prose style. Actually, having read his other works first it's kind of fun to see The Town and the City characters, subjects and style that would mark his more famous works.
If you're a fan of Kerouac I'd definitely recommend this book.
1 to 5 of 5
